ZODIAC CORRESPONDENCES FOR SPELLWORK
Aries: action enthusiasm
Taurus: renewal sensuality
Gemini: communication curiosity
Cancer: emotion nurturing
Leo: vitality determined
Virgo: organizing studious
Libra: balance cooperation
Scorpio: sexual philosophical
Sagittarius: strength humor
Capricorn: authority ambitious
Aquarius: innovation social
Pisces: sensitivity idealistic.
Sit around in any bar for long enough and someone is sure to come up and ask you what your sign is. (I always say, “Go slow, dangerous curves”-but that’s another story.)
They are talking about zodiac signs, an important component in astrology, an ancient science used by Witches (and a lot of other people) for divination and magick.
The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy by Rosemary Ellen Guiley defines astrology as an ancient system “based on a principle attributed to Hermes Trismegistus: `as above, so below.”‘Hmm … isn’t that interesting?
Astrology uses the positions of the planets and the stars to predict the future and explain the past. Zodiac signs in particular are often used to shed light on the various character traits that people tend to have and can be used as a tool for self-exploration and self-improvement.
Zodiac signs and astrology are used in casting horoscopes as well. Using the date and time of your birth (horoscope is Greek for “I look at the hour”), an astrologer can come up with predictions tions on future trends or events in your life. Astrology has been practiced by cultures around the world throughout history, including the Chinese, Mayans, Egyptians, and Greeks. During the Renaissance, it was considered to be a serious science but then dropped out of favor until relatively recently.
Witches don’t just use zodiac signs to find out if that cute person they met in the bar is a good match. Astrology can also be used to determine the best time to do a spell or a ritual. The signs of the zodiac are divided into earth, air, fire, and water, just like many of the other elements of Witchcraft, which may help you decide which time is best for doing any particular magickal work.
If, for instance, you want to work on magick for prosperity, you may wish to do a spell when the moon is in Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn-all earth signs. On the other hand, if you want to do magick for something emotional (like love), then you may decide to wait until the moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, since they are all water signs.
Deborah Blake. Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft
General: Philosophy, adventure, journeys, study, honesty, imagination, long-distance travel, learning, writing and publishing, religion and philosophy, generosity, faith, understanding, hope and optimism.
Watch out for no loyalty or commitment, emotional withdrawal, shifting blame and irresponsibility.
New Moon: Projects, talents, understanding, hope, faith, awareness and travel.
Full Moon: Knowledge and communication.
Element: Fire.
Colours: Purple, royal blue.
Incense: Cedar wood, sage, basil, borage, saffron, nutmeg, sandalwood, chervil. Sagittarius
Incense Blend: Equal parts of sage, nutmeg and cedar wood with a few drops of sandalwood essential oil.
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
In the week before the New Moon, you can let it sit as a question in your mind, as you go about the day. See where it falls in your birth chart. What house? What planets does it engage with? This will bring out a stream of possible intentions.
What is the element of the Sun-Moon signs? Is this an element you’d like to activate more in your life?
Getting Clear:
The GestureWrite down your intentions the day before the New Moon, or on the day itself. Suggestion: take a sharpie and write them on a 7-day candle. If you’re inspired, put a few meaningful totems, pictures, herbs or stones around it that relate to your intention.
Light it and be with your candle fully focused on your intention. Keep it on your desk, altar or mantle. Let it remind you and help you stay committed to your intention.
Your AlliesIf it feels right, ask for aid from angels, animal guides, ancestors, light beings and your own higher self.
When no intentions come:Think of the essence of what’s come up. It might be as simple as, “more fire, water, earth or air.” Or, the powerful act of surrendering to your highest good, and letting spirit do the rest.
Some affirmations:
Source:
Rituals are a way to mark turning points in your life. They can be used to symbolically welcome changes in your life. They can be simple rituals or elaborate ones. The most important thing is your full presence in the moment.
The new Moon is a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals, or set new ones.
Rituals bring meaning to our lives by “charging” an intention with power. We’re always setting intentions, and this is a way to do it in a more conscious way.
There is power in coming up with visions for your life, and keeping them in your sights as they come into being. But even as you fully commit to those visions, stay flexible, since new doors may open that you didn’t expect. At the new Moon, goals and wishes take root, as you reach out for spiritual wisdom, draw on unseen allies and open the door to magical change. You might get what you ask for, or something even better that you can’t imagine yet.
It’s important to come up with a ritual that has meaning for you, instead of trying to follow any set guidelines (unless you’re part of an established ritual group).
You’re the one that knows your personal story best, and what to lift out of that narrative, what will infuse your ritual with power. Here are some general guidelines to shape your rituals using the unique symbols and totems from your life.
Gathering your Sacred Supplies Your altar is where you collect your sacred objects — pictures, found objects and the like. Using herbs with healing or symbolic properties adds to your ritual.
Stones and crystals are another powerful ally. Candles are magical, and in its form contains all four of the elements. A small journal on hand allows you to keep a record of your intentions.
Preparing for the Ritual This is the most important part of ritual, since your commitment is the key. Take a ritual bath with sea salt to clear your field of any negative energies. Sage is an herb used by the Native Americans to clear a space, and make it sacred for ritual. It’s available in most health food stores these days, and easiest to use in its wand form. Light the end and blow on it until there is a smoldering glow.
Use it around your own body, and in the space of your ritual. Clear your mind with meditation, using music or just quieting down in your cleared, sacred area.
Grounding This is something that’s important anytime, for staying connected to earth energy. Signs that you’re not grounded are mania, nervousness, racing thoughts and the like. Too often we forget to feel the earth under our feet. I’ve mentioned Starhawk a few times on the site, and her tree grounding excercise is one of my own daily rituals. In a nutshell, it’s visualizing the roots going down into the Earth, through the layers, into the core, and then drawing that energy back up through your feet again. It moves through each chakra, coming out the top and down around you. Try this or another variation of grounding before you set new Moon intentions.
Your New Moon Wishes After you’ve cleared a sacred space and settled your energy, you’re ready to set your intentions. Make a list of what you’d like to draw into your life, and Dream Big! The new Moon is a moment to conjure what seems out of reach, and creating the vision is the first step to making it a reality. But these are not just words on paper. As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. Some call it co-creating, since you’re opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.
Dreams of the Soul Your intentions come from the longings that keep coming up. In the days leading up to the new Moon, give some thought to those longings, and see what images, dreams and streams of thought come up. Use symbolic associations to go along with your intentions. Weave in the element for the new Moon, and think about the houses and planets that are affected by it. For an earth new Moon, for example, you might plant seeds that represent your intention. Rituals are a way to work with universal energies, and draw attention to the particular life lessons, or arena (house, planet, etc) that it illuminates for you.
Symbolic Acts Here’s where you get to be creative. If your intentions are to write a book, or broadcast your ideas out to the world, tie them to a helium balloon and send them off. Write them on a stick and offer it to the fire. To open to love, put lavender and a rose quartz in a small pouch, along with the qualities you’re seeking. If you’re inspired, add a symbolic act to your intention-setting ritual.
Keep them Alive A big part of success with new Moon intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep them in the front of your awareness. Put them in a visible spot, or keep them in your wallet. Make notes in your journal about your progress. At the full Moon , find ways to take action on those intentions, and celebrate any signs of change.
Source:
When the Moon is new, the Luminaries — the Sun and Moon — are aligned in the same Zodiac sign. That makes it a charged time with concentrated energies of that sign. A New Moon is a symbolic point of attention, and a symbolic portal for new beginnings.
New Moons are a great time to set intentions for things you’d like to create, develop, cultivate, make manifest. There are many ways to initiate this communion with the Universe from lighting a candle to elaborate rituals.
What matters is that you’re committing yourself to your vision, and open to receiving guidance, healing, support from Spirit.
Why Follow the Moon?:
When you tune into the Moon’s phases, it’s reassuring to know that there are many chances during the year to tap into lunar energy. Like the tides, the Moon ebbs and flows, a rhythm that women understand intimately. New Moons are a blank page on which to speak your dreams out loud, and Full Moons are for taking action and celebrating the fruit of your efforts.
In the chaotic and temporal world, looking to something larger that is also part of yourself can fill you with awe and make you feel connected.
For whatever path you’re on, opening to working with planetary energies links you to the power of the divine.
Preparing for the New Moon:
It’s a good idea to spend some time reflecting in the days leading up to the new Moon. Knowing exactly what you want to draw into your life is not always easy. Part of preparing for the new Moon is making sure you are clear about your intentions. Sometimes it’s a quality you’d like to cultivate like forgiveness, courage — other times it’s a more specific request like a promotion at work or new place to live.
What is a new Moon Ritual?:
This depends on your personal tastes, the pace of your life and the time you have to devote to it. Some simply light a candle, while others gather objects and pictures for their altar. Lately, I’ve been writing my intentions on a 7-day candle and leaving it in a prominent (and safe) place. With a candle, you can return to it and relight it while meditating on your intentions.
Ritual helps focus your entire being on the quest at hand. In the days leading up to the new Moon, you might gather pictures and totems that symbolize your goal. Creating a New Moon collage gives you a visual reminder of your dreams.
What does it mean in each different sign?:
Every new Moon is different, and this gives you the chance to claim the energies of each different sign. Even if you don’t have planets in the sign for a given month, it falls somewhere in your birth chart. We each have elements of the entire Zodiac in our make-up, with some more emphasized than others. Find out where the new Moon falls in your chart for clues as to what to “call in” that month.
How is it different from the Full Moon:
The new Moon has a more inward feel, has a void or empty quality, and therefore can be frightening to those not comfortable with uncertainty. Can you learn to trust the dark? It’s the moment when the old passes away and the new is not yet here. That’s why it’s a powerful time for sending out your prayer, wishes, desires to the Universe.
Source:
We consider it to be the New Moon up to 3 ½ days after the official New Moon. She rises around dawn, sets around sunset. Because she is between the Sun and the Earth nothing or very little is reflected and for a few days the Moon is lost in the brilliance of the Sun. When we cannot see any Moon in the sky, after the Waning Moon and before we see the first glimpse of the Crescent it is often referred to as the Dark Moon.
As the Sun and Moon are on the same side of the Earth, the pull on us is the strongest. Because the Sun, Moon and Earth are all in a straight line this creates a time when the high tide is higher and the low tide is lower than usual.
This is a wonderful time to make new beginnings of all types. It is especially good for getting rid of bad habits. Habitual ways of thinking that are harmful and negative can also be abandoned at this time. It is also a good time to start something creative. New projects at work can also be launched.
The first day of the New Moon is really best devoted to the planning stages of ventures. It is good to feel just a little excited and filled with anticipation, although your energy may not be at its highest. A day or two into the cycle is the time to take the initiative, apply for that job, and start house hunting or any similar endeavours. It is also good for attracting positive energies, bringing about change, good luck and growth.
Green, white, orange and red
Sandalwood, frankincense, copal, myrrh, rose, saffron, sweet grass, heather, patchouli, cinnamon, lavender, verbena, witch hazel, jasmine, cardamom, cypress, ginger, nutmeg, orange, chamomile and lemon
Garnet, petalite, sapphire, quartz, labradorite, carnelian, charoite, peridot and phenakite.
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
General: Loyalty, ownership (but watch out for suspicion and anger), matters requiring insight, increasing your libido or to attract passionate love (be careful though as relationships with a Scorpio influence are likely to be transformational and not always predictable!), healing of the mind and emotions, scrying, concentration, single mindedness, rebirth, transformation, wisdom, karma and instinct.
Watch out for secrets, lies, jealousy, and suspicion, lack of forgiveness, grudges and hate.
New Moon: Power, transformation, karma, instincts, clarity, wisdom, stop gossip, emotions, endings, death, rebirth and past life work.
Full Moon: Energy, resources and transformation.
Element: Water.
Colours: Deep red.
Incense: Basil, sage, catnip, coriander, sandalwood, thyme, nettle.
Scorpio Incense Blend: Equal parts of sandalwood, thyme and sage with a few drops of coriander essential oil.
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
General: Contracts, partnership, love, beauty, cooperation, courtesy, charm, eloquence, friendships, bringing balance and harmony into your relationships, marriage, business contracts and agreements, legal matters, justice, increasing your social life, attracting love into your life.
Watch out for judging others, unreliability, changeable attitude and a bit of chaos.
New Moon: The arts, love, friendship, romance, cooperation, communication and partnerships.
Full Moon: Social situations, decisions and justice.
Element: Air.
Colours: Pink, pale green, mauve, light blue.
Incense: Rose, catnip, elderberry, thyme, St. John’s Wort, lavender, mint, benzoin, bergamot.
Libra Incense Blend: Equal parts of lavender, mint and thyme with a few drops of benzoin essential oil.
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
Tonic waters containing the energies of the moon embody very powerful healing benefits that bring about integral balance and wholeness throughout the body, mind and soul. Clear quartz crystal catalyses the absorption of lunar energies as well as amplifies the healing benefits.
Wait for a clear night, preferably on or right before the full moon. Put your crystal in a clear glass and cover with one cup of purified water. Check an almanac for the exact time of sundown on the day you have chosen. At sundown, place the glass out of doors in a moonlit place (cover the glass with clear plastic wrap). Remove the glass at dawn. The water is now filled with lunar potency.
Drink the moon water every morning to prepare your body, mind and spirit for the stress of the day.
FULL MOON OIL
13 drops of sandalwood essential oil
9 drops of vanilla essential oil or extract
3 drops of jasmine essential oil
1 drop of rose essential oil
Mix prior to a full moon. Charge in a clear container or vial in the light of the full moon. Use to anoint candles or yourself for full moon rituals or just when you feel like you need the moons energy.
For many Pagans, the cycles of the moon are important to magical workings. It’s believed in some traditions that the waxing moon, the full moon, the waning moon and the new moon all have their own special magical properties, and so workings should be planned accordingly. If your tradition follows these guidelines — or if you think you’d like to time your magic based upon the phase of the moon — here are some tips on what sort of magic to perform during the various lunar stages.
The full moon is the point at which we can see an entire side of the moon. For magical purposes, many modern Pagans consider the full moon to include the day before and the day after a full moon, for a total of three days. If your tradition requires you to follow the phases of the moon for your magical workings, this is a good time to do rituals focused on personal growth and spiritual development. Some examples would include:
For many Pagans, this is also a time to celebrate with an Esbat ritual. Dorinda is an eclectic witch who lives in Nevada, and she says, “Once a month, during the full moon, I drive out to the desert about half an hour away. There’s a spot that I go that’s really off the beaten path, and I can stand up on a hillside and watch the moon rise, and it’s just magnificent, because there’s no one out there but me.
It’s always a very meditative experience, and I can really feel the connection that my body has to the full moon, as well as connecting on a spiritual level. This is when I call upon the gods of my tradition, ask for intuitive guidance, that sort of thing. I always feel so refreshed and aware afterwards, it’s almost hard for me to get to sleep when I get back home.”
Source:
6 drops of lavender oil
3 drops basil oil
2 drops pine oil
1 drop nutmeg oil
Add to a base oil such as sweet almond or grape seed (about 15mls of carrier oil should be about right).
2 part juniper
2 parts cedar
1 part pine
1 part eucalyptus
—Moon Magic – Pagan Portals
Rachel Patterson
The Waxing Moon
Now that the Moon is Waxing, your projects can get into their stride. Be aware, however, that overstrains are more likely at this time and that the body take things in and absorbs them more readily with this phase of the Moon.
It is a good time to build yourself up if you have unwell or otherwise off-colour. Absorbing, boosting your energy and taking up supplies are crucial now. Go on an active holiday, get in touch with friends, plan a party, arrange meetings and increase communication.
As the Full Moon approaches, notice what isn’t working and shed it in order to focus your energies more effectively. Remind yourself to slow down a little and conserve your strength. This is a time of regeneration and to gather information and resources.
Moon Magic – Pagan Portals
Rachel Patterson
6 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops basil essential oil
2 drops pine essential oil
1 drop nutmeg essential oil
Add to a base oil such as sweet almond or grape seed (about 15mls of carrier oil should be about right).
2 parts juniper
2 parts cedar
1 part pine
1 part eucalyptus
Source:
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
Time: From New Moon to Full Moon (approx. 14 days)
Goddess Aspect: Maiden
Associated Goddesses: Artemis, Branwen, Eriu, Nymph and Epona
Magickal Attributes: INVOKING Beginnings, new projects, ideas, inspirations, energy, vitality, freedom
Waxing Moon Colours
White, pastel colours, red and silver.
Waxing Moon Herbs, Oils and Incense Ingredients
Coriander, geranium, juniper, marjoram, nutmeg, St. John’s wort, tansy, thyme, caraway, mace, rosemary, rue, spearmint, bay, carnation, mugwort, pennyroyal, saffron, eucalyptus, cedar, hyacinth, ginger, pine, sandalwood, cinnamon and sweet pea.
Waxing Moon Crystals
Carnelian, citrine, aragonite, green aventurine, malachite, ruby and banded agate
Sources
Correspondences for the Pagan Practitioner
Jennifer Weiner
Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson
– influence felt three days before and three days after
– magicks of completion, success, gains, accomplishment
Waning – Crone Moon moving from Full to Dark phase
– used for magicks of decrease
New – Crone Moon at last silver of crescent to Dark
– used for magicks of banishing, exorcism, cleansings
Dark – Crone as Mystery Moon totally non-illuminated
– used for divinations and meditations
– used for Dark Power Magicks
– Hidden Face of the Goddess as the One Who Transforms
– The Womb as the Tomb, hence, passage to Rebirth
Moon Void-of=Course – Passing from one Sign and entering into another (look in a Magickal Lunar, or Farmer’s Almanac)
– can be between one to four hours
– holds the influence of both signs in balance
– unfavorable for magickal activities
– activities begun rarely are completed
– activities begun may end, but not as expected/desired
– Rule of Thumb, influence of a Moon phase lasts three days
Change another’s Spell slightly so it is Yours: to make the energy generated recognize it connects to work with you specifically.
‘
—-Traditional Wiccan Rhyme
Witches Of The Craft® 
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