MOON LORE
It was once believed that:
1. The shadowed areas of the Moon were forests where the Goddess Diana hunted,
and the bright areas were plains. 2. That the Moon was a spinning wheel, upon which the Goddess spun the lives of
Men and Women.
3. That the Moon was a gem worn by the Goddess, and that the stars were
decorations upon Her gown.
The names by which the Moon was called, as she appeared in each month of the
year, varied with the significance of the seasonal month. In October and
November we see the need for preparations for Winter. In February, the wolves
were drawing closer to the villages looking for food. In March the sounds of
ravens signaled the coming of Spring. April through June we see the signs of
growing things. In July, the Moon marks the signs of horns and antlers upon
young animals. In September, of course, we find that the time is marked to reap
the Harvest.
Names of the Moon:
October: Hunter’s Moon
November: Larder Moon
December: Long Night Moon
January: Winter Moon
February: Wolf Moon
March: Raven Moon
April: Meadow Moon
May: Flower Moon
June: Rose Moon
July: Antler Moon
August: Piscary Moon
September: Harvest Moon
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MOON MAGIC
The accumulation and direction of the subtle forces of the moon, is one of the
arts of Witchcraft. Moon magic is a personal art, even though there are basic
guidelines. In ancient times, witches held the position of the Moon priestesses/priests. In coastal regions, and upon islands, witches were also Sea
Priestesses/Priests. The use of water from the sea was an important aspect in
Moon Magic (salt being a crystal form). The “charging” of water, and the release
of the “charge” through evaporation, was an important aspect. So too was the
soaking of woods and herbs in sea water, which were later dried, and burned as
incenses and offerings. Two excellent books on this subject are MOON MAGIC and
THE SEA PRIESTESS by Dion Fortune.
The use of Portals to gain access to the Lunar Realms, and the building of
magical images there, is a very important aspect of Moon Magic. The actual
“essence” of the power used in Moon Magic, originates out among the stars. The
Sun draws in the stellar influences and transmits them into our Solar System.
The Planets within our System absorb this energy which then merges with their
own vibrations or energies. The Planets, in turn, then emanate a composite
energy within our Solar System. Each Planet’s energy or vibratory pattern is
unique, and influences other planetary bodies and forces, within each planet’s
sphere of influence. This is the basis of Astrology and Planetary
correspondences in Magic (this is how and why it works). The Moon is the focal
point of power upon the Earth. The Moon absorbs, condenses, and channels all of
these forces, which are then carried to our Planet, upon the Lunar Light
Spectrum.
Agrippa, a 15th Century magician, understood these principles when he wrote
“…but the Moon, the nearest to the heavenly influences, by the swiftness of
her course, is joined to the sun, and the other planets and stars, as a
conception, bringing them forth to the inferior world, as being next to itself,
for all the stars have influence on it, being the last receiver, which
afterwards communicates the influence of all superiors to these inferiors, and
pours them forth upon the Earth…”
Aradia, the Holy Strega, told her followers to seek the Moon above all others,
for the purposes of Magic. In the closing prayer of the Full Moon Ritual, we
find these words which Aradia’s followers were later to have written :
” O’ Goddess of the Moon…teach us your ancient mysteries.-
.. that the Holy Strega spoke of, for I believe the Strega’s
story, when she told us to entreat Thee, told us when we
seek for Knowledge, to seek and find Thee above all others”.
Agrippa understood this also, when he wrote, “Therefore. her (the moon) motion
is to be observed before the others, as the parent of all conception……hence
it is, that without the Moon intermediating, we cannot at any time attract the
power of the superiors…” What Agrippa spoke of, is what witches have known for
Ages: The Moon is the focal point of power upon the Earth. Without the Moon we
cannot make use of the Universal Forces beyond her.
In Moon Magic, the ritual altar is the focal point for the Lunar forces which
are drawn upon. Women are the vessels for Lunar Energy, receiving and directing
the magical force. Men can also become lunar vessels, but women are much better
suited (as their biology is more attuned to the Moon’s Cycles, than are men’s
biology). The method used by both women and men will be given in another note
(part 4 or 5, depending upon available space).
The Moon altar is placed facing the West Quarter. The altar itself should be
round, but a square or a rectangle is OK. In the center of the altar, place a
bowl of saltwater. A white sea shell is then set into the center of the bowl. As
this is done, whisper the name of the Goddess who rules the current phase of the
Moon, under which you are working. The new moon belongs to Diana (De-ah-nah),
the Full Moon to Jana (Jah-nah) and the waning Moon to Umbrea. Around the bottom
of the bowl. set nine white shells, forming a crescent (horns upward, as in a
smile). If the magic is for the gain of something, place the shells from right
to left. If the magic is for the removal, or loss of something, then place the
shells from left to right.
As each shell is placed, chant the name of the Goddess who presides over the
goal of the magical influence you desire. Matters concerning “beginnings” are
under Diana. Matters involving “forces”, energies, or powers are under the
influence of Jana. Matters of Death, decline, and stagnation are ruled by
Umbrea.
Censers of Moon Incense are placed around the bowl, upon the altar, forming a
triangle (so you have 3 incense containers forming a triangle, with the Moon
Bowl in its center). A reversed triangle (V) is formed for manifestations
desired upon the physical plane. Upright triangles (A) are formed for
manifestation upon the astral plane.
During the magical work, the energy is focused into the altar bowl (or moon
bowl, as it is often called). This can be done in several different ways. In
group rituals, members may point their ritual blades at the Priestess, who
stands before the altar. The members visualize their energy flowing from their
themselves, through their blades, and into the aura of the Priestess. The
Priestess then visualizes this collective energy flowing from herself, through
her own blade, into the moon bowl. Or she may simply place her palms over the
bowl and focus the energy out through her hands. During this technique, she may
recite an incantation, stating the purpose of the “charge”, or the group may
chant the spell’s intent. One of the ways in which energy can be raised for this
technique, is through deep breathing. Each person draws in air slowly and
deeply, and exhales as they visualize the energy flowing outward through their
ritual blades, or their hands. Eastern Mystics teach that the Ether of our
planet can be drawn in through the breath, and condensed as pure energy. This
they call “Prana”.
Another method is to “enchant” the water. Begin by passing your right hand, palm
down, over the bowl in a clockwise manner. Perform nine passes, then do the same
with your left hand. You will need to create a Chant which will serve to
describe your intent. It can be a simple rhyme, or whatever you want. As you
chant, blow gently upon the water slightly disturbing the surface. Formulate the
incantation to be as descriptive as you can, about what you desire.
Once you have spoken the incantation into the bowl, it is time to release the
“charge”. One technique for this is to boil the water, and observe the steam as
it evaporates. Boil it until all of the water is gone. As the steam rises up,
repeat your incantation, and watch the steam as it moves upward. It is carrying
off your magic, so that it may take effect. Think this as you watch it (thoughts
ARE things).
Another very old method is to pour out the contents of the bowl into a stream,
or river. As you do this, you recite a simple rhyme spell, such as :
“Water to water
a witch’s spell
I give this stream
to speed it well”
Receiving the Moon’s Light: (for women)
The Priestess receiving the Full Moon, will need an assistant. The assistant
will require a silver disk, smooth and highly polished. If absolutely necessary,
a small hand mirror may be used in its place. The Priestess will stand or kneel
before the altar, with her head bowed down. The assistant will part her hair at
the base of the skull, using water or oil to help separate the hair, if it is
short.
While the priestess visualizes the form of the Goddess merging from behind, into
her own form, the assistant will reflect the Moon’s light upon the base of the
skull, using the silver disk. You will find that this is quite difficult in city
light pollution, and works best in a country setting, or a desert. Once the
Priestess receives the Moon she can channel it into the Moon bowl, or she can
“store” it within her Being for seven days. This light is pure Lunar energy, and
can be “impregnated” with whatever “thoughtform” the priestess desires.
Receiving the Moon’s light: (for men)
The Priest receiving the Full Moon, does not need an assistant, but may choose
one if he desires. Men cannot receive the Moon in the same manner as women, nor
should they visualize the Goddess merging with them. The Priest will stand, or
kneel, before the altar with his head slightly bowed. Using a polished brass
disk, the Moon’s light is reflected upon his forehead. At this point the Priest
will visualize himself as the Full Moon itself.
Once the light is received, the Priest can channel it into the bowl. Men do not
“hold” Moon Light very well, and it is best to channel it off before the seven
day period, which the Priestess enjoys.
There are several ways for a woman to receive the Moon’s Light, without any
assistant. The technique I gave in this subject note, is just one of the magical
techniques. The Moon may also be received in a religious setting (no magic
intended, just a blessing or a union with Deity). In these modern times, you can
set up a mirror behind you, and angle it so that it reflects down upon you, if
you desire to try the magical technique. One of the old ways of non-magical
union, was for the woman to lay nude beneath the Full Moon in the Full Moon
Goddess Posture. This posture is also referred to as the Star Goddess Posture,
and is an X formation, arms and legs spread out wide. The woman anoints herself
with an oil of the Moon, just below her navel (forming a crescent with the oil).
As she lays upon the earth, she will look up into the Moon, and slowly draw in
the muscles of her abdomen, as she mentally pictures that she is drawing down
the light of the Moon, into herself. Just as men draw power into themselves
through the solar plexus, a woman draws power into herself through the navel
region (“pit of the stomach” kind of thing. This is the center of a woman).
This is just one method, but it can be a powerful experience.
Waxing Crescent
heavens, but the moon continues to illuminate the night sky. In The English Husbandman (1635), Gervase Markham (1568 – 1637) advises readers on how to forecast the weather with the moon’s help: “If when you see the new Moon appear,… she be black or discoloured in her midst …if she be compassed about either with thick or waterish transparent vapours; or if she look more than ordinarily pale, all these are infallible sign of Rain.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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