How to Harness the Magick of the Moon: A Wiccan Guide for the Lunar Phases
Since early antiquity, the Moon has been gazed upon with awe- and fear. During its full illumination, early humans hunted and foraged by its bright light. While it was shrouded in darkness, they feared predators and enemies lurking in the shadows. The Moon’s ever-changing faces were used to measure the passage of time, denote animal migrations, and predict the coming rains. It was also a source of omens that ruled the priests, the kings, the people, and the land.
As the largest and brightest celestial body in the night sky, the Moon has always symbolized illumination through darkness. And regardless of whether it was deified feminine or masculine, it has always represented life, death, and rebirth. As the controller of the tides, the Moon rules the element of water, and is associated with women and fertility; emotion and intuition; secrets and dreams; and even madness and death. The Moon is the monarch of transformation and magick.
As Wiccans, we believe the Moon is a physical representation of the Great Creatress… the source of all life… the keeper of the mysteries of the universe. We believe the different phases of the Moon represent the different “faces” and powers of the Triple Goddess– the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. By connecting with the Moon, we learn about, and commune with, the Goddess. And by learning about the lunar phases, we can tap into its power and harness the magick of the Moon.
The Moon and all its phases is symbolic of the Triple Goddess. She is all facets of deity united in one. In this respect, the Triple Goddess is Primeval Deity. In the Wiccan belief of creation, Primeval Deity was the first of all creation and everything was within “Her.” Yearning to live, She separated Herself in an explosion of fire and light, and this separation created the God (the physical realm). However, as She is the origin of everything in the universe, She rules every aspect of Her creation.
There are as many different names for the Triple Goddess as there are neopagan religions. Aradia, Diana, The Morrígan, and the White Goddess are some of the most common Wiccan names for the trinity. She is symbolized by the triple moon (waxing, full, waning), cow horns (resembling the crescent moon), and three women holding hands while facing outward. Silver and white are Her colors; moonstone and mother-of-pearl are Her crystals.
The New Moon is a transition period that marks endings and new beginnings. As such, the New Moon is ruled by the Triple Goddess as it represents Primeval Goddess awakening to create the God. During the New Moon, Wiccans pay homage to the Goddess and revere the whole of Her creation. To commune with Her, one should study a diverse collection of chronicles that discuss Wiccan beliefs for creation. In your grimoire, compose an invocation to the Great Goddess to be recited during the rising New Moon. As the New Moon rules all new beginnings, births, and initiations, it is an excellent time to sow the seeds for any desired manifestation.
The Waxing Moon is symbolic of the Maiden Goddess. In the Wiccan belief of creation, the Maiden Goddess wishes to unite with the God, and Her desire creates the first dawn. The Maiden Goddess rules the elements of air and fire. She also rules the spring, the dawn, and new growth. She is the Goddess of art and beauty; creativity and intelligence; exploration and discovery; and self-confidence and self-expression. The Waxing Moon is an excellent time to take action towards your desired manifestation.
Artemis, Athena, Brighid, Freya, Hestia, Persephone, and Rhiannon are only a few names of the Maiden Goddess. She is symbolized by the waxing crescent moon, the sword, the spear or arrow, and fire; yellow and pink are Her colors. To commune with the Maiden Goddess, you can study literature associated with Her. Compose your own personal invocation to be recited at dawn during the waxing crescent moon.
The Full Moon is symbolic of the Mother Goddess. In the Wiccan belief of creation, the Goddess once again divides Herself and seeds spirit into matter. Upon Her union with the God, She spins the thread of life, and that which was intangible is made manifest. The Mother Goddess rules the elements of water and earth. She is the Goddess of summer and early fall, and represents love, compassion, nurturing and motherhood, as well as abundance in all its forms. The Mother Goddess rules fertility, intuition, psychic ability, dreams, illumination, and sexuality. She is manifestation fulfilled.
Abundantia, Aeracura, Ceres, Danu, Demeter, Gaia, Nerthus, Sif and Terra are only a few of the names of the Mother Goddess. She is symbolized by the full moon, the earth, a pregnant woman, a cornucopia, and fruits and grains; Her colors are red and green. To commune with the Mother Goddess, learn Her lore; garden, even if it’s simply an herb in the window sill. Pick up litter; spend time in nature; sit under a tree and speak to it. Then compose your own invocation to the Mother Goddess, and recite it during the rise of the Full Moon.
The Waning Moon is symbolic of the Crone Goddess. In the belief of creation, the Goddess consults the oldest and wisest part of Herself to find the solution to unite with the God. The Crone Goddess is the Great Sorceress, and rules the element of earth. In literature, She is often found residing in caves. She is the Goddess of late fall and winter, and rules healing, magick, wisdom, guidance, visions, prophecies, endings, release, banishment, divination, death, and resurrection. The Crone Goddess is the monarch of the spirit realm.
Annis, Astarte, Baba Yaga, Cerridwen, Elli, Hecate, Hella, Isis, Kali, Lilith, Macha, and Sedna are a few of the names of the Crone Goddess. The waning crescent moon is Her symbol; Her color is black. To commune with the Crone Goddess, study Her lore. Learn several forms of divination, and practice the one that works best for you. Take care of your elders; volunteer for the elderly; spend time meditating in a cemetery. Then compose your own invocation to the Crone Goddess, and recite it at midnight during the waning crescent moon.
There are a multitude of other lunar events, such as eclipses and Blue Moons, as well as specific names for each individual Full Moon. Each one has its own spiritual significance. While learning such a myriad of information may seem daunting, understanding the Goddess and receiving Her wisdom are the true gems that enrich our lives. And an intimate relationship with the Goddess is what fuels us: it is the one true source of our magick.
As Wiccans, we fear not the Moon, nor any of its phases. We believe the Moon is a physical embodiment of the Great Goddess that we serve. We believe the Moon’s faces are Her messages for us as She guides us from beyond the veil. We believe that the Goddess is ever with us; that She illuminates our paths through the darkness; that She gives us wisdom, blessings, and abundance. Most importantly, we believe the Goddess is the source of all the powers in the universe, and when we walk with Her- we commune with Her- we can tap into Her powers and harness the magick of the Moon.
– The Goddess Kingdom©2022
