Why is the Moon so damn magickal?
We’ve all been going loony this week over the Super Blood Full Moon Eclipse in Sagittarius.
Every time I opened Instagram, I saw energy forecasts, astrological predictions, an array of ritual suggestions, and many blurry photos of a reddish blob in the sky.
Even the less astrologically inclined were not immune to the mystery and beauty of a cosmic event that hasn’t occurred since 2019.
And let’s be honest — who among us has not stood staring in awe and wonder at the Moon?
She captures our collective imagination with her monthly peek-a-boo performance.
She rules both the tides and our psyches, apparently, since more crimes and accidents take place on a Full Moon than at any other time.
But what is it about the Moon that makes it so fascinating? And is it really magickal?
A brief history of the Moon
The Moon has been a symbol of the Divine Feminine since pre-Christian times and was revered by our ancient ancestors.
They couldn’t help but notice the powerful effects the Moon has on our physical reality.
Not only did the tides swell and recede with Her presence. They also realized that animals bled more on the Full Moon, and certain crops grew better when planted during different phases of the lunar cycle.
But perhaps most mysterious of all was the way the lunar cycle is reflected in the human body — and more specifically, in women’s bodies.
Humans are the only “lunar primates”, in the sense that our menstrual cycles follow those of the moon.
It’s no wonder the ancients saw the Moon as magickal — and women as magickal lunar beings whose power was to be harnessed and revered.
The Divine Mother
Early church leaders tried to demonize the Moon to discourage lunar worship and demonize the Goddess. Their objective was to stamp out pagan religions and oppress the female body through suppression of the Divine Feminine.
But this only served to amplify the power of the Moon in our collective imagination.
I believe this is why, now, so many women are reconnecting with lunar energy as they wake up to their own divinity.
She symbolizes our personal power in a society that has repressed us for millennia. We see ourselves reflected in her, and she reminds us we are powerful beyond measure.
She emboldens us to step into and reclaim that power.
The Moon as a magickal tool
While the Moon has always been important to ancient practitioners of Wicca and paganism, the attention we have given Her over the centuries has infused Her with energy, making it more powerful than ever.
When you use spiritual tools as part of a Witchcraft practice, you infuse them with the power of your intention — a key element in magickal efforts.
And the more we work with these tools, the more we infuse them with our own personal energy, magick, and power.
Millennia of fascination with the Moon and using Her for magickal workings have made Her a supercharged magickal tool. Her energy is more potent now than ever.
So how does the Moon help us as Witches? And how can we work with Her to support our magickal efforts?
Well, there are a few different ways.
Working with Moon phase energy
The Moon has four phases: the New or Dark Moon, the Waxing Moon, the Full Moon, and the Waning Moon.
Each phase has a distinct energy and supports different kinds of efforts.
Dark Moon
The Dark Moon invites introspection. Meditation, rest, and replenishment are on the menu. This is a time to plant dream seeds and set intentions for the nascent lunar cycle.
Waxing Moon
During this phase, the lunar energy is growing in power. This makes it the ideal time to focus your efforts on things you want to increase, whether it’s money, productivity, romance, or good health.
Full Moon
During the Full Moon, the energy is at its most powerful. It peaks over a three-day period as She rises like a beacon, lighting our way both physically and metaphorically.
This is a great time to release what no longer serves and make room for the new. Any magickal efforts are supported at this time.
Waning Moon
Just as we use the energy of the waxing moon for anything we want to see more of in our lives, the Waning Moon supports decrease.
Use this energy for reducing debt, releasing relationships that no longer serve, or getting rid of poor health.
Your Moon sign: the key to your personal power
In astrology, The Moon symbolizes the realm of emotions.
You may be a fierce Leo sun, but if your Moon sign is watery Cancer, the way you express yourself emotionally is likely to be deep and intense.
So why does this matter? Because in magick, our emotions are the force that supercharges our spells and brings them to life.
When the Moon is in your Moon sign, it aligns with your emotional self, giving extra oomph to your emotions and magickal efforts.
This means that your efforts will be powerful, regardless of the current Moon phase.
A word of caution: Void of Course Moon
Approximately twelve times per month, the Moon is said to be void of course.
Think of this as a little break She takes before entering a new sign. During this period, her magickal power is immobilized.
While this may sound a little out there, Dorothy Morrison, author of Everyday Moon Magic, assures us that any magickal efforts made when the Moon is void of course will have unintended consequences.
You have been warned.
(Use this calculator to find out when the Moon is void of course.)
That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for the bi-weekly energy update next week.
Happy Moon-gazing!