Moon Phases

The Wheel of the Moon & Esbats

Learning about the Moon's phases and paying attention to them is a great way to find balance and connect to the flow of Goddess energy. Taking a moment a few times a month to do so can be simple and yet very rewarding. There are tons of different moon calendars out there. You can even create your very own! Maybe try keeping a Moon diary to see how the phases affect you and your life.

I really love this coloring book calendar to keep track of the moon phases!

*//* NOTE: *//* The information below has come to me through my own intuition, thoughts, feelings & research. It is NOT written in stone. It may very well not be for everyone. I strongly encourage you to do some more research yourself if interested; there are tons of great moon books out there (some are listed below). Also just stop and watch the moon, pay attention to the different phases and how they affect you – physically, mentally & spiritually.

* Waxing means a gradual increase
* Waning means to grow smaller

New Moon~ New Moon to Three and a Half days after....
During the New Moon phase, the illuminated side is facing away from the Earth, so that only the first emergence of the crescent is visible. This is a time when the Crone is being reborn as the Maiden. She is passing Her wisdom and teachings on.

It is a time for new beginnings and a time for new paths & projects. I see it as a great time for learning and teaching of new ideas. Cleansing & Renewals are very appropriate as well.

Waxing Crescent Moon~

As the Moon turns we begin to see a small illuminated crescent take shape from the darkness. The Maiden is born and is blessing us with her presence. This is a time for increase and growth yet it is subtle and gentle. It’s a time where your new beginnings begin to grow and expand. Constructive and positive magick as well as bringing forth and attraction spells are perfect during this phase.

Waxing Half Moon/First Quarter Moon~
Half of the Moon appears to be illuminated while the other is still cloaked within darkness. There is a real balance within the energy of the Maiden here. We can see it pulling the two sides of the Maiden together. We have Her playful, gentle innocent side as well as the more independent, untamed, Amazon side. We can imagine the Maiden starting her menses and beginning to understand Her balance between maidenhood and womanhood. I personally see this moment as a small pause during the growth of the waxing phase.

Waxing Gibbous Moon~
This is when the Moon is more than halfway illuminated. Only a small dark crescent remains on the left side. As with waxing energy, it is a time for growth and increase. You have started that new beginning/project/idea/path. While you do not yet have the strong, structural energy of the Full Moon you do have increased strength and passion. In order to have growth sometimes you need to take chances and jump in head first, putting more energy and effort in. The energy here gives added strength to your new projects.

Waxing Phase Correspondences~ ~ Seven to fourteen days after the New Moon
Energy- strong, untamed, independent, playful, growing, freedom, risk, adventure, nature, vitality, innocence, gentle,

Spells for- growth, increase, courage, independence, friends (sisterhood), women, luck, motivation, change, beginnings, protection, projects, health and healing, beauty, sexuality, attraction (bringing new things to you)

Goddess Aspect- Bright Maiden, Amazon, daughter,

Full Moon ~ Three days before and After the Full Moon
During the Full Moon phase, the illuminated side is facing towards the Earth. She glows brightly, smiling down at us, as she reflects the light of the sun. This phase belongs to the Mother aspect. An image comes to mind of a mother's full round belly as she carries her unborn child within her womb. Envisioned here is the full ripeness of womanhood. The Moon's energy is the fullest during this time. Her energy is potent and strong and in connection so is our magick. Many of us choose to do our magick during the phase of the Full Moon for this purpose.

Full Moon Correspondences

Energy- strong psychic energies, magick, manifestation, nurturing, passion, transformation, increase, wholeness, completion

Spells for- healing, abundance, nurturing, love, strength, manifesting goals, protection, divination. positive magick, finding a new job, any work that needs extra power, purification, fertility, children, family and home, all Goddess work.

Goddess Aspect- Mother, Lover, Creatrix, Nurturer

Waning Gibbous Moon
Like the Waxing Gibbous the Moon is more then half way illuminated. Yet now the small dark crescent remains on the right side. The strong energy of the Full Moon is now decreasing and an inner growth of knowledge and inner wisdom. I view the energy here as supportive, compassionate and introspective. It isn't the best time to completely rid yourself of anything or to banish big changes. Instead it gives us a chance to think about what we need to banish from our lives and prepare ourselves for this change.

Waning Half Moon/Last Quarter
Half of the Moon appears to be illuminated while the other is now cloaked within darkness. While the energy of the waxing moon is the Maiden, the energy of the waning moon is the Dark Maiden. She is the Dark Goddess such as Persephone. Persephone is a perfect example as in one aspect she is Kore the Bright Maiden Goddess and in the other aspect she is Persephone the Dark Maiden of the Underworld. This is a good time for banishing or clearing away the old.

Waning Crescent Moon
A small crescent of light is all that we hold on to as the rest slips its way into the darkness. She doesn't quite have the energy of the dark moon but is close. The energy here is strong and decreasing. This is the perfect time to cast out the old, banish that which is not needed, and prepare yourself for the Dark Moon.

Waning Phase Correspondences
Energy-surrender, supportive, compassionate, gentle, intuitive, imaginative, with the flow, magick, descent, introspection, thoughts from within, lover

Spells for-banishing, release, cleansing, removing the old, unwanted and stale. cleansing negative energies, ridding oneself of addictions, illness, and negativity. Physical and psychic cleansing.

Goddess Aspect- Dark Maiden, priestess, sorceress, siren

The Dark Moon
During the Dark Moon phase, the illuminated side is facing away from the Earth.
The Moon has reached a balance between the Earth & the Sun, She is covered by the veil of darkness and mystery during this time. This is the time of the Crone Goddess. A time of reflection, rest, inner wisdom, and guidance. It is the perfect time for divination and prophecy.

Dark Moon Phase Correspondences
Energy- change, wisdom, shadows, within, veil, exploring the dark, anger and passion

Spells for-Divination, prophecy, protection, purification, scrying, binding, justice

Goddess Aspect- Crone, dark goddess, warrior