Moon magick
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 "char- ge" 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 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.
Receiving the Moon's light: (for women without assistance)
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.
