The Moon. For Wiccans, it is far more than a heavenly body that might catch our eye as we drive home late at night, its fullness shining through trees or brightly overhead. For many Wiccan, she is the embodiment of the Goddess, she is Maiden, Mother and Crone.

It is also an important source of natural energy that is essential in magick, if you perform your spells and rituals at the right lunar phase. Performing spells during the wrong phase of the moon can seriously debilitate the spell, producing no result or possibly the wrong result. (The Wheel of the Moon is approximately 28 1/2 days long, waxing to Full Moon and waning to New Moon.)

Waxing Moon means the moon is getting larger in the sky, moving from the New Moon towards the Full Moon. This is a time for spells that attract, that bring positive change, spells for love, good luck, growth. This is a time for new beginnings, to conceptualize ideas, to invoke. At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Maiden aspect, give praise to Epona, Artemis or one of the other Maiden Goddesses. The period of the waxing moon lasts about 14 days.

Full Moon is when the moon has reached its zenith, it forms a perfect silvery sphere in the sky. This is a time for spells that transform, increase psychic ability, for fertility spells and invocation to lunar goddesses. This is a time of strength, love and power. At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Mother aspect, give praise to Cerridwen, Isis or one of the other Mother Goddesses. The period of the Full Moon lasts from about 3 days before to 3 days after the actual full moon.

Waning Moon means the moon is decreasing in size, moving from the Full Moon towards the New Moon. This is a time for spells that banish, release, reverse. This is a time to break bad habits or bad addictions, to end bad relationships. This is a time of deep intuition and a time for divination. At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Crone Aspect, give praise to Hecate, Morrigan or one of the other Crone Goddesses. The period of the waning moon lasts about 14 days.

As the Wheel of the Moon continues on its never ending course, the moon also travels through the different astrological signs, just as the sun does, only more rapidly. When the moon resides within the various signs, the sign influences the magickal aspect of the moon.

EARTH spells should be preformed when the moon is in one of the astrological signs governed by that element: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

AIR spells should be preformed when the moon is in one of the astrological signs governed by that element: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

FIRE spells should be performed when the moon is in one of the astrological signs governed by that element: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

WATER spells should be preformed when the moon is in one of the astrological signs governed by that element: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Moon in ARIES is the best time for spells involving authority, rebirth, leadership; healing spells of the face and head.

Moon in TAURUS is the best time for spells involving love, money, acquisition; healing spells for the throat and neck.

Moon in GEMINI is the best time for spells involving communication, writing, travel; healing spells for the arms, hands, and lungs.

Moon in CANCER is the best time for spells involving the home and for honoring lunar gods and goddesses; healing of the chest and stomach.

Moon in LEO is the best time for spells involving authority, courage, fertility; healing of the upper back, spine, heart.

Moon in VIRGO is the best time for spells involving employment, health, diet; healing of the intestines and nervous system.

Moon in LIBRA is the best time for spells involving justice, unions, balance (spiritual and otherwise), artistry; healing of the lower back and kidneys.

Moon in SCORPIO is the best time for spells involving power, psychic growth, sex; healing of the reproductive organs.

Moon in SAGITTARIUS is the best time for spells involving travel, sports, truth, horses; healing of the liver and thighs.

Moon in CAPRICORN is the best time for spells involving organization, ambition, career, politics; healing of the knees, bones, teeth, skin.

Moon in AQUARIUS is the best time for spells involving science, freedom, friendship, breaking bad habits or addictions; healing of the calves, ankles, blood.

Moon in PISCES is the best time for spells involving music, art, telepathy, dreams; healing of the feet and lymph glands.

In magick, timing is very important. In the calendar are listed the times of the New Moon, Full Moon and when it enters a new quarter, as well as the times when the moon enters the various astrological signs, but these times are general Eastern Standard Times. For those residing in the United States, an accurate listing of the Full and New Moon, Sun and Moon rises and sets, as well as times of Planet rises and sets, I highly recommend checking out The Old Farmer's Almanac Home Page. This page can be very helpful, especially for those of us that don't have a clue what the difference is between a degree and a minute. Explore the page and you will also find some of the most interesting tidbits of Americana. Enjoy.