Merry Meet my friends! Blessed New Moon night to you all. The first one after the New Year…the first one in 2011! This one is even more magickal indeed as there is much happening in the sky. Last night during the dark of the Moon, there was a meteor shower and early this morning with the Sunrise, there was a solar eclipse…magickal indeed! Did you see it? I was able to see a bit of the meteor shower but the clouds came in and that was that. I love the New Moon almost as much as the Full Moon…the quiet and peacefulness, a black starry sky, and reflecting on the possibilities. There is some amazing workings that can be done during the Dark and New Moon….if you aren’t utilizing it..you are missing out indeed!
Let’s start first with some correspondences about the New Moon:
Time: From Dark Moon to Waxing Moon.
New Moon – The magic should be performed between dawn and sunset for the best use of this magic. I have to say that I do not do my New Moon magick during the day. I do mine before midnight! I like to be out in it..out in that black inky sky.
Dark Moon – As odd as this may sound, the strongest pull of the dark moon is around 10:00 a.m. Again, I like to be out at night 🙂
Goddess Aspect: Maiden
Dark Moon Godesses: Hecate, Kali, Morrigan, Callieach, Banshee,
New Moon Goddesses: Inanna, Juno
Pagan Holiday: Winter Solstice
Goddess Name: Rosemerta’s Moon
Goddess Energy: Goddesses of growth
Offering: Milk and Honey
Theme: Abundance
Rune: Fehu for abundance, Kenaz for openings, Gebo for love
Tarot Trump: the Fool
Magickal Attributes: Banishing, Releasing the Old, Removing Unwanted Negative Energies, Wisdom, Psychic Abilities, Scrying, Reversing Circumstances. Also a great time to cleanse and consecrate your altar tools.
New Beginnings: Weight loss, Goal setting, Planning, Cleaning, Personal Cleansing, General beginnings and considerations.
Spellwork for: Starting new ventures, new beginnings, love, romance, health, or job hunting, and creative ventures.
New moon – beauty, health, self-improvement, planting gardens, job hunting, love and romance.
Dark moon – addictions, change, divorce, enemies, justice, obstacles, quarrels, removal, separation, stopping stalkers and theft.
As you can see, there is sooo much you can do during the New Moon. Creative ventures to start? How about working on your Book of Shadows, setting up a witches cupboard, starting a blog, writing spells. Self-improvement? Being on time, finding balance in your life, exercising more, spending more “me” time. Because the New Moon is a time for starting a-new, the spells will be very powerful to help you to manifest these types of desires. Being the New Year, you may have some resolutions you want to stick to…the New Moon energy will help with that too!
The New Moon is a great time to cleanse and consecrate your altar tools, crystals, magickal jewelry etc. Here is a ritual that I like for doing that. I have had this ritual for a long time and don’t know where I got it from….Of course where it says (Tool), you will say what it is you are consecrating such as wand, athame, crystal, candle etc.
Gather supplies needed and tools to be consecrated:
South/Fire…A white candle
West/Water…A chalice of water
North/Earth…A small bowl of salt
East/Air…incense
If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now. Light the candle and the incense. Take the tool or other items you wish to consecrate in your hands, and face north. Pass it over the salt and say:
Powers of the North, Guardians of the Earth,
I consecrate this (tool) and charge it with your energies.
I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
Now, turn to the east and, holding the tool in the smoke of the incense, say:
Powers of the East, Guardians of the Air,
I consecrate this (tool) and charge it with your energies.
I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
Next, face the south and pass the tool over the flame of the candle and speak the words:
Powers of the South, Guardians of Fire,
I consecrate this (tool) and charge it with your energies.
I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
Finally, turn to the west, and pass your ritual tool over the cup of water. Say:
Powers of the West, Guardians of Water,
I consecrate this (tool) and charge it with your energies.
I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
Face your altar, hold the (tool) to the sky, and speak the words:
I charge this (tool) in the name of Old Ones,
the Ancients, the Sun and the Moon and the Stars.
By the powers of the Earth, of Air, of Fire and of Water
I banish the energies of any previous owners,
and make it new and fresh.
I consecrate this wand,
and it is mine.
So Mote It Be!
Now you’ve not only consecrated the tool, you’ve claimed ownership.
I will also make this Dark Moon oil blend and use it at my altar and on my tools. Smells delicious!
Dark Moon Oil.
7 drops Jasmine
3 drops Chamomile
3 drops Patchoul
1 drop Sandalwood
New Moon Ritual
In early societies, the reappearance of the moon was often a cause for celebration – after all, it meant that the dark had passed, and the full moon was on its way back. The following rite is one which welcomes the moon back at the beginning of her cycle.
First, if your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so at this time. If you don’t normally cast a circle, take the time to ritually purify the area by smudging or asperging. This will establish the space as sacred.
Perform this ceremony outside if at all possible — it’s the best way to get a good look at the sliver of new moon. You’ll need a moon candle, wrapped in a black cloth, to place on your altar. This is traditionally a white unscented pillar-style candle. You’ll also need a hand-held mirror. Tie some silver and white ribbons on it if you wish. Finally, have a small bowl of Blessing Oil handy.
Hold this ceremony at sunset if you can. Turn to the west, and watch as the sun goes down (without looking directly at it). Once the sun has dropped below the horizon, you’ll be able to see where the new moon is rising. Once you see the moon in the sky, unwrap the candle. Hold it up high and say:
Welcome back, Moon!
we’re glad to see you again.
Another cycle has passed
another month gone by
and our lives have moved forward.
Place the candle on the altar and light it, still facing the moon. Say:
Today is a new day,
and a new month begins.
As the tides flow, and the moon rises above,
we are thankful that She has returned.
She watches over us, ever constant,
yet always changing,
and we are thankful for her light.
Next, turn to face east, where the sun will rise in the morning. Pick up the mirror and hold it so you can see the new moon behind you. Say:
Bring us your wisdom, your guidance,
your protection, in the coming month.
You are behind me at every step,
watching and guiding me,
and I am thankful.
Place the mirror back on the altar, beside the moon candle. Take a moment to reflect on your goals. After all, this is a time of new beginnings, and a good time for new commitments and vows. Warm the Blessing Oil over the candle for just a moment, and then anoint your forehead. As you do so, say:
May the blessings of the moon be with me.
When you are ready, close the circle and end the ritual. If you choose, you can move into healing rites or magical workings, or a Cakes & Ale ceremony.
I love this ritual and find it very magickal. I often call on Hecate to help me at the time of the Dark of the Moon; especially if I’m not clear on my course of action, what I want to focus on or change in my life. Remember that she is a dark goddess and she is the Goddess of the crossroads. She will help guide you if asked. So I hope that each of you will take advantage of the energy during the dark and new moon and see what changes, new beginnings, or adventures you can manifest in your life. But don’t forget that you have to do the work as well! You can’t do a spell to say, bring balance to your life, and then just sit back and hope it will happen. Asking the Goddess for help is wonderful, finding the Goddess within you and doing the work yourself..well, that will make you feel powerful, strong and joyful in your accomplishment. Perhaps keep a journal of what you are trying to manifest, your goals for achieving it, the work you do to make it happen, and the outcome. Writing it down will help you to focus and get the job done!
So good luck my friends, and again, New Moon Blessings and Goddess Bless, Autumn
*Sources..I’m afraid I have had this information so long I don’t have my sources..if you know, feel free to tell me. I appreciate very much whoever wrote them 🙂 Also, these two pictures are from the internet.
Merry Meet friends. Hope this post finds all of you happy and healthy and enjoying your Winter (or Summer) so far. I have been happily settling in to my new home, enjoying watching it snow, relaxing by the fire etc. Despite the fact there are still boxes to unpack, I’ve had time for some fun family days, some reading or crochet, and visiting with old friends on an evening or a day out.
My Moonlit Path..... 