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Moon Magic: Full Moon
A full moon occurs when the moon is "complete" - when its sunlit side fully faces the earth. Many say that the power of the full moon can be felt for seven days - the day of the full moon itself and the three days on either side. Others say that magic that is meant to be done at the full moon must be done at the exact time of the full moon. I myself tend to take the more flexible approach, but if you'd rather be exacting, there are a variety of almanacs out there which can give you the time of the moon's phases. A full moon is a time of fruition, completion, and wholeness. This is an occasion for magic of all sorts, especially all positive magics, such as protection, scrying, love, healing, purification, travel and prosperity spells.(1) Z. Budapest (2) views the full moon as a time of liquidity, a great time for "drawing in". If you have a mind for creating potions and other brews, now is the moment. This is also a good time for evocations. Many covens and solitaries choose to draw down the moon at this time to put themselves in more intimate touch with the Goddess. If you are so inclined, this is also a great time for fertility magic. Many use the full moon for reflection on happenings since the previous full moon, and as an opportunity for refreshment, beginning anew. Silver Ravenwolf (3) considers this a good time for banishing magic - the light of the full moon is a good time to see clearer, and to refocus, and banishing unwanted influences can be very beneficial to this end. Symbols associated with this phase include the "Mor" rune of the 5th quintet, which symbolizes the full moon, amongst other things. The full moon is also an important magical symbol (often represented as a circle) and can mean "commitment, nurturance, dedication, culmination, strength, summer, protective energy." (4) If you are planning on harvesting plants, a full moon is the best time to gather plant "tops" - those bits above ground including seeds, flowers, stems, leaves, etc.(5) This is an excellent time to give thanks to Those Who inhabit your garden.
1 Scott Cunningham, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, p 188. 2 Z. Budapest and Tom Cowan (Contributor), Power of the Witch, p.31 3 Silver Ravenwolf, To Ride a Silver Broomstick : New Generation Witchcraft, pp. 39, 180 4 Yasmine Galenorn, Embracing the Moon : A Witch's Guide to Rituals, Spellcrafts and Shadow Work, p.103. 5 Ibid, p.114. |
