Moon Magick Part II

Aleister Crowley defined Magick as “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will,” or, as modified by The Llewellyn Encyclopedia and Glossary, “Magick is the science and art of causing change (in consciousness) to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science.” Before your Will can be effective, it must have something to focus on, some desire or need. All desire and conscious need begins with thought, and from thought, the idea must move to visualization. Without visualization to motivate the Will, there is no manifestation, and this visualization takes place on the Astral Plane (Yesod on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life) which is ruled by the Moon.

Each month, the New Moon is in a different sign of the zodiac, but the Moon’s monthly cycle in relation to the Sun repeats the same eight phases. Based on the work of Dane Rudhyar, Robert “Buz” Myers and Demetra George, I want to talk about those phases and how to use the energy of each phase to your own personal advantage.

We all have needs and desires that change as time goes by. If you look back over your life, you will find that many of the things you wanted the most you managed to materialize. Understanding and working with the Moon’s cycle every month can add power to your ability to manifest what you want by tapping into complementary energies.

Get to know these phases, which are easy enough to follow if you have a calendar that indicates the New and Full Moons:

1. New Moon Phase (New Moon to 3½ days following New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 0 to 45 degrees; related to 0 Aries to 15 Taurus) (Direction: East) (Elements: Fire and Earth) This phase is very emotional and subjective. Now is the time to take new action and set a goal in line with your innermost needs and desires. Visualize a seed germinating underground. Keywords: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, clarity.

2. Crescent Phase (3½ to 7 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 45 to 90 degrees; related to 15 Taurus to 30 Gemini) (Direction: Southeast) (Elements: Earth and Air) Here you must use determined self-assertiveness to overcome obstacles to your goal, and keep your faith in following the path you have set. Visualize the shoot of a plant breaking through the soil. Keywords: expansion, growth, struggle, illumination, and opportunity leading to action.

3. First Quarter Phase (7 to 10½ days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 90 to 135 degrees; related to 0 Cancer to 15 Leo) (Direction: South) (Elements: Water and Fire) After overcoming obstacles at the Crescent phase, your strong will and organizing ability can be used to express your individual needs and desires. Here there is instinctive rebellion against social restraints and the ability to make your own decisions. The key to this phase is staying in a positive frame of mind. Visualize a plant in a growth spurt, developing roots, stems and leaves. Keywords: action, expression, and growth leading to self-trust.

4. Gibbous Phase (10½ to 15 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 135 to 180 degrees; related to 15 Leo to 30 Virgo) (Direction: Southwest) (Elements: Fire and Earth) This point represents the movement from activity to receptivity and the need to trust that what you desire is moving toward manifestation. You may experience a yearning for more light to be shed on the path to your goal. Visualize the budding of a plant with all the promise of those buds. Keywords: analyze, prepare, trust, and love leading to new experience.

5. Full Moon Phase (15 to 18½ days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 180 to 225 degrees; related to 0 Libra to 15 Scorpio) (Direction: West) (Elements: Air and Water) At the Full phase, you will have the greatest mental objectivity. The illumination you were seeking at the Gibbous Phase is possible now, and you will have clear vision about all that has taken place since the beginning of the cycle and understand what adjustments need to be made. Visualize flowers opening and turning toward the light. Keywords: fulfillment, illumination, realization, and experience leading to introspection.

6. Disseminating Phase (18½ to 22 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 225 to 270 degrees; related to 15 Scorpio to 30 Sagittarius) (Direction: Northwest) (Elements: Water and Fire) The needed adjustments you glimpsed at the Full Moon can be made now to keep the accomplishment of your goal on track. Communication is key here -- you will have the opportunity to share with others what you have learned through your awareness of the cycle, and you may fight for what you desire and for what you deem is right. Visualize the plant giving forth its fruit to feed others. Keywords: demonstration, distribution, sharing, and introspection leading to strength.

7. Third Quarter Phase (22 to 25½ days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 270 to 315 degrees; related to 0 Capricorn to 15 Aquarius) (Direction: North) (Elements: Earth and Air) Here you will become aware of what is not working and realign your goals, sometimes forcing issues and creating a crisis. Now is the time to reorient yourself toward new creative potentials. Whatever is no longer functional will be torn down. Visualize the plant after the harvest, the remaining fruit decomposing and drawing its energy inward for the next cycle. Keywords: realignment, revision, cleansing, and renewal leading to purity.

8. Balsamic Phase (25½ to 30 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 315 to 360 degrees; related to 15 Aquarius to 30 Pisces) (Direction: Northeast) (Elements: Air and Water) At this Phase, if we haven’t achieved our goal, we let go of what hasn’t worked and transform our vision into a new seed that can be planted again at the New Moon. Resolution of past issues is possible now. Visualize the seeds from the decomposed fruit falling to the ground, waiting for re-germination in the next cycle. Keywords: release, transformation, transition, and purity leading to new clarity.

Each month, you have an opportunity to take advantage of each of these phases, and for extraordinary oomph to your workings, you can wait until the moon phase you wish to use is also in a sign compatible with your desire – Taurus for money, Sag for travel, Leo for creativity, etc., etc. Have fun with it, and not only will you start manifesting your heart’s desires, but you’ll also learn a little Astrology!

Moon Magick (Part 1)

XXXII. To Selene
(ll. 1-13) “And next, sweet voiced Muses, daughters of Zeus, well-skilled in song, tell of the long-winged Moon. From her immortal head a radiance is shown from heaven and embraces earth; and great is the beauty that ariseth from her shining light. The air, unlit before, glows with the light of her golden crown, and her rays beam clear, whensoever bright Selene having bathed her lovely body in the waters of Ocean, and donned her far-gleaming, shining team, drives on her long-maned horses at full speed, at eventime in the mid-month: then her great orbit is full and then her beams shine brightest as she increases. So she is a sure token and a sign to mortal men.” Homeric Hymn to Selene, translated by Evelyn-White

Mother Moon. From the beginning of human life, we have lived by her rhythms. Each month, she ebbs and flows like the waters of the ocean and, like our emotions, her influence surges and subsides. Astrologers watch the cycles of the moon and predict events based on when she triggers sensitive points in the horoscope. Revered for her influence on magick, shamans and magicians have for eons watched her cycles and used her phases and placements in the signs to work their enchantments. As she travels through the 12 signs of the zodiac each month and completes her cycle around the earth in about 30 days, life changes flavors.

In this two-part article, I will take a look at our Moon and her influence on us, both by the sign she’s transiting and by looking at her eight phases. Today, I’ll be discussing her monthly circuit through the signs of the zodiac. If you don’t have an astrological calendar or other way to know which sign the Moon is in each day, I suggest going to the Cafe Astrology site at http://www.cafeastrology.com/monthlycalendar.html. Click on the link below the calendar for the Moon’s sign and planetary aspects for each day of that month.

When the Moon enters Aries, life speeds up. It increases our energy, and it is a good time to begin new projects and seek new avenues of expression. Take some time for yourself and attempt to be aware of your effect on those around you. This is also a fine time to exercise because you can feel energetic under Aries. Infections may flare up under this influence.

The Taurus Moon is a time of practicality. Aries begins new projects, but Taurus brings stability to them. Anything you don’t find practical will be discarded, and the rhythm of life slows down. Values are important during this 2-½ day period, and the need to be productive is the overriding drive. Taurus is also stubborn, so people will tend to stand their ground during this moon.

Gemini brings a lot of conversation and communication. If you’ve been putting off running a lot of errands, this is the time of month to get it over with. It’s also the time of month to respond to that list of e-mails staring at you that you keep putting off. Check in with the neighbors or contact your extended family. People are in the mood to communicate. Find a good book to read.

Home and those we consider family become the focus under the Cancer Moon. This is a productive time to do some housework or make a special dish that’s usually too much work. You may feel like sticking close to home and spending time with those you’re close with rather than seeking the company of strangers. Cancer retreats to the familiar for comfort.

Under the Leo Moon, find something creative to do. Leo needs to be appreciated, and one way to be appreciated is to put energy into a project that others can enjoy. This is also an excellent time to have some fun, and you may feel like doing a little gambling now. Tell someone how much you care and make a little love during this time.

Virgo is the hangover after the Leo party. All that work you put off the last couple of days is staring you in the face and you need to get it done. This is an excellent period for deciding what needs to be done around the house and clearing that pile of papers off your desk. Efficiency, analysis and discrimination are keywords for this lunar period. Health issues should be paid attention to now.

Relationships need some attention during the Libra transit, and not just your marriage or love partner. Libra is about compromise and creating harmony and balance. Find the middle ground, create a win-win situation and make any ongoing disagreement go away. This is also a nice time to get to know new people because you’ll be feeling sociable and will find others interesting.

Deep emotions are stirred during the Scorpio moon. Secrets come out and sexual urges may be strong. You won’t want any superficial relating now – you want to feel something and will seek out intense people or situations. Shared resources can also become a focus of attention now, so be careful of disagreements regarding money.

Restlessness is the key word under the Sagittarius moon, physical as well as mental. Seek out new ideas or someone to discuss your ideas with. Religion and philosophy may occupy your thoughts today. This is also a good time to start a trip, or plan one. Find something different to do. The downside to this energy is that you may get lost in what you’re doing and forget where you’re supposed to be or what you’re supposed to be doing.

Capricorn is about taking care of business. This is an excellent timeframe in which to start creating structure in your life and to work on the discipline you think you’re lacking. Virgo analyzes, but Capricorn actually gets down to the business of physically organizing things and people. Delegate responsibility by deciding what you must personally handle and what someone else can take care of, which is especially important for those of us who think if we don’t do it, it won’t get done.

Get out and interact with groups and organizations during the Aquarius moon. You will feel sociable in a detached way, and will find the company of others enjoyable. The need for a change is the keyword for this moon, which can easily slip into rebelliousness. Tackling computer issues will come easily now, and science fiction and fantasy can pass the time and ease the restlessness of your mind. You may find yourself exposed to those kinds of things now, even if they normally don’t interest you.

On Wednesday, February 25, the flavor of this month began with the New Moon in Pisces. When the Moon is in Pisces, life gets softer around the edges. This can also be a time when people tend to use their own personal means of escape to shut out the ills of the world, whether that is through an artistic pursuit, meditation, helping others or shutting out the world through the use of alcohol or drugs. This is a good time to visualize your dreams.

Next time, I will write about the eight phases of the Moon (rather than just the four you are probably used to) and discuss how you can consciously use each to your best advantage. Combining the meanings of the Moon in the signs and the Moon in her phases can be employed to manifest what you desire in your life, magickally!