It always seemed so magikal and close to me, and I often sent it wishes and chatted with her without knowing anything formal about its significance or its meaning at the time.

MAGICAL MOON PHASES

Moving with its natural course, through different phases and astrological signs, the moon has a particularly potent effect on witchcraft, energy, female energy, spirituality, and many different other thought processes, and believes.

Each cycle of the waxing and waning moon spans several days, and by being aware of each phase of the moon, you can add power to each ritual performed. …… I also recommend you note and think about how you feel and react during the different phases.

Dark of the Moon
From the time the moon is no longer visible to the naked eye until the new moon (known as the dark of the moon) is the most useful time for divination of all kinds.

The New Moon
This is an exceptional time to do witchcraft and rituals for new beginnings, and for the conception and initiation of new projects.

Waxing Moon
The waxing moon is appropriate for spells, ritual and ceramonies that involve growth, healing and increase.

The Full Moon
Known as the “high tide” of psychic power, The full moon represents culmination, climax, fulfilment and abundance.

Waning Moon
The waning moon is the best time for cleansing, banishing and completion.

Green said:

“Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority.”

Blue interrupted:

“You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing.”

Yellow chuckled:

“You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun.”

Orange started next to blow her trumpet:

“I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don’t hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.”

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:

“I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood – life’s blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy.”

Purple rose up to his full height:

He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: “I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey.”

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: “Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.”

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening, thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:

“You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don’t you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me.”

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

The rain continued:

“From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow.” And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, to let us remember to appreciate one another.

No one really gets it, they just don’t understand,
Nothing went the way it should, nothing went like planned.
The path she chose was not the one she should take,
She felt if she did, she wouldn’t be real she’d be fake.
She never really felt supported, by her friends and family,
She felt what she saw, only she could see.
They said she was good, good but not great,
She was not fantastic, a perfect piece she could not create.
Yet it did not break her, it only made her strong,
She know she is right, and she knows they are wrong.
She know this is what fate meant for her to be,
She doesn’t really care if others disagree.
She knows she can show herself, knows she can live,
She knows she can take, and she knows she can give.
It’s OK to show you’re weakness, OK to show you’re scar,
It’s OK to be different, to be who you are.
She knows she can do this, at least she will try,
Because she knows herself, and that its OK to cry.

From Sing-Song by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

• a series of ‘all about me moments’
• wondering what turning 40 was going to feel like
• turning 40 and feeling great about it
• wondering why I was being drawn to the town I grew up in
• feeling comfortable about being at home
• getting excited about ‘maybe’ catching up with a friend that I haven’t seen for many years while I was at home
• being very disappointed that it didn’t happen
• BUT also had a great time catching with other school friends and
• sharing my birthday with a special friend from Canberra
• loved hanging by the ocean (I currently live inland SO really miss the ocean) I didn’t realise how much until showing some of my favourite ocean spots to a Canberra friend
• had a fab time chilling out back in Canberra with friends AND
• with my precious dogs Poppet and Tara – they are my bubba’s xx

A blue moon occurs about every two and a half years, making it a perfect time to do special magic and honor the Goddess.

This special ceremony can be conducted as a group or just as beautiful on your own. .

If with a group each member of the group brings an item to place on the altar that represents the warmth of the summer growing season. Some ideas would be:

• Fresh herbs or flowers
• Summer fruits such as strawberries, raspberries
• Solar symbols
• Sea water, sand or shells

Assign a member of the group to call each quarter. Each person should stand at their assigned quarter holding their unlit candle (and a lighter or matches), and facing the altar. If there are more than four of you present, form a circle.

• The person in the north quarter lights their candle (green if available), holds it to the sky, and says:

We call upon the powers of Earth,
and welcome you to this circle.
The sun’s heat has warmed the earth
and will bring us the bounty of the soil,
when the harvest time comes.

Place the candle on the altar.

• The person to the east should light her candle (yellow if available), hold it to the sky, and say:

We call upon the powers of Air,
and welcome you to this circle.
May the wind bring us fruitfulness
and togetherness of family and friends,
in this season of growth and light.

Place the candle on the altar.

• Moving to the south, light a red candle (if available) and hold it to the sky, saying:

 We call upon the powers of Fire,
and welcome you to this circle.
May the shining light of this season’s moon
illuminate our way at night,
as the sun has brightened our lives by day.

Place the candle on the altar.

• Finally, the person to the west lights a blue candle (if available), holds it to the sky, and says:

We call upon the powers of Water,
and welcome you to this circle.
Although the earth may become dry and parched
during the long hot weeks of summer,
we know that again the rains will come
and bring with them life.

Place the candle on the altar.

• Have everyone in the circle join hands and say:

We gather tonight by the light of the moon,
to celebrate the season, and rejoice.
May the next turn of the Wheel bring us love
and compassion, abundance and prosperity,
fertility and life.
As the moon above, so the earth below.

Go around the circle, share one thing they are looking forward to. Summer is a time of growth and development before the harvest arrives. What do you plan to manifest for yourself in the coming month? Now is the time to state your intent.

• Take a moment to reflect on the growth you’ve seen since Spring, in yourself and those around you.

A lovely way to finish is read and feel the energy of the Luna Prayer – see below for the words xx

Let go of fear – and you’ll discover a shining star

Trust in the healing power of love, for you are an ocean of light, reflecting the light of the sun, universe and stars

The flame of love resides in your heart, it engulfs all in its path

Through this light, new stars are born. Explosions of love

A glowing heart that moves the ocean tide

One eternal heart forever bathed in light

The night sky a tapestry of jewels. Dew drops form an ocean

Starlight fills your heart with the glow of ancient Suns

Through trees, mountains and valleys

You shine eternally

The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage everyday.

 (Hippocrates 500 BC)