Moon Magick

Moon Magic

The accumulation and direction of the subtle forces of the moon, is one of
The arts of Witchcraft. Moon magic is a personal art, even though there are
Basic guidelines.

In ancient times, witches held the position of the Moon priestesses/priests.
In coastal regions, and upon islands, witches were also Sea
Priestesses/Priests. The use of water from the sea was an important aspect
In Moon Magic (salt being a crystal form). The "charging" of water, and the
Release of the "char- GE" through evaporation, was an important aspect. So
Too was the soaking of woods and herbs in sea water, which were later dried,
And burned as incenses and offerings. Two excellent books on this subject
Are MOON MAGIC and THE SEA PRIESTESS by Dion Fortune.

The use of Portals to gain access to the Lunar Realms, and the building of
Magical images there, is a very important aspect of Moon Magic. The actual
Essence" of the power used in Moon Magic, originates out among the stars.
The Sun draws in the stellar influences and transmits them into our Solar
System. The Planets within our System absorb this energy which then merges
With their own vibrations or energies. The Planets, in turn, then emanate a
Composite energy within our Solar System. Each Planet's energy or vibratory
Pattern is unique, and influences other planetary bodies and forces, within
Each planet's sphere of influence. This is the basis of Astrology and
Planetary correspondences in Magic (this is how and why it works).

The Moon is the focal point of power upon the Earth. The Moon absorbs,
Condenses, and channels all of these forces, which are then carried to our
Planet, upon the Lunar Light Spectrum.

Agrippa, a 15th Century magician, understood these principles when he wrote

"...but the Moon, the nearest to the heavenly influences,
By the swiftness of her course,
Is joined to the sun,
And the other planets and stars,
As a conception,
Bringing them forth to the inferior world,
As being next to itself,
For all the stars have influence on it,
Being the last receiver,
Which afterwards communicates the influence of all superiors to these
Inferiors?
And pours them forth upon the Earth..."

Aradia, the Holy Strega, told her followers to seek the Moon above all
Others, for the purposes of Magic. In the closing prayer of the Full Moon
Ritual, we find these words which Aradia's followers were later to have
Written:

"O' Goddess of the Moon...
Teach us your ancient mysteries...
That the Holy Strega spoke of,
For I believe the Strega's story,
When she told us to entreat Thee,
Told us when we seek for Knowledge,
To seek and find Thee above all others".

Agrippa understood this also, when he wrote,

"Therefore. Her (the moon) motion is to be observed before the others,
As the parent of all conception......hence it is,
That without the Moon intermediating,
We cannot at any time attract the power of the superiors..."

What Agrippa spoke of, is what witches have known for Ages:
The Moon is the focal point of power upon the Earth.

Without the Moon we cannot make use of the Universal Forces beyond her. In
Moon Magic, the ritual altar is the focal point for the lunar forces which
Are drawn upon. Women are the vessels for Lunar Energy, receiving and
Directing the magical force. Men can also become lunar vessels, but women
Are much better suited (as their biology is more attuned to the Moon's
Cycles, than are men's biology).

The Moon altar is placed facing the West Quarter. The altar itself should be
Round, but a square or a rectangle is OK.

In the centre of the altar, place a bowl of saltwater. A white sea shell is
Then set into the centre of the bowl. As this is done, whisper the name of
The Goddess who rules the current phase of the Moon, under which you are
Working. The new moon belongs to Diana (De-ah-nah), the Full Moon to Jana
(Jah-nah) and the waning Moon to Umbrea.

Around the bottom of the bowl, set nine white shells, forming a crescent
(horns upward, as in a smile). If the magic is for the gain of something,
Place the shells from right to left. If the magic is for the removal, or
Loss of something, then place the shells from left to right. As each shell
Is placed, chant the name of the Goddess who presides over the goal of the
Magical influence you desire.

Matters concerning "beginnings" are under Diana. Matters involving "forces",
Energies, or powers are under the influence of Jana. Matters of Death,
Decline, and stagnation are ruled by Umbrea.

Censers of Moon Incense are placed around the bowl, upon the altar, forming
a triangle (so you have 3 incense containers forming a triangle, with the
Moon Bowl in its centre). A reversed triangle (V) is formed for
manifestations desired upon the physical plane. Upright triangles (A) are
formed for manifestation upon the astral plane.

During the magical work, the energy is focused into the altar bowl (or moon
bowl, as it is often called). This can be done in several different ways. In
group rituals, members may point their ritual blades at the Priestess, who
stands before the altar. The members visualize their energy flowing from
themselves, through their blades, and into the aura of the Priestess. The
Priestess then visualizes this collective energy flowing from herself,
through her own blade, into the moon bowl. Or she may simply place her palms
over the bowl and focus the energy out through her hands. During this
technique, she may recite an incantation, stating the purpose of the "charge
, or the group may chant the spell's intent.

One of the ways in which energy can be raised for this technique, is through
deep breathing. Each person draws in air slowly and deeply, and exhales as
they visualize the energy flowing outward through their ritual blades, or
their hands. Eastern Mystics teach that the Ether of our planet can be drawn
in through the breath, and condensed as pure energy. This they call "Prana".


Another method is to "enchant" the water. Begin by passing your right hand,
palm down, over the bowl in a clockwise manner. Perform nine passes, and
then do the same with your left hand. You will need to create a Chant which
will serve to describe your intent. It can be a simple rhyme, or whatever
you want. As you chant, blow gently upon the water slightly disturbing the
surface. Formulate the incantation to be as descriptive as you can, about
what you desire. Once you have spoken the incantation into the bowl, it is
time to release the "charge". One technique for this is to boil the water,
and observe the steam as it evaporates. Boil it until all of the water is
gone. As the steam rises up, repeat your incantation, and watch the steam as
it moves upward. It is carrying off your magic, so that it may take effect.
Think this as you watch it (thoughts ARE things).

Another very old method is to pour out the contents of the bowl into a
stream, or river. As you do this, you recite a simple rhyme spell, such as:
Water to water, a witch's spell, I give this stream, to speed it well"
Receiving the Moon's Light: (for women)

The Priestess receiving the Full Moon will need an assistant. The assistant
will require a silver disk, smooth and highly polished. If absolutely
necessary, a small hand mirror may be used in its place. The Priestess will
stand or kneel before the altar, with her head bowed down. The assistant
will part her hair at the base of the skull, using water or oil to help
separate the hair, if it is short. While the priestess visualizes the form
of the Goddess merging from behind, into her own form, the assistant will
reflect the Moon's light upon the base of the skull, using the silver disk.
You will find that this is quite difficult in city light pollution, and
works best in a country setting, or a desert. Once the Priestess receives
the Moon she can channel it into the Moon bowl, or she can "store" it within
her being for seven days. This light is pure Lunar energy, and can be
impregnated" with whatever "thought form" the priestess desires.

Receiving the Moon's light: (for men)

The Priest receiving the Full Moon, does not need an assistant, but may
choose one if he desires. Men cannot receive the Moon in the same manner as
women, nor should they visualize the Goddess merging with them.

The Priest will stand, or kneel, before the altar with his head slightly
bowed. Using a polished brass disk, the Moon's light is reflected upon his
forehead. At this point the Priest will visualize himself as the Full Moon
itself. Once the light is received, the Priest can channel it into the bowl.
Men do not "hold" Moon Light very well, and it is best to channel it off
before the seven day period, which the Priestess enjoys.

Receiving the Moon's light: (for women without assistance)

There are several ways for a woman to receive the Moon's Light, without any
assistant. The technique I gave in this subject note, is just one of the
magical techniques. The Moon may also be received in a religious setting (no
magic intended, just a blessing or a union with Deity). In these modern
times, you can set up a mirror behind you, and angle it so that it reflects
down upon you, if you desire to try the magical technique.

One of the old ways of non-magical union was for the woman to lay nude
beneath the Full Moon in the Full Moon Goddess Posture. This posture is also
referred to as the Star Goddess Posture, and is an X formation, arms and
legs spread out wide. The woman anoints herself with an oil of the Moon,
just below her navel (forming a crescent with the oil). As she lies upon the
earth, she will look up into the Moon, and slowly draw in the muscles of her
abdomen, as she mentally pictures that she is drawing down the light of the
Moon, into herself. Just as men draw power into themselves through the solar
plexus, a woman draws power into herself through the navel region ("pit of
the stomach" kind of thing. This is the centre of a woman). This is just one
method, but it can be a powerful experience.

**origin by Faery Witch ~ author unknown**