Moon Correspondences and Information

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Esbats and other moon rites

Esbats are rites held for the purpose of communing with the Moon's

energies and are regarded as the time for most magickal workings. As

opposed to the Sabbats, which are fire or sun festivals, Esbats are

dedicated to the Moon in her various phases. These are considered

the 'working' celebrations, the time in which to attract, banish,

invoke protection, or to perform any other magickal workings. Most

Sabbat festivals are held in order to celebrate the changing of the

seasons, the gathering of the harvest, etc. The Esbats are held in

honor of the Goddess. The Lunar Year contains 13 Full Moons. These

have all been called by various names in the past but the ones that

seem to have become the most popular are:

MODERN ANCIENT CELTIC

Jan Wolf Moon Fearn - Alder

Feb Ice or Storm Moon Saille - Willow

Mar Chaste Moon Nuin - Ash

Apr Seed / Growing Moon Huathe - Hawthorn

May Hare Moon Duiir - Oak

June Mead Moon Tinne - Holly

July Hay Moon Coll - Hazel

Aug Corn Moon Muin - Vine

Sept Harvest Moon Gort - Ivy

Oct Blood Moon Ngetal - Reed

Nov Snow Moon Beth - Birch

Dec Oak or Cold Moon Luis - Rowan

But that's only 12 you say? That's because the 13th Moon is called

the Blue Moon, this occurs when four full moons fall within the same

season (as regular seasons only have 3 full moons, the fourth full

moon between solstice and equinox, or vice versa, is the Blue Moon).

Obviously this must happen once a year, and always at a different

time due to the inaccuracies of the modern calendar. The Celts

originally set their year to correspond with the 13 moons but with

the coming of the Romans and their method of calendar keeping this

tradition was lost. Their 13th Moon was called Ruis or Elder.

The Blue Moon is considered the 'goal moon', at this time it is

customary to set specific goals for yourself and to review your

accomplishments and failures since the last one.

The other 12 Moons all have special meanings as well.

January is the time to conserve energy by working on personal

problems that involve no one else. It is also a time for protection

rites and reversing spells. During this month the energy flow is

sluggish and below the surface.

February is the time for loving the self, accepting responsibility

for past errors, forgiving yourself, and making future plans. At this

time the energy flow is working toward the surface; good for

purification, growth, and healing.

March is the time for new beginnings, breaking illusions, and seeing

the truth in your life however much it may hurt. The energy flow

breaks into the open, a good time for growing, prospering, and

exploring. Light and Dark are in balance now.

April is the time for working on your temper, emotional flare-ups,

and selfishness. The energy is flowing into creating and producing; a

good time for change, self-confidence issues, taking advantage of

opportunities, and realizing self-reliance.

May is the time for strengthening the connections with supernatural

protectors and beings around you. The energy is in full flow making

this a good time for intuition, propagating, and connecting with

faeries and nature spirits.

June is the time for decision making, taking responsibility for

present happenings, working on personal inconsistencies, and for

strengthening and rewarding yourself for your positive traits. The

energy is in full, but restive, flow, the Earth tides are turning

making this a good time for protection, strengthening, and prevention

spells.

July is the time for dream-work, divination, and meditation on

spiritual goals and plans. The energy is slower and more relaxed,

proper for success and prosperity spells. This month is the time to

start preparing for the colder and darker months ahead.

August is the time for harvesting, gathering, and appreciating. The

energy flow is slowing more and now is the time of vitality, health,

and friendships.

September is the time for organizing and straightening up physical,

mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter. The energy flow is resting

and Light and Dark are in balance.

October is the time for inner cleansing. Meditate on the laws of

Karma and thoughts of reincarnation. This is the time of letting go,

justice, balance, and inner harmony.

November is the month of transformation. It is time to prepare for

the coming winter and a time to strengthen communication with the god

or goddess closest to you. The energy flow is taking root and

preparing to flow once more.

December is the time of Spiritual Paths. The Earth tides are turning

and it is time to reach out to friends and family, the lonely, and

the needy. This is the month of death and renewal. Spells should

should be aimed at endurance and provision.

Pagans and Witches dearly love their holidays and sometimes go to

extremes to celebrate them. But what if they need to cast a

particular spell, remove, lessen, or increase some aspect of their

life, or if they need to perform a healing ritual, or connect with

their personal deity, or ask for protection, energy, insights, or

help? All these things can be aligned with the phases of the moon. If

you have a particular need, determine what phase the moon is in and

write your spell/ritual accordingly.

On this page I've included a run-down of the various moon-phases and

what they mean in your life. Keep in mind that one is not limited to

following the meanings too rigidly. For example: If you need to bring

money into your life and it's the waning moon ask that your bills be

removed or that your needs be lessened.