Moon Lore

Lunar Magic and Auspicious Timing

The mysterious glowing orb of the moon has a powerful force on our energy, pulling us into an ebb and flow of personal power and connection to the universe. The tides, rain, plant life and even the life cycles of animals and humans such as reproduction and fertility, all are affected by the moon's gravitational pull.

Throughout the ages the moon's effect has inspired ceremonies and rituals to celebrate and appease the mystical astrological energy she provides. Gardens are planted by the moon, craziness attributed to a full bright shining orb, romance inspired under its glow, dreams cast upon its presence…it's beauty and mysteriousness written about in many prose, legends, and fairy tales.

The moon affects the moisture of the earth, the flow of tides and rivers with its pull on gravitation. As the human body is nearly 70% water, the moon also affects our physical and mental well-being as well as the surrounding environment. As you begin to watch the moon and meditate in its presence you will notice its cyclic nature in your life and if nothing else comforts you with the thought that it all comes and goes in time and everyone you know and every ancestor you have has lived under the same moon that rises and sets every day.

Once you begin paying attention to the lunar cycle and observe how it plays with the ebb and flow of your life you may be amazed at the synchronicity. Many cultures throughout history planned life by the moon calendar as much as, or instead of, a solar calendar. Holidays, traditional celebrations, and rituals were often performed under the moon. It's not a coincidence that cultures all over the world are connected to her power. I've always been inspired with a curiosity about cultural traditions, so I delved into moon calendars and advice on when to plant seeds and when to harvest; the best time to make decisions, and when to relax and let life flow; how people may act or react over the next month; and the flow of business and personal matters in this life. I encourage you to delve into more lore and advice on living by the moon calendar.

Believers in the influence of the moon consider performing certain acts with auspicious timing:

• Gardening by the moon

• Performing ceremonies

• Administering medicinal treatments or surgical operations

• Starting a business or making proposals

• Detoxing and energy cleansing work

• Creating and/or building

Advice for living by the moon can be found throughout tales and legends, ancient almanacs, astrology, spell books, and passed down through various cultures. You may have heard a few of these:

Moon Lore

• Don't commence weaning (or ideally, birthing) when the moon is waning.

• Fill cavities during the waning moon; Extract teeth during the early waxing moon

• Surgery is best performed during the early waxing period then wounds heal faster

• It has been suggested that the flow of blood is affected as the gravitational pull, the ebb and flow of the tides and is most susceptible to bleeding during the full moon.

• Cleanse crystals during the new moon. Empower them, program crystals, on the Full Moon.

• Herbal - start tinctures and oils during the new moon to sit in the power of the moon until the Full Moon when power is at its greatest, or until the end of the phase for full lunar empowerment.

• Ceremonies are most auspicious under the Full Moon, but depending on the intention may be done at a New Moon, never perform spells during the Black Days before a new moon.

Gardening by the Moon

• Sow, transplant, bud and graft from the New to the Full Moon

• Plow, cultivate, weed and reap from the Full Moon to the New

• New Moon: plant above ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals

• First Quarter: plant above ground crops with inside seeds

• Full Moon: plant root crops, bulbs, biennials, perennials

• Last Quarter: Do not plant

Following are suggestions for each phase of the moon:

New Moon - beginning new projects - planting - setting intentions - starting new relationships - beginning a new job - decorating - attunement - inspiration

Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) - draw things toward you - magik - commitment - integration - connect with others - brainstorming & editing - exploration - involvement -

Full Moon - emotional and creative expressions- fruition of projects and intentions - harvesting - social, community (great time for parties) - realization - adjusting - sharing - nourishment - Evaluation: what to infuse, what to release

Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) - studying - completing projects - organizing or reorganization - harvesting - cultivating - letting go - best time to say goodbye

I hope you have enjoyed these moon myths. If you have any proverbs I missed, please share in the comments below.