Moon Magick-Part One

Phases of the Moon...

Understanding and Using the Moon’s Lunar Cycles
 

Have you ever noticed that one day you wake up and you are so full of joy and positive energy and on others you are tired, depressed, withdrawn and find yourself wondering why you can not feel the joy and energy of that time gone by? If you started to take note, and perhaps you mentally have, you would find these moods come and go on a cyclical basis. This pattern can often be matched to the Moon phases.

From any location on the Earth, the Moon appears to be a circular disk which, at any specific time, is illuminated to some degree by direct sunlight. Like the Earth, the Moon is a sphere which is always half illuminated by the Sun, but as the Moon orbits the Earth we get to see more or less of the illuminated half. During each lunar orbit (a lunar month), we see the Moon’s appearance change from not visibly illuminated through partially illuminated to fully illuminated, then back through partially illuminated to not illuminated again. Although this cycle is a continuous process, there are eight distinct, traditionally recognized stages, called phases. The phases designate both the degree to which the Moon is illuminated and the geometric appearance of the illuminated part. These phases of the Moon, in the sequence of their occurrence (starting from New Moon), are listed below.
Moon Phases Explained

New Moon or "Moon of Rest and Beginnings"  
Location: moon is 0 - 45 degrees ahead of the Sun It is in alignment, directly between the earth and the sun ,therefore hidden. The New Moon is the only Time the eclipse of the sun can be seen.

Span: Day of, to three and a half days later. The Moon’s un-illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse).

Positive activities:

A soothing time of rest and planning for new beginnings; new growth; love, the beginning of or renewing of; bringing things in; regeneration; give thanks. This is a time of new beginnings and new undertakings. It can be a starting point for kicking that bad habit, or simply beginning a project. Put ideas in motion, become engaged, make long term relationship plans. The waxing Moon is a time of spontaneous and instinctual action. This is a time when efforts will grow visible. Transitions may seem to be accepted more calmly than other phases. A time for hair cuts to promote growth, medical treatments or getting your moneys worth from that facial!! Goals: Time to set new goals and review old ones for both the long and short term. Relates to the planting of the seeds.