Luna
Ah, the moon. There is no question that we humans are fascinated by our planet’s closest companion, the moon.
Moon Water
Moon water is simply water that has been charged by the sitting and absorbing lunar light.
I like to make moon water by filling a large canning jar (Mason jar) with water (rain water is great if you can collect it) and placing it in the hollow of my favorite birch tree. It bathes in the moonlight while I do my moongazing and then for another few hours. I try to bring it in before I go to sleep.
You can use the moon water to give anything water is generally used for a magical kick. Wash your hair in it before a date. Drink it to feel energized before an important meeting. Use it in infusions.
I also encourage you to keep a journal of your moon water and its uses. Add it to your Book fo Shadows so you can refer back to it later.
Moons of the year
Humans love labels. Since our months are roughly as long as the cycle of the moon phase, the full moons fall, roughly, in line with one full moon per month. Every so often, though, you will encounter a Blue Moon. This is a second full moon in a month and doesn’t happen often, hence the term, “once in a blue moon.” Factoid: blue moons occur about once every 2.5 years. Each of our moons have a colorful name – names, really – that helped ancient peoples keep track of the seasons.
Jan
wolf moon
This moon is cold, and often snowy. People and wolves huddle in packs for warmth.
Feb
snow moon
This moon takes place in the deepest, darkest part of winter. Snow is at its deepest and food in the form of hunted prey is scarce.
mar
worm moon
The earth is beginning to warm! Worms begin to move through the soil getting it ready for spring.
apr
pink moon
The earth abounds in color now. Pinks, greens, yellows, and blues emerge as plants, wild and cultivated, begin to grow.
may
flower moon
This is a planting moon. All the sproutlings and seeds saved from the last harvest are ready to be planted.
june
Strawberry moon
One of the first edible crops of the year, straberries are blooming and ripe.
july
Buck moon
Antlers begin to form on bucks in the forest while the air tends to grow heavy with storms.
aug
Barley moon
The early harvests are ready! Farmers begin the long, hard work of harvesting this year’s crops.
sep
Harvest moon
The harvest is ready, but there are only so many hours in the day. The bright harvest moon allowed farmers some extra time int he fields to collect and store grains for the winter.
oct
Hunter’s moon
Game (deer, moose, etc.) have fattened up nicely over the summer and early autumn and this is the perfect time to hunt meat for the winter.
nov
Beaver moon
Dams and other beaver construction projects are finished and beavers retreat into their homes (called lodges) for the winter. Humans would be wise to follow suit.
dec
Long Night moon
The winter solstice is in December and the longest night (and shortest day) of the year. It signals the end of even the latest harvest and the beginnig of winter.