For Insights and Ideas: Element of Air Tonic

This spell should give you brilliant insight, enabling you to see with great peace and clarity.

Gather together

• 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
• 4 tablespoons fresh peppermint leaves
• a pinch of dried lavender
• a yellow teapot
• honey

Timing: Perform this spell when the new moon is in an Air sign: Aquarius, Gemini, or Libra.

Steep the herbs in boiling water in your sunny yellow teapot; yellow is one of the colors associated with mental prowess. After 5 minutes, sweeten with honey, and either drink the mild tea while facing east, the source of the rising sun, or mark the four directions and pour the tea on the ground outside toward the east, praying:

    Winged Mercury, God of air,

    I entreat you to bring me sight and true awareness.

    Like the wind, speed my way.

Make everything new.

Listen to your intuition now; it will not fail you.

Lunar and Solar Sign Connections

When the sun or moon is in a certain zodiac sign, it carries that astrological energy. The zodiacal year starts with the sun in Aries, usually on March 21, and the sun then goes through all twelve astrological signs each month. The moon moves more quickly than the sun and stays in a sign for two days before moving on to the next.

You might notice you feel highly energetic one day and more laid back the next. Why is that? Look to the moon for answers. I recommend consulting a reliable source for tracking the sign of the moon—see Resources, page 141. Keep track in your Book of Shadows of the effect that these solar and lunar connections have for you. You can further enhance these astrological associations by using the associated crystals and colors for your candles with the energy of these signs.

Aries, Mars-ruled sign of the Ram, is a high-energy time, which is good for new beginnings. Associated with diamond, amethyst, topaz, garnet, iron, and steel, and the color red.

Venus-ruled Taurus is the Bull and is very abundant in all ways: money, farming, and love. Associated with coral, sapphire, emerald, turquoise, agate, zircon, and copper, and the color azure.

Gemini is ruled by Mercury and is about smarts, quickness, communication, and travel. Associated with aquamarine, agate, amber, emerald, topaz, and aluminum, and the color electric blue.

Lunar Cancer is connected with family and home, and is most fertile of all for farming. Associated with opal, pearl, emerald, moonstone, and silver, and the colors pearl and rose.

Leo is ruled by the sun and it is romantic, brave, showy, and a time to lead. Associated with diamond, ruby, gold, sardonyx, and chrysoberyl, and the color orange.

Mercury-ruled Virgo is good for health, nutrition, and detailed hard work. Associated with jade, rhodonite, sapphire, carnelian, and aluminum, and the color gray-blue.

Libra is ruled by Venus and is artistic, loving, abundant, and balancing. Associated with opal, sapphire, jade, quartz, turquoise, and copper, and the color pale orange.

Plutonic Scorpio is very sensual and sexual, bountiful, and a time for strategy. Associated with bloodstone, topaz, aquamarine, jasper, and silver, and the color dark red.

Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius connotes philosophy, spirituality, treks, and higher understanding. Associated with lapis lazuli, topaz, turquoise, coral, and tin, and the color purple.

Earth-ruled Capricorn is good for business, money, jobs, goals, and politics. Associated with onyx, jet, ruby, lead, and malachite, and the color brown.

Uranus-ruled Aquarius is a time for intellect, risk, innovation, and interaction. Associated with aquamarine, jade, fluorite, sapphire, zircon, and aluminum, and the color green.

Neptune-ruled Pisces is for psychism, dreams, affection, and creativity. Associated with amethyst, alexandrite, bloodstone, stitchite, and silver, and the color ocean blue.

Waning Moon Contentment Ritual

 

You can create a week of blissful and composed calm with the following spell.

Gather together

• a purple candle
• hibiscus or violet essential oil
• a bouquet of purple flowers (violets, for example)

Timing: On a Monday, as the moon grows smaller in the sky, try this spell.

On a waning moon Monday evening, anoint your purple candle with the essential oil. Place the candle on your altar beside a vase of fresh violets or other purple flowers. Sit in front of your altar as twilight begins, and when the sun is completely gone, light the candle and chant:

    Any care and despair begone.

    Here with the mountain, the river, the tree, the grass and the moon.

    I receive my strength from Nature and she is my center.

    Tomorrow and the next, all gladness will enter.

    Harm to none, only good.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy: A Spell to Quell Anxiety

As the sun sets on a waning moon day, you can quiet the inner voices of worrywart that get in the way of life. When our moon ebbs, another grows forth, and so it goes for our creativity and renewal cycles.

Gather together

• 1 vanilla bean pod
• sandalwood incense
• amber resin
• a charcoal cake for burning incense
• a fireproof glass or clay dish
• 1 black or gray candle

Timing: As the moon decreases in size, cast this spell.

Set aside a small piece of the vanilla bean, then grind together a teaspoon each of sandalwood, amber, and the remainder of the vanilla bean using either the back of a spoon or your mortar and pestle. Burn this resin-based mixture on a piece of charcoal in the fireproof dish on your altar. Light the black or gray candle, for protection. Rub the reserved small piece of vanilla bean in your palm until the scent begins to waft up thanks to the heat in your hands. Concentrate on the flame and rub the same vanilla essence on your temples and place your hand over your heart.

As you meditate, think about how you sometimes doubt yourself, worry needlessly, and how you will begin to trust your innate wisdom and instincts. Visualize clearing all anxiety from your mind. Think about the wonderful aspects in your life, your bright future, and your potential as you chant:

    La lune, goddess of the moon,

    As you may grow, so do I.

    Here, tonight, under your darkest light,

    I embrace all within me that is good and right,

    and bid goodbye to all the rest. Blessed be.

Blow out the candle and throw it into a fireplace or your cast iron cauldron to burn away. You must completely destroy the candle because it contains the energy of your anxiety and fear. Now, go and worry no more.

Lunar Elixir: Restorative Full Moon Infusion

 The full moon is a truly auspicious time and one to savor and make the most of. Try this restorative Lunar Elixir anytime your energy level is low to bolster mind, body, and spirit.

Gather together

• 1 teaspoon sliced fresh ginger root
• 1 teaspoon jasmine tea leaves
• 1 teaspoon peppermint tea leaves
• 2 cups (480ml) fresh water
• a teapot and a mug

Timing: Full moon phases last two days, so make this elixir on the first night at midnight.

Just before midnight, brew and strain an infusion of these healthful and energizing herbs. Once it is cool, pour it into your favorite mug and relish the aromatic steam for a moment. Wait for the stroke of midnight. Now, step outside and drink the elixir during this enchanted hour in the glow of moonlight. You will immediately feel clearer, more centered, and more focused.

Recharging Weekend Wonder: Natural Remedy Potion

This natural remedy is an excellent way to refresh after a hectic week.

Gather together

• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 drops bergamot essential oil
• 2 drops jasmine essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops carrier oil
• a small ceramic or glass bowl

Timing: This tincture is most potent right after the sun sets, by the light of the waxing or full moon.

Blend the essential oils and carrier oil in the bowl. Take off your shoes so you can be more grounded. Walk outside, stand on your deck or by an open window. Now, close your eyes, lift your head to the moon, and recite aloud:

    Bright moon goddess, eternal and wise,

    Give your strength to me now.

    As I breathe, you are alive in me for this night.

    Health to all, calm to me.

    So mote it be.

Gently rub one drop of Natural Remedy Potion on each pulse point: both wrists, behind your ear lobes, on the base of your neck, and behind your knees. As the oil surrounds you with its warm scent, you will be filled with a quiet strength.

Crescent Moon Magic

This is the perfect time to lay plans for all good things you desire in this phase of increasing.

Gather together

• a pure white garment
• a moonstone of any size
• a short piece of string

Timing: The ideal phase for this spell is when the crescent moon is waxing.

In the first quarter of the moon, don your white shirt or dress, and carry the moonstone along with you in your pocket or on a pendant. Take a late afternoon walk in a park or a meadow among wild weeds, flowers and grasses, and gather a few as you stroll to make a bouquet. Choose a resting place and sit where you can see the crescent moon. Take your flowers and grasses and bind them with the string. Hold your newly made bouquet in your right hand. Hold your moonstone in your left hand and concentrate on your desired outcome—creative fulfillment, greater happiness, or perhaps the release of anger.

Chant aloud:

    Luna, in your seventh heaven, I invoke you now.

    Brighter than any star, you are.

    I will sing your magic song, if you but show me how.

    I will walk your sacred path, if you but show me where.

    Be here now.

Arms outspread, eyes on the moon, repeat the chant three times. As the moon shines brighter, so will your spirit.

Inspired Clarity: Breath of the Gods Incense

Burn this mixture of incense on your altar to generate a positive and peaceful atmosphere to set the stage for your ritual. Rose hips and mint are for heart, enthusiasm, and keen thinking. The yellow candle, yellow rose, and the yellow citrine crystal are used to symbolize intelligence and mental clarity.

Gather together

• 1 tablespoon dried rose hips
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried mint
• a charcoal cake for burning incense
• a fireproof clay or glass dish
• a yellow candle
• neroli essential oil
• a yellow rose bud
• 1 cup (240ml) of fresh water in a bowl
• a citrine crystal

Timing: Perform this rite during the new moon, when the moon is dark and not visible.

Using your mortar and pestle, grind together the rose hips and the mint. Once they are nicely mixed, place the herbs on a piece of charcoal in a fireproof clay or glass dish. Light a yellow candle anointed with neroli oil and place a single yellow rose in a vase to one side of the incense burner. On the other side, place the bowl of water with the citrine crystal in it. Light the incense and breathe in. The word “inspire” comes from the Greek word for “breath of the gods,” so allow this divine essence to fill you with grace.

New Moon, New Friends

When I moved to San Francisco, I didn’t know a soul, but I used this tried-and-tested trick to fill my life with friends.

Gather together

• 1 candle of any color or size
• your favorite incense

Timing: Try this on a new moon Friday (Freya’s Day, which is ruled by Venus, is ideal for fun, love, flirtation, gossip, and good times).

Light the candle and incense. Breath in the sacred smoke and dance around, arms held upward, joyously. Say aloud:

I call upon you, friend Freya,

To fill my life with love and joy. I call upon you, Goddess,

To bring unto me that which I enjoy

In the form of people, wise and kind.

This I ask and give thanks for, blessed be.

This resulted in me having friends who have stuck with me through thick and thin; I can count on them for boundless love and they bring so much joy to my life.

How to Match Your Spells to Moon Phases

• The new moon is an auspicious time for a fresh start.
• The crescent moon, which appears seven days before and after the new moon, is the time for productivity and creating positive energy.
• While waxing, the moon grows steadily larger and is good for spellwork toward completing goals and building toward an outcome.
• The full moon is a great teacher with a special message for each month.
• The waning moon is the time to wind down any personal challenges and see them to an end.