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Lunar cycles and the phases of the moon have captured the human imagination for thousands of years.
The gravitational pull of the moon not only creates our ocean tides, it’s also powerful enough to influence our emotions and even affect our physical bodies.
It’s no wonder then, that the appearance of a full moon
, the brightest and most complete of the moon’s phases, is an event most associated with mystic powers and spiritual entities.
To Wiccans, the full moon is a time to be celebrated: It’s the time when cycles renew, bringing completion, conclusion and fruition. It’s also a time for rituals and spell casting: When the moon is bright and full, its powers are at their most potent.
In this article, we’re going to help you to make the most of the full moon’s heightened energy, and explain some of the full moon magic rituals and ceremonies that Wiccans use during these special nights:
The Wiccan Esbat
You might have already heard of the “Sabbats”, or the holiday celebrations that Wiccans plan around the cycles of the rising sun (equinox and solstice for example). Esbats are similar in principle, but take place during an evening of a full moon. That means that an Esbat can happen every 29 days, or once per lunar cycle. That makes the Esbat a smaller scale, more frequent celebration. A little bit like Sundays in the Christian faith.
An Esbat is a time to conduct healing work, psychic training and spellcraft. It’s also an opportunity for a social gathering and a good time to celebrate the natural world.
“The term Esbat is derived from Old French s’esbattre (Modern French ébat), meaning to frolic and amuse oneself.” – Wikipedia
Even if you’re not part of a coven, celebrating your own personal Esbat under the light of a full moon can offer a great opportunity to conduct full moon magic rituals to amplify your worldly goals and intentions and heal your spirit.
Let’s take a look at a few of those rituals right now:
Drawing Down the Moon
The “Drawing Down the Moon” ceremony is probably the most famous of all Wiccan and Neo-Pagan full moon magic rituals.
The ceremony is sometimes known as the “Drawing Down of the Goddess”, and features heavily in most modern Wiccan traditions. During the ritual, the head of a coven will enter into a trance-like state, requesting that the Triple Goddess (symbolised by the full moon) enters her body and speaks through her.
“If I command the moon, it will come down; and if I wish to withhold the day, night will linger over my head; and again, if I wish to embark on the sea, I need no ship, and if I wish to fly through the air, I am free from my weight.”
Coven Not Required!
“Drawing Down the Moon” is a powerful full moon magic ritual. It doesn’t require a head witch and it can even be done alone. This ritual can be perceived by non-Wiccans as being somewhat sinister. Don’t let those old fashioned taboos put you off: There’s certainly nothing “evil” or dangerous about this ritual, it’s simply a potent way to gain clarity and guidance from the lunar goddess, as well as supercharging your inner being for better spell working during the month ahead.
Finding a Suitable Spot
“Drawing Down the Moon” is a very personal and emotional full moon magic ritual. It requires a private space where you aren’t going to be disturbed, and is best conducted outside for greater potency. That means a certain amount of planning is involved in getting this ceremony just right:
- Invest in a lunar calendar and keep an eye out for clear, warm evenings that coincide with a full moon.
- Research good outdoor spots that are secluded, and most importantly, safe.
Creating a Sacred Space
Make sure you arrive ahead of time in your preferred sacred spot. While you’re waiting for the full moon to appear, set up a small altar to honour the goddess.
This sounds elaborate, but in reality, you just need to make the space comfortable and personalise it to your own tastes. This is an important step in the process because the ritual requires relaxation and (like most other Wiccan spells and ceremonies) a focusing of your own intent. It’s much easier to do that if you’re surrounded by familiar items in a place where you feel at ease.
So what should the altar look like?
Don’t overthink it! Simply lay a small blanket in front of you and place a few personal items on it, as well as offerings and symbolic pieces:
Water: The element most closely tied to the moon.
Fresh flowers: Especially in blue colours.
Food: Offerings of food and drink to the goddess.
Jewellery or crystals: Moonstone is a powerful amplifier of lunar energy.
Drawing Down the Moon – The Ritual
When the full moon is at its brightest (you can find this out from your lunar calendar), raise your arms over your head and position your hands as if you were holding a heavy cup or chalice.
When you’re ready to speak, begin to summon the goddess of the moon. You can write any heartfelt verse that feels appropriate. Here’s a modified one by famous author Raymond Buckland to give you some inspiration:
“Goddess of the Moon, You have been known by many names in many lands in many times. You are universal and constant. In the dark of night, You shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love. I ask You, O Divine One, to honour me by joining with me, and allowing me to feel Your presence within my heart.”
As you’re speaking the words, imagine the shining rays of moonlight beaming down into your imaginary chalice, and use it to create a focus point in your mind. When the time feels right, slowly draw your arms (hands cupped together) back down to waist level, and finish by pressing them onto your heart.
If you’re well practised at visualisation and meditation techniques, you should by now feel the lunar light and the goddess entering into your consciousness and binding with your spirit.
Say the following words:
I am the Mother of all life, the One who watches over all. I am the wind in the sky, the spark in the fire, the seedling in the earth, the water in the river.
Finally, try to go into a deep, relaxed and meditative state. Imagine yourself glowing with light and radiance, and allow thoughts and insights to come to you as you resonate with the lunar energy.
When you sense that the mood is changing, and you’re drifting back into a state of normality, end the ritual by thanking the goddess and taking a few moments to relax. It’s important to ground yourself after the ritual and “get back to normal”. A great way of doing this is to simply eat a little food, as mundane as that may sound!
Over the coming days, it’s important to reflect and document in a journal any insights or thoughts you had during the ritual. You may find a new sense of well being and confidence, and a general aura of calm as you go about your daily life.
Full Moon Magic Rituals For Beginners
As far as full moon magic rituals go, “Drawing Down the Moon” might be a little intense for newcomers. If you’re looking for something a little more beginner-friendly, it’s perfectly possible to dip a toe into full moon ceremonies without the added complexity. True one the following rituals next time there’s a full moon:
Greeting the Full Moon
Get yourself in a position to observe the full moon. It should ideally be a natural setting, and it’s best to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than necessary. If you can get to a high place and observe the moon rising over the horizon, that would be absolutely ideal, but it’s not completely necessary.
Just as with the Drawing Down the Moon ceremony, imagine yourself glowing with energy as you bask in the lunar rays coming from the rising full moon. This is an excellent time to focus the moon’s power, and bringing along a bottle of water that can be charged into “Moon Water” is a nice added advantage to this kind of lunar worship. The resulting “charged water” can be stored for future spells and ceremonies.
The Full Moon Dance
If you’re self conscious, you’re going to want to find a very private spot for this one!
Perform the same greeting to the full moon, but this time, listen to songs and rhythms that resonate with you, while dancing as energetically as possible until the moonlight is at its brightest.
Once you’re done, sit quietly and meditate for a while before thanking the goddess for her power. This kind of moon ritual is a perfect way to relieve stress and angst.
Full Moon Mirror Healing
The energy of the full moon is associated with healing and invigoration.
For this full moon magic ritual, place a mirror reflective face up, on the ground in front of you, or on your altar. Make sure the mirror is able to reflect the rays of the full moon when they appear. Next, place something symbolic onto the mirror’s surface that represents the person you’re seeking to heal, along with a small moonstone crystal.
After you’ve spent time focusing your intent on the moonstone as it charges in the moonlight, take the crystal and give it to the subject as a gift. The power of the full moon trapped in the crystal will give off a healing energy to its wearer.
In Conclusion…
Full moon magic rituals can be powerful tools for practising Wiccans. The full moon gives off potent lunar energy and helps to bring healing, insight and tranquillity to those who seek it…
