Full Moon - the Moon of Athena

Athena, one of the most celebrated goddesses of the Greek pantheon, rules over this Esbat.

Athena is celebrated as a ferocious goddess who defends her home and the laws of civilized life. As a goddess of war, this makes her very different from the god of war, Ares, who is more about offense than defense.

She prizes the arts and the word of law and justice. The owl is a sacred being to her. Her energies over this moon make it a perfect time for spells involving furthering knowledge or skill, and is a good time for asking of her guidance, if you have need of it.

I used this Esbat to meditate and to pray. I have been having some health issues lately and needed some guidance from wisdom greater than my own. It was a calming exercise that quieted many of my fears. It also called to mind the experience I had at Litha on the water, with the beautiful owls hooting above.

I've never felt any particular affinity for Athena or owls, but I do recognize her influence in my life when there is need to do so. I hope this Esbat found you at a place of calm as well.

Full Mirror Moon and Wishing Moon

I hope everyone had a fabulous Esbat!

This was called the Mirror Moon, it is a good time to focus on yourself and things within you that need changing or nurturing. It was also another Wishing Moon.

I feel I am in a near-constant state of personal reflection and growth, so I did not focus on that aspect of this Esbat. Perhaps, in a way, I did.

I have worked with the faerie realm since I was a child, before I even knew exactly what it was. Children have an intuitive knowledge about the world that most are taught to forget as they grow up. For a time, I did forget what I knew. When I came back to it, it was there as it always had been. When I remembered what I had been taught to forget, it was a revelation of my spiritual life.

I own two fairy houses, made by an unbelievable talented artist who captures the very essence of their realm in her work. The faerie plain exists at the same place as ours, but most people cannot see it. Children and animals can, and people with knowledge and open hearts can. The houses that this artist makes pull a piece of their realm into ours, like pulling a loop of thread through fabric. Their plain exists within those walls, and looking into a house is truly looking into their world.

This Esbat was spent in commune with the fae who dwell in my home, in the homes I have placed for them. One of them has been my companion for as long as I have the ability to remember. The other, I have yet to meet. That being will make him or herself known when they are ready. There are more than these two as well. It is comforting to know they can bring parts of their world into ours, I think.

The Full Elf Moon

It's fitting in more ways than one that I spent this Esbat at Fertile Ground Gathering. Sure, we were celebrating Beltane a week late (the mundane world known as "park availability" got in the way, it will next year too) but we had some incredibly wonderful guests, including the unbelievably special John and Bridget from Fairy Woodland. Their presence, wisdom, and teachings were the most fitting for this Esbat than any other reason.

The Elf Moon is a time to communicate with the Fey. Many of them travel around the time of Beltane, and you can see them moving across the ley if you know where and how to look. One of John and Bridget's workshops taught us how to make a window for that purpose. Participants came away with their window and some special sand collected from a variety of places that provided the foundation of our windows, as it is the foundation of life. Two days prior, John gave me a stone that he had found on his walk. It appears to be quartz or calcite or a mixing of both and has been in my pocket since. I can't even begin to repeat the stories I'm hearing.

I learned much from them. Much about noticing the world. I always thought I was rather good at that, but it's truly amazing the things I've missed.

The order of the day did not have room for a ritual and no particular spells were needed. Instead, I spent the day (among my duties to Fertile Ground Gathering staff and patrons) listening, letting the Fey speak to me, hearing their songs as they calmed my fears and helped me open my eyes as my mind and heart were already opened. I left an offering of sweet fondant before retiring for the night.

I hope this Esbat found all of you, gentle readers, happy and willing to listen when the Fey have something to tell you.

The Raven Moon

I was contemplating the name of this month's Esbat in preparing for my ritual. In many cultures, ravens are signs of death or an ill omen. They are scavengers, birds of mischief. They are said to be the guardians of the dead and can tell when death is coming.

Ravens are solitary or travel in pairs, unlike their smaller crow brethren that often flock. Perhaps it is their resilience as scavengers or their loyalty to their mates that give power to this Esbat.

My casting this month was simple, and drew on that power of resilience. I'm still putting the finishing touches on the store that I plan to open. I decided to set a crystal grid in my bedroom, where most of my crafting, ideas, and administration take place. A crystal grid is a number of crystals, placed in a specific pattern or geometrical shape that enhances and channels their energy. I used chunks of quartz that I gathered from the local quartz vein in the forest. I placed the four largest pieces in the corners of the room. Four smaller pieces bisect each wall and one piece was placed in the center of the room, which is under my bed.

With my grid in place, I meditated upon it and felt the energies of the quartz connect in the grid. The quartz will help keep me centered, grounded, and focused on the task at hand, be it creating or sleeping.

I hope this Esbat finds you with strong foundations under your feet.

The Hare Moon and a Wishing Moon

While this month is called the hare moon, which is quite fitting for the season, according to 7th House, there are four Wishing Moons throughout the year as well. A Wishing Moon is just what it implies; it is a time to make a wish and to wait for its fulfillment.

I had planned a certain working for this Esbat but ended up doing something else entirely. Perhaps this something else was more in line with the energies of the Wishing Moon than I could really have planned. I did something I have not done in quite some time: I went out on a date!

It may seem like a simple enough thing, but I see it as living. Whatever does or does not come from one dinner date, I went out into the world and spent a nice evening living in it.

Esbats may be set aside for spell casting, but there is no greater way to honor the phases of the moon and the cycle of life than to experience it. My wish is simply to never forget that I deserve my own happiness, in whatever form that may take.

May the hares find you warm and happy and taking an active role in your life.

Dedication Moon

This full moon is so named because the energy is right for dedication. It was particularly appropriate for me and the purpose of my Esbat.

I will be starting a business venture in a month or so. In fact, it has already well begun. For years, I have been a crafter. I make everything from trinkets to toys, sculptures to spiritual tools, ornaments to jewelry. For years, many of my friends, family, and acquaintances have asked when/where/if I will sell the things I make. The time has come for me to heed their advice and open a shop. This is just a hobby, and I do not believe it would ever support me enough to quit my day-job. Even so, I still want to see it succeed in this economy and beyond.

I gathered some supplies, cast my circle, and lit a green candle for success. I burned a special, sweet-smelling success blend of incense. Within my circle, I made a necklace. It is beads of different sizes of unakite, strung and knotted on a cotton with a pewter clasp. Unakite is a very pretty stone with shades of green and coral. It is good for clearing the solar plexus chakra and balancing emotions as well as diffusing electromagnetic energy. It is very good at removing emotional blockages that may be holding you back. In all honesty, I chose to use this stone because I think it's pretty. This necklace will symbolize my undertaking, and my dedication to it.

The necklace remained on my altar through the night while the candle and incense burned out. I'm rather proud of the simple design, having incorporated the knotting techniques I use when making japa malas. In a month or two, I'll be ready to open my shop. It's exciting. I'm already working on several commissioned pieces. This feels like a great way to put my leisure hobby to good use.

The Cold Moon

Another method of naming moons is based on the energy of the Esbat in question. These names may or may not repeat from year to year. It is by this system, which I take from the guidelines of 7th House, that I will name the moons this year.

I had an opportunity to join the Shadow Grove community for an Esbat on this day. I have only been to their Sabbat rituals, but I must admit that I did not plan to attend this Esbat. That ended up working well, as the hostess had to cancel.

I wear a protection amulet around my ankle. Every now and then, it will break and fall off. When a protection amulet breaks, it is said that it served its purpose, successfully protected you in some way, and needs to be replaced for the protection to continue. My amulet broke just last week. This was a perfect time for me to recast.

I gathered my materials and cast my circle. I make the amulet out of a single piece of white cotton cord, white being a color of purity and protection. Using only my fingers, I made a chain with the cord (it's just like a chain in crocheting, without the use of a hook). I then summoned my energy, filled it with images of shields and walls and strength and, one by one, tied nine knots in the cord. Nine, having always been a magickal number, is special and significant to me personally. When that was done, I charged my amulet with Reiki, and tied it about my ankle where it will remain until it breaks and a new one needs to be made.

I rarely need to recharge these, and one tends to last for years before I need to make another. I feel fortunate that I did not have to wait long for the next full moon to replace it.


In other news, Mercury went retrograde today, and will remain so until February first. Mercury is tied to communication and things moving forward smoothly. During the retrograde, you can expect to see miscommunications and interruptions. It is a good time to finish projects that you have already started, but not to start new ones. I hope you all fare well!

December Esbat

I hope everyone had a wonderful esbat.

I had planned to do something else entirely with this esbat, but the need arose to send some dear friends and family safety in travel. My sister-in-law is going to Japan in January. I am both excited and terribly jealous for her. Another friend is going to be making a long road-trip at the end of the month, despite the possibility of snow and ice in the way. This was the perfect opportunity to send them some safe travel wishes. I think we all know how stressful traveling can be.

I lit a blue candle for tranquility and calm for my sister-in-law, who will be in transit for quite a while just getting to her destination. I then lit an orange candle for alertness for my friend who will be on the road for days. I drew on those energies, filling myself with those hopes and safe thoughts, then projected them to the people they will help.

It should be noted that, while casting a spell for someone who did not ask for it is unethical, that is not what I did here. This was a spell on a wish, my own wish, for the safety of my friends. It was not a spell that imposed my will on their actions, but it did put some extra strength, calm, and fortitude in their grasp if they but reach for it.

Another Full Moon

I hope all of you had a bright and mostly warm esbat. The days are getting shorter and the weather is definitely getting colder.

I didn't have anything special planned in advance for this esbat, but something did present itself. The local pagan ministry I've been working with, Shadow Grove, holds celebrations for every sabbat. In the past, I'm told, Yule was a community event at a local Universalist church, not a private ritual at the Grove House. They've decided to bring Yule back to the Grove, but otherwise keep their traditions intact. Part of those traditions is a gift exchange, as many groups do. This group wants the gifts we exchange to be something hand-made. I'm all for that, I fill much of my free time creating things. Seeing as how Yule hasn't happened yet, I'm not going to say what it is I made. I will say that it's fitting, considering the item's ultimate purpose, that inspiration struck me on this esbat.

I gathered my supplies before my altar and cast my circle. Then, I got to making, focusing on what I wanted it to represent as it took shape in my hands. This tiny trinket took four hours to complete, which actually surprised me quite a bit. But, it was made in ritual and filled with my intent and I know it will be a special gift to whomever receives it. I concluded my ritual and left it sitting on my altar, where it will remain until it finally gets wrapped up for our Yule celebration.

I must say, I really enjoy it when things line up just right.

Oh, and keep your eyes on the sky! The Leonids are coming, and should be at their peak in just a few days.

The Full Hunter's Moon

If the Harvest Moon is not in October, this moon is known as the Hunter's Moon. Deer are prevalent during this time and easier to spot with the leaves falling and the fields reaped. This is a good time to stock up on meat for the coming winter months when food is more scarce.

Some friends of mine are expecting their second child, who will be my third godson. He is due early November, and his mother has been having a very rough pregnancy. She suffers from pre-eclampsia, which seems to have caused very painful heart palpitations and the occasional panic attack, among other things. My friends asked me for some help.

I started my ritual by casting my circle and lighting two candles. One was a deep blue for healing, peace, and tranquility for the mother and the other was a light baby boy blue that has the same properties but was used to represent her baby. As the candles burned, I sent calm to them both. I then filled them with Reiki by distance. Simple, but effective.

Now, one does not need to be a Reiki master to send healing energy, and one does not need an esbat to use Reiki. I used this night that is set aside for spell work to combine the two, the method of healing that I used before I was attuned to Reiki, and Reiki as well. I will also continue with Reiki until their son is born (and after, if they wish it). I have no doubt that I will have a healthy godson, even without my healing energy. Pre-eclampsia describes symptoms that can have a number of causes, so the healing sent in this ritual is really for calm and for peace. The condition does not necessarily mean that something is wrong, and the doctors are agreeing. I know she will have relief.

Full Harvest Moon

This bright moon is so named because it is harvest time. Farmers can often continue gathering crops into the night by the light of this moon. It occasionally comes in October as opposed to September. The Harvest moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox.

I could no longer put off re-dedicating my house charm for a time that my roommate and I could do it together. She was busy last night, and she is leaving in about a week for a week-long vacation. I'm excited to have the place to myself, but I know I'm going to need the protections that this charm will provide.

I placed the charm bag on my pentacle, cast my circle, and called the elements and deities. It is rare that I do more than a ritual circle for an Esbat. Protected by the Watchtowers and in the presence of my patrons, I re-stated the ingredients and the purpose of each, almost as if I was crafting an entirely new charm bag. When I had finished this, I cast a shield around the condo, programming it to protect those who dwell within and allow only those who mean us no harm to pass through. I tied the shield to the charm bag and hung it from a hook on the living room ceiling, where it will continue to shield my new dwelling.

Now, I work frequently with shields. Tying them to a charm or talisman keeps them up all the time without having to think about it constantly. However, shields take a lot of damage and need regular maintenance, especially the longer they are in place. I will periodically clean and fortify this shield, keeping the protections constant and at peak. Someday soon, I'll give you much more information about shielding.

The Sturgeon Moon

The name most commonly associated with this moon is the Sturgeon. This large, bony fish seems to be abundant during this time, and that is how the moon got this name. Some other tribes call it the Full Red Moon, for the red hue upon rising. There are also some harvest references as the Green Corn Moon or the Grain moon.

Once again, my roommate and I were unable to hold a re-dedicating charm bag ritual together. Instead, something came up that I had to work on.

An old and dear friend of mine has gotten in trouble with the law. He has not clearly confirmed or denied to me if he actually did what they are accusing him of doing. This is troubling, because the charges against him are horrendous and unforgivable, and he speaks as if conviction and imprisonment are certainties. While he has yet to be tried (and, I think formally charged) he is currently living with his in-laws under house arrest. And, apparently I am the only person other than those he must live with who has not cut him off since the trouble started. Even his wife only sees him when she brings the children by for a visit. If it turns out to be true, I'm honestly not sure if I will be the only person anymore. He asked me for some work on his behalf.

The spell I worked had several parts. I lit a white candle for peace. I then took a cord of natural cotton fiber in white and filled myself with my purpose and need. I tied a knot for my friend to bind his fears and frustration, and give him strength. I tied a knot for his family and the other people he cares about, that they may also be given the strength to do what is right in their hearts. I tied a knot for myself that I may continue to be the voice of reason that he needs and find the strength to forgive the unforgivable if it proves to be true. I tied a knot for the truth, whatever it may be. I tied a knot for the people who may have been hurt by him, in this matter and all others. I tied a knot for those who love him to help them remember why they do even in the face of this ordeal. I tied three knots for each of his children, to bring them calm and peace as they are hurting the most from this right now. I looped the cord and tied it together, to bind everyone in hope that justice will be served, whether it is for the good or ill of my friend. When the candle had burnt down, I buried the stub and the cord in the woods behind my complex, so the Great Mother can send those energies to their purpose.

I must trust that justice will win out, whatever the truth may be. All I can do is wish my friend has the strength and courage to face it, whether it is a crime he really committed, or picking up the pieces of his life when the ordeal has past. I must believe in justice.

Full Buck Moon

This full moon was so named because bucks were growing new antlers at this time. It was also sometimes called the Thunder Moon, in reference to the many thunderstorms that tend to occur during this time of year.

I had a lot going on for this esbat. My roommate and I were going to hold a ritual together, to rededicate the charm bag I made in February. We decided to wait on that, possibly until next esbat, so I instead set the bag on my windowsill to let the moon cleanse it of the previous intent.

I also had been working on a project with a specific purpose. That purpose has changed dramatically over the past few weeks. That work was also left in moonlight to cleanse and make room for new intent.

After those were set, the real work began!

A new friend of mine had told me that she was not comfortable in her home. She and her husband had lived there for a few years, but it felt like his home, not hers. She did not complain much to him about it because he loved it, but she felt very uncomfortable and unsafe there. I offered to make a charm bag for her, and she acquired most of the ingredients. This will make it much more attuned to her.

I started this creating by gathering my supplies and casting my circle. I sewed a brown cotton bag, brown being the color of homes, with blue thread and a blue hemp drawstring, blue is good for promoting tranquility.

I first added my own ingredients: a hematite to absorb negativity; a carnelian for relaxation; a tiger's eye for grounding, protection, and to ward off ill wishes; and a clear quartz for balance and keeping the energy clean. I then added red rose petals for protection and happiness.

Next came the items that she had chosen: a lovely piece of kyanite for tranquility, cutting through fears, and grounding; a deep purple amethyst for protection and calming, and a mixture of lavender, sage, and rosemary for their protection and cleansing properties. The final touch was a shell that had been carved into a wave charm. She had thought of putting it in the bag, but I decided it would better serve it's purpose outside. I tied nine knots in a piece of white cotton cord for protection, and tied the wave charm to the bag with that.

I should be able to present her home tranquility charm bag to her at Lughnasadh if I don't see her sooner.

I hope all of you had a wonderfully productive esbat!

The Full Strawberry Moon

I hope everyone had a wonderful Esbat. This moon was so named by the Algonquin tribes because June is the time for harvesting strawberries. Some further research shows this was called the Rose Moon in Europe, and roses sure are in bloom around now.

Spring is winding down and the official start of summer is almost upon us (meteorologically, we're nearly halfway through summer). The days are still long, the nights are still short, and the temperature climes daily in many places (unless you're in the Southern Hemisphere). It's a great time to feel the life of the planet in abundance.

I was going to do something completely different for this Esbat. I was going to recharge the charm bag I made at the Snow Moon so it fits my new dwelling, but something else came up suddenly. One of my dear cats has developed diabetes in her near-old age. I'm convinced it was a side effect of some medication she was on at the start of the year for a knee injury (and it is a common side effect) and so am feeling entirely guilty for giving her those pills in the first place. I also feel guilty that I could not take her with me when I moved and had to leave her with my parents, who may or may not be up for the challenge of caring for a diabetic cat.

In my new home, my altar is out and ready to be used whenever the need strikes me. Before moonrise, I gathered my materials and set everything up. I used a powdered rose incense for love, a blue candle for tranquility and healing, and set a rose quartz, again for love, and a bloodstone on my altar pentacle. The incense and quartz are to help my cat know I love her even if I can't have her with me. The candle is to help bring her peace and healing, as I'm sure she doesn't understand why she always feels hungry, and in anticipation of insulin shots which may make her nervous. The bloodstone is the best at healing matters of the blood (while diabetes is not a blood disease, it is blood-related as a metabolism issue). (For some reason, the picture came out very green!)

After my ritual bath (I used a hand-made rose scented soap to keep with my theme), I cleared my space with my besom, cast my circle with my wand (made of a wood that happens to be healing-specific), and lit the altar candle, spell candle, and incense. Wand in hand, I sat before my altar and conjured up a vision of my cat. I drew energy from the elements into my wand, and then from my spell-specific tools: the blue candle, the rose quartz, and the bloodstone, spending the most time with the bloodstone. I pulled energy from these into the wand, and from myself, and from the divine source of Reiki, and I felt the presence of the cat I was able to take with me in my circle, sitting calmly and lending her energy (something she has never done before). When I felt the needed energy had been raised and my wand was thoroughly charged, I sent that energy to my cat. The visualization saw her sleeping soundly cradled within the petals of a soft rose: calm, safe, happy, and getting well again. I finished my ritual with a Reiki session, then opened my circle and let the incense burn out. I did snuff the candle, but I will light it again this evening so it can burn out in a safe manner.

Here is one other (rather dark) picture at the conclusion of my ritual spell with my cat, Miss Luna, patiently lying upon the bed, where she was for the duration.

This Esbat also saw an end to the second Mercury retrograde period of the year. Hopefully, you found yourself unaffected and were able to use that time for some likely needed quiet reflection.