Moon magic is associated with the
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It is the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System and the largest and most massive relative to its parent planet, with a diameter about one-quarter that of Earth (comparable to the width of ...
. There is a belief common to many cultures that working
ritual
A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community. Rituals are characterized, b ...
s at the time of different
phases of the moon
Concerning the lunar month of ~29.53 days as viewed from Earth, the lunar phase or Moon phase is the shape of the Moon's directly sunlit portion, which can be expressed quantitatively using areas or angles, or described qualitatively using the t ...
can bring about physical or psychological change or transformation. These rituals have historically occurred on or around the
full moon
The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth's perspective. This occurs when Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon (when the ecliptic coordinate system, ecliptic longitudes of the Sun and Moon opp ...
and to a lesser extent the
new moon
In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse.
...
. Such practices are common amongst adherents of
neopagan
Modern paganism, also known as contemporary paganism and neopaganism, is a term for a religion or family of religions influenced by the various historical pre-Christian beliefs of pre-modern peoples in Europe and adjacent areas of North Afric ...
and
witchcraft
Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have us ...
systems such as
Wicca
Wicca () is a modern Pagan religion. Scholars of religion categorise it as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and was ...
. Witches in Greek and Roman literature, particularly those from
Thessaly
Thessaly ( el, Θεσσαλία, translit=Thessalía, ; ancient Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic and modern administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thes ...
, were regularly accused of "drawing down the Moon" by use of a magic spell. The trick serves to demonstrate their powers (
Virgil
Publius Vergilius Maro (; traditional dates 15 October 7021 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: t ...
''Eclogues'' 8.69), to perform a
love spell (
Suetonius
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (), commonly referred to as Suetonius ( ; c. AD 69 – after AD 122), was a Roman historian who wrote during the early Imperial era of the Roman Empire.
His most important surviving work is a set of biographies ...
''Tiberius'' 1.8.21) or to extract a magical juice from the Moon (
Apuleius ''Metamorphoses'' 1.3.1). These beliefs would seem to be consistent with many other cultures traditions, for instance; casting of the spell is often done during the full moon's apex.
Books
''Moon Magic'' is the title of a number of neopagan and new age books:
* Fortune, Dion (1979) ''Moon Magic''. Boston: Weiser Books. . A novel by esoteric author
Dion Fortune which is a sequel to ''The Sea Priestess''.
* Jaffer, Hassan (2005) ''Moon Magic''. Willowdale: Astrograph Inc. An annually published astrological self-help guide by astrologer Hassan Jaffer, using lunar cycles.
* Reid, Lori (1998) ''Moon Magic: How to Use the Moon's Phases to Inspire and Influence Your Relationships, Home Life, and Business''. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press. . A self-help guide using the Moon's cycles by astrologer Lori Reid.
See also
*
Esbat
*
Magic (supernatural)
Magic, sometimes spelled magick, is an ancient praxis rooted in sacred rituals, spiritual divinations, and/or cultural lineage—with an intention to invoke, manipulate, or otherwise manifest supernatural forces, beings, or entities in the na ...
*
Magic and religion
Magical thinking in various forms is a cultural universal and an important aspect of religion. Magic is prevalent in all societies, regardless of whether they have organized religion or more general systems of animism or shamanism. Religion and ...
*
Modern paganism and New Age
*
Wicca
Wicca () is a modern Pagan religion. Scholars of religion categorise it as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and was ...
*
Witchcraft
Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have us ...
References
External links
Moon myths
Magic (supernatural)
New Age
Ceremonial magic
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