The Storm Moon - March 2012

So it is time for the Full Moon again!
If you are a stickler for exact times the moon is officially full tomorrow morning (March 8th) at 4:39 am. But some caution at this time as we will discuss later.


March is the month when Spring finally arrives. It is called the Storm Moon because march is the month of the spring rains and storms that clear away the winter snow and welcomes the new growth of spring. The old adage "In like a lion, out like a lamb" is often applied to this month.


So lets look at some correspondences:

Other names: Seed Moon, Plow Moon, Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Worm Moon, Lenting Moon.
Nature Spirits: mer-people, air and water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms.
Herbs: broom, High John root, yellow dock, wood betony irish moss
Colours : pale green
Scents: honeysuckle, apple blossom
Flowers: jonquil, daffodil, violet
Stones: aquamarine, bloodstone
Trees: adler, dogwood
Animals: cougar, hedgehog, boar
Birds: sea crow, sea birds
Deities: Black Isis, The Morrigan, Hecate, Cybele, Astarte, Athene, Minerva, Artemis, Luna
Power flow- energy breaks into the open, growing, prospering, exploring. New beginnings, balance of light and dark. Breaking illusions, seeing truth in your life however much it may hurt.

To narrow down themes other astrological correspondences of the day are:


Thursday: Honor, riches, clothing, desires, expansion, money, prosperity, generosity. It is ruled by Jupiter who rules over good luck, wealth, healing, male fertility, legal matters.


The full moon start in Virgo: The Virgin favors abstract thought and keen and critical intellect. Pay attention to details and all matters concerning health and healing, nutrition, herbs, crafts, ethics, service to others, volunteering, and community needs. Use this Moon for coven matters, or crafting altar tools or ritual accouterments. Clean the house! (This may account for my random urge to scrub every corner of my house yesterday lol. Its all sparkly clean!)


If you are doing your full moon ritual after 11:50 pm then the correspondences change as the moon enters Libra at 11:50. Correspondences for the moon in Libra are: Increases self-awareness, favors self-examination and interaction with others, but discourages spontaneous initiative. A good time for partnership matters and legal affairs. Use this Moon for balance and harmony, especially romance.


Now for my note of CAUTION: the moon is void of course at 4:39 am (when the moon officially turns full) do not start new new projects or activities during the day as activities begun when the moon is void of course rarely come into fruition, or they turn out very differently than planned. It is my recommendation that you plan to do your full moon rituals at or after 11:50pm when the moon enters Libra (or as late in day as possible).


I recommend prosperity and anti-poverty workings! Also, if you are planning on gardening, this is a great time to bless your seeds if you haven't already in preparation for planting. If you want to combine the two I'd say imbue your seeds with prosperity drawing magic so as your plant grows so does your wealth.
I hope that helps with your full moon plans! Blessed Be!

The Quickening Moon - February 2012

Well my lovelies, the February full moon is tomorrow (Feb 7th) so that will be today's topic.

I celebrate every full moon with my coven/group and if you only do one spiritual practice a month as a pagan, recognizing the full moon is a great (and popular) one to do.

Lets start with some Correspondences for the Quickening Moon:

Other Names: Storm Moon, Ice Moon, Hunger Moon, Cleansing Moon.
Herbs: Sage, Hyssop, Myrrh, Spikenard
Colours: Blue, Purple, Violet
Flowers: Primrose
Scents: Wisteria, Heliotrope
Stones: Amethyst, Jasper, Rock Crystal
Trees: Rowan, Laurel, Cedar
Animals: Otter, Unicorn
Birds: Eagle, Chickadee
Deities: Brigid, Juno, Kwan Yin, Diana, Demeter, Persephone, Aphrodite
Power Flow/Themes: Purification, Courage, Loving the self, Accepting responsibility for past errors, planning for the future.

In this moon, new life is beginning yet still dormant. This is the time when pregnant animals who are due to deliver in the Spring start to feel the quickening of their unborn young. This is also the time when gardeners and farmers start planning for the planting season. 

When I look at what to focus on in my full moon rituals I narrow down themes by also looking at the astrological timing of the full moon. This full moon's astrological correspondences are:

• Tuesday - dealing with conflict, surgery, lust, physical stregth, courage, politics, quickening moon
• 2nd quarter in Leo - finding of lost objects, finding truth in all matters, seeing what cannot be seen, short tempers, bad communication esp between family members, gossip.
• Colour: Grey
• Saturn in retrograde-  It's unwise to attempt sudden changes or to rush through things. Take practical steps and accept limitations while you take serious steps toward your long term goals. Saturn retrograde can cause you to become your own hardest taskmaster, limit your actions or leave you feeling blocked and pessimistic.
• 5th House - This is the house of self-expression through creativity.

My recommendations for this Quickening Moon is to do magic relating to stopping gossip, improving communication, boosting energy and clarity, or asking for inspiration. 

If you are celebrating in a group setting or would like an interesting alternative for cakes and wine, here is a recipe for a warm mulled herb wine that is great for warming us on a cold full moon night and a very yummy easy corn fritter recipe (I love the corn fritters!)

Mulled Herb Wine (serves 4)

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup boiling water

• 1/8 teaspoon rosemary leaves, crushed

• 1/4 teaspoon mint flakes, crushed

• 4-5 whole cloves

• 1 cup grape juice

• 1 cup dry cocktail sherry

• 1 stick of cinnamon

Pour the boiling water over the rosemary and mint; steep for 15 mins. Add the cloves and continue to steep the mixture for another 15mins. Strain; mix this liquid wit the grape juice and sherry in a pan. Place over low heat until hot. Strain, add the cinnamon stick and serve hot.

Corn Fritters ( makes 6) 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup self-raising flour

• 310 g can of corn kernels, drained

• 1/3 cup of grated cheese

• 2 eggs, light;y beaten

• 1 tablespoon of butter

Sift flour into a bowl. Add corn and cheese and stir until well mixed. Make a hole in the center and pour eggs into hole until just mixed. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions (1 for each fritter). Melt half the butter in a frying pan and pour in the mixtures to make the fritters. Cook fritters over medium heat for three minutes or until underside is golden, then flip. Remove from  pan and drain on paper towel. Serve warm.

I wish  everyone a pleasant and blessed full moon! Blessed be!