Moon Musings:
Dark Moon
(January 20 – 22, 2012)
By Kate Braun | The Rag Blog | January 16, 2012
10 a.m. is the best time to perform Dark Moon magick for the garden. This moon-phase is excellent for removing what’s not needed, as gardening lore states that whatever is pruned, trimmed, weeded out, etc. during the moon’s fourth quarter and dark phases will not grow back.
As you tidy your outside spaces, keep in mind that not only can you use this moon phase to create physical changes to your garden beds, you can also set forces in motion to effect change in your life on many levels.
Whatever the area is that requires change (addiction, divorce, enemies, justice, obstacles, quarrels, removal, separation, stopping stalkers and theft are but some examples), a Dark Moon phase is when negative energies can be uprooted, removed, put into the spiritual compost pile and allowed to naturally decompose.
While outdoor magicking is best done earlier in the day, the dark night is an excellent time to access Spirit via a scrying mirror or bowl because there will be no moon to reflect in the mirror or water. Be sure to have a notepad and pen nearby to record whatever you see in your scrying.
To use a scrying mirror (which should be made of black glass, not glass painted black), prop the mirror up in a position where you will not see either your source of illumination or your reflection it in, using enough light to be able to see your hand in front of your face.
Keep your focus soft as you contemplate the mirror’s inky surface. Relax. Do seven easy yoga-breaths (in through the nose, out through the mouth, breathing slowly and gently so that each inhalation fills all the empty spaces in the body and each exhalation empties those spaces; no gasping, no huffing and puffing) to settle into an Alpha-rhythm.
Notice the mirror’s surface. You are likely to notice a change from black to smoky, rather like fog over a pond. You may see images form in the fog, you may see the fog clear to let you see images in the mirror. Make a note of what you see as the meaning may not be clear at the time you see the image.
Scrying may also be done using a bowl of water instead of a mirror. It is best to use a dark-colored bowl, not a pale one. Position the bowl of water as you would the mirror: set it so that you can see the surface but not your face reflected in the surface or the light-source reflected on the surface. Then proceed as if you were using a mirror and see what visions come.
If Friday, 1/20/12 is the best day for you to work with Dark Moon energies, the planetary influence will come from Venus, and rituals for love and attraction will work best. Use the color Green, touch the elements Earth and Water, and repeat your incantations seven times. Remember that you are working to manifest positive changes in your life; this is likely to mean that you should be prepared to release unwanted/unneeded things so as to make room for the newness you are seeking.
If Saturday, 1/21/12, is a better day for this work, Saturn is the planet to invoke. Saturn’s color is black, appropriate for dark-moon magick; Saturn energy is helpful in rituals designed to control and focus your attention in ways that generate changes for the better. Ideally, let your bare feet make contact with Mother Earth, and recite your incantations three times.
If Sunday, 1/21/12, is your choice for honoring this month’s Dark Moon, use the color yellow (for Lord Sun), use rituals that promote opportunities for money, health, and positive friendship-related matters. Use candles for the Fire element Lord Sun requires as well as to illuminate your scrying efforts. Repeat your incantations six times.
There is no right or wrong way to celebrate the various moon phases. Remember that intent is the most important part of any ritual. From this choice of days to honor the Dark Moon, the best day is Saturday, 1/21/12; that does not mean that to perform Dark Moon ceremonies on either of the other two days would generate results different from what you intend, only that your focus will need to be sharper and stronger on Friday and Sunday than on Saturday. The choice is always yours.
[Kate Braun‘s website is www.tarotbykatebraun.com. She can be reached at kate_braun2000@yahoo.com. Read more of Kate Braun’s writing on The Rag Blog.]
