Dear lunar loves! 

This September, the Village Witch Newsletter is all about Moon Work Basics. But first:

Moon Moment

Moon: Waning gibbous into last quarter

Next full or new moon: New moon on Sept 14, 9:40pm EST. 

Seasonal moment: we are in the earliest autumn, with summer still sliding its fingers along our own, heading towards the equinox. 

Astrological season: solidly in Virgo season

Why Moon Work?

Whether you're new to working with the moon or just want a boost of beginner's mind, this month I will walk us through a moonlit forest, through the foundations of communing with our Mama Moon. 

The first question to ask is, why are you working with the moon? Some good motivators are: 

You're seeking deeper connection with our world 

You're fascinated and following your gut 

The moon is talking to you

You want more aligned structure in your life

Some stagnant/pointless motivators are: 

You want to manifest your desires without connecting deeply - "gimme it now" (we are all culprits of this very human approach)

Someone told you you should

Moon work comes from your heart and ties deeply to your soul's longings. Even when doing basic mapping of the moon's stages, your soul is in conversation with what you observe. 

And even when you're not doing conscious moon work at all, the water in your body is moving, rising, receding, in response to the shifting gravitational pull of the moon.

Today I will give you some basic tools for being in conversation with the moon.

Next week I'll share a piece of art and talk about how creativity and clear self-energy connect us more directly with the moon. 

In two weeks, I'll share my favorite evergreen moon rituals for the full and new moons. You can put these into regular practice and grow or change them to create your very own moon practice. 

Moon Mapping

The moon has a few stages:

New moon

Waxing crescent

First quarter

Waxing gibbous

Full moon

Waning gibbous

Last quarter

Waning crescent

These stages are the best place to start. Go outside at night, and observe the sky without consulting instructions. See what you notice nightly. 

Doing this without too much instruction is meaningful.

For example, over months of observing the moon, I realized the full moon occurs at excellent observation times for me.

I can usually catch it before bed, but the waxing gibbous might be too late.

Learning this by noticing the moon within my own rituals makes my practice more personal, and my relationship with the moon more intimate (though of course you can have greater factual moon/astrological knowledge and still find that same meaning). 

Moon Energies

Each stage has an energy, and a good way to get to know them is to keep a moon journal. Consciously tune into the moon energy each night (just try doing this without thinking too hard - we are all lunar channels!) and keep a daily or weekly journal of what you feel and notice. 

Here's a basic guide: 

New moon - clear slate, plant seeds, internal time

Waxing crescent - growing energy/intention

First quarter

Waxing gibbous - raising/recognizing higher energy

Full moon - high energy, portals abound, harvest time

Waning gibbous - softening energy, return to interior

Last quarter

Waning crescent - last remnants of what is complete

Start with whatever work appeals to you, from the most hands-on habit of stepping outside in the evening to the most emotionally and energetically lush journaling. And I'll see you next week for more Moon Time. 

Do you enjoy this basic, hands-on approach to learning about the moon and other magic? Because it's kind of my jam. Learn more about my workshops at the link at the top of the page, or check out my Elemental Magic class: