Witchvox Article

Author: Lady Abigail [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: June 28th. 2004
Times Viewed: 15,993

"Once in a Blue Moon" is a common way of saying "hardly ever" or "not too often," but what precisely is a Blue Moon?� According to the accepted definition, it is the second Full Moon to occur in a single calendar month.

My Great-grandmother was and still is an immeasurable force within my spirit and life as a Witch. She would teach me as a young child playing in the night under the brightness of a day-like Full Moon of the enormous powers which came from the magick worked under the light of this Moon, a Blue Moon. For within the powers and magick of the Blue Moon are of an ancient knowledge, for the Blue Moon holds three-fold the already extraordinary power held by the Full Moon.

Being the Great-grandchild of an Old World Witch had some extreme benefits. One being that the night was a time for play or study, not bed. I recall countless warm summer nights lying on one of Great-grandmothers handmade quilts beneath the night sky, the air gently flowing around me filled with the heavy perfume of summer and fresh-cut grass. I would listen to my Great-grandmother, immersed in the stories she would tell, not understanding that all the time she was teaching me the awesome wonders of magick.

With my head lying upon my Great-grandmother's lap and the scent of�blooming Jasmine encircling my thoughts, she would explain the powers and phases of the Moon. I learned that the Moon was much more than just a planet; it was our Lady's mirror of spirit and light. For within her image we could see past, present, future and endless possibilities, many hidden within ourselves.

"When our Lady begins to beam (smile), endless blessings come unseen." For She gives forth joy, encouragement and confidence. This phase is the Waxing Moon, which is a perfect time for working positive magick.

"When within Her face you see, sadness turn away and flee." In what could be seen as a frown our Lady was unhappy and remorse. This was a time for reflection and learning the reasons for things. This phase is the Waning Moon, which is for banishing/negative magick, study, and meditation.

"When thy Lady has turned to disappear, within Her love we need not fear."� This is a time of great power and magick. Some Witches use this phase of the Dark Moon to strengthen all magick, and others for banishing and negative magick.

"Within Her light we can see, all truth and right so mote it be." The Full Moon, the phase seen by most Witches as the time of high magick when great power for the positive occurs.

"When born again She returns, within Her power true magick burns."� Having two Full Moons in one month is a rare occurrence. When our Lady is seen the second time in the same cycle She is seen as a young mother. A mother caring for and affectionately raising her children in the light of truth, wisdom and love.

This infrequent and exceptional Blue Moon phase seen about every two-and-a-half years encompasses extraordinary power. The Blue Moon is a time of enormous influence for prophecy and divination. Its energies can be summoned for protection, wisdom and love. It is believed that any workings held beneath the Blue Moon are given additional magickal energy, which makes this time magnificent for all work in manifesting goals, passion, healing, strength, and power.

Since time became time and the Gods set in motion the seasons held within the turning of the Wheel we have looked skyward for knowledge and power.

The Moon and its lunar phases have always been an important part of determining when and what magick is best to be worked.

To Witches, the second New Moon to appear in the same calendar month is called the Black Moon, and any magick worked during this period is deemed to be�extremely powerful as well. Of course, the chances of two New Moons falling within one calendar month are just the same as two Full Moons, but because New Moons are generally invisible, most people tend not to notice when a month has two of them.

The average period between Full Moons is about 29.5 days, at the same time that the length of an average month is roughly 30.5 days. This makes it very unlikely that any particular month will contain two Full Moons, although it does occasionally happen. Generally, there will be 41 months that have two Full Moons in one century, so the proverb of once in a Blue Moon actually means once every two-and-a-half years.

This July, 2004, will have two Full Moons: The first on July 2nd, and the next being the Blue Moon occurring on Saturday, July 31st. It most probably is not going to be blue in appearance but will look like an ordinary Full Moon. Except, it will actually be an extraordinary Moon for it will be a Blue Moon filled with mystical possibility. The next Blue Moon will not occur until June 30th, 2007.

Another exceptional aspect about this Blue Moon is that it is falling just at Lammas. Lammas, also known as Lughnasad or Lughnasadh, is an ancient Pagan festival which will be celebrated this year on July 31st, August 1st and/or August 2nd. How extraordinarily wonderful that so many of us will be a part of this moment in time, as we celebrate this feast and gatherings of thanksgiving under the mystical powers held within the Blue Moon.

Be ye so blessed.

The first Full Moon of July will be July 2nd, 2004 at 11:09 GMT.
The second Full Moon of July will be a Blue Moon on July 31st, 2004 at 18:05 GMT.
The next Blue Moon will be on June 30th, 2007 at 13:49 GMT following the Full Moon on June 1st, 2007 at 01:04 GMT.

Lady Abigail

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Lady Abigail

Location: Greenfield, Indiana

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Bio: Lady Abigail is High Priestess of Ravensgrove Coven, an eclectic coven of solitary Witches in the Orlando, Florida area. She was raised in the Craft by her Great Grandmother, a Cajun Witch, who taught her the powers of Earth, Nature and Magick. Lady Abigail has studied and taught in herbs, metaphysics and Magick for over 35 years. Her articles and poetry have been featured in various Pagan publications.

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