Wiccan lunar rhythm and cycles Wicca, a modern pagan religious movement, places a strong emphasis on the natural rhythms and cycles of the moon. The moon is seen as a powerful symbol and source of energy for practitioners of Wicca, and its various phases are believed to have different influences and meanings. The lunar cycle, which lasts approximately 29.5 days, is divided into eight distinct phases in the Wiccan tradition. These phases are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent. Each phase is said to have its own unique energy and symbolism, and Wiccans often perform rituals and spells that are aligned with the specific phase of the moon.
Book descriptions from goodreads.com. Images from amazon.com.
What begins as a touching story of a bumbling man tasked with making judgments in a society where reason is often ephemeral, quickly becomes the chilling narrative we know too well. The Salem Witch Trials may have been the most famous American witchcraft but there were plenty of other accusations of witchcraft on American shores from the early Jamestown settlers to the Native American beliefs.
Each phase is said to have its own unique energy and symbolism, and Wiccans often perform rituals and spells that are aligned with the specific phase of the moon. The New Moon, for example, is seen as a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. It is a time for setting intentions and initiating new projects or ventures.
15 Books About Salem to Read this Halloween
Anyone else dream of calling Salem, Massachusetts home?
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I have yet to visit Witch City, but it’s definitely on my list. The truth is…I’m afraid if I go, I’ll never want to come home. There’s just something charming about a small town on the water that celebrates Halloween season like no other. It’d be my own personal Stars Hollow with a spooky twist.
But that won’t stop me from reading about it! A few years ago, I read “A Season With the Witch” which chronicles author J.W. Ocker’s stay in Salem during the month of October. This fall, I’m diving into a bit of fiction set in Salem with the Spooky Little Book Club!
Our fall theme is a novel set in Salem, and we had some amazing recommendations in the book club. Our final pick? A collection of short stories from Fun Dead Publications called “One Night in Salem”. Mine just arrived, and I can’t wait to dig into it!
You’re welcome to join us as we read about Salem. If you need a little more fiction about Witch City, here are 15 more books you might love.
15 Books About Salem to Read this Halloween
Book descriptions from goodreads.com. Images from amazon.com.
1. “Crane Pond: A Novel of Salem” by Richard Francis
In a colony on the edge of survival in a mysterious new world where infant mortality is high and sin is to blame, Samuel Sweall is committed to being a loving family man, a good citizen, and a fair-minded judge. Like any believing Puritan, he agonizes over what others think of him while striving to act morally correct, keep the peace, and (hopefully make time to) enjoy a hefty slice of pie. His one regret is that only months before he didn’t sentence a group of pirates to death. What begins as a touching story of a bumbling man tasked with making judgments in a society where reason is often ephemeral, quickly becomes the chilling narrative we know too well. And when public opinion wavers, Sweall learns that what has been done cannot be undone. GET A COPY
2. “Deadly Harvest” by Heather Graham
When a young woman is found dead in a field, dressed up as a scarecrow with a slashed grin and a broken neck, the residents of Salem, Massachusetts, begin to fear that the infamous Harvest Man is more than just a rumor. But out-of-town cop Jeremy Flynn doesn’t have time for ghost stories. He’s in town on another investigation, looking for a friend’s wife, who mysteriously vanished in a cemetery.
Complicating his efforts is local occult expert Rowenna Cavanaugh, who launches her own investigation, convinced that a horror from the past has crept into the present and is seducing women to their deaths. Jeremy uses logic and solid police work. Rowenna depends on intuition. But they both have the same goal: to stop the abductions and locate the missing women before Rowenna herself falls prey to the Harvest Man’s dark seduction. GET A COPY
3. “Gallows Hill” by Lois Duncan
Role-playing takes on a terrifying cast when 17-year-old Sarah, who is posing as a fortune-teller for a school fair, begins to see actual visions that can predict the future. Frightened, the other students brand her a witch, setting off a chain of events that mirror the centuries-old Salem witch trials in more ways than one. GET A COPY
4. “Grave Errors” by Carol J. Perry
For residents of Salem, Massachusetts, the day after Halloween brings empty candy wrappers, sagging pumpkins, and a community-wide identity crisis. That is until Lee Barrett’s TV production class suggests extending the spooky season with the traditional Mexican celebration Dia de Los Muertos. But when the students discover not all of Salem’s dead are resting in peace, the post-October blues don t seem so bad after all…
As if a series of haunting graveyard visits isn’t disturbing enough, Lee and her policeman boyfriend connect the crime to an unsolved missing person case. Driven by a series of chilling psychic visions, Lee calls on her cleverest allies including her shrewd cat, O Ryan to go underground and dig up the evidence needed to put a lid on a cold case forever…before the latest headstone in town has her name on it! GET A COPY
5. “House of Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The sins of one generation are visited upon another in a haunted New England mansion until the arrival of a young woman from the country breathes new air into moldering lives and rooms. Written shortly after The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables re-addresses the theme of human guilt in a style remarkable in both its descriptive virtuosity and its truly modern mix of fantasy and realism. GET A COPY
6. “How to Hang a Witch” by Adriana Mather
Salem, Massachusetts is the site of the infamous witch trials and the new home of Samantha Mather. Recently transplanted from New York City, Sam and her stepmother are not exactly welcomed with open arms. Sam is the descendant of Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for those trials and almost immediately, she becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves The Descendants. And guess who their ancestors were?
If dealing with that weren’t enough, Sam also comes face to face with a real live (well technically dead) ghost. A handsome, angry ghost who wants Sam to stop touching his stuff. But soon Sam discovers she is at the center of a centuries-old curse affecting anyone with ties to the trials. Sam must come to terms with the ghost and find a way to work with The Descendants to stop a deadly cycle that has been going on since the first accused witch was hanged. If any town should have learned its lesson, it’s Salem. But history may be about to repeat itself. GET A COPY
7. “I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem” by Maryse Conde
At the age of seven, Tituba watched as her mother was hanged for daring to wound a plantation owner who tried to rape her. She was raised from then on by Mama Yaya, a gifted woman who shared with her the secrets of healing and magic. But it was Tituba’s love of the slave John Indian that led her from safety into slavery, and the bitter, vengeful religion practiced by the good citizens of Salem, Massachusetts. Though protected by the spirits, Tituba could not escape the lies and accusations of that hysterical time. GET A COPY
8. “The Fifth Petal” by Brunonia Barry
When a teenage boy dies suspiciously on Halloween night, Salem’s chief of police, John Rafferty, wonders if there is a connection between his death and Salem’s most notorious cold case, a triple homicide dubbed “The Goddess Murders,” in which three young women, all descended from accused Salem witches, were slashed on Halloween night in 1989. He finds unexpected help in Callie Cahill, the daughter of one of the victims newly returned to town. Neither believes that the main suspect, Rose Whelan, respected local historian, is guilty of murder or witchcraft.
But exonerating Rose might mean crossing paths with a dangerous force. Were the women victims of an all-too-human vengeance, or was the devil raised in Salem that night? And if they cannot discover what truly happened, will evil rise again? GET A COPY
9. “The Hexed” by Heather Graham
Devin Lyle has recently returned to the Salem area, but her timing couldn’t be worse. Soon after she moved into the eighteenth-century cabin she inherited from her great-aunt Mina—her “crazy” great-aunt, who spoke to the dead—a woman was murdered nearby. Craig Rockwell—known as Rocky—is a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s team of paranormal investigators. He never got over finding a friend dead in the woods. Now another body’s been found in those same woods, not far from the home of Devin Lyle. And Devin’s been led to a third body—by…a ghost?
Her discovery draws them both deeper into the case and Salem’s rich and disturbing history. Even as the danger mounts, Devin and Rocky begin to fall for each other, something the ghosts of Mina and past witches seem to approve of. But the two of them need every skill they possess to learn the truth—or Devin’s might be the next body in the woods… GET A COPY
10. “The Lords of Salem” by Rob Zombie
Heidi Hawthorne is a thirty-seven-year-old FM radio DJ and a recovering drug addict. Struggling with her newfound sobriety and creeping depression, Heidi suddenly receives an anonymous gift at the station-a mysteriously shaped wooden box branded with a strange symbol. Inside the box is a promotional record for a band that identifies themselves only as The Lords. There is no other information.
She decides to play it on the radio show as a joke, and the moment she does, horrible things begin to happen. The strange music awakens something evil in the town. Soon enough, terrifying murders begin to happen all around Heidi. Who are The Lords? What do they want? As old bloodlines are awakened and the bodies start to pile up, only one thing seems certain: all hell is about to break loose. GET A COPY
11. “The Timeless Ones” by Susan Catalano
Merry Chalmers, accused witch, has a secret so hidden that she’s nearly forgotten what she really is. All she desires is for the witch-hunts to end and to marry her secret love, William Darling. But hysteria has taken hold in Salem Village, and the Tall Man, spawned by tales of his existence, is born to fulfill his dark purpose.
Soon Merry and William find their lives taking unthinkable paths. For when Merry leaps from the 17th century into modern-day Salem, she must accept that unlike others who were accused and hanged for being a witch, she truly is one. GET A COPY
12. “The White Raven” by Carrie D. Miller
In her thirteenth life, Aven has settled into the now witchcraft-friendly Salem where she has found true happiness and friendship, maybe even love. Despite her contentment, the truth of Aven’s existence haunts her. When she dies, her Spirit is forced from the Veil to live again in the body of a stranger.
To make matters worse, an unrelenting, twisted evil from Aven’s past lurks closely behind her. Sustained by his hatred of the witch, he won’t give up until she’s paid for what she did to him. When the truth of Aven’s connection to the white raven is revealed, it is more horrifying than she could ever have imagined. GET A COPY
13. “The Witches: Salem, 1692” by Stacy Schiff
The panic began early in 1692, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a minister’s niece began to writhe and roar. It spread quickly, confounding the most educated men and prominent politicians in the colony. Neighbors accused neighbors, husbands accused wives, parents and children one another. It ended less than a year later, but not before nineteen men and women had been hanged and an elderly man crushed to death.
Speaking loudly and emphatically, adolescent girls stood at the center of the crisis. Along with suffrage and Prohibition, the Salem witch trials represent one of the few moments when women played the central role in American history. Drawing masterfully on the archives, Stacy Schiff introduces us to the strains on a Puritan adolescent’s life and to the authorities whose delicate agendas were at risk. She illuminates the demands of a rigorous faith, the vulnerability of settlements adrift from the mother country, perched–at a politically tumultuous time–on the edge of what a visitor termed a “remote, rocky, barren, bushy, wild-woody wilderness.” With devastating clarity, the textures and tension of colonial life emerge; hidden patterns subtly, startlingly detach themselves from the darkness. Schiff brings early American anxieties to the fore to align them brilliantly with our own. In an era of religious provocations, crowdsourcing, and invisible enemies, this enthralling story makes more sense than ever. GET A COPY
14. “These Witches Don’t Burn” by Isabel Sterling
Hannah’s a witch, but not the kind you’re thinking of. She’s the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she’s ever caught using it in front of a Reg (read: non-witch), she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans.
But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah’s concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah’s sure it’s the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the last person she wants to see: Veronica.
While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch at a house party, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she’s going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem’s witches become deadlier by the day. GET A COPY
15. “Wicked Appetite” by Janet Evanovich
For centuries, treasure hunters have been eager to possess the stones, undeterred by their corrupting nature. The list is long — Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, to name a few. Now the Stones have found their way to Salem, Massachusetts, and so has Gerwulf Grimoire, adding himself to this rogues’ gallery of power seekers. He’s an uncommonly dangerous man, with a hunger for the forbidden, and a set of abilities that are way beyond ordinary. Abilities that he feels entitle him to possess anything he might desire.
That would include Elizabeth Tucker, the woman he needs to find the Stones. She’s freshly transplanted from New York City to Boston’s North Shore. With a new job as pastry chef at Dazzle’s bakery and an old house inherited from her Aunt Ophelia, her life is pretty much on track …until it’s suddenly derailed by a guy named Diesel, a rude monkey, and a ninja cat.
Lizzy can handle the monkey and the cat. She’s not sure about Diesel. He’s offering up his own set of unusual talents, promising to protect her from Grimoire. The kind of protection that Lizzy suspects might involve guarding her body day and night.
The Seven Deadly Sins are pride, greed, lust, envy wrath, sloth and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that is wicked. Diesel thinks it also pretty much covers everything that’s fun. And Lizzy thinks Diesel and the Seven Deadly Sins cover everything her mother warned her about. GET A COPY
WHICH BOOK ABOUT SALEM WILL YOU READ?
Share your pick in the comments, and if you want to enjoy spooky reads with us all year long, join the Spooky Little Book Club!
Not on Facebook? No problem – keep an eye on my social media channels throughout the year where I’ll always announce the newest read and share a blog post where you can weigh in. Read this post for complete details.
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Kathleen Kent is a descendant of Martha Carrier, one of the women who was hanged for witchcraft during the Salem Witch trials. She writes two f iction books about Salem Witch Trials which are interwoven.
The Waxing Crescent phase that follows represents growth and expansion, and is a time for nurturing and developing these new beginnings. The Full Moon, perhaps the most well-known and celebrated phase of the moon, is seen as a time of heightened energy and power. It is a time for celebrating achievements, practicing divination, and connecting with the divine feminine. Many Wiccans perform rituals and ceremonies during the Full Moon to harness and amplify this energy. As the moon wanes and moves into the Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent phases, the energy is said to be waning and releasing. This is a time for reflection and introspection, letting go of things that no longer serve us, and preparing for a new cycle to begin. In addition to the lunar cycle, Wiccans also pay attention to the moon's position in the sky and its movement through the zodiac signs. The zodiac signs are believed to have their own unique qualities and energies, which can influence the overall energy of the moon. Overall, the Wiccan lunar rhythm and cycles are a central aspect of Wiccan spirituality and practice. By aligning themselves with the natural cycles of the moon, Wiccans seek to harness and work with the powerful energies of the universe to manifest their desires, connect with the divine, and enhance their spiritual growth and development..
Reviews for "Lunar Divination: Tarot, Runes, and Other Tools in Wiccan Moon Magic"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was really excited to dive into the world of Wiccan lunar rhythm and cycles, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me. The information provided was quite basic and lacked depth. I was hoping for a more comprehensive guide, but instead, I found myself searching for more detailed explanations and practical applications. While it may be suitable for beginners, those looking for a more advanced understanding of the topic might find themselves disappointed, like I did.
2. John - 1/5 stars
I have always been open to exploring different spiritual practices, and Wicca has been of interest to me for a while. However, this book on Wiccan lunar rhythm and cycles was a major letdown. The content was disorganized, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the author failed to provide clear explanations and reasoning behind certain rituals and practices mentioned. It felt more like a jumble of random information rather than a cohesive guide. Overall, I was left feeling confused and dissatisfied with this book.
3. Amy - 2/5 stars
Having recently developed an interest in Wiccan practices, I was excited to find a book specifically focusing on lunar rhythm and cycles. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations. While it did touch upon the basics of lunar cycles, it lacked practical and in-depth information. I found myself wanting more guidance on how to incorporate these concepts into my daily life. Furthermore, the writing style felt dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to fully engage with the content. Overall, I was left wanting more substance and application from this book.