Black moon magic is a practice that revolves around the energy and power of the black moon. The black moon refers to the phenomenon of having two new moons in a month, which occurs approximately once every 2.5 years. This unique occurrence holds a special significance in various magical and spiritual traditions, including witchcraft and astrology. It is believed that the energy of the black moon is extremely potent and can be harnessed for various magical workings. Black moon magic is often associated with themes of introspection, shadow work, and transformation.
To aid in transformation, adding strength, banishing fear, and revealing truth along the way. It also balances and protects energy, strengthens intuition, and promotes psychic abilities.
It s a transitional space where we re left to dream or tap into visions, allowing them to come organically instead of insisting that the future make itself known. At the beginning of my healing journey, I d go to moon ceremonies and read up on monthly New Moon rituals, ready to bring all of my desires earthside.
Black moon magic is often associated with themes of introspection, shadow work, and transformation. During this time, practitioners may engage in rituals and spells aimed at exploring and working with their inner darkness, healing past trauma, and embracing their shadow self. Some common practices in black moon magic include divination, meditation, spellcasting, and ritual work.
New Moon vs. Dark Moon: How to Work With Dark Moon Energy
New Moon Manifesting never felt right to me. At the beginning of my healing journey, I’d go to moon ceremonies and read up on monthly New Moon rituals, ready to bring all of my desires earthside.
I’d furiously write down everything I wanted, roll the paper into a scroll, set it on my altar, and wait. I’m going to be honest with you, this approach has never worked for me.
It wasn’t until I started taking a more holistic approach to the energy of the moon’s many phases that I started to actually see some traction in my healing, spellwork, and goals.
And that might be because one phase that almost always gets overlooked in modern moon magic and manifestation is the Dark Moon phase.
If you’ve ever felt the same way, like moon work or moon magic simply doesn’t work for you, I suggest that you start working with the Dark Moon more and see how you feel. I’ll go over the basics in this post and add a couple of simple Dark Moon practices at the end.
What is the Dark Moon?
You might already know that the New Moon represents new beginnings. Marking the first day of a new lunar cycle, the New Moon is a time to plant the seeds of your desires and ask for guidance for the weeks ahead.
Some may argue that the New Moon and the Dark Moon are the same thing. But I think you’ll agree with me in saying the two are very different after you feel out the distinct energies.
The New Moon is most often defined as the date and time that the moon is at 0% illumination. Boom: zero illumination and a new moon cycle begins, right? Well, close…
Zero percent illumination is technically the Dark Moon, and the New Moon is when the moon begins to show the very first sliver of illumination in the sky. This is exactly why I’ve never felt comfortable “manifesting” on what most people designate the New Moon.
Because the Dark Moon isn’t for manifesting, or honestly, even thinking about the future. The Dark Moon is all about embracing the Void. Don’t worry, we’ll get more into the “how” of this in a second. But first…
When Should You Observe the Dark Moon?
You don’t need to know the exact point that the moon reaches 0% illumination —you can simply look up at the sky. Is it pretty dark up there? No moon or just a ghostly outline of the moon? That’s the time to practice your Dark Moon rituals.
When in doubt, start feeling into Dark Moon energy 2-3 days before the New Moon.
Dark Moon Energy
Working with the Dark Moon is working in the unknown and with the many mysteries of the Void. It’s a transitional space where we’re left to dream or tap into visions, allowing them to come organically instead of insisting that the future make itself known.
The Dark Moon is a sacred pause, where we’re meant to absorb and integrate everything that happened in the previous moon cycle. This is NOT a time to rush into planning the next cycle, frantically coming up with a whole new set of goals and manifestations.
Instead, it’s an ideal time to let your mind wander. Pay attention to daydreams, synchronicities, and the playfulness of any messages or intuitive hits. Dark Moon energy doesn’t feel like work or forcing reflection into journal entries or lists of accomplishments.
Let the sacred Now (the present moment) make itself known, and surrender all need to know your next steps or the “whys” and “what ifs” of the past.
You can absolutely communicate with Spirit, with earth energy, with your guides, etc., but do attempt to do so without the frantic need to know the answers. Think of this more like a flow, a dance of energy; a practice in connecting to Gaia and to the nourishing, pure potential of the darkness.
The Importance of Integration
Constant movement and “doing” instead of “being” is a trauma response and addiction on par with using food, TV, sex, alcohol, or drugs to avoid the “Dark Moon” phases of our lives. As a recovering workaholic, I know how scary it can be to slow down… but it’s also critical to the integration process.
It took me years of healing and folk magic practices to understand what “integration” really felt like. Even after years of tuning into the rhythm of the earth and tapping into my own unique energy cycles, taking time off to integrate makes me antsy. But I’ve also learned that there is much wisdom in doing nothing at all.
Luckily, you don’t always have to take weeks or months, or years to integrate. A simple practice during the Dark Moon phase will offer some pretty incredible returns.
What Does Integration Look Like?
How you integrate will be unique to you, and it might require different tools or practices —especially if you have a hard time slowing down or getting out of your head.
You can use breathwork, meditation, doodling, art, dance, or sex… You can go on nature walks, pet your dog, or simply sit silently at the base of a tree. Maybe an even better approach would be to do absolutely nothing… or even watching some TV or reading a good novel. Integration work doesn’t always have to look “spiritual.”
The point is to take a breather on the “needing to move forward” vibe that our society is so addicted to.
I wish I could tell you how to integrate your life’s lessons and energetic upgrades. I wish I could tell you exactly how long it takes and a step-by-step plan to get you there faster. But I can’t. Because that’s not a thing.
I can say (from my own humble experience), that you’ll know when your integration is done. When the lessons and energetic codes are a part of your DNA. You just know.
And you can start integrating every month with the Dark Moon for a taste of what this feels like!
Dark Moon Tools
My tools are like anchors that help me focus on the work at hand. Burn the herbs in a sacred smoke or brew a cup of tea with these Dark Moon herbs. Choose one or two crystals and carry them around in your pocket, meditate with them, use them in ritual, or sleep with them under your pillow.
Herbs
Rosemary
Rosemary is a beautiful cleansing and purifying herb, helping to remove any energy that you’re not meant to bring with you into the next cycle. You can burn some dried rosemary, add a spring or two to your altar, or take a bath with the fresh herb and some salt.
Chamomile
Chamomile tea is excellent for relaxing the mind and body, perfect for a Dark Moon pause. Bonus points for its association with prosperity and abundance and its ability to banish negativity.
Butterfly Pea Flower
This stunning flower produces a bright indigo brew that’s said to help you connect to other realms and enhance third-eye activation. It’s also a mood enhancer and may help mitigate stress and anxiety.
Crystals
Labradorite
To aid in transformation, adding strength, banishing fear, and revealing truth along the way. It also balances and protects energy, strengthens intuition, and promotes psychic abilities.
Aquamarine
To calm energy, reduce stress, and quiet an overactive mind, aquamarine supports overwhelm and helps promote self-expression. Perfect for sharpening perception and intuition, it’s also useful for closure before new beginnings.
Obsidian
A powerful cleansing and purifying stone, obsidian is known for cleansing negativity and drawing out stress and tension. It also opens you to the unknown and clears confusion. Use obsidian to dissolve emotional blocks and help heal ancestral trauma to uncover who you really are.
Black Moonstone
All moonstones help you to connect to your intuitive powers and feminine energy. Black moonstone is especially powerful when it comes to clearing the mind of clutter and enhancing your psychic gifts.
How to Work With Dark Moon Energies
The Practical and Material
Let Yourself Wander
Do you remember being a kid and what it felt like to have nothing on the agenda? Maybe you played with your toys, watched some TV, or listened to some CDs while cutting pictures out of magazines?
Well, that is the PERFECT Dark Moon vibe. Give yourself a day, or a few hours at the very least, to do whatever feels right at the moment with zero agenda or ulterior motive. This isn’t self-care, this is divine childlike wonder!
Declutter
Ok, I know I said not to do anything, but there are a few exceptions. The Dark Moon is a great time to let go of clutter, and not just the physical kind. After you’re done cleaning out your closet, you might want to consider banishing all beliefs, thoughts, and ideas that are no longer a match as well!
Simply set the intention to release anything that’s no longer an energetic match. You might be surprised how effortlessly the old falls away.
The Creative
Meditate
You saw this coming, right? I mean, the good news is that I don’t think you have to meditate for hours to get the benefits. I also don’t subscribe to the idea that you have to do it sitting up straight, in total stillness and silence.
If you don’t have a regular meditation practice, consider a walking meditation or putting on a good rhythm and moving your body until you reach a trance-like state. The point is to let go of control and interrupt normal thought patterns by always returning your focus to the breath.
Freewriting
Freewriting is a meditative art form that allows the words to simply fall onto the page via a higher state of consciousness. The only real rule is not caring about grammar, quality, or comprehension. Whether you do it with pen and paper or a computer, the key is to let a different state of consciousness take the wheel. It might feel weird at first but just go with it.
Release all expectations that you’ll be able to show someone later or use it as a social media post. In fact, I always delete or burn my freewriting when I’m done.
Earth Offering
The Dark Moon is an excellent time for grounding through contact with Gaia herself. You can do this by getting outside and sitting or lying on the grass or at the base of a tree.
I like getting into nature around this time and making an offering of some herbs, stones, or water. As you make your offering, ask Gaia for guidance and assistance. See what comes through.
Another fun ritual is to prep a jar or pot of dirt during the Dark Moon by filling it with rich, loamy soil, adding a few crystals (I like using clear quartz or one of the Dark Moon crystals above), and letting it sit under the Dark Moon.
Once you begin to see a sliver of the New Moon in the sky, you can begin to plant your seeds. Like, literally! Find some flowers, herbs, or veggies that grow in your region during this time of year and plant them in your prepped soil. At the same time, write your wishes or manifestations on a piece of paper and bury them deep into the soil.
As you tend to your seeds and watch them grow, know that your wishes and goals are growing as well.
I don’t recommend this spell for people who aren’t good with plants. If your seeds don’t grow, it’s just sad… And it doesn’t mean your wishes aren’t already in motion. It just means you suck at gardening.
That’s it for this Dark Moon offering and activation! I’d love to hear about your experience with Dark Moon magic and, as always, let me know if you have any questions!
How have you been expressing your creativity lately? Let go of unnecessary obligations and fully immerse yourself in creative projects that let you be present and in the moment.
Divination methods such as tarot or scrying may be used to gain insight into one's subconscious mind and uncover hidden truths. Meditation can aid in accessing the deep recesses of the psyche and facilitate inner healing. Spellcasting during the black moon may involve rituals that focus on banishing negative energies, breaking bad habits, or manifesting personal growth and transformation. These spells often utilize symbolic representations of darkness, such as black candles, stones, or herbs. Ritual work during the black moon is often centered around honoring and connecting with the shadow self. This can include rituals to embrace and integrate aspects of the self that were previously rejected or suppressed. It may also involve releasing old patterns or attachments that no longer serve one's highest good. Black moon magic is not inherently good or evil, but rather a tool for self-discovery and spiritual growth. It is a time for individuals to delve into their subconscious, confront their fears, and align with their truest selves. It is important to approach this practice with respect, mindfulness, and a commitment to personal transformation. Overall, black moon magic offers a unique opportunity for individuals to explore the depths of their being and tap into the powerful energies of the black moon. Through intentional practice and self-reflection, one can harness this energy to facilitate healing, growth, and personal empowerment..
Reviews for "Exploring the lunar phases: The power of the black moon"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - Black Moon Magic was a huge disappointment for me. The plot seemed interesting at first, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The characters were also very underdeveloped and lacked depth. I found myself unable to connect with any of them or care about what happened to them. The writing style was also a bit off-putting, with clunky dialogue and awkward descriptions. Overall, I was really hoping to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Jason - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish reading Black Moon Magic. The story was incredibly boring and dragged on for what felt like forever. The pacing was so slow that I found myself constantly yawning and wanting to put the book down. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any interesting traits. I couldn't find a reason to invest my time in them. The book also had numerous grammatical errors and typos, which made it even more difficult to read. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - Black Moon Magic had a lot of potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver. The world-building was inconsistent and poorly explained, which made it hard to understand the rules of the magical elements within the story. The plot was also predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. I was hoping for a captivating and original storyline, but I found myself bored and uninterested. The book had an intriguing concept, but the execution fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.