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singingmountainwitch · 1 year ago

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20 Clever Altar Usages updated 2023

Alright, so the site for the original posts is gone. So a new list and article are composed. The first half is referenced from another site. Though websites tend to come and go I'm pulling the main important info and placing it here as a copy. It was well written so it's mainly copy and paste. The list mainly consists of various sources I've encountered on the web and in real life.

Not to be confused with Clever Alatar Styles.

The original Post is here.

Getting familiar with what an altar is, and how to create and use an altar to focus and magnify spiritual practice?

An altar is a sacred space, a spiritual focal point and a reflection of your magical self

Simply put, an altar is a physical object or set of objects placed in a purposeful way, and in a purposeful place, that have spiritual significance to you, or that represent an element, archetype or energy whose influence you would like to have present in your spiritual practice. Altars are sacred spiritual spaces, however small or large.

Let's be clear right up front: these objects are not worshipped in and of themselves. They may represent spiritual entities that we revere, or gods or goddesses that we commune with, but these objects are not idols.

Altars vehicles through which you can connect more deeply with the divine

The objects on your altar represent the elements, spirits, feelings, intentions, even specific goddesses or gods that you would like to connect with in your spiritual practices. Commonly seen on my altars are small sculptures of the Mother Goddess, stones, bones and crystals, a small crystal gazing ball, snake skin, and items that represent the elements, as discussed below.

What should I put my altar on?

The sky is the limit here. Altars have been glued to dashboards and have

covered entire dining room tables. You can have one all-purpose altar, or many smaller ones throughout your home. Perhaps you have one on the top shelf in the place where you spend the most time. You can create small shrines in an apple crate turned sideways and nailed to the wall, or maybe your gratitude altar lives on your night stand. We have one in the We'Moon office atop a filing cabinet. A fireplace hearth is much-used altar space, or a living room end-table. You can also create a mobile altar on a ceramic plate or wooden tray that can be moved about where ever you want it. The image above is of the mobile altar we made during the creation of the 2022 We'Moon. Read more about mobile and traveling altars, below.

Altars can be as complex or as simple as you want them to be

In the most basic form, an alter can be a single stone or a flickering candle that serves as a focal point for your meditation practice. If your spiritual practice is earth-based, your more formal altars may want to include a nod to each of the four directions. A more elaborate altar could include many elements that bring to focus a different energy that you would like to focus on. If you are creating an altar for group ritual, perhaps each member of the group brings an object to place on the altar to represent a facet of the work you are doing together. If you have a spiritual project that spans many days or sessions, you may want to bring a new object to the altar at the beginning of each session to refresh and deepen the practice.

Candle

Flowers

Incense

Toning bowl or bell

Aromatic spices

Water

A living plant

Steaming cup of tea or water

Dried fruit or chocolate

These elements add an extra dimension such as smell, sound, touch, and they add movement, as in the case of shimmering water, flickering calendar, or vibrational sound waves. They can help bring you into focus more quickly and deeply.

Making a Basic Altar:

Gather supplies: If you will be placing your altar on an existing surface, like a table or dresser, find a piece of cloth that will define the space the altar will take up. Gather up a cup of water, a stone, a candle, and a feather.

Choose a location: This should be in a spot that is convenient, yet out of the way enough that you won't mind it being there long-term.

Identify which direction is East: This is where the sun rises from in the morning. If you are unsure, or want to be very accurate, you can use a compass.

Place the items on your altar in a sacred way: Take a deep breath and bring to focus your intention for creating this sacred space.

Place your small table or arrange your altar cloth in the place you have chosen.

Place the feather on the Eastern side of your altar, and welcome the spirits of the East: the air, intellect, gratitude for breath, intuition, etc. Your feather represents the element air.

Place your candle on the Southern edge of your altar, light it, and welcome in the spirits of the South: fire, passion, transformation, inspiration. Your candle represents the element fire.

Place your cup of water on the Western side of your altar, welcoming the spirits of the West: water, emotion, flexibility, love. Your cup of water represents the element water.

Place your stone on the Northern side of your altar and welcome the spirits of the North: the earth, nourishment, stability, grounding. Your stone represents the element earth.

Give thanks: Take a few deep breaths and smile in appreciation at the beauty you have created. Recognize the wholeness that is represented in those four simple items on your altar.

Give thanks to the spirits of each of the directions that you called and invite them to leave if they must or to stay if they wish.

That outlines a very simple, dare I say elegant, altar design for any kind of use you may want. You can add items that speak to you, or include gemstones or herbs that amplify the energies of each of the elements. You can even find images that represent the directions or elements and place them in the various corners of your altar. The magic here lies in making this your own sacred space.

How to use an altar in your daily spiritual practice

You can use this altar in many different ways. What is a daily practice that you would like to infuse with more spiritual energy? A fun daily jump start can involve something as easy and uplifting as drawing an angel or intention card. Place the deck of cards or a bowl containing them in the center of your altar, and every morning choose one at random. Bring the message you received into your day, and look for synchronicities related to your card.

1. Four directions for daily practice

Okay, let's set up a simple, small altar that you can use for an everyday practice, like morning meditation or intention setting, or an evening gratitude shrine. We'll get into some more specifics about these daily practices later on.

2. Mediation Altar helps your body, mind and emotions in countless ways.

Place an altar in your meditation space and include objects that remind you of why you choose to come here every day and spend time in deep relaxation. A lit candle is often a good focal point for dropping into a meditative state, or the sound of a resonant bell can signal to your mind "this is your time let go."

3. Kitchen or Hearth Altar

But these altars are often stealth. The candle in the middle of the table? Yes, lighting that may be all it takes to gather the energies and give gratitude to the nourishing animals, vegetables, herbs and minerals that made your meal the magical elixer of health that it is. Around that altar may be a vase of flowers, a pitcher of water or juice, a salt and pepper shaker . . . all seemingly mundane objects, but for the energies and intentions that you give them.

4. A Daily Gratitude Altar

One of the most beneficial and simple things you can do is to put a little gratitude out there into your space, every day. An altar for that purpose can remind you to give thanks, and it can also be a visual reminder of all the goodness that your are blessed with. Here are a couple of ideas that can accelerate your practice: If you already have a journal that you use to record what you are grateful for, you can create an altar, as simple or elaborate as you like, as a place to frame your journal. maybe it leans visibly against a wall, surrounded by colorful stones, shells or feathers. Perhaps you have a candle there that you light while you write. You can imagine the energies of those gratitudes floating up with the heat of the flames to imbue your surroundings, your life, with that positive energy.

Another idea is to place a glass bowl in the center of an altar. Again, make your altar as simple or elaborate as you like. Prepare a bundle of slips of paper place those on the altar. Every day use these blank slips to write what you are grateful for, and place them in the glass bowl. Over time, you can watch that bowl fill with all of the good things you have noted, and even refer back to them at random if you need to, in times of stress or hard times.

5. Remembrance or Ancestor Altar

When we loose someone we love, a way of keeping them in our daily lives is by creating an altar that we can visit as often as we want, to remind us of their presence in our lives, past, present and future. Photographs bring those smiles back to life, and symbols of what they loved, how they impacted the world or touched our lives bring more nuance to those memories. Do you have a note or card that they wrote to you? This is a beautiful and meaningful addition.

Ancestor altars are often created for memorials or funerals to honor the one who has passed for that day, for those attending. If you are designing a memorial for a beloved, you can ask attendees to bring an item to add to the altar for the day's event.

In some traditions, elaborate altars are built to honor ancestors on a particular day, like Dia de los Muertos. Some people choose to have an altar to one who has passed for a specified amount of time, and still others keep an ongoing, permanent altar for all of the gone-befores in their lives. This can be a way to touch in with those who are on the other side when in need of insight, advice or just to reminisce.

6. Travel Altar

The good ole pack up and leave altar. The travel altar is convenient for the witch on the go. There are plenty of ideas out there for Travel Altars and many have kits you can already set up and purchase. Travel altars can be as small as a pouch or mint box or large as a suitcase. The size varies but it usually consists of items that you can at least carry around that helps you or reminds you to connect to the divine.

7. Garden Altar

Own a house or a piece of land. Garden altars are one of my favorite types of altars. These type of altars usually consists of items that can withstand the pressures of extreme weather but not always so. Garden altars can consist of herbs, flowerbeds, statues, rocks, certain crystals, firepits, and anything that helps you and your garden grow. Elemental and fae altars are good ideas for Garden Altars.

8. Religious Altar

Not all witches are religious some are secular many eclectic witches pull from various sources and religions. Though some witches do adhere to and follow a religion of their choice. ( Usually ) Some religions are more open to having altars in their daily lives. Many old pagan religions like Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Norse, and Hellenistic are usually open about the idea. Others are tentative and frown upon it.

Catholics for example is a Judeo-Christian religion that usually are open to the idea of praying to specific saints who is the middleman to God. You'll find that many Catholics have a patron saint and have a shrine devoted to them, even though some Catholics and most Christians frown upon the idea.

Oddly enough I have even seen Shrines devoted to Jesus Christ and most people usually do not have beef with the idea. Who said you have to go to church to devote yourself to Jesus? Heh maybe some Catholics actually.

9. Patron God or Goddess Altar

This is probably the oldest and most common use for an altar. Ancient shrines devoted to patron gods are still being found today. This altar is exactly how it sounds a devotional space to help you connect with that specific deity. A patron altar is usually decorated with offerings and items that the deity represents is partial to. Just remember that certain food items shouldn't be left unattended for too long.

10. Closet Altar

Now you see it. Now you don't. The Closet Altar is the perfect example as being the Broom Closet. These altars are altars that are usually small enough to fit inside a small space or closet. The Closet altar usually requires a table or a shelf devoted to your altar that you can quite literally close the door on. Most guests and housemates tend to ignore or not browse through other people's closets. It's a great idea when you're in an unsure environment.

11. Specific Spell Usage Altar

Do you always find yourself casting certain types of spells? Prefer casting Love Spell or Healing Spell over all others? These types of altars or sacred spaces are usually permanent or at least semi-permanent altars that are devoted to a specific part of your craft or spellcraft. These altars are usually already set up with the right tools to get you in the mood and the job done in a faster time.

12. Room Altar

Who said altars need to be small or obvious, devoting a room to an altar gives a wider perspective on sacred space. You can use a whole room, perhaps spread your four corners North, South, East, and West to each furthest wall. Create smaller altars in each corner or location. Create a labyrinth walk pattern or set up for multiple guests to participate. Devoting a room as a sacred space can spur countless ideas.

13. Stealth Altar or Broom Closet Altar

Sometimes even the slightest item or object can trigger those around you. Similar to the closet idea, the stealth altar is an altar that mostly consists of mundane things or effigies that represent an idea or object. These altars may be big or small as you want.

14. Sacred Location Altar

Got a place that you always go to when you're down or want to be alone? Always find yourself at certain locations where you just feel peace or the opposite a bliss of certain energy. These are locations that hold meaning to you. Sometimes it isn't wise to keep an altar at home period. Perhaps there is a spot in a forest or a place at the mall, or park that helps you feel more connected to the spiritual energies. An altar doesn't necessarily have to be at home. Like many Catholics who visit churches and leave offerings and pray to their saints. You can perhaps create an altar out in nature. *Please note that it is unwise to create an altar in public places. Though I did have a friend who had a stealth altar at the mall that never seemed to be touched often. So it is possible. A travel altar is usually recommended.

15. The Hobby Altar AKA Hobby Shrine

Who said altars have to be strictly religious or fully spiritual? When one dabbles in hobbies, may it be writing, painting, sewing, or anything to do with creating. It usually helps relax or puts the artist in an altered state of mind. Some may call the phrase in the zone or spurred by the muse. Though these types of altars work similarly to pinboards. Even if you aren't exactly the artistic, creating type, collectors even get some type of resonance by admiring their collections as well.

The Hobby Altar is one for admiration of the art or collection. It's a place that helps you get into that creative mood, it's a place of relaxation and inspiration. Depending on your hobby or hobbies anything can go here. These altars consist of objects or ideas sacred to your craft.

16. Attraction Altar

Not all altars are strictly devotional. Some altars could be designed to attract certain energies, spirits, or living creatures. Feng Shui is all about altering your space to maximize abundance. Creating an altar to attract energies, spirits, or guides is a great use for a space or an altar.

Perhaps your want to show gratitude to your spirit guides and create a place for them to energize or say thank you. Perhaps you want a space to attract wandering spirits to commune. Perhaps elementals are more your thing. Maybe your altar is devoted to attracting nature, like birds, insects, or certain types of rodents. An attraction altar is just exactly that.

17. Tech Altar

We are living in modern times and even though many altars are created to pull us away from our cellphones, pcs, and game consoles, a tech altar might just be the thing needed for a more tech-junkie witch. Tech Altars can be used for cellphones, pc, and even the most up-to-date gaming consoles. A variety of reasons can be used, some tech altars are created for pop culture deities or reasons.

Examples of Tech Altars include. Desktop altar. Reorganizing, re-iconing, and changing your desktop background to that similar to a basic altar.

Pop Culture Deities, Tech Craft, Ghosts in the Shell, Tulpa Spirits, Spirit Craft, and even some older deities don't mind your electronic patronage.

18. Glamour Altar

Glamour Altar is a combination of different Altars. Though its main reason or source is to work with glamour spell craft, transformation, and deception. The Glamour Altar is a combination altar. Specific Spell Types, Hobby, and even Devotional energies and items can be placed here. Most modern-day witches use Make Up for Glamour spells. Having a vanity or makeup set up is an altar in itself. Though a glamour altar can also have items devoted to goddesses, flowers, and fae, which can help with the items of glamorizing oneself.

19. The Altered State Altar or The Alternative Altar

To those who are more introverted, daydreamy, experienced, in meditation, spiritual work, or astral, even out-of-body work. Your altar may not even have to exist in the material plane. An altar might be a place in your mind, a memory, a place you can get through meditation or the spiritual plane. Those who have the gift of leaving their body could travel to places where altars exist out of their reach or visit sacred spaces in another plane.

Perhaps your altar is a place you visit before bedtime? Can't be achieved through material means. This altar can only be achieved or reached by alternative an alternative state.

20. The Combination Altar

Tables, Tools, Statues, and most altars end up making your altar appear the same. Though an altar can exist for various reasons and exist for more than one reason. An altar doesn't have to only be used for one reason. Cohesiveness is usually key. Perhaps your altar changes with the seasons and with each season a deity to work with.

Perhaps you have an altar devoted to more than one deity. ( Note certain deities don't mesh well if you decided to work with multiple deities in one space. Do your research first. )

Perhaps your altar is a combination of the list above. Most people tend to use their altar for very specific reasons and that's okay. Sometimes we need a place to devote to that space and mindset. Others can afford to be more open.

Nothing is stopping you from creating an altar other than your lack of creativity.

#altar ideas #altar useage #altar lists

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tipsycad147 · 1 year ago

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Full and New Moon Rituals—Intention Setting and Actualization

Full Moon Rituals and New Moon Rituals:

Potent magic to manifest your goals, release inner turmoil, realize dreams and initiate magic!

Full Moon vs. New Moon Energies:

Full Moon Rituals are generally centered around celebrating what has become.

Appreciation for the what you have accomplished, yourself or in a group, or for what the universe has provided for you since the last Full Moon is the energy that is accentuated during your Full Moon rituals. Honor what you have created.

New Moon Rituals are generally centered around setting intentions for that which you wish to manifest.

This is the darkest phase of the moon, the dream seed time. What do you wish to dream up? What new ideas are germinating in the nutrient rich soil of your soul? Your New Moon rituals should focus on what you want to call into your life.

Spiritual Rituals: Putting the Ritual into Spiritual

Creating rituals around the energy of the Moon has been an ancient tradition across cultures for millennia to help us connect with Spirit, a sense of divinity embodied by the Moon. All around the globe, all beings watch the same moon brighten our night sky only to become slowly swallowed, then miraculously begin to grow again. Each phase of the Moon describes a different energy or quality, either building or receding, and special spiritual rituals can be performed around every phase to call in those specific energies. New and Full Moons are potent times to honor the great mysteries, the unknowable, the intimacy of our spiritual lives, whatever form that may take.

In this article, we will be focusing on rituals for the most dramatic lunar phases: The New Moon and The Full Moon

Whether you are a solitary witch or part of a coven, these are the phases that are most commonly recognized. Every year we receive calls and emails from women looking for the coming year's We'Moon datebook, anxious to get their copy so they can plan holy day festivities and moon rituals. Our planner pinpoints the moment the moon is full or new, so you can be as precise as you desire. Keep in mind that those times are noted in pacific time, so if you are in a different time zone, you'll have to do the math.

Let's set the tone for the qualities that the Moon embodies:

The Moon herself symbolizes our inner world, what happens in the dark, our unconscious, the hidden and habitual.

"The Moon is an astonishing companion on the human journey. She both lights the way and invites us into the dark."

-Bethroot Gwynn © Mother Tongue Ink 2017

Astrologically, the Moon represents our emotions and the inner self.

These are aspects we may keep hidden safely away from the rough edges of the outside world. Or perhaps you are an emotional creature, freely sharing your love and sorrow. Vulnerability is an attribute of moon priestesses. Water is the moon's element, energies of emotions swelling and receding. Deep feelings and sometimes tears, our emotions elementally expressed, are welcome in the moon circle.

First Crescent © amara hollow bones 2013

What Sign is the Moon in, What is My Moon Sign? Using the energy of the Zodiac

Find out what moon phase and sign you were born under, and look up what sign the moon will be in to add more nuance to your ritual and intention setting. The article linked above is a fantastic reference, and you can see what sign the moon is in on any day of the year in the pages of We'Moon, either the wall calendar or the daily planner. Example: If you were born on a full moon in Leo, and you are preparing for a Full Moon ritual while the moon is in Leo, get ready for some dramatic performances, with you in the limelight! This would be the perfect Full Moon to start a series of Moon Circles with a group. You would be in your natural charismatic element, bathing others in your love-light, for an excellent start to get the moonthly circles rolling. Let the current moon sign inform the elements of your ritual.

The Basics About how to Create Rituals

Rituals come in many shapes and sizes, and there are an infinite variety of ways to harness the energies of the Moon and celebrate the changing phases.

This is going to be a very basic outline. There are many resources about how to prepare a ritual, so if this is new to you, hunt down a little more info. We were inspired by The Hoodwitch's page on New Moon Rituals. All of the information and advice we offer comes with the basic caveat: "Do what you will, and let it harm none." Intentions, spells and rituals can be powerful magic, and you don't want to regret your actions if the rule of three (or nine or ten, depending on your belief) comes back to bite you in the tail. Fair warning ;-)

There are many ways to create your Moon ritual

A ritual could be as simple as lighting a candle, or as in-depth as a long, fully scripted group extravaganza. Your ritual may include howling at the full moon, or sitting in contemplative silence. You may envision gathering with friends around a fire or taking a solitary moon bath. To turn any action into a ritual, use your power of intention setting and make that intention reflect out bright as the stars on a dark New Moon night.

Basic formula for brewing up a ritual:

Get clear on the purpose of your ritual

Set your altar to reflect the intentions of your ritual.

Clear your mind and energetic body using visualization, meditation, smudging, essential oils, the wind, water . . . witch's choice

Cast the circle. Call in the helper spirits, often each of the directions, specific goddesses, and/or ancestors, spirits from the above and below worlds

Speak, sing or write your purpose or intention clearly.

Focusing on the intention; build the energy by drumming, singing, toning with your voice or musical instruments, chanting, dancing, or all of the above

Release your intentions into the universe imagining them growing and developing into fully fledged manifestations

Ground your energies by literally or figuratively touching the earth and giving back the power that the elements and helper spirits lent you

Open the circle by thanking and releasing your helpers and any participants

Decompress in some way. A few moments of deep breathing, journaling, taking a walk, stretching. If you are in a group, now is the time to spread out the potluck bounty, explore your different experiences, and talk about next moon's plans

The potency of your ritual stems from its importance to you!

There are many guidelines and recommendations for rituals but if you are not finding one that resonates, try doing something uniquely you and celebrate your individuality!

Elven Alchemist & Bast © Lindy Kehoe 2017

A deep-dive into some of the ritual basics outlines above:

If you're new to ritual creating, or are looking for some fresh ideas, we've expounded on each of the steps.

Intention setting: Making your purpose clear

Ask yourself why you are doing this ritual and what you would like to gain. Get very clear about the intentions you are setting. You may be creating this ritual for a specific need, like calling creativity back into your life, or to send empowering energies to front-line activists. You may have a recurring intention for many rituals in a row, like healing mind or body, creating abundance, gratitude. Find out what sign the Moon is in. Working with the energies of that sign will strengthen the power of your magic. Not sure what you would like to focus on? The moon sign can help guide you.

Journaling to track your New Moon Intention Setting and Full Moon Manifestations

Recording the basic focus of your rituals can help solidify them and make them more potent. You can use a moon calendar (may we suggest a We'Moon journal?) to record your intentions and track manifestations. See which phases or signs seem more powerful for you. Recording your goal and successes is a great inspirational tool!

Ephemeral Focus © Autumn Skye Morrison 2015

Create an altar that reflects your intention

This is your sacred focal point, and much like creating a ritual in general, can be as elaborate or simple as you desire. Choose significant items to integrate into your ritual. This can be any item or natural artifact that has meaning to you or your goal. Personal items gather power into your ritual, as does the mere act of researching and choosing which supplies to bring to your Moon ritual altar. Research herbs that resonate with your cause and integrate them into your altar and ritual.

Bring a candle. Various colors hold various meanings, and colorful candles brings both light and energy to any ritual. Choose a candle in a color that resonates with your magical intentions. Candles have power in and of themselves. Journals are also great tools for writing down intentions or experiences and ideas that arise during your ceremony. Include any crystals or stones that resonate with your intention, and add those to your altar, or place them in your pockets.

Here is a more in depth article about envisioning and creating altars.

Prepare yourself and clear yourself and the space

It’s important to set the space, both body, mind and environment. Prior to beginning your ritual, make sure the space your are inhabiting is clean or decorated for your ritual. Draping a chair in velvet for you to sit in, vacuum the rug you sit on. It's important to honor both your body and your space for magic to brew!

Clean your body, whether that be in rose-scented water, or anointing your body in the dirt from your favorite forest hideaway. Many light a pot of herbs and bathe in the the smudging smoke. A fun cleansing practice can be interpretive dance, especially in the context of a circle of sisters. What does gettin' clean and clear look like for you? If the spirits of the east are offering it, a good wind bath can blow away any cobwebs lingering behind your ears.

If this is a group ritual, an energetic portal is often designated, and as participants pass through on their way to their places in the circle, the cleansing act is performed in the portal.

Clear your mind and let your focus shift to your ritual and the intention at hand. Leave the distractions of mundane life for later, so they don't intrude on your task. This time is for you.

Cast the circle, your sacred container

I've seen this done in very formal and informal ways. Go with what feels right for the particular ceremony you've set up. This is the time to recognize and welcome the entities in the spirit world. You can invite them into your sacred circle, and ask to borrow some blessings and assistance in the task ahead. Most commonly, the spirits of the directions are called in, with their attending attributes and elements. This is an opportunity for group participants to add their flare to the ritual. Additionally, you may want to invite some gone-befores to be part of your circle. Giving each participant an opportunity to say aloud the name of an ancestor they would like to honor or recognize in this space is often very meaningful to the whole.

In casting the circle you are creating a sacred container in which to work your magic. Once the circle is cast, your ceremony has begun in earnest. You have the attention of the spirit realm.

Moon Mamas © Nicole Miz 2002

Bring your intention into the circle

With your intention clear in your mind, shoot it out into the universe like a bright flaming arrow! Write it down in a journal or say it out loud! Solidify it in your body. Sing a song with your intention or create a beat on your thighs with the words reverberating through your soul.

If it's a group ritual with varying intentions, participants can write their intentions on a scrap of paper and place it on the altar. Or perhaps everyone chants their intentions in a marvelously blended cacophony until the drummers begin to pick up the beat.

This step can be short and concise, or you can go into expand-o time here, using divination tools to explore your intentions more fully, create art or collage representing what you would like to manifest, sing, drum, dance, pass a rattle or sacred object if in a circle of participants so each can share from this sacred place. This is the center of the ritual-cauldron. Take time to enjoy bathing in this sacred space.

Any way you choose to, get your intention out into the open, ready to be super-charged.

Raise the power and Do Something Awesome!

This is a where you can have a lot of creativity and freedom. Stomp about, make music, listen to a song and do an interpretive dance, sing loudly, chant methodically. Imagine your intention inside of your sacred container, and stir this cauldron ever faster, ever stronger, until you sense this energetic hurricane has reached its peak. . . and then release it with dramatic flare. Watch as your bright and humming intention flies up and up, higher into the air, and atomizes like fireworks. Trust that the Universe has received your calling, and will will put your intentions to the best and highest use.

Get grounded and release the energy

You have just made a big petition to the universe. What the universe does with your request is yet to be seen. Ground your energies by literally or figuratively touching the earth and giving back the power that the elements and helper spirits lent you. Take some deep breaths in silence, and allow your mind to settle and prepare to come back to present reality.

Open the circle

If you have invited ancestors or entities from the spirit realm, now is the time to thank them for their participation, and let them go if they wish. It's nice to have a formal, repeatable ending, as this signals to your mind and body that you're coming back into now-time. The most common that I know is "May the Circle be Open." You can find audio recordings and lyrics easily online.

More about songs, chants, poems and invocations

There's something very bonding and powerful about expressing your magic through voice. Alone or in a group, singing, chanting, or speaking poems or invocations that express your intentions invites more power into your ritual. In a group setting, commonly known circle songs can have a powerfully bonding and spiritually moving impact.

Chanting, in particular, can be a powerful energy raising tool. You can borrow one, or make up your own. Repeating the chant over and over, louder and louder, faster and faster . . . this can be a strong pot-stirrer, as you raise the energy in your cauldron of intention.

You can find resources online, if you don't have song keepers in your circle. KeepMusicPagan is a youtube channel with a number of circle songs and chants, some familiar, some new to my ears.

The We'Moon datebook is a good resource for poems and invocations. It can be used as an oracle by letting the book drop open, then reading aloud the poem it happens to land on.

Ritual Ideas and Recommendations for either New or Full Moon times

New Moon Rituals: When the Sun and Moon are Conjunct

The New Moon is dark because the Moon is so close to the Sun that none of the lit side of the Moon is available for us to see. Imagine that: a Full Moon just for the Sun to enjoy! Ah, but we bask in the magical shadow of dark moon time.

The New Moon is a time to plant seeds. This is a time of new beginnings—the start of the lunar cycle and a great starting point for intention setting! Reach out, start a project, dream big! Create rituals around that which you want to expand.

The New Moon—the fertile dark, from which life springs anew. Unseen seeds swell and crack in the moist soil of darkness, rooting toward deep growth...

This is a great time to manifest a dream, a longing wish, or to plant seeds of ideas for a new project. As the Moon grows in light, so will the intentions you set during this time.

Cutting your hair or your nails is a great New Moon ritual, if you want to speed up their growth.

The New Moon promotes new growth and gives you a fresh start to the lunar month ahead. Starting a garden or planting a houseplant cutting during this time helps establish strong roots in your plants and in yourself. Dirt work is always cathartic and grounding during this Moon phase.

Set goals or aspirations during this phase, that you would like to work towards or bring into your life. As the Moon grows, your actualization gains power to eventually root into your reality.

New Moon Goddess:

Artemis (Greek): The Huntress—She is a protector or animals and of nature. Her followers often worshiped her on the New Moon phase of the lunar cycle.

Hecate (Greek): The Dark Goddess—Often associated with the dark Moon phase, she is often depicted as a hag, goddess of the crossroads, rebirth and death. She is often called the Goddess of Witchcraft.

Full Moon Rituals: When the Sun and Moon are in Opposition

It may sound like a conflict is brewing when we say planets are in opposition, and indeed, that is not unheard of, but for the most part, planets in this position (the farthest apart from each other in their respective orbit) some synergetic collaboration can occur. Ever hear the phrase "opposites attract?" Sure! This dynamic tension between the heavenly bodies have the power to pull the tides.

When the Moon and Sun are in opposition, the Sun is so far away from the moon that the full face of our nightly companion is lit up. Perhaps distance does make the heart grow fonder!

The Full Moon embodies self-expression and action! It represents completion, illumination and celebration. This is the apex of Moon phases, the mountain peak. We have traveled far, and now is the time to rest, and look back on our accomplishments, or at what we have left behind, as the case may be.

How much have you grown this past month, honor the small and large victories. What questions arose this past month, or need to be illuminated further? What losses need to be honored? Is it time to let go and move on, or should you build a shrine to remind us for a time of what is now in the afterworld?

Our emotions and even physical body are heightened during this phase of the Moon. Listen to the needs of your body and mind.

The opposing energy of the Sun (ego, or self) and the Moon (inner-self, subconscious) can cause tension or even explosions of emotions. Because of this tension, this is a great time to express yourself creatively, and your rituals can reflect this.

Dance under the Moon, draw and write poetry, hum a tune. Do a Full Moon Meditation

Meditate under the full Moon to ground yourself, to illuminate burning desires or questions you might have. This is a time when answers and questions flow between inner and outer worlds.

Gratitude is important during this phase. Have gratitude for the culminations of the intentions you may have set during the New Moon, recognize your movement and yourself.

Give thanks for the beauty and light that shines down on us every month.

While the New Moon phase often feels solitary and independent, the Full Moon is a great time to gather and be with your community. The New Moon is a time to set your intentions, while the Full Moon is a celebration of your manifestations, however large or small.

Release your energy, the Full Moon marks the end of a cycle, and the Moon begins to grow dark, again.

Burning intentions in fire or letting go of emotions that no longer serve you are often seen as Full Moon rituals.

As the light of the Moon grows, we foster the things we hold dear, we tend the fires of our hearth. As the Moon grows dark, we release and let go. Cleanse the space, the mind and the body.

Full Moon Goddess:

Cerridwen (Celtic): Keeper of knowledge and intuition. She represents wisdom and inspiration. Also known as a Goddess of the Underworld.

Selene (Greek): Mother Goddess linked to the Full Moon.

Yemaya (Yoruba): Mother Goddess of the ocean, water and tides.

When is the Full Moon or the New Moon?

The Moon travels her 29 1/2 day path around the the Earth, showing us her many phases all along the way. Sometimes it's difficult to predict the exact day the moon will be full or new. You can easily look it up online, or use a moon calendar like We'Moon. Our wall calendar and day planner both give a visual representation of the moon for every day. We mark the days that the moon is New or Full and include what sign the moon is in, as well. Here is a sample of the various information contained on our day planner page:

Here are a few sample rituals to inspire you if you’re grasping at straws for ideas:

Disrobe: Undress yourself with dramatic and intentional flare, visualizing the release of that which you want to let go of, and put on a new “skin” of clothes for a fresh start. Wash your discarded clothes to symbolize releasing the past.

Plant a garden, or if that seems too daunting, start some seeds or transplant a root-bound houseplant.

Cook a meal with herbs that resonate with your intention or have healing qualities.

Eat at a candlelit table in your favorite costume for confidence or health.

Write poetry in the moonlight.

New Moon spa night!

Circle with friends with song and drumming.

Finger paint on the Full Moon to unleash your creative expression.

Further reading about the influences of the Moon in Her many phases: Divining the Dark: Moon Meditations for Guidance and Alignment

Want to explore other magical realms?

Visit our Magical Arts blog to browse through our constantly updated collection of interesting and informative posts about witchcraft, magick, astrology and celestial influences like:

Gretchen Lawlor writes about how to read tea leaves: Wisdom in a Teacup

At this moment in our lives, who isn't curious (or desperate) to know what the future holds. ... If only we could learn how to see into the future...Tea Leaf Reading (or Tasseography) is an ancient practice used to do just that. ... Gretchen shares how her family practiced reading tea leaves,

and shares some tricks of the trade

These, and many more articles come from our best selling desk calendar: We'Moon: Gaia Rhythms for Womyn.

Highlights of our desk top date book include information for every day:

Astrological data in PST

Moon phases depicted for every day

Notation on when the Moon changes signs

Void of Course Moon data

Announcements about when the Sun changes signs

Astrological predictions for every sun and rising sign in the zodiac

Holiday / Holy Day writings about each of the wiccan / pagan holy days

Over 100 images of fabulous feminist art and over 100 righteous writings by amazing poets and storytellers. All of these works are submitted by women from all over the world.

Week-at-a-glance format

Month at a Moon phase calendar pages in the appendix

year-at-a-glance calendars with full and new Moons for both the current and following years, so you can schedule your full and new Moon circles well in advance.

Bylines for the hundreds of contributors whose work is included in the day planner.

Information about how you can contribute your creative work for possible publication

Intro articles about astrology, both Chinese and Western, herbs, the wiccan / pagan holidays, eclipses and mercury retrogrades that are coming up for the year

Appendix articles on how to understand the various influences of the planets and signs, a veritable feast of Astrology 101

...And So much more!

https://wemoon.ws/blogs/magical-arts/full-and-new-moon-rituals

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