The Moon in Astral Magic

...everything you need to know about moon altars and lunar correspondences

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

When it comes to how the moon can be used in astrological magic to create talismans, petitions or prayers, you should consider the following key words: growth, fertility, a feeling of nourishment and safety, glamor, allure, fame and romance.

The first refers to the moon’s symbol as mother and nurturer of all life. Plant under an auspicious moon and your crops will flourish and your harvest be plentiful. Plant under an inauspicious moon and fruit will wither on the vine, pests and frost decimate crops and the harvest meagre. The moon is the dark waters of the womb, where new life is knit together, cell by cell.

As for the other key words, some of them might initially sound as though they belong more to the realm of Venus. But think of a full moon high in the sky on a crisp autumn night. All eyes are on her, that’s for sure. She is a luminary, after all.

Although I tend to keep my knowledge of traditional Western astrological systems, like medieval-era astrological magic, and Jyotish (Vedic astrology) separate, I can’t help but note that it is the moon that brings a person fame when strong and conjunct the Arudha Lagna.

But I digress.

Let’s return to how we can use the power of Lady Luna in astrological magic.

Making moon talismans

First things first:

Unlike other types of magic, which may follow the cycle of the moon for timing rituals in a looser way (e.g., the waxing moon for gains and the waning moon for letting go) talismans and petitions following the Picatrix require more precise timing.

Moon talismans can therefore only be created when the moon:

• is strong in her sign of rulership (Cancer) or Exaltation (Taurus)

• is rising or culminating (i.e., within five degrees of the ascendant or mid-heaven)

• is free of aspects from the malefics (i.e., Saturn, Mars and the nodes)

• is swift in motion and not void of course

In this system, this is the only time when the moon has the “juice” to be captured in a permanent or semi-permanent talisman.

It’s worth noting that the phase of the moon matters less in astrological magic than it does in other magical systems. However, the moon should still not be too dark (close to new moon) or too full (close to full moon).

If you are interested in making lunar talismans or petitions in the astrological magic tradition, but have no idea how to properly assess the state of the moon in such a detailed manner, then consider upgrading to a paid subscription. This is where I will be publishing magical elections, including elections for the moon. These election will include precise timing and other instructions.

What you need to create a moon talisman

If you have a good magical election for the moon, you will need the following:

Herbs and/or incense: jasmine, chamomile, moonwort, water lily, camphor or white poppy

You can either burn these herbs on a charcoal filter (although be careful with camphor, which creates a very impressive flame) or use their natural essential oils in a diffuser (I often choose this route because I live in a small apartment, and charcoal filters with burning herbs is not the nicest smell, especially in a small space). Stick or cone incense is fine as well, but make sure it isn’t synthetic. We need the real herbs here.

While the herbs and/or essential oils are a mandatory ingredient, each of the following is optional, depending on what kind of talismans you are making:

Metal: Silver

Gemstones: moonstone, pearl, selenite or opal

If you want to make a permanent talisman, you can carve the symbols and images (I’ll get to that soon) onto one of the these materials. They are also great to add to the moon altar you use during the ritual (if you want to make one).

Symbols and Images

Astrological magic is a magic of images, and they play an important role in talisman creation. The following are a must for creating talismans to provide a “home” for the energy to reside.

The first is the planetary seal of the moon, which looks like this:

You then need to include an image listed in the Picatrix. Here are two images listed in the book:

The image of the Moon…is the shape of a woman with a beautiful face, encircled by a dragon, with horns on her head, encircled by two snakes (on her head there are two snakes and on each arm is entwined); above her head there is one dragon and another beneath her feet. Each dragon has seven heads. This is her shape.

The image of the Moon…is the shape of a woman standing on two bulls. The head of one is next to the tail of the other. This is her shape.

If you were drawing the first image on a piece of paper* or imagining it for a prayer or petition that would be one thing. But try engraving a bunch of seven-headed dragons on a small moonstone cabochon–and that under a strict time limit. Therefore, when the images are this complicated, it’s fine to “simplify” them or only engrave one aspect of the image. In that case, you should still visualize the full image while working.

A moon altar

I’m going to save the steps of the ritual (which are fairly simple, especially compared to a system like ceremonial magic) for another post. However, here are a few tips for creating a moon altar you can use both for creating talismans and connecting with lunar energy.

Here are some more things that relate to the moon:

• Colors: white and silver

• Number: 9

• Animals: cow, mussels, frogs, weasel, otter, deer, watery animals in general

• Spirit and intelligence of the moon: link here

• Magic square:

  

• Places: seaside towns, lakeshores, watery landscapes, caves, and places with a mystical or serene ambiance

• Flowers: jasmine, chamomile, water lily, white poppy, Iris, white roses

• Stones: Moonstone, pearl, selenite, opal, and silver

• Lunar Goddesses and Figures: Selene, Artemis, Diana, Durga, Isis, Hecate, the Virgin Mary

Here’s where creativity comes in. For example, your moon altar could include 9 white candles, nice white roses, the magic square of the moon, a statue of Selene, seashells filled with water and a pinch of camphor and a collage with pictures of places and animals associated with Lady Luna.

Or another idea completely. It’s really up to you.

More about moon rituals to moon magical elections to come, so subscribe, share and stay tuned!