When the sun has set and the moon is high in the sky, a different kind of energy covers the land. Those things that remain unseen during the day come out of hiding, and reveal themselves under the cloak of darkness. In the same way that certain flowers and plants only bloom at night, the powers of the witch are also at their strongest. As dusk approaches, and the busy interactions of the day begin to cease, many prepare for sleep. It is during these night-time hours, particularly between 3am-5am, that psychic interference in the unseen realms is at it’s lowest ebb. The witch can cast his or her spells with minimal obstacles to block their success. Witches have long been associated with the night and with hidden knowledge. The word “Occult” simply means “hidden”. In other words, it is arcane knowledge that is hidden from those without the awareness to comprehend it. The night is the realm of potentiality. It is the nothingness from which all things emerge. All plants grow from within the darkness of the earth. Humans are born from the darkness of the womb. Ideas are formed in the hidden recesses of the creative mind and are then put into visible action. As Above, So Below. What happens above is influenced by what happens below. Likewise, what happens below is influenced by what happens above. This is a concept that applies not only to magical things, but also extends to mundane areas of life, including world events. Those who understand this concept will know that the reasons why things happen in our world are not as simplistic as some try to make it seem. There are hidden forces at work, forces that exist above, below and around us. Witches have the ability to see, to sense, and to influence these forces. In many ways, the night is like the dark depths of the witch’s cauldron. The desired result depends on what energies are directed into it. Just like the magic of the cauldron, the night can absorb and shape, bringing form to the formless. The night is just as alive and potent as the day. Those who tap into the energy of the night can hear it’s mystical hum. Many witches and pagans focus on the Waxing and Full Moon and shy away from the Dark Moon, also called the New Moon. While the Sun reveals how we express ourselves outwardly to the world, the Moon directs us to the things that are hidden within, and also hidden from us. Addictions and insecurities, repressed abilities and gifts, and unseen dangers are often brought to the surface. The Dark Moon is the perfect time to examine these things in a ritual setting, and make the necessary adjustments. There are some who caution against doing any kind of magic during the dark moon, because they fear that it’s energies are too volatile and unpredictable. These fears are unfounded. A general rule is that if it makes you uncomfortable, then simply don’t do it. Personally I have found that some of my most powerful magical workings have taken place during the waning to dark moon phases. You have nothing to fear from these workings unless you bring fear into them. Of course, the dark moon is the perfect time to work on fear-related issues. It is important to understand that light is not always beneficial and darkness is not always harmful. If someone has you backed into a corner, throwing “love and light” at them may not save you. In the old days, witches were respected and feared in equal measure. You wanted to be on their good side. There were consequences for provoking a witch, and they were not pleasant. There was no Wiccan Rede, no imposed magical laws that all witches were expected to follow. Today we are living in dark times, and dark times call for darker magic. It is time for us to move away from the Dark/Evil and Light/Good paradigm. There are some who may think they have your best interests at heart, but in truth are causing you harm. For example, when evangelical Christians pray for your “salvation” they might think they are doing something “good”, but in reality they are practicing harmful magic by trying to overpower your will. Likewise, there are many witches who prefer to dwell in the shadows and under the cover of darkness, using these times to do spells and enchantments that benefit themselves and their communities. It doesn’t make them “evil”, they just work better with these kinds of energies and are more comfortable with them. Many meditation teachers direct their students to visualize going down into the roots of a tree and into the depths of the earth. It is from there that wisdom is first gained and the seeker is then led upwards on the path to enlightenment. The idea is that you must go down before you can go up. Many who work with the chakras begin at the root chakra and then work their way up to the crown. The energy of Kundalini begins at the root, and then uncoils like a serpent as it reaches toward the crown where it becomes fully extended. In some Kabbalistic meditations, practitioners start at the bottom with the Sephirah of Malkuth (Earth) and then ascend upwards to the Sephirah of Keter (Crown) at the top. If we desire to reach the light, we must learn to navigate the darkness, as we remember that darkness and light are two sides of the same coin. The light casts many shadows, and yet the darkness will make the moon and stars appear even brighter. Each side influences and is influenced by the other. The night carries it’s own mystical power and energy. To tap into it, simply wait until the moon is high in the sky and darkness had descended upon the land. Go outside if you can, or open a window. Close your eyes and listen. Become one with the stillness. What does it seem to be saying? As the wind blows through the trees, or as the leaves scatter across the ground, pay attention to any impressions you receive. Learn to commune and embrace the powers of the night. Allow them to become a source of wisdom and comfort. Embracing the dark does not mean we are rejecting the light. The light is necessary and has it’s place in regards to healing and restoration, certainly, but directing all of our energies solely on the light will cause an imbalance within us. One can find healing and restoration even in the dark. Many witches and pagans identify as ‘lightworkers’, however, witches are ‘workers of the dark’ as well as the light. Working with the dark does not mean we dwell on negativity and pessimism, but rather to seek the hidden enchantments in the darkness of the night and the powers of the moon. There is a difference between “Dark” and “Night”. Dark simply refers to the absence of Light, while Night is the opposite of Day. While there are some who work with darkness in a malevolent manner, witches of the Old Ways utilize the darkness for beneficial purposes. That is, we work with the “darkness of the night” as opposed to those who are drawn to the abstract concept of “dark” as a means to cause harm. Pagan author Konstantinos speaks of Good/Dark and Evil/Dark. Witches of the Old Ways are those in the Good/Dark category. What many witches and pagans refer to as the New Moon is the first phase of the lunar cycle, when the moon is between the earth and the sun. This alignment is called a conjunction or syzygy. During this time, the side of the moon that faces earth is not illuminated by the sun and is therefore not visible to us. The moon appears dark because the side facing us receives no direct sunlight. The New Moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle, which is approximately 29.5 days long. While most refer to this as the New Moon, many of us call it the Dark Moon. A few days pass from the time the moon begins to disappear from the evening sky until it is completely dark, and then another few days until it reappears as a faint sliver in the morning sky. In magical terms, this is a “between time”, and has the potential for powerful magic to take place. Experienced witches take advantage of these times when planning their spells and enchantments. In Celtic and Irish folklore, people born during a Dark Moon are believed to be granted good health and prosperity, and are encouraged to honor the Dark Moon whenever it occurs to maintain this in their lives. Traditionally, it is a time when people set new goals or begin new projects. In the same way that plants grow up from the darkness of the soil, new intentions are planted like “seeds” during the dark moon phase, that they may sprout and begin to grow as the moon becomes visible again. It is seen as a potent time for personal and spiritual growth, while at the same time it is when many witches do magic to remove harmful influences. In some witchcraft traditions, the dark moon is symbolic of the aged and wise crone, dressed all in black. An Old Ways belief is that the moon is home to spirits of the dead, as they travel from the depths of the earth, through the branches of trees and then ascend upward to the moon. Hecate, goddess of magic, witchcraft and the underworld, was strongly linked to the moon’s darker phases and to crossroads. At these liminal places, offerings were regularly left to her during the dark phase of the moon, just before the new moon, seeking her aid in magical workings or protection. The first visible crescent of the new moon also held significance for Hecate. The night and the dark moon are in many ways like the dark depths of the witch’s cauldron, filled with potentiality and possibility.
#moon
The Void-Of-Course Moon
It is well known that witches work with the phases of the moon when doing magic and spellwork, to attract beneficial things or to drive away what is harmful. There are books (and phone apps) that can tell us the current and future moon phases, and when the moon will inhabit a particular sign.
But what about those times when the moon doesn’t inhabit any sign?
This is when the moon is considered “void-of-course”. During these times, which can last for a few hours up to a large portion of the day, the moon is shifting between signs and is not firmly placed in any sign at that time. During void-of-course, the moon is not making any aspects with other planets or signs, and is not actively influencing events. I would be interested to know if there are any commonalities among those who were born when the moon was void-of-course. Ephemerides (charts which show the positions of celestial bodies) do not always display void-of-course times, so it would be beneficial for the witch to find one that does.
In regards to magical workings, spells that are cast during these times may lack the needed energy, may be delayed or have an unexpected outcome. Any spells that are high priority should be delayed until the moon is firmly fixed in a specific sign.
Below I have included ephemerides for the void-of-course moon from April thru December 2025.
Plan your spells accordingly.
The Magic Above
It is scientific fact that our bodies contain the same elements found in the stars. The carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atoms in our bodies, as well as atoms of all other heavy elements, were created in previous generations of stars over 4.5 billion years ago. Humans, animals, as well as most of the matter on Earth contain these elements. We are literally made of stardust. This is another example of how all things are divinely inter-connected in the universal web of life. That which is above is a reflection of that which is below. Since we have this connection to the celestial bodies, we can draw on their influence and powers to aid in our witchcraft. Witches have learned how to tap into the energies of the planets, stars, the Sun and the Moon. Each have their own unique qualities. Much of this knowledge has been passed down thru the centuries, and witches are still using it today.
The planets in our solar system all contain their own unique energies that can be called upon in rituals and magical workings. Each planet, including the Sun and Moon, has a magical link to various plants, colors, metals, symbols, tarot cards and stones. The planets in our solar system: The Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Earth, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto* are used widely in witchcraft. Those who work with planetary forces discover that they are more than just ‘energies’, they are spiritual entities that have assisted witches for centuries.
*Pluto is still considered by many witches to be a planet, even though Pluto lost it’s “official” planet status in 2006. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) downgraded the status of Pluto to that of a “dwarf planet” because it did not meet the three criteria the IAU uses to define a full-sized planet. Essentially Pluto meets all the criteria except one- it “has not cleared its neighboring region of other objects.” Be that as it may, some practitioners still use the energies of Pluto with great success.
Let’s first examine each of the planets in our solar system and their magical qualities, and then we will move on to other celestial phenomenon. The correspondences listed below are by no means complete.
MOON: The Moon is considered a feminine energy, linked to the powers of divination, intuition, psychic ability and the Third Eye Chakra. Crystals and stones that draw upon Moon energy are Moonstone, Clear Quartz and Lapis Lazuli. Herbs and flowers linked to the Moon are Jasmine, Lily and Moonflower. The metal Silver and the colors White and Silver are associated with the Moon as is the day of Monday. In the Tarot, use The Moon, The Star or The High Priestess cards. The Moon is very important to witches, as each phase of the Moon has it’s own energies that can be used for various purposes. We will discuss this a bit later.
MERCURY: Mercury is linked to all forms of communication, self-expression and travel. Crystals and stones for Mercury are Citrine, Goldstone and Yellow Jasper. Plants linked to Mercury are Lemongrass, Peppermint and Clover. The color Orange and the day of Wednesday is linked to Mercury, and the Throat Chakra. From the Tarot, use The Chariot card. Mercury is also the metal for the planet, however, real Mercury is toxic and deadly, so many witches use only the Mercury symbol or less-toxic substitutes.
VENUS: Venus is associated with love, romance, relationships, friendships, family and other emotional attachments. It is also associated with Women’s Mysteries and Feminine Magic. Crystals and stones that draw upon Venus energy are Rose Quartz and Amethyst. Plants linked to Venus are Rose, Lavender and Elder. It’s day for magic is Friday and The Lovers card from the Tarot can be used. Venus colors are shades of Red, Pink and Blue. The metal of Venus is Copper, and it‘s Chakra is the Heart.
SUN: The Sun is associated with ambition, success, enlightenment and achieving one’s goals. It is linked to the Crown Chakra, and various shades of Gold and Yellow. The metal of the Sun is Gold and it‘s day for magic is Sunday. Crystals and stones for the Sun are Goldstone, Citrine and Golden Topaz. Plants linked to the Sun are Sunflower, Marigold and St. John’s Wort. Use The Sun card from the Tarot in your Sun rituals.
MARS: The energies of Mars are fiery and masculine, primal and aggressive. Mars is linked to assertiveness, force, masculinity, Men’s Mysteries, lust, passion, strength and power. It is very protective and militant. Plants linked to Mars are Red Clover, Cinnamon and Damiana. The color of Mars is Red and it’s day for magic is Tuesday. Crystals and stones linked to Mars are Red Jasper, Ruby and Amber. Mars is ruled by the Sacral Chakra. From the Tarot, use The High Priest or the King of Swords.
JUPITER: The energies of Jupiter are associated with prosperity, money, career, growth and expansion. It’s day for magic is Thursday, and it’s colors are Green and Purple. Plants for Jupiter are Cinquefoil, Bayberry and Sage. Crystals for Jupiter are Green Aventurine, Emerald or Tree Agate. From the Tarot, use the Wheel of Fortune card. Call on Jupiter energies when looking for a new job or any kind of advancement in your career or creative projects.
SATURN: The energies of Saturn are linked to boundaries, limitations, restrictions, obstacles, protection magic, banishing and binding. It’s day is Saturday and it’s color is Black. Crystals for Saturn are Black Obsidian, Black Onyx and Jet. Plants of Saturn are Mandrake, Belladonna and Henbane. (These are highly poisonous, so use caution! For a less toxic substitute, use Snapdragon or Slippery Elm). From the Tarot, use The World or The Tower cards.
EARTH: The energies of Earth represent grounding, stability, health, manifestation, and life on the physical plane. It is linked to the Root Chakra, and color shades of green and brown. All crystals and plants can represent Earth. Tree bark can also be used. In the Tarot use the King of Wands or Queen of Wands.
NEPTUNE: Neptune is associated with the element of Water, intuition, sensitivity, empathy, compassion, adaptability and imagination. It’s color is Grey. Plants associated with Neptune are Melon, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Water Lily and Lotus Flower. Neptune crystals are Clear Quartz, Smoky Quartz and Pearl. Ocean sand, seashells and sea foam can also be used. In the Tarot, use the King of Cups.
URANUS: The energies of the planet Uranus are associated with individuality, non-traditionalism, revolution, invention and eccentricity. Plants linked to Uranus are those with sharp, irregular leaves, rare herbs and plants that shock or excite the nervous system, or plants that are purple or electric blue in color. Uranus colors are bright, neon or abstract designs. Rough, unpolished stones and crystals can be used to call upon Uranus planetary energies. In the Tarot, use The Fool or the Page of Wands.
PLUTO: The energies of Pluto are linked to rebirth, transformation, destiny and the subconscious. Herbs and flowers of Pluto are the passionflower, acacia, hollow larkspur, coneflower and the male fern. Colors for Pluto are White and Black. Crystals and stones are Snowflake Obsidian, White Howlite, Hypersthene and Black Tourmaline. In the Tarot use The Hanged Man or Death cards.
It should be noted that many witches use only the seven classical planets: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, as these were the only planets known in ancient times. Neptune, Uranus and Pluto were discovered later, and their magical correspondences are fairly new. Now that we know what each of the planets represent, and the energies they contain, how do we use them?
One way is through meditation and visualization. Each of the planets have a symbol (see the chart below). If you are doing magic to bring prosperity in your life, you can enter a meditative state, close your eyes and visualize the symbol for Jupiter with an intention for prosperity. Or, you may choose to draw the symbol on a piece of parchment paper and place it on your altar under a green candle. It is important to use as many correspondences of the same planet that you can. Carve the Jupiter symbol on the side of the candle, place Jupiter crystals and plants around the candle. Write your intention for prosperity on a piece of paper and light it with the candle, and drop it into a cauldron to burn.
There are many ways to work with the planets, including planetary sigils and kameas, (these are special symbols you create to manifest specific intentions). You can blend your own planetary oils, and there are even planetary hours of the day. It is also helpful to remember that each day of the week is associated with a specific planet. For example, Thursday is associated with Jupiter, the planet that rules matters related to job, career, finances, accomplishment and luck. Thursday is a great day to do magic for prosperity or job promotions. Wednesday is associated with the planet Mercury, which rules matters related to communication and travel. If you are giving a lecture or planning a trip, Wednesday is a good day to do magic so that things run smoothly.
It is important to understand that it is not necessary to wait for a specific day. While certain days are energetically better for some types of witchcraft, you can still do magic on any day of the week and call on the powers present for that day. Using the prosperity magic example, if you need to do money magic and you can’t wait until Thursday, cast your spell on a Tuesday and call on the determination and strength of Mars. Once you become familiar with the planetary influences, you will not have to go searching through books and grimoires to find what you need.
The Moon
For thousands of years, we have been mystified by the Moon. Songs and stories have been written about the Moon, and it has made it’s way into myths and legends that stretch back through the ancient past. To some, it is merely a rock in the sky. To others, it is divine and full of magical energy. It certainly produces energy, as it’s gravitational pull affects the tides of the ocean. Even we ourselves are affected by the Moon‘s phases, as our bodies are made of 80% water. In magical teachings, the Moon is regarded as feminine, while the Sun is masculine. Your lunar sign (the astrological position of the Moon at your time of birth) reveals information about your shadow self, the things you keep hidden from others, your inner life, insecurities, secrets, etc. It is a well-known fact that Witches conduct their lives by the Moon. Each phase of the Moon carries it’s own unique energies that be called upon for various purposes. Let’s examine each one.
New Moon/Dark Moon: Magic during a New Moon, sometimes called the Dark Moon, is typically for introspective work, the shadow self, personal issues and private matters, banishing and bindings, inner growth. It is also a time to examine your “dark” nature, finding ways to integrate it into your life in a healthy and balanced way. What are the things that hold you back from achieving your goals? Are there things in your personality or lifestyle that you have suppressed because of the opinions of others? The New Moon is a time to allow your dark side to come forth and be examined, releasing what is harmful while retaining those things that express your true self in a positive way. The second New Moon occurring in the same month is called a Black Moon, during which the Dark Moon’s powers are amplified.
Waxing Crescent to Full Moon: The waxing crescent occurs as the New Moon is no longer dark and begins to increase it’s light. This is a time for new beginnings, new projects, new endeavors. Starting a job, writing a book, brainstorming for ideas, or planning future events are all things that are aided by the energy of a waxing crescent moon. As the Moon increases to Full, energy begins to build up. Use magic during these phases to bring anything you need into your life. Physical health, job success or promotion, self-confidence, romance or anything that would be beneficial to your well-being.
Full Moon: The Full Moon is the most powerful phase of the Moon for magic that involves some kind of outward manifestation. In fact, it is a good idea to time your manifestation spells as close to the Full Moon as possible. It is also a great time to gather plants for your spells and potions, cleanse and charge your crystals, divination tools and other ritual items. This is a perfect time to do rituals that honor your deities and spirit guides. The Full Moon is a time of completion, the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one. The second Full Moon occurring in the same month is called a Blue Moon.
Waning Crescent to New Moon: During these phases, the Moon’s energy aids us in removing things from our lives that are not for our highest good. It is a time to remove obstacles or anything that is blocking us from achieving our goals. It is also a time to examine our fears and insecurities, and find ways to overcome them. As the Moon begins to grow dark, we can also use this time to magically bind and banish those who seek to do us harm. It is a time of cloaking ourselves so that we are protected as we look within.
The Moon is Waxing (increasing) from New Moon to Full Moon.
It is Waning (decreasing) from Full Moon to New Moon.
What about Eclipses?
Eclipses represent balance, change and transformation. A Lunar Eclipse is a time of increased awareness and growth on an inner, spiritual level. During a Lunar Eclipse, the Moon is always in the opposite astrological sign that the Sun is in. Both signs and their inherent energies are brought into the picture.
A Solar Eclipse indicates a powerful potential for change on an outward, visible level. During a Solar Eclipse, the Sun and Moon are always together in the same astrological sign, and occupying the same house. The energy of the Solar Eclipse is concentrated with all of the action being focused into one area. Solar Eclipses only take place during the New Moon. Lunar Eclipses always occur during the Full Moon. While a New and Full Moon occur once (sometimes twice) a month, they are not always eclipses, because the orbit of the Moon does not always lie on the same path as Earth. The astrological sign during which the eclipse occurs is of great importance, because it indicates what kind of energies will be active during the eclipse period.
The moon, the planets, and even the stars can lend their energies for our magic and spellwork. We are made of the same substances found in the celestial bodies. The witch of the Old Ways recognizes this, and works with their energies whenever possible.
Rick S. Potter 