“New Moon Goddess” by Montserrat
In light of (or lack there of) the New Moon upon us within the next few days, I though I’d touch on a topic that has always confused and frustrated me a bit, and maybe some of you too: Is there a difference between the “New Moon” and the “Dark Moon”? Now, I’ve heard the two names used interchangeably as if they were one in the same; then I’ve heard and read that they are indeed different. From my understanding, and what seems to be common knowledge among Pagans, Wiccans, Witches and those who follow the lunar cycle, the Waning Moon gives way to the Dark Moon or New Moon that brings with it the closing or end of a cycle and new beginnings. It is a time of releasing and banishing negativity. It is a time of purification, cleansing and a time of rest. It is a time of introspection, meditation and seeking knowledge and wisdom. It is a time of death and rebirth. This Moon can be intimidating for some or even thought of as dangerous by those who do not understand the power and potential that this phase of the Moon has to offer.
How now, my ever critical and nitpicking Virgo mind wonders, can one Moon symbolize both an end and a beginning? Death and rebirth? Rest and rejuvenation? Doesn’t one have to come before the other? But then, which comes first? Mustn’t you be born in order to die? Mustn’t you die in order to be reborn? Round and round we go…Therefore, I can understand how with death and rebirth being so intricately entwined and connected, this phase of the Moon could perhaps be treated or looked upon as a type of threshold or a liminal phase of the Moon – the “in-between” Moon of transition, waiting, and not knowing. In saying that, it is easy to see why there is so much confusion over this Moon, discomfort or even fear of working with and under this phase of the Moon; for it is Dark (and full of terrors…LoL! Sorry, had to throw that in there – yes, I am a hopeless Game of Thrones addict).
If we look at and consider this Moon in a sense as the liminal phase, it’s easy to see why it could be unpleasant or scary for some. It is a time of transition and change; phasing out of the “Old Moon” and in order to usher in the “New Moon”. It requires us to leave our comfort zone and head into the unknown. As mentioned earlier, it is a time of introspection and seeking the wisdom of the Dark Mother or the Crone. In making the journey and coming into contact with Her, Her demands, tasks and challenges may truly challenge preconceived notions, assumptions and narrowed perspectives; to reject all that we thought we “knew” in order to discover the new truths and the knowledge and wisdom that She has to offer…that takes trust, and that my friends can be pretty damn scary, for how can we trust what we don’t see? How can we trust when we have no idea how long we’ll be in the dark?
It can be a time to come face to face with issues that maybe hurting us or holding us back. This can be tricky, unpleasant and downright devastating and horrifying at times; for it requires us, if one is brave enough, to cross the threshold into the Dark Mother’s dark, deep and vast abyss of the unknown. Some call it the Underworld, some call it the subconscious, and it is there we learn the lessons that need to be learned.
“Ereshkigal” by ~Fenrizulf
Like Inanna, we must shed and set aside all barriers and come face to face with Ereshkigal, or our Shadow-selves – that side of us which we would prefer not to look at, deal with or choose to repress because it maybe too hurtful or frightening to face. It is here that we find and face the root cause of our habits, patterns and destructive behaviors and it is here that we must experience death; the death of those old habits and destructive behaviors no matter how painful it may be in order to rise above and be re-born. If we don’t face that death, then we get caught in a never-ending pattern or cycle and are doomed to descend again and again to face Ereshkigal (or whatever Underworld deity that your personal practice or pantheon includes) until there is a death.
(NOTE: For those of you interested in Jungian psychology and Shadow work, I HIGHLY suggest reading Descent to the Goddess by Sylvia Brinton Perera. I also HIGHLY suggest visiting Matrignosis: A Blog About Inner Wisdom and reading Dr. Jean Raffa’s ”A Study In Shadows: Four Principles“; ”Three Steps to Discovering Your Shadow“; “Creative Interactions With the Shadow” and “The Light Shadow” – absolutely enlightening and fascinating and very appropriate I think for successful journeys during this phase of the Moon.)
Moving onto spellwork…Is there a difference between the “New Moon” and the “Dark Moon”? Some will say yes, some will say no. First, I’d like to look at the astronomical definitions. ”Astronomically, [the Dark Moon] refers to the period when the Moon is not visible in the sky. This lasts between 1-3 days, depending upon your location. This is the period between the end of the Waning Moon up to and including the very start of the Waxing Moon, when the Moon is again illuminated by the Sun. Astrologically and magickally, this refers to the period when the Moon is not illuminated in any way, it is the period between the end of the Waning Moon and the start of the Waxing Moon.
Astronomically, [the New Moon] refers to the Midpoint of the Dark Moon, the time of which the Moon is exactly between phases, i.e. Waxing and Waning, as such, all times given for the New Moon on calendars, and even on the NASA website, are the Midpoint, the peak of, the Dark Moon. Astrologically and magickally, this refers to the very beginning of the Waxing Moon, when the Moon is again illuminated by the Sun; that very first Crescent of Moon in the Sky” (Lady Althaea).
Photo by Wade B. Clark Jr
To me, they are very different with their own distinctive qualities to aid spellworking and their own place in the cycle. The Dark Moon is the closing of the cycle; the end of the “Old Moon” dead and gone. It is a time for purification, a time for banishing, meditation, and rest. The New Moon is the beginning of a new cycle; the rebirth of the “New Moon” referred to as Diana’s Bow (three days after the Dark Moon, when the moon is just a crescent in the sky). It is a time of rebirth, rejuvenation, and the start of new projects.
In conclusion however, the differences in terminology, beliefs and practices boils down one’s own magical tradition and what feels right to them.
Sources:
Lady Althaea. Ladyalthaea.com, “Dark Moon vs New Moon – What’s the Difference“.
Suggested Links:
Cauldronliving.com, “Dark Moon vs. New Moon“.
Everythingunderthemoon.net, “Moon Phases and Spellwork“.
Hall, Molly. Astrology.about.com, “New Moon Magic“.
Hall, Molly. Astrology.about.com, “When is the Dark Moon?“
Many thanks for recommending my blog posts about the shadow to your followers! I’m enjoying your posts very much too! Glad we’ve found each other. Jeanie
Besides Witchcraft I also practice Himalayan Buddhism and Shaivism. On the day before the new moon I do Vajrakilaya (phurba, dagger) puja to stab that which needs to go from the last moon cycle, and on the new moon I do Mahakala (the Great Black One) who eats all the negativity, much like the AmerIndian “sin eater”. Works for me.
Now that is interesting & I totally get that – I love it!
Regarding the “pagan” practices left in the Himalayas the Buddhists assimilated a lot of it instead of just wiping it out like the Christians did in Europe, so a lot can be learned from their practices and those in the hinderlands of southern India.
I know that for me there is a difference. Dark Moon is the moment of being dead before we can be born again. I’m not sure how else to explain it.
I totally get that
There is a difference for me, too. In my practice I call the the new moon Sister and the dark moon Grandmother. For me, although the time between them is very short, it is still a brief trip to the Crone and the experience is still very different.
Sister and Grandmother Moons – I really really like that
Thanks! Sister, Mother and Grandmother moons have always worked for me as a system of working with the different energies. x
Well, i am a very down to earth Virgo heathen and tend to follow the gardeners guide to planting and growing within the phases of the moon because it has been proven to work for as far back as word of mouth. If you align humans with nature ( as we are all one and connected ) as i do then, give it a go. As for the death and re birth thing i don’t get the concept because, in a way a death and re birth happens every second of our lives through growth and understanding until we leave our shells and move on into the source. I don’t do spell work i just ask my question out loud and wait for a sign this usually comes in the form of an animal or bird…simple.
Don’t get bogged down with books and spells and rituals and stuff..
Though I don’t do any gardening right now, I really like the concept of gardening by the phase of the moon. I had watched a documentary about a wine producer who gardens by the moon and it makes the grapes for their wine taste better. It just makes sense – the moon has such an affect on the cycles and life around us.
I also don’t do too much spellwork – really never felt the need for it unless it is for protection or myself or a loved one, lighting candles for healing or dispelling negative energy (especially within our home). I do admit though that I love the simplicity of nature/earth magic and divination.
PS: i recently went to an Imbolc ritual and for me it was a way to connect with others. I stood and watched as the table was brought out and the table cloth and the candles and the chalice and the dagger and the books and the sheets of paper with instructions on and then the stones with the 4 corners on and then..the wind picked up so everything got blown around and caused confusion because all the ritual got lost and nobody knew what they were doing and where they should be standing and someone forgot the wine and on and on and on..
In the meantime about twenty odd people stood around in the freezing cold with blue lips!
So, instead of being something natural and from the heart it became a theatrical production gone wrong on the first night..
Oh man – I think we’ve all been to rituals like that. I’ve also been to some really rockin’ rituals where everyone know the Core Order of Ritual and has everything memorized and/or speaks from their minds and their hearts in the moment, drawing on inspiration from what’s going on around them. I was just reading this blog yesterday and think you could definitely appreciate it: http://druidlife.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/without-a-script/
Oh yeah, this reminded me of this blog too, I think you’d also enjoy reading this – kind of off topic, but still touches on the simplicity of spirituality and ritual. http://cauldronborn.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-feast-of-ultimate-generosity-re.html
The author writes: “It is one thing to ‘experience’ Thor in depictions of the red-bearded strong man with his hammer and goats, but something else to experience Him when one hears the thunder roar and feels the rain fall. I can say with assurance that one of these ‘ways of experiencing’ came before the other…Even the air that surrounds us everywhere, and sustains our life through breathing- does not Odin indwell the air and wind? Is this breath not a gift from him, too?”
I responded, “I absolutely love and get it. It is so simple, so pure and in my personal opinion, how spirituality should be. It should be stress free (or as stress free as possible) and be a part of our lives, something we do on a daily basis and be as natural to us as breathing.
Wow just come across your blog it’s fabulous. I love all the detailed information in this Dark moon post. I’ve followed your blog and hopefully signed up to receive emails! Still trying to find my way around the world of blogging! If you would like to follow me back mine is astartemoonblog.blogspot.co.uk/ still very new so any feedback greatly appreciated! Blessings to you, AstarteAlison xx
I just signed up to follow your blog – I like it, very nice! Would you mind if I re-blogged your “February Februum Waning Moon Purification” here? It was really good!