The Dark of the Moon

Today we celebrate the dark of the moon. In astronomy, it is called the new moon, but I like to differentiate between the dark moon, when the moon is invisible, and the new moon, when the first crescent of light is visible. The dark of the moon is a time to honor your ancestors, and to cleanse oneself of negative energies. I left a small offering to my ancestors on my altar, just a bit of garlic and mint. I will add some rosemary later today after I've gone outside.

I performed a dark moon ritual today, anointing myself with camphor oil for purification. I find this to be an introspective time, to go inside yourself and meditate on all that this past month has brought. I have been following and timing my spiritual practice according to the phases of the moon for about a month now, and I have found it to be very helpful.

 I don't really believe that there is any power in the moon itself, I just consider it symbolic. The moon is simply a heavenly body reflecting the light of the sun. There is no special power in the moon's light, or any nonsense like that. It's just a way to symbolically align one's spiritual practice. The dark moon is introspective, the waxing moon is for drawing good things to oneself, and the waning moon is for getting rid of that which does not serve us, or is negative. The full moon is for gratitude and abundance. 

I am not a Witch. I just wanted to make that clear. I know that Witches also go by the phases of the moon in their magical workings. I don't believe in a Goddess or their Horned God. I think that's all creepy and wrong, to be frank. I just like using the moon as a friendly guide for spirituality. It's a beautiful way to honor the turning of the months, and its symbolism is meaningful to me.