For many Witches, the moon plays a huge part in their craft. Even if you don't believe in magic, take as look out on a clear night at the silver moonlight washing over a woodland scene and try to tell my that it isn't magic. (Don't bother, I wont believe you).
The moon has been a constant companion to our home since long before we were born and will go on to honour us with it's energy " 'till It Doth Wax and Wane No More"
The moon is a symbol of the Triple Goddess and her silvery light corresponds to the Silver that is the ascribed to the feminine half of the great deity. The moon gives us so much, but this post is not really about the moon, (that for another time perhaps) it is about how to use the moon's energy in our craft and play.
I have spoken already about candles and the need to cleanse and charge them for use in magic. Moonlight is a most excellent magical medium for removing negativity and energising our candles with good and positive power. Placing candles in direct moonlight for a time, will prepare them for use in our craft. Of course, if a candle is to be used for a particular spell or ritual then further preparation may be needed, but the moonlight treatment is always a good place to start.
The potency of the energy that the moon sends to us in her light, is according to her phase. Rising from the "Dark of the Moon" to a peak at the "Full Moon". Cleansing and charging your candles can be done at any phase of the moon, except perhaps at the Dark Time before the New Moon.
Quite how you achieve the Cleansing and Charging is very much up to you and your unique and chosen rede. You may be part of a Coven who have an agreed ritual for work with candles or you may have your own ideas. You are free to choose for yourself.
I am a solo Witch and this is what I do:
On my deck outside my house I have a place where the moonlight falls. On the evening of a full moon, I make a pentacle on the ground and draw a magic circle around it marked out with stones. Before closing the circle I place my candles in the centre and ask the Goddess to cleanse and charge them for me. I have a special silver tray on which I place my candles. I then close the circle and leave it overnight. The following morning I re-open the circle and recover my newly cleansed and charged candles.
A full moon is due in a few days time and I am already beginning to gather together the candles that are to be cleansed and charged. I have a special Silver candle that I shall burn during the Full Moon in honour of the Goddess.
