With the new year barely underway, many of us are looking for ways to start fresh and set ourselves up for success. This often takes the form of setting goals and resolutions. However, this isn't the only way to ensure a fruitful year. This year, 2023, we are starting off the first week with a full moon! Full moons are a time of heightened energy, and they can be a powerful catalyst for transformation and personal growth. The first full moon of the year is known as the Wolf Moon, a name that originates from the howling of wolves often heard around this time of year. It's associated with centering, balance, new beginnings, reflection, and taking stock of what you have. This full moon ritual is designed to help you tap into the energy of the Wolf Moon and use it to recenter and embrace the new year with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. This ritual also pairs well with my Wolf Moon worksheet.
What You'll Need
- 1 teaspoon peppermint
- 1 teaspoon lavender
- 1 white chime candle
- 2-3 drops olive oil or anointing oil
- Small piece of paper, large enough to write your intention or sigil
- Writing utensil
- 4 quartz crystals
- 4 crystals of choice associated with grounding, centering, and balance such as citrine, tiger's eye, smoky quartz, selenite, brown agate, brown jasper, or other brown and black crystals.
- Match or lighter
- Heat-proof dish/plate
What to Do
During the Wolf Moon, begin by cleansing and consecrating your space using your preferred method. If you wish, cast a circle and invite any spirits or deities.When ready, mix the peppermint and lavender together and awaken them using your preferred method, such as holding them in your hand, whispering to them, or blowing your intention into them (be sure not to blow them away). Place 2-3 drops of oil on your candle and rub until the entire candle is coated in a fine oily layer. Roll the candle in your herbal mixture until well coated.
On the piece of paper write your intention to center, ground, find balance, or inner peace. I chose to write "recenter" as my intention. Fold the paper in half twice toward you and hold it to your heart while you say, "I release the past and embrace the present. I walk into the future with an open heart and mind. Come what may, I am calm, collected, balanced, and focused." Place the folded paper in the center of your heat-safe dish and place the candle on top.
Next, charge your crystals using your preferred charging method. I prefer to blow my intention into my crystals as this not only charges them but also cleanses them of past energies. When ready begin constructing your crystal grid by placing the four pieces of quartz in each cardinal direction. In between each quartz crystal, place your chosen four crystals.
Light the candle and say, "Wolf Moon, shining bright, bring strength to my spell on this night. Bring me peace and balance in this new year so I may proceed with strength and cheer." Sit comfortably in front of your candle and crystal grid and close your eyes. In your mind's eye, feel all of your energy that is loose in the world returning to you and filling you up. See your body's center being to glow, getting brighter and brighter as your energy returns to you. Hold onto this image for as long as you can, until you feel like you are going to burst then slowly release the energy throughout your body, visualizing your center dimming as the rest of you begins to glow. If you need to, wiggle your fingers and toes or stretch to help distribute your energy back through your body.
When ready open your eyes and focus on the flame, entering a light meditative state to calm your body and mind until the candle burns out completely. If you are short on time, you can snuff out the candle and repeat the ritual the following night.
Once the flame has been extinguished, close your ritual, being sure to thank any deities or spirits you invited. Bury the paper remnants near your front door or in your front yard. You can dismantle the crystal grid or keep it up until the dark moon to ensure your spell's success.
Why You Did It
Understanding the why's of a spell are just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs and helps guide you to write your own. It's my intention that by providing these explanations, you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).This spell begins with awakening the peppermint and lavender. Unless you are using freshly picked leaves, you will find that the energy of dried herbs is often quiet or stagnant. By waking up the herbs, you reawaken their energy, set the intention for the spell, and call on the spirit of the plant to aid you in your magical endeavors. This is often something I forget to do, but you'll find that waking up the herbs prior to using them strengthens and empowers the spell in a way that sleeping herbs do not.
Peppermint and lavender were chosen to dress the candle due to their unique magical properties. Peppermint is associated with purification and is a potent magical amplifier. The strong aroma is peppermint helps remove obstacles and clear the way for success. Lavender, on the other hand, is associated with cleansing and protection. It helps remove what is stagnant and unwanted while protecting you and your spell from potential interference. These herbs dressed a white candle which represents the full moon as well as new beginnings, clarity, and purification.
Next, your intention was written on a piece of paper and the paper was folded toward you before placing it under the dressed candle. By folding toward you, you are drawing your intention to you and by placing it under the candle, you are giving it the strength needed to manifest your intention. A crystal grid was constructed around the candle and intention paper to amply and support the spell. Quartz is a potent amplifier, balancer, and grounding crystal, while brown and black stones such as tiger's eye and smoky quartz are associated with balance, grounding, and centering. I also chose to use citrine for balance and happiness, and selenite for clarity and peace.
The visualization/meditation was used to completely center your energy and bring any loose energy back to you before redistributing it through your body. This will leave you feeling renewed, energized, and balanced, ready to take on whatever the rest of the year may hold.
Finally, this spell is best performed during the Wolf Moon. The Wolf Moon is associated with centering, reevaluating, taking stock, and embracing community, therefore, making it the perfect time to call back your energy and recenter.
Wish to break this spell? Unfortunately, this is not a spell that can be "broken" in any traditional way. If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of energy you have called back to yourself, simply release it back into the Universe and deconstruct your crystal grid.
Remember to record this ritual on your ritual/spell worksheet or in your Book of Shadows for reference later.
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Remember, the Wolf Moon is a time of reflection, not manifestation. As winter bears down, we take stock of our stores and plan for the future. You don't need to set lofty goals at this time, but instead take the time to slow down and be grateful. I hope everyone has a magical full moon.
Interested in learning more about the full moon or the Wolf Moon? Below are some resources to get you started.
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