Blue Moon Rising—A Time for Liminal Magick
. . . between calendar counting and seasonal living
Once in a blue moon . . .
It has a certain romance to it, yes? A phrase that feels ancient, enchanting—and of course, an opportunity for magick.
But what, exactly is a blue moon? Like many pieces of lunar language, it shifts depending on who is doing the counting, and which kind of time they are trying to keep.
There is no single definition that fully contains it. Only two systems, overlapping like transparent maps laid over the same sky.
The modern blue moon is accepted as two full moons in one month. This is the version most people recognize, shaped by the calendar (a human construct) rather than by Nature herself. It’s precisse, simple and easy to track.
But there is an older definition, drawn from days when people kept time by what could be seen and felt in the land around them. When lunar phases guided the calendar, and the year was divided not by months on a page, but by the great thresholds of solstice and equinox.
In this older system, each season is expected to hold three full moons. But mysterious Luna does not always follow rules. Sometimes she will grace us with her presence four times, instead of three.
When that happens, the extra one—the third one that slips in, between the first and last full moons of the season—is the blue moon.
Because June’s full moon won’t appear until the final days of the month, there will be only three full moons from the Spring Equinox to the Summer Solstice on June 21st. Thus our full Starwberry Moon belongs to Summer.
This new moon today, will reach full illumination on the 31st, the second full moon in a month, and therefore, a modern Blue Moon. Not rare in the mythic sense. Not so much once-in-a-lifetime. But still unusual with its own air of mystery and magick.
You can use this Blue Moon cycle, from beginning to end, to manifest your most deeply held desires. The simple ritual below starts the thread you will carry through to the full moon.
Blue Moon Ritual: For the New Moon
This is a beginning, to mark the start. Cast this spell undering a darkening sky, any evevning over th next few days. Light a candle and say softly or inwardly:
I begin with what is not yet formed.
Name your most deeply held dream—the one thing you carry that feels long held, meaningful, and not yet fully spoken into the world. Write it on a piece of paper. Fold the paper three times, toward you.
Look at the candle flame for a few breaths then say:
I do not complete this now. I begin it.
Blow out the candle.
Making Moon Water:
Fill a glass vessel with water. Place it outside under the new moon with your folded paper underneath (if you don’t have access outside, place it by a window). Remember, we cannot see Luna in her new phase, but she is there.
Say:
What is rare in me is allowed to begin.
Pause here, take a deep breath. Don’t force clarity . . . just breath in the energy of this Blue Moon. When you feel ready, seal the spell by saying:
So mote it be (or whatever phrase you use).
In the morning, bring your moon water and paper in. Place the paper on your altar or tuck it into a spell locket* and wear it from now until the full moon.
Use the moon water in personal ritual throughout the month. You can drink it, use it in cooking, add some to bath water, or annoint yourself. Each time you use the water, recall your intention.
At the full moon, you’ll complete the spell—what was whispered in darkness will be held in the light.
Until Next Time ~
Blessed Be and Journey Well