Snow Moon - Tumblr Posts
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Snow Moon - February 23-24, 2024
Boots and mittens on, witches - it's time for the Snow Moon!
Snow Moon
The Snow Moon is the name given to the full moon which occurs during the month of February. Despite what certain groundhogs will tell you, February is the month that sees the highest rates of snowfall across much of North America, according to the National Weather Service, and many alternative names for the moon and the month in which it falls reflect this.
As with many full moon names, we find the roots of the Snow Moon among the indigenous peoples of North America. In this particular case, a colonist explorer noted in 1760 that the Naudowessie (Dakota) people called this month Snow Moon specifically due to the tendency for snowstorms to come during that month. Some other indigenous names for this moon and month refer to commonly-sighted animals. Some examples include Eagle Moon (Cree), Bear Moon (Ojibwe), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and Goose Moon (Haida). Another notable example is Hungry Moon (Cherokee), denoting the scarcity of available food in deep winter.
The Snow Moon this year is what is known as a "micromoon" - basically the opposite of a supermoon. Where a supermoon brings our beloved satellite closer to Earth, at the perigree (or zenith) of its' elliptical orbit, a micromoon is at the apogee (or nadir), placing the moon at a point comparatively farther away. The moon will be at peak illumination at 7:30am EST on February 24th, meaning the moon may appear to be full on the 23rd and the 24th, depending on where you live.
What Does It Mean For Witches?
February is a month of change and transition. Though winter still holds on, many places may be showing early signs of spring. Little buds may be coming out on the trees, certain species of birds are beginning to migrate back, and hibernating animals start to wake up and reappear.
As we begin to turn toward the end of our long winter's rest, it's a good time to think about how we prepare for oncoming change and how we care for ourselves and our practices during times of stagnation.
With the moon in apogee, we might also contemplate the concept of distance as it relates to our practices, be it keeping long-distance bonds fresh, doing things remotely either alone or as part of a larger group, or feeling distant from your craft or your deities. And yes, such things are normal and cyclical. Our inspiration and motivation wax and wane just as the moon does. If it feels like you've been far away from your craft for too long, perhaps it's time to bring it back into your orbit.
What Witchy Things Can We Do?
Gather fresh snow or icicles for moon water, or make your own moon ice by leaving a bowl of water out overnight to freeze, if the temperature drops low enough.
If it snows in your area, you can wish upon a snowball. Grab a handful of powdery snow, whisper your wish to it, and throw the whole thing up in the air to release the wish into the universe
With winter scarcity in mind, practice creating a minimalist spell as an exercise. Create a workable spell with as few components, words, movements, or ritual elements as possible. This is more of a challenge if you're used to using material components or rituals in your spellwork. Many witches cast spells with focused thought or energy work alone.
Explore the concept of self care as magic. Use your routines to create moments of rest and harmony, make a point of being kind to your body and your mind, and cultivate a more positive relationship with yourself - it's the only one guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Connect with your local biome by looking for any early signs of spring in your area. Feed the returning birds and identify the plant and animal species you see around you as they appear one by one.
Happy Snow Moon, witches! 🌕❄️
SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
Bree’s Lunar Calendar Series
Bree’s Secular Celebrations Series
Snow Moon: Full Moon in February 2024, The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Snow Moon: The Extraordinary Full Moon of February 2024, The Peculiar Brunette.
Moon Info - Full Moon Dates for 2024
Calendar-12 - 2024 Moon Phases
Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living, Dorothy Morrison, Llewellyn Publications, 2004.
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🌙Lunar Cycle Witchcraft
Here’s some of my personally gathered information on moon phases, eclipses and some other witchy moon stuff, feel free to incorporate this information into your craft/blog/etc! I may add onto this post occasionally, we’ll see :)
Phases:
New Moon: Set intentions, New beginnings, deconstructive magic, curses, banishing, soul searching, divination, beauty, health, money, decision making & midnight magick. First Quarter: Grounding, building & channeling energy, creativity, divination, motivation, calming, strength & growing. Full Moon: Peak energy, full bloom, releasing, love magic, banishing, charging, cleansing, healing & clarity. Last quarter: Acceptance, forgiveness, transformation, breaking bad habit, relinquishing, breaking curses & banishing. Waxing Crescent: Taking actions, aligning focus, gaining energy, constructive magic, attraction, wealth/success, luck & friendship. Waxing gibbous: Taking stock, tuning in, listening & motivation. Waning gibbous: Releasing control, receiving, opening space, relinquishing, undoing bindings, cleansing & undoing curses. Waning crescent: Reflection, renewal, rest & restoration, balance, success, attaining wisdom, atonement & illness.
Eclipses & Other Rare Occurrences:
Blue Moon: Rituals, Protection, Guidance, Power Boost, Divination, Light magic, Obtaining Goals & Positive change. Super Moon: increase in moon’s energy Blood Moon: Ridding oneself of bad habits, prophecy, spirit conjurations, healing, protection, manifestation, balance & transformation. Lunar eclipse/solar eclipse: renewal,, moon showing all phases due to earth blocking sun from the moon
1 Year of Full Moons
January: The Wolf Moon Relationships & Protection February: The Snow Moon Nearing the End of Winter & Gaining Focus March: The Worm Moon Rebirth & Spring April: The Pink Moon Abundance, Fertility & Growth May: The Flower Moon Blooming & Positive Relationships June: The Strawberry Moon Summer, Exploration & Expansion July: The Buck Moon Reflection, Cleansing & Growth August: The Sturgeon Moon Things Coming Into Being & Changes September: The Harvest/Corn Moon Reaping What You’ve Sown & Changes October: The Hunter Moon Honoring the Dead & Exposing Hidden Things November: The Beaver Moon Settling In, Rest & Rejuvenation December: The Cold Moon Long-Term Goals, Strength & Winter
