The “New Moon Drifties” ~ In Defense of Aimlessness
Perhaps it was the astrological flavor of a particular new moon that heightened a sensation I had previously been unable to identify? The dark Pisces moon had cast its spell on me, and I was swimming deliciously in circles. My consciousness like a speck of flotsam exploring every nook and cranny of my brain in an unchoreographed dance of water ballet. As I am a bit predisposed to attention deficit, and as it was the Pisces moon, I was of two minds about this state of affairs. On the one hand, free-floating felt good, but my other hand was busy swatting away a growing sense of shame. What the eff was that about? I floated on down to the deep end to unpack it.
The intersection of witchcraft and late capitalism produces some very unfortunate thought-forms. In particular, I’m thinking of the group mind that espouses all manner of personal enrichment manifestation rituals are to be conducted at the new moon. In this era of scouring the internet for spellcraft, or “spoogeling” as I like to call it – an initiation via the internet of sorts, the appropriation of magickal culture has resulted in a population of practitioners working magick without the full context of where it comes from and what it can do. So much has been misrepresented and so many have been harmed. There is nothing whatsoever inherently wrong with manifestation magick, but a closer examination of how the moon actually works would serve many who are, simply not doing it quite right.
Western culture moves quickly and it does not prize a slow and measured pace. There is no value placed on fallow things, minds, or time periods. The fallowness may look like nothing, but in fact, it is everything. Nothing is the place from which all things emerge. To overlook this is to short oneself drastically. All of the manifestation magick in the world cannot overcome a person’s blockages, whether those are physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional. Jumping the gun will get you disqualified from the race, whether one is aware of it or not. It behooves us all to slow.the.fuck.down.
The moon has eight distinct phases and smart witches know how to utilize their connection with La Luna to live a profoundly magickal life. In my humble opinion, there is simply not enough value placed on the waning cycle. In what appears as a rush to return to the waxing tide and more navel-gazing manifestation magick, many practitioners skip right past the assessment, release, and rest phases. They are likely only frustrating their own magick. Where are you even going to put a new lover in your life if you haven’t truly released the heartache you are still nursing over the last one? There’s no room in there?! How do you expect to manifest beaucoup bucks if you are beating yourself up about your budget (or lack thereof)? You may have already noticed that you can’t.
What I’m describing are the simple mechanics of magick and if one wants to develop mastery of their practice nothing I’ve said thus far will sound overly ambitious, or incendiary. There is something more to what makes a good witch great, though, it is something a bit elusive that can only be grasped with our non-linear minds. This key ingredient can easily be ignored by those in a perpetual hurry, and that is a shame indeed. If you want it, you can have it, but you must enter into a synergistic relationship with mystery.
Culturally speaking, we are afraid of the dark. We spiritually bypass our wounds in favor of “love n light” approaches that only offer illusion, not a panacea. Skipping right past shadow work to ultimately wind up circling it like the very drain one is about to go down in a tidal wave of avoidance is a tragedy that is easily avoided. I am not surprised that people have gravitated towards misuse of the new moon phase. They are pumping themselves full of intention when they could be bathing in a sea of reflection instead. If we don’t pay proper attention, we’re at risk of missing important things. The slate having been appropriately wiped clean during the waning phase of the moon deserves to remain in a state of pure potential a little longer at the new moon. Moreover, you as a practitioner deserve it, too. Why is this? Well, because it is at the portal of the new moon that the Divine will seed things beyond our wildest imagination in us, but only if we allow ourselves to drift in the void.
According to the tenets of moon gardening, it is not advisable to plant seeds on the new moon, and the same holds true for our intentions. It is best to hold off until the crescent moon is visible in the eastern sky at sundown and then sow those seeds hard! The dark of the moon lasts for three days and it is a most sacred time for introspection, shadow work, rest, and divine inspiration. Lighten your calendar the day before, day of, and day after the new moon whenever you can. When one is overly preoccupied with setting their intentions during this window they are not very available for the suggestions of spirit. One needs good ego strength to be able to receive feedback about their life, including from, especially from the Gods. We might be steering our ship, but we are not in control of the weather or the water. It would benefit everyone to learn how to interpret the messages of mystery in order to improve navigation in all manner of everchanging conditions safely.
Slow your roll! Allow a gentle and unfettered return to intention and action when the moon turns her tide and begins to wax anew. It is in these drifts, or reveries that most of my best ideas have been bestowed upon me. It is because I have entered into a synergistic relationship with mystery that I have been able to learn a new language and craft things beyond my wildest dreams. It is because I have spent two decades riding the nuanced waves of the phases of the moon that I know each of them intimately, I understand their context, and as such know how to work with their individual powers. “New moon drifties” are a delight, but only if you can quiet the din of capitalist demands and new age precepts that have too many people tripped up with misdirection.
A well rounded magickal practice extends far beyond observing new and full moons. The solar cycle (wheel-of-the-year) also needs to be factored in, as well as any specific dogmas of whatever path an individual follows. If one is truly engaged in their healing and manifesting process they will hold their intentions loosely knowing that desire does not remain static and as their magick comes to life, so too will their needs shift. There is much in motion, and it is best approached as an unchoreographed dance. Have your vision and work your spells, but leave room for the great mystery to direct some of your steps. If you can do this, it will lead you towards your heart’s desire faster than your limited human mind ever could. Drift on!
If you would like to learn more about how to integrate The Wheel of the Year and the monthly lunar cycles into your magickal practice consider applying for my apprenticeship program, The WheelHouse. Build a framework of intentions for the whole year and adjust it as the wheel turns and SPIRIT leads the way. Applications are currently being accepted and we begin with the new year on November 1st!