The Moon

Professor of Lunar Magic

The professor of lunar magic is the physical embodiment of moonlight. She’s a living luminary goddess, and she’ll help you tap into the magical powers of the moon.

Key Symbols

• The professor of lunar magic is pictured in a sacred circle of standing stones. The megaliths separate the land of night and shadows from the everyday world of the sun.

• She’s scantily dressed, so she can clothe herself in moonlight.

• She’s raising her arms and lifting her face to the sky, drawing down the powers of the moon.

• She’s dancing, spinning in slow revolutions, like the moon in its passage around the earth and sun.

• All of the phases of the moon are depicted in a graphic at the top of the card — but the full moon is missing, because she’s drawn it down into herself.

• The moon is a useful marker to chart the cycles of our lives. The moon is closely linked to pregnancy and childbirth, because its phases so clearly match the pregnant female form: slim, then round and full, then slim again.

• A close look at her figure will reveal that the professor embodies all three forms of the triple goddess: maiden, mother, and crone. Her figure is slim, like a young woman’s. However, her stomach is curvy and her breasts are full. She has either given birth recently, or she’s in the early stages of pregnancy. At the same time, her hair is silver, which suggests the wisdom and experience of the crone.

• While most of the ground is covered in a dreamlike mist, the reflecting pond at the professor’s feet is clear and still. It’s a scrying pool that can be used for divination, like a crystal ball.

• The professor is holding two silver talismans. Amulets and talismans are often thought of synonymously, but there is a subtle difference between them. Amulets are typically carved from stone, while talismans are made of metal. Amulets are worn for protection ; they are intended to keep bad things at bay. Talismans are worn for luck; they are designed to bring good things to their wearers.

• The talisman in the professor’s right hand is the glyph for Pisces, the watery sign of intuition and psychic ability.

• The talisman in her left hand is the Hebrew letter Qoph, which means the back of the head. It serves as a reminder that what can be felt can’t always be seen. It also hints at the dark side of the moon, which is always turned away from the earth.

• The professor is accompanied by two hounds, sacred guardians of the passageway between the worlds. They look like they could be the mythic hounds that once accompanied Diana, the goddess of the moon. Hounds, like all dogs, symbolize the taming force of civilization, and the domestication of wild animals.

Esbats: Celebrations of the Full Moon

The students, faculty, and staff gather once a month for an Esbat — a celebration of the moon at her most powerful. Full moons are an excellent time for appreciating the fullness of life, commemorating the highlights of the month, and practicing divination.

Practical Magic

For basic lunar magic,  track the phases of the moon by watching the sky. As the moon moves through its phases, it seems to spell the word “DOG.” The waxing moon is curved like the letter D. The full moon looks like an O, and the waning moon is curved like a G.

• The new moon, dark and invisible, is a time to plan new ventures and new beginnings.

• The waxing moon is a time to perform spells for growth.

• The full moon, at its peak, offers prime timing for divination and dreamwork.

• The waning moon lends itself to banishing magic, to eliminate or repel unwanted forces. It’s also the time to complete unfinished work.

The Moon in the Signs

When you do any magical work, also note the passage of the moon through the signs. When the moon is in a fire sign, it’s a good time for spells that could use a burst of fiery energy and inspiration. When the moon is in a water sign, it’s a good time to practice relationship spells, as well as magic for fertility and creativity. When the moon is in an air sign, intellectual work is favored. And when the moon is in an earth sign, your magic will be practical and grounded.

Here’s a simple guide to harnessing the power of the moon.

• Moon in fiery Aries: Spells for leadership and decision-making.

• Moon in earthy Taurus: Spells for love and property.

• Moon in airy Gemini: Spells for communication and travel.

• Moon in watery Cancer: Spells for motherhood, homemaking, and family life.

• Moon in fiery Leo: Spells for fathers, recreation, and self-esteem.

• Moon in earthy Virgo: Spells for work and health.

• Moon in airy Libra: Spells for partnerships and justice.

• Moon in watery Scorpio: Spells for sex.

• Moon in fiery Sagittarius: Spells for higher education, long-distance travel.

• Moon in earthy Capricorn: Spells for career, political matters and ambition.

• Moon in airy Aquarius: Spells for friends, social groups and causes, science, and technology.

• Moon in watery Pisces: Spells for psychic visions, telepathy and clairvoyance.

The Phases of the Moon Spread

This spread reflects the pattern of the waxing, full, and waning moon, and the symbolism of the Triple Goddess. You can use this spread for an overview of a woman’s life, from her youth to her golden years. You can also use it for a monthly forecast. The first three cards represent the first few days of the lunar month. The four cards in the middle represent the full moon, a time when events reach fruition. The last three cards reflect the last part of the month, as events come full circle.

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