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The Magic of Herbs | The Night-Silvered Herbalist
The Magic of Herbs
The Night-Silvered Herbalist
Moon Phase Today | Moon Phases 2024 | Guide to Current Moon Phase
Lunar/Herbal Pairing
Pairing herbs with the current moon phase can add depth, intentionality, and reverence to herb-related practices, whether for spiritual, medicinal, or culinary purposes.
It offers a holistic approach that honors the interconnectedness of nature and human experience.
Here’s how an herbal/lunar pairing may be helpful in your journey:
Traditional Wisdom: Many ancient cultures and traditions have long believed in the influence of the moon on natural phenomena, including plant growth and human behavior. By aligning herb-related activities with specific moon phases, we can tap into this traditional wisdom and connect with nature's rhythms.
Heightened Energetic Properties: It’s possible that the energy of herbs can vary depending on the lunar cycle. For example, during the waxing moon (when the moon appears to be growing — from new moon to full moon), herbs may be thought to absorb more energy, making it an ideal time for harvesting and using herbs for growth, manifestation, and abundance. Conversely, during the waning moon (when the moon appears to be shrinking— from full moon to new moon), herbs may be believed to release energy, making it suitable for activities focused on cleansing, banishing, healing and letting go.
Intentions and Ritual: Pairing herbs with moon phases adds a ceremonial aspect to herb usage. It allows us to set intentions, perform rituals, and engage in mindful practices that align with the specific energies of each moon phase. This can deepen our spiritual connection, support a mindful demeanor, and foster personal growth.
Practical Gardening and Harvesting: From a practical standpoint, syncing herb-related activities with the lunar cycle can optimize gardening and harvesting practices. For instance, planting, pruning, and harvesting herbs based on moon phases may coincide with optimal growth conditions and yield better results.
Current Moon Cycles
Moon phase today
Guide to The Current Moon Phase
There are eight, distinct moon phases during a complete lunar cycle. Each cycle can be seen as a metaphor for the cycles of life, with each phase offering opportunities for growth, change, and transformation.
New Moon: The moon is in line with the sun and appears invisible from Earth, marking the beginning of a new lunar cycle. This is sometimes called the Black Moon. The new moon symbolizes new beginnings, renewal, and setting intentions.
The waxing phase often stmbolizes continued growth, progress, and momentum towards intentions and goals.
Waxing Crescent: A small sliver of the moon is visible, growing larger each night.
First Quarter: Half of the moon is visible, resembling a semicircle.
Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the moon is visible, continuing to grow larger.
Full Moon: The entire face of the moon is lit up by the Sun, appearing full as a complete circle. The full moon often symbolizes completion, fulfillment, illumination, and heightened emotions.
The waning phase signals a period of reflection, release, letting go.
Waning Gibbous: More than half of the moon is visible, but it begins to decrease in size each night.
Third Quarter: Half of the moon is visible, resembling a semicircle, but on the opposite side compared to the first quarter.
Waning Crescent: A small sliver of the moon is visible, shrinking each night until it becomes a new moon again.
Moon Phases 2024
General overview of the new and full moon cycles in 2024. All peak moon times are MST.
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New Moon in Capricorn: Thursday, January 11, 2024 @ 4:57 am
Full Moon in Leo: Thursday, January 26, 2024 @ 10:54 am
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New Moon in Aquarius: Friday, February 9, 2024 @ 3:58 pm
Full Moon in Virgo: Saturday, February 25, 2024 @ 5:29 am
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New Moon in Pisces: Sunday, March 10, 2024 @ 3:00 am
Full Moon in Libra: Monday, March 25, 2024 @ 12:59 am
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New Moon in Aries: Monday, April 8, 2024 @ 12:20 pm
Full Moon in Scorpio: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 @ 5:49 pm
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New Moon in Taurus: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 @ 9:21 pm
Full Moon in Sagittarius: Thursday, May 23, 2024 @ 7:53 am
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New Moon in Gemini: Thursday, June 6, 2024 @ 6:38 am
Full Moon in Sagittarius: Friday, June 21, 2024 @ 7:08 pm
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New Moon in Cancer: Friday, July 5, 2024 @ 4:57 pm
Full Moon in Capricorn: Sunday, July 21, 2024 @ 4:17 am
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New Moon in Leo: Friday, August 4, 2024 @ 5:13 am
Full Moon in Aquarius: Sunday, August 19, 2024 @ 12:25 pm
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New Moon in Virgo: Monday September 2, 2024 @ 7:56 pm
Full Moon in Pisces: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 @ 8:33 pm
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New Moon in Libra: Monday October 2, 2024 @ 12:49 pm
Full Moon in Aries: Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 5:26 am
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New Moon in Scorpio: Friday, November 1, 2024 @ 6:46 am
Full Moon in Taurus: Friday, November 15, 2024 @ 2:28 pm
New Moon in Sagittarius: Saturday, November 30, 2024 @ 11:21 pm
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Full Moon in Gemini: Sunday, December 15, 2024 @ 2:01 am
New Moon in Capricorn: Montday, December 30, 2024 @ 3:26 pm
From "The Moon"
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
"And, like a dying lady lean and pale,
Who totters forth, wrapp'd in a gauzy veil,
Out of her chamber, led by the insane
And feeble wanderings of her fading brain…"
Joyful lemon balm, with its lemony scent and power of attraction, is known for its calming properties and wide range of uses — from culinary, to medicinal, to skincare, to symbolic.