The Mysterious Moon

The Moon is thought to be around 4.5 billion years old, and her origin story is as mysterious as she herself. The leading theory, according to NASA, is that the Moon was formed by the debris left over after a collision between the Earth and an astronomical body about the size of Mars. Which is encouraging for anyone who ever feels like a mess — the moon literally made herself out of someone else’s mess! So y’know there’s hope for all of us. 

Photo by Griffin Wooldridge on Unsplash

Total Lunar Eclipse

Anyway, the Moon has been busy this year, throwing many lunar events. Just last week there was a partial solar eclipse, and coming up this Tuesday is the second of this year’s total lunar eclipses. And this one (on the 8th of November), is set to be extra special. Firstly it’s the Beaver Moon. This is, according to The Farmer’s Almanac, what November’s full Moon is called. 

Photo by Svetozar Cenisev on Unsplash

It is due to the fact that at this time of year the beavers of North America (where the name originates) would be occupied suring up their dams for the cold winter months ahead. It is also when traps would be set to catch those poor busy beavers, and make coats with their warm fur.

Eep! Maybe the beavers themselves would instead refer to it as its other moniker, the Frost Moon. 

A Beaver Blood Moon?

Secondly, the eclipse will make the Moon a Blood Moon. A Beaver Blood Moon? Don’t worry, it looks better than it sounds, in fact it’s beautiful! A Blood Moon occurs during the eclipse because the light of the Sun is temporarily blocked by the shadow of the Earth, so the only light the Moon does receive has first been filtered by Earth’s atmosphere, thus making the Moon appear red. 

Photo by Melanie Dretvic on Unsplash

This particular lunar shindig will only be visible to those in Australasia, Canada, the U.S.A, South America, and parts of Asia. So, the unlucky ducks in Mainland Europe, the UK and Ireland will nor be able to see it live. 

(Pssssst! But you can watch a live stream of it right here, wherever you are!)

Humans Have Always Been Fascinated By The Moon

Luckily, lunar events are pretty plentiful, so each part of the world gets its turn for a peek. And, of course, many people like tracking the changes of the Moon everyday with their eyes, their almanacs, or their apps. Fascination with the Moon is not a new trend. Humans (and animals) have been intrigued and influenced by it since time began, basically. Throughout history, civilisations have been performing rituals and ceremonies to celebrate, honor, or appease the Moon. Ancient Vedic texts from India describe rituals for the Full Moon and New Moon, translations from the Enuma Elish show ancient Middle Eastern societies making predictions based on the Sun and the Moon. The list is endless. Even today, the dates of celebrations such as Easter or Eid are determined by the Moon’s schedule. 

Diana the Moon Goddess 1740 via Wikimedia Commons

The Influence of the Moon

The Moon is associated, in many cultures, with fertility. This is likely because the length of the Lunar-cycle echoes the average length of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Additionally, the Moon represented many ancient gods and deities, such the Roman Goddess Luna, the Mayan Moon Goddess Ixchel, and the Mesopotamian god, Sin. 

The Moon is also associated with the subconscious mind, emotions, and dreams. And werewolves…

In fact, there has long been an association with Full Moons and increased instances of crime — I mean where do you think the words lunacy or lunatic come from? Cos the Moon can make you totally craaaazy right?…. well, maybe. It turns out a recent study found no connection between Moon phases and increased crime, but it’s a pretty interesting piece of folklore. 

Much of Moon folklore does have some truth in it however. Scientists posit that humans and animals experience psychological changes throughout the cycle of the Moon, and many old methods of sowing crops or going fishing based on where the Moon is positioned endure today. 

So, if they really do have an influence why not clue yourself up a bit more about the different phases of the Moon, and what they’re all about. Many people like to sync up their psychedelic trips with phases of the Moon, depending on what their intentions are and what they wish to manifest. It definitely adds a bit of ceremony to a mug of shroom tea!

Understanding the Phases of the Moon

Photo by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash

New Moon

The New Moon is the start of the Lunar cycle. It’s a bit confusing, because this ‘New’ Moon is actually invisible to the human eye, as no light reflects off its surface. The astrological symbolism of a New Moon focuses on fresh starts, new beginnings, and implementing changes. 

Waxing Crescent

via Publicdomainpictures.net

The Waxing Crescent is the Moon phase where you think — ‘Hmm looks a bit like a toenail clipping!’ During this, the Lunar surface is receiving more light. The astrological symbolism of this phase is production — taking your first steps and implementing new ideas. 

First Quarter

via Wikimedia Commons

This phase is when we can see half of the Moon’s face. The energy it provides is thought to be unpredictable and hard to pin down, and astrologically it symbolizes pressure and frustration but also growth. This is the time to come up with new solutions and re-work your approach. 

Waxing Gibbous 

Photo by JAM on Unsplash

During this oddly-named phase, we see a bit over half of the Moon’s face, sort of an oval shape. The Moon’s energy is on the increase as it makes its way to full. The astrological symbolism of this phase is of learning, building, and improving. This is the time to gain new knowledge and take action. 

Full Moon

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

The big spooky-ooky crowd pleaser. Werewolves beware, because the entire Lunar surface is illuminated by the Sun, as they are exactly opposite each other in the sky. Astrologically, this is the peak of heightened emotions, and intense experience. Use this energy to achieve your goals, or practice divination (i.e. make predictions and spiritual discoveries.)

Waning Gibbous

Photo by Esha Kashyap on Unsplash

Another funny name, this phase is when the Moon begins to decrease in size, but the Sun is still lighting over half of its surface. The energy is beginning to lower and shift to a more inward facing perspective. The astrological symbolism of this phase is about applying the skills you’ve learnt and digesting the knowledge you’ve gained. Use this phase to analyze, evaluation and integrate. 

Last Quarter

via Creative Commons

Again, we’re in half-and-half mode, but this time from the other side as the light is decreasing. This phase symbolizes shifts in perspective, transformations and letting go of the old. Use this energy to exorcize unwanted habits and behaviors. 

Waning Crescent

Photo by Ahmed Fareed on Unsplash

Back to the heavenly toenail we go for the Waning Crescent. Almost no light is reflecting off the Lunar surface anymore during this phase also known as the Balsamic phase. It has a mystical and quiet energy and symbolizes endings, completions, and preparations for a new beginning. Use this power to finish things and tie up loose ends. 

Harness the Moon’s Energy for your Next Psychedelic Trip

Wowee — you can see why many people like to harness the Moon’s energy for spiritual and psychedelic ritual. There’s a lot going on, even when there isn’t a total Lunar Eclipse. 

The way we like to do it is to consult our calendars, or apps — or whatever tells us what the Moon is up to — and plan accordingly. Want to focus your mind on learning and building a new skill? Perhaps take a shroom trip during the Waxing Gibbous Moon, a phase when that corresponding energy is plentiful. Want to move on from a difficult period in your life? The transformational energy of the Last Quarter Moon could be ideal. 

Photo by Muhammad Haikal Sjukri on Unsplash

And, since it is  coming this Tuesday, you could always go for the big guns and have a Full Beaver Blood Moon Eclipse Extravaganza Trip

Get some pals round, or build yourself a cozy solo den. Brew some mushroom tea and sip it while soaking up some Lunar vibes. Between the Moon and the magic mushroom, we have all we need.