Wiccan Full Herb Moon of August

Waxing moon period: 7/27/2014 to 8/9/2014
Waxing first quarter moon: 8/3/2014
Full Herb Moon: 8/10/2014
Waning moon period: 8/11/2014 to 8/24/2014
Waning last quarter moon: 8/17/2014
New Moon: 8/25/2014
Observations: none

August is the month of the Full Herb Moon, the firstharvest (wheat), and the Lammas sabbat. Now is the time to harvest your herbsfor magical, cooking, and medicinal use all through the next twelve months.Herbs reaped during both the waxing and waning phases of this month are themost potent than at any other time of the year. On this full moon night, youare balanced between the growing and the great reaping. Any magic involvingherbs will be especially powerful. Practice divination with the ogham,otherwise known as the tree alphabet, or with tea leaves.

Your altar
Dress your altar with the same large cloth of yellow as last month to representsummer, or you could use a cloth of light green. Top it with a smaller greencloth patterned with leaves and flowers, adjusted diagonally so you can see thepoints of the cloth beneath. Place a wreath of herbs flat on your altar as acenterpiece and set within it a pot of living herbs. Add herbs tied inpoppet-shapes or bundles such as sage smudge-sticks. Make plant effigies of theLord and Lady. You can also decorate your altar with the intricate wheatweavings known as corn dollies. Because Lammas also falls within this month,you could make one altar to celebrate both the full Herb Moon and the sabbat.

Waxing Moon Magic
From the night after the last new moon to the full Herb Moon:

If you plan to use fresh herbs or freeze them for futureuse, gather them during the waxing moon in the morning after the dew has dried.Cast prosperity spells to make your harvest as good as it can be. The waxingHerb Moon phase is also the best time to gather herbs sacred to the God. Duringthe waxing moon you should craft anything involving herbs such as sachets,poppets, bread, salad dressing, wine, oils, lotions, potpourri, tinctures, tea,et cetera. These creations will carry the strength and vibrancy of the waxingHerb Moon when you use them throughout fall and winter.

Full Moon Magic
On the night of the full Herb Moon of August, work any magic requiring the useof herbs. If you have nothing pressing in mind, then meditate on herbs.Surround yourself with potted herbs, close your eyes, and float your hands overthe tops of their leafy forms. Do you get a better feeling from some herbs thanfrom others? Why? Write down your insights in your Book of Mirrors. These cluescan give you insights into which gods are watching out for you. You can learn alot from the psychic impressions sent to you from herbs. You could alsopractice divination with the ogham, otherwise known as the tree alphabet, orread tea leaves. These plant-based forms of divination should be especiallyresponsive and accurate on the night of the full Herb Moon. Do a ritual ofthanksgiving for the bounty of the first harvest.

Waning Moon Magic
From the night after the full Herb Moon to the next new moon:

If you plan to dry and store your herbs, gather themduring the waning moon in the morning after the dew has dried. Cast banishingspells to rid your crops of any blight or insect infestation such as aphids.The waning Herb Moon phase is also the best time to harvest herbs sacred to theGoddess. During the waning Herb Moon phase, use cleansing herbs such asrosemary, lavender, and mint to freshen your house and surroundings and castbanishing spells to rid your life of psychic sludge. You can scrub down woodentables, cutting boards, or floors with a strong tea made of mint. Rosemary canbe bruised and hung in closets to infuse its surroundings with its bracingevergreen scent. A powder of lavender flowers and cornstarch can be shaken intothe carpet, left overnight, and vacuumed or swept up in the morning as anall-purpose freshener.

Ro Longstreet
BellaOnline's Wicca Editor

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4282.asp/zzz

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