The New Moon

The New Moon is the time when the moon ceases to wane and goes dark before it begins its waxing period back to full. This is the start of the maiden phase of the Goddess. The moon isn't visible during this time and the three days prior are sometimes called the “dark of the moon”. Some choose not to perform any magic during this time and consider it a resting period, a time of reflection others choose to meditate and study.

The day of the new moon symbolizes new beginnings, or a fresh start. Work magic that will bring things to you and it's also a great time for purification. This is also a good time to start new ventures or to begin a project. 

For New Moon rituals, use pure white candles and decorate your altar with pale flowers that are still in bud (symbolic of the potential that will unfold as the moon waxes). Use light scented incense such as lavender. This is also the best time to invoke the Goddesses Artemis/Diana the huntress and Aradia, ask them to give their blessings on your work.

House Purification. Give your house a good clean, ridding your home of the old musty energy and replace it with new clean vibes. Light a green candle and take it with a smudge stick to the front door. Stand facing the door and use the flame of the candle to light the sage. Once it starts to smolder use it to “draw” a pentagram in the doorway and say; “with the wisdom of air, and the power of sage, and the strength of earth and fire to light their way, I draw here a sign of protection and love, watched over by the light of the  Lord and Lady above.” Now take the smudge stick and walk deosil (clockwise) around your home and imagine the smoke from the sage carrying away all the negativity. Draw a pentagram in all the windows and doorways. Do this anytime you feel the need to protect your home or remove negative energies.

New Moon Purification Spell, to be done on the day of the New Moon. You will need one black and one white candle, lavender oil, incense with a light and floral scent like Lavender, a chalice of spring water. Decorate your altar with white flowers and candles.

Pull the curtains if it's daylight. Relax and calm your breathing. Hold your black candle and visualise any negativity in your life being poured into it, tiredness, ill health, sorrow, depression etc. See all the bad things like a muddy stream flowing from your hands into the wax. Then light the candle and say "Impurities be gone!" blow the candle out with force. Relight the candle and place somewhere safe to burn itself out. Pick up the white candle and prime it with lavender oil, visualising the freshness of the new moon as pure and clear light filling the candle and your body. Put the candle in a holder and light it. Whist it burns drink the water from your chalice feeling it cleansing and purifying your system. Burn a third of the white candle every day for 3 days. When it's gone look at the New Moon in the sky (or visualise if it's cloudy) and draw its energy into yourself, opening your whole being to the newness and cleanness of it. Give thanks to the maiden Goddess for her gift of clarity and love.