Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
Simple Witchery: Blue Moon with Mercury Retrograde

Simple Witchery: Blue Moon with Mercury Retrograde

Last updated on: August 26, 2023 at 1:22 pm by Willow Rose

0 Comments

Simple Witchery: Blue Moon with Mercury Retrograde 2023-08-26T13:22:03+00:00 Willow Rose

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mercury, smallest planet and closest to the sun in our solar system, went retrograde on August 23, one week before the full Blue Moon cresting on August 31. Can the seemingly opposite energetic influence of these two phenomena work in magical conjunction?

Can the energetic influences of the Blue Moon and Mercury retrograde be used together? Photo by Anton Kraev on Unsplash.

The planet Mercury is named for the winged messenger god of the Roman pantheon. As such, Mercury rules communication, decision making, logistics and travel. It’s interesting to note the connection between communication and travel in phraseology such as lost in translation, you lost me there, or I’m losing you when cell phone signals falter.

But does Mercury’s retrograde truly mess with our communications and conveyance?

Until the planet goes direct on September 14, and for a shadow period of about two weeks following that, cautious witches believe it does and tread lightly in these energetic realms. Then, there are those who give the retrograde little thought, regarding the warnings as baseless superstition and placing no significance on any possible influence to their magical workings or their mundane life.

Mercury retrograde is nothing to fear. First of all, retrograde motion is an illusion. All planets in the solar system move in the same direction around the sun, but Mercury’s orbit is shorter than ours, completing its rotation in 88 days rather than 365. This means it laps the Earth a few times annually. Think of it this way. If you are zipping along on a moving walkway (like those found in airports), the people ambulating with their own two feet in the corridor next to you, seem to be moving backwards as you pass by.

All of the planets have retrograde periods. And think about this—the Earth itself goes retrograde when observed from other planets. Would intelligent life on those planets be concerned about troublesome influences on grounding and stability, physical sustenance, fertility?

A planet appearing to move backwards would have caused wonder and curiosity for ancient astronomers. Photo from NASA at Raw Pixel.

So why all the fuss about Mercury retrograde? For our ancient astronomers, who didn’t yet understand that the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun rather than the Earth, the appearance of a planet moving backwards would have been cause for great wonder. Today, the frequency of Mercury retrogrades, along with the significant aspects of modern life thought to be influenced, account for all the attention.

Retrograde Influence on Moon Phases

Far more rare than Mercury’s retrogrades, a blue moon usually occurs only once every two or three years. This holds true whether it’s the second moon in a calendar month, or the fourth moon in a seasonal quarter marked by equinoxes and solstices.

When working with the influences of the moon, the waxing phase from new to full is best for attraction or increase, and a good time for planning and preparing. The full moon is for manifesting and executing. The waning moon lends itself to decrease and release, warding or binding. The same magical correspondences are amplified with a blue moon. For more about working with the moon’s phases read Moon Magic: The Ultimate Versatility, by Katrina Rasbold.

Each phase of the moon lends distinct energetic influences to your magick. Image by Placidplace on Pixabay.

Magic is very much about intention and intention is entirely about communication. Being cautious during a Mercury retrograde seems at odds with working magic for attraction or increase. But, you can certainly cast a spell to increase clear understanding and communication. You can craft an amulet with a blue stone that corresponds to communication, such as sodalite or turquoise. You can work on balancing your throat chakra.

Consider, too, working your magic around words with an RE prefix. From now until the full moon take time to rewind, reflect, reminisce, reassess, reconsider, renew, rebound.

Cleanse your altar tools, crystals and adornments of lingering miasma and confusion, charge them with clarity and purpose instead. Cast a protection spell on your vehicle, warding breakdowns, accidents and wrong turns.

Dress an altar candle with fennel, rosemary, and lavender.

Craft an aura spray using lavender, and sage to invoke wisdom. Add clear quartz and a blue stone of your choice to enhance communication. Spray in your aura and around your spaces.

Make a small charm bag using herbs, stones and talismans to protect your electronic devices. I have a typewriter-shaped charm I use for this, but pictures will work just as well, folded and tucked in your charm bag.

Create a simple ritual to harness the energy of the Blue Moon on August 31st. Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash.

Timing Your Magic to The Moon

Near the full moon, reinforce your boundaries and protections around communication; build reticence and restraint to think before you speak.

On the night of the 31st, harness the full energy of the Blue Moon with a simple ritual designed to empower your communication and ward negative energies. You will need:

A white or blue candle
Fireproof container
Printed image of The Moon and Queen of Swords tarot cards
A pen to write with
A clear quartz crystal
A blue crystal or stone of your choice that corresponds with communication
Fennel seed and dried basil (optional)

Gather your supplies then take a moment to contemplate the tarot card images. The moon represents illusion and uncertainty, incomplete or missing information, confusion, and trying to see your way in the dark. The Queen of Swords is all about rational thought and direct communication; she has mental clarity. She is a seeker of truth and she tells it like it is.

Place the candle on a firesafe surface. Place your crystals on either side of the candle.

On the back of the Moon image, list the negative aspects of Mercury retrograde you wish to banish, like illusion, miscommunication, misunderstanding, misdirections, malfunctions, feeling lost, bewildered, etc. On the back of the Queen of Swords, list positive attributes such as clarity, understanding, direct communication, clear vision, insight.

Place the Queen image face up and sprinkle with fennel seed (protection from negative energies) and basil (enhance reason and thinking). Place the Moon image face down over the Queen and then roll the two into a slender tube, twisting at both ends.

Light the candle and focus on the flame while chanting:

“Knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment prevail
That this spell shall not fail.”

Meditate for a few moments to focus your thoughts and set your intention for clearing yourself of any murky energy, creating a clean slate to manifest your desires, chanting:

“Element of fire purify
free my mind
from illusion and deceit of any kind
Clearly I see what must be seen
Surely I’m led where I’m meant to be.”

Light one end of the printed images in the candle flame. Place in the fireproof container and allow to burn. Envision the Queen’s powers growing with the flame and the uncertainty of the Moon diminishing. Pass your crystals through the smoke one at a time, chanting:

“This charge I lay upon these stones
to reveal what must be known
to guide my way
in where I go and what I say.
for the greatest good and least of harm
I now empower this charm
So mote it be.”

Let the paper burn out. Extinguish the candle. You can pour any melted wax over the ashes and mix together, then bury outside or toss into moving water. Keep your crystals nearby. I often use beads that I can incorporate in a bracelet or slide onto a necklace.

Continue magick for releasing and repelling negative energy until Mercury retrograde draws to a close along with the Blue Moon on September 14.

With a few simple tweaks and careful timing, you can sail through Mercury retrograde and into the magic of this Blue Moon.

Mercury retrograde and the Blue Moon both draw to a close on September 14. Image by N-region on Pixabay.

Read more Simple Witchery, at simplewitchery.com

Follow Simple Witchery on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

About Willow Rose

Willow Rose is a writer, artist and wildcraft witch living in northern WI. After more than 30 years of practicing and exploring many paths, she is distilling her magic to its purest form—practical magic for everyday enchantment. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

August 14, 2023

Everyday Pagan: Paganism in the Bible - Matthew 6:7

Next Post

October 17, 2023 The Corner Crone: Sourcing Magickal Supplies in a Food Desert

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"My feelings exactly."

JudithAnn L

Simple Witchery: To Keep Silent

"I think women have tried to rebel against male dominated society and church oppression for ..."

EarthGrowl

Simple Witchery: To Keep Silent

"I've never had my past life readings done. But I'm fairly certain unless the practitioner ..."

JenniWest

Simple Witchery: Resistance and Resilience in ..."

"I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed ..."

Cosette Paneque

Pergamum Unfurled: Magic with the Greek ..."

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Lakeside Hearth Adventures in Wortcunning Alone In Her Presence Arts, Crafts & Cooking Birthing Hereditary Witchcraft Book of Blackbirds Book Reviews Born-Again Witch Cauldron, Sword, Spear, & Stone Cermony and Liturgy Columns Community Dandelion Seeds Dear Jasmine Druid Thoughts Editor's Picks Everyday Pagan Family & Household Practice Family Traditions Full Frontal Magic Gateway Goddess Guest Articles Happily Heathen Health and Wellness Hearth of Hellenism Heathen Woman Hills of the Horizon History Holidays Horse Goddesses Interfaith Interviews Irish-American Witchcraft Jewish Witch Lamp & Labyrinth Letters from Midgard Literature, Media, Film, Music Loop of Brighid Love, Sex & Relationships Magic or Magick Making Light Naturalistic Traditions Nature News Outside The Circle Pantheisticon Politics Prayers, Poems, Blessings & Stories Queer Femme Mystic Queer of Swords Recipes Ritual and Practice Science and Research Seekers and Guides Seeking the Grail Socially Responsible Magic Spear of Athena Star Made Witch Syncretic Electric Technology The Blooming Staff The Busy Witch The Cartomancer The Crow's Nest The Dance of Pagan Recovery The Hearth of Hellenism The Lady's Quill The Other Side of the Hedge The Path of She The Rantin' Raven The Witches Next Door The Zen Pagan Theology, Ethics, Philosophy Tree City Witch Urban Earthwitch Wayfaring Woman Witch on Fire Wyrd Words

Select a Month January 2026 March 2025 December 2024 June 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 August 2023 July 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to 2 Peter, by what will the present heavens and earth be destroyed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Water Fire Earthquake and hail God's word