Understanding the Full Moon & Full Moon Phases
Truly understanding the full moon and other moon phases can seem a bit complex, especially if you’re newly seeking to invoke moon magic. It is important to first comprehend the astronomy and movement behind these celestial bodies before you can truly grasp their mystical significance. A base knowledge will make your next full moon ritual feel much more complete and meaningful. The full moon always occurs when on the far side of the Earth, and the new moon always occurs when closest to the sun. How does the Earth not block the sun’s light on a full moon? And how does the moon not block the sun’s light on a new moon? It’s because (and the above diagram does not show this) these three astral bodies do not perfectly align. They are generally “off” by about a 5% margin. When the Earth, sun, and moon do precisely line up, this alignment is responsible for the phenomena known as solar and lunar eclipses. This is why a solar eclipse can only happen during a new moon, and a lunar ecl...