Celestial Witch - Tumblr Posts
Snow Moon - February 23-24, 2024
Boots and mittens on, witches - it's time for the Snow Moon!
Snow Moon
The Snow Moon is the name given to the full moon which occurs during the month of February. Despite what certain groundhogs will tell you, February is the month that sees the highest rates of snowfall across much of North America, according to the National Weather Service, and many alternative names for the moon and the month in which it falls reflect this.
As with many full moon names, we find the roots of the Snow Moon among the indigenous peoples of North America. In this particular case, a colonist explorer noted in 1760 that the Naudowessie (Dakota) people called this month Snow Moon specifically due to the tendency for snowstorms to come during that month. Some other indigenous names for this moon and month refer to commonly-sighted animals. Some examples include Eagle Moon (Cree), Bear Moon (Ojibwe), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and Goose Moon (Haida). Another notable example is Hungry Moon (Cherokee), denoting the scarcity of available food in deep winter.
The Snow Moon this year is what is known as a "micromoon" - basically the opposite of a supermoon. Where a supermoon brings our beloved satellite closer to Earth, at the perigree (or zenith) of its' elliptical orbit, a micromoon is at the apogee (or nadir), placing the moon at a point comparatively farther away. The moon will be at peak illumination at 7:30am EST on February 24th, meaning the moon may appear to be full on the 23rd and the 24th, depending on where you live.
What Does It Mean For Witches?
February is a month of change and transition. Though winter still holds on, many places may be showing early signs of spring. Little buds may be coming out on the trees, certain species of birds are beginning to migrate back, and hibernating animals start to wake up and reappear.
As we begin to turn toward the end of our long winter's rest, it's a good time to think about how we prepare for oncoming change and how we care for ourselves and our practices during times of stagnation.
With the moon in apogee, we might also contemplate the concept of distance as it relates to our practices, be it keeping long-distance bonds fresh, doing things remotely either alone or as part of a larger group, or feeling distant from your craft or your deities. And yes, such things are normal and cyclical. Our inspiration and motivation wax and wane just as the moon does. If it feels like you've been far away from your craft for too long, perhaps it's time to bring it back into your orbit.
What Witchy Things Can We Do?
Gather fresh snow or icicles for moon water, or make your own moon ice by leaving a bowl of water out overnight to freeze, if the temperature drops low enough.
If it snows in your area, you can wish upon a snowball. Grab a handful of powdery snow, whisper your wish to it, and throw the whole thing up in the air to release the wish into the universe
With winter scarcity in mind, practice creating a minimalist spell as an exercise. Create a workable spell with as few components, words, movements, or ritual elements as possible. This is more of a challenge if you're used to using material components or rituals in your spellwork. Many witches cast spells with focused thought or energy work alone.
Explore the concept of self care as magic. Use your routines to create moments of rest and harmony, make a point of being kind to your body and your mind, and cultivate a more positive relationship with yourself - it's the only one guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Connect with your local biome by looking for any early signs of spring in your area. Feed the returning birds and identify the plant and animal species you see around you as they appear one by one.
Happy Snow Moon, witches! 🌕❄️
SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
Bree’s Lunar Calendar Series
Bree’s Secular Celebrations Series
Snow Moon: Full Moon in February 2024, The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Snow Moon: The Extraordinary Full Moon of February 2024, The Peculiar Brunette.
Moon Info - Full Moon Dates for 2024
Calendar-12 - 2024 Moon Phases
Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living, Dorothy Morrison, Llewellyn Publications, 2004.
(If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, check out my monthly show Hex Positive, and find my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)
Balancing the elements in your birth chart taught me…
When I say balancing the elements I mean realizing what energy you have more or less of.
Earth Elements 🌎 Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Fire Elements 🔥 Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air Elements 🌬️ Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Water Elements 💦 Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio
When you have lots of water energy it means you would need to practice fire energy habits
When you have lots of fire energy it means you would need to practice earth energy habits
When you have lots of earth energy it means you would need to practice more air energy habits
When you have lots if air energy it means you would need to practice earth & water energy habits
Some examples of energy habits I have matched with each element:
Fire Energy Habits 🔥
Exercise (cardio)
Walking adventures & challenges
Singing
Dancing
Group sports
Martial arts
Comedy (lots of laughing)
Earth Energy Habits 🌎
Yoga
Listening to music
Getting a massage
Eating veggies with every meal
Gardening
Time in nature
Hygiene/grooming upkeep
Skin care routines
Taking care of animals
Air Energy Habits 🌬️
Breath work
Meaningful activities with others
Talk therapy
Studying
Journaling
Listening to uplifting talk/music
Reading things that are inspirational
Water Energy Habits 💦
Proper rest
Shadow work
Swimming
Daydreaming/Dream journaling
Spiritual baths
Consuming enough water daily
When seeing less element energy in your charts channel its energy habits to enhance its strength in your everyday lives 🫶🏼
How to work with your RETROGRADE planets!
Mercury Retrograde:/Rx Execute how you communicate, remain calm in difficult situations, and learn how to express yourself with the help of your creativity and mind
Venus Retrograde:/Rx Fix issues that once were broken, give up on old love issues, and love yourself first matters the most. Give your love only to ones who matter
Mars Retrograde:/Rx Manage fear, frustration, and anger, be more productive, practice clarity and calmness into your life, don't waste your energy on things that don't make you excited
Jupiter Retrograde:/Rx A reminder that dreams do take some hard work, re-align with your spirit, do some yoga, and learn from others so you can teach them as well at your own time
Saturn Retrograde:/Rx Clear your mind, focus on the objectives, revisit karmic things that impacted you, don't blame yourself, don't judge yourself, but instead be more gentle with it
Uranus Retrograde:/Rx Always look on different life paths because life does not resolve only around one. Be open to opportunities. Everything has a reward
Neptune Retrograde:/Rx Forces yourself out of your comfort zone, appreciates yourself and those around you, always looking for an answer from the universe, be kind
Pluto Retrogade:/Rx Evaluate your power and thoughts, think about what you have learned from every challenge in your life, be more proud of who you have become.
