When celebrating the Sabbats and Esbats, the concept of timing is usually a given, as these events are on a specific day of the year, and begin and end at specific times. When working a Wiccan spell or engaging in other Wiccan rituals, however, it can be confusing as to which timing is appropriate for what activity.

For many Wiccans and Pagans, the Moon is the most important determining factor in magickal timing. The basic timing information that should be taken into account when planning your Wiccan spell or Wiccan rituals are: the phases of the moon, the astrological sign the moon is in, and the time of day associated with the task you wish to do.

Here are a few basic timing guidelines to aid you in your endeavours:

Moon Phases:

Full Moon – used for banishing unwanted influences in your life, protection magick, divination, planning, releasing and working backwards.

New Moon – is used for personal growth, healing and the blessing of new projects or ventures.

Waxing Moon – good for attraction magick of all kinds.

Waning Moon – this is a time for banishing and rejecting, including negative emotions, bad habits, diseases and ailments.

Moon Signs:

Moon is Aries: Energy – the time is right for new beginnings. The Aries Moon promotes energy and ideas, and is great for leadership, willpower, spiritual conversions and general energy boosts.

Moon in Taurus: Dependability – love, money, prosperity, and material things

Moon in Gemini: Communication – all forms of communication, travel and writing.

Moon in Cancer: Nurturing – this nurturing, feminine energy is a good time for working on issues regarding your home, domestic life, and emotional support.

Moon is Leo: Courage – showmanship, physical arts such as acting, fertility and having power over others.

Moon in Virgo: Self-Improvement – this energy is involved with matters of the intellect, employment, health and details.

Moon in Libra: Balance – areas to work on are emotional balance, artistic and spiritual work, karma, and justice.

Moon in Scorpio: Desire and Transformation – a good time to work on making real changes in your life, and is also concerned with both sexual fantasies and psychic growth.

Moon in Sagittarius: Exploration – a great time for ferreting out the truth, serious exploration, work that concerns legal matters, and publishing.

Moon in Capricorn: Achievement – associated with careers, political matters and recognition. This would also be a great time to get yourself organized.

Moon in Aquarius: Revolution – this Moon is for work that involves freedom, creative expression, or problem solving, as well as cultivating your extrasensory abilities.

Moon in Pisces: Compassion – this is a great time for healing, working with dreams, clairvoyance, telepathy, and music.

Note: As the Moon moves through the different signs of the zodiac, there is a period where the Moon is considered ‘void of course’. This is when the Moon is between the times it leaves one sign and enters the next one. The experience here can be likened to the way one looses the radio station your were listening to on your car radio when you drive through a tunnel, during this time the Moon’s energies will not do what they usually do. The Void of Course Moon is good for passive activities, such as yoga, prayer, meditation and sleep. It is not a good idea to start any Wiccan spell or Wiccan rituals , or to make decisions, start a business or make purchases.

Time of the Day:

Morning – this is a good time for beginnings, as the energy is fresher. This is a great time to get rid of any lingering negativity, work with addictive behaviours and bad habits. It is also associated with business, school and anything else that gears up in the morning such as employment issues – getting a job, a raise or a promotion.

Midday – good for overcoming a weakness you may have, resetting yourself, asking for guidance or inspiration, and to rethink anything that needs to be started over.

Evening – good for breaking up routines and banishing bad habits, as well as boosting willpower.

Nighttime – it is easier to feel the energy of the Moon once the Sun has set, and this is an excellent time for divination and working with psychic energies. Also work with love, lust or beauty.

As you can see, there are many factors that come in to play when planning a Wiccan spell or Wiccan ritual, especially surrounding the Moon. Using these correspondences will heighten the power of your magick, increasing the chances of your success.