Saturday, 21 March 2026

Our Magical Solar System: The Moon

 

Our Magical Solar System 

The Moon

The moon holds profound correspondences in esoteric traditions, particularly in witchcraft, paganism, Wicca, and astrology. 

These associations link the moon’s energy to various elements of magic, ritual, healing, intuition, and manifestation. The moon is seen as a feminine, receptive force—ruling emotions, the subconscious, a cycles of change, fertility, dreams, psychic abilities, and the inner world. It governs Monday (its planetary day), the element of water, and the zodiac sign Cancer (with exaltation in Taurus).


Its energy is cool, reflective, magnetic, and nurturing, often tied to the Goddess archetype (maiden, mother, crone). In planetary magic, the moon enhances intuition, protection, illusion, change, and manifestation through reflection rather than direct creation.



General Lunar Correspondences

•  Element: Water

•  Gender/Energy: Feminine, receptive, yin

•  Colors: Silver, white, pale blue, pearl, soft purple, gray, sometimes pale yellow or green

•  Day of the Week: Monday

•  Metal: Silver

•  Tarot Cards: The Moon (illusions, intuition, the subconscious), The High Priestess (mystery, inner knowledge), The Empress (nurturing, fertility)

•  Chakra: Second (sacral/belly chakra) — tied to emotions, creativity, and fluidity

•  Themes: Emotions, intuition, dreams, psychic work, fertility, motherhood, cycles, protection, healing (especially emotional or fluid-related), secrets, illusions, and transformation


Deities Associated with the Moon

Many cultures honor lunar deities, often feminine but sometimes masculine or dual. 


Common ones include:

•  Artemis / Diana (Greek/Roman — huntress, maiden moon)

•  Selene / Luna (Greek/Roman — personification of the moon)

•  Hecate (Greek — crossroads, magic, dark moon)

•  Cerridwen (Celtic — wisdom, cauldron, transformation)

•  Chang’e (Chinese — moon goddess of immortality)

•  Thoth (Egyptian — knowledge, often linked to moon cycles)

•  Khonsu (Egyptian — moon god of time and healing)

•  Mani (Norse — moon personified)

•  Others: Inanna, Aine, Coyolxauhqui, Blodeuwedd, Morgan Le Fay


Crystals and Stones

Moon-aligned stones are often pale, iridescent, or watery in appearance:

•  Moonstone (primary — intuition, feminine energy, new beginnings)

•  Selenite (clarity, cleansing, lunar light)

•  Pearl (purity, emotional healing)

•  Labradorite (psychic protection, magic)

•  Opal (emotional balance, inspiration)

•  Clear Quartz (amplification)

•  Rose Quartz (self-love, nurturing)

•  Black Tourmaline or Obsidian (protection during shadow work)


Herbs, Plants, Oils, and Incense

Lunar herbs are often juicy, watery, sweetly scented, white/silvery, or night-blooming:

•  Jasmine (intuition, dreams, sensuality)

•  Lavender (calm, psychic dreams)

•  Chamomile (emotional soothing)

•  Willow (cycles, grief, flexibility)

•  Lemon balm (clarity, lunar soothing)

•  Moonflower, gardenia, white lilies

•  Rose (love, intuition)

•  Sandalwood, camphor, myrrh (for incense)

•  Others: Poppy, cucumber, melon, cabbage, almond, lotus, evening primrose


Moon Phases and Their Magical Correspondences


The moon’s cycle is central to timing spells, with each phase carrying distinct energy:

•  New Moon (dark moon): Beginnings, setting intentions, planting seeds (literal or metaphorical), banishing old habits, shadow work, starting projects.

•  Waxing Crescent: Growth, attraction, building energy, drawing in love, abundance, or success.

•  First Quarter: Action, overcoming obstacles, courage, decision-making.

•  Waxing Gibbous: Refinement, patience, gathering strength toward manifestation.

•  Full Moon: Peak power, culmination, manifestation, charging tools/crystals, divination, love spells, healing, gratitude rituals, Esbats (lunar celebrations). Colors often silver/blue/white; herbs like rose, sage, lavender.

•  Waning Gibbous: Gratitude, sharing wisdom, banishing minor issues.

•  Last Quarter: Release, letting go, banishing, protection, cord-cutting.

•  Waning Crescent: Rest, introspection, deep cleansing, endings, preparing for rebirth.


Additional Notes

•  Moon in different zodiac signs modifies energy (e.g., Moon in Aries for bold action; Moon in Pisces for dreamwork).

•  Full moons have unique names and themes by month (e.g., Wolf Moon for protection, Harvest Moon for abundance).

•  In modern witchcraft, these correspondences are flexible—personal intuition often overrides strict rules. The moon’s pull on tides and emotions makes it a natural ally for water-based magic, dream incubation, or emotional healing.



People born when there was two full moons in the month are known as blue moon children. 


These draw from centuries of folklore, astrology, and modern pagan practices, offering a framework to align rituals with cosmic rhythms. The moon invites reflection: what hidden truths does its light reveal in your own inner world?


Tye Eternal Enigma: Whispers of the Moon in the Veil of Existence


In the vast tapestry of the cosmos, where stars flicker like forgotten thoughts and galaxies swirl in silent reverie, the moon emerges not as a mere celestial body, but as a profound archetype of the metaphysical unknown. It hangs suspended in the nocturnal sky, a luminous sentinel guarding the threshold between the tangible and the ethereal. 


What is the moon, if not a mirror to our own inscrutable souls? It defies the linearity of human perception, waxing and waning in rhythmic cycles that echo the ebb and flow of existence itself. To gaze upon its cratered visage is to confront the enigma of being: a pale orb that borrows light from an absent sun, illuminating the darkness without ever revealing its own secrets.


Metaphysically, the moon embodies the duality of illusion and reality, a concept that philosophers from antiquity have pondered in hushed tones. Plato might have seen it as a shadow in his cave, a fleeting projection of the ideal form of light, forever unattainable yet eternally alluring.


 It pulls at the oceans with invisible threads, stirring tides that mirror the turbulent undercurrents of the human psyche. Are we not all lunar-bound, our emotions swelling like high waves under its gravitational spell? Lunacy, they call it—the madness induced by its glow—yet perhaps this is no affliction, but a glimpse into the sublime chaos that underlies all order. 



The moon whispers of impermanence: full one night, a sliver the next, vanishing entirely into the void, only to rebirth itself in defiance of oblivion. In this cycle lies a riddle: if the moon can die and resurrect without end, what then of our own fleeting essence? Are we fragments of stardust, destined to orbit unseen forces, or architects of our own luminous rebirths?


Enigmatically, the moon weaves itself into the fabric of myth and mysticism, a chameleon deity across cultures. To the ancient Egyptians, it was Thoth, the scribe of divine knowledge, inscribing fates upon the scrolls of night. In Eastern philosophies, it symbolises the yin principle—the receptive, the feminine, the intuitive shadow that complements the yang’s assertive blaze. 


Yet, it remains elusive, a trickster that plays with light and shade. Consider the werewolf’s howl or the alchemist’s elixir brewed under its beam: these are not mere superstitions, but metaphors for transformation, for the alchemical transmutation of base matter into spiritual gold. The moon’s surface, pocked with craters like ancient wounds, invites speculation: are these scars from cosmic battles, or imprints of forgotten dreams projected from the collective unconscious? Jung might argue it as an anima archetype, the soul’s feminine guide through the labyrinth of self-discovery, leading us toward wholeness amid fragmentation.



But delve deeper, and the moon reveals layers of existential paradox. It is both intimate and distant—a companion to solitary wanderers, yet millions of miles removed, untouchable. In its silence, it poses questions without answers: Does it observe us as we observe it, a cosmic eye reflecting our gaze back upon ourselves? Or is it a blank canvas upon which we project our longings, fears, and aspirations? 


Quantum whispers suggest entanglement; perhaps the moon’s phases entwine with the observer’s mind, collapsing probabilities into perceived reality. In the metaphysical realm, it challenges materialism: if gravity binds it to Earth, what unseen forces bind the spirit to the body? The moon, in its enigmatic orbit, reminds us that existence is not a straight path but a spiral, drawing us ever inward toward the core of mystery.


As dawn approaches and the moon fades into the paling sky, it leaves us with an unresolved cadence, a metaphysical koan to ponder. Is it a beacon of hope in the abyss, or a harbinger of the void’s inevitability? 


The Moon’s physical and psychological effects upon humans and animals.

In our modern age we have been taught to follow the calendar when it comes to female menstrual cycles, flood planes and mental health. Despite, however, the dominance of science and nay sayers there’s convincing proof that we are indeed affected by the phase and location of the Moon . 


Indeed women can unlearn science dogma and monitor and align their cycles with the Moon to great effect.  Consider this: the Moon has a proven effect on water and liquids. We are made up of lots of fluids including blood. It’s not a long stretch to see that our body is being effected.


Know the moon cycles and natural rhythms of our universe and you will better understand your own  .

Animals,plants and humans are also influenced by the Moon. Many animals mate on full Moon . Farmers use their knowledge of the Moon when planting or animal handling. My own grandmother always had a copy of Old Moore’s Almanac to know the planetary and other elements that can affect our world each year. It’s still available today since 1697


The Moon also seems to affect our brains,!stimulating them with its brighter nights. Hospitals and Police in many places take this seriously and allows for this with additional staff especially in hospitals.

After all “lunacy “ has been generally understood by many 


Exploring Lunar Myths: Tales from Around the Globe

The moon, with its ethereal glow and cyclical transformations, has captivated human imagination since time immemorial.


It is personified as a feminine entity, tied to immortality and longing. One of the most iconic Chinese myths revolves around Chang’e, the moon goddess. 


According to legend, Chang’e was the wife of the heroic archer Hou Yi, who saved the world by shooting down nine of ten suns that were scorching the earth. As a reward, he received an elixir of immortality. Fearing it would fall into the wrong hands—or in some versions, driven by curiosity—Chang’e consumed the potion and ascended to the moon, where she resides eternally in a grand palace, accompanied by a jade rabbit.



In Aztec cosmology, the moon is born from acts of divine sacrifice and jealousy. The god Tecciztecatl, often depicted as a proud and wealthy deity, vied with the humble Nanahuatl to become the sun. Both offered themselves to a sacred fire, but Tecciztecatl hesitated out of fear, while Nanahuatl leaped in bravely, emerging as the sun. Shamed, Tecciztecatl followed but shone too brightly as a second sun. To dim his light, another god hurled a rabbit at his face, creating the moon’s mottled appearance and establishing Tecciztecatl as the moon god.   


This “rabbit on the moon” motif, shared with Asian traditions, symbolises humility over arrogance and explains the lunar markings as eternal scars from cosmic conflict.


Among the Inca of South America, the moon goddess Mama Quilla was revered as a protector of women and weavers, her silver tears forming the world’s precious metals. Eclipses were seen as attacks by a jaguar or serpent on Mama Quilla, prompting people to make noise with drums and shouts to scare the beast away, ensuring her return.   


These myths highlight the moon’s vulnerability, mirroring human fears of darkness and loss, while emphasising communal rituals to restore balance.


Inuit legends from Alaska, Greenland, and northern Canada portray the moon as Anningan (or Igaluk), the male moon god, eternally pursuing his sister Malina, the sun goddess. Their pursuit causes the daily rise and set of sun and moon, symbolising forbidden desire and the cycle of light and dark. 


African folklore presents the moon as a creative and unifying entity. In Fon mythology from Benin, Mawu is the moon goddess, twin to the sun god Liza, together forming Mawu-Lisa, a dual deity representing balance. Mawu, the cooler, nurturing aspect, created the world at night to avoid Liza’s scorching heat, embodying femininity and wisdom. Their eternal link symbolises the interdependence of day and night, male and female. 


Western myths often anthropomorphise the moon’s face as the “Man in the Moon,” a figure banished for crimes like theft or Sabbath-breaking. In Germanic and Roman tales, he’s a thief carrying stolen goods, his visage formed by craters. Shakespeare referenced him as “Moonshine” with a lantern, blending whimsy with punishment. 


Associations with lunacy—madness induced by moonlight—stem from ancient beliefs in the moon’s influence on tides and human behaviour , echoed in werewolf lore where full moons trigger transformations.


In Scandinavian legends, the moon is linked to deities like Mani, who guides it across the sky, pursued by wolves.  Greek myths feature Selene, the moon goddess, who falls in love with the sleeping shepherd Endymion, granting him eternal youth in slumber—a tale of unattainable desire.


In Polynesia, Hina the moon woman ascends via a lunar rainbow, beating tapa cloth visible on the moon’s surface.  Maori legends tell of Rona, carried to the moon after cursing it, along with her water gourd and a tree. Australian Aboriginal stories depict Bahloo the moon as an embarrassed figure who shrinks after a canoe mishap, reflecting cycles of confidence and retreat.  Algerian tales speak of tears on the moon, symbolising sorrow and renewal. 


In its quiet enigma, the moon invites us to embrace the unknown, to dance with shadows rather than flee them. For in the heart of its glow lies the ultimate truth: that all is illusion, yet profoundly real; that we are but reflections in the grand cosmic mirror, forever chasing the light we ourselves cast. And so, the moon endures, an eternal riddle suspended in the velvet expanse, beckoning the seeker to unravel not its secrets, but their own.


Learn from our Moon. Be still and quiet and learn the hidden mysteries of our universe and ourselves. She is our eternal companion and the balance to the energies of the Sun. Their eternal dance affects us all . 

Friday, 20 March 2026

Carrie’s cabinet of curiosities: Thr Astrology Toolkit

 


The Astrology Toolkit by Grant Lewi


Connections Edition 


A fascinating but sadly outdated box set

Print length

224 pages

ISBN-10

1859060129

ISBN-13

978-1859060124


First published 1987 by Century Hutchinson Ltd

Edition in our library is the 2005 edition , Eddison Sadd.


The Astrology Toolkit” (also referred to as “The Astrology Kit”) was a boxed astrology educational set or kit devised/created by Grant Lewi (often misspelled or listed as Grant Levi/Levy in some listings), with contributions or consultation from the well-known astrologer Liz Greene.


This product dates back to around 1988 (based on auction and collector records). It is a vintage astrology learning tool, likely designed for beginners or enthusiasts to explore and practice astrology hands-on.


My complete copy is the reissue version but alas this too is now outdated. 



The kit was devised by Grant Lewi with consultation from Liz Greene is a vintage boxed set from the late 1980s (original edition around 1987–1988, with some later reprints or updated versions extending planetary data to 2019). Its main purpose is to let beginners cast and interpret basic natal horoscopes quickly—typically in 10–15 minutes—without needing advanced astrological knowledge, ephemerides, or complex calculations.


It simplifies the process using pre-calculated tables and interpretive texts, drawing from Lewi’s signature accessible style (similar to his books Heaven Knows What and Astrology for the Millions, where he popularised ularized quick, practical horoscope casting via lookup tables for planetary positions).



Contents of the Kit


•  Booklet 1: “How to Cast a Horoscope” — Step-by-step instructions guide (the core manual).

•  Booklet 2: “The Horoscope Readings” (or “The Interpretations”) — Pre-written interpretive paragraphs for planetary positions in signs, houses, and aspects.

•  Zodiac Wheel — A circular chart wheel (often cardboard or printed) for plotting the horoscope.



•  Note-pad / Calculation Pad — Worksheets or tables for recording positions and aspects (includes lookup tables for approximate planetary positions by birth date).

•  Sometimes includes a pencil or other minor tools. My version does.




The kit uses simplified tables (not full ephemerides) to approximate Sun, Moon, and planetary signs/houses based on birth date, time, and place—focusing on quick results rather than precise astronomical accuracy.


How to Use It (General Step-by-Step Process)


The kit follows a straightforward, four-step (or similar) method as described in product overviews and contents listings:

1.  Gather Birth Data
Collect the person’s exact birth date, time (as accurate as possible, especially for Ascendant/houses), and birthplace (for time zone and longitude/latitude approximations if needed).

2.  Use the Tables to Find Planetary Positions (from the “How to Cast” booklet and note-pad)

•  Look up the birth date in the provided tables to determine the approximate sign positions for the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

•  These are simplified grids or lists (not precise degrees, but sign placements and rough aspects).

•  For the Ascendant (rising sign) and house cusps: Use the zodiac wheel and any adjustment tables or shortcuts in the guide (often involving local sidereal time approximations or birth time lookups).

3.  Plot on the Zodiac Wheel

•  Draw or mark the planetary symbols in the corresponding signs/houses on the provided wheel.

•  Note major aspects (conjunctions, oppositions, etc.) using the kit’s simplified aspect finder or by visual proximity on the wheel.

4.  Assemble the Interpretation (from “The Horoscope Readings” booklet)

•  Look up the pre-written paragraphs for each planet in its sign and house.

•  Combine them (e.g., “Sun in Aries in the 10th house” gets its specific text, plus any aspect modifiers).

•  The readings are modular: You string together the relevant passages for a personalized-sounding horoscope covering personality, strengths, challenges, relationships, career, etc.

•  Lewi’s style emphasizes empowering, psychological insights over fatalism, with Greene’s input likely adding depth in later editions.



The result is a basic natal chart reading—not a full professional horoscope with exact degrees/transits/progressions, but a surprisingly insightful snapshot for beginners or casual use.




Tips and Notes if you’re interested in using this kit 

•  Accuracy Level: It’s approximate (especially for fast-moving Moon or Ascendant), so treat it as an introductory tool or fun starting point rather than precise modern software/astrology.

•  Updates: Some versions were “updated for the Millennium” with tables extended to 2019+; older ones cover roughly 1920–2000.

•  If You Have the Kit: Start with the “How to Cast a Horoscope” booklet—it walks you through examples. Follow sequentially; the process is designed to be idiot-proof.

•  Modern Alternatives: Today, free sites like Astro.com can generate accurate charts instantly, but the kit captures Lewi’s 20th-century “do-it-yourself in minutes” spirit.




Note: The kit is not a modern publication (nothing recent shows up on my search) but vintage copies occasionally appear for sale on auction sites. If this is something you’re looking to purchase or learn more about, it represents an older-school, practical astrology learning tool from the late 1980s era.



Who was Grant Lewi?


Grant Lewi (full name William Grant Lewi II) was a highly influential American astrologer, author, and editor, often described as the father of modern astrology in the United States for making the subject more accessible and practical to the general public.


Early Life and Education

He was born on June 8, 1902, in Albany, New York (some sources list March 24, but June 8 is the more consistently cited date across reliable references like Wikipedia and astrological databases). He graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and pursued graduate work at Columbia University. Initially, he worked as an English instructor at institutions including the University of North Dakota, the University of Delaware, and Dartmouth College. In 1926, he married Carolyn Wallace, whose mother (an astrologer named Athene Gayle Wallace) introduced him to astrology and provided his early training in the field.

Career Shift to Astrology


Facing economic challenges during the Great Depression, Lewi left academia around the early 1930s and transitioned fully into professional astrology by 1934. He became a prominent figure in the astrological community through his writing and editorial roles.

•  In the late 1930s, he worked with American Astrology Magazine before becoming editor of Horoscope Magazine (published by Dell), a position he held through much of the 1940s, where he also contributed numerous articles.

•  In 1950, he moved to Arizona, resigned from Horoscope, and launched his own publication, The Astrologer.


His approach emphasised humanistic and psychological elements in astrology, synthesising planetary energies in ways that felt fresh and relevant even decades later. Many consider him an early pioneer of a more interpretive, less rigidly predictive style.


Key Works

Lewi’s books remain his most enduring legacy and are still in print or widely available today:

•  Heaven Knows What (1935, originally published under the pseudonym “Scorpio”) — A groundbreaking bestseller that allowed readers to cast and interpret a basic horoscope quickly (in as little as 10–30 minutes) without deep prior knowledge. It simplified planetary positions and aspects for the average person and became one of the best-selling astrology books of the 20th century.


•  Astrology for the Millions (1940) — A comprehensive, practical guide to understanding astrology, personality traits, relationships, and life patterns through planetary influences. It includes autobiographical notes (under the pseudonym “Oscar”) and remains popular for its clear, no-nonsense explanations.


These two titles introduced astrology to countless beginners and helped popularise it during a time when it was often dismissed or misunderstood.


Later Life and Death

Lewi passed away suddenly at age 49 on July 14 or 15, 1951, in Tucson, Arizona, reportedly from a cerebral hemorrhage (some accounts specify a brain aneurysm). His early death cut short what might have been an even greater expansion of his influence through his new magazine.

His writings continue to be praised for their clarity, insight, and timeless appeal—many modern astrologers credit him with helping shift astrology toward a more empowering, self-reflective practice rather than fatalistic fortune-telling. If you’re interested in his books, they’re readily available in reprints (e.g., through Llewellyn Publications), and vintage editions or related items like astrology kits inspired by his methods occasionally appear in collectors’ markets.


And Liz Green?


Liz Greene (born September 4, 1946, in Englewood, New Jersey) is a highly influential American-British astrologer, Jungian analyst, author, and lecturer widely regarded as one of the foremost figures in modern psychological astrology.


Background and Education

She was born to a British father (from London) and an American mother. Greene developed an early interest in astrology, psychology, and mythology as a teenager. She holds:

•  A doctorate in psychology.

•  A doctorate in history.

•  Qualifications as a Jungian analyst.

•  A diploma from the Faculty of Astrological Studies (of which she is a lifetime Patron).

•  Additional credentials, including a diploma in counselling from the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology.

She has been a professional astrologer for nearly 60 years (active since at least the mid-1970s).


Career and Contributions

Greene is best known for pioneering psychological astrology, an approach that integrates Carl Jung’s depth psychology, mythology, and symbolism with traditional astrological techniques. This method views the horoscope as a map of the psyche, focusing on inner dynamics, personal growth, unconscious patterns, and archetypal themes rather than purely predictive or event-based interpretations.


Key milestones include:

•  Co-founding the Centre for Psychological Astrology (CPA) in London in 1983 with Howard Sasportas (she continues as its Director).

•  Directing CPA Press, which publishes specialized astrological works.

•  Serving as one of the chief writers and contributors for Astro.com (Astrodienst), the popular astrology website, where she has helped develop computer-generated interpretive reports available in multiple languages (in collaboration with Alois Treindl).

•  Teaching and lecturing extensively, including past roles as a tutor in MA programs on Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (e.g., at Bath Spa University and the University of Wales, Lampeter).

•  Delivering in-depth webinars and seminars on planetary symbols (e.g., Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, Chiron) through organizations like the Mercury Internet School of Psychological Astrology (MISPA) and CPA.


She is held in high esteem globally among both professional and amateur astrologers for her insightful, scholarly, and psychologically nuanced work.


Notable Books

Greene has authored numerous influential books (many translated into multiple languages), often blending astrology with Jungian ideas, mythology, and personal development. Some of her most acclaimed titles include:

•  Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil — A classic re-examination of Saturn’s symbolism as a teacher of boundaries, limitations, and maturity.

•  Relating: An Astrological Guide to Living with Others on a Small Planet — Explores relationship dynamics through astrology.

•  Astrology for Lovers — A popular, accessible guide to sun signs and compatibility.

•  The Astrology of Fate — Delves into destiny, karma, and transformative patterns in the chart.

•  The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption — Focuses on Neptune’s spiritual and illusory dimensions.

•  The Mythic Tarot (co-authored with Juliet Sharman-Burke) — A tarot deck and guidebook rooted in Greek mythology.

•  Jung’s Studies in Astrology: Prophecy, Magic, and the Qualities of Time and The Astrological World of Jung’s ‘Liber Novus’ — Scholarly explorations of Carl Jung’s own engagement with astrology.

•  Others like The Outer Planets & Their CyclesThe Luminaries (with Howard Sasportas), Barriers and Boundaries, and The Dark of the Soul: Psychopathology in the Horoscope.


Her writings emphasise empowerment, self-understanding, and the therapeutic potential of astrology, making her a bridge between esoteric traditions and modern psychological practice.


As of 2026 (at age 79), she remains active in writing, teaching, and directing astrological organizations. If you’re exploring psychological astrology or Jungian-influenced chart interpretation, her books (especially Saturn or Relating) are excellent starting points and are still widely recommended today.