Big, Bright Blessings of the Storm Moon~!
Also Known As: Seed Moon, Moon of Winds, Plow Moon, Worm Moon, Hrethmonath (Hertha's Month), Lentzinmanoth (Renewal Month), Lenting Moon, Lenten Moon, Sap Moon, Crow Moon, Moon of the Snowblind
Element: water
Nature Spirits: mermaids and mermen, air and water beings who are connected with spring rains and storms
Herbs:broom, High John root, yellow dock, wood betony, Irish moss, pennyroyal, apple blossom
Colors: pale green, red-violet, green, yellow, light purple
Flowers: jonquil, daffodil, violet
Scents: honeysuckle, apple blossom
Stones: aquamarine, bloodstone
Trees: alder, dogwood, honeysuckle
Animals: cougar, hedgehog, boar
Birds: sea crow, sea eagle
Deities: Black Isis, the Morrigan, Hecate, Cybele, Astarte, Athene, Minerva, Artemis, Luna
Power Flow: energy breaks into the open; growing, prospering, exploring. New beginnings; balance of Light and Dark. Breaking illusions. Seeing the truth in your life however much it may hurt.
Mantra: I embody the power of growth.
Info on This Moon From About Dot Com: March rolls in like the proverbial lion, and if we're really lucky, it might go out like a lamb. It's the time of the Storm Moon, the month when Spring finally arrives, around the time of the Equinox, and we see new life begin to spring forth. As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, heavy rains and gray skies abound -- the earth is being showered with the life-giving water it needs to have a fertile and healthy growing season. This is also a time of equal parts light and darkness, and so a time of balance.
Use this month for magical workings related to rebirth and regrowth. New life is blooming during this phase of the moon, as is prosperity and fertility.
BY THE BOOKS
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft by Denise Zimmerman and Katherine A. Gleason
Also known as the Seeds or Worm Moon, the Chaste Moon is a time to plant mental seeds-- thoughts of success and hope. This is also a time of purity and newness. It's the time to bless the magickal herbs and plants in your garden and to start preparing the soil for the seeds that you will plant. It's also the time to mentally prepare yourself for new experiences, a new job, pregnancy, taking a trip, or bringing a new animal into your home.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism by Carl McColman
MARCH (Innocent Moon)-- Honor nature in one's yard and garden, the first stirrings of spring.
The Craft - A Witch's Book of Shadows by Dorothy Morrison
Name: Seed
Cakes & Ale: milk and sesame seed rolls or poppy seed bread
Colors: green
Altar Decor: wildflowers and spring greenery, green candles
Incense soft floral
Esbat Purpose: Celebrate new life, new purpose, the earth's energy
Try Drawing the Circle With: a newly budded tree branch
Witch's Brew: Good Spells for Peace of Mind by Witch Bree
March's Sap Moon heralds the death of winter and the rebirth of nature.
Witches Datebook by Edain McCoy (2002)
The Alder Moon brings out our inner psychic. European folklore tells us an alder's energy is eternal, and it should never be cut down. Alder has been used to assist in divination rituals, and wind instruments made of the wood have aided in summoning spirits and working with weather magic. In Celtic mythology the alder is sacred to the God Bran, whose severed head became an oracle.
Witches Datebook by Dallas Jennifer Cobb
The Full Moon of March rains upon us, fertile and strong. Cold soil and soul, warm and awaken, softening in innocence with the first stirring of spring. Reflecting on the future we prepare for the time of fertile readiness by cleansing and blessing the growing ground, sanctifying the soil. The earth is prepared for planting, and the self is readied for change and growth. IN the days before a birth, the mother cleans the nest, preparing for the soon-to-arrive innocent. Operating from instinct and cleansed of illusion, truth guides our choices. The primal self knows what to sew and what to cull. Anticipation, inspiration, and imagination grow, their magical strength beckoning to the seeds of future harvests.
Seed Moon, Plow Moon, Moon of Winds,
Illusions ends as true growth begins,
Hecate, Athene, Astarte, Morrigan,
In pure inspiration the cycle begins again.
Witches Datebook by Elizabeth Barrette
According to the Cherokee, March is the Windy Moon. As winter turns to spring, storms sweep in and damage trees and homes. The Choctaw call this the Big Famine Moon as reserves have been exhausted, but the renewal of life has yet to produce new foods to eat. The Dakota Sioux call this Moon When Eyes are Sore From Bright Snow. On the plains, snow still falls, reflecting the strengthening light of the sun.
March holds the transition between winter and spring, a turbulent time of both hope and danger. Keep a wary eye out for severe weather. On the first warm day, avoid the temptation to run out in light clothes. Instead, dress in layers so you can respond to rapidly changing conditions-- you'll catch fewer colds. Watch for the first signs of returning life, and rake mulch away from spring flowers as they sprout. Offer food to wildlife as long as it's consumed; put out scraps of fabric or string when birds begin to build nests.
In Ritual space, honor the quickening life all around you. Use its burgeoning energy to work magic to empower new projects-- plant young trees, launch a life-oriented business, or explore educational opportunities.
A safe and happy holiday to all who celebrate~! Enjoy that gorgeous, gigantic full Moon, biggest since 1993!