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With its quiet and mysterious allure, the Moon has long been a fixation of mystics seeking connection to the natural world. But in recent years, the time-honored tradition of making moon water has experienced a resurgence, becoming a curiosity and a coveted tool for DIY spiritualists, TikTok enthusiasts, self-described witches, and other seekers.
Rooted in ancient traditions and infused with otherworldly beliefs, the sacred ritual of placing water where it will be infused with moonlight holds significance in cultures that revere nature and align with the lunar phases.
What Is Moon Water?
Moon water is based on the belief that the moon’s sway can be harnessed to enhance spells, induce divination, and empower intuition and intentions. The moon is considered by many cultures to be a purifying force with the ability to cleanse and charge objects. This is why some people place their crystals or tarot decks in the moonlight.
Of all the lunar customs, making moon water is regarded as a particularly potent act. The moon is regarded as a manifestation of the divine feminine, whose goddess-like expressions include compassion, nurturing, intuition, and receptivity. Water, as an element, is also able to absorb and carry vibrations and intentions, which contemporary science is beginning to discover. The moon then escorts them into existence. Consider it the age-old astrological counterpart of wishing on a penny.
How to Make Moon Water
The making of moon water is traditionally undertaken during a waxing or full moon, when the lunar cycle is at its fullest, in support of abundance and creation. If you’d like, you can make moon water during other lunar phases and manifest the respective energies. A new moon will help inspire spaciousness and rest. A waning moon will help you release or shed unwanted energy. Beware making moon water during an eclipse, which initiates a turbulent vibe.
Bringing mindfulness to the methodology draws on the ritual’s spiritual origins. Taking a moment to center yourself beforehand by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath allows you to come into a calm and receptive mindset. Bringing reverence and intention to the process allows you to infuse your moon water with clarity and purpose.
Focus on your intention and keep it in mind throughout the process, visualizing what you desire without distracting yourself with notions of how it will happen. Simply allow yourself to feel as though what you want to experience in your life is already taking place.
Container
You can use whatever vessel is accessible, such as a glass Mason jar, although traditionalists opt for a sterling silver cup. Silver has been associated with the moon since ancient times given their shared traits of reflection and receptivity, and it is believed to enhance the conduction and collection of energy. Of course, silver isn’t essential to the making of moon water, but it creates a symbolic connection between the tool and the element.
Water
Ensure that your water is safe for consumption, if that’s how you’ll be using the moon water. Spring water or filtered tap is fine.
Other Ingredients
You can enhance the water by filling your cup with herbs, flowers, or crystals that align with your intentions or complement the current sign where the moon is found. If you intend to drink the moon water, be sure that anything you infuse your water with is safe to consume.
- Cleanse the container by washing it with warm water and natural soap. If you prefer, you can smudge the container with the smoke of burning sage or rosemary.
- Fill the container with water.
- Find a place where your cup will be directly exposed to moonlight. This can be a windowsill, a balcony, a porch, or any outdoor area where the moon’s rays will reach the water. If finding direct moonlight is challenging, ambient exposure to moonlight will also work, but the most potent moon water comes from direct exposure to moonlight.
- Allow your water to remain in the moonlight throughout the night.5. Retrieve the water early the next morning. It’s traditional to bless moon water after collecting it by placing your hands over the container and internally uttering words that honor it. You can rely on whatever feels intuitive to you or try “May this water be blessed and empower my intentions.”
How to Use Moon Water
How you choose to engage with your moon water is highly personal.
Drinking
A common practice is to sip moon water, whether you use it to brew tea or take it straight. In this way, you take in its energy and allow it to empower you. The ritual can be performed alone or shared with like-minded friends to create a meaningful experience.
Watering Plants
Moon water can be shared with your houseplants, garden beds, or trees.
Cleansing
Harness moon water to clean any sacred spaces where you spend time focused in concentration or meditation, such as your desk, yoga mat, or altar, if you have one. Simply dip a cloth or sponge in the moon water, squeeze, and gently wipe the surface.
Or transfer your moon water to a spritz bottle and mist your bedroom or any space where you’d like to invite a serene and supportive atmosphere. If desired, add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to the water.
Bathing
Moon water can make an exquisite addition to your skincare routine or bathing ritual, imbuing your body with the gentle energy of the moon.
Washing your face with the water is an option. You can also create a skin toner by combining moon water with other natural ingredients suitable for your skin type, whether witch hazel, aloe vera, or rose petals.
Pouring moon water into your bathwater not only cleanses your physical body but allows the moon’s vibes to envelop you, promoting relaxation, rejuvenation, and connection to your intentions.
How to Use Moon Water to Balance Your Astrological Vibe
Moon water also allows you to align your desired vibe with whatever astrological sign currently influencing the moon, which changes every couple of days. Each sign carries specific traits and themes that influence the energy emanating from the moon, which can be harnessed and amplified.
For example, when the full moon is in Gemini, the resulting moon water can enhance communication-related intentions, whereas moon water made under a full moon in Capricorn can enhance your work and ambition.
Following are the energies you can expect from the moon when it is influenced by each sign. Note that when the Sun is in a sign, the full moon during that season takes place in the sign opposite the Sun. When the Sun is ruled by Cancer, for example, the full moon is influenced by Capricorn.
Aries is known for its assertiveness, passion, and courage. Moon water made during the full moon in Aries can amplify motivation, ignite new beginnings, and bring a sense of confidence and bravery.
Next full moon in Aries: September 29, 2023
Taurus represents stability, groundedness, and sensual pleasures. During a full moon in Taurus, moon water can assist through creating a sense of steadiness by prioritizing self-care, enhancing abundance, and fostering a deeper connection with the earth beneath you.
Next full moon in Taurus: October 28, 2023
Gemini is curious, communicative, and adaptable. Moon water made during a full moon in Gemini can support clear expression, mental agility, and an influx of new ideas and ways of thinking.
Next full moon in Gemini: November 27, 2023
Cancer is nurturing, intuitive, and deeply connected to emotion. Moon water infused with the full moon in Cancer can nurture self-care practices, assist in emotional healing, and enhance intuition and empathy.
Next full moon in Cancer: December 26, 2023
Leo exudes confidence, creativity, and vibrance. Moon water created during a full moon in Leo will carry this same radiant and expressive energy and can inspire self-expression, self-confidence, and playfulness.
Next full moon in Leo: January 25, 2024
Virgo embodies organization and attention to detail. A full moon in Virgo can infuse moon water with the energies of precision and practicality and support clarity, healing, and holistic well-being.
Next full moon in Virgo: February 24, 2024
Libra represents balance, harmony, and diplomacy. During a full moon in Libra, moon water can assist in fostering harmonious relationships, enhancing appreciation of aesthetics, and promoting inner and outer balance.
Next full moon in Libra: March 25, 2024 (Note: the chaotic energy of an eclipse makes this an ill-advised time to make moon water.)
Scorpio is intense, transformative, and deeply intuitive. Moon water made during a full moon in Scorpio may carry the energies of deep introspection and psychic awareness. It can support emotional healing, inner growth, and tapping into personal power.
Next full moon in Scorpio: April 23, 2024
Sagittarius is adventurous, philosophical, and optimistic. A full moon in Sagittarius can infuse moon water with expansive, freedom-seeking energies, and inspire new perspectives, spiritual exploration, and optimism.
Next full moon in Sagittarius: May 23, 2024
Capricorn is ambitious, disciplined, and grounded. Moon water created during a full moon in Capricorn may carry the energies of practicality, determination, and stability. It can support goal setting, long-term planning, and bringing structure and balance to your life.
Next full moon in Capricorn: June 21 and July 21, 2024
Aquarius represents innovation, independence, and humanitarian ideals. During a full moon in Aquarius, moon water may absorb the energies of progressive thinking, social consciousness, and community. It can inspire individuality, collective endeavors, and alignment with higher ideals.
Next full moon in Aquarius: August 19, 2024
Pisces is imaginative, intuitive, and deeply connected to spirituality. Moon water made during a full moon in Pisces can enhance intuition, creative inspiration, emotional healing, and spiritual connection.
Next full moon in Pisces: September 17, 2024 (Note: the chaotic energy of an eclipse makes this an ill-advised time to make moon water.)
What You’ll Experience When You Make Moon Water
When you explore different ways of using moon water, you’ll find the approaches that resonate with you. Whether you embrace its qualities through toasting and drinking, gifting it to friends, cleansing your space, enhancing your bathing ritual, or incorporating it into your skincare routine, moon water invites you to connect with the moon’s frequencies and the attributes it embodies. Your own ritual will emerge.
Equally importantly, you’ll be reminded of your intention each time you interact with your moon water. Perhaps that’s the true illumination afforded by the ritual.
About Our Contributor
Sierra is a writer and modern witchy woman living in Oregon. She’s been practicing yoga for nearly a decade and completed her teacher training in 2018. She writes and teaches about connection—connection to the body, to nature, and to the powerful energies of the universe. In 2017, she founded her media brand, The Local Mystic, an educational hub devoted to mindful, mystical living for women. Sierra loves to guide people to their witchy side by helping them deepen their spiritual studies and ritualize their lives. Through The Local Mystic, she’s written books, plus hosted women’s circles and wellness retreats worldwide. For free yoga and witchy wisdom, find Sierra on Instagram @thelocalmystic and on YouTube. And check out her book, Your Year of Magic.
