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The Goddess is the universal mother.  She is the source of fertility, endless wisdom and loving caresses.  As the Wicca know Her, She is often of three aspects: the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone, symbolized in the waxing, full and waning of the Moon.

- Scott Cunningham, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

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The Triple Moon Goddess

(excerpts from Laurie Cabot's Power of the Witch)

In many parts of the world the original Goddess is referred to as the Great Moon Goddess, a triune deity.  She is the great female trinity of Maiden, Mother and Crone.  And in many written accounts, as well as in the artwork that has survived, we see this triple nature - sometimes depicted as three faces - reflected in the three phases of the moon.  Here too, the earliest human worshippers understood that one and the same mystery or power operated in both woman and the moon.  Not only was the Goddess reflected in the three phases of the moon, but the biological cycles of every woman found expression there too.  Every woman could identify with the Great Goddess by identifying with her own bodily transformation with the moon's monthly waxing and waning.

A Witch's spells and rituals are always perfomred in conjunction with the phases of the moon, and female Witches align their magical work with their own menstrual cycles.  By observing the three lunar phases and meditating on the Goddess's traditions associated with them, we discover the special powers and mysteries of the moon and the unique wisdom it teaches us about the Divine Mother of the universe.

The Maiden

The crescent moon, virginal and delicate, grows stronger and brighter each night, appearing higher and higher in the sky as it comes to greater fullness.  Ancient men and women have interpreted this phase of the moon to represent the young girl growing stronger with each passing day.  She is the pure, independent athlete and huntress, who in Mediterranean Goddess lore was called Diana and Artemis.  As she matures into a powerful woman warrior, or Amazon, she learns to defend herself and the children that she will someday give birth to.

In some cultures this free and independent Goddess is the Lady of the Wild Things and presides over the hunting rituals.  In her hand she holds the hunting horn, taken from the cows and bulls that are her special animals.  The horn is shaped like the crescent moon.  One of her earliest representations is the 21,000-year-old figure discovered in France that archaeologists have named the Venus of Laussel.  It depicts a woman stained with red ochre holding the hunting horn in triumph.  The art historian Siegried Giedion calls her 'the most vigorously sculptured representation of the human body in the whole of primeval art'.  What Stone Age people readily understood was that the woman with the horn could assure success on the hunt because as a woman she knew the intimate mysteries and movements of the wild herds.  Ironically, the language our contemporary historians have traditionally used to speak of Ice Age hunters speaks of violence, slaughter and men.  However, as historian William Irwin Thompson notes, 'every statue and painting we discover cries out to us that this Ice Age humanity was a culture of art, the love of animals, and woman'.

The Mother

The full moon, when the night sky is flooded with light, is represented as a mother Goddess, her womb swollen with new life.  Witches and magic-workers everywhere have always found this to be a time of great power.  It is a time that draws us to sacred places, like the hidden springs and caves that Neolithic women might have used as their original birthing places.  

In the mother aspect of the full moon, the Goddess of the Hunt also becomes the Queen of the Harvest, the Great Corn Mother, who bestows her bounty upon the earth.  The Romans called her Ceres, from whose name the word cereal us deruved,  She is the same as the Greek Demeter, a name composed of the feminine letter delta, and meter, or 'mother'.  In all her manifestations she is the source of crops and vegetation that become our food.  When she departs in the winter months - as Demeter seeking her daughter Kore in the Underworld - the land lies barren.  When she returns in the spring all turns green again.

Because women were vital to the survival of the tribe, for only they could give birth and nourish the newborn, the dangerous job of stalking and killing the wild beasts became the males' responsibility.  By 7000BC the Son of the Divine Mother was fairly well established in European legends as a Hunter God, often depicted wearing horns.  There were strategic and sacramental reasons for this.  As ritual the horned head-dress honoured the spirit of the animal and identified the young hunter with the animal he hoped to kill.  The identification with the hunted was thought to ensure a successful hunt.

Strategically, the hunter wore the very horns and hide of the beast for safety and success.  By concealing his human shape and scent he could approach the herd without scaring it away.  American Indians donned buffalo robes, complete with head and horns, to approach a buffalo in this same way up into the nineteenth century.  Stalking and killing a large horned animal was dangerous.  Many hunters were gored or trampled to death.  Around tribal fires the successful hunter was honoured and given the horns or antlers of the slain beast to wear as a sign of victory and an expression of gratitude on the part of the tribe, for he had put his life in danger.  In time this hunter-son of the Great Goddess was honoured as a Horned God, and his willingness to sacrifice his life for the good of the community was celebrated in song and ritual.

The hunter often met his death in the winter months, the season fo the hunt when hides were thick with fur and meat was easily preserved in the cold, frosty air.  This drama of winter death was also seen in nature as the winter sun grew faint and weak, and everything appeared dead or sleeping, adn when the long winter nights encouraged our Stone Age ancestors to retreat into the warm, womblike darkness of their lodges.  It was the season of ice and death.  Those who followed that religion could celebrate even the season of death because they knew that it was to be followed by a season of rebirth.  If the Son must die, he would be reborn, just as the sun would return in the spring.

The Crone

At some point in every woman's life the menstrual cycle ends.  She ceases to bleed with the moon.  She retains her blood for ever, or so it must have seemed to our ancestors.  She holds her power, and so she is power-full.  She is an elder.  She is the wise old crone.  Like the waning moon, her body shrinks, her energies wane and she eventually disappears into the dark night of death, just as the moon disappears for three dark nights.  At death her body is replaced into the earth, and at some point she will be reborn, fresh and virginal as the new moon on its first visible night, hanging like a jewel in the western sky at sunset.

The Greek Goddess Hecate, Goddess of the Night, Death, and Crossroads, embodied this Crone.  Her rule during the moon's absence made the night exceptionally dark.  The frightened paid homage during these three nights, seeking her favour and protection.  

At death Hecate was said to meet the departed souls and lead them to the Underworld.  In Egypt the Dark Moon Goddess was called Heqit, Heket or Hekat, and she was also the Goddess of midwives, for the power that leads souls into death is the same power that pulls them into life.  And so Hecate became known as the Queen of the Witches in the Middle Ages, for the wise old country nurses, versed in the ways of the Goddess, were the midwives.  From years of experience they acquired the practical skills for assisting at births and the spiritual insights that could explain the mystery of birth.

And so from birth, to puberty, to motherhood, to old age and death, the eternal return of life is intimately bound up in every woman, no matter what phase of her own life she is currently in.  The eternal return of life is seen and felt in every season of the earth.  And there is no phase or point on this great wheel that is not sacred, and there is no phase or point on the wheel that is overlooked in a Witch's yearly celebrations.

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How The Moon Affects Your Moods

(by Kim Gallagher-Rogers from "Astrology For The Light Side Of The Brain")
    
Our Moon is the Queen of the Night, the ultimate feminine energy.  She's a lovely lady in silver who circles our planet protectively in her monthly--or should I say "moonthly"--orbit, amazing us with her ability to change, yet remain constant.  As the Head of the Department of Feelings, she's also the bringer of moods--another great moon word--and the Keeper of the Ambiance. Her subtle power is apparent in the tides, as she calls the ocean to her and sends it away, but we feel her influence ebb and flow through our bodies, too.  Our changing emotions are a powerful reminder that she is also in charge of the internal ocean of fluids that keep us alive.  She shows off her magic as she shivers and dances on the water, insisting that we watch, but, in truth, it's impossible not to look at her, especially when she's Full. The Moon doesn't just invite us to look, she hypnotizes us as she appears and disappears, winding her way around the Earth.  No matter what her phase, she makes us sigh and dream and wish, and she brings back memories.  When she disappears to rest and lay her plans at the New Moon, we search for her and wonder what magic she's about to conjure up in our lives.

In our charts, the Moon is just as much of an enigma. She prefers to react, rather than act, so she stands back and watches from her vantage point in our bellies.  She offers her counsel to our Sun as it charges through life gobbling up experiences.  She's where we keep our instinct and our ability to express our feelings.  She points both to how we were nurtured and how we'll nurture, and makes us aware of the incredible bond we share with our mother--the human whose body we actually lived inside for nine months.  She decides what's safe for us and what's not, and shows how we'll cope when we're hurt.  She's silent, potent, and ever-present, the undercurrent that flows through each of our days, subtly but powerfully influencing our reactions to what life has to offer.

Since the Moon flows through a sign every two-and-a-half days, her reputation for constant change is well deserved.  Signs describe how we'll do the things we do--like a costume or an outfit that shows the style of behavior a planet will display as it goes about its business.  The moon changes her symbolic costume even more than Mercury, the fastest of planets, who whips through a sign in as little as two weeks.  Since the Moon rules the emotional tone of the day, which tells us what to expect from one another collectively, it's good to know what type of mood she's in at any given moment.  Since she's the subtle undercurrent that produces our own moods, too, the sign she was in when we were born says an awful lot about how we'll express our feelings when they rear their little heads.  Well, here's your answer-key, a thumbnail sketch to help you undersand the Moon both as she appears in people around you and as she influences the tone of each day.
 
Aries:  Here's the Moon in her fiery best, strutting around in red, feeling bold, impulsive, and extremely energetic.  This is Mars' favorite sign, so you'll know when the Moon is here without even checking your calendar.  It's a two-day period when everyone's feeling feisty and argumentative, when nobody's about to let you step on their blue-suede shoes and get away with it, when even the meekest of us aren't afraid to take a stand in their own defense--especially to protect our feelings.  Since Aries is the first sign, and a natural starting point for all kinds of projects, this Moon sign is also a wonderful time to channel all that "me-first" energy to initiate change and new beginnings.  Just watch out for a tendency to be too impulsive and stress-oriented.
      If you were born with the Moon in Aries, God help anyone who hurts you. They'll be conjuring the wrath of the War God, Ares--and he's no lightweight. You folks learned early on to defend yourselves.  As a result, it's natural for you to fire first and aim later when you feel as if you're under attack emotionally.  You also learned that if your needs were going to be taken care of, you'd have to do it yourself, so these are the true survivors of the zodiac, even more so than Aries Suns.  The Moon/Mars combination also points to the fact that no matter what it is you're feeling, it's going to come out passionately.  If you're sad, you'll act it out by expressing anger.  If you're happy, you'll be extremely high-energy--just take a look at these examples of Aries Moons: Marlon Brando, Ellen Burstyn, James Cagney, Grace Jones, Lily Tomlin, Jerry Garcia.  (see?  Not a quitter-or quiet one--in the bunch)
 
Taurus:  The Moon in Taurus garb is in her earthiest finery, all done up in rich browns and fertile greens.  This Moon sign is The Lady at her most solid and sensual, feeling secure and well rooted in her sister Venus's garb. There's no need to stress or hurry--and definitely no need to change anything.  That's how you'll feel when the Moon is in this sign--that all is quite well in your world, thank you, and there's no need to rock the boat. We tend to resist all changes when the Moon is in this sign, and most especially those changes that are not of our own making.  We'd rather sit still, have a wonderful dinner, and listen to good music.  We're into appreciating physical pleasures and enjoying the beauty of this Earth planet--a truly Venusian activity--when the Moon is here.  It's time to watch a sunset, view some good art, take care of money and other resources, and hug the ones we love.
      If you were born with the Moon in this sign--lucky you!  Your Moon is one of the happiest around.  You're well equipped to handle emotions of any kind. Nothing--but nothing--rocks you.  Not for long.  You're the very soul of constancy--in times of turmoil, you put up, bear up, and stay put.  You may even be a bit too constant, in fact.  Watch for a tendency to fall into an emotional rut--because once you start feeling, it's difficult for you to stop.  You love quality in all things--friends included.  When the going gets tough, you do, indeed, go shopping--and because you're so fond of shopping, you have the coziest, cushiest nest around, full of pretty things--beautiful art, soft couches, down pillows, and expensive chocolates.  Your soul comes alive when there's quality music playing and at least one bottle of 100-year-old scotch or very fine wine on the premises.  Regardless of your sex, you're the Earth Mother we're all looking for.  Thank you for spreading your warmth over us--and just look at the company you keep:  Glen Campbell, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Vincent Price, Lee Iacocca, Diana Ross.  (Singers, musicians, gourmet chefs, and entrepreneurs--and every one with that "I have a right to be here" attitude).
 
Gemini: Gemini Moons are built for activity.  This is a mutable air sign, so it likes to move around--quickly--and when the Moon is passing through this sign, we like to travel quickly, too.  This Moon's costume is a coat of many colors, appropriate to her motto: "Variety is the spice of life."  Since Gemini is the sign that's ruled by Mercury, the Head of the Communications Department, now's when we're suddenly in the mood for witty conversation, and for puzzles, riddles, and word games.  We want two (at least two) of everything, and we're a bit more restless than usual.  Now is a great time for letter writing, phone calls, or short trips.  Now's when you'll find the best shortcuts and when you'll need to take them, too--everyone tends to plan an awful lot of activity under Gemini Moons.  Watch out for a tendency to become a bit scattered, however, when the Moon is here.  Basically, this fun, fickle, airy moon was tailor-made for having just a taste of everything.
      If you were born with the Moon in this sign, you're an expert at flexibility and mobility--which might mean that you drive a lot, and might mean that you move a lot.  In fact, if you own a  Gemini Moon, you may move so much that you can't ever remember your current area code, or your zip code, or which channels go with which networks in the town you're currently transiting. Still, after only a month or two, you'll be the best shortcut finder around, and you'll know everyone at every business you frequent.  You have the innate instincts of a writer and the mind of a coyote.  Fickle?  Well, maybe, but only if you're bored.  Boredom, in fact, is the one thing this Moon sign just can't stand.  Yes, you will "communicate in your home."  Yes, that may mean that you'll teach classes in your living room, but it might also mean that you'll spend a lot of time on the phone.  You're the inspiration for the phrase "incredible lightness of being."  Movement, words, wit, and flight of some kind are deep in your soul.  Here's the company you keep:  Fred Astaire, George Carlin, John Delorean, Erle Stanley Gardner, Goldie Hawn, Buddy Holly, Amelia Earheart.  (By the way, it's absolutely amazing how many Gemini Moons really are twins, have twins, or have "two mothers").
 
Cancer:  Here's the Moon in the sign she rules, at her most emotional and most nurturing. The Moon rules Cancer, so when she's here, she's home, lounging casually in her sea-greens and blues.  Here the Moon's concerns turn to home, family, children, and mothers.  We react by becoming more likely to express our emotions, to be sympathetic and understanding to others.  Now, too, is when we often find ourselves in the mood to take care of someone, to cook, or cuddle our dear ones.  During this highly emotional sign, feelings run high, so it's important to watch out for becoming oversensitive, dependent, or needy.  In all, now's a great time to putter around the house, have family over, and tend to domestic concerns. 
      If you were born with the Moon in this sign, you're among the best nurterers around.  You're also undeniably one fo the best huggers out there.  There's no doubt that home and family are your main concerns--regardless of whether or not you actually choose to start a family of your own.  And, yes, you'll probably also be very tight with your mom.  You're an expert at making a house a home, at choosing the right foods, fabrics and furnishings to create a safe, secure nest.  You're a natural caregiver--the gretest danger in this wonderful quality is that you'll become so fond of that role that you'll need others to need you in order to feel "worthy";  in other words, avoid codependence at all costs.  You're also the most private of the private, guarding your extremely sensitive little heart very, very cautiously. Because the Moon operates so purely here, you're driven primarily by yoru emotions--by how something hits you on a gut level.  You operate on instinct--on memories of how things feel.  You're in the record books with the most amazing care-givers around:  Dr. Benjamin Spock, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.
 
Leo:  When the Moon is in Leo, it's time for drama with a capital D.  This theatrical sign has long been known for its big entrances, love of display, and need for attention.  Leo is ruled by the Sun, the center of the universe, the creative force, so when the Moon is in this sign, we're all feeling the need to be recognized, applauded, and appreciated.  After all, this is the Moon in her royal robes, feeling as if someone ought to stop, bow, and ask her which country she's queen of.  Now, all that excitement, pride, and emotion can turn into histrionics and melodrama in the blink of an eye, so it's best to be careful of overreacting or being excessively vain over this period.  It's a great time to take in a show (or star in one), be romantic, or express your feelings for someone in royal, regal style.
      If you were born with the Moon in this sign, you just might have a bit of a flair for the dramatic yourself.  This Moon tends to display her emotions, regardless of what they are.  That means you're likely to throw a tantrum when you're mad and an elaborate cocktail party in someone's honor when you're not.  Of course, you act this way because you feel this way.  Your Moon is a queen, for Goddess' sake--so she demands deep respect.  Like the other fire Moons, you'll act immediately to stop whatever is hurting you from hurting you.  You've got the heart of a performer and the soul of a romantic.  You want your feelings to be noticed above all else, but you also want to be apreciated for what you are on the inside.  And speaking of drama, check out this roster:  Clint Eastwood, David Bowie, Kris Kristofferson, Jane Fonda, Peter O'Toole, Marlene Dietrich, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand.

Virgo:  Here's the Moon at her most discriminating. Wearing an efficient, tailored outfit that's specially designed for work, she's ready to take care of whatever needs it--no matter what it needs.  This is the most detail-oriented sign out there, the sign most concerned with fixing, fussing, and tending to.  This Moon sign puts us in the mood to clean, scour, sort, and troubleshot.  And help.  Virgo is the most helpful of all the signs, ready to take up broom, mop, or gardening tool and offer her assistance. Now's when we're more health-conscious, work-oriented, and duty-bound, too, so this is a great period to use to pay attention to our diet, our hygiene, and our daily schedules.
      No matter how much she protests that it's not true, the Moon in Virgo really does love for her home to be clean and orderly.  If you have this Moon, you'll think about cleaning places most of us wouldn't even think of looking at, much less touching.  The spot between the counter and the stove, for example, or the underside of the kitchen chairs.  Now, you may not necessarily get down on your hands and knees and clean it yourself, you understand, but you'll want it done by somebody.  You like your surroundings orderly because it makes you feel orderly, as if all's well with the world. This is a tough Moon to own.  If you've got one, you probably beat yourself up on a regular basis.  Of course, you're also undoubtedly very, very good at whatever you do--because being good, accurate, and precise is what makes you feel secure.  Remember your finer qualities next time you're feeling like you'll just never be good enough--like the gentleness, compassion, attention to detail, and willingness to help you're so famous for. Look at the people who share this Moon:  Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Madonna (which, literally translated, means "virgin mother," which is Moon in Virgo), Emily Post.
 
Libra:  Libra is the second Venus-ruled sign, so here's where the Moon is at her most other-oriented.  She's dressed in Venusian pastels, and in the mood for attraction--so relationships, partnerships, and being with someone are important.  Since Libra's job is to restore balance, however, you may find yourself in situations of emotional imbalance, ones that require a delicate tap of the scales to set them right.  Now's when we're all quite capable of that, fortunately.  In general, this is a social, polite, friendly Moon time, when others will extend themselves, be cooperative, and agree more easily to comromise--after all, Libra just loves people.  Libra Moons also prompt us to make our surroundings beautiful, or to put ourselves in situations where beauty is all around us, so now's also a great time to decorate, shop for the home, or visit places of elegant beauty.
      Folks born with this Moon know instinctively how to avoid conflict because they probably grew up with it around them.  If you own this Moon, you feel unhappy in unbalanced situations.  As a result, you're an expert at sensing out what other people need, regardless of who the other is or what type of social situation you happen to be enjoying.  Once you do understand what someone needs, you try your best to deliver--in a most accomodating fashion. You're a "cruise director" out to keep everyone happy--except possibly yourself.  Like Mercury in this sign, the Moon here is a natural-born mediator, arriving on the planet with the built-in curse/blessing of being able to understand--and make a case for--both sides of an issure.  Libra Moons also look heavily to their primary relationships to keep them feeling happy and secure,  so when they don't have one, they can be absolutely forlorn.  Take a peek at these Libra Moons, all of whom have a spouse with whom they are (or were) strongly associated:  George Bush, Burt Reynolds, Don Johnson.

Scorpio:  This fixed, feminine, water sign is co-ruled by Mars and Pluto. This Moon doesn't mess around.  She's all dressed up in her formal black, looking so good she knows you can't take your eyes off her.  Scorpio is the most intense sign out there, and when the Moon is here, she feels everything to the absolute nth degree.  Everything.  Needless to say, we do, too. Passion, joy, jealousy, betrayal, love, and desire--they take center stage in our lives now, as all our emotions deepen to the point of possible obsession.   Be careful of a tendency to become secretive and suspicious, or to brood and stew over an offense that was not intended.  Now's a great time to play detective, to investigate a mystery, do research, dig--both figuratively and literally--and to allow ourselves to become intimate with someone.
      Here's a Moon that can love just as intensely as she can hate--at the same time, too.  If you own a Scorpio Moon, you're a natural born fire-walker, ready to do that and more to prove your feelings for someone. You're the best friend and the worst enemy to have.  You understand--and experience--the true extent of feelings, from agony to ecstasy.  The intensity of your feelings, in fact, is what makes you know you're alive.  You stew and smolder and own a passion that's just barely concealed.  Others wonder why they're so drawn to you.  You can get through absolutely anything because you're built for endurance, but the other side of endurance is obsession.  Watch for the possibility of rerunning every situation, wondering what "they really meant by that."  You can use your natural detective ability to understand the people around you and become an excellent judge of character.  Here are others with this Moon:  Prince Andrew, Warren Beatty, Mario Cuomo, James Dean, David Frost, Quincy Jones, Bruce Lee.
   

Sagittarius:  Here's the Moon at her most optimistic, non-judgmental, and positive.  Sagittarius is ruled by benevolent Jupiter, so now's a time when we'll be more likely to shrug things off, let them go, and laugh about it. Of course, Jupiter's also the planet of long-distance travel and educating the higher mind, so now's a great time to take off for a two-day adventure or take a seminar on a topic you've always been interested in--say, philosophy or religion. Expect your intuitive abilities to run on high now, too--this is the sign with the gift of prophecy.  Sag loves to collect knowledge, experiences, and wisdom, so when the Moon's in this sign, she's dressed for any adventure, complete with a backpack and a world atlas.  Spend time outdoors, be spontaneous, and laugh much too loudly when the Moon is here. Now's the time to truly enjoy life--just watch for a tendency towards excess, waste, and overdoing.
      If you were born with the Moon here, you have the soul of a comedian, a philosopher, and a preacher.  You probably always have a smile on your face--or at least a half-smile.  You were born believing that everything will work out just fine, no matter what, that everything will unfold just as it should.  You have a gift for lending this same optimism to those who really need it, and an innate faith in the universe--which seldom lets you down. This Moon wrote the song "Don't Worry, Be Happy."  You're the true emotional extremist of the zodiac, a real giver--an over-extender even--who always lands on your feet.  Since your Moon is Jupiter-powered, no matter what you feel, you feel it hugely.  You're quite at home on the road, and that includes foreign countries.  You'll probably end up living somewhere that's far, far away from your birthplace, too.  Watch for a tendency to be a bit too Pollyanna-like in your expectations of others, and for the possiblilty of leaning towards bingeing or over-indulging in something to pick you up when you're having that unusually blue kind of day.  Here are other Moon-in-Sag folks:  John Belushi, Liberace, Mozart, Christopher Reeve, Oprah Winfrey.
 
Capricorn:  Here's the Moon at her most organized, practical, and businesslike.  Capricorn Moons bring out the dutiful, cautious, and pessimistic side in all of us, and we suddenly prefer to work, rather than play.  Our goals for the future, in a career sense, become all-important now, and the right thing to do becomes the only thing to do.  No sign is more concerned with conforming to set rules, touching all the bases, and following orders.  This Moon, in fact, is dressed in a uniform--and she demands that you salute her, too.  Now's the time to tend to the family business, to act responsibly, to take charge of somethng, to organize any part of our lives that become scattered or disrupted.  Now, too, is the time to set down rules and guidelines, to sit patiently, listen and learn.  Watfh for the possibility of acting in too businesslike a way now at the expense of others' emotions.
      Capricorn Moon owners have the driest, funniest senses of humor out there. That's because they tend to see things as they really are and people as they really are--just the facts, ma'am.  If you own this Moon, you have a no-nonsense attitude towards life.  You were definitely raised on the work ethic, and you may have been raised on the road by military parents, too.  If you have kids of your own, it may not be until later in your life, as you see, like no other Moon sign, the responsibility involved in having children.  Even so, since Capricorn planets are almost as rough on their owners as Virgo planets are, you'll probably never think you've done enough for your children, and you may even feel that even though you want to give them all the love you never had, you're incapable.  Don't think that.  Contrary to popular opinion, this Moon is not cold.  She's starved for love, in fact, and she cries a lot more than anyone will ever see, too.  Famous people with this Moon are Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, General George Patton, David Letterman.
 
Aquarius:  The Moon in Aquarius brings out the rebel in all of us--for better or worse.  Dressed in electric blue, in something outrageous, eccentric, and far too futuristic, this Moon is ready to break free from the past, to just say no to all the rules we just set in place in Capricorn.  Now's the time when we're ready to break out of our ruts, try something different, and make sure everyone sees us for the unique individuals we are--regardless of what we have to do.  Now's a time of extreme, sudden, and abrupt actions, when we surprise even ourselves at what we say, when we're prone to complete reversals and changing our minds at the last minute.  This sign is ruled by Uranus, so personal freedom and individuality are more important than anything now.  Our schedules become topsy-turvy, and our causes become urgent. Watch for a tendency to become fanatical, act in a deliberately rebellious way without a reason, or break tradition just for the sake of breaking it.
      Folks born with restless Aquarian Moons come here to break the family tradition, no matter what that was.  If you've got one, and you're from a wealthy family, you'll undoubtedly renounce the family's traditions, broadcast the secrets, and deliberately set out to shock everyone.  If you're from lowly roots, on the other hand, you'll kill yourself to become someone. You have an innate emotional need to be different, to separate yourself from everyone you're related to, and to make sure they know just how different you are.  If you own this Moon, you've probably become an expert at coming off cold when you're hurt, rather than showing your emotions.  That doesn't mean you don't have any, only that you tend to Thank your feelings, rather than experience them.  Like the Moon in Capricorn, you'll have a hard time crying for yourself, but you'll cry a river for an underdog.  You may not have children of your own, but you'll be really good at mothering other people's kids, animals, and causes.  When you decide to move, you'll move immediately--and you'll do this most quickly if you feel like "something's coming."  You have the soul of a rebel and the spirit of a noncomformist. Here's some famous members of the pack you run with:  Merle Haggard, John Lennon, Princess Diana, Angela Davis, Shirley Chisholm, Margaret Mead.
    

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The Rose of Midnight

by Vachel Lindsay

THE moon is now an opening flower,

The sky a cliff of blue.

The moon is now a silver rose;

Her pollen is the dew.

Her pollen is the mist that swings

Across her face of dreams:

Her pollen is the April rain,

Filling the April streams.

Her pollen is eternal life,

Endless ambrosial foam.

It feeds the swarming stars and fills

Their hearts with honeycomb.

The earth is but a passion-flower

With blood upon his crown.

And what shall fill his failing veins

And lift his head, bowed down?

This cup of peace, this silver rose

Bending with fairy breath

Shall lift that passion-flower, the earth

          A million times from Death!

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The Threefold Goddess

(Author Anonymous)

To understand the concept of Goddess requires more than the ability to visualize God as a woman. The Goddess concept is built around the myth and mystery of the relationship between God and Goddess, and beneath that, and part of it, Her Threefold Aspect...Maiden, Mother and Crone. One of the oldest recognized Goddess forms is the first Greek Goddess - Gaia, the Earth Mother; the Universal Womb; Mother of All. The most ancient Goddesses were most often Earth and Mother Goddesses. The were worshipped and revered as bearers of life...fat, healthy, pregnant and fruitful. As the Goddess concept developed, then came the Harvest Goddesses, who were also Earth Goddesses. Understand that this was a time when people did not even understand the basic mechanics of procreation. Life was very sacred and mystical indeed!

Gradually, myth and mystery developed and revealed themselves, creating the legend which we honor in the modern Wiccan Craft. We recognize the Goddess as the mother of all, including her Mighty Consort, the God. To Her he is Lover and Son, and together they form the Ultimate, the Omniverse, the Dragon, the Mystery.

Now that is a pretty tough concept all things considered. Especially in our society as it sounds rather incestuous. From a mundane perspective, it gets worse as the Wheel of the Year Turns, and the Oak and Holly Kings battle...eternal rivals and sacrificial mates.

In the pages that follow, we will explore the Goddess foundation concepts and try to reach an understanding of the basis of the Mystery. I don't want to get off into all the names of all the Goddesses in all the mythology in all of history. While that is certainly a noble endeavor, it is not the objective here. What I do want to do is look at the Goddess, in whole and in part, and see just who and what she is.

First and foremost, the Goddess is the symbol of the Cycle of Everlasting. She is constant, ever present, ever changing, and yet always the same. She could be compared in that respect to the oceans. As a part of that, she is that from which we have come, and to which we will return. She is the Universal Mother, the Cosmic Womb. While those are largely symbolic images, as opposed to literal ones, they are important to bear in mind about any aspect of the Goddess. She never harms, she is Mother.

One of the most difficult throwback mentalities to dispel in a student is the difference between "dark and light" and "bad and good". Societally, and often religiously, we are trained to see bad and dark and evil as being the same. Hence, we are also taught to hate and fear our own mortality. All too often I see practicing Wiccans, who ought to *know* better, fall back on these concepts when trying to explain or understand a concept.

The Goddess is dark, she is light, she is birth, she is death, and she rejoices in all things. With death comes joy, for with death comes renewal. With life comes joy, for with life comes promise. With growth comes joy for with growth comes wisdom. Sorrow and fear are not a part of her, not the way we feel those emotions. She is incapable of sorrow without joy, she fears nothing, because fear is not real. It is a creation of the mind.

Whether you see the Goddess as a Warrior Queen, or like the Good Witch of the North in the Wizard of Oz, she is the Goddess. And she has many parts and facets which defy comprehension as "One". She simply IS, and in that, can be whatever you need her to be in order to establish a relationship with her. But none of that changes what she IS.

"I greet thee in the many names of the Threefold Goddess and her Mighty Consort. Athe, malkuth, ve-guburah, ve-gedulah, le-olam, Amen. Blessed Be." So here, at the Circle Door, greeted by the High Priest or Priestess we first see mentioned the Threefold Goddess. Full-sized covens have three priestesses who take the specific roles of Maiden, Mother and Crone, the High Priestess being Mother.

The Threefold Goddess however is NOT three entities, she is one. Her aspects represent Enchantment, Ripeness and Wisdom.

Taking first things first is usually best, so we shall start with a look at one side of the Maiden.

Quoting "The Myth of the Goddess" as found in Gardnarian Wicca (Gerald B. Gardner, The Meaning of Witchcraft, Aquarian Press, London, 1959.):

Now Aradia had never loved, but she would solve all the Mysteries, even the Mystery of Death; and so she journeyed to the Nether Lands.

The Guardians of the Portals challenged her, "Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels; for naught may ye bring with ye into this our land." So she laid down her garments and her jewels and was bound, as were all who enter the Realms of Death the Mighty One. Such was her beauty that Death himself knelt and kissed her feet, saying, "Blessed by thy feet that have brought thee in these ways. Abide with me, let me place my cold hand on thy heart." She replied "I love thee not. Why dost thou cause all things that I love and take delight in to fade and die?"

"Lady," replied Death, "it is Age and Fate, against which I am helpless. Age causes all things to wither, but when men die at the end of time I give them rest and peace, and strength so that they may return. But thou, thou art lovely. Return not; abide with me."

But she answered, "I love thee not."

Then said Death, "An' thou receive not my hand on thy heart thou must
 receive Death's scourge."

"It is Fate; better so", she said, and she knelt, and Death scourged her and she cried "I feel the pangs of love."

And Death said, "Blessed be" and gave her the Fivefold Kiss, saying "Thus only may ye attain joy and knowledge."

And he taught her all the Mysteries. And they loved and were one, and he taught her all the Magicks.

For there are three great events in the life of Man: Love, Death and Resurrection in a new body, and Magick controls them all. For to fulfill love you must return again at the same time and place as the loved one, and you must remember and love them again. But to be reborn you must die, and be ready for a new body; and to die you must be born; and without love you may not be born. And these be all the Magicks.

So there in the Gardnerian Myth of the Goddess we have her Maiden aspect, seeking, searching and opening herself to the mysteries. But it is well to remember that the Goddess herself is a mystery, and the primary gift of the Goddess is intuitive Wisdom.

Beltaine (Bealtain) is the only Sabbat where the Goddess is entirely devoted to the Maiden. Here, she revels in the enchantment, in the joy of coming into fullness and mating with the God. Here, she is maiden bride and we can most easily understand that facet of the Maiden aspect. I should probably note here that some see this festival as maiden turning into mother, with the maiden being in full at Candlemas, but I do not agree with that. Youth, newness, innocence and beauty are fundamental facets of the Maiden aspect. But beneath those are seeking, and love, and love of seeking. There is more to understand of the Maiden though. Enchantment does not end with maidenhood, it is simply the beginning of the Mystery of Life, for that, above all, is what the Goddess stands for.

In Circle, in the Balanced Universe, the Maiden takes her place in the East. In examining this most comfortable quarter, you learn more about the Maiden Aspect. East (Air) rules the free mind and intellect. It is the place to seek the ability to learn and to open spiritually, to open your mind and find answers. It is a masculine quarter, ruled by intellect, and analytical logic, but she brings to it an intuition which is required to use these to best advantage.

"The river is flowing, flowing and growing, the river is flowing back to the sea. Mother carry me, a child I will always be. Mother carry me, back to the sea."

This Circle chant, sung in joy, sung in sorrow, is a cry to the Mother Aspect for comfort and warmth, a power chant calling upon the steady power and fullness of the Mother and a plea for guidance. While the Earth Mother, and the fully aspected Goddess are placed North in the Earth quarter, the Mother aspect alone belongs in the west.

Comfort and love rule here. Emotions, sorrow, joy, tears, these belong to the ripeness of the Mother. Caring and loving for all her children, watching in pain and pride as they struggle to gain their own, knowing full well she could reach out and do it for them, but being both bound and desirous to let them do it for themselves.

There is a considerable difference, as you might have interpreted from the above, between the Earth Mother and the Mother Aspect of the Goddess. That is why we've started with her quarter, because it reveals the limitations of the Aspect.

The Mother aspect is ripeness, the ancient bearing of fruit, child and grain. She represents emotion and sexuality. The Goddess in that aspect is most of the altar (as discussed in the Great Rite lesson.) It is interesting to note the practice in numerous ancient cultures of lovemaking or outright sex magick in cornfields to help make the corn grow.

The Dark Mother should also be placed here, although culturally, I have a tendency to think of the Dark Mother as more in keeping the Crone Aspect. It is a bit of work to see the Dark Mother in the West, to separate Dark Mother from Crone, but it is worthwhile. If you have any background with the tarot I would suggest you take it in that context, it is beyond the scope of this text.

Our exploration of the Goddess and her Aspects brings us now to the Crone. For me, the Crone is the most fascinating of the Aspects of the Goddess. Partly I suppose because she is the most mysterious and paradoxical.

"Blessed Goddess, old and wise, open mine, thy child's, eyes. Speak to me in whispered tones that I may know the rune of Crones."

With life and growth comes age and wisdom, and the Crone is this in part. She holds fire and power, which wisely used can be of great benefit, but hold great danger for the unaware. Hers are the secrets of death and of life, and the mystery beyond the mystery.

Part of the pleasure in knowing the Crone aspect is that while, unlike the fully aspected Goddess, she is not also Maiden and Mother, she does retain the experiences of both those Aspects in order to be Crone. The Crone, wizened though she is, must still be able to reach into herself and recall the innocent joys and high passions of the Maiden and the love and warmth of the Mother. To be Crone and to not have forgotten, to still be able to experience Maiden and Mother is, to me, very appealing. More importantly, to be comfortable in that Aspect, where you have truth and knowledge but have left youth and physical beauty behind, and to still feel youth and beauty without being desirous of them is an admirable quality.

Crone is the least paralleled Aspect of the Goddess to our human society. We discard our old and wise, not understanding their value as teachers and models, and fearing their appearance as a reminder of our own mortality. Knowing Crone is a door we much each open for ourselves for to know and love her is to cast aside a great many of our cultural and societal malteachings. While the individual Aspects of Threefold Goddess are certainly valid concepts and paths to knowing Goddess, I should caution that most mythological Goddess figures are composite Goddesses. Earth Mother Goddess figures are fully aspected Goddess by definition because they represent the full cycle of the Wheel. Most other Goddess figures can be classified as having a dominant (or operative) aspect and recessive (promised, or in some cases past) aspect. Future and past should not be taken literally, mythological Goddess figures are always whatever they are eternally, they do not tend to change (i.e. age).

Maiden Goddesses possessing their operative in the Huntress or Warrior aspects most often have a promise of Crone. Maiden Goddesses expressing their dominance in beauty and/or love usually have their recessive aspect as Mother. For example, Athena is a Maiden Goddess with Crone attributes (the combination produces many Mother-type qualities, and this results in the Crone aspected Maiden being the most complete of the Mythological Goddesses,  with the exception of Earth Mother Goddesses.) Aphrodite is of course a Maiden Goddess with Mother attributes.

Similarly, Dark Mother Goddess figures mostly find their promise in Crone and Light Mother figures their recessive in Maiden. Crone recessives work the same way, although sometimes it takes a bit of close examination to find the "hidden" aspect.

One should note that this is not a formula, rather a tool to assist in examining and understanding Goddess figures and creating one's own personal spiritual link with Goddess. It is also a useful consideration when invoking a specific Goddess with purpose in ritual.

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