Ways to Work With The Moons Energy: Plant Allies & Offerings
Dia duit mo chara, welcome back. I hope you enjoy this guide containing plant allies and Moon associations, as well as some Celtic mythology and folklore, so you may create a deeper connection between yourself and the Moon. I’ve included different herbs and flowers — and how to work with them.
As always, use your intuition and listen to your own heart and gut. You’ll know which of these are for you, if any at all. Take some time learning about any of the plants you feel drawn to from this list — it may lead you on a path of synchronicities and connection that you wouldn’t have traversed otherwise.
Many of these plant allies will also act as remedies for astrological placements, however, consult with an astrologer first to determine the specific remedies suited to your natal chart.
The Moon
Metal: Silver
Day of Week: Monday
Astrological Associations: Cancer, 4H, The Crab
Tarot: The Moon XVIII, The High Priestess II
Energies & Associations: Cycles, Water, fertility, maidenhood, femininity
Colours: Silver, pale blue, pearl, white, deep ocean blue
Body Associations: Lymphatic system, women's hormonal cycle & periods, emotional issues, the stomach and breasts
Occult: Clairvoyance, dream divination, working with water or cold states, astral travel, subconscious work, casting enchantment
Irish Paganism & Celtic Mythology
The ever-changing moon was an object of mystery and superstition in ancient Ireland. The old Celtic druids placed great emphasis on the moon and arranged their calendar by it. It was believed that any work or business undertaken when the moon was growing (waxing) would be successful.
Work begun when the moon was waning was considered less likely to succeed. A child born when there was a new moon was thought to have good prospects for health and wealth.
“Whatever you have in your hand when you see the new moon first; you will have plenty of that before the next new moon comes.” — Irish Folklore
It was believed in Old Ireland that sleeping directly under moonlight had negative consequences for humans. At best, it could bring bad luck and bad dreams; at worst, it made humans prone to stammering, blindness, paralysis or idiocy.
The appearance of the moon was also used to forecast the weather. A ring around the moon is said to be indicative of bad weather; it used to be called ‘súil circe ré’ – the moon of the hen’s eye. When the sickle moon appears to be lying on its back, it is a sign of very ‘broken’ weather. In times gone by fisherman and farmers observed all natural phenomena closely and were very accurate in predicting weather.
The idea that the moon’s waxing and waning directly affects the growing and shrinking of earthly living things was applied also to humans. Hair should be cut when the moon is waxing to ensure subsequent growth. In the Orkney and Shetland islands it was widely believed that marriages should take place when the moon was waxing.
There are many different phrases and words for the Moon in Irish:
The Moon is ‘an ghealach’ or, alternatively, an ré
Gealach na gcoinnlíní — the Harvest Moon
Fear Láir na gealaí — ‘the man in the moon’
Corrán gealaí — a crescent Moon
Ré nua — the New Moon
Ré lán — the full moon
Tá an ré ina sui — ‘the moon is up’
Rabharta lán na re — the full moon-flood tide
The Goddess Anu — (Old Irish)
Her name is thought to mean ‘brightness’, which is also the meaning of the Irish word gealach which is given to the moon (rooted in the word geal meaning bright). She’s associated with both the moon and the sun, and she’s celebrated on Midsummer’s Eve. She’s also associated with the crops and is considered to be a Faery Woman and/or a Banshee.
She’s also consistently associated with Manannán mac Lir, who is the god of the sea in Irish mythology, and therefore connected to water and the tides which are influenced and ruled by the moon.
Branwen — (Manx, Welsh, Celtic)
“Sister of Bran the Blesses and wife of the Irish king Mathowch. Venus of the Northern Seas; one of the three matriarchs of Britain; Lady of the Lake (cauldron); Goddess of Love and Beauty. Welsh love goddess. In the Mabinogion, She is a central figure in being wed to the High King of Ireland and thereby encompassing the doom of both the Irish and Britons, when her brother Bran invades Ireland to rescue her from the degradation she experiences at the hands of a vengeful Court. A daughter of Manannan and Iweridd whose name means “fair bosom”. She is often equated with the Greek Aphrodite and is a Goddess of love, sexuality, and of the sea.”
Moon Ruled Plant Allies
Plant allies associated with the Moon share some similarities. Plants and flowers that live in or near the water. Herbs associated with the womb and the female reproductive system are also Moon ruled. Plant allies such as mugwort were sacred to the Druids across Ancient Ireland due to the medicinal benefits. Mugwort, Liath-lus, is an example of a herb used for thousands of years across the Celtic Isles. A powerful dream-aid and said to assist with out of body experiences, as well as astral travel. We know now that Liath-lus contains the chemical thujone, which is said to promote lucid dreams.
Plant allies associated with the Moon:
Mugwort - tincture, tea, elixir, flower essence, oil
Evening primrose - Connecting with in nature
Iris - flower essence, altar offering
Water lily - Altar offering, flower essence
Milkweed - Flower Essence
Clary sage - Oil, burnt as incense
Water poppy - Altar offering
Valerian - Tincture, tea
Altar Offerings
Moon water is a beautiful way to connect with the Water element and work with the powers of the moon.
Depending on the energy you’re looking for, choose a phase of the moon to begin working with.
Put fresh spring water, salt, and the intention of your choosing into the jar of water.
Leave this jar outside on the phase of the moon of your choosing.
Offer this water on your altar.
Sea water also makes a powerful Water and Moon offering.
For your altar:
Moonstone, pearl, clear quartz, aquamarine, shells, sand in a jar, sea glass, white sandalwood incense, clary sage incense, prayers of release, dried mugwort, iris flowers
Do you feel drawn to connect and work with a specific plant? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or on Twitter. Join me there for more conversation about all things Living Through Nature.
Until next time,
Le grá
Em
