When we look up into the night sky we are seeing more than a huge hunk of rock floating as debris around our earth. If we look closer, we are actually seeing a reflection of our life and self. The Moon it seems has always been there above us, since recorded time. Since any of us can remember. The comings and goings of the Moon have been recorded through myth and through what we have observed about our selves within our bodies and nature. But most of us never pay any attention now to the Moon; except when we are distracted by it's full appearance, bathing us in it's gentle silver light. Being reminded by it's presence that we all belong to another time and another state of being.

The Moon's orbit is not synchronized with that of the earth's rotation, so over a space of 28 to 29 days the Moon's appearance changes in the night sky. The "new or waxing" Moon is barely a sliver of silver bright light at the beginning of this cycle, as it appears at sunset on the western horizon. Then as this cycle progresses, the Moon appears "full" mid-way through this 28 to 29 day period as the sun sets and then later arises to start the new day. As the cycle ages and draws to a close the Moon is seen to be "waning" as it becomes a sliver of silver once again, as we watch it rise shortly before dawn. Using the horn shape of the Moon, the time of cycle for the Moon can be told: horns pointed left is for the Waxing Moon, horns pointed right is for the Waning Moon.

This natural monthly progression was seen as an analogy to the same primal rhythm found both with in the world and within the cycle of Women. Here with us in the earth as the primal image of birth, growth, decay, death and regeneration. The seed falling, the flower forming, the fruit growing, the fruit falling and the darkness of the earth covering the seed awaiting the return of regeneration for this our fallen seed. Moon, Earth and Women all with in this cycle of gestation and regeneration. The forms of Maiden/Independent, Mother/Creative and Crone/Wise; all represented by Goddesses from our past within each stage. All these paths traveled by Women and all those born within creation. The Moon shining upon us generation after generation and almost loosing on us the mysteries it has to reveal to each of us within it's cycle. Our cycle. Our connection as Women to who we really are, can be and will be. Look up and feel Her light upon you and upon your life. ~Tsering-Meri-Klea

"The New Moon"
The New Moon is a Waxing phase, that phase of the Moon where the tiniest sliver of light shines through. It is the beginning of life and the beginning of the journey. She is the Maiden, eagerly setting forth in her journey. She is full of the vitality and confidence of youth.

"The Crescent Moon"
The Crescent Moon is a Waxing phase that has more light, but not quite half of the Moon's light is appearing. She is the Amazon, a little more seasoned by experience and confident that the world can be changed if she fights for it. She knows that she is strong and she believes that she is invincible.

"The First Quarter Moon"
The First Quarter Moon is a Waxing phase that is half in light and half in darkness. She is the Lover, fully sexual and loving without the burdens of worry or responsibility. She is in tune with others as well as herself and she is full of love.

"The Gibbous Moon"
The Gibbous Moon is a Waxing phase that is three quarters light and a little dark. She is the Priestess, journeying into the spiritual. She acknowledges that there are many things hidden and sacred. She is an initiate into the mysteries of the Moon and of mystical womanhood.

"The Full Moon"
The Full Moon is all light. She is the Mother, fertile and nurturing. The full light shines an optimism and vision of hope throughout the world. She is full of happiness of a beautiful and productive life.

"The Disseminating Moon"
The Disseminating Moon is a Waning phase that is one fourth dark and now the dark is overtaking the light. She is the Teacher. She knows that there are lessons to be learned from lives well lived. She knows that joy is often overshadowed by grief and she knows that the bitter and the sweet go together in a combination that spices life.

"The Last Quarter Moon"
The Last Quarter Moon is a Waning phase that is one half dark and where the dark is inexorably traveling into the light and into life. She is the Elder or Grandmother. She knows about death, disappointment and lies, but she also knows about hope, birth, and truth.

"The Balsamic Moon"
The Balsamic Moon is a Waning phase that is three quarters dark. She is the Crone. She knows about hard truths, responsibility and action. She knows about power and how to use it badly and how to use it well. Her choices define her, sadden her and uplift her.

"The Dark Moon"
The Dark Moon is all dark and is the deepest dark. She is the Weaver. She knows all that the Maiden, Amazon, Lover and Priestess knows. She has experienced what the Mother, Teacher, and Elder have lived. She has taken the power of the Crone and transformed it into a magickal philosophy of life that encompasses all that is in all its complexity and contradiction.

Using the Moon as an analogy or model for our lives and then viewing her as a living Goddess is not a silly or weird thing to do. Neither is taking that living Goddess and making her a part of our own lives. These steps transform our lives into a magickal connection between ourselves, the natural world, and the Goddess. The Goddess is inside of us as well as outside of us, but we forget that we ourselves are divine. Thinking about that connection, feeling that connection, helps us experience that connection. We then become transformed. This is not religion. This is magick.

from: "Sisters of the Dark Moon: 13 Rituals of the Dark Goddess"
by: Gail Wood
courtesy ~ The_Enchanted_Garden at Yahoogroups.com archive
ASIN: 0738700959