The Full Moon

The luminous round moon in all its fullness inspires lovers and poets, and, some say, the wild and crazy (hence the name "lunatic"). For those following the path of the Goddess, however, it is a sacred time, full of energy and magick, worship and celebration. Foods at this phase of the Goddess in her Mother aspect--weighty, and at her full potential--should be rich, abundant, and celebratory. This is the perfect time for culinary alchemy, as magickal energies are intoxicating and expansive. Gather herbs from your garden in the early light of dawn, and visualize your dream, it will be. Trust in the Mother to honour your desires.

Kitchen Blessing for the Full Moon

Goddess, Mother, the end and the beginning,
the dusk and the dawn, we celebrate you!
Bless us tonight as we gather in love,
watch over us with compassion,
and fill us with your grace.
Accept our thanksgiving as we lift up
our hearts in joy!
Blessed be!
During the full moon, celebrate!

A roasted turkey, baked salmon, egg dishes, and bowls of steaming pasta topped with garlicky shrimp or roasted vegetables and pine nuts are all perfect choices to revel in the full moon's energy. Choose foods for love that are sumptuous and seductive, and spices that are warm and sensuous.

Moon vegetables such as mushrooms, potatoes, cabbage, and snowy cauliflower should be prepared with creamy sauces spiked with caraway, or tarragon, or paired with basil and juicy tomatoes, the fruit of love.

Herbs and spices should be lively and uplifting, including mints, thyme, basil, and oregano. Use lots of freshly cracked peppercorns to add passion or protective energies. Spices should be fiery, like chili peppers and garlic, or sweet and alluring, like cinnamon and vanilla.

For a full moon dessert, celebrate sensuality goddess-style: eat from plates brimming over with ripened fruits in season, assorted nuts and cheese, sweet wine...and anything chocolate!
 

The New Moon

Also known as the dark moon, this three-day period brings us in touch with the depth of night and summons us to face the Dark Goddess energies. It is a powerful time of intention setting and soul searching. Many practitioners advise some form of fasting during the dark moon phase to aid in clearing the mind and body.

If you choose to, do so wisely and drink plenty of fluids, particularly supportive herb teas and freshly squeezed juices. As you begin eating again, choose simple nourishing foods to break your fast, such as yogurt with a piece of fruit. Savour each bite. You will feel as if your inner fire has been reset, and your body will welcome the coming waxing energy of the moon goddess with anticipation and delight. It's a wonderful way to break old habits and unconscious eating patterns. Tune in to making food choices consciously. This honours your body and, in turn, the goddess within.

Kitchen Blessing for the New Moon

Hecate, goddess of the dark moon crossroads,
stay with us tonight. Be our silent witness.
Confirm our sorrow, loss and pain
with your unwavering strength and steady gaze.
Bless us with your hard won wisdom.
Guide us in new directions
as we let go of the past and embrace
our future.
Blessed be!

The Waning Moon

The waning moon brings a turn toward introspection, finalizing details, and clearing out that which we have outgrown or no longer need. It is a time to garner wisdom in the quiet, a time to let go. As the Goddess in her crone aspect, this phase of the moon teaches patience and the development of inner wisdom--paying attention to intuition.

In the kitchen we are clearing out, paring down, and finishing up leftovers. Take time to contemplate letting go of what no longer nourishes you in your life. Rid the refrigerator of stale and moldy foods with clear intention. As you discard the old, focus your thoughts on visualizing those aspects in your life that need to be cast off. Consider that if there is no room in your cluttered refrigerator, or your life, there is no space for the new and marvelous to enter.

Kitchen Blessing for the Waning Moon

Cerridwen, goddess of transformation,
inspire us with your bittersweet beauty
to be fierce in our clarity.
Help us to discard that which no longer nourishes us,
body and soul. Keep our hearth free of clutter and lingering bones of contention.
Help us to stir our ancient dreams into reality.
Teach us to trust our instincts and honour our intuition.
Bless our witch's path as we dedicate our home to the service of truth.
Blessed be!
During the waning moon, choose foods that cleanse the system and fortify protection.

Waning moon foods that help clear the body and cleanse accumulated energy include lemon and grapefruit, cabbage, celery, broccoli, cranberries, barley, parsley, sage, and bitter greens. Take the time during this waning moon to tune in with what your body is craving, and contemplate why you have these cravings. Pay close attention to your body's symptoms. Our bodies are a physical map of our unconscious, or unknown self.

Choose lighter proteins as the centre of your meal, such as tofu, light fish, or yogurt. Beans are astringent, and served with brown rice they provide the perfect protein at this time of retreat. Experiment with simple meals based around beans, rice, and pungent spices.

Broth-based soups full of simmering vegetables, and light pastas such as angel hair tossed in olive oil, lemon, and garlic make a good choice for entrees during the waning phase. For another appropriate light meal, try some balsamic roasted vegetables served on slices of toasted French bread and spread with fresh chevre (goat cheese), and a fresh salad of herbal greens. Think light and fresh, clear and uncomplicated.

Cleansing and purifying herbs such as cilantro and parsley may be added to soups and salads, and sprinkled on vegetables. Try a cucumber salad with a yogurt-dill dressing. Naturally sweet desserts such as apples, strawberries, or chilled watermelon are all astringent and cleansing choices.

Herbal teas are especially useful during the waning moon. Sage tea, the perfect Crone's tea, is antibiotic, and preservative as well as protective. Peppermint calms and soothes the tummy. Hot water with lemon helps cleanse the liver of excess energy. A tonic of warm water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and local honey will boost your immune system and clear away impurities.


The Waxing Moon

The lesson of the crescent moon reflects the Goddess in her maiden aspect, full of promise and potential. This moon phase brings growth and renewal. It is a time for strengthening, energizing, and supporting creativity. As goddesses in the kitchen, this is the perfect time to try new recipes, experiment, stock our pantries, and expand our cooking skills.

When planning meals during the waxing moon, choose foods that build up strength, invigorate the mind, and revitalize body and soul. In working with magickal intentions, set goals and visualize dreams coming true. Let your cooking conjure abundance, creativity, healing, and true love. Stir sauces and soups deosil (clockwise) with purpose, using appropriate herbs and spices to enhance your intention.

Kitchen Blessing for the Waxing Moon

Brigid, goddess of the hearth and fire,
ignite our hearts with your poetic spirit,
bright as flame--courageous, bountiful and true.
Keep abundant our pantry, our friends and our generosity.
Bless our table always with gentle nourishment and a welcoming chair.
Sanctify this home with peace and safety.
Watch over this kitchen so that it may always be rich in love and laughter.
Blessed be!
During the waxing phase of the moon, select natural tonics that stimulate the body and foods that build up strength.

Recipes calling for fish, chicken, meat, beans, grains, or yogurt are all strengthening. Build a meal around a pasta smothered with roasted vegetables, olive oil, and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese. Experiment with new flavours and try a new recipe that feature spices you don't ordinarily use.

Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, corn, and sweet potatoes are chock-full of immune-boosting vitamins. Choose a variety of vegetables in every colour, and use them in soups and stews, roasted dinners and stir-fries.

Sweets such as puddings, ice creams, and yogurt smoothies are calorie and calcium rich. In warm weather try a new sorbet and serve it with your favourite cookie. In colder moons bake warm fruit crisps and cobblers with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Garlic and onion add the fire element to your cooking. Herbs like basil, fennel, and thyme energize the system and awaken the taste buds. Spices such as ginger, turmeric, and curry act as tonics and stimulate digestion. Make a spicy tea with slices of fresh ginger and a dab of local honey.

Sources

Karri Ann Allrich, Cooking By Moonlight: A Witch's Guide to Culinary Magick

Heyde Class-Garney, "Baking By the Moon" in Llewellyn's 2000 Moon Sign Book

Patricia Telesco, Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble

 

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