October Blood Moon

October Blood Moon

Also called the Hunter’s Moon, Sanguine Moon, Shedding Moon, Falling Leaf Moon, Ten Cold’s Moon, Full Travel Moon

* Colors: Dark blue, black, purples
* Gemstones: Obsidian, amethyst, tourmaline
* Trees: Apples and yew
* Gods: Death, The Crone, The Sage, Cerridwen, the Fates, The Norns, Hella, Callieach, Herne, Apollo, Cernunnos, Mercury, Odin
* Herbs: Apple blossom, pennyroyal, mint family, catnip, Sweet Annie
* Element: Air
The Blood Moon is the first Full Moon in October after the Harvest Moon, (the Full Moon nearest the Autumnal Equinox.) It gets its name from the bands of armed men who would go hunt flocks of birds and herds of deer; stock piling and preserving food for the long Winter ahead. It is said that if you hunt animals such as deer, elk or moose before the Hunter’s Moon that the meat tastes, “wild,” or “strong.” Hunting these animals would also interfere with the rut and thus hurt the herd’s population. This of course depends on where you live. The deer would also have been feasting on grasses and fattening up for the long Winter, making this time an ideal time to hunt them. The Harvest and the Blood Moon rises early in the sky, just after Sunset, this extended harvesting and hunting times.

The Blood Moon also gets its name from the fact that people would be accessing and slaughtering their livestock. These practices may sound barbaric to modern day man but they were common, and necessary. Meat was a valuable food, providing fat and protein; it was easily cured, dried and preserved and would last. Meat was often eaten seasonally, and killing an animal was taken seriously; an animal was often more useful alive than dead. Animals helped plow fields, provided milk, eggs, or wool. To kill something which you raised must have been a hard act, but it was done in the name or survival. It was also an act of mercy to kill animals that you could not keep through the Winter, better the animal be slaughtered and put to good use than starve to death. This closeness to life and death had a profound act on people; you actually got to see where your food came from. Hunters and farmers developed a connection and respect for the animals they killed. The Blood Moon is an excellent time to think about where your food comes from, whether it grown from fertile soil, or raised and slaughtered. It is a time to acknowledge and support the hard work of farmers and ranchers, and the many people who produced and provided this food. It is a time to give thanks and acknowledge your place in the food chain and in the cycle of life and death.

The Blood Moon is an excellent time to work with animal energies to thank the animals in your life. Whether it is sacrificing themselves so that you may eat, working hard on the field and farm, providing milk, eggs, wool and other commodities or pure companionship. You may wish to purify and bless your pets; in the past ancient man used to drive their herds through bonfires to purify, bless and protect them. You may wish to smudge your animals, to add a protective stone or charm to their collar and to just take a few minutes to thank them, to treat them, to spoil them and to really appreciate them. Now, would also be a good time to make sure your pets have all their shots, and to schedule their regular check ups. It would also be a nice act of magick to donate time, money, and cans of pet food, blankets and other items to your local animal shelters; or to work protesting animal abuse and fundraising, sending out petitions for harsher laws for abusers. It may be a good time to consider adopting a pet. You may also want to perform a ritual of remembrance for the animal companions you have loved and lost in your life. Another way to work with animal energies is to research, meditate and find out what your animal totems are.

The Blood Moon is a time to think about the cycles of life, death and rebirth, it is a time to think upon the mysteries of sacred blood. Whether it be the bloodshed ending a life, or the blood of the womb every 28 days, or the blood that is brought forth after giving birth. This can be a powerful time to work with the female and male mysteries, to perform rituals and rites of passage for people of your own gender.

The Blood Moon is also a time when the veil is thin between this world and the world of spirit. Working with your beloved dead, or spirit guides, meditation, or performing acts of divination will be easier and more powerful. This is a time when it is good to gather with friends and family and remember your beloved dead, share memories, host a dumb supper, cook some old family recipes, scrapbook old photos, research your genealogy, and just stay in, stay close to home and hearth and appreciate the gifts of the past and what you have now. Pay close attention to your dreams and your intuition at this time. Allow yourself to be receptive and open to any messages.

Acts of magick dealing with decrease are powerful and appropriate. Now is the time to settle old debts, to banish bad habits, to stop smoking, to remove disease, to separate yourself from a harmful relationship or to close a chapter in your life making room for something new. It is also a great time to perform spells to help you with karma and justice. It is also recommended that at this time you take special care of yourself, especially when it comes to your health. Eat right, taking full advantage of the Harvest’s bounty, strength your immunity with herbs and supplements, prepare yourself for the coming cool weather and for the cold and flu season.

The Blood Moon is a time of decrease, of dormancy and of death. It is a time when the Earth, the trees, the vines and flowers are exhausted for their continual production. It is a time when you may feel drained from Summer’s constant activity. Where you may wish to just sleep, to cuddle up in a warm blanket around the fire, when you feel the need to stay near family, home and hearth. It is a time when you may experience a quickening of energy as you pick up on the energy of the thin veil or you may feel drained and tired. You may mourn for Summer’s end, for the loss of your beloved dead or for your youth. Deal with issues of anger or sadness over death. Experience these energies. Let them wash over you and pass. All man dies a little as the season does, as the God’s do and like the season’s and the Gods they will be reborn again a new. Blessed Be!

Everyday Moon Magic Dorothy Morrison
Moon Magic DJ Conway
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