Neolithic Shamanism: Spirit Work in the Norse Tradition - Raven Kaldera 2012

Waxing Quarter Moon
The Silver World: Moon

The Waxing Quarter Moon is the time when the Moon has charged at his goal but then has tripped and fallen. In Norse mythology, Mani (unlike his determined sister, Sunna) was a wanderer and often left his course to interfere in something on Earth that distracted him, only to look up and realize that he was late and had to hurry back across the sky. It was said, when the clouds blanketed the night sky, obscuring the Moon, that Mani had drawn the clouds so that no one would know that he had snuck away from his job. This would confuse the great wolf Hati, who had been set to chase him across the sky because of his waywardness. The Waxing Quarter Moon is a time of second-guessing oneself, and possibly a moment of emotional crisis as well. If you are holding back emotions that need to come out, this is a good time to do it. Go out and cry or rage with the Moon if there is no one you can do it in front of. He will understand and sympathize.

Exercise: Moon Cleansing

The Moon’s touch drives out foulness. Approached rightly, he can help clean out tremendous psychic build up and gunk. Begin by taking a quiet cleansing bath. Numerous recipes are available (see Reicher’s Spiritual Protection or Mickaharic’s Spiritual Cleansing). A cup of apple cider vinegar and a handful of sea salt is a good basic one, as is simply adding a can of dark beer to your bathwater. For Mani, I often use the following: a cup of white rum, white carnations (or roses), a capful of jasmine oil, and a handful of sea salt (preferably pink Himalayan). Regardless of the cleansing recipe you choose, take your bath and dress in clean white clothing. Do not dry off, by the way. Allow your skin to air dry. Then go outside or to an open window where you can clearly see the Moon. Make a small offering to the Moon (he loves Sambuca, and cookies are always good offerings for him), and ask that he cleanse you inside and out. Then sit under his light. As you breathe, feel as though you are breathing him in. Feel as though you are drinking in the gentle, cleansing light of the Moon. Do this for as long as you feel you need to, until you feel as though his light has moved through you fully and cleansed every bit of psychic gunk away. Then thank him and consider the cleansing complete. (Alternately, if you are near the ocean, don a white robe and wade into the water when the Moon is out and let the waves wash over you, asking Mani for cleansing. Then leave an offering before you head home.)

We actually believe that it’s good to do preemptive cleansings regularly. We pick up an awful lot of gunk in this work. It takes ongoing vigilance to truly stay properly clean.