December 18th 2017 New/Dark Micro Moon in Sagittarius

On Monday the 18th of December 2017 at 1:30 am EST, the New/Dark Micro Moon in Sagittarius arrives in my neighborhood. However, your mileage may vary – be sure to check for your local time HERE. What does this mean for you? Here’s some information I’ve put together to help shine some light on this lightless event.

If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, some of this info will be a repeat – if you want to skip to the new stuff, click HERE.

Why do you say New/Dark moon? Is there a difference between the two?

My preference is “Dark” but since so many people refer to it as “New”, I include both. I wrote about this a couple years back, but essentially, this is the clarification that feels right to me.

From Lady Althaea‘s website –

The Dark Moon
Astronomically, this refers to the period when the Moon is not visible in the sky. This lasts between 1-3 days, depending upon your location. This is the period between the end of the Waning Moon up to and including the very start of the Waxing Moon, when the Moon is again illuminated by the Sun.

Astrologically and magickally, this refers to the period when the Moon is not illuminated in any way, it is the period between the end of the Waning Moon and the start of the Waxing Moon.

The New Moon
Astronomically, this refers to the Midpoint of the Dark Moon, the time of which the Moon is exactly between phases, i.e. Waxing and Waning, as such, all times given for the New Moon on calendars, and even on the NASA website, are the Midpoint, the peak of, the Dark Moon.

Astrologically and magickally, this refers to the very beginning of the Waxing Moon, when the Moon is again illuminated by the Sun; that very first Crescent of Moon in the Sky.

Magical Dark Moon Facts

I also recently discovered this article by Speak of Secrets, called Dark Moon vs New Moon – What’s The Difference? This is my favorite bit –

Other Dark Moon facts that come in handy when considering ritual, magickal workings, and meditations:

• The Dark Moon rises and sets with the Sun, therefore it is not visible in the night sky
• As the Dark Moon aligns with the path of the Sun, it is at its highest apex in the sky at noon
• The energy of the Dark Moon is as powerful a time as any other in the lunar cycle, and can be accessed during the height of day or dark of night
• Chthonic aspects correspond to the Dark Moon
• Dark Moon magick is best suited to introspection, banishing negativity, or transformational and ancestral work
• The goddess Hecate is associated with the Dark Moon
• Labradorite is the gemstone associated to the Dark Moon
• Dark Moon magick is often practiced widdershins (counter-clockwise direction)

 
 

What the frell is a Micro Moon/Micromoon?

Essentially, it’s the opposite of a Supermoon. I’ve also seen the mini-moon to describe it. Here’s the scientific explanation from the timeanddate.com website –

What Is a Micromoon?

A Micromoon happens when a Full Moon or a New Moon coincides with apogee; the point in the Moon’s orbit farthest away from Earth.

The Moon orbits Earth in an elliptical path, which means one side of the path is closer to the Earth than the other.

The point in the Moon’s orbit closest to Earth is called perigee, while the point in the orbit farthest from Earth is known as apogee. The average distance between Earth and the Moon is 382,500 kilometers or 237,700 miles.

When a Full Moon or a New Moon occurs around apogee, it’s called a Micromoon, Minimoon or Apogee Moon. A Full or New Moon occurs around perigee is called a Supermoon.

Since the term is relatively new to witchy circles, there’s not much information on its effects casting wise. From what I was able to piece together however, it seems the energy becomes more focused (especially if you have Sagittarius in your chart), rather than weaker.

The New/Dark Moon in Sagittarius

Whilst Googling for reference articles, I stumbled upon this new-ish site, and fell in love with Rosebud Baker‘s take on this celestial event. I mean, how could I not adore someone who uses Giphy to illustrate a post? Here’s a snippet, but be sure to click over to What The New Moon In Sagittarius 2017 Means For The Next Year Of Your Life to check out her suggestions to make the most of 2018 with the last new moon of 2017.

All months bring with it a full moon and a new moon. The full moon was in Gemini on Dec. 3, and was the last full moon of the year, allowing us to release any baggage we don’t want to carry with us into 2018. But what the new moon in Sagittarius 2017 means is an opportunity to attract exactly what we want for ourselves in 2018. If you’re a fan of Oprah, or any new agey idea (and if you’re not, why are you still reading?) you probably have heard about the law of attraction. Basically, it’s the principle held up by quantum physics that you attract what you are, what you believe in, and what you think about.

The new moon on Dec. 18 in Sagittarius is all about examining what it is we want more of in the next year of our lives. Being that it’s the last new moon of 2017, it’s especially powerful. So here are a few practices to make this new moon count, and don’t worry; it doesn’t involve building a shrine in your apartment, surrounding your bed with garlic, or anything else that might interfere with you getting laid.

New/Dark Moon Rituals

I’ve put together a couple of simple rituals to do for the New/Dark Moon. Both of these graphics are from earlier blog posts, HERE and HERE (click each picture for the full size version).

New/Dark Moon in Sagittarius Infographic

Finally, here’s the graphic I created for the occasion, using one of my shots of the Full Wolf Moon in January, darkened with a filter, since it’s tough to snap shots of something that’s “invisible against the backdrop of the Sun in the sky.” Be sure to shout out in the comments with how you’ll be celebrating this magical time. Bright New/Dark Moon in Sagittarius blessings!

2017 New/Dark Micro Moon in Sagittarius. December 18th, 2017 at 1:30 am EST. A Micro Moon happens when the moon is at the apogee (farthest point from Earth) in its orbit. Micro Moon energy is more focused and less intense. Sagittarius is a fire sign, with enthusiastic, philosophical, and courageous energies. Magical workings include: foundation laying, adventures, creating a new start, truth, a leap of faith, travel, working towards publication, and legal issues. This is not a passive voice. I am writing in an active voice. My SEO will stop telling me how to write. 2017 New/Dark Micro Moon in Sagittarius. These sentences are also shorter than twenty words. Stop being so controlling. Especially since most of the sentences in this post are not mine. I will keep going until you turn green. 2017 New/Dark Micro Moon in Sagittarius. I can’t believe this is still orange. Finally, it has turned. Success! This is not a passive voice. I am writing in an active voice. My SEO will stop telling me how to write. 2017 New/Dark Micro Moon in Sagittarius. These sentences are also shorter than twenty words. Stop being so controlling. Especially since most of the sentences in this post are not mine. I will keep going until you turn green. I can’t believe this is still orange. Finally, it has turned. Success!