It's astounding how few Witches learn the basics of Astrology and how to apply them in Circle. Many who have mastered far more difficult studies (Tarot, Gematria, I-Ching) are simply stumped by the stars. It's so mathematical, they say, so complex. Or else, so unscientific! Clearly a mental block - but an odd one for those seeking to reclaim and use the wise old ways.

Astrology was high tech to the ancients and remained widely accepted until the mid-18th century. From Egypt and Babylon down through the millennia, star data accumulated in the collective unconscious. In Europe, Zodiacal symbols were everywhere: cathedrals, palaces, books of hours. Literate or not, nearly everyone in medieval and Renaissance times knew the language of Signs and Planets, and that would certainly include Witches.

I view Astrology as an art rather than a science - exactly as I view medicine! First learn it on its own terms; then experiment a bit. As with all magickal work, observe and record your results carefully. When you've amassed some data and experience, you can judge for yourself whether Astrology "works" or not.

Some Basic Astronomy
Ancient astronomers observed that "wandering stars" (planets) returned to certain positions relative to "fixed stars" (in constellations) over so many days, months or years. The Zodiac (Greek - ring of animals) is a series of 12 constellations seen to form a band around our Earth angled to the tilt of her orbit. This band is called the Plane of the Ecliptic. It is the line along which all the planets - and the Sun and the Moon - appear to travel when viewed from the Earth.

Visualize the Zodiac as a 360° pie divided into twelve equal 30° sections; or, better yet, as a huge geocentric clock with the moving bodies (Sun, Moon, planets) as "hands" indicating "time" in relation to each other. Oh yes - and also as a Circle with the Four Elements at the Quarters. Where do you think that notion came from, anyway?

As Pagans we live in harmony with the Earth's times and seasons; as Witches we work with the Moon. The Moon takes 28 days to orbit the Earth, and "pass through" the 12 Signs. The same journey appears to take the Sun roughly 365 days: the Solar Year of twelve "Sun Signs" we all know and love.

We're familiar with the three Lunar phases: New, Full, and Dark. We know that a "waxing" Moon is moving from New to Full, and a "waning" Moon is moving from Full to Dark. Since the visible half of the Moon always faces (and reflects) the Sun, when the Moon is Full to us, it is opposite the Sun on the Ecliptic and, therefore, in the opposite Sign from the Sun. When the Moon is Dark, showing us only its lightless side, it is between us and the Sun, in roughly the same place on the Ecliptic, and so in the same Sign. And that's about all the Lunar astronomy we need.

Lunar and Solar Symbolism
Witches see the Moon as female. The Lunar cycle is often compared to the feminine reproductive cycle of ovulation/release, fertility/ conception, menstruation/cleansing. There are thirteen Lunar cycles in a solar year. Thirteen Moons: thirteen Esbat nights for traditional Witchmeets. That's the Lunar Wheel of the Year.

Then there is the Sun, which most of us see as male. In addition to the Dark and Light (Goddess/God) halves of the year, we have the Eight Sabbats: also known as the Solar Wheel of the Year.

Astrologically, the Equinoxes mark the entry of the Sun into the first pair of polar-opposite Signs: Aries and Libra. The Solstices occur when the Sun enters the fourth pair of polar opposites: Cancer and Capricorn. There are six sets of these paired Signs. For starters, I suggest you memorize them in pairs, as balanced sides of the same coin, so to speak.

I like to tell students that Wicca has Eight New Years: Each Sabbat kicks off a cycle reflecting its own properties. But remember, there are two interlocking Wheels, a Solar and a Lunar one. This works much like a gear system, because the Lunar dates don't fall on the same night in every yearly Solar cycle - 28 can't divide equally into 365.

Just as the farmer plants by the Moon and Sun (seasons) the astrological year can be "farmed" using the Signs and the relationships between the Sun and Moon. The next time you plan out your Coven calendar, note the relationship of that year's New and Full Moon dates to the Sabbats. Many Covens do heavier practical work at the New or Full Moon just before a given Sabbat, then use the actual Sabbat for reinforcement.

Sun and Moon as God and Goddess can both separate and merge. Two astrological terms describe these functions: Opposition and Conjunction. The New Moon is a Sun-Moon Conjunction: two halves of the same being, in unison. The energy is simple, pure, compressed. At the Full Moon (Sun-Moon Opposition) they are a complementary pair of polar opposites, harmonizing with each other. The energy is dynamic, balanced, intense.

Seeds sown at the New Moon germinate quickly. Likewise, when you do a New Moon Spell, you expect results by the Full Moon. For example, the New Moon in Taurus (money) is good for a "quick buck". But the Full Moon in Taurus can be used for longer-term financial gains. Here your work may take a full growing season of six or even nine months to come to fruition.

Lunar Astrology is an excellent aid to channeling or drawing down aspects of the Gods. When you invoke a particular Goddess, choosing the correct astrological time makes it much easier to tune Her in. Say I wish to draw down the Goddess Hekate. Capricorn, sign of age and wisdom, is very hospitable to Hekate, who acts like a sort of female Saturn. The New Moon in Capricorn occurs in January; the Full in July. These times would be especially propitious one at which to honor Hekate and invite Her to feast with you.

When using Lunar Astrology for spellcasting, try to do your work when the Moon first enters the Sign. You'll need tables of planetary movement to do this: get a copy of Llewellyn's Moon Sign Book or a similar publication. Otherwise you can find information for that month in the current issue of popular Astrology magazines. For those who really enjoy it, there's always lots more to learn. But start with the Moon and see how you do.