Candle Magic and Moon Phases: A Practical Guide
- Wendy H.
- Oct 8, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Let's be honest: you don't need to wait for the "perfect" moon phase to cast a spell.
You don't need to memorize which moon does what, consult three different apps, and schedule your entire life around lunar timing.
You don't need a candle in every color of the rainbow, a drawer full of essential oils, or a PhD in astrology.
And you definitely don't need to feel guilty when you realize you did a "banishing spell" during a waxing moon or whatever else you're not supposed to do.
Here's what #WitchTok won't tell you:
The moon doesn't control your magic. You do.
Moon phases aren't cosmic laws you must obey. They're a framework—a way to organize your practice and work with natural rhythms that are already happening.
Think of it like this: You can go to the gym any day of the week and get results. But some people like having a structured routine (leg day, arm day, rest day) because the rhythm helps them stay consistent.
Moon phases work the same way.
Can you do magic without paying attention to the moon? Absolutely.
Will aligning with lunar cycles add focus and depth to your practice? Yeah, probably.
But if you need to do a spell during the "wrong" phase because that's when you have the time, energy, or desperation? Do it anyway.
Intention trumps timing. Every single time.
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What Each Moon Phase Actually Means (Without the Mystical BS)
The moon's cycle provides a natural rhythm for working with different types of energy.
Here's what each phase offers:
New Moon - Starting fresh, setting intentions, planting seeds (literal or metaphorical)
Waxing Moon - Building momentum, attracting what you want, taking action
Full Moon - Peak energy, releasing what doesn't serve you, celebrating progress
Waning Moon - Letting go, banishing, clearing out, resting
That's it. That's the framework.
Everything else—specific candle colors, exact timing, elaborate rituals—is optional enhancement. Not requirement.
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New Moon: Starting Fresh
What this phase is good for:
Setting intentions for the coming month
Starting new projects or habits
Shadow work and inner exploration
Anything that involves "I'm beginning something new"
Candle colors that work well:
Black - Not "evil." Black absorbs and clears, making space for new beginnings
White - Fresh start energy, blank slate
Dark blue or purple - If you're doing introspective work
Don't have these colors? Use what you have. A yellow candle works for new beginnings if that's what's in your drawer.
Simple New Moon Spell:
Light your candle (any color)
Write down 1-3 intentions for this moon cycle
Read them out loud to the flame
Sit with the candle for a few minutes, visualizing these intentions taking root
Keep the paper somewhere you'll see it this month
That's it. You're done.
No elaborate setup. No perfect timing. No memorizing correspondences.
Just you, a candle, and clear intentions.
What to work on during the new moon:
Career changes or new job searches
Starting a new relationship or practice
Breaking old patterns that aren't serving you
Planning and visioning (not action yet—that comes with the waxing moon)
Waxing Moon: Building Momentum
What this phase is good for:
Taking action on goals you set at the new moon
Attracting what you want (money, love, opportunities)
Building confidence or skills
Anything involving growth or increase
Candle colors that work well:
Green - Money, abundance, growth
Pink - Love, self-love, gentle attraction
Red - Passion, courage, bold action
Orange - Confidence, creativity, joy
Gold/Yellow - Success, optimism
Simple Waxing Moon Spell:
Pick a candle color that matches your goal (or use white)
Optional: Carve a word into the candle with a toothpick (MONEY, LOVE, CONFIDENCE)
Light it
Say out loud: "I attract [specific thing] into my life"
Spend a few minutes visualizing already having it—feel the feeling of success
Let the candle burn for at least 15 minutes
What to work on during the waxing moon:
Job applications and interviews
First dates or deepening relationships
Asking for a raise
Building a new habit
Creative projects that need momentum
Full Moon: Peak Power
What this phase is good for:
Releasing what's no longer serving you
Gratitude for what's working
Charging your crystals or tools (if you're into that)
Big, bold magic when you need maximum power
Candle colors that work well:
White - Purification, clarity, completion
Silver - Lunar energy, intuition
Light blue - Peace, truth
Honestly, any color - The full moon amplifies everything
Simple Full Moon Release Spell:
Light a white candle
Write down what you're releasing on paper (a habit, a belief, a relationship, a fear)
Read each item out loud: "I release [this thing]. It no longer serves me."
Burn the paper in the candle flame (use a bowl or your sink for safety)
Let the ashes cool, then throw them away or bury them outside
You're not being dramatic. You're literally releasing the ick from your life.
Alternative: Full Moon Gratitude Spell
If you're not in a "release" mood, the full moon is also perfect for gratitude:
Light any candle
Write down 5-10 things you're grateful for right now
Read them out loud to the flame
Keep the list on your altar or in your journal
Let the candle burn while you sit with that grateful feeling
What to work on during the full moon:
Letting go of anything you've been holding onto
Celebrating progress you've made
Big manifestation work (bringing things to completion)
Divination or intuitive work
Waning Moon: Clearing Out
What this phase is good for:
Banishing negativity, bad habits, or toxic people
Cord cutting (releasing energetic connections)
Forgiveness work (of yourself or others)
Rest and reflection before the next cycle begins
Candle colors that work well:
Black - Banishing, protection, absorption
Brown - Grounding, returning to earth
Dark purple - Transformation, spiritual cleansing
Gray - Neutralizing
Simple Waning Moon Banishing Spell:
Light a black candle (or any dark color)
Write down what you're banishing (an addiction, a toxic ex, self-doubt, fear)
Say firmly: "I banish [this thing]. It has no power over me anymore."
Burn the paper
Snuff out the candle (don't let it burn completely for banishing work)
Throw away the wax and ashes—get them out of your house
What to work on during the waning moon:
Breaking bad habits or addictions
Ending relationships that are draining you
Releasing resentment or anger
Clearing physical or emotional clutter
Forgiving yourself for past mistakes
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"But I Don't Have the Right Color Candle"
Use white. White works for literally everything.
The candle color thing is helpful but not required. A green candle helps your brain focus on money magic because we associate green with money. But a white candle with strong intention works just as well.
If you only have birthday candles from your junk drawer? Use those.
If you only have a Bath & Body Works candle from 2019? Light it.
Your intention is what matters. The candle is just a focus tool.
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"But I Missed the Perfect Timing"
You realize the full moon was two days ago and you forgot to do your release ritual.
Do you:
A) Beat yourself up and wait another month
B) Do the ritual anyway because you need it right now
The answer is B.
The moon doesn't punish you for imperfect timing. The full moon energy lingers for a day or two after the peak anyway.
And even if it didn't—you're the one doing the magic. The moon is just providing a helpful rhythm.
Do the spell when you have the time, energy, and focus to do it well. That matters way more than doing it on the "correct" day when you're exhausted and distracted.
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The Absolute Minimalist Approach
If you only have:
One white candle
A lighter
5 minutes
You can still work with moon phases:
New moon: Light candle, set one clear intention
Waxing moon: Light candle, visualize your goal manifesting
Full moon: Light candle, release one thing that's not serving you
Waning moon: Light candle, banish one habit or fear
That's it. That's the practice.
Everything else—fancy colors, specific oils, carved symbols, elaborate rituals—enhances the work but isn't required to make it effective.
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Quick Reference (Screenshot This)
Moon Phase | Energy | Best For | Candle Colors |
New Moon | Beginnings, planting seeds | Setting intentions, starting fresh | Black, white, dark blue |
Waxing Moon | Building, attracting | Manifesting, taking action | Green, pink, red, orange, gold |
Full Moon | Peak power, release | Letting go, gratitude, big magic | White, silver, any color |
Waning Moon | Decreasing, clearing | Banishing, forgiveness, rest | Black, brown, purple, gray |
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How to Actually Start
This month:
Google "moon phase today" (or use timeanddate.com/moon/phases)
Pick one spell from the relevant section above
Light a candle
Do the thing
Notice how you feel afterward
Next month:
Try working with the full cycle:
New moon: Set intentions
Waxing moon: Take action on those intentions
Full moon: Release what's blocking you
Waning moon: Rest and reflect
After a few months, the rhythm becomes intuitive. You'll start feeling the energy shifts without checking an app.
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Final Thoughts
Moon phase candle magic isn't complicated:
Light a candle. State your intention clearly. Focus for a few minutes. Let it burn.
The sophistication comes from consistency, not from perfect timing or elaborate setups.
You don't need every candle color, the exact right phase, or flawless execution.
You need intention, focus, and a willingness to show up for your practice—even when it's messy or "wrong" according to some book written in 1987.
The moon will keep cycling whether you work with it or not.
But when you choose to align your magic with lunar phases, you're tapping into a rhythm that's older than written language.
That has power—not because it's mystical, but because it's intentional.
Now go light a candle. ✨
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Looking for More Candle Magic and Moon Rituals?
My free spell library has moon phase rituals, candle spells for every intention, and timing guides so you can find exactly what you need when you need it.
100+ spells organized by intention, time, and supplies needed.
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