The Little Book of Moon Magic: An Introduction to Lunar Lore, Rituals, and Spells, by Francis Nightingale
Red Wheel, 9781590035566, 128 pages, October 2024
In her tiny tome, The Little Book of Moon Magic: An Introduction to Lunar Lore, Rituals, and Spells, author Francis Nightingale presents myths, phases, spells, and meditations on the giant rock in the sky, the moon.
Francis Nightingale is a freelance writer, who has published one other book, The Mythology Puzzle Book: 200 Brain-Teasing Activities. She loves to study astrology and mysticism. She currently lives and works in London.
I love the structure of this book, from the orderly Table of Contents to the tips and scripts for Moon meditations. In her brief introduction, Nightingale shares the more common Roman name of Luna for the Moon. But did you know that the Greeks called the Moon Selene? She also makes this promise to the reader:
“The Little Book of Moon Magic will take you on a journey: you will learn facts about the moon, but also stories about it from all around the world.”1
Next, Nightingale shares a little about how the Moon was formed from volcanic lava and a collision between Earth and another planet. Then, she goes into great detail about the Moon phases, starting with the New Moon phase. This happens when the Sun and Moon are in the same zodiac sign and when “the Earth gets between the Sun and the Moon, so the whole thing is in shadow.”2 In this chapter, I also learned about a superstition:
“Don’t look at a New Moon through a window for the first time. Or you’ll break a dish later!”3
I love the way Nightingale talks about each of the four main Moon phases, weaving myths and technical information into each section. She also shares how to create your intentions and goals through these phases for maximum manifesting. Nightingale shares the different types of Full Moons, including Blue Moon, which happens when there are two Full Moons in one calendar month.
By going through the phases, one by one, the reader will learn how to structure intentions and goals and make the most of Moon magic. Another section, entitled Moon Lore, covers information from the history and mythology of the Moon. Nightingale writes, “The Venus of Laussel is a limestone carving of a woman that also shows thirteen notches on a horn held above her head. It is believed that these notches are symbols of the number of moons in the year or the number of menstrual cycles, or both.“4
Due to my own studies of the Moon, I knew most of the myths shared by Nightingale. However, the one about Mama Killa’s Tears was new to me. Her story is tied to the lunar eclipses and is an ancient explanation of the disappearance of the Moon during an eclipse.
Moon Spells are next, and Nightingale gives the reader a gentle reminder:
“Be gentle with yourself. Moon spells are never quick fixes, although sometimes miracles do occur. Accept that letting the moon in is a process, not an event.” 5
My favorite spell is the New Moon Crystal Spell. It consists of placing outside a few of the crystals specified by Nightingale. She recommends doing so during the New Moon.
Another great spell is Full Moon Spell to Reveal What is Hidden and includes a bowl of cherries while you sit by a window. After asking the Moon for help, you eat the cherries, putting the pits back into the bowl and reading the pattern left by the juice for clues or messages.
In the chapter on meditation, Nightingale covers all the bases. She gives directions, provides easy steps for meditation, presents affirmations to use, and shares how to let go and how to come back into the room. She also gives us information on how to meditate on the different Moon types, from a Harvest Moon to a Waning Moon to a New Moon.
Each section builds on the one prior and at the end of this chapter, the reader has a great understanding of how to meditate with the Moon. The only thing that I missed was a script that I could record and use for my own guided meditation. You can put together the various pieces for your own guided meditation, but it would have been great for Nightingale to have presented this to the reader.
My favorite meditation section was the one regarding health. I like the idea of sitting outside under a Full Moon and reciting my intentions around good health, healing from something that is troubling me or physical pain.
The Little Book of Moon Magic is a great collection of Moon information. I’m always intrigued by small books that pack a punch, and this one does just that. I love the factual information, as well as the myths, spells, and meditation ideas. Readers who are interested in learning more about the Moon and working with the Moon to improve their lives would enjoy this book. You don’t need any prior Moon knowledge to benefit from Nightingale’s knowledge and guidance since she shares so much information!
PJ Spur is an author, intuitive, spiritual mentor, astrologer, and hypnotist. She does tarot & oracle card readings, natal chart readings, grief coaching, and relationship healing. She also has hosted a weekly “Coffee & Cards” event with her Soul Compass Community for the past four years. Her book Navigating Grief with Grace is available on Amazon. Learn more at www.dearpj.com