Astrological Witchcraft: Lunations, Stations, and Ingresses
The Witch’s Guide to Celestial Timing and Ritual Alignment
There’s a rhythm behind the veil, a breath to the stars that speaks if you know how to listen. Astrological Witchcraft isn’t about prediction—it’s about participation. You’re not here to be a passive observer of Mercury’s moods or the Moon’s moodswings. You’re here to co-create with them.
In this piece, we’re going to dive into three crucial aspects of celestial motion that witches would do well to track:
Lunations: the moon’s phases and their ritual implications (if you haven’t already, check out my 10-part blog series on exploring moon phases)
Planetary Stations: when planets pause, reverse, or push forward
Ingresses: the moment a planet steps into new zodiacal terrain
By paying attention to these movements, you begin to practice witchcraft with the sky—not in spite of it.
Lunations: Where the Moon Leads, the Witch Follows
The Moon is not a mood lamp. S/he’s a clock, a mirror, a portal, and a spellbook all in one. When hir light shifts, so too should the timing of your magic.
New Moon: Concealment & Preparation
Forget the Pinterest altar full of crystals and intention jars for a moment. The New Moon isn’t a starting line—it’s the dark of the womb. The Moon is fully conjunct the Sun, completely invisible. This is not the time to manifest; it’s a time to plan. To whisper. To wait.
Work with this phase for:
Strategic withdrawal- Planning spells rather than casting
Divination to clarify intent
Cunning magic or spiritual veiling
Waxing Crescent: Emerging Intention
Here’s your planting phase. The first sliver of light appears, and now you move. You’ve got your spell, your supplies, your purpose. Start the spell—don't rush the bloom.
Workings for this phase include:
Attraction
Road opening
Self-belief or new habits
Starting long-form magical workings
First Quarter: Friction as Fuel
This phase brings tension. Square aspects. Half-light, half-dark. It’s the crucible of commitment. Whatever you're building? Now is when resistance shows up—and you show yourself.
Focus on:
Protective enchantments
Boundary work
Conflict resolution
Spells that require bold, decisive action
Waxing Gibbous: Refinement
This is the editing phase. Your spell is in motion—now you feed it. Refine your altar. Tweak the charm bag. Pour intention into the edges. It’s not glamorous, but it’s where the real work settles in.
Ideal for:
Amplification
Reworking magical plans
Focus, discipline, and repetition rituals
Full Moon: Revelation and Release
This is culmination. High tide. The fruit ripens—or rots. Whatever you’ve been weaving, the Full Moon will illuminate it. That includes what you’ve been avoiding.
Rituals now lean toward:
Divination
Manifestation (if you began earlier in the cycle)
Charging tools or talismans
Group ritual and ecstatic work
Waning Gibbous: Integration
Think gratitude. Review. This isn’t a flashy phase—it’s about harvesting the lesson.
Work with:
Offerings and thanks
Journaling and spell reviews
Processing outcomes of previous workings
Last Quarter: Separation
This is when you let go. Cut cords. End relationships. It’s the undoing moon, the spellbreaker moon.
Great for:
Banishing
Severance rituals
Disentangling emotions or commitments
Waning Crescent: Surrender
The descent continues. This is where the Witch bows out. Not in weakness, but in wisdom. Pull back, cover your mirrors, unplug, exhale.
Work with this phase for:
Dreamwork
Spirit offerings
Sacred rest
Womb-space rituals or ego death work
Adapting a Protection Spell to the Lunar Phases
In the witchcraft that I practice, timing can be crucial, but it’s not always possible to wait for the ‘perfect’ moon phase. Instead, understanding the energy of each phase allows us to adapt our spells to the present moment. By utilizing the principles of Astrological Witchcraft, let’s explore how we can work with each lunar phase to effectively modify and enhance our protection spells to our advantage.
Casting a Protection Spell During Different Moon Phases
1. New Moon Protection: Cunning and Concealment
During the New Moon, the absence of moonlight can be used to your advantage. This is a time for cunning magic that keeps you hidden or unnoticed.
A protection spell cast now can focus on getting to the root cause of why you need protection, allowing for strategic planning and staying under the radar until you’re ready to act.
2. First Quarter Moon: Growth and Strength
With the First Quarter Moon, as the moon becomes more visible, the focus shifts to growth and gaining strength.
Casting a protection spell during this phase could emphasize empowering the individual, enhancing willpower, and adding a layer of strength to your life, reinforcing your defenses as things develop and progress.
3. Full Moon: Power and Visibility
The Full Moon, with its maximum light and energy, is ideal for making a bold statement.
Protection spells cast during this phase are about being seen and making your presence known. The spell could focus on projecting power and authority, making you appear formidable and untouchable.
4. Last Quarter Moon: Release and Banishing
The Last Quarter Moon, a time of decrease and release, is perfect for combining protection with banishing.
A spell cast now might work to not only shield but also to cast out negative influences or energies. It’s about letting go of what no longer serves you to make room for what’s needed, incorporating elements of release into your protective workings.
Flexibility in Timing
By understanding and utilizing the unique energies of each lunar phase, you can tailor your spells to suit immediate needs, even when timing is not ideal. This Astrological Witchcraft approach allows for a dynamic and responsive practice, attuned to the rhythms of the moon and your personal circumstances.
Planetary Stations: When the Sky Holds Its Breath
You’ve probably heard the collective gasp that happens every time Mercury goes retrograde. But what you don’t always hear about are the stations—those potent, breath-held moments when a planet pauses between directions. In witchcraft, those pauses are pressure points in the fabric of time.
Stations are when planets appear to stand still before changing direction—either from direct to retrograde or retrograde to direct. These aren’t just celestial pivots. They’re magical hinges.
There are two main types:
Station Retrograde – when a planet begins its backward (apparent) motion
Station Direct – when a planet finishes its retrograde and resumes forward motion
Why This Matters to Witches
When a planet stations, its influence intensifies. It becomes louder, slower, more pronounced. You might think of it like a singer hitting a long, high note—impossible to ignore, slightly disorienting, and absolutely commanding your attention.
Duration and Impact in Witchcraft
Duration of Retrogrades/Directs: Each planet has its own cycle of retrograde and direct motion, varying in duration. For instance, Mercury retrogrades about three times a year for about three weeks each time, while Mars retrogrades approximately every two years for a couple of months.
Planetary Influences: The influence of a retrograde or direct period depends on the planet involved. For example, Mercury retrograde is known for communication mishaps and travel delays, making it a good time for spells focused on clarity and patience. Mars retrograde, on the other hand, might focus on internal courage and resolving inner conflicts.
Spellwork at Stations
Retrograde Spells: These spells might focus on healing, revisiting past work for improvement, and protection against repeating old patterns.
Direct Spells: Spells during a planet’s direct phase could emphasize growth, progress, new ventures, and strengthening intentions set during the retrograde.
Timing with Lunar Phases: Combine the energy of planetary movements with lunar phases for more potent spells. For example, casting a growth spell during a Waxing Moon when a key planet is direct can amplify its effectiveness.
Station Retrograde is perfect for:
Unraveling spells or bindings
Reversals and return-to-sender work
Revisiting past decisions or clearing karmic patterns
Deep divination (especially with Saturn, Pluto, or Neptune)
Station Direct supports:
Moving forward after stuck energy
Green-lighting long-term goals or new contracts
Recasting intentions that fizzled out during the retrograde
Launching visibility magic, petitions, or public rituals
Practical Tips:
Mark the stations of Mercury, Venus, and Mars as critical times for personal magic.
For outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto), stations mark collective ritual opportunities, long-term shifts, and generational work.
Avoid big workings on the day of the station unless you're trying to amplify disruption or intensity—consider building up to or away from it instead.
A Witch’s Warning:
The day a planet stations can feel like a fogged mirror or a jammed lock. It’s potent, yes, but it’s also unstable. If you’re not grounded, don’t push it. Sometimes the best magic you can do is wait, watch, and whisper.
Understanding and working with the ebb and flow of planetary stations adds a rich layer of complexity and effectiveness to your witchcraft. By aligning your spells with these cosmic movements, you’re not just performing rituals; you’re participating in a cosmic dance, in tune with the deeper rhythms of the universe.
Ingresses: Thresholds, Terrain, and the Witch’s Map
An ingress is when a planet crosses the threshold into a new zodiac sign. It’s not subtle. Imagine walking from a candlelit room into a stormy courtyard. The atmosphere shifts. The temperature changes. The rules rewrite themselves.
For the practicing witch, tracking ingresses is like checking the weather before a ritual. The sky may still be blue, but the wind just changed.
What Is an Ingress?
In astrology, an ingress occurs when a planet moves from one zodiac sign to the next. This is not just a costume change—it’s a shift in tone, speed, focus, and elemental energy.
Venus moving from Cancer to Leo changes love magic from nurturing and private to bold and performative.
Mars moving from Virgo to Libra shifts spellwork from precision and purification to negotiation and charm.
A few more nuanced examples:
Mars Entering Aries:
Mars, the planet of action and energy, feels at home in Aries, a sign known for its assertiveness and initiative.
Witchcraft Focus: Spells for empowerment, overcoming obstacles, or initiating new ventures. Use this time for rituals that require boldness and decisive action. Great time if you need to Fight and Win.
Venus Entering Taurus:
Venus governs love, beauty, and finances, and Taurus is a sign of stability, pleasure, and material comfort.
Witchcraft Focus: Spells for financial stability, material abundance, and fostering deep, sensual love. This is an excellent time for rituals focused on long-term security and enjoyment of the physical realm.
Mercury Entering Gemini:
Mercury, the messenger, rules communication and intellect, and Gemini is a sign of curiosity, adaptability, and connection.
Witchcraft Focus: Spells for clear communication, learning, and networking. Utilize this energy for rituals that require quick thinking, adaptability, and enhancing social connections.
Jupiter Entering Sagittarius:
Jupiter is associated with growth, expansion, and philosophy, and in Sagittarius, these traits are magnified.
Witchcraft Focus: Spells for personal growth, expanding horizons, and seeking truth and wisdom. Use this time for rituals that focus on education, travel, and spiritual exploration.
Why Witches Should Care
Each sign governs specific magical themes. When a planet ingresses, its influence expresses through that sign’s archetype.
A Mercury ingress affects:
Communication
Divination
Mental magic
Spell phrasing and incantation
A Mars ingress affects:
Conflict spells
Protection work
Motivation and drive
A Moon ingress changes:
Emotional tone
Dreamwork flavor
Types of herbal and water magic
Ingress Magic
You don’t always have to cast a spell at the moment of ingress. But knowing when they happen means you can:
Time spell launches for energetic harmony
Align ritual themes with current planetary expression
Avoid magical whiplash by not casting against the tide
Ingress spells include:
Threshold rites
Elemental shifts in candle work (air to fire, water to earth, etc.)
Planet-specific enchantments to “welcome” the new energy
Pro Tip: Watch the Ingress + Station Combo
Sometimes a planet will station and ingress within a few days. That’s major. That’s a door slamming shut and another swinging open. Those moments can rip open timelines—or rewrite them.
Every ingress is an invitation to work with the cosmos, not just under it. Learn the lay of the sky. Know the terrain. When a planet changes signs, ask: What path am I walking now—and what does it ask of me as a Witch?
That’s the rhythm. That’s the dance. That’s how the Witch watches the sky—and knows when to move.
Weaving Astrology into Witchcraft
Astrological events provide a powerful framework for timing and focusing your magical practices.
Aligning with the Lunar Cycle: Plan your spells according to the moon’s phases. This alignment ensures that your magical workings are in harmony with the natural rhythm of the cosmos.
Planetary Energies: Utilize the energy of stationary planets in your spellwork. Their intensified influence can amplify the effects of your rituals.
Zodiacal Correspondences: Incorporate elements, herbs, and symbols associated with the zodiac sign that a planet is entering. This adds a layer of depth and specificity to your spells.
Personalization: Your Unique Astrological Witchcraft Path
Your personal astrological chart (natal chart) offers a treasure trove of insights for customizing your witchcraft. By understanding the placements and aspects in your chart, you can tailor your rituals to align with your innate energies and life path.
Astrological Witchcraft: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery
This post offers just a brief overview of the intricate dance between astrology and witchcraft, focusing on lunations, planetary stations, and ingress. However, remember, this is just the tip of the celestial iceberg. There is so much more to explore and countless pathways of understanding to embark upon when it comes to the cosmos and our witchcraft practices.
I encourage you to delve deeper, experiment, and discover how these cosmic forces resonate with your own magical journey. Your unique experiences and insights are invaluable, and I’m always excited to hear about what you uncover in your exploration. So please, explore, experiment, and share your discoveries! Your contributions help enrich our collective understanding of astrological witchcraft.
Engage with Our Community
Have you experienced the power of aligning your witchcraft with astrological events? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
“How have lunar phases influenced your magical practices? Do you have a favorite moon phase for specific spells or rituals?”
“Have you noticed a difference in your witchcraft during planetary stations? What are your experiences with retrograde or direct motion spells?”
“Which planetary ingress has had the most significant impact on your magical work? Do you align your spells with specific zodiac energies?”
“In what unique ways have you incorporated astrological elements into your witchcraft? Any surprising outcomes or insights?”
“Are there any particular astrological events you’re looking forward to working with? How do you plan to harness these cosmic energies?”
Astrological Witchcraft isn’t about memorizing planetary minutiae—it’s about moving with meaning. By paying attention to lunations, planetary stations, and ingresses, you become more than just a practitioner. You become a participant in the grand cosmic conversation.
Track. Time. Trust.
Let your rituals breathe with the wind of the stars and the tide of the Moon. And when the moment comes—move with it.
You are the storm, the stillness, and the spell.
Welcome to the craft that never forgets the sky.
