Here’s How to Make Moon Water—and All the Things You Can Do With It

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Astrologers, witches, and mystics alike can all agree on the power of the Moon. It’s one of the two luminaries in our sky (alongside the Sun) and incredibly important in astrology and many different spiritual traditions. Learning to work with the Moon and its phases can be an incredibly potent tool for manifestation and magic.

First, a little background: The Moon rules over the subtle, subconscious, and intuitive aspects of the self, and its wax and wane reflects our own changing moods. When we align ourselves with the Moon, we’re tapping into an ancient energy current. One simple way to work with the Moon is by making Moon water.

What Is Moon Water?

To put it simply, Moon water is water that has been charged by the Moon. You can create Moon water by leaving water outdoors to charge under the moonlight. Because the Moon affects the ocean’s tides, there’s already an energetic connection between the element of water and the Moon. When you add intention (and maybe a crystal or two), you can create a tool that can be used for everything from watering your plants to adding to your ritual bath to cleansing your home.

How Does Moon Water Work?

Moon water works for a couple of reasons—the first is because of the nature of the element of water. Energetically, water is receptive. It holds the energy or intention of whatever it’s imbued with. And in the case of Moon water, the water acts as a psychic sponge, holding on to the energy the Moon is disseminating from the cosmos into our world. In this way, the water becomes a sort of talisman, holding on to the planetary energy of the Moon for use in future spells or rituals.

The vibration or energy of the Moon water you charge will be dependent on the sign the Moon is in as well as the phase. Because the Moon is at its strongest, most vibrant and potent manifestation during the Full Moon, this is the time that Moon water is usually created.

When To Make Moon Water

Moon water is traditionally charged at night under the light of the Full Moon, when lunar energy is at its most potent and we’re easily able to connect to our intuition. You can also make Moon water during a Gibbous Moon, when the Moon is almost full. One caveat: Never make Moon water during an eclipse—eclipse energy overpowers lunar energy, so it’s not a good time to do this kind of work.

Whichever lunar phase you choose, check which zodiac sign the Moon is in, because this will affect the energy of the water. For example, Moon water charged under a Full Moon in Taurus, ruled by Venus, will encourage love and pleasure, while Moon water charged under a Full Moon in Gemini, ruled by Mercury, can help you claim your voice.

How to Make Moon Water

Moon Water Ingredients

• A jar or container (I recommend a mason jar or other clear glass jar, but any container like a jar, cup, or even Tupperware will do).

• Water (from the tap, from a bottle, from a river… just make sure it’s safe to drink if you plan on doing so!).

• A label to date your Moon water and note sign and phase of the Moon.

• Water-safe crystals, like rose quartz, clear quartz, or amethyst (optional).

• Cleansing herbs, like mugwort (ruled by the Moon), lavender (for relaxation and healing), rosemary (for protection), or sweetgrass (for positive energy) (optional).

• A lighter and bowl to burn the herbs (optional).

• An intention to focus on, such as peace, love, or acceptance (optional).

Bewitching the Elements: A Guide to Empowering Yourself Through Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit

Learn more about Moon water, plus many more spells, in Gabriela Herstik's book.

Witch Bottle

You can use any container to hold your Moon water, but this one is ~vibey~.

500-Piece Label Stickers

Add a label to your Moon water so you can remember which zodiac sign you charged it under.

5 Crystals for Love

Choose crystals that align with your intention and the sign the Moon is in.

Lavender Bundle

You can cleanse your Moon water container before using it by burning herbs like lavender.

Abalone Shell + Stand

If you're burning herbs, you need a safe place to put them.

Moon Water Instructions

1. First, choose and prepare your container for your Moon water. You might begin by cleansing your jar or container with smoke from your herbs, sticking on your label, and adding crystals to your jar.

2. Then add your water. You can use any source of water here, whether it's from the tap, or from a nearby river. Just a note: Consider what you might want to use your Moon water for in the future, and choose a water that will fit. If you're using it to water your garden, water from a local river will be fine; if you're using it to remove your makeup, you'll want something cleaner!

3. Place the jar somewhere outside (0r if you don’t have access to the outdoors, on a windowsill) so it can absorb the Moon’s energy. Remember, even if you can’t see the Full Moon, the water will still charge.

4. If you’d like, you can take a moment to meditate with the Moon water before you leave it to rest overnight. Hold your palms over the water and picture the lunar energy moving through the crown of your head, down your spine and arms, through your body, and out of your palms into the water. As you do so, focus on the intention you’re setting, then thank the universe for letting you connect with the cosmos.

5. Finally, leave the water to charge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have Moon water!

How to Set an Intention with Moon Water

While it’s never a bad idea to make Moon water for a general purpose (like for tapping into lunar energy), it can also be used more specifically to align with a specific intention. Before you choose your intention, look up whatever sign the Moon is in during the time when you want to charge it. Read about this energy of this zodiac sign. So the Full Moon in Libra would be great for an intention about love magick because Libra is ruled by Venus, planet of love. On the other hand, a Full Moon in Capricorn (ruled by Saturn, planet of structure and restrictions) would be better for an intention around helping you assert your boundaries.

Once you’ve figured out what sort of intention aligns with the lunar phase you’re working with, get clear on said intention, writing it down in the present tense (since this tells the universe this intention is already yours and not something that’s going to happen in the future). I always add, “This or something better, for the highest good of all involved,” at the end of my intentions, just to make sure I’m still open to the possibilities of the universe.

Once you’ve made your Moon water, read your intention out loud and then hold your palms over the water once again. Charge your Moon water by visualizing silver lunar energy moving through the crown of your head, down your spine, through your body, down your arms, out your palms into the water. Continue to visualize this energy pouring into the water, until you feel the water is charged and glowing silver with your intention. Then voilà, you have charged Moon water!

Moon Water Through the Zodiac Signs

One of the beautiful things about creating Moon Water is your ability to customize this as you see fit. You can work with your birth chart to create Moon Water that’s extra supportive for whatever spellwork you’re doing, and you can use the list below to get you started for inspiration. You may want to read the following for your Sun or Moon sign, or even your Venus sign, depending on what sort of magick you’ll be using your Moon water for.

Aries

As a fire sign, you can make Moon water to balance out your flare. Make Moon water under a water sign moon if you want to work magick around healing, your heart, or your emotions. Use this water to anoint your heart, to pour over yourself in the shower, or add essential oils to it and use it as a room spray.

Taurus

You’re a stubborn fixed sign, beloved Taurus, so make Moon water under a fire sign Moon to get into the passion and power of your body, or make it under a water Moon to really channel the relaxation you so love and deserve. Use this Moon water for a face mask, to clean your altar, to make fire cider, or whatever else feels invigorating.

Gemini

Make Moon water under a Gemini or Sagittarius Moon to channel your creativity, your vision, and your expression. It’s always a party for you, dear Gemini, so use this tool to make life even more of a party. Use Moon water in creating offerings of art and self-expression, whether you’re painting with watercolors or planting a garden.

Cancer

As the only zodiac sign ruled by the Moon, you may as well dive deep into this and make Moon water during a Cancer Moon or other water sign Moon. Use this Moon water to tap more deeply in your heart and in rituals of self-love, whether in the bath, for a face mask, or to drink the lunar energy you’re so connected to.

Leo

As the only zodiac sign ruled by the Sun, you can work with the Moon to balance out that legendary solar flare of yours. Use water made under a Cancer Moon to really tap into that lunar energy and use it in rituals of intuition—in a candlelit bath, in water to scry with, or to make ink for automatic writing.

Virgo

Make Moon water under the Pisces Moon to tap into the opposite end of your zodiac axis, beloved Virgo. Use your Moon water to create art in the name of your mystic expression—whether by water coloring, tie dying, or the like—and use it as a practice to be messy, to enjoy the ride, to create for the sake of it. Allow the Pisces Moon to bless you with more cosmic surrender and chaos, no matter how awkward it may seem.

Libra

If you’ve been having trouble focusing on the big picture or making big decisions, make Moon water under a fire sign Moon. Use this to empower yourself to move through the tides of life without getting lost in the sauce. Drink the Moon water when you’re working on a big project that needs focus and wash your face with this to bless yourself with this energy.

Scorpio

Why not claim the potent powers of your intuitive magick and make Moon water under a Scorpio Moon? Charge your Moon water with the energy of sex, death, and rebirth, and use it in a bath to cleanse yourself before sex magick rituals. Keep a glass of Scorpio Moon water by your bed to drink mid-coitus to keep up your energy, or place it as an offering on your altar.

Sagittarius

Make Moon Water under the Aquarius Moon or another air sign Moon to channel the visionary adventure of this sign. Aquarius energy can help you keep in alignment with your goals. You can drink the Moon Water, water a plant with it, or use it as an ingredient in floor wash to clean your space.

Capricorn

You are the sea-goat, after all, so use Moon water made under a water sign moon to help you relax, surrender, and enjoy. Make some Moon water and then load up a bath with Epsom salt and lunar herbs like jasmine and mugwort and enjoy a soak that brings you back to peace, presence, and tranquility. Allow it to wash away any tension, so you can ebb and flow as the Moon does.

Aquarius

You may be the water-bearer, beloved Aquarius, but you’re still an air sign. Use Moon water to feel more and think less. Get creative—use it to paint with watercolors, or to clean the paint of your acrylic brushes, or mix a small bit with some India ink to make sigils or practice automatic writing. Use Moon water in your beauty rituals to tap into the tender part of your psyche through self-love, and to feel into the power of your heart.

Pisces

Use Moon water made under a fire moon to amp up your creativity and vision. Use it in rituals to balance out your watery nature by using it as an offering alongside candle magick. You can even place a jar candle in a bowl of Moon water to balance out the solar and lunar influences within you. Use this water to wash your body, your face, or clean your space with some creative energy.

How to Use Moon Water

Okay, so you made your Moon water. Now what do you do with it? Lucky you, there are many options:

• Use it to clean your altar, sacred space, crystals, or any ritual tools.

• Add it to a ritual bath.

• Use it to cleanse your floor (yep, you can just add it to your PineSol!).

• Dip your brushes in it when you paint.

• Use it to water your plants.

• Create a fragrant room spray by adding essential oils and alcohol.

• Use it in your essential oil diffuser.

• Drink it so you can absorb it into your body.

• Use it to anoint your body, as a way of energetically cleansing yourself.

• Use your Moon water to make tea. Add herbs or herbal tea that corresponds with your intentions—like lavender for healing, mugwort for psychic messages, or rose for love, then enjoy the ritual of sipping this! BTW: Make sure you use drinking water for this!

• Sprinkle Moon water in the corners of your space and invite the Moon’s energy to cleanse and clear your home of any negativity or stagnancy.

• Use your Moon water as an offering to any deities associated with the Moon or water, like Isis, Diana, or Venus.

• Use Moon water as an offering to your ancestors, as a portal for them to connect to you.

How to Use Moon Water for Manifestation

You can use Moon water for manifestation by charging it with your intention and drinking it or by using it in a spell like a honey jar spell or in a ritual bath. Follow the same steps as above to set your intention with the Moon water, writing it down in the present tense.

After you create your Moon water, you can drink it to absorb the energy back into yourself, or you can pour it in a bath and add herbs that correspond to what you’re manifesting (like roses for love, mint for money, or eucalyptus for cleansing and healing). You can also use sex magick to work with your orgasms to benefit from the power of the Full Moon. Do this by keeping your intention in your mind’s eye as you climax and then send out this energy through the top of your head into the cosmos to manifest. When you’re done, drink some of the charged Moon water, and if you want, you can also anoint yourself on your sexual center (below your belly button), on your heart, and on your third eye (between your brows).

How to Use Full Moon Water in your Beauty Routine

The best part about Moon water is that you can get creative with how you use it. Use it to wash your face, and ask for the blessings of the Moon as you do so. (Again, if you’re going to use Moon water in your skincare routine, make sure you’re using potable water and not river or ocean water!) Beauty is cyclical and ever-evolving, and so is the Moon. If you have any water-activated beauty products, you can use some of the Moon water to work with them. BTW, you can also make a face spray with your Moon water, but you may wish to use distilled water for this—you can use organic rose petals and your (distilled!) Moon water for a facial toner, blessed by the Moon herself.

And if you think of another use, go for it. Get creative and let the magick of the Moon and your heart guide you. As witches say, and so it is!

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