Moon Water: How to Make It, Uses, and Spiritual Meaning
Moon Water is water placed beneath the Moon to capture its spiritual energy. It’s one of my favorite ways to use Moon Magic because all you need is water, a container, and an intention connected to the lunar cycle.
In witchcraft, Moon Water is often used in spells, rituals, cleansing, and offerings. How you use it, and what spiritual meaning you give it, ultimately depends on your own beliefs and practice.
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Table of Contents
What is Moon Water?
Moon Water is water charged beneath the Moon and used in witchcraft, Paganism, and other spiritual practices. It’s like capturing a tiny bit of the moon’s spiritual energy in a jar! Moon Water is any water that’s absorbed by the Moon’s energy during ANY phase. However, it’s most popular to place it beneath a Full Moon.
Many spiritual practitioners consider it sacred, similar to Holy Water in Christianity. The magic of Moon Water comes from your spiritual practice and the meaning you give to the ritual.
The Moon has inspired calendars, folklore, religious traditions, and our connection with Nature for thousands of years. Creating Moon Water is a simple way to connect with those traditions and the natural cycles with intention and meaning.
In past civilizations the Moon was regarded as a deity, its dominion dramatically manifested in its rhythmic control over the tides and the cycle of female fertility.
Ancient lore and legend tell of the power of the Moon to instill spells with magic, to transform humans into beasts, and to send people’s behaviour swaying perilously between sanity and lunacy (from the Latin luna, “Moon”).
Britannica – Moon Earth’s satellite
How To Make Moon Water
Making Moon Water is very simple. You only need water, a container, and a little time beneath the Moon. From there, everything else is your personal choice. Here’s how I make mine.
Choose Your Container
Fill a glass container of your choice with water. (I love finding beautiful and unique glass containers at Thrift or Antique stores).
I also love using mason jars because the lids keep out bugs, animals, leaves, bird “blessings,” etc. If you plan on consuming your Moon Water, I definitely recommend choosing a container with a lid.
When I use a mason jar or similar container, I like to flip it upside down so the lid is on the bottom. Then, the Moon’s energy can shine through the glass!
Choose Your Water
When choosing water, consider how you plan to use it. I always use filtered water from my home, but this is my personal preference.
If you plan to drink your Moon Water, collect water from a natural spring, tap water, rainwater, or bottled water (try to avoid using plastic if possible because it’s so bad for the earth).
If you don’t plan to ingest it, you can collect it from any body of water, ocean, lake, river, etc. Many spiritual practitioners enjoy incorporating symbolism and meaning into their Moon Water. For example, if a local lake or river is sacred to you, using its water would infuse this spiritual connection into your Moon Water.
Choose a Moon Phase
While it’s most popular to create Moon Water during a Full Moon, it’s not the only option. Feel free to make Moon Water during ANY phase of the lunar cycle. I prefer to choose the phase based on its spiritual meaning and how I’ll be using my Moon Water in my intention or ritual.
For example, a New Moon represents fresh starts and renewal; it’s great for manifestation and cleansing. Alternatively, a Waning Crescent Moon is associated with closure and rest; it’s excellent for meditation and self-love.
Set Your Intention
Once you’ve filled your container with water, cleanse the water and container. This will remove any negative energy the water or container has picked up. It also allows your intentions and spiritual energy to infuse the Moon Water.
I like to do this with incense, but feel free to use your favorite method. Many practitioners believe this step isn’t necessary because the Moon will cleanse it.
Once you’re finished cleansing, it’s time to infuse your intentions into it. Remember, this is a sacred and spiritual ritual; slow down and focus on your intentions. Think about how you plan to use your Moon Water.
Begin by taking a moment to meditate quietly with the container of water close to your heart. Visualize your hands sending warm, loving thoughts and energy into the water. Focus and fill it up with your gratitude. (I prefer to wear headphones when doing this and listen to music that symbolically represents my intention).
Place Your Water Under the Moon
Once you feel your intentions have been infused into your water, leave your container to soak up the lunar energy. Many practitioners place their Moon Water outside to enhance the lunar energy. However, depending on the time of year, you may choose to place your Moon Water inside your home.
For example, many spiritual practitioners place their glass containers inside on a windowsill because they don’t want to worry about them freezing and breaking in the night.
However, this is a completely personal preference. If you put it outside during the Winter season and it freezes, it’s still very useful Moon Water! It’s truly magical and connected with the seasons of Nature. You can always bring it back inside and let it thaw before you use it.
If you choose to place it outside, you can place it anywhere that’s convenient for you. I’ve even heard of some people putting it on top of their car because it keeps the animals away. If you choose to place it inside, try placing it somewhere it’ll catch the moonlight.
The Moon does not make its own light. “Moonlight” is actually reflected sunlight. At any moment, half of the Moon is brightly sunlit (this is the day side). The other half is in the dark (this is the night side).
Throughout the month, as the Moon rotates and orbits, day and night occur on different parts of its surface, just like on Earth. Unlike our planet, though, the Moon takes a whole month to complete one rotation. This means that lunar day and night are each about two Earth weeks long.
Moonlight – NASA Science
Collect Your Moon Water
A hot topic of debate in the spiritual community involves WHEN to collect your Moon Water. Many practitioners feel you must collect your jar BEFORE the sun rises the next morning.
However, I don’t mind mixing Lunar energy with a bit of Solar energy. To choose what fits you best, consider how you’ll be using your Moon Water. It might benefit you to have a bit of solar energy in your Moon Water.
How long you should let your Moon Water sit is completely up to you! I prefer to leave mine out overnight. However, some spiritual practitioners feel they only need to leave it outside for a few hours. Others want to capture the most energy possible and will put it out three nights in a row (the night before, during, and right after a Full Moon). The choice is up to you, my peculiar friend!
Store Your Moon Water
Store your Moon Water in a clean container and place it in the fridge or a cool, dark place. If you’re planning to drink your Moon Water, I wouldn’t recommend keeping it longer than a day or two.
Bacteria can and will grow in water, and that is definitely not magical. If you’re not planning on ingesting it, you can keep it for a month or so. Use common sense and your best judgment.
Moon Water Meaning by Moon Phase
The Full Moon is a popular time to make Moon Water, but it’s only one of many moon phases. Each part of the lunar cycle carries a unique spiritual meaning and symbolism.
By choosing when you make your Moon Water, you can align its purpose with the changing rhythms of the Moon and the intentions you’d like to bring into your spell, ritual, or practice.
Here’s a quick guide to the spiritual intention for each Moon phase for your reference.
Does Moon Water Need Direct Moonlight?
No, your Moon Water doesn’t need to sit in direct moonlight to be successful. The Moon may disappear behind clouds, trees, or buildings, and it doesn’t ruin your ritual. The Moon still affects the tide whether it’s cloudy or not, and it will do the same with your Moon Water.
Creating Moon Water connects it to the Moon’s spiritual energy and lunar cycles. A windowsill, balcony, porch, or safe spot outdoors can all work.
If you’re still concerned about your water absorbing the moonlight, remember we still wear sunscreen on cloudy days. Sunlight still gets through the clouds, so why not moonlight?
I don’t worry about cloudy nights. I live in the PNW, and if I had to always wait for a clear night sky, I could be waiting a long time! Depending on the ritual, it could be interesting to include the cloud’s symbolic elements of water and air too. The choice is up to you!
How to Use Moon Water
Moon Water is used for rituals, spellwork, cleansing, offerings, divination, self-care, and even in your home. That’s why it’s such a lovely practice to include in your spiritual path. Don’t feel like you need to do all of these, but here are a few ideas to get you started!
An Easy Moon Water Ritual I Use
Here’s a quick and easy Moon Water ritual I like to do. Feel free to create your own, but here’s one of my favorites as an example. I do this when I’m feeling anxious or stressed because it boosts my confidence and strength.
Place your hands on your container full of potable Moon Water. Take a few deep breaths and feel the container beneath your hands. I like to use this moment to spiritually ground and raise my vibration.
Take slow, deep breaths, and imagine the moonlight flowing from between you and the Moon Water until you become one. When you’re ready, say an affirmation that fits your intention. You can also use one of my favorites:
Like moonlight on water, I’m steady and bold
I release what I carry and loosen my hold
Whatever tomorrow may ask me to face
I meet it with courage, with strength, and with grace
When I’m done, I use this Moon Water to create a warm cup of tea. With each sip, feel the confidence and strength flow into your body and the present moment.
When Should You Not Make Moon Water?
You can make Moon Water during any phase. However, some practitioners believe certain phases like lunar eclipses or waning phases have chaotic energy that can bring bad luck or be unpredictable.
I believe this is because eclipses have had ominous interpretations throughout history. So you may see some practitioners choose not to create eclipse water, while others, like myself, use it for transformation, disruption, or help seeing what’s unknown.
Just because a Waning Moon Water is associated with release, endings, or letting go, doesn’t mean it’s negative or unlucky. You just don’t want to use it on a spell or intention focused on growth or manifestation.
Personally, I don’t believe there’s a lunar phase you shouldn’t use to make Moon Water. Instead of dividing the lunar cycle into “good” and “bad” energy, I prefer to consider what’s happening in the sky, what it symbolizes to me, and whether its meaning supports my intention.
I encourage you to learn the different beliefs surrounding these phases, then decide what makes sense within your own spiritual practice.
Moon Water Safety
If you plan to consume your Moon Water in any way, please start with potable water and a clean, food safe container, preferably with a lid. Avoid consuming water collected from streams, ponds, or other sources unless it’s been properly treated.
Use common sense when adding anything to your Moon Water. Some crystals can be damaged by water, or contain substances you should not ingest. Also, essential oils aren’t automatically safe to drink or use on your skin.
When in doubt, keep your Moon Water simple: clean water, a clean container, moonlight, and your intentions.
The quality of your drinking water depends on where it came from and how it has been treated…
…Water that has not been treated or is not from a safe source may contain harmful germs or chemicals that can make you sick.
CDC – About Drinking Water
Is Moon Water Witchcraft?
Yes, Moon Water can be a type of witchcraft, but you don’t need to identify as a witch to make or use it. It can be a part of many different personal or spiritual practices centered around the Moon or Nature.
I hope you found this information about how to make moon water helpful! Lots of love to you, and remember, as always…
