Moon Water Uses: How to Make Moon Water

What is Moon Water?

As documented by The Old Farmer’s Almanac, people have long turned to the Moon for celestial guidance on planting, fishing, and daily living. Astronomically, our only natural satellite—over a quarter-size of Earth!—affects our orbit, day length, calendar month, and even holidays such as Easter. It affects our sleep patterns, how birds migrate, and more.

Aligning your daily routines, such as planting or fishing with the rhythm of lunar cycles allows life to move to a gentle groove. However, this is not the only way to work with the Moon. In fact, many folks will turn to the Moon for energy work, meditation, and mental health. One of the simplest ways to harness the Moon’s energy is “Moon water,” which is water charged by the Moon’s rays.

It’s as easy as drawing a bath. You collect water in a container, then let it sit outside at night. Just as the Moon powers the tides, the water in your vessel holds its energy. In the morning, you sip this water or add it to your bath, water your plants, use it for cooking, or cleanse your home.

The History of Moon Water

I consulted with my favorite authors, including Briana Saussy, Madame Pamita, and Judika Iles, to get the inside scoop on the lunar custom of Moon water.

How long have people been making Moon water? According to Briana Saussy, “The first documented mention of Moon water comes from the 1860s, and it was interestingly in a Christian context. 

Most likely, water set out under a full or new Moon has been worked with in folk magic traditions much longer.”

When to Make Moon Water

Each lunar phase has different properties. Moon water is usually created during or near a Full or New Moon. 

• Full Moons are for release and reflection. 
• New Moons are associated with new beginnings.

However, you can make it during any phase. According to Saussy, “In ancient Greece, the waxing quarter Moon was the only time that the Oracle at Delphi divined for people, so if you want to gather water under that lunar phase. Water gathered or blessed under a dark Moon (the phase a day before the new Moon) is wonderful to work with for banishing or getting rid of things that are no longer needed.”

Iles adds: “Even things like the weather or season can impact the final result; Moon water created during a dry, hot summer may be slightly different from that created during a bitterly cold winter’s night.”

Some folks caution against making Moon water during an eclipse. However, some choose to ignore this advice, claiming the eclipse water can be potent. Pamita says, “I make and use eclipse water because it’s powerful. Like all powerful tools, I use it intentionally and with care.” You’ll have to decide if this works for you or not.

How to Make Moon Water

Whether you’re a Moon lover or simply want to connect more closely with nature’s rhythms, the practice of making Moon water can be an intentional ritual that helps you slow down, take care of yourself, and harness nature’s energy. Here’s how:

Ingredients:

1. A clear glass bowl or jar. A glass cup or a mason jar is also fine.
2. Water. Preferably from a local, natural source. However, spring water or filtered tap will also work; it’s just not as potent. Of course, ensure your water is safe to drink.

According to Saussy, it’s best if your “water comes from a local, natural source. Where I live, our water comes from a huge underground lake called the Edwards Aquifer. Making sure your water comes from a local, natural source increases your connection to your place and also may encourage you to do some research about where your water comes from.”

Directions:

1. Check the phase of the Moon, especially if you wish to mark a Full Moon or New Moon on your calendar.
2. Pour water into your vessel and then put it out somewhere to capture the moonlight. For many folks, that is a windowsill. But you could also choose a place on your front porch, garden, or even a balcony if you live in an apartment. Don’t get too concerned if your location doesn’t have direct access to moonlight; it will still capture the lunar energy.
3. The following day, take the water in and bottle it. 

That’s it. It doesn’t need to be complicated.

“All things being equal, exposure to direct moonlight will create the most powerful Moon water. I qualify those statements (“theoretically” and “all things being equal”) because there may be other factors at play: accompanying rituals, the personal power of the person preparing it, any other materials, and so forth. Adding crystals may further empower it, thus compensating for the lack of direct moonlight.” explains Judith Iles.

Enhance Your Moon Water

Some folks like to add a pinch of salt for cleansing properties. Others like to meditate over the water. For example, let’s say you want your Moon water to cleanse negative energy. Hold your hands over the container and state your intention as clearly as possible. It’s best to do this right after you put your water under the moonlight.

Others will add herbs to Moon water, such as lavender for relaxation or rosemary for remembrance.

Optionally, you can add crystals to enhance specific qualities, such as rose quartz for emotional healing, pyrite for abundance, black tourmaline for protection, or crystals for plant growth. Pamita recommends “placing moonstones around a jar or bowl of water (not in the water) and leaving them out in the moonlight” to amplify the energy of the Moon water.

If you want to reinforce an intention, write an affirmation on a piece of paper or tape and affix it to your container. 

How to Focus Your Intention

How do you reinforce an intention? Consider each of the 12 zodiac signs, which is associated with different qualities, allowing customization. For example, let’s say you want to create Moon water to help your houseplants flourish. The new Moon in Virgo would be perfect. I did this recently, and my plants are thriving! 

Saussy agrees about the gardening aspect of Moon water: “Water that is gathered during a full Moon or water that is placed under a full Moon can be worked with to make your garden more lush, fertile, and abundant and ensure you have a great harvest. Water gathered or blessed under a new Moon is especially good for watering seeds and starter plants.”

You can find the astrological dates by consulting the Almanac or referring to our Moon Signs chart.

Here are a few astrological suggestions to power up your Moon water:

Aries: protection, courage, originality
Taurus: security, abundance, grounding, growth
Gemini: communication, learning
Cancer: protection of home and family
Leo: creativity, romance, children
Virgo: work, health, healing, gardening
Libra: relationships, legal issues, beauty
Scorpio: intuition, intimacy
Sagittarius: optimism, travel, spiritual growth
Capricorn: success, enhanced reputation, career
Aquarius: friends, goals
Pisces: peace, spirituality, meditation

It’s wise to avoid creating Moon water during Mercury retrograde. The energy may be too unpredictable, which could skew your results. If you’re making Moon water with a romantic focus, ensure Venus is direct. You’ll also want to step carefully around Mars retrograde because it can weaken the vibration. 

10 Ways to Use Your Moon Water

Moon water has many uses. You can drink it, bathe in it, or sprinkle it around your living quarters. Here are some ideas to consider.

1. Drinking: Sip on Moon water. According to folklore, “If a woman is having a hard time getting pregnant, she should drink (clean) water set out under the full Moon,” adds Saussy. (Embarking on a new career path? Consider drinking Moon water created under an Aries new Moon.)
2. Brewing: Add a few drops to your morning coffee or tea for an extra boost, or add to your evening herbal tea for relaxation.
3. Bathing: Pour into your bath. As you bathe, imagine sitting under the Moon. Visualize negative energy pouring down the drain as you step out of the tub. “Bathing with it is my own favorite method of using Moon water, whether that means adding it to a bath or washing my hands, feet, or face with it. In this way, you can absorb the power of the water. You could also wash your hair with it,” according to Iles.
4.  Showering: Add to a spritz bottle. Gentle mist into the steaming shower, inhale deeply, and let it work its magic. Repeat as needed. 
5. Make a room spritz: Spritz around your bedroom. This is a great alternative to incense. 
6. Mix into essential oils. If you buy or make essential oils, mix in Moon water.
7. Cleansing your home: You can also dip a sponge in the Moon water and clean special tools, a work area, and even dirty yoga or meditation mats. Add to your dishwater when washing dishes or to your washing machine.
8. Watering plants: Use to water your plants and regrow clippings for other plants. The best water for this purpose would be water created under the new Moon in an earth sign such as Taurus or Virgo.
9. Use in food: Add when cooking your pasta, making homemade soups, and creating other recipes.
10. Make a simmer pot on the stove. Add spices and herbs to a pot and gently inhale the steam or allow the steam to escape into the air around you.

As you can see, Moon water isn’t complicated to make, and it has many purposes. Create your own and infuse a little lunar magic into your daily routines.