What is a Spell? The Festival of Torches & August’s Full Moon
“It wasn’t a spell except for in her own head, but if you couldn’t make spells work in your own head, you couldn’t make them work at all.”
August's moon is called the Sturgeon Moon, Corn Moon, Barley Moon, and Ricing Moon. Since this month marks the start of harvest season, Saturday’s full moon is an excellent time to do just that – roll up our sleeves and begin reaping what we've sown. Perhaps that something is tangible—a handful of fruit or a bouquet of just-opened flowers. Or maybe your reaping is something conceptual, like a dream, a decision, or a spell planted beneath moons past.
In ancient Rome, August's full moon was dedicated to Diana. Like her Greek counterpart Artemis, Diana was a huntress. She knew of cycles, wild medicines, and the push and pull of earthbound living. Diana's chariot was lunar, a silver crescent drawn by horned deer and a pack of female hunting hounds.
Much like Hecate, Diana was the Queen of Witches. In stories, she carried a quiver of golden arrows to defend our forests and freedoms. However, during Nemoralia, her three-day festival, Diana laid down her bow. Also known as the Hecatean Ides or the Festival of Torches, Nemoralia was an invitation to visit the goddess's wildwood.
