Welcoming the Dark: The Magic of the May 2023 Black Moon
There is a potent silence hanging in the air today, a quiet so deep it feels almost heavy. On this Friday, May 19, 2023, at exactly 10:53 am EST, the cosmos pulls back its curtain to reveal a rare and exquisite celestial gift: a Black Moon in Taurus.
When the Sun and the Moon meet at 28 degrees of Taurus, they aren’t just giving us a standard reset button. They are inviting us into the ultimate cosmic void. As a witch, there is no canvas more sacred, more fertile, or more deeply magical than this.
What Makes a Moon “Black”?
In modern astrology and folklore, a Black Moon is a term used for a few different rare lunar phenomena. Today, we are experiencing the most traditional kind: the third New Moon in a single season containing four New Moons.
Because it happens so infrequently, a Black Moon acts like a cosmic magnifying glass. It takes the usual introspective, clean-slate energy of a standard New Moon and triples the intensity. It is a time when the veil between what is seen and what is hidden feels beautifully thin. In the pitch black of the night sky, the universe isn’t empty—it is pregnant with pure, unmanifested potential.
The Taurus Alchemy: Grounding the Unseen
Taurus is the anchor of the zodiac. It is an earth sign ruled by Venus, deeply tied to the physical realm, the senses, bodily pleasure, and the concept of worth—both financial and spiritual.
When a Black Moon occurs in this sign, the magic shifts from the ethereal realms down into the very dirt beneath our feet. This isn’t a day for flighty, chaotic spellwork. This is a day for root magic.
The cosmic whisper of this lunation asks us:
- What are you ready to plant in the dark that will sustain you for the next two and a half years?
- How can you build a life that feels as luxurious and secure on the inside as it looks on the outside?
- Where have you been rushing, and how can you learn to slow down and trust the soil?
Rituals for the Dark Moon Void
Because this New Moon peaks in the late morning, you can carry this energy throughout your entire day. Here are a few ways to honor the Black Moon from the cauldron of your own home:
1. The Velvet Void Meditation
Before the day gets too loud, or right as the clock strikes 10:53 am, sit in total darkness or use a soft blindfold. Allow yourself to just exist in the quiet. Do not try to manifest, do not try to fix anything. Simply sit with the dark. Recognize that before there was light, there was the void—and the void is safe, nurturing, and full of peace.
2. Rooting Your Desires (Earth Magic)
Taurus loves tangible results. Take a piece of parchment paper and write down one major, long-term foundation you want to build. It could be financial stability, a deeply secure relationship, or a creative project. Fold the paper toward you three times, step outside, and bury it in the earth (or in the soil of a favorite potted plant). As you cover it, say: “Hidden from sight, rooted in power, grow in the dark until the blossoming hour.”
3. A Sensual Brew
Concoct a tea that honors Taurus’s love for comfort and herbal lore. Brew a cup of comforting chamomile blended with a touch of grounding ginger or a sprinkle of rose petals to honor Venus. Drink it slowly, savoring the warmth, the aroma, and the physical sensation of the liquid. Remember, pleasure is a form of devotion.
The Playlist for the Shadows
To truly set the mood for this quiet, powerful shift, your playlist needs to reflect that earthy, ancient magic. Put on something that feels like walking through an old forest at twilight. Let the haunting, soulful notes of Fleetwood Mac’s Sisters of the Moon or the grand, elemental buildup of Florence + The Machine’s Big God echo through your space while you tend to your altars today.
Let the music ground you. Let the darkness comfort you. The light will return soon enough, but for now, the night belongs to us.
Blessed Black Moon, loves.
With love and magic,
Moonzie