Now in it’s FOURTH year, I present my integrated 2023 astrological calendar for Witches and Pagans including Sabbats, Full and Dark Moon Esbats, all within the framework of the Pentacle Path of Elemental Witchcraft. As you celebrate the Wheel of the Year, these are the auspicious times and dates I recommend for powerful rites in the Northern Hemisphere; times given are for Eastern Time Zone. This year we have a Black Moon in Aries which switches the leadership of lunar pairings from Dark to Full moon led. All of this information is also available for purchase as a digital download and is now on sale for $2.50! Link to purchase here!

2023 Astrological Calendar for Magickal Planning

The Wheel of the Year is what modern witches like myself call the yearly ritual cycle. This time period spans between winter solstices. So, the 2023 Wheel actually kicks off anew at Yule, Dec.21, 2022, and concludes Dec. 21, 2023 Between those milestones we have 8 solar sabbats which mark the seasons, and roughly 12 lunations with full and dark moons to celebrate.

Black Moon Cycle in Aries, Solar and Lunar Eclipses

In 2023 we have an auspicious BLACK MOON CYCLE in Aries, meaning there are two dark moons to celebrate while the Sun and Moon are conjunct in Aries. For more information on the astrological accounting for blue and black moons, check out these articles on my Contrary Opinion and the Blue Moon Debate.

There are two Solar eclipses to tap for spells exploring Aries ♈︎ fire and Libra ♎︎ air elemental pairing. Solar eclipses occur at dark moons, when the sun and moon are conjunct in the same sign. The first solar eclipse occurs at the second BLACK Moon in Aries ♈︎ on April 20, 2023. The second one occurs at Dark moon in Libra ♎︎ on October 14, 2023.

There are two Lunar eclipses to tap for spells exploring the Taurus ♉︎ earth and Scorpio ♏︎water elemental pairing. Lunar eclipses occur at full moons when the sun and moon are in opposite signs.  The first Lunar eclipse happens at the Flower Full moon with Taurus ♉︎ sun/Scorpio ♏︎ moon May 5th, 2023. The second Lunar eclipse happens at Mourning Full moon on the flip side of the wheel with Scorpio ♏︎ Sun/Taurus ♉︎ Moon on October 28th, 2023. Time to mark those calendars!

Calendar vs. Astrological Methods

Along The Pentacle Path of Modern Witchcraft that I practice, astrology determines the auspicious times for my spiritual and magickal work. The Astrology method aligns with the Hermetic paradigm upon which all the rest of the Great Work of Magick is based. Check out this article for more about my rationale between the calendar and astrological methods of magickal timing.

Precision vs. Ease in Ritual Planning

So, when do witches hold our rituals? Astrological precision is a nice ideal, but not always practical for a modern life. If you have the freedom to celebrate any time by all means be as precise as you can. However, sometimes the coven just can’t manage to get their ritual act together until the weekend.

Our seasons are great tides which flow in for 6.5 weeks to peak. Then they turn to ebb back out again for 6.5 weeks. A sabbat is not ONE day; it is celebration of either a shift into the new seasonal cycle (Lesser Sabbats) or the peak of that seasonal cycle (Grand Sabbats).

Ideally, we’d celebrate a lesser Sabbat anytime the week after the tide shifts into the new season. The important part is which zodiac sign the sun is in. This is because we are there to honor the cardinal new thing, not what we’ve just left behind.

By contrast, we’d celebrate the Grand Sabbats anytime during the week before the peak, because we are using this swelling energy to grow our Great Work intention with the fixed energies of the seasonal high tides.

The big pitfall to avoid in lunar timing is checking the time of it’s peak during that day. In which sign does the moon shine? If full moon peaks in the morning, but you want to work at night when you can see her rising, plan your rite for the night before. However, it is also important that the moon be in the sign which is opposite the sun, and that is a 2.5 day period to work with. In 2023 there are frequently very narrow windows of time to enact our spells if the precise elemental signs are necessary for the working.

Elemental Tides of Earth: To be Silent – To Resonate

If you’re working along with The Pentacle Path of Elemental Witchcraft from my book, the Yuletide begins the calendar year before, after Samhain, which occurs Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. It is during that time of rest and reflection that we tap elemental earth’s powers of silence, to integrate what we learned and reaped during the previous year’s Great Work. Then at Yule we turn our gaze into the future and begin setting goals for the next Great Work, tapping elemental earth’s powers of resonance.

Winter Season – Preparation

Lunar Pairings led by the Dark Moons

We begin the Winter of 2023 with lunar cycles led by the Dark Moon in each elemental pairing, as illustrated in the “Linear by Season” graphic below. Full moons are always paired into earth/water signs and air/fire signs across the wheel from each other. When the sun is on one side, the moon will be full on the other side. After the Black Moon cycle in Aries, leadership of the lunar cycles switches to full moon leadership.

Winter’s Gate: Winter Solstice: Yule Sabbat

Ritual Function: Celebrate Winter and peak of darkness, welcome the returning light, Resonance
Sun: 0º Capricorn ♑︎
Moon: Enters Sagittarius ♐︎ at 2:12 am.
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2022, 4:48 pm
Suggested celebration timing: For weekend observance, Friday, December 23, 2022 concurrent with Dark Moon in Capricorn.
Time of Day: Midnight is perfect.

Dark Moon Capricorn

Ritual Function: Balance elemental earth energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Capricorn.
Sun: Capricorn ♑︎
Moon: Capricorn ♑︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday, December 23, 2022 moon enters Capricorn ♑︎ at 2:49 am. Exact Dark at 5:17 am.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Early Friday morning between 2:49 am and 5:17 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Venus magick.

Cold Full Moon, Winter Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate winter preparation of Great Work.
Sun: Capricorn ♑︎
Moon: Cancer ♋︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday, January 6 at 6:08 pm.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed night before on Thursday, January 5, 2023
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Jupiter or Venus magick.

Dark Moon Aquarius

Ritual Function: Balance elemental air energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Aquarius.
Sun: Aquarius ♒︎
Moon: Aquarius ♒︎
Exact Calendar Date: Moon enters Aquarius Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 1:29 pm. Exact Dark at 3:53 pm.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed January 21 during the 2 hours 24 minutes between 1:29 pm and 5:53 pm
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Saturn magick.

High Winter, Imbolc Sabbat

Ritual Function: Welcome return of Maiden Goddess and Green Lord from Underworld, Knowing
Sun: 15º Aquarius ♒︎
Moon: Cancer ♋︎
Exact Calendar Date: Imbolc exact Friday, February 3, 2023.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe on that exact Friday.
Time of Day: Witching Hours of 3:00-dawn would be perfect.

Quickening Full Moon, Winter Fixed

Ritual Function: Maximize winter preparation of Great Work.
Sun: Aquarius ♒︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed Sat. February 4, 2023 after moon enters Leo at 3:48 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Saturn magick.

Dark Moon Pisces

Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Pisces.
Sun: Pisces ♓︎
Moon: Pisces ♓︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, February 20, at 2:06 am.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Narrow window of observance between the moon entering Pisces on Sunday, February 19, 2023 after 11:56 pm and exact dark 2 hours 10 minutes later on Monday, February 20, at 2:06 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Moon magick.

Storm Full Moon, Winter Mutable

Ritual Function: conclude winter preparation of Great Work.
Sun: Pisces ♓︎
Moon: Virgo ♍︎
Exact Calendar Date: Exact full Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:40 am.
Suggested Celebration Time: Best observed Monday, March 6, 2023.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Moon magick.

Elemental Tides of Air: To Know – To Wonder

Along with The Pentacle Path, the Ostaratide begins after our celebrations of Imbolc are concluded. We tap elemental air’s powers of knowing, to learn what is already understood about the subject of our great work intention. Then at Ostara we start asking new questions, releasing expectation, opening our minds to experimentation so that we gain first hand knowledge, tapping elemental air’s powers of wonderment.

Spring Season – Germination

Spring’s Gate: Spring Equinox: Ostara Sabbat

Ritual Function: Celebrate Spring, awaken fertility of the land, wonderment
Sun: 0º Aries ♈︎
Moon: Enters Aries ♈︎ at 5:24 pm. (Dark Moon)
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, March 20, 2023.
Suggested Celebration Planning: For weekend observance, March 24-26, 2023.
Time of Day: Dawn would be perfect.

First Dark Moon Aries – Begins Black Moon Cycle

Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Aries.
Sun: Aries ♈︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Suggested Celebration Timing: Narrow window of observance on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 between moon entering Aries at 12:01 pm and 1 hour 22 minutes later at exact dark at 1:23 pm. Could potentially combine with Ostara Sabbat rites.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Mars Magick.

Wind Full Moon, Spring Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate spring germination of Great Work.
Sun: Aries ♈︎
Moon: Libra ♎︎
Exact Calendar Date: Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 12:34 am.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Best observed evening of Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Mercury magick.

Second Dark Moon Aries: BLACK MOON and Solar Eclipse!

Ritual Function: Second Dark Moon in Aries makes this a BLACK MOON. This offers a second chance to balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Aries. Solar Eclipse magick to bring actions in alignment with goals and both conscious and sub conscious motivations.
Sun: Aries ♈︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Thursday, April 20, at 12:13 am.
Suggested Celebration Timing:  Best observed Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in the 13 hours prior to exact dark that night at 12:13 am. (Remainder of year’s lunar pairings are now led by the Full Moons.)
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Jupiter magick.

Lunar Pairings Now Led by the Full Moon

Note that for the remainder of this Wheel of the Year, the pairings in lunar cycles are now led by the full moons, as illustrated in the “Linear by Season” graphic above.

Flower Full Moon, Spring Fixed, Lunar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Maximize spring germination of Great Work. Lunar Eclipse magick to align conscious Taurean physical needs with subconscious Scorpio feelings.
Sun: Taurus ♉︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday, May 5, 2023, at 1:34 pm
Suggested Celebration Planning: Best observed at night on Thursday, May 4, before exact full fwith Lunar Eclipse May 5, 2023, at 1:34 pm
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Venus or Jupiter magick.

High Spring: Beltane Sabbat

Ritual Function: Sacred Union, Divine Marriage, will
Sun: 15º Taurus ♉︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎ (Full Lunar Eclipse at 1:34 pm)
Exact Calendar Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Suggested Celebration Planning: May choose to hold on Friday, May 5 concurrently with Full Flower Moon/Eclipse, but conclude rites before 1:43 pm. Or hold Beltane rites the weekend before on April 29-30, 2023.
Time of Day: Mid-morning is perfect.

Elemental Tides of Fire: To Will – To Surrender

Along with The Pentacle Path, the Lithatide begins after our celebrations of Beltane are concluded. We tap elemental fire’s powers of Will, to apply our energies and forge plans of action to attain our great work intention. Then at Litha we release to the fires what no longer aids our sacred mission, investing into the work through personal sacrifice and toil. We also shed old skins that no longer fit our evolving selves, tapping elemental fire’s powers of surrender.

Dark Moon Taurus

Ritual Function: Balance elemental earth energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Taurus.
Sun: Taurus ♉︎
Moon: Taurus ♉︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday, May 19, 2023, 11:53 am
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe 13 hours prior to exact dark at 11:53 am on Friday, May 19, 2023.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Venus magick.

Strong Sun Full Moon, Spring Mutable

Ritual Function: Conclude spring germination of Great Work.
Sun: Gemini ♊︎
Moon: Sagittarius ♐︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023, 11:42 pm.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the exact day on Sat. June 3, 2023, 11:42 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Saturn magick.

Dark Moon Gemini

Ritual Function: Balance elemental air energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Gemini.
Sun: Gemini ♊︎
Moon: Gemini ♊︎
Exact Calendar Date: Sunday, June 18 at 12:37 am.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed Saturday, June 17, 2023 in 13 hours prior to exact dark on Sunday, June 18 at 12:37 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Saturn magick.

Season of Summer: Cultivation

Summer’s Gate: Summer Solstice: Litha Sabbat

Ritual Function: Celebrate Summer, Peak of light, welcome coming darkness, surrender.
Sun: 0º Cancer ♋︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 10:58 am.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Weekend observance June 23-25, 2023.
Time of Day: High Noon is perfect.

Blessing Full Moon, Summer Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate Summer’s Cultivation of Great Work
Sun: Cancer ♋︎
M0on: Capricorn ♑︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, July 3, 2023 at 7:39 am.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Best observed Sunday, July 2, 2023 after moon enters Capricorn at 1:20 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Moon magick.

Dark Moon Cancer

Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Cancer.
Sun: Cancer ♋︎
Moon: Cancer ♋︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, July 17, 2023, 2:32 pm.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Monday, July 17, 2023 in 13 hours before exact dark at 2:32 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Moon magick.

Corn Full Moon, Summer Fixed

Ritual Function: Maximize Summer’s Cultivation of Great Work
Sun: Leo ♌︎
Moon: Aquarius ♒︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 2:32 pm.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Narrow window of observance on night of Monday, July 31 after moon enters Aquarius at 11:58 pm and during 2 hours 34 minutes before exact full on Tues. August 1, 2023 at 2:32 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Mars magick.

High Summer: First Harvest: Lammas or Lughnasadh Sabbat

Ritual Function: First Harvest of Grain, daring.
Sun: 15º Leo ♌︎
Moon: Enters Taurus ♉︎ 2:25 am.
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, August 7, 2023.
Suggested Celebration Planning: For weekend observance: August 4-6, 2023.
Time of Day: Mid-Afternoon is perfect.

Elemental Tides of Water: To Dare – To Accept

Along with The Pentacle Path, the Mabontide begins after our celebrations of Lammas are concluded. We tap elemental water’s powers of daring, to overcome all obstacles to the fulfillment of our great work goals, allowing our emotional waters to carve out the new landscape for our evolving lives. Then at Mabon we settle into the molds that new landscape provided our emotional waters, allowing our hearts to be molded into the new form our work sculpted, tapping elemental water’s powers of acceptance.

Dark Moon Leo

Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Leo.
Sun: Leo ♌︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 5:38 am
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed Tuesday night, August 15, 2023, during 13 hour window prior to exact dark at 5:38 am Wednesday, August 16.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Mars or Mercury magick.

Harvest Moon, Summer Mutable

Ritual Function: Conclude Summer’s Cultivation of Great Work
Sun: Virgo ♍︎
Moon: Pisces ♓︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Suggested Celebration Planning: Wednesday, August 30, 2023, after moon enters Pisces at 9:56 am and before exact full that night at 9:36 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Mercury magick.

Dark Moon Virgo

Ritual Function: Balance elemental earth energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Virgo.
Sun: Virgo ♍︎
Moon: Virgo ♍︎
Exact Calendar Date: Thursday, September 14, 2023, 9:40 pm.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Thursday, September 14, 2023 prior to exact dark at 9:40 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Jupiter magick.

Season of Autumn: Integration

Autumn’s Gate: Autumnal Equinox: Second Harvest: Mabon Sabbat

Ritual Function: Second Harvest of Vegetables, Balance sacrifice with gratitude, acceptance.
Sun: 0º Libra ♎︎
Moon: Capricorn ♑︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 2:50 am.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the exact date of  Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Time of Day: Dusk is perfect.

Blood Full Moon, Autumn Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate Autumn’s Integration of Great Work
Sun: Libra ♎︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday, September 29, 2023, at 5:58 am.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Best observed Thursday, September 28, after moon enters Aries at 8:17 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Jupiter or Venus magick.

Dark Moon Libra: Solar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Balance elemental air energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Libra. Solar Eclipse aligns and balances conscious and subconscious mental perceptions especially pertaining to issues of justice.
Sun: Libra ♎︎
Moon: Libra ♎︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 1:55 pm.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe eve of the waning Dark Moon within 13 hours of exact dark on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 1:55 pm. Solar Eclipse 1:55 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Mars magick.

Mourning Full Moon, Autumn Fixed: Lunar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Maximize Autumn’s Integration of Great Work; Lunar Eclipse aligns conscious Scorpio emotional awareness with subconscious Taurean physical awareness.
Sun: Scorpio ♏︎
Moon: Taurus ♉︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023, 4:24 pm.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Narrow window of observance on Saturday, October 28, 2023, between moon entering Taurus at 7:44 am and exact full with Lunar Eclipse that afternoon at 4:24 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Saturn magick.

High Autumn: Third Harvest: Samhain Sabbat

Ritual Function: Third Harvest of Blood, Divine Funeral, release to death, Ancestor veneration, silence.
Sun: 15º Scorpio ♏︎
Moon: Virgo ♍︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 (Election day in the USA! Go vote!)
Suggested Celebration Planning: For weekend observance, celebrate beforehand on November 3-5, 2023.
Time of Day: Mid-evening is perfect.

Elemental Tides of Earth: To be Silent (again)

Which circles us back around to the elemental tides of earth once again, and another year’s period of silent reflection on all we’ve accomplished.

Dark Moon Scorpio

Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Scorpio.
Sun: Scorpio ♏︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, November 13 at 4:27 am.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed Sunday, November 12, 2023 during 13 hours prior to exact dark on Monday, November 13 at 4:27 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Sun or moon magick.

Long Nights Moon, Autumn Mutable

Ritual Function: Conclude Autumn’s Integration of Great Work
Sun: Sagittarius ♐︎
Moon: Gemini ♊︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, November 27, 2023, 4:16 am.
Suggested Celebration Planning: Best observed Sunday, November 26, 2023, after moon enters Gemini at 7:40 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Sun or Moon magick.

Dark Moon Sagittarius

Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Sagittarius.
Sun: Sagittarius ♐︎
Moon: Sagittarius ♐︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 6:32 pm.
Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed Monday, December 11, 2023 after moon enters Sagittarius at 6:11 am, or 13 hours to exact dark on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 6:32 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Moon or Mars magick.

The 2024 Wheel of the Year begins anew with the celebration of Yule on Thursday, December 21, 2023. For weekend observance, aim for Dec 22-24, 2023.

2023 Poster SOLD OUT!

For a detailed instruction manual introducing The Pentacle Path of Modern Witchcraft and the Great Work of magick by astrological timing, check out my first book book through Llewellyn Publishing: Elemental Witchcraft: A Guide to Living a Magickal Life Through the Elements. If you live in the United States, I can ship you a signed copy through my own bookstore: The Sojourner Whole Earth Provisions.

UPDATE: Printed Posters Sold Out. Now available for Digital Download for $2.50. Link to purchase here! PDF of the Full-color, 11″ x 17″ file of my hand-rendered Wheel of the Year Graphic with specific 2023 full and dark moons that are detailed above. Includes both the circular wheel within elemental framework and a linear version within the seasonal framework, illustrating the Black Moon cycle, and the leadership of lunar pairings switching from dark-moon-led to full-moon-led. All this information is handily included in a spreadsheet on the back.

Bright blessings!
~Heron