The full moon is when the moon’s power is at its height. For ages, people have chosen to bask in this energy, celebrate it, or even attune to it and use it to create change in their lives. Many modern witches continue this tradition today, by lighting candles, chanting, praying, singing, dancing, or setting intentions.
Certain herbs and oils are strongly associated with the full moon. These can be used in poppets, spell sachets, potions, baths, or (in some cases) teas.
Some of the most popular full moon herbs and oils include:
1. Bergamot
Full moon herbs tend to have several things in common: roundness, lightness, and aroma. That’s why citrus fruits — which you might otherwise associate with the sun — are commonly treated as full moon plants in certain contexts.
The same holds true for Citrus bergamia. Magically, bergamot is associated with success and prosperity. The full moon represents the height of power and the culmination of a cycle, so it, too, is associated with triumph.
Use this oil in blends, or to fragrance incense or candles. You can also enjoy the benefits of bergamot oil by drinking Earl Grey tea.
See also: Check out Bergamot essential oils here.
2. Clary sage
Sages of all kinds are associated with the full moon, largely because of the soft, silvery appearance of the leaves. Salvia sclarea, in particular, meshes very nicely with full moon because its magical properties include clarity and divination.
The full moon is regarded as an excellent time for all forms of divination and the enhancement of psychic abilities. You can add clary sage to herb blends, or use the essential oil.
See also: Check out Clary Sage essential oils here.
See article: Sage: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
3. Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides is known for its big, white, fragrant blooms. They’re often used in love magic, and are also associated with purity and spirituality.
If you have access to them, the fresh blooms make wonderful decorations for full moon altars. You can also use the gardenia essential oil to create oil blends to anoint yourself, your altar, or ritual candles.
See also: Check out Gardenia essential oils here.
4. Jasmine
Jasminum species, like gardenia, are known for their white flowers and lush fragrance. Also like gardenia, they’re commonly used in magic for love and lust.
Medicinally, some species are used to produce a mild relaxant effect that can be helpful for meditation, trances, and divination.
Use the dried flowers, decorate your altar with fresh ones, anoint with jasmine essential oils, or drink jasmine green tea as part of your full moon festivities.
See also: Check out Jasmine essential oils here.
See article: Jasmine: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
5. Juniper
There are a lot of species of juniper trees, but the one most commonly used in herbalism, magic, and as a culinary herb is Juniperus communis. This plant produces “berries,” which are in reality small round cones with a bluish-black color.
Juniper is often cited as a protective ingredient, capable of banishing evil, and an ingredient for sacred fires and incense. The wood is sometimes burned to aid divination.
You can use any part of the juniper for magic and full moon observances, including the wood, needles, berries, or oil. If you have trouble sourcing the herb or oil itself, consider using gin as a libation or offering — it’s flavored with juniper.
See also: Check out Juniper essential oils here.
6. Lavender
Lavandula species are almost immediately recognizable by their purple spikes of flowers and fresh, floral, camphoraceous scent. As with many other full moon herbs, lavender is strongly aromatic. It’s also used for cleansing, protection, peace, and love magic.
It tends to blend well with many other herbs and essential oils, so it’s a great ingredient to add to any spell or blend that can benefit from this herb’s calming, soothing properties.
You can also burn a dried sprig of lavender flowers the same way you would incense, and it’s fantastic for smoke cleansing.
See also: Check out Lavender essential oils here.
See article: Lavender: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
7. Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis is a relaxant herb with a strong lemony flavor and scent. Its name, “Melissa,” means honeybee. It’s often used to attract honeybees to hives. Medicinally, it’s a relaxant herb. Magically, it’s used for healing, friendship, happiness, and success.
Some use the leaves for manifestation magic, by binding them together with a petition paper. Add lemon balm to your full moon rituals by drinking it as a tea, or adding the leaves to herb blends.
See also: Check out Lemon Balm essential oils here.
See article: Lemon Balm: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
8. Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris is known as a divination herb par excellence. The leaves silvery undersides tie it to the moon, as does its association with lunar deities. Magically, the leaves can be burned for protection, purification, or as an incense for divination.
Some practitioners also brew an infusion of mugwort and water for cleansing divination tools. Drinking it as a tea or adding it to smoke blends is said to enhance lucid dreaming. Work with this plant during any full moon scrying, tarot reading, or other divinatory activities.
See also: Check out Mugwort essential oils here.
See article: Mugwort: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
9. Orange
Like bergamot, Citrus × sinensis is a citrus fruit typically associated with joy, optimism, and success. While typically regarded as a solar herb, sweet orange is also used in full moon rituals. (After all — the full moon is when the moon reflects the most of the sun’s light!)
Add the dried peel to tea, or use the oil in oil blends or for scenting candles. You can also consume the fruit or set it out as an offering.
See also: Check out Orange essential oils here.
10. Peppermint
Mentha piperita is an interesting magical ingredient. It’s related to lemon balm, but, unlike its cousin, it tends to clear the head rather than fog it.
It has a very fresh, cool smell, and is used in magic for luck, prosperity, cleansing, and success. The dried leaves are a great base for tea.
See also: Check out Peppermint essential oils here.
11. Poppy
Members of Papaveraceae include the so-called opium poppy. They’re associated with sleep magic, as well as spells for the dead, fertility, money, luck, and love.
You can add washed poppy seeds to baked goods or teas, or use the fresh flowers as offerings or decorations on a full moon altar.
12. Rose
Rosa species are one of magic’s most versatile plants. They come in a wide array of colors, so you can find a variety that suits pretty much any purpose. According to some practitioners, roses can serve as a substitute for any other flower.
For full moon rituals, you may wish to work with white roses. For best results, choose fragrant, double-flowered varieties.
You can place fresh roses on your altar, use rose essential oil (sometimes called rose otto or attar of rose) in blends or candles, anoint yourself with rose water, or even include rose petals in teas.
The uses of this plant are virtually endless, so you can let your intuition guide you.
See also: Check out Rose essential oils here.
See article: Rose: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
13. Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus is a fragrant evergreen plant from the Mediterranean region. It’s often used in rituals for remembrance, but also finds its way into spells for love, protection, healing, and cleansing.
Some claim that rosemary is the most versatile herb in magic, and that it can serve as a suitable substitute for any other herb. You can use the fresh twigs to make wreaths, add the dried leaves to tea or herb blends, or include the essential oil in anointing oils.
Make small wreaths and place them around the base of white pillar candles for a beautiful full moon altar decoration.
See also: Check out Rosemary essential oils here.
See article: Rosemary: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses.
14. Sandalwood
Santalum album, or white sandalwood, is a tropical tree known for its sweet, rich-smelling wood. The wood and oil are frequently included in incense and oil blends, and are said to enhance meditation, divination, and spiritual connection.
Be aware, however, that white sandalwood is a threatened species that’s often subject to poaching. If you can’t find sandalwood from ethical, regulated sources, it might be best to try working with one of the “false sandalwoods” instead.
See also: Check out Sandalwood essential oils here.
The full moon is a time to connect with the power of nature, work with lunar energy, and attune to the moon’s cycles. These herbs and oils can be a special way to align your energy with the moon, and help you create a beautiful, meaningful ritual that’s unique to you.
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