Every once in a while, the Moon disappears into mystery in a way that sparks questions, awe, and a little bit of magic. This is the Black Moon — a rare lunar occurrence that carries powerful energy for shadow work, banishment, and deep new beginnings.
With the next Black Moon happening on August 22–23, 2025, this is the perfect time to learn what it is, why it matters, and how to work with it in your spiritual practice.
What Is a Black Moon?
Unlike terms such as Full Moon or New Moon, “Black Moon” isn’t an official astronomical phrase. It’s a popular name used in modern folklore and witchcraft to describe several rare kinds of New Moon events.
The Three Common Definitions
- Second New Moon in a Calendar Month
- Just like a Blue Moon (second full moon in a month), this is when two new moons fall within the same calendar month.
- Example: If there’s a new moon on August 1 and another on August 30, that second one is a Black Moon.
- Third New Moon in a Season of Four
- Normally, each season (from solstice to equinox) has three new moons. When there are four, the third is called a Black Moon.
- This is the type of moon happening August 22–23, 2025.
- A February With No New Moon
- Because February is short, occasionally it has no new moon at all. That absence itself is considered a Black Moon.
All of these events are rare, and each one intensifies the usual new moon themes of shadow, intention, and beginnings.
How Often Does a Black Moon Happen?
- Calendar month Black Moons: Roughly every 29 months.
- Seasonal Black Moons: About once every 33 months.
- No-new-moon February: Extremely rare — about once every 20 years.
This means you’ll usually only see a Black Moon every 2–3 years, making it an event worth noticing.
The upcoming August 22–23, 2025 Black Moon is a seasonal Black Moon — the third of four new moons between the June solstice and the September equinox.
The August 22, 2025 Black Moon
The next Black Moon occurs on August 22, 2025, making it one of the rarest lunar events of the decade. Because it’s the second new moon in the month of August, it carries extra weight for witches and spiritual practitioners.
This Black Moon is a perfect time for:
- Shadow work → journaling about hidden fears or patterns.
- Ritual reset → cutting ties with habits you want to release.
- Long-term goal-setting → planting seeds for something big you want to see grow.
If you want to keep track of all upcoming rare moons, see our Black Moon Dates 2025–2028 guide.
The Meaning and Energies of a Black Moon
New Moons always symbolize:
- Rest, quiet, and retreat.
- Setting intentions and planting seeds.
- Turning inward for reflection and planning.
But a Black Moon magnifies this energy. Many witches, mystics, and spiritual practitioners view it as:
- A cosmic reset button — clearing the slate more fully than an ordinary new moon.
- Shadow work made potent — an invitation to face what’s hidden, repressed, or avoided.
- Banishment energy — perfect for cord-cutting, protection, or removing obstacles.
- Long-term goal setting — planting intentions meant to unfold over years, not weeks.
- Dark goddess energy — connected to archetypes like Hecate, Lilith, and Kali, who rule thresholds and mysteries.
Because the Black Moon is invisible — like any new moon — it carries the symbolism of emptiness and potential. The fact that it is rare makes its magic feel amplified, like the universe saying:
“This is a window to reset at the deepest level. What will you do with it?”
Working with the Black Moon in Rituals
Here are some practical, beginner-friendly ways to use the energy of the Black Moon in your spiritual practice.
Intention Setting
Purpose: To plant long-term goals and life shifts.
- Sit in a quiet, dark space with a journal.
- Write down one big, long-term goal — something that will take months or years, not days.
- Speak it aloud: “With the Black Moon as witness, I plant this seed to grow in its time.”
- Fold the paper and keep it in a safe place until the next Black Moon, then revisit.
Shadow Work Journaling
Purpose: To face hidden truths and bring them to light.
- Pour yourself a small glass of water and place it nearby (optionally charge it as Black Moon water).
- Write the question: “What am I refusing to see?” at the top of a page.
- Free-write for at least 10 minutes without censoring.
- When finished, drink the water as a symbolic act of integrating your shadow.
For more on shadow work, check out What is Shadow Work?
Banishing & Cord-Cutting Ritual
Purpose: To let go of relationships, habits, or fears that hold you back.
- Light a black candle.
- On a piece of paper, write what you want to release.
- Place the paper under a small bowl of water.
- Whisper: “With this Black Moon, I release you.”
- Snuff the candle and dispose of the paper and water away from your home (bury, burn, or flush).
Black Moon Water
Purpose: To bottle the rare energy for future shadow work.
- Place a jar of water outside or on a windowsill during the night of the Black Moon.
- Label it with the date and “Black Moon.”
- Use sparingly for shadow work, banishing baths, or anointing before journaling.
Note: Unlike Blood Moon water, Black Moon water is subtle — it carries stillness, mystery, and depth. Use it when you want quiet, internal transformation.
Dark Goddess Meditation
Purpose: To connect with lunar archetypes of mystery and transformation.
- Light a candle (black, deep blue, or dark purple).
- Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
- Imagine walking into a cave lit only by the glow of the Black Moon.
- Call upon Hecate, Lilith, or another dark goddess you work with.
- Ask: “What wisdom do you hold for me in this darkness?”
- Record any impressions that come through.
Cleansing & Resetting Your Space
Purpose: To clear stagnant energy and reset your environment.
- Sweep or vacuum your home during the day before the Black Moon.
- After sunset, open a window and walk through each room with a bowl of water infused with salt or herbs.
- Sprinkle a few drops in the corners while saying: “With this Black Moon, I reset this space.”
Ritual Bath for Renewal
Purpose: To wash away old energy and invite clarity.
- Prepare a bath with:
- A handful of Epsom salts
- A pinch of dried rosemary or mugwort
- A few drops of Black Moon water (optional)
- As you soak, visualize everything heavy or stagnant dissolving into the water.
- Drain with intention: let the old flow away.
Honest Conversations Ritual
Purpose: To prepare a space for open, truthful dialogue.
- You’ll need:
- A small bowl of water
- 1–2 tbsp of Black Moon water
- A clean cloth
How:
- Add the moon water to the bowl.
- Dip the cloth in the mixture and wipe down the table or space where the conversation will take place.
- As you clean, say:
“I clear this space of silence and shadow. May honesty and clarity sit with us here.” - Invite everyone to gather around the table.
Tip: This ritual works best when you’ve set the intention beforehand that you’re ready for openness — use it before family talks, relationship check-ins, or group discussions that need truth brought to the surface.
Truth Jar Charm
Purpose: To carry or gift the energy of the Black Moon for courage in speaking truth.
- You’ll need:
- A tiny vial or jar
- A few drops of Black Moon water
- A pinch of dried mint (clarity of speech)
- A pinch of rosemary (protection)
How:
- Place the herbs in the jar.
- Add a few drops of Black Moon water.
- Seal and hold it while saying:
“May this charm open the path to truth — with courage, protection, and clarity.” - Carry it with you, place it on your altar, or give it to someone who needs strength to speak honestly.
Tip: Like the vial charm in the Blood Moon post, this is a subtle way to gift truth energy to a loved one without a full ritual.
How to Prepare for the August 2025 Black Moon
This Black Moon falls on August 22–23, 2025. It’s a seasonal Black Moon, meaning the third new moon in a season with four. While it won’t be visible (no new moon ever is), its energy is felt.
Best practices for this event:
- Journal or meditate before the night of the Black Moon to clarify what you want to release or begin.
- Gather supplies (candles, jars, herbs) early since it falls over a weekend.
- Make space for quiet reflection — even just 15 minutes can align you with its energy.
What is a Black Moon?
“Black Moon” is a modern name for an extra or rare new moon—most commonly the second new moon in a single calendar month or the third new moon in a season that has four. It’s still a new moon, but its rarity gives it special focus.
How often does a Black Moon occur?
Typically every 2–3 years, depending on the calendar and where you live (time zones can shift which month hosts the extra new moon).
Is a Black Moon the same as a new moon?
Yes—astronomically it’s a new moon. The “Black Moon” label highlights its rarity in the calendar cycle.
Is it appropriate to do rituals during a Black Moon?
Many practitioners use Black Moons for deep reset work, shadow work, and powerful new beginnings. If eclipse energy is involved, some witches prefer reflection over spellwork—choose the approach that aligns with your tradition and comfort.
When is the next Black Moon?
The date varies by year and time zone. For accuracy, check an up‑to‑date lunar calendar or astronomy app and look for a month with two new moons (or a season with four, using the third as the Black Moon).
Can I make Black Moon water?
Yes—treat it like new‑moon water and anchor it to intentions around reset, renewal, and working with your shadow. Keep it sealed and clean if you plan to use it on skin or in tea.
What rituals can I do for the August 22, 2025 Black Moon?
Focus on shadow work, cord-cutting, and intention setting. Some witches also make Black Moon water to anchor this energy. Because it’s such a rare new moon, many choose a ritual that marks a significant turning point or goal.
What is the spiritual meaning of a Black Moon?
Spiritually, a Black Moon represents thresholds, reset energy, and the chance to face hidden aspects of the self. Many view it as a time for banishment, deep reflection, and powerful new beginnings.
Final Thoughts
Black Moons don’t happen often — and that rarity gives them weight. This is your chance to hit a deeper reset, to confront your shadows, and to plant seeds for the future with rare intensity.
Whether you make Black Moon water, write long-term goals, or simply sit in the stillness, know that you’re participating in a moment that won’t come again for years.
Mark your calendar for the next Black Moon and use it to clear, reset, and begin anew.