Why Shouldn't I Cast Magick During The Lunar Eclipse?

I will admit, I am a very lazy witch, and also a pretty forgetful one. As such, I don't really do much at the full moon except maybe make some moon water. But in the past couple of years I've heard the idea of not casting magick during the lunar eclipse being shared. I know older witches who, also being new to this idea, have said it is ridiculous and there is no reason not to cast magick during this period. I posted the topic on a subreddit to start a discussion and was told I was 'ignorant' if I believed that working magick during the lunar eclipse was a good idea. As I said, I don't really do much on the full moon anyway, so I've got no experience myself of casting magick during a lunar eclipse to make a judgement. But where did this idea come from?

The lunar eclipse is often seen as a super charged full moon, heightening all of the powers of the 'normal' full moon and its associations. It is also associated with dramatic change and intense growth. In fact, sometimes this energy can be chaotic; many people find the effect of the full moon quite destabilising and prefer to spend their time grounding and centering. For this reason, some believe that it is much better to instead sit back and process the changes the lunar eclipse is bringing rather than interfering. However, there are also those who believe that the power of the witch is being able to work with these energies, to transform and direct them, which is why some people don't see the lunar eclipse as a barrier to working magick.


From an astrological perspective, the position of the sun and the moon during this period are relevant as to why some believe it better to not cast any magick at this time. During an eclipse, the light of the moon becomes obstructed, as does its power. The moon, the sun, and the earth are all caught in this obstruction, unable to function as they usually would, and so it is best not to call on these energies lest they work in unexpected ways.


We must also consider what are called the 'Nodes of Fate'. These are lunar nodes. The southern node represents your past and what you are bringing into this life (such as past lives and karmic consequence) whilst the northern node represents your future, your destiny. Lunar eclipses align with these two nodes, and so it is believed that due to their association with fate, anything which happens during the lunar eclipse was meant to be. The eclipse simply heightens these, and helps us realise our unique and fated path. Casting magick or trying to manifest during this period is believed to have the potential to throw us off of that path, to interfere with destiny, and distract from the true purpose that the fates have in mind for us.


The above are just two interpretations that you will usually hear from those who work very closely with astrology. Whether you believe them, or agree with them, is up to you. Again I know there are many witches who will agree with this approach, and many who will instead say that we should focus and harnessing this power to manifest our own destinies. I have to admit, I am undecided as to which side of the coin I fall, but I feel is definitely something to explore further!