Esbats

Most Witches perform rituals to honor the Goddess at the full moon and many also observe the other moon phases. These are the 'regularly scheduled' holy days, actually nights, of Wiccan practice. These "moon-time" rituals are commonly called Esbats. Based on the lunar cycle, they occur monthly rather than weekly. Spellwork, or magic, may also be performed at the discretion of the Coven or Solitary Witch.

The lunar cycle has four phases that can be used for certain types of spellwork. The full moon is the most often used time as it is the time of greatest power. As the full moon is slowly decreasing toward the new moon, it is said to be in its 'waning' phase. Spellwork during this time is done to decrease, diminish, or banish unwelcome energies. Very little spellwork is done during the new moon, as it is a time to rest and meditate while the moon is dark and in its 'resting' phase. As the moon slowly starts to increase back towards a full moon, it is said to be in its 'waxing' phase. Spellwork done during this time is designed to pull wanted energy to the witch. Spells of increase and attraction are done during this phase.

Depending on coven practices or the solitary witch, the working phases last from three to seven days. In a coven, where there are more people to raise energy, a working may be performed three days before to three days after the actual full, new, or quarter moon. In solitary practice, it is usually better to limit the working time to one day before or one day after the actual date. The working energies are strongest on the actual dates so a solitary may find it more effective to use these shorter time periods.

In almost all indigenous cultures, the year was measured according to the cycle of the moon, rather than the cycle of the sun. In a lunar calendar, there are thirteen months in the year to correspond to the thirteen full moons in one moon cycle. Months began at the new moon and were named for naturally occuring events during that particular time period. For instance, the full moon in January might have been called the Ice Moon, the Wolf Moon, or the Starving Moon.

A second full moon in the same calendar month is usually called a "Blue Moon." However, the thirteenth moon in a year might also have been called the Lucky Moon, Unlucky Moon, Ghost Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Fisherman’s Moon, Dragon Moon, Fairy Moon, and many other names depending on the culture.

Most Wiccans use moon names and their correspondences to determine what sort of spellwork is appropriate for a particular full moon rite. As with everything else in Wiccan practice, the list I have is an example and not to be taken as the only option.