Hunter’s Moon: A Witch’s Guide to Autumn’s Power

As the crisp air settles into the bones of autumn, the skies offer us a gift: the Hunter’s Moon. This full moon, rising just after the Harvest Moon, marks the time when our ancestors prepared for winter, gathering what they could before the frost set in. For witches, it is a time of action, grounding, and calling forth the primal energies that ripple through the earth and sky.

But the Hunter’s Moon is more than just a celestial event—it’s a moment steeped in magick.

The Energies of the Hunter’s Moon

The Hunter’s Moon is a force of reckoning, embodying the raw energy of the hunt. Think of it as nature’s fierce reminder that while summer’s abundance is behind us, there is still work to be done. This moon asks us to take action, to pursue our goals with sharp focus, just as the hunters of old chased their prey in the moonlight.

For witches, this is a powerful time to align with the energies of persistence, clarity, and survival. It calls for us to shed what’s no longer useful, whether it’s habits, relationships, or even our own self-doubts. Now is the time to clear your path and chase what truly matters.

Rituals for the Hunter’s Moon

Grounding for the Dark Half of the Year
With the darker months approaching, it’s essential to ground yourself. Gather your tools—a bowl of earth, salt, or even dried autumn leaves—and create a simple grounding ritual. Sit beneath the moon, feel the cool earth beneath you, and let the steady energy of the soil sink into your bones. Visualize roots growing from your body into the ground, tethering you to the earth’s ancient rhythms.

Use this time to set clear intentions for the months ahead. What do you need to survive the winter, both spiritually and physically? What do you want to hunt down in your life?

Candle Magick for Focus
Light a deep red or brown candle to represent the hunter’s fire. Carve into it symbols or words of what you are pursuing—whether it’s a new project, a healing, or a difficult decision you’ve been avoiding. As the flame burns, focus on the warmth of the fire, the determination it symbolizes. This candle becomes your guide, the flame of the hunt that will illuminate your path forward.

Offering to the Spirits of the Forest
The Hunter’s Moon has strong ties to the natural world, to the animals, plants, and unseen spirits that dwell within it. Leave an offering of food or herbs in a local forest, or even at the edge of your yard, for the spirits that roam the land. Apples, nuts, and wine are traditional offerings, but anything harvested from the earth is welcome. In return, ask for their guidance as the year wanes. Listen to the wind, watch the flickering shadows, and be open to any messages that come your way.

Tapping into Your Inner Hunter

The energy of the Hunter’s Moon also invites us to become hunters in our own lives. But we aren’t hunting animals—we’re hunting down opportunities, knowledge, and inner truths. Use this time to sharpen your instincts. What have you been chasing? Is it a dream, a goal, a version of yourself that feels just out of reach?

This moon calls you to track it down. Spend time journaling or meditating on what you're pursuing. The key is to remain present and alert. Just as a hunter must be quiet and patient in the woods, waiting for the right moment, so too must we be mindful of when to strike in our own lives.

Closing the Circle

The Hunter’s Moon offers a primal, potent energy, but it also serves as a reminder that time is fleeting. We are heading into the quiet, reflective months of winter, and soon the land will be dormant. So, while the Hunter’s Moon encourages us to take action, it also asks us to be mindful of what truly matters.

As you stand beneath this luminous moon, take a moment to feel the chill of autumn air on your skin, the fading warmth of the earth beneath your feet, and the fire that burns within. The Hunt is not just about survival—it’s about purpose. This moon asks: what will you pursue?

Blessed be, witches.

The Spiritual Witch