Triple Moon Magic Circle: Complete Guide to Goddess Energy and Lunar Magic
By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst
The Triple Moon symbol—waxing crescent, full moon, waning crescent—is one of the most sacred symbols in goddess spirituality and modern witchcraft. When used as the foundation for a magic circle, this lunar symbol becomes a powerful portal to divine feminine energy, cyclical wisdom, and the transformative power of the moon.
Representing the Triple Goddess in her three aspects (Maiden, Mother, Crone), the Triple Moon magic circle is perfect for moon rituals, goddess work, feminine empowerment, and honoring life's natural cycles. This is your complete guide to creating and working with this sacred lunar circle.
What is the Triple Moon Symbol?
The Triple Moon is a goddess symbol consisting of three moon phases arranged horizontally:
The Three Phases
☽ Waxing Crescent (Left):
- The Maiden
- New beginnings, youth, potential
- Innocence, curiosity, exploration
- Spring and dawn
◯ Full Moon (Center):
- The Mother
- Abundance, fertility, power
- Nurturing, creation, manifestation
- Summer and midday
☾ Waning Crescent (Right):
- The Crone
- Wisdom, release, transformation
- Intuition, magic, death/rebirth
- Autumn/winter and twilight
The Triple Goddess
Maiden (Waxing Moon)
Goddesses: Artemis, Persephone, Brigid (young aspect)
Qualities:
- Independence and self-discovery
- New projects and fresh starts
- Enthusiasm and courage
- Learning and growth
- Virginity (in the original sense: whole unto herself)
Life stage: Childhood through young adulthood
Season: Spring
Time of day: Dawn to noon
Mother (Full Moon)
Goddesses: Demeter, Isis, Gaia, Lakshmi
Qualities:
- Fertility and creation
- Nurturing and protection
- Abundance and manifestation
- Unconditional love
- Peak power and sexuality
Life stage: Motherhood and mature adulthood
Season: Summer
Time of day: Noon to sunset
Crone (Waning Moon)
Goddesses: Hecate, Cerridwen, Kali, Baba Yaga
Qualities:
- Wisdom and experience
- Magic and mystery
- Death, endings, transformation
- Psychic power and divination
- Letting go and release
Life stage: Menopause and elderhood
Season: Autumn and winter
Time of day: Sunset to midnight
Why Work with Triple Moon Circles?
Honor the Divine Feminine
- Connect to goddess energy in all her forms
- Reclaim feminine power and wisdom
- Balance masculine and feminine within yourself
Embrace Life's Cycles
- Understand that all things have seasons
- Accept change as natural and sacred
- Find power in every life stage
Work with Lunar Energy
- Align with moon phases for manifestation
- Tap into lunar magic and intuition
- Harness the moon's transformative power
Integrate All Aspects of Self
- Maiden: Your playful, curious, adventurous self
- Mother: Your nurturing, creative, powerful self
- Crone: Your wise, magical, transformative self
Creating a Triple Moon Magic Circle
Materials Needed
- 3 candles (silver, white, or moon phase colors)
- Moonstone, selenite, or clear quartz crystals
- Moon water (water charged under moonlight)
- White or silver cloth for altar
- Goddess statue or image (optional)
- Chalice or bowl
- Incense (jasmine, sandalwood, or mugwort)
Best Timing
- Full Moon: Most powerful for Triple Moon work
- New Moon: Maiden energy, new beginnings
- Any moon phase: Can work with the energy present
- Monday: Moon's day
- Night time: When moon is visible
Step-by-Step Circle Casting
1. Prepare Your Space
- Cleanse with sage or moon water
- Set up altar facing west (direction of water and moon)
- Dim lights or work by candlelight
- If possible, work where you can see the moon
2. Draw the Circle
- Mark circular boundary with salt or cord
- Walk clockwise three times
- Visualize silver moonlight forming the boundary
- State: "I cast this circle in the light of the moon, sacred space between the worlds"
3. Create Triple Moon Formation
Method A: Three Candles
- Place three candles in line (west to east or left to right)
- Left: Waxing crescent (Maiden)
- Center: Full moon (Mother)
- Right: Waning crescent (Crone)
Method B: Draw Symbol
- Draw Triple Moon symbol on ground or altar cloth
- Use chalk, salt, or silver paint
Method C: Crystal Grid
- Arrange moonstones or selenite in Triple Moon pattern
- Add additional crystals at key points
4. Invoke the Triple Goddess
Light each candle while invoking each aspect:
Maiden (Left candle):
"Maiden of the waxing moon, young and wild and free,
Bring your curiosity and courage, your joy and possibility.
Artemis, Persephone, Brigid bright and new,
I welcome your presence, Maiden, into this circle true.
Hail and welcome!"
Mother (Center candle):
"Mother of the full moon, abundant and complete,
Bring your nurturing power, your love both fierce and sweet.
Demeter, Isis, Gaia, creators of all life,
I welcome your presence, Mother, in this sacred rite.
Hail and welcome!"
Crone (Right candle):
"Crone of the waning moon, wise and deep and true,
Bring your ancient magic, your wisdom old and new.
Hecate, Cerridwen, Kali, keepers of the gate,
I welcome your presence, Crone, I honor what you create.
Hail and welcome!"
5. State Your Intention
"Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother, Crone,
I stand in your circle, I am not alone.
Guide me in [your intention],
By the power of the moon, so mote it be!"
6. Perform Your Ritual Work
The circle is now active. Proceed with your moon magic, goddess meditation, or ritual.
7. Close the Circle
- Thank each goddess aspect in reverse order (Crone, Mother, Maiden)
- Extinguish candles
- Walk counterclockwise to release circle
- Ground excess energy
Types of Triple Moon Rituals
1. Full Moon Manifestation Circle
Purpose: Harness full moon power for manifestation
Setup:
- Cast circle on full moon night
- Focus on Mother aspect (center candle)
- Write intentions on paper
- Charge under full moon light
- Bury or burn to release to universe
2. New Moon Intention Setting
Purpose: Plant seeds for new cycle
Setup:
- Cast circle on new moon
- Focus on Maiden aspect (left candle)
- Set fresh intentions
- Use green or white candles
- Plant actual seeds as symbolic act
3. Dark Moon Release Ritual
Purpose: Release what no longer serves
Setup:
- Cast circle on dark moon (night before new moon)
- Focus on Crone aspect (right candle)
- Write what you're releasing
- Burn paper safely
- Bury ashes to transform
4. Life Transition Ceremony
Purpose: Honor major life changes
Setup:
- Moving from one goddess aspect to another (e.g., becoming a mother, entering menopause)
- Honor the aspect you're leaving
- Welcome the aspect you're entering
- Acknowledge the Mother (center) as witness
5. Feminine Empowerment Ritual
Purpose: Reclaim feminine power
Setup:
- Invoke all three aspects
- Meditate on integrating Maiden's courage, Mother's strength, Crone's wisdom
- Anoint yourself with moon water
- Declare your power
6. Healing Circle
Purpose: Heal feminine wounds, trauma, or imbalances
Setup:
- Rose quartz and moonstone crystals
- Pink or white candles
- Call on Mother aspect for nurturing
- Call on Crone aspect for transformation
- Self-compassion and forgiveness work
Moon Phase Correspondences
Waxing Moon (Maiden)
- Energy: Building, growing, attracting
- Magic: Manifestation, growth, new projects
- Color: White, silver, pale pink
- Crystal: Moonstone, clear quartz, selenite
Full Moon (Mother)
- Energy: Peak power, abundance, completion
- Magic: Charging, blessing, gratitude, divination
- Color: Silver, white, gold
- Crystal: Moonstone, labradorite, opal
Waning Moon (Crone)
- Energy: Releasing, banishing, transforming
- Magic: Letting go, shadow work, wisdom seeking
- Color: Black, dark purple, deep blue
- Crystal: Black moonstone, obsidian, amethyst
Triple Moon Meditation
Integration Practice:
- Sit in center of Triple Moon circle
- Gaze at left candle (Maiden)
- Ask: "What new beginning calls to me?"
- Receive her message
- Gaze at center candle (Mother)
- Ask: "What am I creating and nurturing?"
- Receive her message
- Gaze at right candle (Crone)
- Ask: "What wisdom do I need? What must I release?"
- Receive her message
- Close eyes and integrate all three
Triple Moon Affirmations
- "I honor all aspects of the divine feminine within me"
- "I am Maiden, Mother, and Crone—whole and complete"
- "I flow with the cycles of life like the moon"
- "The goddess guides me through all my transformations"
- "I embrace my power in every season of life"
- "I am connected to the wisdom of the moon"
Working with Specific Goddesses
Greek Triple Goddess
- Maiden: Artemis (huntress, independence)
- Mother: Selene (full moon, magic)
- Crone: Hecate (crossroads, witchcraft)
Celtic Triple Goddess
- Maiden: Brigid (fire, inspiration)
- Mother: Danu (earth mother, abundance)
- Crone: Cerridwen (cauldron, transformation)
Egyptian Triple Goddess
- Maiden: Hathor (joy, beauty)
- Mother: Isis (magic, motherhood)
- Crone: Nephthys (death, rebirth)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Fearing the Crone: She's not scary—she's wise and powerful
- Skipping aspects: All three are necessary and sacred
- Only working on full moon: Each phase has power
- Forgetting to close: Always thank and release the goddesses
- Ignoring your own cycle: Honor where YOU are in life
Your Triple Moon Practice
Month 1: Work with each aspect separately (one per week)
Month 2: Integrate all three in one ritual
Month 3: Create your own Triple Moon ceremonies
Ongoing: Align rituals with actual moon phases
Final Thoughts
The Triple Moon magic circle reminds you that you are not just one thing. You contain multitudes. You are the innocent Maiden, the powerful Mother, and the wise Crone—all at once, in different moments, throughout your life.
Every ending is a beginning. Every beginning will reach fullness. Every fullness will transform. This is the sacred cycle. This is the way of the moon. This is the way of the goddess.
Step into your Triple Moon circle. Claim all aspects of yourself. You are whole.
How do you work with the Triple Moon? Which goddess aspect are you embodying right now? Share your lunar magic below.