Magickal timing encompasses various different aspects: time of day, day of the week, time of year (season), holiday, phase of the moon, and position of the stars and planets.

Time of Day

Morning (particularly sunrise) – East (Air) – New beginnings, intellect, the mind, knowledge

Afternoon (particularly 12:00 PM) – South (Fire) – Will, power, strength, courage, success

Evening (particularly sunset) – West (Water) – Emotions, the unconscious, peace, dreams

Night (particularly 12:00 AM) – North (Earth) – The body, growth, sleep, fertility

Midnight is considered the “witching hour,” or the time of highest magickal power.

Day of the Week

The days of the week as we know them today were created in Roman times by Constantine, but the seven-day system is much more ancient, dating back to Mesopotamia (the area in which the oldest known civilizations arose).

Sunday comes from the Old English word Sunnandæg, which means "day of the sun." This is translated from the Latin Diēs Sōlis (Sun's day). This day corresponds with the Sun and is a day of action and male power, associated with the God. Any magick that is associated with the sun will also be associated with this day.

Monday is from the Old English word Mōnandæg, meaning "moon's day." This is translated from the Latin Diēs Lūnae. This day is associated with the Moon, lunar cycles, femininity, and the Goddess. Moon magick is associated with this day.

Tuesday, from the Old English word Tīwesdæg, means "Tiu's day." This is translated from the Latin Diēs Martis. Tiu is the Germanic god of war and the sky - the equivalent of the Roman Mars. This day is associated with war, strength, courage, and victory. Mars energy can be very powerful and hard to control, so take care when working with it.

Wednesday comes from the Old English Wōdnesdæg, or "Woden's day." This is translated from the Latin Diēs Mercuriī. Woden is an Anglo-Saxon god equated with Odin and the Roman Mercury (god of commerce, travel, and thievery). This day is especially good for communication and travel.

Thursday, Thunresdæg, means "Thunor's day" in Old English. Thunor in Old English was also Thor, who was also the Roman Jupiter - lord of the sky. In Latin this day was called Diēs Iovis, which is translates as "Jove's day" or "Jupiter's day." Jupiter was a sky god, so this day is masculine and belongs to the God. This day is associated with luck and wealth.

Friday was called Frīgedæg and meant "Frigg's day." In Latin this day was Diēs Veneris - "Venus's day." Frigg and Venus are goddesses of love. This day is sacred to femininity and the Goddess. It is especially good for matters concerning love, sex, friendship, family, and marriage.

Saturday was called Saeternesdæg, which meant "Saturn's day." The Latin was Diēs Saturnī and had the same meaning. Saturn was the god of agriculture. This day is associated with fertility, meditation, and psychism.

Time of Year

Winter – North (Earth) – The Earth sleeps, gathering strength for coming growth; the God grows to maturity

Spring – East (Air) – The Earth awakens with new life; the God and Goddess unite

Summer – South (Fire) – The Earth is at the height of its fertility; the God and Goddess reign as a couple

Fall/Autumn – West (Water) – The Earth prepares for its impending slumber; The New Year begins; the God and Goddess wane and the God is sacrificed to ensure another year of bounty

Helpful link that outlines dates and specific times of equinoxes and solstices:

*Note: The perihelion is when the Earth is closest to the Sun; the aphelion is when the Earth is farthest from the Sun.

Holidays

    Holidays can vary over a range of 2-3 days, depending on when it occurs in any given year.

Yule – December 21/22 – The winter solstice; The night has reached its longest and this day marks the increase of daylight and the return of the Sun; Birth of the God

Imbolc – February 2 – The first glimpse of Spring; This is when farm animals tend to start lactating (in Western Europe) and Winter begins to yield to Spring; Sacred to the goddess Brigid; Today celebrated as Groundhog Day

Ostara – March 21/22 – The spring equinox; The day and night are of equal length, and daylight continues to increase; The God and Goddess reach maturity

Beltane – May 1 – Spring is in full swing; The “veil between the worlds” is thinnest on this day; Marks the beginning of the light half of the year; The God and Goddess unite

Midsummer – June 21/22 – The summer solstice; The day has reached its longest and now starts to wane; The God and Goddess rule as a couple

Lammas – August 1 – The first harvest

Mabon – September 21/22 – The fall equinox; The day and night are of equal length, and daylight continues to decrease; The God begins to die

Samhain – October 31 – The New Year; Along with Beltaine, the “veil between the worlds” is thinnest on this night, and it is perfect for contacting spirits, etc.; Marks the beginning of the dark half of the year

    Below is a figure that shows the above holidays in the wheel of the year:

Moon Phases

    There are four generally recognized moon phases:

    Below are some links outlining some correspondences of various moon phases:

Positions of the Stars and Planets

    You can visit the Zodiac page, or here are some websites with information on astrological timing: