July Pagan Celebrations, Magic & Lunar Activities

July is such a fun month, full of magical happenings and pagan celebrations. July is such a fabulous month. We think of picnics and games, long nights under the stars, gathering herbs for potions, and vacations. July is just chock full of magical happenings.

Originally known as Quintilis July is ruled by Jupiter. So July was named for Julius Caesar a dictator in the Roman Republic. Feast days were also made for Apollo and Neptune during this month. Jupiter is a sky god and his sacred animal is the eagle. Zeus is Jupiter's Greek counterpart.

In this article we’ll look at individual days to celebrate, symbolism, July herbs, flowers, and crystals.

July Correspondences

Symbols: Solar power, manifestation, growth, strength, dreamwork

Gender: Masculine

Color:  Yellow, silver, green (Candle Color Importance)

Elements: Water, Fire

Animals:  crab, dolphin, ibis, seals, turtle, whale, & starlings

Nature Spirits: hobgoblins, faeries

Plants: Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Holly, & Water Lily

Trees: Holly, Oak

Crystals:  carnelian, malachite, moonstone, & turquoise

Birthstone: Ruby

Deities: Hel, Juno, Cerridwen, Apollo, Jupiter, Venus

Honor the older women in your life and celebrate the Crone.

July 1 Crone Day

I turn 61 this month and I’m happy to report that July 1st is Crone Day. So celebrate the wisdom and power of women as they age! The Crone is a symbol of the wise elder, keeper of stories, and spiritual maturity (often celebrated after menopause) Fire rituals are commonly used to burn away limiting fears about aging and celebrate this stage.

July 4

On July 4th Americans celebrate there independence. This is a good day for spells for self-empowerment.

Modern Pagan and Heathen communities often celebrate Independence Day with a focus on gratitude. The American founders like Thomas Jefferson supported religious freedom, which protects the rights of all faiths (including polytheism) to exist without persecution.

Spell Jar For Self Empowerment

This self -empowerment jar is for courage. You'll need a small glass jar, salt (for cleansing and protection), rosemary for strength, crystals like carnelian and tigers eye for courage, and a small piece of paper with your affirmation or intention. Add the ingredients one by one, focusing on your affirmation. Recite your affirmation. For example, I then say

"When I see cruelty or injustice, I have the courage to take action. I refuse to walk away or give in to my fear".

July 5 Apollo

On July 5th we celebrate the games of Apollo, the god of athletes. These games were organized under the Oracles of Marcius, a great seer. Founded in 212 BC they took place at the now-infamous Circus Maximus. Apollo began as an agricultural and sun deity and became more urban as Rome grew. He is the god of archery, music and dance, truth and prophecy, and was a great poet. He is the god of athletes.

Running was a key component of Roman culture, and it was also a popular form of entertainment. Romans believed in the concept of a "healthy mind in a healthy body," and physical exercise was considered essential.

Last Quarter Moon: July 7

The Last or Third Quarter Moon phase represents a time for reflection, letting go, and preparing for a new cycle. It's a period to release any remaining burdens and clear the way for new beginnings.

Ruled by Lugh and Thor the Holly symbolizes protection and strength. Join me as we learn more about Holly Magic and do a Pet Protection Spell.

July 8 Celtic Month Holly

We ring in the Celtic Month of Holly on July 8. Holly offers great protection magic. This is a great month to do spells to protect the home.

Holly promotes stability in a relationship. It can strengthen marriage and improve the bond between two people. The berries make great ingredients in love spells and for female sexuality. Place three holly berries on your altar during a love spell.

Plant at least two holly bushes by your home. Holly plants are male and female. You need two so they can cross-pollinate and make berries.

New Moon: July 14

So first up we have the new moon on July 14. This moon is full of emotion and is a great time to do shadow work.

Banishment Spell

The new moon is also a great time to make a banishment spell. I like making and using poppets. It's easy to make a small human-shaped doll. Leave the head unstitched and fill the doll with herbs and something that represents what you want to banish. Good herbs to use are pepper, cloves, nettle, and garlic. On a piece of paper write what or who you want to banish. Or put in a picture if its a person. Sew up the head. Now burn the poppet in a sacred fire in the backyard or in a grill. Call on the spirts to remove it from your life.

***Don’t burn them in the house 1. because its not safe and 2. because you don’t want that energy inside.

July 15 National I Love Horses Day

I love horses so please allow me this indulgence. As a spirit animal horses represent journeys. July is a month that many people travel and take vacations. Do a safe travel spell before your leave. Envision yourself being surrounded by a silvery bubble of protection. Make this mental image as strong as possible. Read my article Horse Spirit Animal: A Complete Guide

When you feel that the power is at its peak, say:

By hoof, by wheel, by boat or plane,

Be safe in all travel and return again;

Healthy and whole, protected yet free,

As I will, so shall it be.

Jörmungandr (the Midgard Serpent)

July 16 - World Snake Day

In the Norse pantheon we have Jörmungandr (the Midgard Serpent). This massive sea monster, son of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboða, is so huge that it encircles the entire human world.

Check out my Etsy Store for Norse Pagan Resources

Veles' spirit animal was the snake. A serpent was his main form of shapeshifting, he was also called the great serpent. Snake is the symbol of fertility and guardianship, as Veles was the guardian of animals. He rules over the underworld and he is the protector of animals and cattle. His animal incarnations were a bull, a bear, a dragon, and a snake.

Mawu is the Dahomey Goddess and creator of life, the moon, motherhood, natural laws, seeds, and agriculture.  Mawu created all the people and animals on earth from clay. She has a snake, an ancestor spirit, named, Aido Hwedo, that props the earth up.

Read more about her in my article Mawu: Dahomey Moon Goddess

Amaterasu is a central figure in Japanese Shinto mythology. She is a sun goddess.

July 17 Amaterasu

Amaterasu is a central figure in Japanese Shinto mythology. She is a sun goddess. According to the ancient Japanese texts Kojiki, Amaterasu was born from the left eye of the creator god Izanagi as he cleansed himself of the impurities of the underworld. The Kojiki is the oldest (c. 712 CE) surviving writing detailing the creation of the Japanese islands and the early development of Japan’s indigenous religion Shinto. A must read if you enjoy Asian pantheons.

She is considered one of the "Three Precious Children" along with two of her siblings (moon deity Tsukuyomi and storm-god Susanoo). A famous myth tells of Amaterasu retreating into a cave, after her brother Susanoo played cruel pranks on her, plunging the world into darkness. She is eventually lured out by other deities, restoring light and order.

Thoth

Egyptian god of knowledge and wisdom

July 19 Thoth

Thoth is the Egyptian god of knowledge and wisdom. He is well known for being an extremely powerful magician. He is considered a master of alchemy and the magical arts. Alchemy, in the context of ancient Egypt, was a precursor to chemistry, involving the transformation of substances and the pursuit of immortality. Thoth's knowledge of magical formulas and incantations was intertwined with early scientific research and the afterlife.

Thoth loves offerings that you have made yourself such as homemade bread. If you are not a baker go buy a nice herb bread for him. He has several feast days.

Read my article Celebrate the Feast of Thoth August 6

First Quarter: July 21

The first quarter moon is on July 21. This moon is great for visualization. You may want to make a vision board for a visual representations of your goals and dreams. By creating a collage of images, words, and symbols you can enhance your motivation, clarify your goals, and increase your chances of success.

This moon is also prime time to manifest your desires. During the last moon you banished something or someone that was not productive in your life. Manifesting is about attracting what you want. Use affirmations. Be very specific and concentrate on something that you want in life. Really visualize yourself receiving it. See how happy you are?

July 21 Ma’at

Another Egyptian deity, Ma'at is the goddess of truth, justice, fairness, and order. Her feather has multiple meanings and helps us to find balance and truth. I know I can always use a little more balance in my life.

Ma'at’s feather is used to call for justice or truth in legal or personal situations where fairness and integrity are needed. By drawing the feather of Maat or using a physical feather in a ritual, practitioners can seek her guidance to ensure that truth prevails.

July 22 Concordia

Concordia was the minor Roman goddess of agreement and social conscientious. There was a coin made with her picture. Her Greek counterpart is Harmony.

We celebrate her feast day on July 22. To honor her do something kind for a person or animal. Pray for peace, take a relaxing bath, and have a glass of wine.

Poseidon

July is a great time to honor water gods. I moved to Wisconsin a couple years ago and live a short distance from this lake. I have really started to feel closer to the water gods.

July 23 Neptune/Poseidon

Surfs up. Neptune is the Roman god of the sea and Poseidon is his Greek counterpart. Interestingly Neptune was originally a God of fresh water. July is a time to make an offering to spirits of the sea and merfolk. Don't throw coins or other modern objects in the water because they are environmental pollution. But things like flowers or sea shells are great.

We have a lot of water animals associated with the month of July. Seals are important animals in the Celtic tradition and there are two types of seal found around the British Isles – the common (harbor) seal and the grey seal.

Selkies are mythological creatures found in Scottish, Irish, and Norse folklore. They are often depicted as seals that can shed their skins to become human on land. They are described as being very beautiful or handsome when in human guise. Selkies represent a deep connection to the ocean and the natural world. Their dual nature symbolizes the link between humans and the sea.

Full Moon: July 29

July's full moon can also symbolize new beginnings, strength, and growth. This moon is great for making offerings to your patron deity or Mother Earth.

The Buck Moon occurs on July 29. The name comes from Native Americans who noticed that male deer, or bucks, are growing antlers during this time of year. Bucks shed and regrow their antlers each year. The Cree my ancestors call this the Feather Molting Moon because animals molt or shed during the summer.

For my Norse pagan friends we also refer to Julys full moon as the Mead moon since honey is being extracted from hives and made into mead. Bees are seen as messengers between the physical and spiritual realms, representing transformation and divine wisdom. Their role in pollination connects them to growth, renewal, and abundance.

Abundance Spell

Spells for abundance work well during the full moon. Do this spell outside. You will need a ten of pentacles tarot card and a citrine crystal. Hold the Ten of Pentacles in your dominant hand and focus on the image of prosperity. Hold the crystal in your other hand.

Visualize your desires for abundance. See yourself reaching your financial goals.

Close your eyes and repeat the following affirmation three times:

"With this citrine and the energy of the ten of pentacles, I attract abundance and prosperity into my life. May wealth flow to me effortlessly and may I be blessed with financial stability."

Safe Travel Spell

July is a month that many people travel and take vacations. Do a safe travel spell before your leave.
Rose quartz is my go to especially if I'm flying because it's calming and protective. Malachite is known as a guardian stone for travelers but I will say my body doesn't respond well to it so I don't use it personally. Aquamarine helps with fear of flying or traveling over water. And for your car. Put a piece of Black Tourmaline under the driver’s seat to protect you while driving.

July Herbs And flowers

I love to garden and many herbs are ready to harvest in July. Basil is easy to grow inside or plant several of them among your tomatoes. It is one of my top magical herbs. I use it in good luck and prosperity spells and to attract customers and business opportunities.

July’s herbs reflect the warmth of the sun and the peak of herbal growth. These plants are ideal for solar magic, protection, healing, and manifestation.

• Basil: Prosperity, love, luck, protection. It can be used in love and protection spells, as well as for exorcisms. Basil is also good for mental health and eliminates fatigue.

• Dill: Protection, repels negative energy. My dill is flowering now. Dill may not be what you first think of for magical plants but it's great for clearing confusion and restoring mental balance especially when you feel overwhelmed.

• Daisy’s: Luck, fertility, emotional well being. They are blooming now. And even if you are an urban dweller they are easy to find on roadways, in parks, or daisy bouquets sold in gas stations. Although those in gas stations may not have great energy. Anyway, daisies are such happy flowers. They are associated with the fae and might be slightly mischievous. Wear or carry them to bring love to you. They can be used to create powerful attraction and passion within a relationship. Daisys are also used to create luck, fertility, and safety charms (especially for a newborn baby).

• Mugwort: Psychic work, dreams, divination, lunar balance

• Calendula (Marigold): Confidence, healing, sun magic, attraction

• Rose: Love, beauty, emotional healing (especially under Cancer energy)

July Birthstone and Crystals

Ruby: Passion, vitality, and protection. Red is a life force connection and the ruby symbolizes romantic passion, commitment, and vitality. It represents protection against negative energies and is frequently used to stimulate courage, willpower, and spiritual growth. Wear a ruby charm to attract love.

Author, Ame, loves July! The founder of CPH and a lifelong pagan, she is an environmental educator and loves hiking and kayaking. You can learn more about us here.