Reconnecting with Natural Observation

In an age where we have access to more information than ever before, why are so many witches and pagans struggling with basic observational knowledge—things like recognising the moon’s phase in the sky, understanding why seasons change, or even identifying whether the bright celestial body at 11 AM is the sun or the moon? (yes, true story) These aren’t obscure occult mysteries; they’re fundamental aspects of nature that have been observed and tracked for thousands of years.

Yet, more and more folks are disconnected from these cycles—not because they lack the resources, but because they aren’t developing the habit of observing and noticing the world around them. This is particularly important if you’re a Southern Hemisphere witch and you want to adpat more commonly observed practices from the Northern Hemisphere.

Modern Disconnection: Why Aren’t We Paying Attention?

Many of us live in artificial environments where the rhythms of nature feel distant. Clocks and calendars dictate our schedules, not the rising and setting of the sun. Cities glow with artificial lights that obscure the stars. Weather changes are something we check on an app rather than feel in the air. (I’m absolutely guilty of this with my reliance on the BOM/Bureau of Meteorology app here in Australia) 

For witches and pagans, this presents a unique challenge. Our practices are often supposed to be rooted in natural cycles—the waxing and waning moon, the changing seasons, the shifting tides. If we aren’t actively observing and interacting with these cycles, we risk practicing a witch craft that is disconnected from the very energies we claim to work with.

So why is this happening? A few key reasons stand out:

• Over-Reliance on Digital Tools – Apps and social media provide instant answers, but they don’t teach first hand understanding through direct experience.
• Urbanisation and Light Pollution – It’s harder to observe the night sky when city lights obscure the stars and moon. Or if you live in a particularly built up area with tall buildings blocking a view of the sky or horizon.
• Lack of Practical Education – Perhaps you never learned to track natural cycles in school, or observe the seasons, and if you did, you’ve never really had a reason to apply this learning in a practical way.
• Passive Consumption of Information – Maybe you’ve read about the moon phases or the seasons but don’t often go outside to observe them firsthand.

Relearning the Art of Observation

If you’re feeling disconnected from natural cycles, the easy thing is to take a little time out to do something about it  – you can start to build or rebuild that connection by stepping outside and looking up.

• Step One: Start Watching the Moon
  • Tonight, go outside and find the moon. What shape is it? Where is it in the sky? Is it high, low, or not visible at all? Make a note of what you see. If you’re not sure, check a moon phase calendar afterward—did your observation match what the calendar said?
• Step Two: Pay Attention to the Sky at Different Times of Day
  • Many people assume the moon is only visible at night, but it’s often in the sky during daylight hours too, however with some exceptions! See if you can find out what those are. Try checking the sky in the morning and afternoon—where is the sun? Can you see the moon?
• Step Three: Feel the Seasons Around You
  • Forget what the books say about the Wheel of the Year for a moment. Instead, step outside and notice the changes around you. Are trees blooming or shedding leaves? Is the air crisp or humid? What animals and insects are active? What’s happening in the natural world where you live? I suggest that you could journal this and start writing your observations down, perhaps in a commonplace book?

Why This Matters for Your Witchcraft

Witchcraft, at its core, is about working with the energies of the world around us, for whatever benefit/direction we wish to apply them. If we want to work with natural energies and we only engage with nature through apps and social media posts, we’re missing out on a key part of the practice—direct experience. You can absolutely augment your interaction with the natural world with apps, but remember step outside and make it ‘real’. 

By making natural observation a habit, we develop a deeper relationship with the cycles of life. Our rituals become more intuitive, our spellwork more in sync with natural energy, and our understanding more rooted in reality rather than abstract concepts. And you might find that with observational knowledge, what you learn in books might not apply to the energy/space/land where you live. 

A Simple Challenge: Track the Moon

For the next week, I suggest you spend a few moments each evening looking for/at the moon and noting its shape and position. Depending on the phase, it might not even be visible to you. Keep a note of that. Keep a small journal like hte commonplace book mentioned earlier, (or just use your phone’s notes app – you can even make voice recording notes) and record what you see. At the end of the week, compare your notes to a moon phase calendar. How close were your observations? What patterns did you notice?

The more you practice this, the more natural it will become—and before long, you won’t need an app to tell you the moon’s phase. You’ll just know, because you’ll start to feel more in tune with the cycles around you based on your observations.

Reconnecting with natural observation is one of the simplest things a witch can do. It doesn’t require fancy tools, expensive books, or even a deep understanding of the planets or astronomy—just a willingness to look up and out, and pay attention for a wee minute.

Have fun with it all!