Fill the jar with one cup of potable water--bottled spring water is quite effective. Do not let the water reach the top of the glass jar, as the lid will probably be made with metal. Traditional herbal lore advises that metal may spoil the virtue of an infusion of herbs.
Place into the jar with the water one of the following: small piece or "one finger" of dried ginger root (Zingiber officinale), half teaspoon of dried chamomile (Chamaemelum nobis), or a sprig of rosemary (Rosmarinaus officinalis).
Seal the lid tightly on the jar. Allow the jar and its contents to bathe in the glow of the moon for one night.
Check a lunar calendar for the correct date for the particular phase of the moon you want.
Some people say that if one is making Herbal Moon Water with the full moon, one should set the jar out for three nights. According to some traditions, the moon is full for three nights in a row. Astronomers, on the other hand, state that, technically, the moon is only completely full on one night.
The moon phase will vary according to what you want the properties of the water to be. There are a few people who state that if you are making Moon Water to catch the energies of the waxing moon, you should set it out after dark for about 12 nights in a row, as the moon slowly grows from crescent to round. (Actually, this method is more suited to making a Lunar Tincture with one half of plain vodka and one half cup of plain spring water, and a suitable herb. One to three nights is plenty for making herbal water with any phase of the moon.) Since this herbal preparation is intended for drinking, make certain whoever imbibes it is not allergic to whatever herb is used.
Some old spells will call for the Moon Water to be made with mandrake (Madragora ofcinarum) root. Mandrake does have powerful lunar connections. However, this root is poisonous. Never use mandrake in anything someone is going to ingest.
M.D. 2006, used here with permission
Myth's Notes
This is a very interesting method of making lunar water. It is basically a form of brewing a cup of cool water herbal tea under the light of the moon.
The herbs ginger, camomile and rosemary are not frequently named among lists of herbs corresponding with the moon. Camomile tea is drunk for menstrual cramps and, as such, falls under the domain of the moon. While ginger is sometimes associated with the moon--particularly in cooking--more often the root is associated with the sun. Since ginger tea is sometimes drunk to settle an upset stomach, I assume the root's main connection here is due to its healing power. Rosemary is also used in some healing spells, as well as beauty spells. As a rosemary tea, it is sometimes drunk for colds.
Perhaps these three herbs are named because they are associated with physical well-being. In Wiccan lore, Aradia is sometimes associated with healing. See Aradia the Healer.
I wonder why jasmine or lemon verbena, which are herbs very much associated with the moon and both brew a lovely tea, are not suggested in this recipe?
I have never heard of soaking mandrake root in water under moonlight. As mandrake is toxic, I'd advise you to avoid ingesting the water--as suggested in the information sent to me. I'd also advise you not to wash with this water either. Indeed, I can't think of a single safe use for Mandrake Moon Water and do not know of any good reason why anyone would try to make such a mixture. The creators of this website provide this information for historical use only and take no responsibility for anyone making or using Mandrake Moon Water.