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The Hare Moon is one of many names for the full moon that occurs during the month of May. In the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the Church of Night coven members use this time to celebrate renewal and drink in the full moon to restore their powers. Part of the ritual also involves setting a rabbit free as a gesture of gratitude and singing together. Another component is a moon bath ceremony under the light of the full moon.

A Ceremony of Strengthening Power

At a time when Church of Night members were struggling, the coven tried to use this nexis point on the calendar to strengthen their powers. The entire coven gathered and sang in the Greendale Woods. They asked the Mother Moon to bless them and grant gifts and energy. The ritual included rubbing their bodies with oils and bathing in the moonlight to symbolize rebirth. They used a mixture of angel's blood and oil on their skin. The moonlight would activate the blood, allowing their skin to fully absorb the power of the moon.

"Mother Moon, in the fullest of your form, we ask that you bless us with your gifts, your energies. As you ripen like a babe in the belly, make us whole again. Make our magicks multiply in the spirit of the hare. We offer you our bodies, anointed in celestial essence, that we may become vessels of your energies."
— Hilda Spellman during the ceremony

Unexpected Guests

During this particular ceremony in Part 3, Episode 4, things do not go according to plan. A mysterious group wearing masks is revealed to be the pagan witches. At first, it seems that both groups will be able to share the woods peacefully. However, Nicholas Scratch kills a snake in front of the pagans, likely seen as an insult to those in the group who worship snakes. Tensions begin to rise. As a gesture of goodwill, a moon pie is offered from the Church of Night coven members to the pagans.

Interrupted Ceremony

The Church of Night’s Hare Moon ceremony begins as the sacred oil is applied and members lie in a circle on the ground. The coven members hold hands, and at first, it seems like the ritual will be a success. Unfortunately, as the pagans cut and eat the moon pie, the actual moon eclipses, and the Church of Night members lose their connection to the moon and its power. Since an eclipse during this time would normally be impossible, the coven realizes that this was the work of the pagans. As they ate the moon pie, this rival group had prayed to the goddess Selene, and the symbolic eating of the pie led to an eclipse of the real moon. Without the moon's light, the ritual could not be completed.

Fun Facts

• The Hare Moon is just one of the many traditional names for May’s full moon. It’s also called the Flower Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon.
• The name Hare Moon comes from associations with fertility and rebirth during that time of year, and this is symbolized by the hare.
• In modern Pagan practices, the Hare Moon is sometimes celebrated with rituals that honor renewal such as planting seeds, making moon water, and performing cleansing ceremonies.
• Many cultures also have myths about a rabbit on the moon, since the dark patterns visible look a little like a hare.

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Written by Abigail Payne
Code by Hugo Prendergast