New Moon Rituals & Full Moon Reflections
The moon creates an energy force that affects all beings on this planet.
Considering the name of the blog, it’s a given that I have a lot to say about the moon. This piece is an introduction to working with the moon in general. I have more specific posts on each lunar cycle that I encourage you to check out, new moon affirmations and full moon affirmations. I’d also like to invite you to join me on Insight Timer for a full library of guided meditations.
Start with getting clear about what you want. New Moons are an excellent time to meditate on open space, clear vision, and new beginnings. Use Clear Quartz and Purple Amethyst to channel intuition.
If you have been putting off goals in the back of your mind, the New Moon is the time to pull those to the surface. Write down your intentions. Allow yourself to be free from limiting patterns of thought. Think about what you want to accomplish this month. What can you initiate within the next two weeks?
Write down your intentions and meditate with them. Sit and breathe deeply while concentrating your mental energy toward the goals. You could recite them silently to yourself or simply watch the breath for a few minutes.
As you move forward throughout your day and the rest of the week, revisit the intentions. Like growing freshly sown seeds, check in on them every couple days. If they need more water, investigate what that means for you. It may signify time to take a yoga class, or take action toward something bigger. Now is the time to trust and follow your intuition.
Halfway through the moon cycle, you will notice the Full Moon. This phase activates a lot of energy on earth, as the moon sustains many of earth’s systems. Here’s a free guided meditation to work with the energy of the full moon.
The moon stabilizes the rotation of our planet. It regulates the tides of the ocean. Studies have discovered women tend to ovulate during the full moon. Farmers have long believed the lunar cycle is important to consider when planting and harvesting crops. Also, our body compositions are majority water, thus, our physical bodies are affected by the moon as well.
We get drawn to and fro like the tides of the ocean. You may not have thought of the moon this way before, but it makes sense when you think about it.
I started tracking moon cycles when I started getting serious about yoga practice back in 2011. In the Ashtanga method, moon days are rest days. The ancient Indians noticed imbalances in the body during the Full and New Moons.
To stay balanced and avoid injury, Ashtangis temporarily suspend the physical practice. I have strayed from this tradition since the early days of my practice. In fact, one of my favorite self-care practices has become New Moon Restorative. Try it sometime and you’ll see how gentle and relaxing it is.
Sometimes my Full or New Moon rituals involve other tools as well, like crystals and tarot cards. Occasionally, I consult the I-ching when I’m not clear on what to manifest in the current cycle.
There are many ways to use crystals, cards, and even yoga in ritual. But, you don’t need special tools to manifest your desires. The moon phases will serve as natural momentum for you to do your work.
Be clear about what you want and practice commitment to the execution of your goals. The cycles of the moon will provide the energy you need to succeed.
I have formed so many positive habits since I started reflecting on the lunar cycle and linking my goals with it. Sometimes they are simple as the intention to run every day. Sometimes, they’re more intangible, like “I seek to remain calm in the face of chaos.”
Remember, New Moons are a great time for journaling and developing ideas and goals. Full Moons serve as both a time of reflection and momentum to continue through the cycle.
The Full Moon is like the climax of a story. After the peak, the phases wane back toward the New Moon, creating space and openness for the next steps. It is around the time of the Full moon that you’ll notice things starting to pick up. Your schedule gets busier, your family calls more often, your kids get sick. Whatever challenge you need to face in your life will present itself.
How you react to the stimuli in your life sets the tone for the outcome of your goals and intentions. If you get frazzled, anxious, and snap at someone in the process, you’ll likely repeat the pattern again. If you handle yourself with grace and treat others with respect, you’ll likely see progress.
As the next cycle begins, take time to reflect on the choices you made throughout the last moon cycle.
The next revolution will begin soon. Take time to reevaluate your goals and reset your intentions. Continue moving in the flow of this cycle and notice the changes in your life and wellbeing.
Syncing with nature’s ebb and flow, life will naturally become easier. Whether you’re visiting the witchiest town in Florida or practicing self-care in Cappadocia, you can always flow with the moon. It is an ever-constant force that is ever-changing.
Opportunities appear in your field of vision. Ideas come and go. Challenges arise and disappear. Rather than be swayed by an unfamiliar force, choose to become familiar and work with its influence.
The moon cycle presents a logical path to follow and it is ever present. Connect with its power at any time. Actualize your desires and manifest your dreams with moon magic.
