MOTHER LOVES YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK

HOW TO USE THE LUNAR CYCLE FOR SELF TRANSFORMATION

Just like all of us, the moon is constantly changing. Moving through all 12 zodiac signs over the course of a four-week period, its transformation is well-known to Earth-dwellers, and according to astrology, we can utilize its patterns to facilitate our own personal growth. The lunar cycle can be broken up into four distinct phases: new moon, waxing moon, full moon and waning moon. By understanding the moon’s cycles, you can plan out when to implement new habits and life changes, versus when it might be better to rest, lay low and take it easy. By working with the moon, you’ll notice that your goals, desires, actions and energy are in flow with the universe. Below, we’ve put together a helpful guide to each lunar phase and the tools you can use to work in congruence with them. 

THE NEW MOON

During this first lunar phase, the moon is not visible and it’s often the lowest energy period of the entire month. The new moon typically represents an ending of one chapter in order to start fresh for the next four weeks to follow. If you’re looking to implement a different habit, mindset or make changes for yourself, set the intention to do so at the new moon. It may also be that various opportunities or relationships start to form at this time, and the foundation you create at the new moon will continue to grow over the coming days. 

WHAT TO DO: A NEW MOON RITUAL

For a simple new moon ritual, you’ll first want to get quiet and be by yourself. Lighting a candle or putting on relaxing, meditative music can help to clear your mind and create a calm environment. Try jotting down a list or journaling about what you want to work toward over the coming days. Write down what you want to happen in the present tense, so you can embody the feeling of what it is like to achieve that specific goal or mindset. You may want to focus your thoughts on anything you’ve been meaning to do for a while but have kept putting off for a later date. How can you take action steps this month to get to where you want to be?

THE WAXING MOON

During the two weeks that it takes the new moon to grow into a full moon, the moon is in its waxing phase. Whatever fresh intention, project or relationship you may have recently started will continue to come together during this period. You may feel like you have more energy and are getting traction with work projects. Additionally, you might be making plans to move homes or redecorate, or maybe you’re simply establishing a different everyday mindset or routine for yourself. The waxing moon is the most productive time of the month.

WHAT TO DO: STAY PRODUCTIVE

During this moon phase, you may want to refer back to the list you made or journaling you did during your new moon ritual to keep yourself on track and motivated. It could be helpful to pin the piece of paper to your workspace or keep it at the top of your notes app. If a specific career goal was at the top of your mind or you wanted to develop healthier everyday practices for yourself, establish a set routine and stick with it. On the other hand, maybe your goal was to make more time for dating or friendships. If so, you will want to reach out and make an effort to connect with people during this two-week period. 

THE FULL MOON

Midway through the four-week cycle, the full moon occurs. The couple days surrounding the full moon are often very emotionally charged, as you may have noticed in yourself already. The full moon tends to bring greater self-awareness and it urges you to step back from whatever you’ve been engaging in to reflect on what direction you want to go next. If there’s a situation or relationship in your life that isn’t working, the full moon will urge you to release it. It’s also the time of the month when you may be completing a project or launching it out into the world. In addition, any activity that involves other people tends to go on around the full moon, so it’s a great time to build connections. 

WHAT TO DO: CULTIVATE BALANCE & RELEASE

Because the full moon is such a powerful period for healing and release, you may want to meditate or do a yoga practice at this time to bring balance to both your mind and body. During a mediation, ask yourself if there is anything that is holding you back in the current moment, or if there are any necessary changes in your life that you need to make that you haven’t been honoring. Your intuition will be stronger at this time, so you will want to address recurring thoughts that have been coming up recently. 

It might be helpful to do a releasing ceremony as well. Write down mindsets, habits or situations that you want to leave behind on strips of paper. Read each piece of paper aloud before either burning or shredding it. After this ritual or a meditation, burn palo santo or sage to clear out the old energy (make sure to open your windows so this energy can escape). In addition, you may get the urge to clean out your closet and get rid of items in your home that are causing clutter.

THE WANING MOON

Following the full moon is the waning phase, which lasts for the remaining two weeks of the lunar cycle. Your daily life may start to slow down around this time, or you could be wrapping up any projects you’ve been working on and be doing a lot of self reflection. Try not to push too hard to get anything new off the ground during the waning phase. Instead, integrate what realizations may have come up at the recent full moon and start thinking about what endeavors you want to begin at the upcoming new moon. 

WHAT TO DO: GET SOME R&R

The waning phase is a period for rest and relaxation, so you don’t need to put pressure on yourself to do any specific ritual. Simply take the time to reflect on any heavier emotions or realizations that have come up, but try not to act on anything or make major decisions just yet. The time for that will come at the next new moon.

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