I can't tell you the amount of times I have been asked the difference between the Full Moon and the New moon energy and, how you can harness the power of each.
The Moon represents our feminine energy, emotions, intuition and our inner self. Every month we are blessed with a new cycle and a new opportunity to connect to the different types of energies carried by each lunar phase.
Lunar Phases
Each lunar cycle begins with a new moon, which grows and climaxes into a full moon. From here, it decreases in size until the end of the cycle, and a new one begins.
The new moon and the full moon are the most powerful phases, bringing opposite but complementary types of energy.
Just like the tides are affected by this powerful energy, so are we.
When you learn how to use the energy of each moon phase, you are more likely to achieve your goals and manifest your true inner desires.
Here's what you can do to make the most out of each phase.
New Moon - plant new seeds: set intentions, journal, make a list of new goals, brainstorm new ideas and make mood boards.
Waxing Crescent - focus on your goals: practice visualisation and affirmations to support your intentions.
First Quarter - take active steps: it's time to do the work! Find solutions and ways to overcome challenges and obstacles.
Waxing Gibbous - align and refine your intentions: observe and reflect on your goals, trust the universe and your ability to bring your desires into existence.
Full Moon - Manifest: express yourself, engage in creative activities and celebrate your wins.
Waning Gibbous - Introspect: turn inwards, express gratitude and start thinking about what needs to be released.
Last Quarter - Release: let go of the old and make space for the new by getting rid of what no longer serves you such as relationships, situations and bad habits.
Waning Crescent - Rest: purify your mind and spirit and embrace stillness.
NEW MOON
This happens when the sun and moon come into alignment; when the yang (masculine) energy of the sun merges with the yin (feminine) essence of the moon, and the moon rises with the sun at dawn. During this phase, the moon and the sun conjoin in the sky (align at the same degree astrologically) so we don’t see the moon. This is the start of a new lunation, and it’s time to get still and plant new seeds of desire.
During a new moon, it serves us to breathe new life into any area of stagnation or any place in your life where you would like to impact positive change. This is the perfect time to set an intention to manifest with the moon.
NEW MOON RITUALS
On the new moon, we focus on purifying and recharging, on getting ready to act and getting rid of what hold us back from our dreams. For this ritual, you’re going to want to use a natural bath soak containing salts, (I reach for the Akasha London New Moon bath soaks or the Goddess Aphrodite magical Ritual bath salts. The combination of the water and salt removes lower vibrations.
Before getting into the bath, think of what your intention is for this moon cycle. Light some candles and turn out the lights. Meditate on what you want while bathing, allowing the water to enhance your deepest feelings to help transpire the vision of what you are creating for this new cycle.
Get rid of your mental blocks, you want to let the water wash away any thoughts or feelings that don’t serve your intention. Release any doubts into the bath water and allow the energies to wash these away.
When you’re done, watch the water flow down the drain carrying what no longer serves you. Complete the ritual by anointing yourself with a ritual body oil (the Akasha London rituals oils very powerful, I have had a lot of success using these).
MEDITATION RITUAL
As the New Moon is a time of new beginnings, a time for reflection, a time to decide which direction we wish to go. In meditation we reflect on all aspects of our life: emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. This is a great time to cleanse the mind, get balanced and get grounded.
Create a beautiful space where you can take time out for yourself. Start by Sage smudging the space, this is to remove any negative and stail energies from your space. When Sage smudging, be sure to do this with intention. Follow with a Palo Santo cleanse to smooth and soften the vibe (optional).
Surround yourself with beautiful things that hold the energy of healing and abundance (I use various healing crystals). Choose your meditation sound, you may turn to a guided or perhaps mantra. Get comfortable and explore where your mind take you.
CANDLE RITUALS
Lighting a candle on the darkest night of the month signifies our desire to bring just a little more light into our lives. Ask the universe to shine light on you during this New Moon. You can also take this ritual a step further by charging your candle with an intention you wish to manifest during this moon cycle. Simply hold the candle, summon feelings of gratitude and love, and ask the universe for what it is you want. Light the candle, and allow it to burn out on its own.
You may also want to try holding the candle (un-lit) during meditation for added power. I also anointed my candles with the Akasha London Magical Ritual oils. These powerful oils will magnify any ritual.
JOURNALING RITUALS
Journaling is a very effective and very low-cost tool to explore your mind with. Journaling can help you decide your next best foot to step forward and it can help turn on some light switches to help you reach your potential. Journaling is an investment in your wellbeing.
Very often in the lead up to a new moon, we will feel the darkness within our own energy too. We may feel lethargic, have a desire to go internal and we may be needing a little extra time by ourselves to centre and nourish. When the new moon arrives, it is a perfect time to acknowledge your goals. A new moon is a perfect time to write a to-do list and brainstorm some of your wildest visions. Now is a perfect time to dig out your journal and get writing. Journaling is a wonderful way to check-in with yourself and really validate everything you’ve been through and everything you’d like to manifest.
HOW TO JOURNAL
Journaling is basically putting pen to paper as honestly as you can. Don’t overthink it. It’s literally just that. There are many ways that you can journal, but the main thing with journaling is that you express in a way that feels right for you on the day you decide to do it.
Journaling could be as simple as….
- Writing down all the thoughts in your head so that you can sort through the mental clutter and relieve your mind of the burden.
- Planning your next 12 months of goals and steps on how to get there
- Writing down your emotions during a breakup
- Writing down symptoms of a physical ailment you are experiencing
- Writing a gratitude list
There are no rules, just go for it. Over time you will come to realise what journaling technique works for you.
START SOMETHING NEW
If there was a perfect time for initiating anything new, it would certainly be the new moon! Start a new class, start a new project, ask that person on a date. Start anything and everything you feel passionate about.
The new moon is also the optimal time for setting a sacred space in your home to make your own magic. Cleanse the energy of the place where you’ll be meditation, manifesting and self-reflecting. Get the junk of the world out—and keep it out. In time, when you enter that space, your body and mind will know it’s time to make magic. Make sure after you’ve set it up, you keep it clean and tidy to avoid bad vibes.
MAKE YOUR OWN RITUAL
Making your own ritual is simply a matter of creating a set of practices you commit to doing during every new moon. It could be as simple as meditating, taking a yoga class, or writing a list. Or, it can be as elaborate as creating a space, making a crystal grid, taking a cleanse bath or smudging your entire home. Whatever it is, make sure it incorporates taking a moment to reflect and plant a few seeds of intention.
The Full Moon is indeed the most beautiful, powerful and spectacular phase of the lunar cycle. Its intense energy empowers us to go outward and sheds light on things and situations that may have been previously covered. In this time we are called to celebrate our achievements, culminate our goals and express ourselves. The energies can be very intense and at times emotional, the full moon effects as all in different ways.
While the energy of a full moon lasts for about three days before and after the lunation, the moon is technically only full for a moment—when the sun and the moon are directly opposite each other in the sky.
Humans have been living by lunar cycles for centuries, and in our modern world, connecting to these energies can give us a sense of grounding and synergy with the earth and cosmos.
FULL MOON BATH RITUAL
With the Full Moon, we’re dealing with a fertile and even sexual energy. The moon is at its most abundant, and it’s ready to birth something great. That means your ritual is about co-creating and calling in a divine feminine energy, but that doesn’t necessarily have to do with gender.
The full moon's light can rejuvenate our psyches. Connect with lunar energy by submerging yourself in water. Simply draw a magical healing bath, and gather your favourite salts, flowers (dried petals work great), crystals (quartz, amethyst, moonstone, or citrine work great.) , candles and sounds that make you feel relaxed and at peace.
Place your crystals in and around the bath, everything you do to create this beautiful space should be done with intention, even setting and preparing the bath.
Add preferred bath salts (Akasha London Full Moon ritual soaks are extremely powerful) and flowers of your choice (optional).
You can say your full moon intentions aloud while you're relaxing in the tub as you imagine the full moon restoring every cell of your body. Use the crystals that were in your tub as little energy generators of your vision and bring them with you throughout your day.
Write down your vision after your bath.
MEDITATION
The mind energy is centred in the pineal gland area from which vital hormones get secreted. It is believed that the moon enters this gland and takes control of all our activities - from night till the time we awaken. The rays of the moon affect human beings, animals, plants, water and so on. As our bodies consist of 70% water, the full moon meditation helps the seekers in going inward, transcending the mind, and experiencing the divinity within.
Just like the New Moon, create a beautiful space where you can take time out for yourself. Start by Sage smudging the space, this is to remove any negative and stail energies from your space. It's important that when Sage smudging, this should be done with intention. Follow with a Palo Santo cleanse to smooth and soften the vibe (optional).
And then simply release your mind and let it drift.
Perhaps the most obvious and direct way to incorporate the Tarot into your Full Moon ritual is to do a reading. The cosmic energy now is ripe for making decisions on whatever’s been brewing since the previous New Moon, so spending some time reflecting on what you now want to manifest can only serve you. Set up a sacred space, get centred, find a layout that works for you, even if you're a beginner, maybe start with 1 card. Draw the card/cards and spend some time meditating on it.
Meditating with your card can intensify whatever intention is set. So whether you’re meditating on Death and choosing transformation as the result of any process you’ve been going through, or if you’re simply sitting with The Moon card and focusing on the divine feminine, you’re golden.
A really fun way to work with Tarot on the Full Moon is to dress like that card you've drawn.
Dressing for your Full Moon ritual in something that chimes with the imagery of card you’re working with is a super direct way of aligning yourself with its energy. Feeling the High Priestess this month? Why not wear some jewels or a dress that reminds you of your own connection to Goddess energy?
I would love to hear what wonderful rituals you performed during the Full Moon and New Moon. I hope your moon rituals are filled with love, healing, magic & an abundance of blessings.
Love always
Natasha x
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