Sacred Moon Cycles
WHY LIVING WITH MOON PHASES & CYCLES
Living life in keeping with the lunar phases has a special meaning to the feminine aspect we are made of:
As we are emotionally and, perhaps, physically, following the same phases. As the moon needs to recede, withdraw, and renew each month, so do we.
We travel across different emotional states the same way the moon travels around the Earth. The more attuned we are to these phases and how they affect us, the better we can harness the different energies, rather than wasting more energy fighting against them.
In many traditions and religions all over the globe, the Moon is recognised as an important force or factor. For example, the Moon cycle is described by (Vedic) Astrology, Ayurveda, Yoga traditions,Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taoism, Shamanistic cultures in North and South America, Siberia, and many more.
MOON PHASE 1: NEW MOON
TIME TO RESET & INHALE NEW BEGINNING
This is the phases where the Moon is not visible. The New Moon phase is associated with the shadows, the unseen, our subconscious. It’s a great time to go inward, reflect and see what shadows could be brought to the surface. Around the New Moon, you can experience fatigue, exhaustion or low energy and mood. This is an invitation to withdraw yourself a little, to rest and to apply self-care.
Scientifical insight: A new moon is when the sun and the moon are on the same side of the Earth. Because the sun is not facing the moon, from our perspective on Earth, it looks like the dark side of the moon is facing us.
Spiritually: The new moon represents the menses (menstrual cycle) and, historically, women took time away from others during this time. Think of the new moon as not only your fresh start, but your time of retreat — a time when you can regain your strength to begin again.The themes surrounding the new moon are new beginnings, fresh starts, and clean slates. This is the time for an intense reboot, filling up & recharging under the energy of this new moon.
MOON PHASE 2: WAXING CRESCENT MOON
TIME FOR SETTING INTENTIONS
When the Moon begins to become visible again and grows, this is called waxing. During this phase, it is the perfect time to set an intention for the Moon Cycle. Maybe you want to focus on a project, or you want to attract something into your life.
sensART to write it down, journal about it to set a clear intention.
Scientifical insight: As the sun starts moving closer to the new moon, it starts to become illuminated again. A crescent appears, less than half illuminated, until it waxes or “grows bigger” into a first quarter moon.
Spiritually: The waxing moon represents intention, hopes, and wishes. After recharging under the new moon, your intentions and desires are ready to be planted.
This is when you should be developing your intentions, burying crystals, writing checks to the universe, and laying the mental groundwork for your next project
MOON PHASE 3: FIRST QUARTER MOON
TIME FOR ACTION TOWARD WANTED
The best way to handle this moon is to be flexible. Create a daily routine of connection with the set intentions and move consciously with those through the day. A very efficient way to start acting on them is to keep a to-do list beside a journal routine.
Scientifical insight: The moon reaches the first quarter a week after the new moon. According to Palermo, the first half moon after the new moon is called the first quarter because, at that point, the moon is one-quarter of the way through its monthly cycle of phases.
Spiritually: Because the first quarter moon occurs a week after the new moon, this is when we start to feel some resistance in the form of obstacles. If your intentions were planted during the new moon, your first hurdles at achieving these goals are experienced here. The themes surrounding this moon are challenges, decisions, and action.
MOON PHASE 4: WAXING GIBBOUS MOON
TIME TO REFINE
Cultivate acceptance and welcome change
When the Moon begins to become visible again and grows, this is called waxing. During this phase, it is the perfect time to welcome the clarity rising and all kind of aligning change, even if it means being pushed out of the well known comfort zone.
Scientifically: A waxing moon is one phase away from becoming a full moon. This moon is easily seen during the day because a large portion of it is illuminated.
Spiritually: The themes surrounding this moon are adjustment, refining, and editing.Things don’t always work out the way we planned them to, and this phase of the moon energy support realisation what you need to reevaluate, give up, or change direction on.
MOON PHASE 5: FULL MOON
TIME TO HOLD THE BREATH, HARVEST CLARITY AND CELEBRATE WHOLENESS
The Harvest Moon, the name of the first full moon in September, is the time when farmers traditionally harvest their crops. Just as they reap the benefits of their seeds, every full mood is a natural invitation to be reaping the benefits of all intentions set during the new moon. It is a perfect time to see these benefits in the form of new opportunities or even as results from the hard work done the previous week. Make sure you’re prepared and open to receiving these.
Scientifical insight: A full moon occurs when the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. Because the sun is directly across from the moon, the light completely illuminates it, making the moon appear completely full on Earth.
Spiritually: Because the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the Earth at this point. This brings heightened tension as we fight to find balance between two extremes. Emotions can definitely run high during this period, and it’s important not to get overly emotional or attached to anything during this phase.
MOON PHASE 6: WANING GIBBOUS
TIME TO EXHALE GRATITUDE
Perfect time to feel the benefits of the intense work for the last two weeks. Your metaphorical crops are in abundance and you should be seeing some outcome from your previously set goals and intentions. Now’s the time you’ll be feeling full of love. Maybe you feel the urge to sparkle, give back and share love with those around you.
Scientifical insight: After a full moon, the moon starts becoming less illuminated again, waning toward the last quarter moon, then finally, another new moon.
Spiritually: The themes surrounding this moon are gratitude, sharing, and enthusiasm.
MOON PHASE 7: LAST QUARTER
RELEASE
A great practice during this moon is a cleanse. Clean out your apartment, your closet, your friendships or invite fasting. Look at anything that’s no longer serving you and get rid of it. Pay attention to the unnecessary emotional and physical clutter that has been accumulated during this past cycle and rid yourself of it. To shed this unnecessary emotional weight, get engaged in any type of physical activity.
Scientifical insight: The last quarter moon is the reverse process of the first quarter, making its way back to another new moon. After a full moon, the moon wanes — becomes smaller — into another gibbous moon, and then into the last quarter.
Spiritually: The themes surrounding this moon are release, letting go, and forgiveness. Like the moon gradually decreasing in size, you have to be ready to let go of stuff. Throughout the month you’ve been hurt, broken, or angered in many ways. It’s under this moon that you will let go of all grudges and release all anger. You must purge yourself to be able to receive the new intentions you will set again during the next new moon.
MOON PHASE 8: WANING CRESCENT
TIME TO HOLD THE BREATH, SURRENDER & CELEBRATE EMPTINESS
Right now just relax and surrender to the universe. Some things will always be out of your control and fate must take its course.
Scientifically: The fraction of the moon that is illuminated is decreasing on its way to becoming a new moon.
Spiritually: Surrender, rest, recuperate. You may feel empty during this time. You’ve gone through an entire moon cycle and things have come and gone — willingly or not. You are now getting ready to prepare for a new cycle and there is nothing wrong with resetting intentions — however, not during this moon.
