The Moon cycle governs many a life on this beautiful blue ball. Generation upon generation of humans lived in total synchrony with its cycle. And, in a certain abstract way, looking at our calendar year and its units of months, we still do. But do we really?

Speaking for myself, not so long ago, I was barely aware of the phases of the moon. Now I use them to provide stability and structure in my life. They help me remind myself to stay on course.

Wikipedia has -of course- a nice schematic overview of its phases, so this is not something I will elaborate on. What I do wish to share is two old practices of honoring the turning point of the phases of the waxing and waning moons: New Moon and Full Moon.

The image below illustrates the phases and is shared in original format from Wikimedia Commons:

New Moon

At New Moon, you will not see the moon at all in the night sky. From this moment onwards, the moon will be ‘waxing’, growing in visibility. The time to display a full moon is about half a month, i.e. 14 days.

So in symbolical way, New Moon provides us with opportunities of growth, with new beginnings. That means, practices performed at New Moon are directed at what you want to manifest. Hence setting intentions for what you wish to bring forth in your life is exactly the focus of a practice at this time in the month.

An example of a practice I use as a basis:

• Prepare:
  • Position candles and crystals or other objects you like to work with for centering and focusing, on a table.
  • Meditate for a couple of minutes, focusing on your heart.
• Practice:
  • Focus on what you want to manifest.
  • Connect with love to what you manifest: Feel how it would impact your life, feel the radiance and positive vibes of that happening.
  • Visualize this loving energy with a green color flowing around your heart and from your heart to the center of the Earth and back, and then to the mental picture of you in that manifested reality.
  • Repeat this process a couple of times. You will feel the right moment to end the practice.
  • You can incorporate one of the objects in this circle of Heart and Earth’s Core, and the manifested goal, and let the energy flow between these, now four, ‘points’.
  • Incorporating an object into the practice, allow you to connect ‘faster’ to your manifestation aim: Hold the object near your heart and connect again with the other points: Earth’s Core and your manifestation goal.
  • End the practice in gratitude, love and joy.

Full Moon

At Full Moon, you can see a full lunar disc in the sky (provided the sky is clear). From Full Moon to the next New Moon, it takes again about half a month, i.e. again 14 days, until the moon is no longer perceptible.

Tuning in with this phase of the moon, riding the moon wave of ‘waning’, helps you to let go of things that no longer serve you.

An example of a practice I use as a basis:

• Prepare:
  • A table:
    • with two bowls in front of you, a bottle of water, a pen and paper, candles and a lighter.
    • Add crystals, stones, pictures, or other special items that will support you on this journey.
  • Yourself: Imagine standing under a waterfall of white light. The waterfall takes all what doesn’t serve you, washing it away.
• Practice:
  • Dim the light, light the candles, fill one bowl with a bit of water.
  • Sit in a comfortable position.
  • Take a couple of deep breaths to center and ground yourself.
  • Write down exactly what you are releasing or letting go, including any limiting beliefs. End with your signature and the date. (You can repeat this process as you see fit. You will know 😉 )
  • Breathe into your heart and declare that you let all of this go, and it is so.
  • Take a candle and light the paper up, put it in the bowl without water and let the flame consume the paper. Watch this process of release; the smoke taking it all away.
  • Wash your hands in the bowl of water, washing the old off, so you can start anew, ready to take on a new opportunity.
  • Remain in silence for a while, and/or meditate.
  • Close your practice in gratitude for what has been released.

A note about Dark Moon

The Dark Moon is less well known as a concept, and an older term. It is the last visible crescent of a waning moon, which lasts between 1.5 and 3.5. With New Moon falling in the middle (according to current astronomy terms, see Wikipedia).

Typically periods of darkness are seen to be periods of contemplation, reconciliation and solitude, to explore what stirs within. This is useful in preparation for a new moon ritual.