The moon is directly connected to your emotions and your inner world. As humans, we are made up of about 70% water, so just as it moves the ocean tides, the moon creates ebbs and flows in the ocean of your emotions. You can practice aligning with the moon in order to manifest, build unshakeable self-worth, and create lasting transformations in your life. Flowing with the moon’s energy and understanding the spiritual meaning of each moon phase enhances your ability to connect with your emotional guidance and inner wisdom, your inner divinity.
There are actually 8 moon cycles. The way the moon appears at each stage of its cycle offers a guide to recognizing its different phases. The main phases of the moon are;
- New Moon: The moon is entirely in shadow, and its surface appears dark. It’s virtually invisible to the naked eye.
- Waxing Crescent: A thin, silver crescent begins to appear on the right side of the moon. It’s the first visible phase as the moon starts to grow larger.
- First Quarter: Half of the moon is illuminated, forming a clear right-hand semicircle. This is the halfway point between the new moon and the full moon.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the moon is illuminated, but it’s not yet full. The illuminated part continues to grow, covering the right side of the moon’s surface.
- Full Moon: The entire face of the moon is illuminated, forming a bright, full circle. It’s the only time when the moon appears as a complete disc in the sky.
- Waning Gibbous: The moon starts to shrink, and the illumination decreases on the right side. More than half is still visible, but it’s visibly smaller than the full moon.
- Last Quarter: Half of the moon is illuminated, forming a clear left-hand semicircle. It’s the mirror image of the first quarter.
- Waning Crescent: The moon continues to shrink, leaving a thin silver crescent on the left side. It’s the last visible phase before returning to the new moon.
In order to keep this blog short, we will only be covering the 4 stages, the full moon, new moon, quarter moon and half-moon!
New Moon
New Moon: A Time for New Beginnings and Pure Potential
Best for: Setting new intentions, planting metaphorical seeds, and beginning new projects. A time for renewal and fresh starts.
Practice Self-Care: Embrace a quiet night and make time for journaling about your goals and intentions. Affirmation: I am open to new beginnings. Crystal: Labradorite – This crystal can help you regain energy, heal physically, and nourish your spirit.
Quarter Moon;
The waxing crescent phase follows the new moon, and it’s visually characterized by a thin sliver of illumination on the right side of the moon. This phase symbolizes a time for growth and determination, intention, and hope, setting the stage for what you wish to achieve in the coming lunar cycle.
Best for: Taking initial steps towards the goals set during the New Moon. Focus on building, growth, and laying down roots. Self-care: Focus on nurturing yourself and your dreams. Start a new habit that aligns with your intentions, like reciting daily affirmations or a writing in a gratitude journal. Affirmation; I trust my path and take steps toward my dreams with confidence.
Crystal: Citrine, a stone known to encourage motivation, creativity, and self-expression. Hold it during visualization exercises to focus your energy on growth and attracting what you desire.
Half Moon
Half-moon; appears as a half-lit sphere, with the right side illuminated and the left side in shadow. It symbolizes a time of action, decisions, and commitment. As intentions set during the New Moon begin to manifest, it’s a period to reassess, make adjustments, and move forward with determination.
Best for: Taking action and overcoming obstacles. It’s a time to make decisions and put in effort toward achieving goals.
Self-Care: Engage in physical activities that align with your goals, meditate to gain clarity, make plans and set concrete steps to achieve them. Affirmation: I trust myself and my decisions.
Crystal: Clear Quartz, known for amplifying energy and thought, aiding in clarity of the mind.
Full Moon
The Full Moon is the phase when the entire face of the moon is illuminated. It symbolizes culmination, harvest, and celebration. This is the peak time for seeing the results of the intentions set during the New Moon, and it’s a moment to honor what has come to fruition.
Best for: Celebrating achievements, embracing gratitude, and engaging in self-reflection. It’s a time to honor yourself and others and give thanks for the blessings in your life. Self-Care: Engage in activities that make you feel joyful and fulfilled, spend quality time with loved ones, practice gratitude, and indulge in a special treat or self-care ritual. Affirmation: I celebrate my progress and honor my journey.
Crystal: Rainbow Moonstone, known for enhancing intuition and connecting to the divine feminine energy, resonates with the energy of the Full Moon.
We will discuss the other moon cycles in a separate blog but hopefully this gives you some insight as how to best utilize the power of the moon!