It’s no secret the moon holds much influence over our planet. The most obvious is its affect on the rise and fall of tides, but did you know it steadies us on our axis too, keeping Earth from wobbling so life can flourish? The Moon’s pull also slows Earth’s rotation, but it’s not by much; our day increases by just 2.3 milliseconds per century, yet considering the size of our planet, that’s still an impressive show of strength from that far off planet.
Some wildlife rely on the moon for migration and reproduction, and although it’s less common these days, agricultural calendars planned planting and harvesting around the lunar cycle. Studies have been undertaken into the effect of the Moon on the human mind and body, too. There are numerous medical professionals who claim fertility, menstruation, and birth rate are linked to the Moon’s cycle, while also stating admittance to hospital and emergency units follow a monthly pattern. It’s even been said that the Moon influences crime, accidents, and human behaviour in general. Science remains on the fence for these claims, yet there’s no doubt the Moon does hold quite an influence.
For some, the Moon’s cycle can be felt on a subtle energetic level. You might notice feeling a little spacey, headachy, or light-headed around the time of a Full Moon, while a New Moon leaves you feeling grounded, at peace, and more inclined to go within.
To keep it simple, the lunar cycle is split into two parts; waxing and waning. Within each of these two, are four cycles. In its waxing phase, the Moon passes through four cycles; New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter and Waxing Gibbous. In its waning phase; Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter and Waning Crescent. Waxing means growing. This phase commences with a New Moon, when the Moon is at its darkest, and isn’t visible in the sky. But from this day, as its orbit around Earth begins again, more light is reflected on its surface until it reaches its peak at the Full Moon.
Working with the Moon’s cycles can greatly enhance the structure and intent of your creative endeavours. Broken into eight phases, these time periods offer guidance for your focus, allowing you to harness the Moon’s energy as you work through the month. Starting at the phase of the New Moon, here’s a breakdown of how to harness the moon's energy and take your creative workings to a new level.
The New Moon is the ideal time to start new projects, set intentions, and even hit that reset button on previous intentions or plans. Working with this growth energy boosts action, so take proactive steps with your goals and dreams during this phase. This lunar cycle also supports new regimes such as health, exercise, and diet. It aids new ventures, so is a great time to get a business project launched. Keyword: Growth.
Set intentions using ‘I am’ statements
Journal these intentions
Create a vision board
Plan goals
Break down goals into achievable steps
Set deadlines
Create affirmations
A simple intention ritual.
Write your intentions on a piece of paper using ‘I am’ statements. Fold it in three and place it somewhere safe. If you have an altar, placing the paper under a crystal would be ideal. You might like to put it in a box or container that holds special meaning to you. You can place it under your pillow too. Wherever you choose, leave your intention where it won’t be disturbed until the Full Moon.
Crystals are natural amplifiers, so if you choose to set one on top of your intention, here’s a quick guide to easily sourced crystals you might like to use.
Relationships, Romance, Self-love: Rose Quartz, Rhodocrosite, Moonstone
Business, Finance, Career: Citrine, Green Aventurine, Jade
Communication, Writing, Learning: Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Lace Agate
Creativity, Passion, Drive, Joy: Carnelian, Sunstone, Citrine
Spirituality, Intuition, Connection: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite
A piece of Clear Quartz is also a fantastic stone to use. As a powerful amplifier, it will add a boost to your intentions.
Next within the waxing cycle come the Waxing Crescent. This is the time to focus on manifesting your intentions with some serious hustle. Roll up those sleeves and get your hands dirty. Show up every day, stick to your plan, stay as focused as possible. At the end of each day, take note of what you’ve achieved. It doesn’t matter how big or small, it’s another step taken to reaching your goals.
How are your affirmations and intentions lining up with where you are right now? Do they need a tweak? Perhaps you need support at this stage, if so, don’t be shy about reaching out.
The First Quarter brings balance. By now, you might be seeing results. You’ve done the work and are already seeing the outcome. Perseverance is key here. Tackle obstacles head on, and keep your focus as you continue to push ahead. It’s also possible that motivation is fading now the initial excitement has worn off. This is where you need to remember that action equals results, and your greatest obstacle is most likely you!
If you’re wobbling, now is the time to take out your journal and read back on your intentions. Don’t give up if you’ve lost the fire in your belly. Reconnect with your intentions, and most importantly, don’t berate yourself or allow negative self-talk. Take a look back at what you’ve already achieved to remind yourself that you’re moving in the right direction. Each day is a new day, adjustments can be made!
The final phase in the waxing cycle is Waxing Gibbous. Now it’s time to celebrate! Your endurance has paid off, so why not reward yourself? You should be seeing what is and isn’t working at this stage, so consider tweaking plans or making adjustments to ensure progression. Check in on your intentions and affirmations again. With more tangible results now evident, expect to gain more clarity, too.
The Waning Cycle comes next, beginning with the Full Moon. Now is the time for release. Waning means fading, If we don’t let go of what isn’t serving us, there’ll be no space for better things to come our way, so the Full Moon encourages forgiveness, shedding of old habits, retrospection, and gratitude. Use the Full Moon energy to reflect on the past and consider what needs releasing. Keyword: Release.
A simple release ritual.
Releasing that which no longer serves you makes space to allow better things in. This easy ritual can be done whenever you feel the need—not just at a New Moon.
On a fresh piece of paper, write down the things you wish to release from your life. Fold the paper in three, and in a suitable fire-proof container, burn the paper until it has turned to ash. As it burns, envisage the energy of that which you want to release dispersing. Ask the Universe to assist you in removing it from your life with compassion and courage. Once the ash is cool, take it outside and release it to the wind. (Be conscious of people, wildlife, the environment etc. to avoid polluting water or food sources.)
The Waning Gibbous phase further bolsters the act of release. It’s the perfect time to make space; physically and mentally. Let go what isn’t working with your current projects. If you’re unsure about releasing an aspect altogether, you can always park it for future consideration. Make use of this Moon phase to also carry out a little physical cleansing by freshening up your workspace. Clean and tidy, let in fresh air, and give creative energy space to move again.
With the Third Quarter, we’re back into another balance phase. Now that you’ve made space again, consider what you want to bring in. This is a great time to think about your boundaries. Do they need a reset? Have you brought in or pushed away anything that isn’t serving you? As mentioned previously, check back in with your goals and intentions. You can make adjustments as you see fit. Don’t forget to acknowledge what you have achieved to this point. As we near a deadline, it’s often too easy to focus on what we haven’t done as opposed to what we have!
The Waning Crescent completes the Moon’s cycle. Think ‘Me Time!’ and indulge in some serious self-care to recuperate and recharge. Journal your achievements—no matter how big or small, and congratulate yourself on what you’ve accomplished. In this quiet time, you can also contemplate what comes next. Where do you stand with your current project? What steps can you take to carry on, or make improvements? Are you preparing to start something new? If so, consider what you’ve learned from this cycle and put that experience into the next.
The great thing about working with the Moon’s cycle, is that every month you have the chance to correct your course. At any time you can look back and see what did and didn’t work. You’re creating your own story, and your journey is a unique and special one, so be flexible and enjoy the process.
I hope this guide on how to harness the moon's energy offers fresh inspiration with your creative projects. Let me know your thoughts on working with the Moon, and how you might incorporate it into your creative workings. You can reach me at julie@creativesoultarot.com
