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How to work with the phases and cycles of the moon to design and live the life you want.
A new moon, tarot, and astrology practice.
The moon is our cosmic reminder to focus on designing the life we want to live. We can work with the phases and cycles of the moon to improve our relationships, finances, health, and more. Each new moon cycle intertwines with the next in a spiral of wisdom bringing light to the unknown of the future.
A new moon cycle is the approximately 29.5 days the moon takes to orbit the earth. I like to refer to this cycle as of this as a moonth because it is like a calendar month and it’s fun to say. The moon transits through all 12 zodiac signs each moonth spending 2.5 days in each sign. The Sun spends about 30 days in each sign.
There are eight moon phases. We will focus on five phases and use the metaphor of the life cycle of a plant. This will help us to visualize how our intentions develop over the course of a moon cycle. We start with planting seeds of intention at the new moon. We nurture the plant to grow at the waxing moon. We celebrate when the plant blossoms with a flower. We weed the plant to give it room to release at the waning moon. Finally, we receive the seeds of the next plant at the dark moon.
What to do at the new moon?
The new moon is an optimal time to set intentions, make wishes, or goals.
The New Moon is 0 - 3 days of the Sun and Moon Conjunction
Sun and Moon are 0º apart
Moon Rises: Sunrise | Sets: Sunset
The new moon happens when the sun and moon are conjunct 0º apart in the sky. When the sun and moon align in the same zodiac sign, their energy focuses on one area. This makes the new moon an optimal time to set intentions, make wishes, or goals. When setting intentions free write what you want. The intentions can big or small. It is ideal you limit them to ten. Consider writing the same intention from different perspectives. This will hone the energy in that area. Working with this practice for a year will have you touching on every aspect of life. Card 1 of moonthly spread.
What to do at the waxing moon?
The waxing moon is an optimal time to review and nurture your intentions. We can do this by developing them into SMART goals.
The Waxing First Quarter Moon is
7 - 10 days after the New Moon
Sun and Moon are 90º apart
Moon Rises: Noon | Sets: Midnight
The first quarter waxing moon happens when the sun and moon are 90º apart in the sky. This relationship creates a catalyst into action. The waxing moon is an optimal time to review and nurture our intentions. We can do this by developing them into SMART goals. Review your new moon intentions and pick one to three you would like to focus on making into reality. Determine what actions you will have to take. How you will fit the action into your schedule. Planning and dedication are of utmost importance. Please note: some intentions can come to life in as little as 2 weeks (new moon to full moon cycle) others can take years. The idea is to have something that motivates and mobilizes you to realize your dreams. Card two of moonthly spread.
What to do at the full moon?
The full moon is an optimal time to celebrate the blessings in your life. To let go and release any regrets. It is also about forgiveness.
The Full Moon is 14 - 17 days after the New Moon
Sun and Moon are 180º apart
Moon Rises: Sunset | Sets: Sunrise
The full moon happens when the sun and moon are 180º apart in the sky. The sun is usually still in the sign where the new moon started (not always) and the moon is in the opposite sign. This opposition creates a culmination energy we can use to develop new perspectives. The full moon is an optimal time to celebrate the blessings in your life. It is also ideal to let go and release any regrets weighing you down. Additionally, this is a good time for forgiveness, including for yourself. Charge your crystals and yourself under the light of moon. Dance off extra energy and throw in a couple of wild howls for extra fun. Card three of moonthly spread.
What to do at the waning moon?
The waning moon is an optimal time to reflect and assess our intentions list.
The Waning Third Quarter Moon is 21 - 24 Days after the New Moon
Sun and Moon are 90º apart
Moon Rises: Midnight | Sets: Noon
The third quarter waning moon happens when the sun and moon are 90º apart. The moon is now three quarters of the way in the cycle. The waning moon is an optimal time to reflect and release from our intentions list. You can do this by checking in with yourself and taking note of what lights you up and what weighs you down. Analyze what you want to keep and what to release from your life. Sometimes, we have an unconscious resistance to receiving what we want. The tarot is great to help you discover blind spots. Revisit your intention list. Is there anything that no longer resonates with you? If so, let it go. It is perfectly okay to release something we only thought we wanted. It was only there for brainstorming purposes, feel free to weed it out. Card four of moonthly spread.
What to do at the dark moon
The dark moon is an optimal time for introspection and integration of the actions we took or didn’t take.
The Dark Moon is is 25 - 28 days after the New Moon
Rises: Sunrise | Sets: Sunset
The dark moon happens when the sun and moon are close together in the sky about 30º apart in the sky. The moon offers us a sliver of light, perfect for going within and communing with our intuition. The dark moon is an optimal time for introspection and integration of the actions we took or didn’t take. Use these two to three days to review how the moonth progressed. How did your intentions develop as you revisited them? Do this in meditation or by reviewing your notes. Prepare for the next new moon cycle by choosing what to keep and what to banish. Make a ritual of banishing by writing what you would like to release on paper and burning it. This will serve as an energetic cleanse. Card five of moonthly spread. Card five moves into the next moonth as card one.
Spiral New Moon - Moonthly - Tarot Spread
The Spiral New Moon Tarot Spread is a framework to keep you aligned with the waxing and waning cycles of life.
Lay out the Moonthly tarot Spread on the days of the New Moon. Come back to it each week to develop your intentions and to check in with yourself and your progress.
What is the seed of the New Moon?
What do you nurture to grow at the Waxing Moon?
What do you celebrate/forgive at the Full Moon?
What do you release at the Waning moon?
What is the seed of the upcoming New Moon? (use card #5 as card # 1 next moonth)
Commit to your growth under the influence of the moon.
Start off with a three-month commitment of working with the phases of the moon. It is a personal development and growth practice. The intentions you set at each new moon help you to move into new situations. It will help you to recognize resistance you may be holding on to. Let me know in the comments if you have a moon practice? How has connecting with the moon changed you?