Walking with the Moon

I've always been fascinated with the moon but it wasn't until about 2 years ago I started to follow it. As I started to feel a pull to a new type of lifestyle I wanted, I let go of all the things society told me I was suppose to do or not do. I stopped caring about fitting into the norm and just wanted to be happy and free. I started reading more books about things I was actually interested in and doing research on the new things I wanted to try. I guess to some, I let my "freak-flag fly" and I was okay with that because I didn't see any harm in collecting crystals, growing herbs, and moon gazing. All natural things right?

Well once I became interested in moon phases and the meanings behind them, I ordered Dr. Ezzie Spencer's book Lunar Abundance! She discusses the 8 moon phases and what each one signifies. She also provides rituals, sound meditations, podcasts, and free resources on her site for how to create a life of abundance through the energy of the moon!

It was through her book that I started to learn how the moon affects us. Some people don't believe that the moon has any direct impact on us but we are all aware of how the moon has the power to change the tides of the ocean. Our bodies are made up of about 75% of water, so why wouldn't the moon have an impact on us as well? Especially women, who have started seeing how their cycles each month sync with the moons. Each month, the moon transitions through 8 different phases (in relation to the orbits of the Moon, Earth, and Sun):

-New Moon

-Crescent Moon

-First Quarter Moon

-Gibbous Moon

-Full Moon

-Disseminating Moon

-Third Quarter Moon

-Balsamic Moon

The moon takes about a full month to orbit, transitioning from one phases to another. I could go through how each phase occurs but I would rather you do the research so you can truly understand. I am simply choosing to focus on how to use the phases for self-care, creating abundance, and finding your connection to nature. The moon is all about balance; yin and yang. So the phases work in pairs as you will see below.

New Moon: Yang

The New Moon is associated with fertility, creation, planting seeds, and nourishing. This is a great time to plant seeds of intention. Create a relaxing environment in which you can relax and meditate on your dream life. Use a journal to write down your answers and how it would feel to have this life. Set intentions for the first moon cycle so you can make it a daily habit to keep those intentions relevant and writing them down makes it easier to go back at the end of the cycle to see what worked and what didn't work.

Crescent Moon: Yin

The Crescent Moon is about the idea of rest and surrender. Exploring Yin and how to balance it with the Yang. I feel that surrendering gives way to letting go of what was and giving the "what can be" to the Universe (putting it in God's hands). After thinking about how your new intentions will make you feel, release them into the Universe and stop stressing over the when and how. Check into how you are feeling and your connections to those around you. Take note of the things you can do to start practicing a better way of living. This is the "play" part to balance.

First Quarter Moon: Yang

This phase is about settling in to those intentions we made and taking action. This doesn't mean we are hanging on to the when and how because we already released it. But I am a true believer in the Universe helping those who help themselves. This is where you turn your intentions into SMART goals or analyze how to make them more effective. Take purposeful action. This is the "work" part to balance.

Gibbous Moon: Yin

The Gibbous Moon revolves around trust and being. To realize that we are ok. This is the phase where most of us start to feel discomfort. Where we are looking at the end result instead of being in the moment. This is the time to practice the concept of Yin and persevere through the impatience and discomfort. Allow and do activities that inspire relaxation and restoration.

Full Moon: Yang

The Full Moon is probably the most acknowledged phase. It is also known as the Harvest Moon because it usually lets us know when it's time to reap the seeds sewn previously (New Moon). If you have been following the phases and putting in the work, then this is when you will start to see that hard work pay off. If you have gone astray, then this is the time to course-correct. Gazing at this moon usually will draw things out of you emotionally and help you find that connection between you and nature. That feeling that everything is connected. This is also the time to let go of all that is not serving us well. Take some time to meditate on what is no longer serving you and journal about it. You can gain further release by safely burning or shredding your writing for the sake of an actual letting go. Release your fears and embrace what can be.

Disseminating Moon: Yin

This moon phase will help us to evaluate self-worth, receiving, and gratitude. Like Yin and Yang, giving and receiving is a form of balance. It's always nice to be the giver if it's from a pure heart but that can also mean that it isn't easy for us to receive. Most of us are taught to not be takers but as long as it is done with selectivity and gratitude, then receiving can be very healthy. When I say selectivity, I am referring to you analyzing the situation and making sure it is a sage situation. Use your discretion when practicing receiving and gratitude.

Third Quarter Moon: Yang

The Third Quarter Moon phase is referred by Dr. Spencer as "The concept of giving back". You have spent time working on yourself harvesting and reaping the rewards and now it is time to give back. Give back from a place of abundance and without any strings attached. Take some time to think about who you could give back to or what. Is there a charity or is it the woman on the corner who greets you with a smile every day despite her life situations and homelessness? It's been proven that giving from the heart has the ability to ease stress and produce happiness. You also may receive it back from the universe tenfold. Karma exists. The energy you put out comes back to you so make sure you are putting out pure positive energy.

Balsamic Moon: Yin

As we come to the last phase of the cycle, we prepare to indulge in some "me-time". Check in with how you are feeling and do some reflecting. What have you learned about yourself through this process? What patterns if any did you notice? Where are you now with the intentions set during the New Moon? Take a minute to work through this process to see if you want to keep working on those intentions or if you want to set new ones.

The Balsamic Moon phase will last until the cycle starts again when the New Moon begins. Then it will be up to you to decide if you will start the process again or focus on rituals pertaining to certain phases. If you would like more guidance and writing prompts for following the phases, Dr. Ezzie Spencer's book Lunar Abundance offers a detailed breakdown on each phase with questions you can write in your journal. Her website also offers some free resources to get you started like a lunar calendar and moon meditations.

So the next time you are lucky enough to see the moon in all it's full phase splendor (next Full Moon in 2020 is June 5th), you will know why it has you swooning and thinking about all of the possibilities life has to offer.

The New Moon is tonight (May 22, 2020), what intentions do you plan on setting?

Think happy thoughts my darlings!

With Love,

Micole Elise