I believe that one of the major reasons people feel lost, sad and disconnected from reality is because we’ve replaced nature (getting outside, walking on the grass, enjoying a cool breeze or splashing in the ocean) with technology (sitting inside, in the air conditioning, staring at a screen for hours on end). In a lot of ways, I think we’re detached from the seasons, and I believe it has a much greater negative effect on us than we realise.

It’s not difficult to get back in touch with the elements, though: all it takes is a decision and then a little bit of effort. For example, using the Moon to guide you is simple. You do see it in the sky most nights, after all!

Below, I’ve gone through each phase of the Moon, in addition to explaining what to do at each time. You might want to print it out and put it on your wall for easy reference.

By the way, for thoroughly modern magic, you can add the phases of the Moon to Google Calendar! It’s really easy to do. Open Google Calendar in your browser, and on the left hand side, you’ll see a month view, a heading which says My Calendars and a heading which says Other Calendars. Click on Other Calendars, and select Browse Interesting Calendars from the menu. Under More is the Phases of the Moon calendar. Click Subscribe and your calendar will show the phases! Brilliant!

The New Moon

As the Moon phases move from new to full, the Moon appears to get bigger and brighter. This period is called “waxing”, and is the most fertile time in the Moon’s cycle. It’s a great time to try and get pregnant, but if babies aren’t on your list, it’s also a fantastic time to create and conceive of new projects.

In Kundalini yoga, they say that the New Moon is the time when we have the lowest energy levels. Yogi Bhajan recommends fasting on water and lemon on this day.

The New Moon is the absolute best time to write a list of goals or things you’d like to manifest. Read it aloud to yourself, light a candle and then put the list under a mirror. It’s nice to do this in a space where you know your list won’t be disturbed, if possible.

The Crescent Moon

The Crescent Moon corresponds with Gemini, so think of your favourite Gemini and some of their most positive attributes! Geminis have active minds and love to think on many levels at once. They’re popular, avid readers, and excel in many things. During the Crescent Moon, act like a Gemini! Bring new things, people and relationships into your life, and focus on accelerating the progress of any projects you’re working on.

As the Moon builds up to be full, manifesting power increases as well as personal energy. If you want to manifest like a badass, intention is key. Great intentions are a combination of focus, attitude, and energy, and this is one of the best articles I’ve read on how to kill it with your intention! Once you’ve read that, see how you can add intention to the list you made during the New Moon.

The First Quarter

The First Quarter corresponds with Cancer. If you know any Cancers, you’re tuned into the fact that they can be emotional but are also excellent planners. You might be feeling the same way.

This is a time to be ambitious, and to think about what you’re building. At the Crescent Moon you added intention to your list; during the First Quarter you should make an action plan to help capitalise on your manifesting power. You can’t manifest by just sitting on your booty and thinking about it. It is essential to take action and make forward strides!

The Gibbous Moon

The Gibbous Moon occurs three days before the Full Moon, which is the time of fruition. You can increase your ability to actually receive what you’ve manifested by visualising it happening. Grab your list, read it, sit down with it, and then close your eyes to envision those things happening for you. Creative visualisation is immensely powerful. Hey, if it works for Olympic athletes, why not for you?!

Even though the Full Moon is just around the corner, that doesn’t mean you go rushing around at full speed, ignoring everyone around you. On the contrary: the Gibbous Moon is a time to be constructive, caring and to help others. What goes around comes around, after all. The Gibbous Moon is linked to the sign of Virgo, which naturally wants to be of service and to help the world. Think like a Virgo!

The Full Moon

The Full Moon is time when things come to conclusion. Take a look at the list you wrote during the New Moon and acknowledge what you were able to manifest! It’s a great time to give thanks, and writing a gratitude list at this time is very powerful. Once you’ve done this, take your original list and bury it in dirt; this is a symbol of what is growing for you!

This is also a time to make important decisions. Sometimes it can feel like everything is coming to a head during the Full Moon, and we often realise that it’s time to make a change or leave things behind.

In Kundalini yoga, it is said that you are “naturally accelerated” during a Full Moon, and at your peak energy levels. Again, yogis recommend fasting on this day.

The Disseminating Moon

Once you’ve made some of those difficult decisions, the time between the Full Moon and the New Moon — which is called “waning” — is the best possible time to remove anything from your life that is no longer serving you. This might include the discarding of old habits, saying goodbye to toxic friendships, closing a business or leaving a relationship. It’s not usually considered the best time to start a project during this time, it’s more about tying up loose ends and filing things away.

The Disseminating Moon is a time to teach others, to release past influences, to retreat and rest. It’s also a great time to undergo any kind of beauty treatment which reduces hair growth. Weird but true!

The Last Quarter

This is the second-to-last phase of the Moon, and during this time, you want to take those loose ends from the last cycle and really and truly finish ’em up! The Last Quarter is associated with Capricorn, a very serious, ambitious and determined sign. Capricorns aren’t necessarily the best at being “in the moment”; instead, they prefer to focus on finishing things so they can move onto the next phase of their grand plan. Channel those attributes during this phase! In other words: get ‘er done!

During the time from the New Moon to now, you will have become aware of certain things in your life that could be released. The Last Quarter gives us fantastic energetic support to halt old habits and break negative patterns, so this is a great time to do that.

The Balsamic Moon

…Not to be mistaken for my favourite salad dressing!

The Balsamic Moon occurs 72 hours before the New Moon, and it’s a time to get ready for the next phase. This Moon phase is related to the sign of Pisces, who are known to be dreamy, private, contemplative and creative. Do your best Pisces impression during this time! Take some out to meditate and clear your head before we launch into the New Moon.

You might want to burn your list from the last New Moon to allow space to bring new things into your life, clean your house, and spend some time alone as you get ready for this next cycle.

Soon, it will be the New Moon… And we’ll start all over again!

Extra For Experts
Yes, the Moon phases really do affect your sleep! Here’s some more information on the Moon phases.

With love,