Lunar Cycles: A Practice | Part 3: Finding flow with the ever-changing cycles of the moon.
Understanding The Moon’s Role in Astrology
In astrology, the Moon is associated with emotions, intuition, and the unconscious mind. It represents your inner self and the way you respond to the world around you. In Hellenistic astrology, the Moon is linked to the archetype of the “anima,” which is your unconscious self and the side of you that is not easily seen by others.
The Moon is the only planet in our sky that doesn’t have its own light. It’s purely reflected by the Sun, which speaks volumes about the energy it harbors. It’s all about reception, energy exchange, and our internal life. It’s the story of life you tell yourself, your ability to share empathy, and your doorway into your emotional database.
Where it’s situated in your natal chart can show an Astrologer signatures like substance abuse, recovery, mental health struggles, your relationship with your mother, and so much more.
It's crucial to remember that the Moon's placement in your birth chart is just one piece of the puzzle. Other planetary placements, aspects, and patterns can greatly influence how the Moon's energy is expressed in your life. For a complete understanding of your emotional nature, it's important to examine the Moon in conjunction with your entire birth chart. It’s one piece of the cosmic blueprint.
Moon Cycles: Working with Lunar Energy
The Moon is one of the most accessible celestial guides for rhythm and reflection. It’s oftentimes an entry point for folks interested in astrology. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great place to start, but it’s loaded with information. Having a skewed viewpoint can often lead to stress, fears, or correlations that have nothing to do with the connotations of the moon, and everything to do with inaccurate information on the moon & its energy. To me, it’s best to learn the basics and build from there. Don’t worry too much about “finding meaning” right off the bat, just go slow, and see what you notice.
Its continuous cycle from new to full and back again offers a natural & easily digestible framework for intention, action, and release. By aligning your practices with just the Moon’s phases, you can flow more easily with your internal energy and the external world.
The Moon is ever-changing, switching signs every few days, and constantly waxing and waning. It’s perfectly fine to keep it as a surface-level interest and merely keep awareness about the changing energy as it waxes and wanes. Remember, this isn’t about perfection, just noticing patterns.
The best part about observing the Moon is noticing the subtle, or not so subtle ones. Anyone who’s worked in healthcare or with the general public knows how influenced by the Moon we are. During my time in veterinary medicine, our entire staff would notice a clear difference in emergency patients, or tense conversations with clients when it was a Full Moon.
Being aware of this shift, before you're in the midst of the lunar energy, makes all the difference in how the transit is experienced. For example, if you’re expecting tense energy, you might save a conversation for a better time, resulting in a smoother transaction.
New Moon: Planting Intentions
Energetic Theme: Beginnings, seeds, clarity
The new moon is a quiet, inward phase. This is the perfect time to set intentions, clarify desires, and envision what you want to cultivate in your life. This is when you’ll see more folks talk about “manifesting”. Astrologically, the sign of the new moon gives insight into the type of energy you can harness.
Suggested Practices:
Intention Journaling: Write clear, specific intentions aligned with the new moon’s zodiac sign.
Meditation & Visualization: Focus on your goals as if they are already unfolding.
Symbolic Planting: Plant seeds, crystals, or herbs to embody your intentions physically.
Waxing Moon: Growth & Action
Energetic Theme: Momentum, action, nurturing
As the moon grows, energy builds. This is a time to take action on your intentions, nurture projects, and invest in personal growth. Think of it as the phase of steady expansion, or small steps compound into progress.
Suggested Practices:
Progress Tracking: Note daily or weekly growth aligned with your goals.
Ritual Work: Perform spellwork or affirmations that support development.
Active Reflection: Assess what’s working and what needs adjustment.
Full Moon: Peak & Illumination
Energetic Theme: Clarity, culmination, revelation
The full moon shines light on what has been growing in shadow. Emotions, insights, and projects often reach a peak during this phase. Astrologically, the full moon illuminates areas of contrast and tension, revealing what needs attention or celebration. Contrary to pop astrology, this is not the time to call in new desires; instead, what’s culminating and requires attention.
Refer back to the new moon, and reflect on what you were calling in, and how it played out.
Suggested Practices:
Release Rituals: Let go of what no longer serves you through journaling, burning, or symbolic gestures.
Gratitude & Celebration: Acknowledge achievements, relationships, and growth.
Energy Work: Use the full moon’s intensity for divination, meditation, or spiritual practices.
Waning Moon: Reflection & Release
Energetic Theme: Cleansing, surrender, introspection
As the moon wanes, energy shifts inward. This is the time to slow down, clear out clutter (physical, emotional, or spiritual), and integrate lessons from the lunar cycle. The waning phase supports endings and transitions.
Suggested Practices:
Cleansing Rituals: Smoke cleansing, baths, or decluttering align with this energy.
Journal Reflections: Review the cycle, noting insights and lessons.
Preparation for Next Cycle: Rest, recharge, and plan for the next new moon.
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Lunations & Lunar Aspects
Beyond the four main phases, important moments such as lunar eclipses, supermoons, or critical aspects to planets add nuance to lunar energy. These moments can intensify emotional insight or highlight major turning points.
Example Practices:
Eclipses: Focus on release or major life shifts; journal before and after. Look back on previous eclipse cycles and find patterns.
Supermoons: Harness extra energy for intention-setting or heightened awareness.
Lunar Planetary Alignments: Tailor conversations, life milestones, or personal workings to correspond with your natal moon (found in your birth chart) with the transiting moon. Utilizing these alignments helps bring clarity to once-foggy situations.
Closing Thought:
The Moon is a living clock for your internal life. You can see it in the sky almost every night, and utilize it as a reference of time. Observing its cycles allows you to align with natural rhythms, honor your inner timing, and integrate astrology into your daily practices. Each phase offers a unique opportunity to plant, grow, illuminate, or release. If you pay attention, you’ll find that your personal and spiritual life can move in harmony with the current astrological weather, even if you’re just looking at the Moon!
Conclusion: Moving Through Life in Rhythm
Life is cyclical, not linear. By noticing external and internal shifts, we can live with greater awareness, ease, and alignment. This practice is not a performance; it’s a gentle journey of attunement.
If you feel called to explore further, you might enjoy:
Embracing Seasonal Awareness – Noticing the subtle shifts in the world and your own life.
Astrology & The Four Seasons – Understanding how planetary rhythms interact with the energy of each season.
Seasonal Homestead & Lifestyle – Practical ways to live in harmony with the land, your home, and your body’s natural rhythm.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Courtney, the voice behind Seasons of Self and the owner of The Cosmic Craft. I’ve been featured in printed publications & popular online platforms like Yahoo!, Bustle, and Pride. I’m an astroherbalist, educator, writer, and guide devoted to helping people navigate life’s changes with more steadiness and self-trust. Rooted in seasonal living, astrology, and plant wisdom, my work is shaped by a deep belief that growth happens in cycles, not straight lines. Through this newsletter, I share reflections, tools, and practices that support renewal and transformation, all while honoring accessibility, curiosity, and care. This is a space for slowing down, listening inward, and learning to live in rhythm with your own timing.