Life in a symphony with moon phases
What do you feel when you look up at the night sky? I feel immense amazement at the beauty. Especially if it’s a full moon and its white light illuminates the dark blue clouds around it. Aren’t the “most ordinary” things the most beautiful ones? Those that we can see every day, and so they have become mundane and no longer interest us. Looking at the night sky always reminds me of a particular moment from my childhood when one summer evening, I was lying on the grass next to my grandmother’s house and I was looking at the immense beauty above me. I felt connected to the whole universe. It was such a beautiful sensation. I can evoke this special feeling every time I look at the night sky, even though I am hundreds of miles away and my grandmother’s house and the place where I was no longer exist.
I remember that also around that period (I was about 13 years old), I bought my first book about the moon. It was a thin book that briefly described the effects of the different phases of the moon on our beauty, weight loss, etc. Inspired by the book, I thought to do a beauty ritual. So I filled the bathtub with fragrant water and put a lot of rose petals in it. It could be a great idea if I thought about the fact that the roses are full of bugs, and I have to take them out before I drain the bathtub so they will not clog the waste pipe. That’s probably why I never prepared another “beauty bath” after that!
At that time, my mother also gave me a book about the goddesses of the moon. When I read it, I didn’t understand its content at all. Now I’ve found the book again, and it seems so easy to me! Everything written there makes sense to me, and I understand what the author meant. Sometimes we are not ready for some information, and we need to mature to a level where it can resonate with us. I try to remember this every time I explain something to someone, and I can feel that this information doesn’t resonate (that person doesn’t understand it). However, the same may be clear and understandable after a few years. Let everyone have time to learn at their own pace.
Why did I return to the topic of the moon phases?
This topic comes up quite a lot in my life now. The fact that we have made a garden where we grow our fruit and vegetables certainly contributed to this. I often hear someone say: “now is not the right moon to sow lettuce, now we should not prune trees because it’s this moon phase…” etc. At the same time, I often return in my thoughts and dreams to that one place in my grandmother’s garden. And I almost constantly look for harmony in my life.
How does the moon relate to harmony?
One of the many deviations from the balance I perceive is the ignorance of nature and its natural cycles and rhythms. The technological world completely absorbed our attention. Technology has brought comfort to our lives (I wonder in vain what else) and therefore served us very well. However, I think it has received too much attention. Technology is supposed to save our time, but instead, it’s stealing it from us. Machines do everything for us, but we still complain that we don’t have enough time for our family, friends, and things we love to do. How is this possible? Isn’t it because we have deviated too far from nature on this axis? Finding a balance between these seemingly completely different parties may not be easy, but it is worth a try.
When was the last time you looked up to see in what phase the moon was? I believe that the moon cycle affects us and the things we do anyway if we watch it or not. It’s better to work with it than be influenced without our want. Every experienced gardener knows that planting, trimming plants, and other gardening work, need to be aligned with the moon cycle, otherwise the result will be…different. However, one doesn’t need to be a gardener to align one’s activities with the lunar cycle and thus feel more present and connected with nature.
Of course, it is also important to remember that everything is variable, and it is necessary to live with joy and lightness. It’s never a good idea to cling to things and do them with persistence to get them “right” (oh, I’ll read this more often because I often “miss” it).
What do I suggest?
Tonight, look out the window or take a walk in the fresh evening air and find the moon in the sky. Then read the general assumptions that apply to each of the moon phases and consider whether your actions are in harmony with this lunar energy. It’s fun, what do you think?
Perhaps you are not succeeding because you are trying to invent something new at a time when you should only be relaxing and contemplating. Or it explains why you’re so excited and full of motivation. Another thing is the menstrual cycle and the weather seasons, but that’s another story.
Don’t think that this means that for half a month, you do nothing and for the other half you catch up quickly. The individual moon phases change quite quickly, so it’s possible to adjust your life a little. Perceiving the moon’s individual phases helps me understand more about the invisible forces at work at any given moment, and thus I can see things in a much broader context.
Lunar phases and their general assumptions
New moon
The new moon is a lunar phase characterized by deep darkness. Although everything is shrouded in darkness and mystical silence, the potential is bubbling within. It is a period when it’s ideal to think about new projects, plans, innovations, and changes.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that these ideas must first mature and acquire a stable form. It’s not a good idea to rush into something new if we’re not sure it’s the right thing to do. It is also worth mentioning that it is at this time that otherwise hidden and unmanifested parts of our personality can manifest. We can call it our shadow (the shadow represents our inner fears that we take with us everywhere we go).
At this time, we can be more sensitive to things we don’t like, we can become more moody and irritable. Moodiness and aggression are often associated with the full moon, the difference is in what is the cause of this behavior. For some, the full moon is a relaxing time, and at the time of the new moon, it is better to avoid it and vice versa. If someone is the new moon type (I like to call it like this), they are more nervous and excitable in this period. I think it’s because one carries a lot of trauma and unspoken words inside him that bother him and come back every time he gets closer to (his) “darkness.”
“The new moon is like a bounce. It’s up to us which direction we take and to what we give our spark.”
The new moon period is ideal for starting a new habit that will receive the necessary energy due to the upcoming growth phase, so we can maintain it better. We can also look for new ideas for existing projects. It is also an ideal time to study or choose a new subject or course. We see the new moon as the peak of waning, so this day is ideal for cleansing fasting, as the body can get rid of poisonous substances much more easily. However, it is also the day when we are most sensitive to being cursed by the resentful person (consciously or unconsciously) wants us to lose something (see the waning moon).
To sum up, the new moon day is ideal for rest and contemplation. We can also plan a remodeling of the house. We can make a list of resolutions for the next month, plan a change in diet, or do whatever is important for us. I think this is the perfect time to be alone. We should avoid arguments, fights, and inappropriate (toxic) company.
The last 3 points we could always miss, but sometimes it’s necessary to clean up the dysfunctional things, even at the cost of creating a conflict. Also because uncomfortable things help us to grow.
The New Moon is a time of contemplation and reflection. It is a spark that later ignites like a great fire or goes out.. back into the dark.
The first and the second quarter of the waxing moon
The first quarter of the waxing moon can be characterized by mighty energy. It is a kindled flame (no longer a little spark) that gives us the necessary dose of strength to handle everything new. We are full of ideas and everything seems somehow easier. We want to rejoice, have fun and our activity makes sense. It is the ideal time to start a new diet, remodel the house, or learn a new language.
Talking about dieting – we should be more careful in this period because it’s easier to gain weight (it can be also advantage).
Exactly halfway through (when the moon is the perfect letter D), this fertile energy slows and we have time for reflection. At this point, we should stop and look carefully at where we are going. Are we going in the right direction? Does something need to be changed or redone? Is what we do really fill our hearts? Do we like the way things go? If not, it’s the perfect time to change things. As soon as the moon spans its half and the irradiated part begins to increase, the energy accelerates, and things start moving. Often at this very moment, we see mistakes or things that don’t work. In this period is much easier to fix a problem or introduce a necessary change.
In this prolific time, we can also work on our relationships. Whether partner or our self-love. We can more easily understand the intentions of others (resolve petty conflicts) and accept ourselves better. It occurs to me that this might be the perfect time to rebuild a relationship with someone we haven’t seen in a long time, and we would love to see them return to our lives.
The waxing moon also gives power to the magical activity we began after the new moon. I think I will write a separate article about magical work. If I have already done it, the link is here.
I also like the image of the moon in its half. Two halves form one whole. The moon is not just one part, the visible part. This reminds us that duality is only apparent because we often choose only one half and we can’t see the other one. The moon is always whole, like every situation. You can see how the theme of balance has resurfaced nicely here. Life on this planet seems to be full of duality. We have the feminine and the masculine, fear and love, spirituality and matter. But if one cannot exist without the other, then does that not mean they are one thing?
If we never felt sadness, we wouldn’t know what joy is. But then we cannot say that sadness is negative because thanks to it we can feel something as beautiful as joy. If, on the other hand, we experienced only everything beautiful and golden, our life would be flat and lose depth (you may not believe it, but people purposely put themselves, even if unconsciously, in “unpleasant” situations).
The waxing moon represents new energy, acquisition, harmony, acceptance, and understanding.
Full moon
As the moon bridges its second quarter and is approaching its completeness, we can feel powerful energy (women could compare this period to ovulation). That’s why it happens that some people get crazy (I wrote about it in the part about the new moon). It may mean that they feel this huge energy, but they are not able to integrate it into their lives. That’s why it can manifest as aggressivity and combustibility. If this is also your problem, think about whether you are not withdrawing too much during this period. Maybe you lack new impulses, projects, or a deeper purpose in doing things. The full moon is not an ideal time for rest and contemplation – it encourages action and movement.
The great power that accompanies the full moon gives more power to spells and medicinal herbs. That is why we often talk about witches who collect medicinal herbs and brew potions during the full moon, or dance naked in a meadow in the white moonlight. The full moon invites physical activity and exuberance. For example, my daughter was born during the full moon, and I can say that she is a very active child. The full moon energy didn’t leave her for a minute.
All the projects started during the full moon begin to bear fruit. What we have sown, we will reap. Note that this is a double-edged sword. It can also easily happen that we sow something that we do not really want and then wonder what is happening to us.
Let’s say that during the new moon, we begin to solve some problems, but instead of looking at them constructively, we drown in self-criticism, complaining and accusing others of how terrible they are. What happens then, during the full moon? We can see all this happening. Be careful about what exactly you nourish with your energy. Are they things you love and bring joy to others, or is it just frustration and hopelessness? You can always choose to do things differently and start again.
The full moon is pure and fruitful energy. It invites joy, movement, and the materialization of desires, wishes, and spells.
The third and fourth quarters of the waning moon
If the waxing moon represents energy growth and the full moon is its culmination, then, naturally, there must be a calming down and attenuation. It’s like after the arrival of a huge wave that calms down and subsides, but the water is still present. If we refuse to let go of the unnecessary – physical stuff that we have accumulated at home, or psychical things (like hateful thoughts, unwanted behavior patterns, resentment, etc.) we might feel a lot of inner tension at this time of the moon.
Forgiveness is also a big topic (in my native language, the word “forgiveness – odpuštění” means forgiveness and draining/release). Forgiveness, in my understanding, is the transformation of an unwholesome emotion, through an emotion that is neutral (not judgmental for example), to a beneficial feeling – love. (I will not write anything more about it, let it resonate and act in you).
The third quarter is a reflection on what needs to be removed or cleaned. Once the moon enters the last quarter, then action is needed. In the sky, we see the exact C-shaped half. The waning moon is a time when we are more sensitive to our inner world. If we don’t feel in harmony, it could be a sign that we have a lot to forgive and let go of. Dysfunctional projects, unrealized ideas, or obstacles can also appear as a problem.
As I wrote above, it’s also good to devote ourselves to cleansing, not only mentally but also of our house/garden and body. We can start with a lighter diet and in the new moon complete the cleansing of the body with fasting. It’s also the ideal time to do a big cleaning and discard clothes and things we haven’t used for a long time – and give them to someone they would make happy (or to a second-hand store or flea market). With the removal of old things, we will feel lighter and fresher, and we can enjoy much more cosmic energy in the next cycle of the moon.
At this point, it is also worth mentioning that not all things and aspects of our lives can be changed or discarded. Some need more time to resolve than the cycle of one moon. Others refer to other people, and we cannot change them.
What we cannot change we can accept or change our attitude toward it. A nice example is when our child grows the first teeth – this is something we can not change, teeth grow, and it is necessary. Our child feels pain and is grumpy and tearful. If I get angry and swear, neither I nor the child will feel good. But I can accept the situation – I know that the child is grumpy, so I avoid stressful situations that would lead to tension between us. I leave space for the child and treat him lovingly and understandingly, and it is possible that the pain will pass faster or he will forget about it altogether.
Relationship problems are easier to solve in the last quarter. We can sit down with our partner and say things we think need to be said. This period helps us to find understanding for others, and so we can find solutions that satisfy both.
However, be also beware of people who do not wish you well, this period can be supported by the energy of resentment, curse (even if unwanted), and generally everything that bothers someone that “you have”. If we are not beware, we can lose and destroy more easily.
The waning moon represents inner peace, harmony, and forgiveness.
How do you feel right now? Do you feel in harmony or angry and frustrated? And does it correspond to the phase of the moon? It suits me perfectly, so I wonder if others feel the same way. Let me know!
About gardening, during the individual phases of the moon and magical protection, I will write in separate articles.