Learn to Align with the Energy of the New + Full Moon
Moon rituals are a beautiful way to align the energy of your life with the energy in nature. Here, we’ve reached out to one of our fav ritualists, Mara Branscombe to show you how to harness moon energies for your own empowerment AND create your own meaningful moon rituals at home.
Head + Heart: How can people harness the energies of the moon to support growth and transformation?
Mara Branscombe: Moon ceremonies are an opportunity to intimately commune with nature. Attuning to the rhythms of the moon- via knowing when it’s a full moon or new moon – brings us into alignment with a force that is so powerful and potent it can act as a reflection of what’s going on inside our own selves.
As you begin to commune with the moon energies, start with these three questions:
- Where is the moon cycle at?
- How am I feeling?
- What is the reflection that I’m receiving at this time?
Every 29 days we have an opportunity to reconnect, or to connect more fully with this powerful force of nature.
The moon can help to bring us into our deeper wisdom and knowing, simply by becoming more aware, and conscious, of what’s going on for us – emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
When we open ourselves to aligning to the cycles of the moon, we open up an inner compass, a powerful force that can comfort us and bring us wisdom.
Part of this process is about stepping away from the mundane of every day life, and actually disrupting personal patterns that are ready to be released. As we do this, we can gather inner power, discover our inner strength, and allow our innate wisdom to be realized and expressed.
H+H: How are we impacted differently by a new moon vs. a full moon?
Mara: Let’s start with the New Moon.
The New Moon symbolizes the beginning of a new cycle. It’s an ideal time to set new intentions, and is known as a cosmic reset. As the moon waxes towards fullness, we put ourselves on a journey of grounding in relationship to the intentions that we set. For example, at the beginning of the new moon, my intention might be to gain clarity around a project I’m working on. As the moon waxes bigger and fuller, I continue to remind myself that I’m connected with this particular intent. And I cycle with my intention into its fullness.
The key is to set the intention, and release the outcome.
This process is not about goal-setting. It’s about coming into a felt vibration with what you’re aligning with, and allowing yourself to feel that vibration build in your very being, throughout the moon cycle. This is a process of building momentum, collecting energy, gathering information. As you attune, the moon becomes like an elder in the sky you can be attuning to in a way that’s supporting your journey. Cosmic support is the best kind.
The Full Moon is a time for culmination and harvest. As the moon becomes visible to us on the earth, we can see everything more clearly. Attuning to the Full Moon creates intensity and brings to clarity what is out of balance. Things may need to shift. You may need to let go. This is your opportunity to see and feel more clearly where the energy is and how it’s moving you. It’s also an opportunity to ground ourselves so that we can discern what is our energy and what is not our energy. You may need to move excess energy out, or harmonize energy in. Moon bathing, which is essentially basking in the moon, can be very supportive.
H+H: Can you share a ritual that people can do at home, alone or with another?
Mara: Yes, this is one of my favs.
A Moon Ritual You Can Do At Home
Bring a candle, a journal, and find a quiet place to be -inside or out.
Set an intentional space.
Take five minutes to close your eyes and begin to find your breath, and attune to the moon’s energy.
- Begin the process of letting go completely. Ask yourself, what are you ready and needing to let go of? Write down what you’re letting go of.
- Next, ask yourself what you’re ready and willing to invite in. Write in your journal what you’re inviting in.
- Choose an affirmation, or mantra to work with in the next lunar cycle. For example: I am a vessel of gratitude, radiance, and unconditional love. Return to your mantra daily.
If you’re looking for ways to attune to nature, take a look at the regular moon gatherings Mara and others lead, over on our Virtual Events calendar. If you’re ready for a deeper dive into earth medicine or personal growth, be sure to explore these eight soul growth programs, featuring Mara’s 30 Days of Soul Work.
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