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Since ancient times, the moon has always been associated with femininity, and the subconscious and mystical. Many people believe it directly affects our mood, body and mind.
In astrology, the moon is connected to the part of the emotional body that brings us joy and fulfilment. Viewed as a feminine planet, she reflects how we feel about ourselves, deal with relationships and respond to situations, as well as our inner world, and deeper patterns of thinking and feeling.
Many people believe that the moon’s gravitational pull on ocean tides mirrors the influence it has on our emotions. Considering the fact you’re made up of mostly water, it stands to reason the moon can also affect you. This pull is at its strongest when the moon is new and full; that’s when it’s lined up in a relatively straight line with the sun and earth. The sun’s gravitational pull combines with the moon’s, causing the highest and lowest tides. In native traditions, water is associated with the emotional body. Simply put, the moon pulls on your emotional centre. And while it’s magnetic effect doesn’t cause the water in our bodies to physically move, it can bring heightened emotions to the surface.
The moon moves through eight different phases per month. Let’s unpack four of the most talked-about and their impact on us:
The waxing moon
The moon’s first step toward fullness. When it’s new, it isn’t visible at all, until a tiny sliver of light appears in the sky. it’s only considered a crescent moon when less than one half of it is visible. This allows for the greatest amount of change, sparking creative ideas for projects and plans, and encouraging you to acquire new objects. it can also have a positive effect on your behaviour and outlook, so it’s the best time to get things moving in the right direction, edging closer to what you want to achieve. During this period, it would benefit you to reflect, meditate, and visualise, feeding inspiration and passion into the intentions that you set with the new moon. if you want to be more patient, more understanding in your relationships or develop a more positive attitude, now’s the time to work on it. Regenerate and grow – anything you do to strengthen and take care of yourself is more effective when the moon is waxing. Here’s an interesting nugget: according to folklore, if you cut your hair during this phase, it will grow back healthier and faster. But if you do this during the waning moon phase, it will become unhealthy and grow more slowly.
The new moon
When the sun and moon are on the same side of the earth, the sun doesn’t illuminate the moon – which is why you can’t see it. Also known as the Seed Moon, this phase represents sprouting and new beginnings. You may want to sleep less and rise earlier, your appetite may increase and you may experience spurts of energy. The new moon brings about calmness, balance, energy and a renewed confidence in your ability to accomplish. Think of it as a retreat. it’s all about new beginnings, a fresh start and a clean slate. Use this time to reboot, throwing all unwanted thoughts and excess junk into the trash. Then, use the energy of a new moon to recharge. During this time, you may feel anti-social and introverted without being able to pinpoint why. it’s a good time to stay away from crowds and focus on yourself.
The waning moon
As the moon recedes and approaches its new phase once again, it starts to look smaller. in the same way the waxing moon encourages you to be more expansive and outgoing in your actions, the waning moon should turn your mind toward de-cluttering. The old cycle ends and the new one draws near. it’s the best time to withdraw from the world to rest, renew, release and purge. Think things over, contemplate and complete outstanding tasks, as you prepare for new seeds at the start of the next cycle. What do you need to banish? Are there relationships or projects that are no longer serving you or that you’ve lost interest in?
The full moon
Historically, a full moon has been the subject of many cultural myths surrounding its supposed effect on us – about anything from howling werewolves to the moon driving people to lunacy. This phase in the moon’s cycle is the most active and may increase your stamina and energy, especially in the evening. As much as a full moon magnifies your emotions and enhances your characteristics, good or bad, it can also make you feel things more intensely. The effect can be positive or negative, depending on your state of mind when the full moon rises. it also has a way of illuminating your sense of awareness and realisation – which can feel disruptive, resulting in more erratic behaviour, tension, or tiredness. You may feel anxious or emotionally upset. Research has shown that we sleep less during a full moon, so you must care for your body. A tip: pay more attention to rejuvenating your skin during this time, as it’s believed a full moon makes your skin more absorbent.
