New Moons & Full Moons
— BY LAUREN TREND
"It was when I thought to myself - if the moon can affect the tides; oceans and waves across the world - maybe it's not such a farfetched idea that it effects us (as humans), our bodies and our energy centres."
Paying attention to astrology; the planets and the moon isn't for everyone. It's something that I now believe in and experience whole heartedly, but absolutely adore my friends who make fun of me.. For blaming things on mercury's retrograde, or asking people their time of birth, so I can check their birth chart/body graph/both (ha!). One of my best friends Alice, mockingly calls 'Mercury Retrograde' (aka - shit hitting the fan) 'Uranus' Entrance' and I couldn't love her more for it!
I used to feel disheartened, or perhaps in some ways, even ashamed to share this side of myself, these interests; out of fear of people not understanding or believing the same. I now completely treasure that contrast - I love being surrounded by people with differing views to mine. It's expansive and invites me to question my beliefs, or stand & tall proud in them. Contrast is something I welcome and crave.
In granting myself permission to believe in and be everything that feels good to me, I believe that I must offer that same respect and opportunity for those around me to do the same.
Given that we are on the eve of a full moon - for those who are keen to learn more about New Moons and Full Moons I thought I'd share some little notes as to how I believe they can affect our moods, energy centres, creativity, communication and the like..
I'm no astrology guru (by any means); however it is something that I enjoy learning more and more about every day. I've grown up around parents who use the moon calendar to garden/harvest and so it's always been a notion that hasn't felt too far away... It was when I thought to myself - if the moon can affect the tides; oceans and waves across the world - maybe it's not such a farfetched idea that it effects us (as humans), our bodies and our energy centres.
When I think about the moon I immediately think of ~energy~, and now use the happenings up there, to better understand/protect what's happening in here *taps chest*.
The moon has eight phases. But tonight, for simplicities sake - let's just focus on two..
New moons represent the beginning of a cycle and the full moon represents a clearing or release.
My favourite way to keep track of what the moon's up to is through my Moon App - you've probably seen me screenshot it if you follow SP on Instagram.
The most well known is the fifth phase or full moon.
The full moon is an incredibly energised time. If you're anything like me, on a full moon, you may have trouble sleeping. Your moods and emotions might be heightened. There's that known saying that emergency rooms in hospitals are busiest during a full moon, because people tend to go a little troppo. (My Dad would attest to my behaviour certainly taking a spike at this time in the lunar cycle.. especially during my teenage years, ha!) If we want to touch on etymology for 2.5 - I mean.. The word Lunatic is of course derivative of Latin's Luna, Luna meaning Moon.
For me, the Full Moon is a time to reflect on the month that was, and map out my goals or intensions for the month ahead. I use the evening of a full moon to journal and reflect - to write and put my thoughts onto paper. To recap areas that have had me stretch, map out what has worked well, where there is room for refinement and how I can best move forward over the next 28 days.
The full moon also marks a new period of release. Between a full moon to a new we're shedding, not building. I often find my hair can fall out at this time of the lunar cycle, or like I need to move more slowly and gently. I'll be more inclined to take a slow hot & yin yoga classes rather than power flows, for example.
The new moon is the first phase of the moon. The moon is not visible at this time except when it is seen in silhouette during a solar eclipse when it is illuminated by earthshine.
In farming traditions the new moon in the time when the soil is most fertile and wet. Many farmers and gardeners (my parents included!) plants seeds on the new moon as the moon’s lunar gravity pulls water up. The new moon is considered a growth phase and is an ideal time to plant seeds in our gardens as well as our hearts and minds for the future.
The new moon is an invitation to start fresh, call in intentions, and set the tone for the next cycle. On a new moon I love to sit down and journal & get really specific about that which I am trying to call in and manifest. This might be around relationships, creative pursuits, professional goals, or even things as specific as a type of conversation I'd like to have (with others & myself!).
Perhaps this coming new moon I'll pop up a post that talks through the types of rituals I have created around new moons - as I find this time incredibly inspiring and it always calls me into action.
As for tonight, on this new moon, I encourage you to sit down ask..
Where can I let go?
How can I soften?
What doesn't need me in the way that it used to?
Where is my energy better focussed?
Who is deserving of my energy?
In which areas of my life can I better show up in a way that feels conducive to my desired feelings?
What can I pick up to serve my creative practice?
What can I put down to serve my relationship with my body?
How does my heart feel in this moment?
30 - 04 - 18