Can diverting your eyes to the sky and putting your trust in the phases of the moon transform the way you live your life? NH investigates…
For years, we women have been captivated by the moon. Not only has it been depicted as a woman in Greek, Roman and even Slavic mythology for thousands of years, it’s also been a common belief that the moon is linked to the menstrual cycle. In fact, in 18th century literature, the phrase ‘moon time’ was often used as a euphemism for menstruation. While the words and attitudes surrounding menstruation have changed over the years (thank goodness), our fascination with the lunar cycle is ongoing. Modern living leaves little time on the clock for reflection, and it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed, so, is it any surprise that we’re looking to the sky for direction? Many holistic practitioners propose that working with the moon cycles can bring you a sense of guidance, but can you really live your life in sync with an astronomical body? To find out, you have to take a deep dive into moonology.
Decode the cosmics
Moonology reached peak popularity in 2020. With moon facials, jewellery and even moon milk (made from herbs and ashwagandha) becoming a fixture of health and wellness culture. But moonology goes further than that; it prescribes to the theory that the lunar cycle is a mirror of you, influencing everything from your energy levels to your moods and productivity. “Working with lunar cycles can help to keep us on track and accountable,” says Kirsty Gallagher, moon mentor and author of Lunar Living: Working with the Magic of the Moon Cycles . “When you start to work with the magic of the moon, you can channel your energies into a goal, dream or wish, without feeling a loss of motivation or a sense of directionlessness. It gives you a process to work through month-by-month that can help you to plan, get going, complete and take stock.” Intrigued? Here, moonology expert Kirsty explains how you can tally your goals with each phase of the cycle.
During the dark moon
Look up at the sky on the night of a dark moon and you’ll see a slither of light. This phase marks the last visible crescent of a waning moon and often only pops up for one-and-a-half to three-and-a-half days – sometimes, you won’t even see it on a cloudy night. It’s often described as the ‘closing of the cycle’, as Kirsty explains: “This is the ending that creates a new beginning. It’s usually during the dark moon phase that you feel deeply emotional and often at your most vulnerable, but you can take great insight from this period – the dark moon usually shows you what you don’t want from your life, so that you can be clear on what you do want.” Finding yourself a bit tetchier than usual with a specific friend? Or struggling to motivate yourself around a certain work project? This is the time to bring awareness to your actions. “Take note of your emotions over the course of each day (and to whom and what they are directed), as these are the areas that need your attention in the coming month. You can start taking further action in the new moon phase.”
At the start of a new moon
More often than not, you can’t actually see the new moon. It’s only when it passes in front of the sun that it causes a ring – creating what we know as a solar eclipse. Many people are fascinated by this phase of the moon and, in moon gardening (where growing crops are thought to be influenced by the lunar cycle), it’s thought to be the ideal time to start planting and sowing seeds. “This is the beginning of a lunar cycle,” explains Kirsty. “Time to decide what you want – not only from the next month, but also take stock of what you want from life. Are you following through on the promises you made at the start of the year? This is the time to make a plan, set your intentions and be clear on the direction you want to take.”
The waxing crescent and quarter
Waxing is another term for growing, which makes sense, as this is the phase where the moon takes its first step to becoming full. For you, this could be the call to action that you need. “This is the ‘doing’ part of the lunar cycle, during which you begin to gather the information you need, take the first steps and move towards your new moon intentions,” says Kirsty. “This is the time to get projects off the ground, start something new and to make plans for how you’ll get to where you want to go.” Otherwise known as a half-moon, the first quarter moon is when you can catch sight of half of the moon’s surface in the sky. “The moon is halfway towards full and, as she grows bigger in the sky, this is the part of the lunar cycle where things start to come together,” explains Kirsty. “Now is the time to say yes to every opportunity and to go after what you want.” Use the plan of action that you created during the waxing crescent moon to help you tick off your goals.
On the waxing gibbous
Setting somewhere between midnight and dawn, the waxing gibbous phase is 50 to 99 percent illuminated in the sky. “As the moon is almost full, your energy levels will begin to build with this part of the lunar cycle,” says Kirsty. “It’s the last big push of lunar energy, so this is the time to complete what you set out to do at the start of the month.”
When it reaches a full moon
This is the point of the month during which everyone’s focus is on the sky, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a shock that the full moon phase of the cycle is one to celebrate. “This is the time of completion and celebration, and maybe even emotion,” says Kirsty. With the moon fully illuminated in the sky, you’ll be able to see things clearly, and this is the part of the lunar cycle to take stock and evaluate. Look back at what stood in your way and celebrate all you achieved.”
During the waning gibbous phase
Ever get to the middle of the month and wonder where all your motivation and productivity seemed to disappear to? You could be in the waning gibbous phase of the moon, which sees our energy levels start to take a nosedive. Within moonology, this is thought to be a natural occurrence – and needed if you want to learn and do things better next time. “This is the part of the lunar cycle to process all that the first half taught you and to take a small step back if needs be,” says Kirsty. “What worked? What didn’t? And, what perhaps needs some change through the next lunar cycle?” Write it all down so you can take stock and reflect.
For the waning last quarter
The final part of the cycle is the waning last quarter of the moon. “The moon is halfway towards new and, as she wanes and grows smaller in the sky, she is encouraging you to use these energies to release all that you need to let go of,” advises Kirsty. “This is the time of wrapping things up, making changes and letting go of anything that stood in your way, readying yourself for the next cycle.”
