Thoughts

What does the Full Moon Symbolise?

The full moon has been spoken and written about for millennia across many cultures.

The Chinese, for example, associate the full moon with the essence of yin (female energy). Buddhists, on the other hand, see the full moon as symbolising spiritual power (as Buddha supposedly gained his enlightenment on a night of the full moon) and many sacred festivals are held during the full moon.

In secular folklore, the full moon has been associated with lunacy (madness), insomnia, and psychological disturbances – hence the term “lunatic” (which derives from the Latin word ‘lunaticus’ which means moon-struck).

In astrology, the full moon is a peak of energy that highlights opposing polarities and forces in your life. It is also a time of harvest (or reaping what you have sown).

The full moon is a time where one’s psychic energy increases, and powerful intentions, spells, and rituals can be practised. The full moon also represents the mother aspect of the divine feminine.

When the Moon and Sun are in opposition, the Sun is so far away from the moon that the full face of our nightly companion is lit up. Perhaps distance does make the heart grow fonder!

The Full Moon embodies self-expression and action! It represents completion, illumination and celebration.

This is the apex of Moon phases, the mountain peak. We have travelled far, and now is the time to rest, and look back on our accomplishments, or at what we have left behind, as the case may be.

How much have you grown this past month, honour the small and large victories. What questions arose this past month, or need to be illuminated further? What losses need to be honoured? What do you need to Forgive?

Is it time to let go and move on, or should you build a shrine to remind us for a time of what is now in the afterworld?

Our emotions and even physical body are heightened during this phase of the Moon. Listen to the needs of your body and mind.

The opposing energy of the Sun (ego, or self) and the Moon (inner-self, subconscious) can cause tension or even explosions of emotions. Because of this tension, this is a great time to express yourself creatively, and your rituals can reflect this.

When we boil down the symbolic meaning of the full moon, however, the themes of amplification, subconscious power, release and illumination continually arise.

But then how do I do I Full Moon Ritual that resonates for me is a question I hear a lot.

Come explore……

What is a Full Moon Ritual and How to Create Your Very Own.

Jenny Heston · 5:55 am ·

The most important thing you need to know about the power of the full moon ritual is that it utilises four essential elements of any transformative spiritual practice: willpower, intention, symbolism, and ritual.

These four elements have a truly electric and intense impact on the unconscious mind. The whole point of a full moon ritual is to generate deep change within the nether regions of your mind, aka your unconscious.

The unconscious mind is the realm of potential, the space in which your soul emerges, and the doorway to Spirit (or the Collective Unconscious). By doing a full moon ritual, you are stepping into your personal power and actively petitioning and preparing your unconscious mind for transformation.

In other words, there is so much more to full moon rituals than pretty candles or crystals – it’s ultimate purpose is genuine spiritual and psychological change.

Now with all that being said, if “creating a Full Moon ritual” feels too much, or you have no interest in doing one. Then don’t.

The world will not come tumbling to an end because you didn’t, nobody is going to knock on your door and ask to see your Moon Journal…….

However, I do encourage you to try working with Moon energy (New and Full) for at least 4 months. What have you got to lose?

As you will often hear me saying – it has to resonate for you and your intention for your ritual is EVERYTHING!

How to Create Your Own Full Moon Ritual.

Okay, you’ve come this far and have decided okay maybe I want to test out this Full Moon thing. After all, if the Moon can move the tides which are water and me being human is composed mainly of water…. Let’s give it a shot.

Fabulous!

Let me give you the nitty gritty basics. A Full Moon Ritual consists of 4 main parts.

Eye of bat, tongue of newt, the tailfeather of a hawk and a glob of spit! (I am so joking here!!)

The best thing about making your own 100% tailored-to-you full moon ritual is that it works around your needs, daily schedule, interests, and the current objects you have on hand.

You don’t need to go out and buy a load of metaphysical paraphernalia to enact a powerful full moon ritual nor do you need to make it Instagram-worthy.

What you do need to do is:

1. Checking when the Full Moon is.

You can use a Full Moon app, Google, or whatever. Ask yourself if you want to work with the Moon astrologically (in otherwords what sign it’s in), seasonally, or just as she comes.

2. Think about what you would like amplified or illuminated within you.

Are there problems that are niggling away at you? What shadows need to come to light? What archetypes would you like to embody? What do you need to let go of? What skills or inner resources do you need to draw on? Reflect on these questions or journal about them. What are your desired outcomes? What is the reason behind your full moon ritual?

3. Shape your Intention

Once you have completed the previous step (which hopefully won’t take too long), it’s time to set an intention which basically means a goal or objective.

What do you want to achieve? What will be the purpose of your full moon ritual? Write out your full moon intention in your journal or a piece of paper that you can keep and reflect on. This is why in the New Moon piece I recommend having a Moon journal. As then you are able to reflect and see the progress and changes you have experienced, that you may have forgotten.

4. Prepare some symbolic objects

Whether on the day/night of the full moon or beforehand, select some symbolic objects that could represent your issue, desire, yourself as a whole, your current place in life, what you need to let go of, your strengths, weaknesses, what needs to be illuminated … you get the picture.

Basically, choose any object currently in your house that represents the part of you or your situation that needs to be amplified or illuminated.

Examples of symbolic objects could include rocks, feathers, flowers, dolls, crystals, cards, figurines, herbs, stamps, old jewellery – literally anything that you feel represents your issue or desire accurately.

And if you don’t have any around you, don’t worry, grab a candle, your favourite crystal or whatever you would like to have with you.

5. Create a Sacred Space for yourself and give it a Cleanse.

Create a space specifically to your ritual that is undisturbed.

You may already have an altar somewhere in your house, and if so, that is perfect. If you don’t find a place in your home, garden, the woods that feels right for you. Remember ritual doesn’t have to go on for hours, it can be 10 – 15 minutes long.

When you have your space give it a nice cleanse. You can use smudge, incense, singing bowls, hand clapping to clear out the energetic debris. Whatever you choose, it’s important that your unconscious mind symbolically registers that the space you’re preparing is sacred and important.

This is time for you and the Moon.

6. Perform your Full Moon ritual

You don’t need to spend hours doing an elaborate ritual. Even just a couple of minutes can be enough to create and evoke a strong message within your unconscious mind.

With your symbolic objects at hand, arrange them in a way that feels powerful to you.

You could arrange them according to your desires, e.g. you could place two symbolic objects together symbolising a union.

You could arrange your objects according to a symbol, e.g. a circle representing wholeness or completing.

You could burn one of the objects or submerge it in a bowl of water representing letting go. (I’m a huge fan of burning things!)

You could place an object on your body and symbolically ‘breathe’ it in.

You could consume one of the objects (if it’s edible and non-toxic) to symbolise empowerment, strength, and renewal. This is your ritual and there are no rules!

7. Symbolically close your ritual

No matter how you choose to design your ritual, always symbolically close/end it.

Your unconscious mind needs to understand that the ritual is over (think of closing your ritual as hitting the “send” button).

Leaving the ritual open without intentionally closing it sends confusing signals to your unconscious mind.

Closing your ritual is simple. Once again, close it however you intuitively feel is the right way. Examples may include ringing a bell, saying a prayer of thanks, chanting, saying a phrase like “so may it be,” and so forth.

The important thing is there is no perfect right way to create a Full Moon ritual (and if anyone tells you that, please run!). Your intention, attention and time are the most important pieces.

Remember where your intention goes, your energy flows and so calling on the Moon energy to amplify and support you is delicious (and most certainly start keeping a Moon journal!)

Let’s see what the Harvest Moon ritual looks like.

Full Moon Energy.

Jenny Heston · 5:30 pm ·

What is the Spiritual meaning of a Full Moon?

There is no one answer to this question, as the full moon carries different meanings for different people.

The moon is such a powerful presence in our lives, pulling on the oceans tides and creating a rhythm of life for all of us. There was a time when we were deeply connected to these rhythms, but, over time, technology and our modern culture has separated us from those celestial vibes.

Aligning yourself with the cycles of nature as a practice can be exceptionally transformative and tapping into the energy phases of the moon is a good place to start.

However, in general, the full moon can be seen as a time of culmination and release.

It is a time when things brewing under the surface come to light, and it is also a time when we can let go of the things that are no longer serving us.

Since ancient times, the moon has come to symbolically embody the realm of the subconscious, emotions, intuition, and the cycles of life and death.

You don’t necessarily need to identify as a pagan or practice other earth-centered spiritual paths to benefit from the power of full moon rituals.

When viewed through a symbolic, psychospiritual, archetypal, or even purely energetic lens, the moon is a very real presence in our lives that can help orient us on the spiritual path.

No matter where you live in the world, the moon is an omnipresent force in your life.

Why not use it in your spiritual practice?

It is hard to see what lies ahead when we are in the dark.

The bright shining moon helps guide our way forward like a lighthouse at sea. It’s encouraging us on our journey towards self-discovery and providing illuminating light that allows hidden aspects to emerge.

The glow of the full moon is a time to reflect and heal. This is where understanding how to create a Full Moon Ritual and what the Full Moon symbolises is very helpful and will expand your experience.

The Full Moon helps us gain strength and reach our goals successfully. During the full moon phase, emotions are more intense, bringing up feelings about past events and healing old wounds.

But what does the Full Moon Symbolise for me and how can I work with it?

New Moon in Virgo – Ritual for Health and Abundance.

Jenny Heston · 3:55 pm ·

NEW MOON IN VIRGO

August 27th we welcome the New Moon in Virgo, so think about the energy that comes to mind for you when I mention Virgo.

Virgo is an earth sign historically represented by the goddess of wheat and agriculture, an association that speaks to Virgo’s deep-rooted presence in the material world. And the fact that we are in harvest season.

If you look around you can see, kids are getting ready to go back to school, teens back to University and many rec centres, gyms and art schools are offering Fall courses, and now is certainly the time to sign up. So there’s an energy of ending (of summer) and new beginnings of Fall.

Then if we look at Nature, here on the West Coast where I live, I can already see the leaves are starting to change. The geese are flying overhead in their V’s honking like mad things and landing on any flat patch of grass they can find.

Some of the flowers are dying back, and the tomatoes are ripening under the late August sun and my herbs have exploded and are standing at about 5 feet tall!

It’s harvest time. A time of preparation. A time to sink your feet into the earth and thank Mumma Gaia for her gifts and bounty. A time to choose what you want to experience, feel and think.

So what are those things? How do you want to feel and what do you want to draw to you?

With the New Moon in Virgo, it’s time to heal, weed, edit, and discern. The vibe is thoughtful, sensitive, health-oriented, compassionate and particular; we need to keep our eyes not on what we want to throw away, but what we want to keep and nurture.

The image for the sign of Virgo recalls the people who once used their powers of discernment literally to sort the wheat from the chaff – back in the days of people – skilled agriculture. So use the energies of this moon to think about where in your life you need to make changes. Pay particular attention to your daily routines.

Virgo New Moon Ritual for Health and Abundance

You’re going to need your lovely moon book and pen,

a white candle,

crystals of choice,

a posy of fresh garden herbs (if you have them),

or a wee container of some dried ones from the kitchen,

a hot cup of water,

cleansing tool of choice (smudge, incense, essential oil),

and whatever music makes you feel good!

Find a peaceful spot where you will not be disturbed.

Then set the space and make it sacred to you.

Light your candle, place the crystals you chose so they can bathe in the candle light, and play the music that makes you feel the emotions you’ll experience when your manifestation comes to fruition. (This could be any type of music).

As you sit with your candle flickering away, allowing the energy of this lovely harvest new moon to fill the space around you. Take your cleansing tool and clear your space, yourself and your tools and to invite the glorious Moon Goddess in to support you.

Then take a moment to feel gratitude for all that’s good in your life. Think about the people, places and situations that make you happiest. Write down 5 – 10 of them that make you happy and/or for which you’ve been grateful in the past month.

Send big love and gratitude to those people or places, and remember to include yourself.

In this state of gratitude gather your herbs and gently press them between your fingers. Allow their divine smell and healing oils to explode on your finger tips and infuse them with the gratitude you are feeling.

Then pop them into the cup of hot water with thanks. (You’re brewing up a gorgeous New Moon gratitude tea! Nom!)

When this is done, ask yourself:- What do you want to create more of in regards to health, wellness, abundance, organisation and feeling prepared? (Remember the Virgo energy in this time of harvest).

If you’re feeling a tad stumped as to clarity and direction, use the New Moon Journal Prompts to get your juices flowing.

Decide on 10 wishes/intentions that resonate for you.

Then write them down, doodle them, colour them – whatever works for you.

Then narrow it down to 3 intentions and write them as if they’ve already happened. Keep your thoughts and intentions positive for this New Moon ritual.

Then read them outloud to the Moon and really feel and visualise them as here and now. (This is important).

Then for each of your amazing intentions write an affirmation that rings true for you. For example:-

New Moon Ritual Affirmation For Positive Manifestation Intentions

I am aligned with the Moon and the Universe. The energy of this New Moon is providing me with abundance and helping to manifest my best Self. I attract and welcome new ideas and beliefs easily into my life.

Now include a personal phrase that’s specific to your intention. Remember to use positive words and avoid negativity. An example might be, “I am grateful to have all the money I need. Wealth is a natural part of my life.”

Collect your gorgeous cup of herbal tea that is filled with gratitude and breathe your intentions into the water.

Then as you sit reflecting on this wonderful experience, sip your New Moon brew which is infused with gratitude and intentions and really feel them all coming to fruition.

Thank the glorious Moon Goddess for coming and dancing with you, releasing all attachment to the outcome.

You might want to say “Om Namo Narayani” 3 times or “This or something better now comes to me, with grace and ease and in perfect ways.”

Then pop your music on and celebrate!

Remember – The potency of your ritual stems from its importance to you!

New Moon Energy, How to Set Intentions that Manifest.

Jenny Heston · 4:05 pm ·

The moon is such a powerful presence in our lives, pulling on the oceans tides and creating a rhythm of life for all of us. There was a time when we were deeply connected to these rhythms, but, over time, technology and our modern culture has separated us from those celestial vibes.

Aligning yourself with the cycles of nature as a practice can be exceptionally transformative and tapping into the energy phases of the moon is a good place to start.

A new moon is the perfect time for reflection and intention setting. She brings with her the opportunity to explore creativity as she is dark and “empty” – fertile ground for new seeds of intention.

The New Moon’s spiritual meaning symbolizes a very peaceful and tranquil moment in the lunar cycle. It’s a time of new beginnings and renewal.

The New Moon is a reset and a chance to start again, giving you a clean slate. This is why the New Moon is associated with manifestation work and intention setting.

If you are a beginner to practicing any sort of ritual don’t be put off. New Moon Rituals are generally centered around setting intentions for that which you wish to manifest.

This is the darkest phase of the moon, the dream seed time. What do you wish to dream up? What new ideas are germinating in the nutrient rich soil of your soul? Your New Moon rituals should focus on what you want to call into your life.

Each New Moon brings with it the energy of the astrological sign that it is in. However, I will be very clear here – I am not an Astrologer! I use astrology in my own life and with clients, but if you asked me to decipher your transits and all that, I would look at you as if you were bonkers!

(Although I can recommend some incredible astrologers to you, who make sense of it all).

Thus, I often bring the Seasonal Lens to my Moon work.

What does that mean?

For me, it’s more about where a moon falls on the wheel of the year.

Each moon cycle has a distinct natural energy – even moon cycles that fall within the same season. You can have two moon cycles that are both in summer, yet they will feel very different. So when I talk about the moon cycles it’s all about the seasonal energy each new moon holds, as well as some of the astrological energy.

Ask yourself – what is nature doing around you right now?

How does that make you feel?

Is nature stretching & growing or are things drawing inward?

Because if we are honest and tuned in, whatever’s happening in nature is happening within each of us too! And you can see the personal growth work you’re experiencing simply by watching what’s happening in nature.

I find the new moon each month is a meaningful place to pause, and to look at what’s happening in nature. And explore how that relates to what’s happening in my own life.

Then from that place set clear intentions that work with the energy and the season .

When you’re paying attention, you can lean on the natural energy present each month to feel nourished & empowered.

Which makes it even more delicious.

I highly suggest you get yourself a beautiful book that makes you smile and allow it to be your Moon Magick book. A glorious place to track your New Moon wishes and your Full Moon releases, and the super cool thing, you will be amazed to see what has transpired in the last 6 months as you will have a written record of it.

(I have a gorgeous Moon Magick book that was gifted to me by a glorious friend, and holds all my intentions, releases, rituals and desires).

Aligning with your intention is the easiest way to attract what you want into your life and connecting that energy with the energy of the moon is a great magnifier.

Take the time each month to honor the New Moon, taking note of your intentions and seeing how things progress. Soon it will become a habit and over time, you will notice a shift in your body as you become more connected to the cycles of nature.

So let’s go explore this New Moon shall we?

There are many New Moon rituals you can do, or you can do one specific to the energy of the Moon you are working with.