6 Ways to Connect to the Moon During Your Spiritual Practice

Solar Eclipse. Blood Moon. Harvest Moon. Ruler of the waves. Temptress of the tides. Mama Moon has gotten a lot of airtime lately. Do you ever notice you’re out of sorts around the same time each month? Have you looked up to the heavens and noticed that big, beautiful bulb shining fully? Is there a correlation? You’re not alone!

The moon, our Earth-home’s satellite, has a scientific sway on our ocean, crops, and moods. It’s no wonder this celestial body has marked the passage of time, and been studied and worshipped for thousands of years. Connecting with the phases of the moon can bring awareness to other cycles and rhythms within your own body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Although you know that the moon is always whole, depending where the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in their rotations, only part of the moon is visible to you at any given time. This is why there is the New Moon phase (when the moon is not visible from Earth), Waxing and Waning Moon phases (when a crescent or partial moon is visible), and Full Moon phase (the moon is illuminated when the Earth is located directly between the Sun and the Moon). In almost all faith traditions, the New Moon is considered the start of the month and a good time to begin projects. In many cultures, the Full Moon is considered a time of celebration, delight, and mystery.

However you define your spirituality, choosing to tap into the energy of the moon can add an element of beauty, mystery, and flow to your convictions. Here are some ideas for incorporating the Moon into your spiritual practices or using the cycles of the moon to bring more spirituality into your life.

1. Use the Moon as a Reminder to Set Intentions

Set aside time to assess goals. Meditate on or write out your dreams and desires. The New Moon is an auspicious time to do this because of what appears to be the “empty” nature of the darkened sky can be filled with the light of your intentions.

2. Create a Ritual Connected to the Moon

Go moon bathing. Take a hike under the light of the full moon. Set out your crystals or special altar items to clear their energy. Draw tarot cards. Write reflections in your journal. Choose one phase of the moon to be your special time and get creative.

3. Connect with Nature

Once you start looking up, you’ll want to get outside more and more to get a better view. Enjoy the fresh air and gain perspective. Remember how tiny you are—how your small, significant life is connected to all others. Recite the words to that ancient lullaby: “I see the moon and the moon sees me, God bless the moon and God bless me.”

4. Honor Women

Long associated with Goddess energy, the moon phases can be good reminders to express gratitude for the women in your life. Whether you identify as a woman or otherwise, pay respects to your feminine side and to those who have nurtured you.

5. Practice Daily Charting

Keep track of your mood, sleep cycle, food intake, exercise, or anything you’d like and notice how your cycles connect with the moon phases. Use a cool tool like The Moon is my Calendar or make your own daily tracker.

6. Do Yoga Poses Related to the Moon

reclining-moon-2.jpgreclining-moon-1.jpgReclining Moon Pose

• Come onto your back and reach your arms and legs out long.
• Walk your feet over to the right corner of your mat.
• Cross your left ankle over your right, keeping your low back on the ground.
• Reach your arms to the top right corner of your mat.
• Hold onto your left wrist with your right hand and pull gently, keeping your shoulders on the mat.
• Hold for three to five breaths and switch sides.

standing-moon.jpgStanding Moon Pose

• Come to stand.
• Bring your feet together or stand with your feet hips’ width apart.
• Inhale and reach your arms up. Interlace your fingers, release your first fingers, and squeeze your ears with your arms.
• Exhale and tip over to one side.
• Squeeze your legs together and bend laterally.
• Inhale back up to center, then exhale and tip over to the other side.
• Repeat several times on each side or hold for a few breaths on each side.

full-moon-3.jpgfull-moon-circle-2.jpgfull-moon-circle-1.jpgFull Moon Circle Pose

• Come to stand.
• Bring your feet and knees together and bend your knees into chair pose.
• Reach your arms up over your head.
• Hold onto your left wrist with your right hand and tip over to the right side.
• Carve out a circle by rounding down and spiraling back up.
• When you get back to center, hold onto your right wrist with your left hand and tip to the left side.
• Repeat several times on each side or hold for a few breaths on each side.

balancing-half-moon.jpgBalancing Half Moon Pose

• Come to stand in Warrior Two pose with your right foot forward.
• Bring your left hand to your hip and gaze down at your right foot.
• Step on your right foot, pick up your left, and launch forward to balance on your right foot.
• Place your right fingers onto a block or the earth about ten inches away from your right foot.
• Lift your left leg up to the same height as your hip and extend your left arm to the sky. Gaze wherever helps you to balance best.
• Hold for three to five breaths and return to warrior two.
• Repeat on the other side.

Take just a second—or howl for a while if you need—but make sure to look up into the night sky once in a blue moon. Notice what’s going on in your body, mind, heart, and spirit, and what phase the moon is in. There’s a lot to be learned from paying attention to Earth’s small satellite.

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