Manifest by Moonlight | Working with the Energy of the Luna Cycle

Have you ever marveled at the moon's beauty as it gracefully changes its shape, illuminating the night sky in its various phases? With its celestial presence, the moon has long captivated the human imagination, inspiring countless stories, beliefs, and rituals across cultures and civilisation. But did you know that the luna cycle can also be a powerful tool for manifesting your desires and dreams?

Manifestation is the art of bringing your aspirations into reality through practices such as meditation, rituals, and affirmations. Many individuals have discovered the profound impact of aligning their thoughts, emotions, and actions with the universal forces to create the life they desire. And when it comes to manifestation, the luna cycle holds a special place of importance, offering a powerful framework to enhance our intentions and amplify their manifestation potential.

The Luna Cycle

Made up of eight distinct phases:

● New Moon

● Waxing Crescent

● First Quarter

● Waxing Gibbous

● Full Moon

● Waning Gibbous

● Last Quarter

● Waning Crescent

The luna cycle waxes and wanes over a 29-day period, and while it once served a more practical use as a calendar and a way to note the changing of the seasons, it also provided people with a deeper connection to the natural rhythms of the world around them and the many deities associated with it.

Working with the Moons Phases

Each phase carries its own unique energy, each aligned with specific intentions and actions. A natural guidebook, if you will, on how to harness the moon's powerful energies for our own purposes and become more in tune with nature’s rhythms.

It might seem overwhelming at first so to keep it simple just remember – manifest with the new moon, and let go with the full moon.

But if you want to delve a bit deeper into this manifestation process keep reading.

New Moon

Also known as the Dark Moon due to its position behind the Earth causing it to appear invisible in the night sky, in a spiritual sense this phase symbolises new beginnings, fresh starts and untapped potential. It’s a time for reflection and figuring out what exactly we want to manifest, for ourselves, our careers, relationships etc.

By harnessing the energy of the New Moon we can plant the seeds necessary for growth and map out actionable steps to take towards our goals throughout the upcoming cycle.

Journaling and meditation during this phase can be a great help as you begin to reflect on what it is you want to achieve in this cycle. Light a candle, take a walk through nature, or sit outside and soak up the new moon's energy while asking yourself “What do I want to achieve in my life, at this moment? In my relationships? In my career? What do I want more of?”

By asking yourself these questions, you begin to notice where you want to focus your energy, making it easier to set actionable steps that will align with this goal in mind.

Waxing Moon

Typically containing all the phases between a new and full moon, this part of the luna cycle is all about movement. Taking those seeds you planted during the new moon and helping them grow, mirroring the moon as it too grows towards its full potential. Break down your goal into actionable steps if you haven't already and get to work, even if it’s only something small.

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” - Vincent Van Gough

Sometimes it can be easy to lose sight of your goals during this time, you may hit some roadblocks and start to feel demotivated and that's OK! Growth in any form is hard. If you feel like you need to take a step back and reset, go for it, just don’t forget to get back up again and keep going.

As you near the full moon, check in with yourself and see how you’re going, what’s been working? What habits have you noticed yourself falling back into? What actions have you been struggling to achieve? Take notes on your answers and try a different approach if you need to.

Full Moon

The brightest phase of the lunar cycle, this is a time of celebration and release. Celebrate your wins and be grateful for everything you’ve achieved so far, and let go of anything that no longer serves you. Be aware, however, that while it might be the awe-inspiring phase, it can also be the most intense as you make room for new growth.

Ever wondered why the animals around you start acting a little crazy or have more energy than usual? Maybe you notice people being particularly reactive over seemingly small and insignificant things. This is because the energy surrounding the full moon is at its strongest, emotions are heightened and it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed by it all.

Embrace these feelings, whatever they may be, as you come into your own full potential mirroring the moon's own journey. Trust your intuition on what you’re body needs at this time and make sure you extra care of yourself if you start getting overwhelmed.

If you didn’t quite manage to achieve your goals at this point, not to worry, life happens. Instead, use this time to acknowledge where you’re at with your goals and reset your intentions. Let go of any judgments and negative feelings you might have towards yourself and start over.

Waning Moon

Continuing the theme of letting go and releasing from the previous phase, the Waning Moon is all about balance, you spent your time leading up to the full moon growing and working towards your goals, now is the time to let go of what has been holding you back. Any negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, or self-sabotaging habits that might be getting in the way of you reaching your full potential.

By letting these things go you make room for all the good stuff that's coming your way, be grateful for the lessons they teach and continue to take steps towards achieving your goals.

As you near the end of the luna cycle, it’s always a good idea to spend a little time focusing on some self-care. Manifesting your dreams into reality is hard work! Taking this time just for you without the pressures of manifesting helps reset your energy and avoid burnout which can hinder your progress.

Luna Eclipse

A mystical phenomenon that occurs when the Earth aligns perfectly between the Sun and the Moon, you’d think it would be the perfect time for manifesting, right? All that intense cosmic energy floating around, surely we can harness it like any other full moon to help manifest our desires just with a little extra oomph, right? Well, unfortunately, the short answer is no.

While it is in fact a powerful event, due to its transitional nature, an eclipse can be incredibly disruptive to the energies around us. It can be a profound and moving experience for anyone regardless of their spiritual beliefs, however, it can also lead to unexpected and sometimes chaotic effects when it comes to manifesting, often affecting not just ourselves but also those around us, and not always in the way we’d like.

Instead, focus on grounding yourself through journaling and meditating, or reconnecting with nature without setting specific intentions. The more balanced and grounded you are during these crazy times the better.

Manifesting with Crystals

Combining the power of crystals with the luna cycle creates a dynamic synergy that enhances the manifestation practice. With their unique vibrational properties, crystals can serve as potent allies in amplifying our intentions and connecting us to the moon’s energy. Just make sure you cleanse your healing stones after each cycle so you can begin a fresh!

By aligning specific crystals with the corresponding phases, we can harness their energies to support our manifesting journey. Below are some of the most common crystals used during the luna cycle and their energetic properties.

New Moon

Look for crystals that embody the darkness of the full moon and its endless possibilities. This is the time for gaining clarity and focus on your goals and has the potential for new opportunities.

● Black Obsidian - Focus and reflection.

● Moonstone - New Beginnings and inner growth.

● Labradorite - Alignment and connection.

Waxing Moon

As a time for growth, movement and intention, it’s helpful to find crystals that resonate with these energies and support you as you work towards your goals.

● Onyx - Strength, support, intuition.

● Pyrite - Prosperity and growth.

● Citrine - Positivity, intuition, and attraction.

Full Moon

Focusing on enhancing our intentions, letting go of unnecessary energies, and balancing out the intense energies that come with the full moon, crystals with grounding properties, clarity, and connection are great to work with.

● Amethyst - Cleansing, protection, and inspiration.

● Selenite - honesty, clarity, and protection

● Smokey quartz - Grounding and protection

Waning Moon

As a time of both release and self-care, it’s a good idea to use crystals that will help ground you and protect your energy as you let go of the things that no longer serve you but also promote healing and

● Obsidian - Release and protection.

● Rose quartz - Sooth, love, and happiness.

● Pink tourmaline - Joy and relaxation.

Manifesting Affirmations

Affirmations have been used for centuries as a way to align your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Simply put, they’re small positive statements you repeat to yourself to shift negative energy and bring about positive changes.

Using them to help you manifest your goals throughout the luna cycle can be hugely impactful, adding an extra layer of energy to bring about the changes you’re trying to manifest.

Try out some of the following ones for each of the phases or create your own using these guidelines.

New Moon Affirmations

I am capable of creating the life I wish. My cup is empty and waiting to be filled. I am dedicated to building my own future.

Waxing Moon Affirmations

I have everything I need. I take things one step at a time. I have the power and strength to sculpt my reality.

Full Moon Affirmations

I see the obstacles in my path, and I know that I can handle them. The light of the moon amplifies my wishes and desires. I may choose to adjust and redirect my energy.

Waning Moon Affirmations

I break free of limitations and embrace my inner strength. I consciously let go of my doubt, worry, and fear. I am worthy of love, happiness, and abundance.

Full Moon Names

January - Wolf Moon

February - Snow Moon

March - Worm Moon

April - Pink Moon

May - Flower Moon

June - Strawberry Moon

July - Buck Moon

August - Sturgeon Moon (supermoon)

August - Blue Moon (supermoon)

September - Corn/Harvest Moon

October - Hunters Moon

November - Beaver Moon

December - Cold Moon

Most of the names we associate with the moon today originated from Native American cultures that were then adopted by modern society. However, they weren’t the only ones, across the world different cultures used names often associated with certain events that happened in their area around that particular full moon.

Take North America, for example. There the Strawberry Moon was given its name for appearing at the time of year the strawberries were harvested, while in Europe it’s known as the Rose Moon thanks to the Roses that bloom at that time of year.

Sometimes there are special instances where there are 13 full moons in a year instead of the usual 12 (one for each month) causing there to be 2 full moons in a single month, these are called blue moons, and while they sound very mystical and enchanting, they’re actually just result of our modern Gregorian calendar not syncing up with the luna cycle.

Keeping Track

If life keeps you busy and you struggle to keep track of when the different phases occur, you’re definitely not alone and thanks to some geniuses, there are plenty of ways to help you out from apps and widgets that you can set up directly to your home screen, to websites with accessible moon phase calendars.

Check out this one from The Old Farmers Almanac

Keeping a Journal is also a great way to not only track the Moons Phases but also to make notes on your experience throughout the Luna cycle. It's also a good place to keep your affirmations and intentions for the month ahead and refer back to them.

So what will you be manifesting in the next Luna cycle?