Moon Magick & Manifesting
Welcome to my Moon Manifesting Method, a framework for understanding and living by the phases of the Moon.
I designed this method as a tool in the summer of 2008. I had just finished graduate school at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. The economy had tanked due to the housing-market crash and jobs were hard to come by – especially for non- Christian identified Theologians! I had both a lot of debt and a lot of free time to figure out what was next for my life.
I also had my love for Astrology and especially for the Moon. I wanted a way to organize my life that was in sync with cycles in nature, and therefore my natural sense of flow. I’ve never been a linear-minded person. Structuring a 7-day week, 52-week year felt intrinsically alien to me and I was ready for something new. So I created this practice as a way to stay on target with my personal goals while staying in rhythm with nature. Using my Moon Manifesting Method, success never felt far away because no matter how far I strayed off-course or experienced set-backs, each New Moon presented an opportunity to begin again.
What you need to begin:
A blank journal
A lunar calendar. I recommend We’Moon.
What I love the most about studying astrology is the feeling of wonder in staring up at the night sky. Before the world was flooded with light pollution, people would look up and observe the Sun, Moon and planets moving across the sky against the backdrop of bright stars. Inspired by patterns they saw in these stars, the ancients envisioned the symbols and legends of the Zodiac.
Every year, the Sun moves across each of the 12 Zodiac constellations. The Sun’s cycle is punctuated by its highest and lowest points in the sky – the Summer and Winter Solstices. On or around June 21st, we experience the greatest amount of sunlight in a single day (in the Northern hemisphere), the Summer Solstice. On or around December 21st, in the Northern Hemisphere, we experience the longest night and the least amount of daylight time, the Winter Solstice.
Twice a year, the daylight and nighttime darkness are exactly equal. (On or around March 21st and September 21st). Respectively called the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes. These four days – the two Solstices and two Equinoxes – are powerful days where energy is high. Each represents entering a new season. Ancient cultures across the globe built shrines that capture the unique light on these special days.
The Moon makes the exact same journey across the sky as the Sun, yet in only 28 days. Together these Goddesses of the Sky dance as the Sun’s rays light up the Moon from different angles, creating the different moon phases.
In astrology, the Sun relates to our will. It is the consistent “I am” that we recognize in ourselves despite changes like new jobs, new relationships, and new places we live. The Moon, with its shorter cycle, reflects our day to day, the ebb and flow of moods and feelings as we relate intimately with our world. The Moon is the whisper of our soul.
Like the Sun, the Moon has four powerful days: the New Moon, the Full Moon and the two Half-Moons; and four “seasons”, Crescent, Gibbous, Disseminating and Balsamic. When we tune into these cycles, our personal power is magnified. We find it easier to attract desirable outcomes and optimal circumstances. The always- changing energy of the Moon is easy to notice and feel. Once you start tuning in and practicing being aware of each phase, you will notice the Moon’s power guiding you.
I recommend keeping a Moon Journal where you can write your New Moon wishes and keep track throughout each cycle, noticing what happens with each phase.
New Moon ~ Sowing Seeds:
The New Moon is a day for wishing. What is truly on your heart? This is the day to ask that your wishes come true. A New Moon is a tender, quieting energy conducive to rest and meditation. Take some time to yourself. Light a candle, quiet your mind, feel into your heart and write a list of 8-10 wishes.
Crescent Moon ~ New Growth:
Organic farmers have observed that sprouting plants have their biggest growth-spurt during the Crescent Moon. Your life has a growth-spurt too. This week-long phase is filled with upstart energy, so make it your intention to take one step towards your New Moon wishes and dreams for every day during this week. Write down in your Moon journal what steps you take and how they make you feel.
Waxing Half-Moon ~ Assert Yourself:
Half-Moons are “power days”. The Sun and Moon make a 90-degree angle in the sky to one another, so that only half of the Moon’s face is illuminated. This is a dynamic energy of activity and change. The perfectly straight-line edge of the Half-Moon is a symbol of “cutting loose” or “changing course” and it is a day for courageous choices! When faced with a choice on the Waxing Half-Moon, always choose in alignment with your New Moon wishes. Assert yourself and put your best foot forward. Here you are steering your course in the direction you wish to go in.
Gibbous Moon ~ Network & Connect:
As the Moon grows towards Full, opportunities arise of their own accord. A Gibbous Moon is a passage of connection. It’s a perfect time to network, promote yourself on social media, attend events and make plans with friends. In particular, pay attention to who crosses your path or shows up unexpectedly under a Gibbous Moon - they might be the exact person you need!
Under a Gibbous Moon we attract people to us who are aligned with the new directions we are opening up to, so acknowledge who you are drawn to and who is drawn to you under the Gibbous Moon.
Full Moon ~ Honoring: Clarity, Celebration and Release:
Buddhist traditions see the Full Moon is a symbol of conscious enlightenment – the radiant orb or the fully- realized Self. The Sun (representing consciousness and will) is at a 180-opposing degree angle to the Moon (representing the Soul) and illuminating it fully. This is the energy of alignment between soul and will. The naturally big energy of the Full Moon brings to the surface insights from your soul. Are you on track with where your soul’s desires? A “yes” might look like a culmination of positive events whereas a “no” may feel like burn-out, exhaustion or some jarring bad news. If there is something you need to change, it should be clear to you under a Full Moon. into your soul’s journey. Are you on track with your dreams and goals? Is something standing in the way? What do you need to change? This can be an emotional day as you are called to give your life an honest look.
Use this day to renew your commitment to your journey, by celebrating the Moon’s energy in dance & festivity, and by honoring whatever arises on this most sacred day. If something needs to be release, write it down on a piece of paper and burn it, or flush it, or scatter it on the wind or bury it in the ground – whichever element calls to you, use it to release obstacles and say good-bye to circumstances you’ve outgrown.
Disseminating Moon ~ Enjoyment as a Spiritual Practice:
According to the Process Theologians - an astutely academic and modern leg of Theology - enjoyment is our highest human calling.
Enjoyment, that is it.
We are meant to enjoy the experience of being alive. On a deep level each one of you knows this, for we feel the most alive in the moments we are enjoying life the most. Enjoyment is not about self-indulgence. It is about living life fully while centered in our open heart. Your heart is your lamplight on your path to joyful living. The Disseminating Moon marks the harvest phase of the cycle. The fruit of our aspiration is ripe and falling from the vine.
The Disseminating Moon phase is a week of happy surprises. On this week, acknowledge and celebrate simple pleasures that come your way – and choose more. Choose more happiness, more pleasure and more joy.
Discover your enjoyment even in the littlest details in life – like cooking and bathing and caring for friends. Our power to manifest comes from the energy of feeling pleasure. The Disseminating Moon is an opportunity to bask in feelings of pleasure, happiness and enjoyment regardless of circumstances, and this generates more pleasure to come....
Waning Half-Moon ~ Releasing ~ Decisions Count:
Like the Waxing Half-Moon before it, this is another “power day”. Again we see that sharp straight line bisecting the circular Moon in the sky. With the Sun and Moon once again clashing at a 90- degree angular crossroads, often, situations in limbo will resolve today and something or someone may drop out of your life. (Or you may kick something or someone to the curb). It is ok. Whatever or whomever is not aligned with your path at this time, let them go on their way. Trust in the process and trust in yourself.
Decisions you make today are powerful.
Balsamic Moon ~ Tidying ~ Turning towards the New:
The cycle is coming to its close. Now is the time to tie up loose ends and clear out space, allowing your mind to contemplate new wishes for the upcoming New Moon. I like to use this time to deep clean my home and catch up on neglected tasks, knowing that as I clean and ready my space, I am cultivating clarity for the upcoming cycle. I start to keep lists of what I am wishing for and where I hope the next cycle will take me. This phase is a quieter phase, conducive of contemplation and planning. With the wisdom gained from the completing cycle, it is time to start thinking ahead, preparing to begin again.
