I grew up in a family of farm folks. On occasion, I would stumble across a copy of the Farmer's Almanac next to my uncle's creepy True Detective magazines. Naturally, I read all those icky crime stories from top to bottom, barely glancing at the almanac. After all, I had zero interest in farm stuff; plus my black thumb wasn't ever going to grow a thing.
The Farmer's Almanac laid out the days to plant, garden, and fish based on what was happening with the moon. While this info was never pertinent to my ambitions (I was interested in rock stars instead of digging up rocks), I was intrigued by how the Moon might affect my life.
When I became an adult, I started working with the Moon cycles, especially in my business. Interestingly, goals began to manifest. Stuff got done. Deals were closed beautifully. More importantly, I started to see my business level up.
Now I use the power of the Moon for all sorts of things, from intention setting to decluttering. I will say this: it works. No wonder those farmers were into it!
The Moon has a few phases:
Dark Moon: This is the period right before the New Moon when the Moon isn't visible in the sky. The Dark Moon is best for resting up and meditating on what you want. Think of this as the days needed to “prepare the soil.”
New Moon: You know it's a New Moon when you see a sliver of the Moon, a hint that it's beginning to show up in the cosmos. The New Moon is the time to set intentions for what you want. Think of it as the time to “plant the seed.” Write down your intentions. Petition the heavens. Put your wishes out into the Universe.
Waxing Moon: The Moon begins getting bigger and bigger. This marks the period when you “grow the seed.” You can do this by taking action toward your goal. For example, if your intention was to find a better job, use these days for sending out resumes or going on interviews. Results can't happen without some effort on your part!
Full Moon: The Full Moon finds the Moon completely visible, nice and round. Intuition is strong, and the seeds you planted bear fruit. Often, your goal will arrive around this day. If it doesn't, it's time to reflect on what you need to do to reach your destination. When the next New Moon arrives, you can start all over again. The Full Moon is also ideal for finishing tasks, decluttering, and letting go. This is your official “harvest.”
Waning Moon: The Moon begins to get smaller during this period. This is the time to let go of anything that no longer resonates. It's also the right time for releasing anything that has been obstructing your goal, even if only your thoughts around your intention. Consider this the period when you weed things out to prepare for the next cycle of growth.
Dark Moon: Prepare the soil (meditate on what you want).
New Moon: Plant the seed (write the intention).
Waxing Moon: Nurture the seed (take action toward the goal).
Full Moon: Reap the reward.
Waning Moon: Weed the garden (release anything that has been obstructing your progress).
Lather, rinse, repeat—and reap.
Wanna get even more nitpicky? Pay attention when the Moon is in a particular sign. Knowing where the Moon is holding space can help you fine-tune your intentions.
ARIES: This Moon is the best when you want to initiate a new project or start a new phase. Aries is the sign of fresh starts, so set intentions around that.
TAURUS: The Taurus Moon is ideal for abundance work. Get your Gordon Gecko on and set intentions around money and wealth.
GEMINI: If you're looking to succeed at school or wish to manifest better communication skills, this is your Moon. It's also great for reaching out, making calls, doing interviews, and handling any sort of correspondence.
CANCER: This is the perfect Moon for intentions around the home, family, and Mom issues. It's also super intuitive. Trust your feelings now.
LEO: Set intentions for pregnancy, romance, fame, and investments. Also, if you're looking for more confidence, this is a fab Moon for getting that vibe right. Psst . . . it's the ideal Moon for getting a new 'do. Take care of your mane!
VIRGO: Create goals around efficiency, diet, work, and small pets. Also, if you want to make peace with the inner critic, use this Moon for that work.
LIBRA: Want a relationship or new biz partner? The Libra Moon is righteous for manifesting relationships. This is also a good time for justice work. If you want to upgrade your look or wardrobe, the Libra Moon is all about beauty.
SCORPIO: For red-hot sex and intimacy, get your intentions on during the Scorpio Moon. This is also a good moon for money and intuition as well as the releasing of old baggage. Like the Cancer Moon, this is a psychic Moon. Hunches around this day could be important.
SAGITTARIUS: When you want the truth and nothing but the truth, let the Sagittarius Moon help you discover it. This Moon also works well for intentions around justice, travel, higher education, and those times when you really need to have faith again.
CAPRICORN: This is my fave Moon for all things business-related. If you're looking to start a new biz, grow one, or want to get a promotion, put that wish together during a Capricorn Moon. This Moon is also good for working on daddy issues. It's also a hyper-productive Moon, great for getting on top of your work.
AQUARIUS: Need new friends? Let the Aquarian Moon set the tone for attracting the social circle you want . . . or releasing those toxic folks that drain your spirit. Set goals and wishes now and create intentions for world harmony.
PISCES: The Pisces Moon is perfect for forgiveness work, as well as getting back in touch with your compassionate side. If you've been feeling burnt-out, use this day for healing. Set intentions for your spiritual life.
Lastly, let's talk about eclipses. In astrology, an eclipse foretells of a major shift. Something is changing. It could be shocking or unexpected in some way. Kinda like a cosmic shake up and wake up!
Eclipses always come in pairs and are always connected to New Moons and Full Moons. They will be in signs that are the opposite to each other. For example, if there is a Solar Eclipse in Virgo, the Lunar Eclipse will arrive about two weeks later in Pisces.
Always pay attention to where an eclipse may land in your chart, and then notice what happens the days around that cosmic event. If they land directly on a planet or angle in your natal chart, or if they land a few days around your birthday, they can trigger a pivotal turn in your life. This could be big news, a crucial meeting, a fresh start, some unexpected event, or a long overdue ending. Whatever occurs, it may alter the course of your life in some way—and you'll need to accept it because it's going to be hard to go back. If you want things to remain the same, you'll be in for a rude awakening during an eclipse because the eclipse says, “Stick a fork in that, dude. It's done.”
A client of mine had an eclipse land directly on her natal Venus. Right around that time, her partner revealed he was having an affair. Although the two of them tried to work things out, the relationship couldn't withstand the betrayal. It was officially over a few months later.
Eclipses can be difficult, but do know that ultimately, they are opportunities. You just gotta be ready to accept the change . . . and move on.
Lunar Abundance by Ezzie Spencer, PhD.
New Moon Astrology by Jan Spiller.
Eclipses and You by Judith Hill.
Magickal Astrology: Use the Power of the Planets to Create an Enchanted Life by Skye Alexander.