CHAPTER 3

YOUR MOON FIX

This chapter will help you find practical solutions to modern-life problems. Each subsection is arranged around a particular theme and offers lunar advice and a series of spells, rituals, meditations and recipes to help with a particular need.

JOY AND SUCCESS

Since ancient times, lunar deities have been strongly associated with fertility, good fortune and pleasure. To this day, the popular motivational phrase ‘shooting for the moon’ is linked to the search for success in life. You will find moon fixes here to help you attract happiness and to prosper. There are also fixes to boost your self-esteem, ignite your motivation and increase your chances of success. Every fix will help you achieve a direct, personal relationship with the moon, so that joyful interaction with her starts to feel completely spontaneous.

Ritual for Happiness

Moon energy connects directly to your intuition – the wise and loving part of you that can guide you towards what is joyful and away from what is draining. The problem is most of us are so busy and distracted these days, especially by the constant demands of our mobiles, we can’t hear the voice of our intuition clearly. This moon fix to refocus you towards contentment will only take a few minutes and you don’t even need to see the moon or wait until nightfall. You can do it at any time of day that suits you.

YOU WILL NEED

• Picture of the moon

• Your phone switched off or to silent

METHOD

1 Go somewhere quiet where you won’t be distracted.

2 Sit down, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and then visualize the moon. You can imagine it in any of its glorious phases; it doesn’t have to be the phase it is currently in. See, in your mind’s eye, the moon you love the most.

3 Silently ‘talk’ to the moon with your thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t matter what you think or feel. With your heart and mind ‘tell’ the moon you welcome any interaction and value her guidance and wisdom.

4 When you are ready, tell the moon that you will be talking to her again tomorrow. Open your eyes, take a deep, energizing breath and smile as broadly as you can. As you smile, feel the energy, power and pure joy of the moon’s illumination rising within you.

FOR BEST RESULTS Perform this ritual daily for at least a month as that’s one lunar cycle. The more you do it, the easier it will become for you to connect to the moon’s energy.

Attract Abundance

Tuning in to lunar power can help you identify your unconscious abundance blocks – those limiting beliefs you have that prevent the flow of abundance connecting to you. These blocks are usually the result of inherited beliefs, social expectations or personal traumas and they make us feel that we are not in control of our lives. Surrender these blocks to the moon’s energy and trust her to purge them from your mind and clear the way for abundance to flow effortlessly into your life.

YOU WILL NEED

• Pencil or pen

• Piece of blank paper

METHOD

1 Sketch the moon by hand on a piece of paper. It needn’t be precise and it doesn’t matter which phase you draw the moon in or how well you can draw, just draw a moon shape that speaks to you.

2 Focus your attention on that shape and then write down one reason why you feel you haven’t got enough money or why you don’t feel wealthy. How do you really feel about money? Do not censor or sense check anything, just write.

3 Read what you have written. Imagine moonlight shining down on you and say out loud once, ‘I surrender this limiting and dark belief to the clarifying light of the moon.’

4 Ask the moon to help you release this abundance block and to give you whatever you need to feel you are worthy of abundance.

5 Close this ritual by thanking the moon and tearing up or burning the piece of paper. Repeat this ritual as often as necessary to help banish those abundance blocks.

FOR BEST RESULTS You can perform this ritual during any moon phase but the optimum time is when the moon is waning, as this phase favours releasing and letting go.

Invite Good Luck

Create your own good luck charm infused with the energy and power of the moon. Carry the light and inspiring energy of your crystal with you at all times, either on your person, in your car or whenever you need to travel. If you prefer not to carry it around with you, place it on your moon altar or somewhere special to you and imprint the image of the crystal on your mind so you can visualize it physically whenever you need inspiration.

YOU WILL NEED

• Moonstone crystal

METHOD

1 Hold your moonstone crystal tightly with it cupped in your palm; place your hand on your heart.

2 Say out loud or in your mind, ‘With great love and joy I greet you, beloved stone of the moon. All success, all good fortune is mine.’ Alternatively, if you don’t want to use those words, simply ask your crystal to help you connect to the protective energies of the moon wherever you are.

3 Then, give thanks for all the good fortune in your life.

4 Your crystal is now personalized for your own use and the next step is to charge it under the light of the moon (see here).

5 Once charged by the moon, be sure to spend a few moments each day by yourself reconnecting with your crystal. Hold it in your hands or visualize it and give thanks to the moon for all that you have to be grateful for in your life.

MOONSTONE Available in white, grey, yellow, blue, green, silver and black, the moonstone has been used for thousands of years as an amulet of good luck, healing, harmony and protection.

Spell for Empowerment

The goddess moon was believed to be the empowered queen of the night sky. This simple lunar spell will help boost your feelings of self-esteem because if that is low, happiness will elude you. Repeat throughout the lunar cycle and give it your full attention. The power of spells comes from the intention behind them, so focus and make it clear what you are asking for.

YOU WILL NEED

• Smartphone

• Photograph of the moon

• Moon altar

• White candle

• Matches/lighter

• Moonstone, or alternative crystal (see here)

METHOD

1 Take a photo of the moon and place that photo on your moon altar. If you can’t see the moon, research which phase it is in and use a photo you find online or draw that phase on a piece of paper instead.

2 Light a white candle and place your crystal in front of the photo. Now spend a few moments looking at your photo. Then, say the following – or choose your own words according to whichever phase the moon is in:

NEW MOON: ‘Thank you, new moon, for awakening my self-belief.’

WAXING MOON: ‘Thank you, waxing moon, for building my self-worth.’

FULL MOON: ‘Thank you, full moon, for giving me all the personal empowerment I need.’

WANING MOON: ‘Thank you, waning moon, for releasing all my shyness and fears.’

3 Savour the moment. Believe that the moon will bless you with feelings of empowerment. Then gently blow out the candle.

FOR BEST RESULTS Adapting the spell to the phases of the moon will connect you on a deeper and more intimate level.

Motivation Ritual

Writing down your goals under the light of the moon can inspire and empower your life. Your thoughts need managing and motivating on a daily basis so that they work for you and not against you. What you focus your attention and energy on is what you are most likely to draw into your life. This moon fix encourages you to make the best use of the moon’s powerful lunar energy shifts by adapting your intentions and daily goal setting.

YOU WILL NEED

• Pen or pencil

• Paper

• Your intention

METHOD

1 Every night before you go to bed, glance at the moon to see what phase it is in or if you can’t see it, find out what phase it is in.

2 Write down your goals or what you want to focus your attention on the following day, adapting those intentions to the current phase of the moon as follows:

• NEW MOON: Goal setting should focus on planning when the moon is dark and unseen in the sky, then new beginnings when she begins to emerge. This may include starting something that you have never done before or doing things you already do in a new or different way. Start a new hobby, begin that novel, travel to work a different way.

• WAXING MOON: Write down goals that focus on following through and building momentum. This is the ideal time to consolidate and work on what you have already started. It’s also the time for patience – for example, keep working on that assignment, do those chores you have been avoiding.

• FULL MOON: Write down goals that focus on self-care. Find ways to celebrate your achievements and monitor your progress. This is also the ideal time to tidy up all areas of your life so you can let go of what is no longer needed or is holding you back.

• WANING MOON: Focus your goal setting during this phase on rest, rejuvenation and supporting the well-being of others, as well as your own. It’s also the ideal time for gratitude and for delegating or leaving behind what doesn’t serve you any more. Make sure your goals align with your values and what really matters in your life.

FOR BEST RESULTS If you align your goals to the energies of each lunar phase, this combination of the power of intention aligned with lunar power is potent.

Mantras for Optimism

To attract what we want into our lives, we truly have to believe we deserve it. We need an optimistic mindset. Use the energetic power of a moon mantra to draw down some of the moon’s shining light towards you, so that looking on the bright side of things comes naturally.

YOU WILL NEED

• Mantra

• The sound of your own voice

METHOD

1 Think of your mantra as your daily personal prayer to the moon. The ideal time to say it is when you see the moon in the night sky from your window or, better still, when standing outside.

2 If you can’t see the moon clearly, choose a picture in this book and visualize it in the sky.

3 It doesn’t matter what phase the moon is for this moon fix. You are simply raising your vibration to meet the moon through your mantra. You need to say your moon mantra out loud to hear what you are saying.

4 You can create your own mantra, but something along these lines is perfect: ‘When I open myself to the light of the moon, I attract everything that is good.’

5 Alternatively, you may simply want to chant the word ‘moon’ and repeat it over and over again for around a minute. Whenever you say your moon mantra feel the light energy and optimism of the moon flowing towards you.

6 Begin to notice when others say the word ‘moon’ in your daily life and how this makes you feel. It will likely send shivers down your spine.

MANTRAS These are high-energy words/phrases that raise our energy vibrations.

Planting for Prosperity

The new moon is when the moon’s energy is increasing with each passing day and it is the ideal time to practise some feng shui prosperity-building techniques. According to feng shui experts, vibrant green indoor plants are believed to attract prosperity, with money plants in particular thought to enhance the flow of energy. Planting seeds or purchasing green plants when the moon is new and waxing and placing them on your windowsill can help attract wealth and a positive flow of energy into your life.

YOU WILL NEED

• Small money plant or any vibrant green indoor plant of your choice

• Windowsill

• Water

METHOD

1 When the moon is dark or new, purchase a small green pot plant.

2 To attract the energy of wealth and abundance, place it on a windowsill with plenty of light in your home or work area – do not put it in your bedroom or bathroom.

3 Water and feed your prosperity plant as needed.

4 Every time you care for or notice your plant, ask the moon to bring good things into your life.

FENG SHUI This teaches you how to balance and harmonize the energies in your chosen space to increase your chances of attracting wealth, joy and success.

Recipes for Success

This moon fix encourages you to cook and eat at least one of your meals each day with the moon and its current phase in mind. Choosing food that resonates with the natural phases of the moon can bring balance to your mental well-being and, by so doing, dramatically increase your chances of happiness and success. Being more physically in tune with the moon makes it easier for your thoughts, feelings and actions to tap in to the lunar power.

• The new moon is a time for keeping your food choices light. Salads should reign supreme and you need to make sure you get plenty of fluids.

• The waxing moon is when a diet rich in energy-boosting fish, chicken, beans, legumes and vegetables is best. Don’t forget to stock up on herbs and spices, too.

• The full moon is the time to indulge in richer and more extravagant cuisine.

• And the waning moon turns the spotlight on cleansing, wholesome nurturing foods, such as rice and soup.

See opposite for a delicious full-moon treat to get you thinking along the right lines.

Full Moon Hot Chocolate

There is no better way to treat yourself than with a delicious mug of homemade hot chocolate when there’s a full moon. In moderation, it’s the perfect treat for moon lovers.

INGREDIENTS

• 150 ml/5 fl oz/2/3 cup full or skimmed/nonfat milk/soya milk

• Pinch of sugar

• 25–30 g/1 oz chopped chocolate

• Mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, to serve

METHOD

1 Pour the milk into a pan. Add a pinch of sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon over a medium heat, until tiny bubbles start to surface on the milk at the sides of the pan. Do not bring it to boil.

2 Add the chopped chocolate to the heated milk and stir until fully melted and creamy.

3 Serve in your favourite mug topped with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

SWEET TREATS Chocolate not only tastes heavenly, it is rich in powerful nutrients that are beneficial to your health.

LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS

As the closest celestial body to planet earth, the moon returns nightly to us like a loyal and loving companion. She symbolizes female energy, fertility and the relationship between a mother and her children. The moon fixes you will discover in this section are all designed to help you attract love and manage your emotions so that you can see your relationship to yourself and to others more clearly. Physical action is also crucial in order to attract love. Perform these fixes to find your soulmate, ignite passion and improve all your relationships, in particular the most important one of all – the relationship you have with yourself.

Grow Self-Love

This ritual shines the moonlight on the relationship you have with yourself. You can’t give to others what you don’t have yourself. Connecting to lunar energy naturally enhances your compassion and empathy. Both qualities are important for successful relationships, but offering your compassion and empathy without a firm grounding in self-love can result in toxic, unbalanced relationships in which you do all the giving and others do all the taking. Harnessing the energies of the moon to increase self-love can therefore bring harmony and balance to all your relationships.

YOU WILL NEED

• Rose quartz crystal

• Your heart

• Your hand

METHOD

1 Sit somewhere quiet and place your rose quartz crystal nearby.

2 Close your eyes, breathe deeply and gradually focus all your attention on your heart beating inside you.

3 Think about the things and people you love and imagine that you are breathing not from your lungs but from your heart.

4 Visualize the moon forming a heart shape in the sky. Imagine that heart-shaped moon beating in time with your own heart.

5 Then, keeping that image of loving connection between your heart and the moon in your mind’s eye, place your hand on your heart, sit up straight and say out loud the following affirmation, depending on the phase of the moon:

• WAXING MOON: ‘I am worthy of love.’

• WANING MOON: ‘I am grateful for all that I am.’

Saying the words out loud is important. You need to hear yourself say them – and the moon needs to hear you say them, too.

6 Thank the moon for her loving illumination and slowly open your eyes.

FOR BEST RESULTS Friday and Sunday are optimum days to practise this ritual.

Find Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the most important ingredients in successful relationships. Bitterness and anger block the loving energy of the moon. Sometimes the person we need to forgive the most is ourself, so this ritual can also be used for that purpose. This moon fix should be performed during the new moon. It is the optimum time for fresh starts and nothing gives a relationship a more positive start than forgiveness.

YOU WILL NEED

• Clear quartz crystal

• Piece of blank paper, preferably letter paper

• Pen

• Envelope

METHOD

1 It is beneficial to place a calming clear quartz crystal nearby.

2 Find a piece of paper, pen and envelope. Formal letter-writing paper would be ideal.

3 Write a short letter to someone who has upset or hurt you. It can be anyone in your present life or from your past, and the person could be alive or in spirit.

4 As you write, connect with loving compassion to that person and understand that it is only human for people to hurt other people. Remind yourself that forgiving is not the same as forgetting. You are simply releasing feelings of bitterness that have weighed down your heart. Then, put your letter in the envelope and go outside.

5 Under the light of the new moon say that person’s name out loud and tear up or burn the letter. It is now time for you to move forward and open your heart so love and peace can replace bitterness.

6 Once you have finished, be sure to remain true to its spirit throughout the entire lunar cycle. If it is not yet new moon, send loving thoughts and feelings to someone you need to forgive. Then, when the new moon arrives, perform the ritual.

FOR BEST RESULTS Sunday is an especially healing day to perform this.

Build Trust

Trust is one of the most important things in any relationship. It can take years to build and a moment to break. This moon fix is one that can help you rebuild trust in yourself, others and even the universe itself. The moon is our most loyal and trusted companion. The more we tune in to her faithful lunar power, the more we can grow those trusting qualities within ourselves, and attract relationships that are lasting and loyal.

YOU WILL NEED

• White candle

• Matches/lighter

• Turquoise crystal

• Prayer

METHOD

1 When the moon is full, light a white candle. White is the colour of cleansing and protection. It inspires trust and hope.

2 Place a turquoise crystal nearby.

3 Sit quietly beside your candle and watch it glow. Then say out loud a prayer to the full moon, along these lines:

Loyal and loving Moon, you are a constant illumination in my life. You shine bright and then you retreat every month but, now that you are at the height of your power, I ask you to attract loving and loyal relationships into my life. Thank you for ensuring that I am not alone. Thank you for always watching over me. Moon, I trust you completely and I trust myself in return.

4 As you speak, visualize yourself being completely content with yourself, your relationships and your life.

5 Extinguish the candle and trust in yourself and the light of the moon.

FOR BEST RESULTS This moon fix should be performed at full moon when her power is at its height. There can be no better time to trust yourself and your ability to attract positive and loving relationships into your life. Monday is a beneficial day to perform this ritual.

Find New Love

Whether you use this moon fix to help you attract a lover, to strengthen family bonds or simply to bring harmony to other significant friendships and relationships in your life, it can help open your heart to new love and a better understanding of what true love is. Perform this moon fix whenever the moon is new, waxing or full and also in one of the water signs – Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces – to acknowledge the moon’s affinity with water and emotions.

YOU WILL NEED

• Rose quartz crystal (ideally heart shaped)

• Moon altar

• Natural moonlight

METHOD

1 Charge your crystal (see here). Remember, love can’t be seen but it is a powerful force. In the same way, invisible lunar energy is ideally suited to charging crystals.

2 Collect your stone the next morning. Notice how shiny and brand new it looks – that’s the moon’s power at work for you.

3 Carry your rose quartz with you, or place it on your moon altar, so that every time you see it or touch it, you are reminded to focus on the qualities that define it. Remember that love, compassion, compromise, trust, positivity, humour, respect, friendship, understanding and presence are the defining qualities of happy relationships.

4 Let your rose quartz crystal, freshly charged by the light of the moon, be your daily reminder to see love and moonlight all around you. Let it remind you, too, that love is an active word. You need to show your significant others that you care about them with your actions as well as your words.

FOR BEST RESULTS The ideal day to perform this ritual is Friday.

Open Communication

This moon fix involves the creation of a moon circle and is designed to increase your eloquence. The secret of a happy relationship is the ability to express how we feel, honestly and tactfully. Sometimes the best form of eloquence can also be silence because it signals that we are giving our full attention to what someone is saying. This moon fix needs to be performed during the waxing phase of the moon, as she increases to her fullness. The ideal days to perform this ritual are Wednesdays or Sundays, when the moon is in one of the air signs – Gemini, Libra or Aquarius – as air is associated with communication.

YOU WILL NEED

• Moonstone crystal

• Other crystals, of your choosing (see here)

• Shells, for their association with the tides

METHOD

1 This fix is best performed under the light of the moon in the evening.

2 Place your moonstone crystal in the centre of an imaginary circle and then put other crystals of your choosing or shells to mark the four points of the compass – north, south, east and west, far enough apart that you can stand or sit in it. Imagine that the crystals are linked and form a circle.

3 When you are ready shake your hands to release any negativity and, starting from the east, walk around your circle a few times to calm your body and mind and help your intention tune in to lunar power.

4 Then, pick up the moonstone and sit inside your circle.

5 Holding the crystal in your hand, ask the moon to help you express your feelings honestly to others.

6 Request the moon to fill you with eloquence, ideas and understanding. Then stand up and thank the energy of your moon circle for guidance.

MOON CIRCLES These are places where lunar power can be captured and turned into a higher frequency.

Explore Your Sensuality

This sensual moon fix is designed to add some magical sparkle to your love life. Sensuality is a word frequently associated with sex, but it is more than that. Being sensual is about feeling desirable and enjoying the feel of your body without judgement. The moon is deeply sensual because she is mysterious and has hidden depths. She offers us glimpses of her lunar magic but even when shining in her apparent fullness, she is deeply arcane.

YOU WILL NEED

• Bubble bath or shower gel

• Bath or shower

• 10 minutes free time (minimum)

• Rose quartz or carnelian crystal

• Jasmine incense

• Matches/lighter

• Relaxing music (optional)

• Body lotion

• Clean, soft/silky nightwear

METHOD

1 When the moon is waxing or full, take a warm and luxurious bubble bath or shower before you go to bed.

2 Place your chosen rose quartz or carnelian crystal nearby, burn the incense and play gentle music, if you wish.

3 Then, for the duration of your bath or shower, become mindfully aware of what your five bodily senses – touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell – are feeling and telling you.

4 Luxuriate in the magical sensual experience of being you for at least 10 minutes and, when you have finished, imagine all limiting anxieties about your body swirling down the drain with the water.

5 Anoint yourself with creamy body lotion and put on night clothes that are soft and silky to the touch.

6 After you have performed this ritual, bear the definition of sensuality as mysterious in mind as you go about your daily life. Remember, the more you focus on the sensuality of enjoying your own body, the more likely it is that it will ignite curiosity and desire in others.

FOR BEST RESULTS It is most effective when the moon is passing through the fire signs – Aries, Leo and Sagittarius – as fire is associated with passion. Friday also favours this fix.

Heal a Broken Heart

If you are suffering from a relationship break-up or grieving for the loss of a loved one, this moon fix can bring comfort and healing to a broken heart. It, therefore, needs to be performed during the waning phase of the moon when the moon journeys from full to dark, because it is about letting go and regaining the strength to move on with your life.

YOU WILL NEED

• Moonstone crystals

• Other crystals of choice, such as clear quartz or jet

• Lavender incense

• Matches/lighter

METHOD

1 The best place to do this ritual is within your moon circle (see method, here), when the moon is waning.

2 Place your crystals nearby.

3 Begin by sitting in your circle. Burning lavender incense sticks can encourage a peaceful frame of mind.

4 Repeat the word ‘moon’ clearly and with conviction until you feel you are in a relaxed enough state to stop chanting and visualize the person you have lost. Wish that person well and thank them for being in your life and teaching you something about yourself. Even if the relationship was toxic or they rejected you, they taught you to value yourself and step away from people who do not value you.

5 Then, feel the love that you gave away to them returning to your heart, bringing you healing, wholeness and strength.

6 End by saying goodbye. Stand up and leave the circle feeling renewed.

FOR BEST RESULTS The ideal day to perform this ritual is Saturday, especially when the moon is passing through the grounding, healing energies of the earth signs – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

Practise Self-Gratitude

This fix focuses on the importance of self-love as the foundation stone for positive relationships. One of the best ways to fall in love with yourself and your life is to spend a few moments each day focusing not on what you don’t like about yourself and want to improve, but rather on what you already have to be grateful for about yourself.

Lunar Tea Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 300 ml/10 fl oz/2/3 US pint boiling water

• 1 tbsp chamomile (or hibiscus, lemon balm, rose or lavender) herbal tea

• Infuser

• Teapot

• Mug or cup

METHOD

1 Boil the water.

2 Put your chosen tea/flowers into an infuser, place in the teapot and pour boiling water over it.

3 Leave to brew for five minutes, then pour into a mug or cup.

4 When your drink is ready, sit beside a window and look out at the moon. If you can’t see her, imagine her there in the night sky shining for you.

5 Then, as you drink your tea, say out loud three things about yourself that you feel grateful for. It might simply be the fact that you like the way your hair looked today or that you held a door open for someone.

6 Every day that you do this under the light of the moon, notice how flexing your gratitude muscle changes the way you think and feel about yourself – for the better.

FOR BEST RESULTS This fix is particularly beneficial when performed on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Friday, when the moon is waxing or full.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Whenever the moon moves from one phase to another, this affects not just your thoughts and feelings but also your body. The moon fixes in this section are all designed to align your physical energies with the moon’s influences throughout each lunar cycle, to improve your health – from finding help with kicking your unhealthy habits, to dealing with anxiety and even boosting your body confidence. They should be used in addition to – and not as a substitute for – any current medical treatment you may be on or advice from your doctor.

Good Health Ritual

Our bodies are almost three-quarters water. Water is life. Yet most of us fail to pay enough attention to the quality and quantity of the water we drink. This fix will not just help you absorb lunar energy but also remind you how crucial water is for your health and well-being. This particular ritual can be done on any day of the week.

YOU WILL NEED

• Empty drinking bottles, preferably glass

• Fresh water (enough for your typical daily water intake)

METHOD

1 In the periods when the moon is waxing and full, every night, before you go to bed, fill your bottles with clean, fresh water.

2 Then, leave the bottles overnight on your window ledge indoors, under the light of the moon.

3 The following day, when you get up, create a ritual of drinking a glass of moon-infused water first thing in the morning immediately. Notice how energizing and luxurious it feels to drink moon water and absorb lunar power into every part of your being.

4 Then, throughout the day continue to drink your sacred moon water until the bottle is empty.

5 Let this moon fix encourage you to keep drinking enough water when the moon is waning. Then, when it is waxing again and increasing, you can seize the opportunity to replenish your moon water supply and further boost your health.

FOR BEST RESULTS Connect with the increasing energies of the waxing and full moon phases to increase your own health.

Boost Body Confidence

If you don’t feel comfortable with your body, working with the moon is essential therapy. Lunar energy exerts a positive influence on your health. You can therefore work with the moon to feel better about your body and the way you look and feel. This fix should be performed when the moon is new and waxing and can be done on any day of the week, but Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday are recommended.

YOU WILL NEED

• Picture of the moon

• Mirror

METHOD

1 Every evening when the moon is new and waxing be sure to take a few moments to gaze up at her. If you can’t see the moon, gaze at some pictures from this book.

2 Then, with your thoughts filled with those images of the natural beauty of the moon, take a look in a mirror and stare deeply into your own eyes with the same sense of reverence. As you look at your own eyes, notice how beautiful they are. Notice every unique detail.

3 Then say out loud the following affirmation and mean what you say, ‘On this night, with the beauty of the moon above me, I (your name here) love my beautiful body and I promise to take the very best care of it.’

4 You will probably feel odd talking to yourself in this way, especially if you often tell yourself negative things. If you don’t believe what you are saying, that’s fine – just pretend that you do. Notice how talking out loud to your body in this loving way raises your motivation and energy levels.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK You can make this moon fix more potent by placing a rose quartz crystal nearby, as well as by burning lemon balm or citrus incense.

Overcome Compulsion

Excessive behaviour of any sort can destroy your health and well-being. Whether you are addicted to fast food, chocolate, alcohol, smoking or to watching too much TV, this moon fix will help give you strength to cut down on unhealthy habits. Aligning yourself with the energies of the moon encourages you to listen more to what your body is telling you when it craves something. It needs to be performed when the moon is waning, as you are aiming to decrease compulsive behaviour while the moon is also decreasing.

YOU WILL NEED

• Amethyst crystal

• Pen

• Blank piece of paper

• A tool for digging, such as as a small trowel or a spoon

METHOD

1 Place an amethyst crystal nearby.

2 Write down on a piece of paper the excessive or unhealthy behaviour you want to release.

3 Be factual. Don’t judge or bring yourself down. Acknowledge that your compulsive behaviour has been your coping mechanism, but now that you are working with the moon, you no longer need it. You can let it go.

4 When you have finished, go outside and try to see the moon. If you can’t see her, know that she is there.

5 Then tear up the piece of paper into as many tiny pieces as possible and, as you do so, ask the moon to strengthen your resolve.

6 Bury the pieces of paper in the ground in three different places. As you dispose of it, trust that the moon will replace the void with inner strength and a glowing feeling of wholeness and well-being.

FOR BEST RESULTS Sunday is the ideal day for this moon fix, and whenever the moon passes through health-orientated sign Virgo is particularly beneficial.

Find Insight in Dreams

Sometimes our thoughts can make us feel unhealthy or cause mental fogginess. This moon fix is for clarity of mind. It needs to be performed during a full moon, which offers an incredible opportunity for clarity, insight and focus. It is a powerful time to see things clearly and bring your awareness to your dreams and the wonderful insights about you they can offer.

YOU WILL NEED

• Blank notebook

• Pen

• Torch

METHOD

1 Before you go to bed be sure to place a notebook, pen and torch beside your bed.

2 Take a look outside at the full moon if you can and ask her to send you clarity about your life in a night vision.

3 Before you drift off to sleep, tell yourself you are going to dream and you will be able to recall your dream. Say this out loud if you can.

4 When you wake up the next morning, or if you wake in the night, write down any images or feelings that you can recall as soon as possible. Write in the present tense and don’t try to make sense of them as you write.

5 Later in the day, re-read what you have written and try to see if you can make any associations.

6 If you can’t recall anything when you wake up, simply write that down and perhaps some images will jump into your mind later. The more you think about or mention your dreams, even when you can’t remember them, the more likely you are to recall them in coming days. Just like working with the moon, your dreaming mind thrives and grows stronger the more attention you pay to it.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK Place an amethyst beside your bedside as you sleep and dream to enhance this moon fix.

Anxiety Antidote

Stress can cause headaches, poor digestion, depression and insomnia and can also significantly increase the risk of disease. Stress reduction is a vital part of any health-boosting programme. You need to perform this moon fix during the waning phase of the moon because it is about decreasing your stress levels as the moon itself decreases. This moon phase, particularly when it passes through the health-conscious sign of Virgo and the transformative sign of Scorpio, is an ideal time. This fix is designed to help promote calm, but if anxiety is impacting your everyday life, there are a range of services and health professionals who can offer help.

YOU WILL NEED

• Aventurine, or another crystal that is green in colour

• Green items of clothing

METHOD

1 During this moon phase, try to wear your green crystal or carry it around with you to reduce feelings of stress and to give you the resilience and inner strength to cope with it.

2 Wearing green items of clothing during this period can also help. Like crystals, colours have energetic vibrations that can help focus and direct energy. Green is universally believed to have healing powers, physically, mentally and emotionally. So, to ease stress and draw down the well-being of the moon during her waning phase, simply go green.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK Green crystals are perfect for stress reduction as their beautiful green colour is nourishing, healing and nurturing. Try aventurine, aquamarine or malachite with this fix.

Balance Your Hormones

Your body is intimately connected to the rhythms of nature and the moon. Aligning yourself with the natural ebb and flow of the moon’s phases is a gentle but powerful way to balance your hormones and your natural cycles. It is ideal for women whose cycles are irregular, but it can benefit anyone: balanced hormones are essential for everyone’s good health.

YOU WILL NEED

• Some natural land and sky

• Bare feet

METHOD

1 Each month, at the appropriate time (see box above) walk barefoot outside for a few minutes during the day. Make sure you are somewhere safe, and have checked the ground for anything dangerous. Walking barefoot is a healing technique called ‘earthing’ because by doing this you are absorbing the earth’s healing energy through the soles of your feet.

2 As you walk, mindfully reflect only on your connection to nature through the soles of your feet, and your connection to the energy of the moon through your emotions and the water that makes up a large part of your body. Should distracting thoughts come into your mind, observe them and don’t judge. Let them pass through you.

3 If you prefer not to walk barefoot, simply head outside and do some cloud watching, as it will have similar connecting-to-nature and balancing and healing effects.

4 Spend a few moments reflecting on how walking barefoot or gazing at the clouds connects you to nature both on earth and in space. Feel yourself in flow with nature and the moon and stars, and honour the natural connection of your life and your body with the moon.

FOR BEST RESULTS It should be performed by women when the moon is new and when it is full, and by men when the moon passes through the signs of Aries and Libra.

Strengthen Your Constitution

Most of us only really appreciate our health when we feel weakened by disease or injury. This moon fix will ensure you don’t take your health for granted and help boost your immunity. It encourages vibrations of physical strength and wellness. It can be performed on any day of the lunar cycle but is particularly beneficial during the waxing phase when the moon increases in the same way that you would like to increase your good health.

YOU WILL NEED

• Drinking glass

• Moon water (see method, shown here)

• A quiet place

METHOD

1 Take a glass of moon water and sit somewhere quietly with the glass in front of you.

2 Look at the water and visualize the healing energy of moonlight captured in it.

3 Then focus on what your body needs right now. Ask yourself what self-care routines are helping to nourish and heal your body. If you aren’t taking the best care of your body, ask yourself what is stopping you from doing so.

4 Now dip two of your fingers into the moon water. Touch your heart and say, ‘My heart is strong.’ Next, touch your forehead and say, ‘My mind is strong.’

5 Then dip your fingers in the water again, stand up and touch the top of your head and say, ‘My body is strong.’ Visualize the light of the moon surging down through your body, giving it strength.

6 Then thank the moon for your health, go outside and pour your moon water onto the earth.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK Placing a fuchsite or clear quartz crystal nearby, or carrying those crystals with you, can help add a greater energetic dimension to this fix.

Boost Health with Lunar-Friendly Foods

Choosing foods that are lunar friendly (see recipe opposite) will nurture your connection to the moon and, at the same time, boost your health. You are what you eat. The nutrients in food nourish and heal you, and can help ward off disease. It doesn’t matter what day of the week or which phase the moon is in to get the benefits of this fix.

To get the most out of this fix, focus not just on what you eat, but also the way you eat. Eating quickly in a stressful environment can cause digestive upsets and nutritional deficiencies that can lead to poor health. When it comes to the main meal of your day, be sure to place your moonstone crystal on the table beside you as you eat. This will bring a sense of peace and healing to your meal. Then, put on some slow, calming music. Listen to it and time your bites to what you are hearing. You will notice it really slows you down.

New Moon Salad

SERVES 4

The new moon is the time to keep your meals light, wholesome and fresh. Salads and vegetable-based dishes are ideal, so why not try this delicious New Moon Salad? (For a waning moon recipe, see here; for a waxing and full moon recipe, see here; and for another full moon recipe, see here.)

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cooked chicken breasts

• Alternatives to chicken: 500 g/1 lb 2 oz/4 cups mushrooms, grilled, seasoned and brushed with olive oil; 2 x 200 g/5 oz cans tuna, drained

• 1 medium crisp lettuce

• 1 small bunch spring onions/scallions

• 3–4 tbsp mayonnaise

• 4 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

• 3 tbsp grated almonds

• good squeeze of lemon

• salt/pepper, to taste

• bread sticks, to serve

METHOD

1 Shred the chicken or alternative ingredient and set aside.

2 Next, shred the lettuce and slice the spring onions/scallions into thin pieces. Put them to one side.

3 Then, in a bowl, combine the mayonnaise and soy sauce with 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well.

4 Add the chicken, lettuce and spring onions, followed by the rest of the ingredients, and toss the salad well.

5 Serve with the bread sticks.

LUNAR-FRIENDLY FOOD How can you tell when a food is lunar-friendly? It will be natural, wholesome and good for you. If it’s more indulgent, working with the moon will help you learn to savour it in moderation.

ENERGY AND INSPIRATION

Feeling burnt-out is a familiar complaint in today’s fast-paced world. There are constant demands on our energy levels and vitality drainers surround us. However, aligning your personal energy with lunar inspiration can help.

Every month, the moon’s energy ebbs and flows according to a consistent and steady pattern that does not deviate. You can count on the moon. By contrast, human energy is inconsistent and your emotions are also constantly shifting. Tuning in to the moon’s predicable energy shifts can make everything in your life flow more effortlessly. Use the moon fixes in this section to naturally boost your personal energy levels and put a spring in your step and a twinkle in your eye.

Energy Boost

Energy is the invisible force that animates everything and everyone. Energy is life. Sadly, many of us settle for energy levels that are lacklustre, but low energy levels are not normal. Working with the energy of the moon can replenish depleted energy levels so you start your day feeling glad to be alive. It is a simple daily reminder to be grateful for the vital energy that is your life. This energy boosting moon fix is one that can be repeated every day in the lunar cycle.

YOU WILL NEED

• Bath or shower

• Essential oil

METHOD

1 Transform your morning showering or washing routine into a daily moon ritual. As you wash, simply visualize the light of the moon shining onto you and then see it floating all around you.

2 When you have finished washing yourself or when you see water draining away, imagine all energy-depleting stress draining away.

3 When you have dried yourself, anoint your wrists with a tiny drop of moon phase-friendly essential oil.

4 You are now fully charged with lunar energy and ready to start your day.

5 If your energy levels dip during the day you can perform this lunar visualization whenever you wash your hands.

FOR BEST RESULTS Choose an essential oil that complements the current moon phase (see here).

Clear Your Focus

Just as the moon lights up the night sky, meaningful work or having a passion and purpose in life can light up our lives. If you don’t enjoy your work or have life goals that don’t fulfil you, it can be very hard to feel motivated. This fix will give your energy levels a serious boost by helping you focus clearly on what really matters to you. It should be performed during the new moon.

YOU WILL NEED

• Citrine crystal

• White candle

• Green candle

• Matches/lighter

• Relaxing music (optional)

• Notebook

• Pen

METHOD

1 Place a citrine crystal nearby as it helps promote clarity.

2 Light one white and one green candle. White is for clarity and green is for harmony. You might want to play relaxing music in the background.

3 Shake your hands to release any negative energy.

4 Visualize the new moon at the start of her new cycle, bursting with energy and potential. As you visualize the moon’s energy flowing through you, ask her to help you answer the following three questions:

• What do I love to do?

• What am I good at?

• What does the world need or how can I serve others?

5 You may want to jot down in your notebook whatever illumination comes to you. Don’t try to force anything. Asking these questions under the light of the new moon will encourage your mind to seek out answers in the days ahead. Questions are what nurture focus and creativity.

6 Safely extinguish your candles when you have finished and thank the moon for her illumination.

FOR BEST RESULTS The energies of specific days may influence how you perform this fix (see here).

Ignite Self-Confidence

There is nothing more energy sapping than low levels of confidence. Lack of confidence and self-belief holds you back on every level. It stops you stepping outside your comfort zone, which is where all the personal growth and magic begin. Do remember that confidence is not something that happens overnight though. It takes time to grow your self-belief.

YOU WILL NEED

• Blue lace agate crystal

• Prayer

METHOD

1 Place your blue agate crystal in front of you and study its soft blue and white hues. Notice how they are like the beautiful hues of the moon.

2 Pick the crystal up. Spend a few moments thinking about things you have done in the last few days that you are proud of. It doesn’t have to be anything major.

3 If you can’t think of anything, let this incentivize you to repeat this exercise in a few days.

4 Then say out loud the following prayer: ‘Mother moon as your light increases this month, let confidence also grow in me. Give me the power to remember what is strong about me whenever I lack self-belief.’

5 Visualize the light of the moon surrounding you. Feel your confidence growing and lighting up the room you are in.

6 Thank the moon and feel lunar strength growing within you.

FOR BEST RESULTS Perform this fix during the new or waxing moon phases. They signify new beginnings and a new chapter in your life, helping you connect to your most confident self.

Cultivate Self-Discipline

Successful people are highly disciplined people. All the moon fixes in this book encourage self-discipline and this fix, in particular, turns the spotlight brightly on improving this quality by encouraging you to keep your own lunar herbal garden. The moon’s gravitational pull connects to the earth as well as the oceans. So, even if you don’t have a garden and are caring for your herbs in pots filled with soil and nourished with water, aligning your herbal care routine with the phases of the moon will still make a difference.

YOU WILL NEED

• Garden or indoor pot plants

• Lunar plants and herbs (see here) you can plant and grow

METHOD

1 Plant and fertilize your seeds when it is new moon and waxing.

2 Be sure to tend to your plants and herbs daily, weeding, watering and feeding them as required and ensuring they get the right amount of daylight. If they don’t need much tending to physically, send them your loving energy.

3 Prune and harvest the plants when the moon is waning.

4 Seeing your lunar garden flourish is one of the most rewarding ways to tap into lunar power every day. If you want something, you have to put in the time and effort to make it happen. There are no short cuts. You need to find the self-discipline to tend to it regularly.

TRIED AND TESTED Farming and gardening according to the moon and her phases is a centuries-old practice.

Get Fired Up

Knowing which sign the moon is currently in can help you understand why your energy levels can sometimes shift inexplicably. This moon fix is dedicated to those days of the month when the moon is shifting through the fire signs to help you tune in to the confident and vibrant productive energy associated with this element. Fire was once believed to be a divine gift from the gods to humankind and it is associated with the heat of the sun and, therefore, life. Although fire can bring with it a tendency to be impatient and impulsive, it can also significantly boost confidence and motivation.

YOU WILL NEED

• Quiet, dark place

• White candle

• Candle holder

• Matches/lighter

METHOD

1 When the moon is passing through a fire sign find a dark and quiet space.

2 Place a simple, plain white candle in a candle holder.

3 Sit in complete silence for a few moments and pay attention to your breathing.

4 When you feel calm, light the candle. Do this as smoothly as possible.

5 Now simply watch the flame for about a minute. Don’t stare intensely, just gaze quietly. Then blow out the candle.

6 Close your eyes and look at the image of the flame on your retina. Focus all your attention on that.

7 Keep focusing calmly on that vibrant image until it fades.

8 Open your eyes and feel the calm confidence and warm glow of fire ignite within you and let it bring added sparkle, motivation and an adventurous spirit to your daily life.

FIRE SIGNS These are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

Unleash Creativity

This moon fix is dedicated to those days of the month when the moon is shifting through the air signs to help you tune in to the creative and innovative energy associated with this element. Air is a pure element. It is the invisible source of life that is weightless and fast moving. It pervades our bodies and is our breath, our life. Although air can be fickle and distracting, it is also the source of all sound and communication and can inspire flights of tremendous creativity and eloquence.

YOU WILL NEED

• A clear view of the sky

• An open mind

METHOD

1 Find a window with a clear view of the sky and open the window. Better still, if you have a safe area to do so, go outside, lie down and look up at the sky.

2 Avoid looking directly at the sun.

3 Look at the sky and watch the clouds changing shape for 3–5 minutes.

4 Focus your awareness on the clouds and feel the air on your skin gently touching your face. If there is no breeze, focus mindfully on your breath. Let distracting thoughts float away. Your attention is on watching and feeling air.

5 If you can catch a glimpse of the moon when you are cloud watching, all the better.

6 Finish your cloud watching by taking a deep breath in and an even deeper breath out and as you do, feel the eloquence, creativity and innovative spirit of air take flight within you.

AIR SIGNS These are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

Boost Productivity

This moon fix is dedicated to those days of the month when the moon is shifting through the earth signs to help you tune in to the industrious and productive but also sensual energy associated with this element. Earth is rich, solid and generous. It nourishes, sustains and protects us. Although earth keeps our feet firmly on the ground to the point of stubbornly slowing us down at times, it can also be the element to ground us and take care of us.

YOU WILL NEED

• Tree

• Apple

METHOD

1 Seek out a tree in your garden or local park and study it.

2 Lean against that tree. Touch it, feel its texture.

3 Close your eyes and visualize yourself as a tree. Feel your roots growing strong in the earth.

4 Still leaning against the tree, eat your apple mindfully.

5 Feel your connection to the tree, the ground, the wind, the sun, the moon, the light and the sky.

6 When you are ready, thank the tree for allowing you to connect in this way as you feel the grounded, nourishing strength of that tree boosting your energy and productivity.

EARTH SIGNS These are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

Ignite Your Intuition

Intuition is is the part of you that is separate from your thoughts. It is the part of you that the moon always talks to. This intuition-igniting moon fix is dedicated to those days of the month when the moon is drifting through the water signs to help you tune in to the sensitive, imaginative and intuitive energy associated with this element.

YOU WILL NEED

• A quiet space

• Glass of moon water (see method, shown here)

• Timer

• Pen

• Paper

METHOD

1 Find somewhere that you know you won’t be disturbed.

2 Hold your glass of moon water in your hand. Study the water through the glass and see what is reflected in it.

3 Drink the water slowly, putting the glass down between sips. Avoid gulping. Set a timer for two minutes.

4 Sit down, close your eyes, be still and just breathe.

5 Let your thoughts flow for the next two minutes. Don’t avoid or push them away. Just be. Notice the difference between being and thinking.

6 When your time is up, open your eyes and stretch.

7 If you have any intuitive insights, note them and write them down.

8 Whether or not you had any insights, congratulate yourself on taking some much-needed time away from the tyranny of your thoughts to find inner calm and to give your intuition an opportunity to surface.

WATER SIGNS These are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

REST AND REJUVENATION

The full moon is most often associated with rejuvenation but perhaps one of her most transformative phases is when we can barely see her at all. The new moon phase includes and is prefaced by the dark moon phase. Since ancient times this period of darkness has been regarded as a time for rest, silence and reflection, as well as internal growth.

The fixes in this section encourage you to release yourself from hardship and to move on, helped by a letting-go ritual, or to start your Monday off with positivity. They give give you time to reflect, as well as to take extra special care of your own needs and focus on what really matters to you.

Achieve Your Goals

This waxing moon ritual is designed to wake you up after a period of rest and reflection. It will help reenergize you and move you from dreaming about what you want to achieve in your life to taking action on those goals. The waxing moon’s energy is perfect for looking at the bigger picture of your life, visualizing your ideal future and setting intentions.

YOU WILL NEED

• Quiet space

• Moonstone crystal

• Notebook

• Coloured pens

METHOD

1 When the moon is waxing, sit somewhere where you won’t be disturbed. Place your moonstone crystal nearby.

2 Open your notebook and record the time and date.

3 Say out loud the following affirmation: ‘I open myself and my life up to receiving something positive for both myself and others.’

4 Then write down a list of your desires. You can stick to one or list several. For each desire write it in the colour that is most appropriate to that goal. See here for the significance of the colours. As you write, make your list of intentions as beautiful to look at as possible.

5 Read your list of intentions and visualize each of them coming true.

6 When you have finished, tear the paper out of the notebook and put your list of intentions somewhere you are going to see it every day. Place your moonstone crystal over your intentions to help focus your energy.

FOR BEST RESULTS Thursday is an adventurous day to perform this ritual but it can be performed on any day.

Sunday Reflection

Sunday is typically considered a day of rest and renewal. As its name suggests, Sunday is associated with the energy of the sun. Your sun sign represents the image you have of yourself, who you want to be and how others regard you. Each sun sign is believed to have its own personality traits and potential. Whether or not you subscribe to or believe in astrology, use the affirmations for each sun sign opposite as a starting point to boost your creativity and help you understand yourself better, to discover what truly fulfils you.

YOU WILL NEED

• Notepaper

• Pen

• Mantra

METHOD

1 When you get up on Sunday morning, write down the corresponding mantra for your sun sign (see opposite) on a piece of paper three times.

2 Say your mantra out loud three times. Commit the mantra to memory.

3 Write down at least three different ways you can embody that mantra.

4 Before you go to bed look at or visualize the moon and say the mantra out loud and visualize yourself living that mantra.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK Connect with the energy and symbolism of your birth or sun sign on any Sunday in the lunar cycle and use that energy to help you focus on what really matters to you.

SUN SIGN	BIRTH DATES	MANTRA
Aquarius	20 January to 18 February	I express original ideas
Pisces	19 February to 20 March	I see beneath the surface of things
Aries	21 March to 19 April	I am an inspiring force
Taurus	20 April to 20 May	I have the inner peace I need
Gemini	21 May to 20 June	I bring variety to the universe
Cancer	21 June to 22 July	I nurture both myself and others
Leo	23 July to 22 August	I inspire others with my inner joy
Virgo	23 August to 22 September	My energy is productive and healing
Libra	23 September to 22 October	I embody harmony and peace
Scorpio	23 October to 21 November	I renew myself and inspire others
Sagittarius	22 November to 21 December	I thrive when I am challenged
Capricorn	22 December to 19 January	I am a source of wisdom

Take Time to Reenergize

Take some time out of your normal routine to be by yourself when the moon is dark and taking her own time out. This fix is your time to simply be.

YOU WILL NEED

• Diary

• A pleasurable excursion

• Moon journal (see here)

• Pen

METHOD

1 Find out when the moon is going to be in a dark or new phase and mark down in your diary a day or period of time when you can be completely alone. If you have children, you will need to organize care in advance for them.

2 Tell people you will be unreachable unless it’s an absolute emergency. They will understand your need for some ‘me time’.

3 Stick to that schedule.

4 When the day comes, switch off your phone, making sure only your nearest and dearest can reach you in the unlikely case there is a real emergency.

5 Then take your time out doing something that enriches you in a positive way. It could be a trip to the cinema or a museum, a meal alone in a restaurant with a good book, or a trip to a spa. The important thing is that you break your normal routine and treat yourself to the pleasure of your own company, so you can come back refreshed and rejuvenated. If at any point you feel guilty, remind yourself that the moon is also taking time right now to rest and rejuvenate.

6 At the end of the day write down how it made you feel in your moon journal.

FOR BEST RESULTS Plan for a minimum of one hour of alone time to feel the effects.

Letting-Go Ritual

This moon fix should be performed when the moon is either waning or not visible as this is when she is shedding her light. The quiet and reflective lunar energy offers an amazing opportunity to lovingly let go of people and things that were once central to our identity – for example when a relationship ends, we change careers, or a close friendship just fades from our lives. Many of us struggle to come to terms with goodbyes and shedding roles we have once had.

YOU WILL NEED

• A twig or a leaf (or balloon)

• Source of natural running water

METHOD

1 Think of someone who or something that you need to let go of in your life. It could be a relationship or a stage in your life that you have moved away from.

2 When the moon is waning or dark, head outside, go find a leaf or a small twig. Study the details of that leaf or twig.

3 Visualize that twig or leaf as your past identity.

4 Take it to a nearby stream, river or other source of natural running water. Mindfully drop it in and watch it and your past self drift away.

5 If you can’t find a source of running water you can do this ritual with a small balloon that you release into the air and watch float away.

FOR BEST RESULTS The ideal day to perform this is on a Friday as this is the day associated with love and forgiveness, both of yourself and others.

Encourage Spiritual Growth

The colours in your life have a powerful impact on you psychologically and emotionally. Perhaps the most relaxing and empowering colour is that most strongly associated with spiritual growth and releasing feelings of sadness – the colour purple, violet, in particular. This moon fix should be performed when the moon is waning and lunar energy is encouraging you to be more reflective, rather than proactive.

YOU WILL NEED

• Picture of a lotus flower

• Purple pens/computer font

• Violet essential oil

• Purple items of jewellery or clothing

• Purple candles

• Matches/lighter

METHOD

1 Search for a picture of a violet lotus flower, print it out and put it on your wall or make it your screen saver.

2 When writing, use purple pens or type in purple font.

3 Rub a few drops of violet essential oil on your hands.

4 Wear purple items of clothes or jewellery during this time.

5 Light purple candles and visualize healing violet light surrounding you and radiating from the top of your head.

6 Open your eyes, heart and life to the colour purple and allow this healing colour to heal emotional wounds and open up a connection between your heart and the wise and peaceful part of you.

VIOLET LOTUS This is associated with the crown chakra in Hindu and yogic traditions. The crown chakra is the area on top of your head and is associated with renewal and spiritual transformation.

Boost Your Mood

This moon fix draws on the power of music to motivate. Studies show that music plays a beneficial role in easing stress, increasing focus and boosting mood and motivation. It should be performed when the moon is waxing because just as the moon is increasing in the sky this fix will inspire you to take action on realizing your intentions.

YOU WILL NEED

• Your coloured list of intentions (see method, shown here)

• Pen

• Headphones

• Energizing music

METHOD

1 Every day, when the moon is waxing, before you head to work or your day begins in earnest, review your coloured list of intentions. Tick off items if you’ve completed them. Write down whatever you desire, whether small or big, because achieving even small goals empowers the flow of abundance into your life. Everything you do that makes you feel more happy builds momentum for you.

2 Put your headphones on and listen to your favourite piece of upbeat music for a few minutes. The song must be energizing and make you want to tap your feet or sing.

3 Transform listening to your song into a motivational waxing moon ritual by focusing on nothing but that song. Hear and feel the good sound vibes. You can listen to a different upbeat song each day or the same track if it always acts to energize you to get moving and start living the life of your big dreams.

FOR BEST RESULTS Perform this ritual on a Tuesday, the day ruled by Mars, the planet of action.

Full Moon Rejuvenation

The full moon is a time when the moon’s energy is at its largest and brightest. You may notice your energies and emotions can become more heightened than normal. This moon fix encourages you to consciously align yourself completely with the cleansing, releasing and rejuvenating intensity and power of the full moon.

YOU WILL NEED

• Bergamot incense sticks

• Matches/lighter

• Face mask

• Epsom salts

• Moonstone or clear quartz crystals

• Your list of intentions (see method, shown here)

METHOD

1 When the moon is full, tidy your bedroom and remove all clutter.

2 Burn recharging bergamot incense sticks and ensure your living space is filled with heavenly natural aromas.

3 Treat yourself to a face mask.

4 Use Epsom salts in your bath to cleanse and detoxify.

5 Charge your crystals under the light of the moon (see here).

6 Indulge in a spot of moon bathing (see here) and as you do, spend time congratulating yourself for any progress made. If things haven’t gone to plan, reflect on this as something you can learn and grow from.

7 Rewrite your list of intentions, revising them according to any progress made.

FOR BEST RESULTS Perform on one day or in stages over several days when the moon is full.

Bring Positivity to Mondays

Monday often has negative associations given that it is the start of the working week after the relaxation of the weekend, but, hopefully, this ritual will help you see every Monday from now on in an illuminating new light. As its name suggests, Monday is associated with the enchantment of the moon. The moon reflects the light of the sun. In astrology, your moon sign is believed to represent your emotions or the real or true inner you, whereas your sun sign represents the external or the image you present to the world. This makes Monday the perfect day to reflect on yourself and your emotional needs.

YOU WILL NEED

• Glass of moon water (see method, here)

• White, silver or pale blue clothing or jewellery

• Moonstone crystal

• Natural water setting

• Swimwear

• Diary/moon journal (see here)

• Pen

METHOD

1 Begin your Monday by drinking a full glass of moon water.

2 Say this affirmation out loud before you eat breakfast: ‘Monday is the day of the moon. I am grateful for this magical day and the inspiration it will bring into my life.’

3 Wear white, silver or pale blue items of clothing or jewellery.

4 Carry your moonstone crystal with you.

5 Make self-care and finding balance in your life your focus today. If you have been very sociable recently, plan some time alone. If you have been preoccupied, plan to spend time with loved ones.

6 At some point in the day, be sure to check what phase the moon is currently in and perform a mini moon meditation (see here).

7 Notice the element of water during the day, whenever you drink, wash or clean. Each time give thanks for water energy and the boost it gives to your intuition and creativity.

8 Go swimming or walk beside a river, lake or the seaside if you can.

9 Make planning a priority today if you can. Tuesday is a better day for the action to begin.

10 Find things to be grateful for today.

11 Write down how you feel in a journal.

12 End your day by giving thanks to the moon for all the good things in your life.

FOR BEST RESULTS This moon fix can be performed on any Monday in the lunar cycle.

PROTECTION AND COMFORT

The moon goddess is the archetype of the sacred feminine with all her ancient associations with unconditional love, protection and comfort. In this section, you will find moon fixes to awaken feelings of unconditional love for yourself and others, so you can more easily tune in to your inner wisdom and make better decisions whenever you feel vulnerable or are making decisions which aren’t in your best or highest interests. There are also fixes to help you detox negative influences from your life and to help ease feelings of anxiety and fear which you can replace with soothing feelings of comfort and safety.

Invite Courage from the Maiden Goddess

Find inspiration, courage and fresh new beginnings by meditating on wise Artemis. The new and waxing moon phases correspond to the moon goddess in her guise as the maiden. The new moon in particular is believed to be the optimum time to plant seeds, plan ahead, and set goals and intentions for the month ahead.

YOU WILL NEED

• A quiet, comfortable space, where you can sit

• Sage incense sticks

• Matches/lighter

• Picture of the goddess Artemis

• Moon journal

• Pen

METHOD

1 When the moon is new find somewhere quiet where you can sit comfortably.

2 Burn sage incense to clear any negative energy and for protection.

3 Study your picture of the goddess Artemis for as long as you want.

4 Say the name of the goddess Artemis out loud three times and open out your arms as if to welcome an invisible presence.

5 Drop your arms and close your eyes. Visualize the picture.

6 Silently ask Artemis for what you want to welcome into your life.

7 Sit quietly for at least five minutes and notice how your body feels. See if you can sense Artemis speaking to you through your feelings and what you sense in your body.

8 When you have finished write down what you sensed in your moon journal (see here).

GREEK GODDESS ARTEMIS This huntress was responsible for maidens, chastity and also childbirth.

Find Nurture from the Mother Goddess

This moon fix meditation is dedicated to the moon goddess Selene, who represents the mother aspect of the sacred feminine, and should be performed indoors when the moon is full. Use it to invite Selene’s unconditional love and nurturing presence in your life.

YOU WILL NEED

• Phone/timer

• White candle

• Matches/lighter

• Picture of Selene

METHOD

1 When the moon is full, set an alarm for 30 minutes.

2 Sit comfortably and light a white candle, as a symbol of the moon’s spiritual grace.

3 Study the picture of Selene.

4 Study the flame of the candle for a few minutes.

5 Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Say the name Selene out loud three times.

6 Visualize Selene with her arms open as if to embrace you.

7 Imagine that light is flowing from Selene’s open arms towards you.

8 Visualize that light surrounding you completely.

9 Savour the feeling of unconditional love as Selene’s light embraces you.

10 When you are ready, visualize Selene’s light entering your heart and see her returning to the moon.

11 Open your eyes and focus your eyes on your picture of her, giving thanks for the gifts she has blessed you with. Then safely extinguish your candle.

GREEK GODDESS SELENE She was said to drive her silver chariot, drawn by winged white horses, across the night sky, plunging into the sea as day breaks.

Seek Reflection from the Wise Woman

This outdoor moon meditation is dedicated to the wise and mystical moon goddess Hecate. It celebrates the reflective, mature and wise parts of ourselves, regardless of gender.

YOU WILL NEED

• Picture of Hecate

• Coat or shawl

METHOD

1 When the moon is waning or dark and unseen take a few moments in the evening when it is dark to study a picture of the moon goddess Hecate.

2 Put on a warm coat or shawl and step outside into your garden or drive.

3 Once outside, ensure you are safe and away from any passing traffic.

4 Take slow, deep breaths and visualize the picture of Hecate you have studied. Whisper her name three times.

5 Tune in to the atmosphere around you. Be aware of what you hear, see and feel.

6 Keeping your eyes open, imagine there are grey stones beneath your feet and standing beside you is Hecate.

7 Imagine Hecate placing her arm around you and resting your head on her shoulder. Visualize the grey stones you are standing on turning to silver.

8 Imagine Hecate telling you to notice every one of the silver stones beneath you. The light from those stones is so bright you can feel their power vibrating through you.

9 When you have absorbed the energy of the silver stones thank Hecate for her wisdom and grace. Imagine her floating away.

10 When Hecate has vanished from your mind’s eye, take a deep breath, blink several times and bring your awareness back to the here and now.

GREEK GODDESS HECATE Shrines to this protective deity were placed at the door of a family home in order to call down blessings upon those inside.

Banish Negative Cravings

Turning to food when you are in need of comfort is a recipe for unhappiness, weight gain and poor health. This moon fix encourages you to stop and reflect on which phase the moon is in whenever you get a food craving in order to determine whether you are really hungry or merely craving something food can never satisfy.

YOU WILL NEED

• Notebook

• Pen

METHOD

1 The next time you get a food craving between meals always pause for a moment between your craving and actually eating.

2 Write down the time and date and which foods you are craving.

3 Place your fist on your stomach, below the breastbone, and place all your awareness on that area. What do you feel? Emptiness or fullness?

4 Check what phase the moon is in. If the moon is new or waxing or full, ask yourself if you are hungry or just bored and in need of stimulation. If the moon is waning, its energy is decreasing, so question if you are tired or in need of support.

5 Take a 10-minute walk if you think you are bored. If you feel tired, take a 10-minute nap. If you feel in need of support, message a friend.

6 Check in with your hunger again and if you still feel hungry reach for a healthy snack. After you have eaten, note it down. Writing down your cravings is a great way to minimize them because knowing you have to record it makes it less likely you will want to eat unhealthily.

See here for a waning moon recipe; and shown here for a waxing and full moon recipe.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK Be aware that your appetite is affected by whether the moon’s energy is increasing or decreasing.

Butternut Squash and Sage Soup

SERVES 2–3

This wholesome and comforting soup is perfect for the waning moon period. The waning moon is all about letting go of what holds you back or what is toxic in your life and replacing what is bad for you with what is nourishing and healthy.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tbsp butter

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 tbsp chopped sage

• 1 medium (approx. 1 kg/2 lb 4 oz) butternut squash, peeled, chopped and seeds removed

• 1 litre/1 quart vegetable stock

• chopped chives, to serve

• salt and black pepper, to taste

• plain breadsticks, to serve

METHOD

1 Melt the olive oil and butter in a pan over a medium heat.

2 Add the chopped onion and sage and cook gently for 10 minutes, or until the onions are soft.

3 Add the butternut squash and cook through for a few more minutes. Add the vegetable stock. Leave to simmer until the squash is soft and tender. Then mix with a stick blender until the soup is smooth. Add warm water, if it is too thick.

4 Reheat before serving, sprinkle with chopped chives and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve with the plain breadsticks.

Almond Cake

Almonds are believed to attract abundance and energy and during the waxing and full moon phases when lunar power is increasing, your moon fixes are all designed to help you attract good things into your life. They are a high-fat, nutrient-dense food and perfect for when the moon is increasing. If you cannot tolerate nuts, replace the almonds with sunflower seeds, which are also bursting with energy-boosting nutrients.

INGREDIENTS

• 115g/4 oz/1 stick butter

• 2 large eggs

• 115g/4 oz/1 cup plain/all-purpose flour

• 115g/4 oz/1/2 cup caster/superfine sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 4–5 tbsp/20–25g sliced or flaked almonds

• icing/confectioners’ sugar for dusting

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

2 Lightly grease an 8-inch (20-cm) cake tin.

3 Melt the butter in a saucepan and allow to cool.

4 In a bowl, beat the eggs and then add the butter. Gradually add the flour, caster/superfine sugar, baking powder and vanilla extract, mixing until it’s a smooth batter.

5 Pour the cake mixture into the cake tin, then sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top.

6 Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack and allow to cool.

7 Dust with icing/confectioners’ sugar to serve. Savour the delicious flavour under the light of the waxing or full moon when lunar power is growing and the time is perfect for focusing on what you want to increase or attract into your life.

Release Negative Energy

It’s time to purge things in your life that are damaging your chances of success, health and happiness, such as an unhealthy diet, alcohol, smoking, toxic relationships or anxiety. This moon ritual can help you release negativity and protect yourself from self-sabotaging behaviour.

YOU WILL NEED

• Moon altar (see here)

• Jug of water

• Pieces of paper

• Pen

• White candle

• Matches/lighter

• Fireproof plate

METHOD

1 When the moon is full sit beside your moon altar with a filled jug of water.

2 Write down on small pieces of paper negative things or people you want to release from your life or negative things you need protecting from.

3 Light a candle.

4 Take one piece of paper and read it aloud. Reflect on what this person or thing you want to release has taught you about yourself. Remind yourself that failure, disappointment and making mistakes are all lessons that can help you learn and grow and evolve into a higher version of yourself.

5 Then dip the piece of paper into the candle gently so it starts to burn. Put it on the fireproof plate and watch it crumple and burn. Once it is in ashes, say ‘Banished’ or ‘Be Gone’. Pour water over the ashes.

6 Repeat with the other pieces of paper.

7 When you are finished, give thanks to the full moon for her healing wisdom and safely extinguish your candle.

FOR BEST RESULTS The full moon offers the perfect opportunity to do a life detox.

Ablutions for Protection

This moon fix will help ease fear and anxiety and repel negative energy from invading your life. It can be performed on any day of the lunar cycle and is particularly beneficial when you feel vulnerable and unsupported.

YOU WILL NEED

• Moon altar (see here)

• Sage incense sticks

• Matches/lighter

• Bath

• Lavender essential oil, plus carrier oil

• Candles

• Calming music (optional)

METHOD

1 In the hour before you go to bed burn some sage incense sticks, preferably beside your moon altar.

2 Mentally express gratitude for the moon’s healing presence in your life.

3 Visualize the light of the moon forming a protective bubble around you.

4 Say out loud, ‘I am safe and protected by the arms of mother moon.’

5 Run a warm bath and add a few drops of lavender oil. Light some candles or play some calming music, then relax in the bath.

6 After your bath, mix a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil, such as almond or jojoba, and spritz your pillow or clothing.

7 In the coming days, when you feel in need of support and protection visualize the light of the moon forming a protective bubble around you.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK Using lavender regularly can induce a state of inner calm that will help you tune out negativity and tune in to the loving comfort and the protection of the moon.

Find Harmony

Tuning in to the energies of the moon and understanding what activities, rituals and moon fixes are best suited to those energies can bring a sense of rhythm, healing and harmony into your life where it may have been lacking before. Whenever you feel in need of comfort and guidance, you can always tune in to the moon and draw down her loving protection and inspiration. This can be particularly reassuring when you feel more vulnerable than usual or when things in your life feel like they are spinning out of your control.

YOU WILL NEED

• Picture of the moon

• Notebook

• Pen

METHOD

1 On any day of the lunar month, except when the moon is dark and hidden from view, find out which specific phase the moon is in.

2 Search online to find a picture of that specific moon phase.

3 In your notebook, write down the date and time and draw that moon phase as best you can.

4 Use the information about the energies associated with phases of the moon shown here and write down how you feel the different energies and associations of that phase have impacted you or could impact you.

ENHANCE YOUR MOON WORK The new moon invites new beginnings; taking action towards fulfilling your desires aligns with the energies of the waning moon; the full moon is a time of heightened creativity; and the waning moon favours completion, rest and reflection.

Protection from Nightmares

The moon rules the land of sleep and dreams, but if you have unpleasant dreams this can cause considerable anxiety. This moon fix encourages you to use a dream catcher to ensure that your dreams are as healing and empowering as possible. There is a school of thought which believes that dreams reflect your state of mind, and if your dreams are empowering this can cross over into your waking life. In other words, the more positive and creative your dreams the more positive and inspiring your waking life can be.

YOU WILL NEED

• Dream catcher

• Sage incense

METHOD

1 The night air is filled with dreams both positive and negative, so when it is dark and the moon is out, hang a dream catcher over your bed, or place it close beside your bed.

2 Initiate your dream catcher the first time by burning some sage incense.

3 Then each night before you go to sleep, blow gently on it to bless it and say the following prayer: ‘Dream catcher, bless my dreams with peace and joy.’

4 Ask the moon to send you through your dream catcher only the sweetest of dreams.

5 Bad dreams will get trapped in the spider’s web part of the dream catcher. When morning comes they will meet the sunlight and be destroyed.

DREAM CATCHERS Typically, a dream catcher is round with a loop and threading that looks like a spider’s web. There are also feathers and beads attached to the bottom. You can buy one, or see here for a website that teaches you how to make your own.