Understanding the Moon 101
- Marieke Bodyn
- Nov 3
- 2 min read
How to Work with the Energy of the New and Full Moon
For thousands of years, people have looked to the moon as a guide: for time, for harvest, for rhythm and for meaning. Long before clocks and calendars, she was our mirror. Her light reflected the unseen cycles of our emotions, energy and creative tides within us. The moon reminds us that everything moves in cycles: birth and death, bloom and rest, inhale and exhale. When we align ourselves with her phases, we begin to move through life more consciously and honour our natural ebb and flow instead of resisting it.
The New Moon: The Energy of Beginnings
When the sky turns dark, the moon disappears from sight. This is the void, a space of rest, reflection and new beginnings.The New Moon asks us to slow down, turn inward and listen. It’s the perfect time to plant new seeds, not only in the physical world, but in your heart and imagination.
Use this time to set intentions, journal, meditate and dream without limitation. Ask yourself:
What do I want to invite into my life this month?
What am I ready to begin again?
You don’t need to have all the answers. The New Moon is about trusting potential, even before it’s visible.
The Waxing Phases (the weeks that follow the New Moon) carry growing energy of motivation, action and movement. This is when we nurture our intentions and begin bringing them to life.
The Full Moon: The Energy of Illumination
When the moon reaches her peak, she lights up everything : the beauty and the shadow alike.vThe Full Moon is a time of clarity, harvest, celebration and release. It’s the moment in the cycle when emotions rise to the surface and truths become visible. This phase invites us to celebrate what has blossomed and to release what no longer serves.Take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come.
Then, ask yourself:
What am I ready to let go of?
What feels complete or no longer aligned?
Rituals like journaling, cleansing baths, dancing or spending time under the moonlight can help you process and release.
The Waning Phases (the weeks after the Full Moon) bring softer energy of reflection, forgiveness and rest. It’s a natural time to slow down, clear space and prepare for renewal.
The Other Phases: The Spaces Between Light and Shadow
Between the New and Full Moon, the moon moves through six other transitions. Each of these phases holds its own wisdom, subtle shifts that show you how to move, when to rest, and what to nurture. Learning to read these in-between moments can bring deep clarity and flow to your month.
If you want to discover how each phase supports your energy, creativity and growth, you can explore them all inside my Lunar Living Guide.
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