Full Moon Ritual

The full moon is on October 9th, 2022. This ritual can be done through October 11 since the illumination will be within 3% of 100% illumination. It is preferred to do the ritual shortly after midnight, but the actual ritual itself can be done many different ways. There is no real right or wrong way to do it. It is encouraged for each person to create a customized ritual for themselves based on their preferences and what they feel will work best for them.

Before going into the ritual itself, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on why the moon is important to begin with. From a scientific perspective, the moon affects earth in a few different ways. The gravitational pull beneficially affects Earth’s moderate climate, seasons, temperature; stabilizes the spin and tilt of our planet’s axis; influences the ocean tides and the moonlight influences the spawning of various marine species. Interestingly enough, it may impact younger women’s monthly cycles if their cycle falls around 28-29 days, closely aligning to the moon cycle taking 29.5 days from new moon to the next new moon with menstruation occurring at the new moon and ovulation during the full moon. With age and regular exposure to artificial light, older women tend to fall out of the alignment with the moon cycle. With the power the moon has on earth, I have no doubt it also affects us humans in ways that cannot necessarily be scientifically proven, but from my perspective can be felt energetically.

For those not familiar with the moon cycle, here is a brief overview of what each of the moon phases represents from a spiritual perspective:
1. New Moon – With a blank slate, brainstorm and start new ideas or projects by getting clear on what you want to build and create knowing there is limitless opportunities and anything is possible. This is the time to set intentions related to gaining or growing something new, when you should plant seeds based on a specific vision and determining how to make your dreams a reality. This would be an ideal time to set a wedding date so that the marriage will grow.
2. Waxing Crescent Moon – Revisit your intentions and tap into your courage and faith. With the belief that you can make it happen, begin to make progress towards your vision. Take action on all the new ideas from the new moon phase by flushing out the details and working with what you already have.
3. First Quarter Moon – Self-doubt is common during this phase. The feeling of tension and resistance may be felt at this time and can cause you to want to throw in the towel because of the challenges that may arise, but this is when you need to commit and really dig deep into your courage to continue pushing forward. If you have a gratitude practice, this is the time you really want to focus on that to help you overcome this tough phase.
4. Waxing Gibbous Moon – Look at your intentions and see when adjustments can be made to better be aligned with vision. What are you still feeling called to do and how can you hone your plan and actions according to that?
5. Full Moon – Energy is very high during this intense phase and is the most important moon phase to tap into for the manifestation process. This is when to shift energy from hard work to relaxation so that you can reflect on the results from the new moon phase. Be open to receiving from the universe and determine what to forgive, release and let go of.
6. Waning Gibbous Moon – Also known as the Disseminating Phase, this is when to accept things that may not be progressing as we may want to see. Plan some downtime, tap into your emotional side, and relax from the action phase.
7. Third Quarter Phase – Since the sun and moon are at hard angles, self-doubt is likely to arise. Trust that everything is working out in the way it is meant to. Once again re-evaluate your intentions and adjust your plan. Don’t be afraid to completely change your goals.
8. Waning Crescent Moon – Also known as the Balsamic Moon Phase and when healing should be done. Let go, release and fully surrender to things that are not aligned, which may include negativity, including thoughts, patterns, beliefs, experiences, ending a relationship, quitting a job and addictions, starting a diet to lose weight and can even refer to letting go in regards to your physical environment like cleaning house by throwing out and donating items. Is a great time to use various spiritual healing modalities such as tapping, reiki and hypnosis.
9. Dark Moon – Is not always considered an official phase since it only lasts hours as opposed to all the other phases that lasts days. It is ideal to be alone to focus on soul searching and journaling the big important questions around your life and long term goals because this is a calm phase when emotions are grounded. This is a great time to go out to run errands, such as shopping since people are calmer.

Now to get back to the ritual. The energy of the space, meaning setting the stage of where the ritual will be performed ideally will be prepared prior to starting. If I am using any other tools like incense, essential oils or crystals or combining with other rituals such as a symbolic or candle ritual, then I will ensure to have everything I need for those prepared on a table within the room that I am performing the ritual in. A quick note on using candles is that I will rub essential oils onto it just prior to lighting as part of setting my intention, so I will ensure that I have prepared whatever blend I plan to use ahead of time.

The way I cleanse the space is by burning sage and/or Palo Santo to clear the room of any negative energy as well as ringing Tingsha bells. Since I like to meditate during any of my rituals, my preference is to diffuse essential oils into the room to enhance that spiritual practice, so I will set up my diffuser and get that running as well. Frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood are the top three oils that are recommended for meditation practices because they not only cleanse the space but they enable deeper meditation. I don’t typically listen to meditation music, but that can also be played in the background if preferred.

Readying yourself is the most important aspect of preparation to bring the proper energy for the ritual. Similar to cleansing the space, I clean myself by taking a salt bath or at the very least a shower and doing a quick meditation during that time. I also choose to Sage or Palo Santo my body to further dispel any negative energies I may be holding onto using their smoke. You may use a selenite crystal wand to dispel negativity from your physical body in the same manner. Some people prefer to perform the ritual naked, but wearing comfortable clothes is also acceptable. The last step to preparing my body is to apply essential oil to my third eye chakra and wrists. I may also choose to wear specific crystal jewelry as further enhancement. The last step to preparing my mind is to perform running energy.

The next step is to complete the Full Moon Releasing Practice as described in my post linked here. If I am setting an intention using a candle then I will hold it in my hands along with the written intention of what I am open to receiving between now and the next full moon. I do a quick visualization of the moon. I imagine the moonlight shining directly down on me, strengthening the intention I have into my body and carrying both the moon and my own power directly into the candle I am holding. If I feel called to, I will repeat applicable positive affirmations out loud or say a prayer to my higher power. If I feel any physical sensations in my body, I picture that as extra manifestation energy and try to maneuver it into my hands and into the object that I am holding. If using a crystal, the same process may be used to set the intention.

I place the paper where my intention is written underneath the candle holder. If I am also using crystals, then I will place the crystals so that it is touching the candle holder as well. It is at this point I will light the candle and let the candle burn out completely. When a candle is burned the flame and smoke brings the intention up into the universe. If burning incense, then that can also be lit it at this time. This written intention may then also be used when making moon juice or lunar water. Please refer to my How to Make Moon Juice post for detailed directions. As a reminder, be sure to look at the paper and hold the crystal that was empowered with your intention multiple times a day until your intention manifests into your reality.