There’s nothing better than a clean slate. Perhaps clean sheets. A clean plate. A clean kitchen. Clean clothes. A shower after physical exercise. The New Moon signals a new beginning, a turning point, both the end and the beginning of a cycle. You can use it as a catalyst for a fresh start.
The New Moon is a perfect time to begin anew
Since we are made up of over 50 percent water, it makes sense that the moon affects us just as it does the tides. The first step to using the power of the new moon is to notice how the moon affects you. You may not have the same response I did. Notice when you are at your peak and when you are in rest mode. Plan your life accordingly.
Once I realized that I come to a slow crawl as the moon wanes and that I whip into a full gallop when the moon increases, I began to use that organic timing to support my choices and my actions.
Perhaps you journal your wins during the month along with a date. Note the difficult places along with the date. Look for a pattern and notice the stages of the moon. Look for the pattern and use that insight to guide your choices.
Check in with yourself
On the day of the New Moon, do the introspective work that’ll identify your starting place.
How do I feel right now? Check all levels – mental, physical and emotional. Be honest with yourself. This is your barometer, your starting place.
What happened in the last month? What new insights did you uncover? What friendships did you deepen? What did you accomplish that felt especially good? These are the gifts you were given over the past month. Offer gratitude for the gifts. These were the lessons you were given. Give gratitude for the lessons.
What worked and what didn’t work?
The more you can distance yourself and see the patterns you’re drawn to, the more adaptable you become and the more powerful the changes you can make.
As I continue to study shamanism, I find that some types of journeys are more powerful for me than others. Some of the ways to offer the work are more appealing than others. I get to notice that and pay attention to the work that calls to me on all levels – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
What new idea called to me? How does that align with my overarching place of service?
In shamanism, there’s an inner work transfiguration process of learning to simply radiate light from within and see and feel it moving throughout our world. It’s very powerful and I’ve added it to my daily spiritual practice. As I work with it, I begin to get ideas of how I can share it with others.
It may be all inner work, it may be physical-plane work with a small internet group. It may be one-on-one work. This transfiguration work may be focused on cities and countries or a species or element. I get to choose. And I need to keep choosing until I find what fits me – my needs, my time, my gifts.
It’s unfolding. I watch. I explore. I choose. And I repeat.
Release, Replace, Renew, Acquire
At the time of the New Moon, ask yourself what you need to change.
Release. You obviously will want to release what’s not working. It could be an action or an attitude. It could be a demanding friend or a limiting belief or a habit you want to change. What do you need to release that’s no longer supportive of you or the direction you’re going in? Take active steps to do this so you have room for what will replace it.
Replace. In my case, I need to replace “little movement” with “more movement.” What will that look like? When will I do that?
Renew What have I let slide this month? How do I put them back in? Or do I want to? Even though I’d like to do more vLogs, studying shamanism seems to be my priority at the moment, so it’s not yet time to renew those.
Acquire: The more I learn, the more there is to do. So I have to choose. What’s important to me? Where do I want to put it in my life? What does that replace? I’ve immersed myself in the study of shamanism for nine months now. There’s another nine-month course I can take. Something is going to be replaced as I learn new things.
The time of the New Moon is a good time to be reflective. What is new? What do you want to release, replace, renew and acquire? Make a short list and let things unfold.
Tune in to what shows up in the coming month
We don’t know exactly what’ll show up in the coming month. I’m still at the “trying it on for feel” stage. I have to leave room to explore the new opportunities that present themselves.
Figure out a gentle measuring stick for what shows up. How does this feel? Do I have the time? Do I have the skills? Will this be a more impactful way to do my work than what I’m currently doing?
Don’t be in your head too much. Allow your inner voice to guide you in exploring the new opportunities and choices that show up.
Set an overarching goal for the coming month
Perhaps you mind-map an overarching flow for the coming month. Perhaps you brainstorm ideas on your computer. Check in with your feelings, notice the place you’re in now, and choose three steps that have a beginning, a middle and an end, steps that you’ll recognize as being completed. Beside the steps, note how you would feel about completing these steps.
Mine, for instance, might be:
1. Continue to let the practice of shamanism unfold and be open to the doors it opens.
2. Consciously add more physical movement and more time in nature to each and every day. Congratulate myself when I do.
3. Be open to making another one-on-one connection with a fellow light worker online.
4. Make room/time to explore whatever shows up and calls to me.
Make the objective broad rather than specific. Then let it unfold…
Build a ceremony around your choices and set new intentions around the New Moon
This introspective work is a major part of your preparation for the New Moon. You can ritualize it and seal your commitment if you create a Ceremony of Intention. As it’s dark at the New Moon, you can’t go outside and make a promise to a big moon but you can light a candle or sing a song or drum or rattle or dance. Or simply sit quietly in focused meditation. Do whatever calls to you that helps you set an intention for the month to come.
Prepare the space:
- Give gratitude for the gifts you’ve been given
- Set your intention for the coming months
- Ask for insights and guidance. Then stay silent and listen. These nudges and ah-ha’s can show up at any time.
- Seal your intention with a promise to nurture your intention for the next 30 days.
You could do intentional ceremonies at the Full Moon too.
Add a Moon Progress Process to Your life.
I have included a Deeper Song Process for Moon Evaluation and Intention-Setting. As I happen to love to journal, I put it at the beginning of each month so I can track, evaluate and shift.
If this seems like too much, simply circle the good days on your calendar and at the end of a moon cycle see where the high points were clustered. Then use that knowledge to become more productive.
The New Moon gives you a fresh start, a clean slate. What will you write on this coming month?
Deeper Song Process
Moon Evaluation and Intention Setting
What worked this month? Add dates and its place in the cycle of the moon
What didn’t work this month? Add dates and its place in the cycle of the moon
What new idea called to me? Add dates and its place in the cycle of the moon
Notice and record the pattern. When is your most productive period? Work that knowledge into your schedule.
What do I need to:
- Release
- Replace
- Renew
- Acquire (Learn)
- What belief or expectation that I hold now do I want to change?
My overarching focus for this next moon cycle is:
Another quick way is to simply circle the good days on your calendar and then look back over the pattern.
To Sing a Deeper Song Consider:
