Moon definition: spiritual meaning & how to use the phases
Written by: David Feb 3, 2023
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Introduction
The moon has long been a powerful symbol in many cultures. Its phases are an important part of many religious celebrations and rituals, and for centuries people have used the moon to set intentions for their spiritual lives. If you’re interested in learning more about the meaning of the moon, its cycles, phases, and how it can be used to enhance your spiritual practice then this article is for you. ENJOY!!!
The meaning of the moon in various cultures
In many ancient cultures, the moon is associated with the Goddess and the feminine aspect of creation. This may be because of its cyclical phases, or because it appears to go through a death and rebirth cycle each month.
The moon has been long considered a symbol of the feminine and is associated with emotions and intuition and of course water (it reflects light from the sun as water does), It represents the subconscious universe and the moon controls the waves and tides of the oceans. The human body is made up of 80% water so the moon definitely has an influence on us and everything around us.
The moon’s phases also connect to night-time activities like sleeping or dreaming; if you have trouble sleeping during a waxing moon period then try meditating on this connection between your mind and body before going to bed—you may find it helps you relax.
Why is the moon powerful?
- Earth’s moon is the closest celestial body to our planet.
- The moon is the only natural satellite of Earth.
- Unlike other planets, the Moon doesn’t have an atmosphere or liquid water on its surface.
- It’s also home to no life forms nor magnetic field and the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful solar radiation as well as ultraviolet rays
Role of the moon in spirituality
The moon plays a major role in Spirituality, it is the second most referenced celestial body in Astrology. It represents our feminine side such as feelings, emotions, and intuition. Our moon occupies a zodiac position in our natal chart, whichever astrological sign our moon occupies in our natal chart, we tend to display and associate this zodiac and element with our feminine side.
Spiritual people understand that each phase of the moon has its use in manifestation, so they consider the moon when working spells and magic.
- The moon is a symbol of the divine feminine.
- The moon is a symbol of the subconscious.
- The moon is a symbol of the unconscious.
- The moon is a symbol of the shadow, which includes all that we repress and hide from ourselves, as well as our internalized expectations about what others should be like (i.e., our “other”).
- In alchemy, it stands for the spirit; in astrology, it represents psychic energy or power; in mythology and folklore, it’s often associated with death (as in “the pale crescent”).
Phases of the moon
The moon plays a large role in your life. It’s also one of the most mystical and spiritual symbols we know of. Understanding how to use the moon’s power to manifest your desires can help you achieve your goals, release stress and anxiety, or just relax.
The moon’s phases are generally classified into 8 which are the new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. The first three of these are all very similar in appearance—they’re all dimly lit with a silver luminance on one side. Waxing gibbous is when you can see half of the moon’s face illuminated by sunlight; it looks like someone put half a slice of bread in front of you. This phase is also called the last quarter because at this point one-fourth (or slightly more) of the surface area has been exposed to sunlight since it was last new.
The third quarter comes after the full moon it is when we see three-fourths (or slightly less) illuminated by sunlight since the last full moon. In other words: about two-thirds or so will have been exposed to sunlight since the last time around.
Learn how to meditate with the phases of the moon: New Moon – Set intentions; Full Moon – Celebrate achievements; Waxing Moon – Manifestation into reality.
New Moon
The new moon represents new beginnings and is an important time to set your intentions. It’s a great time of the month to begin a new habit or to reaffirm your commitment to an existing one. You can set these intentions by writing them down, meditating on them, or simply acknowledging them in your mind. Try doing this each morning and evening for at least two weeks before moving on to another phase of the lunar cycle. It’s also a good time to ask for what you want in your life, so it’s an ideal moment to make new beginnings (starting projects), make commitments (getting married or starting therapy), or start projects (writing a book).
Full Moon
The full moon is a time to reflect on what you’ve done, and release the things that are no longer serving you. The full moon represents our highest potential and emotions are heightened at this point in time. During the full moon, the waves and tides of the oceans are usually increased and more powerful as a result of the moon’s influence.
Most spiritual people tend to tap into this energy for their manifestation. People use this phase for spiritual cleansing and blockage removal. The intention is to let go of what no longer serves you, as the moon is decreasing in light and sight. You should also charge your crystals on a full moon.
How to use the moon spiritually?
Here are some ways to take advantage of the moon’s energy:
- Set intentions. The next time a full moon is in the sky, allow yourself time to be still in meditation and reflect on what you would like to manifest in your life. Then, speak your intention into existence by writing it down or communicating it aloud (as long as no one is around).
- Do yoga. Yoga is an excellent way of connecting with yourself and nature. You can incorporate the phases of the moon into any type of yoga practice—I recommend starting with the downward-facing dog during new moons so that you feel refreshed and energized.
- Work magic: Something as simple as candle magic with herbs and incense is truly magical and a way to tap into divine manifestation.
- Clear your space. This can be done at any time but especially during waning crescents when things may feel chaotic or unstable for us personally or globally—cleanse your home, car, etc.—and set fresh intentions for what you want going forward.
How to set intentions with the moon
- Make a list of things you want to achieve.
- Choose a time when you have the most energy. This could be right after waking up, at night or after a midday break if you find it difficult to focus during the afternoon.
- Meditate on what you want, and also visualize it manifesting.
- Write down your intentions on paper. You could also write them on stones and then bury them in your garden as part of an intention ritual. Or burn the paper, the idea is to be creative and set the right intentions.
- Do something creative and meditative like drawing, writing poetry, painting, or dancing—whatever gives you pleasure. This is helpful because it will help your mind calm down so that it’s ready for the next step in this process: reading out loud what was written down earlier with intention and feeling behind those words
Conclusion
The moon is a powerful celestial body, and it has been used by many cultures throughout history. While not all of these religions still exist today, the moon still holds a special place in many people’s hearts. With so much symbolism attached to it as well as its importance in astrology and medicine (particularly when treating women’s health issues), we think it would be a shame if people forgot about this ancient symbol just because it doesn’t fit into their worldview anymore.
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2 thoughts on “Moon definition: spiritual meaning & how to use the phases”
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