Practicing With the Planets: Honoring the Moon through Rest and Ritual
It’s the first of the month! The first new moon, that is. In honor of the Capricorn New Moon, this is also the first installment of a series I am writing called “Practicing with the Planets,” which focuses on using astrology to develop a deeper spiritual practice. Although the moon is not technically a planet, I have recently begun to think of this rotating body as the mother of planets, orbiting around the Earth, watching over its inhabitants, and ushering us through the many phases of our existence.
A genuinely nurturing presence, the moon or la luna, became especially important to me once I began working with goddesses and the archetypes of the divine feminine, the divine mother, and the maiden/mother/crone. In this sense, we can think about the moon as our intuition, the connection to our ancestors, and the memories of times past. As I mentioned in my writing on doing ritual work for Saturnalia, Saturn is viewed as Father Time, but the moon is the original timekeeper. In the time before capitalism and clocks, we all rose with the sun and rested by the moon’s light.
There are also many stereotypes of the moon based on its relationship to femininity. The relationship of the moon cycles to menses has caused many to look at the moon as emotional or irrational energy. Its many stages and phases are viewed as a rollercoaster of madness and instability. Many of us have heard folktales and myths about what happens to people under the full moon’s light when humans turn into monstrous beings.
“Just Like the Moon/I’m going through phases lately
Things have been crazy,
They say life is a maze but, life is amazing, amazing
Just Like the Moon”
Hence, the moon represents where the wild things are, and wild women would do well to reclaim this histrionic narrative to view the moon’s cycles as an opportunity to embrace the cycles of life and the constant change we all experience. As it is said, only two things are certain: change and death, and in many ways, the moon represents both. Instead of resisting the changing tides of time, why not go with the flow and learn to ride life’s waves until they come crashing back to shore?
Ritual as Communal Care: Introducing the Professor Priestess
I have always been fascinated by the moon and its connection to pagan rituals, magic, and occult sciences. As a child, I had a unique connection to the spiritual world. However, it wasn’t until I became an adult and began to work on healing my inner child that I began to uncover more spiritual gifts and talents. This work allowed me to focus on myself and create opportunities to ground my gifts in reality. Now, I am excited to share what I have learned with others.
I have always imagined myself as a Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, teaching “Defense against the Dark Arts” and “Divination” as the Potions Master. I would be a combination of Professor Trelawney and Severus Snape, believing that the best defense is a good offense. It is essential to react to situations in our lives and understand ourselves thoroughly, so we can prepare for what has happened and predict what is yet to come.
Therefore, I developed the Professor Priestess to teach what I know and have learned from my education and spiritual journeys. As an educational resource and service platform, Professor Priestess is a one-stop shop for all things magical and mystical. Consequently, this post includes a free downloadable New Moon ritual that I developed on my website and a brief outline of how to work with the New Moon in 3 simple steps!
Rest and Ritual: Making the Most of the Moon Cycle
As a 4th House Capricorn Stellium with a Cancer Moon, I am a Full Moon baby, and I work closely with the moon’s phases, primarily focusing on the New and Full Moons. On Mondays, you can work on many moon rituals as a part of your weekly practice, as Mondays are also known as Moon Days. This day is perfect for any at-home preparation for the week, such as grocery shopping and cooking meals. Journaling is another essential practice for Moon Days, and it is helpful to look back on previous moon cycles to check how your goals, plans, and intentions have manifested.
Every month has at least one New Moon and Full Moon that occur on a sign axis, which means that it takes place on the zodiac sign of the season and its counterpart. We are moving through the Capricorn/Cancer axis this season, and today is the Capricorn New Moon. This particular phase resonates with many people’s feelings in January, as it is the time to begin new goals and get things done. Therefore, it is an excellent time to initiate a new ritual practice or re-commit to your personal or spiritual goals. You can use the following steps to develop your monthly moon ritual.
Phase 1: Cleaning and Caretaking
As mentioned, the moon is associated with nurturing and caretaking energy and ancestors. Therefore, I use all moon phases to purify my home and myself and offer my ancestors food and drinks. The traditional cleaning of oneself and the home can be done by taking a salt bath, lighting candles, and cleaning floors and doors. Another effective way is to play sound baths or bowl music throughout the day, focusing on cleansing or tapping into the season’s energy.
If you are pressed for time, you can perform a ritual cleansing by smudging your space using an ethically sourced implement that aligns with your cultural and spiritual beliefs. For instance, you can use incense, cinnamon, or other similar materials. I recommend Mugwort for Moon Days and Cinnamon/Cedar for the fall/winter seasons. Engaging in activities that make you feel comfortable during the Capricorn/Cancer Moon cycle, whether natally or during transits, can be especially beneficial.
Phase 2: Rituals and Intention-Setting
You can perform various rituals during the New Moon, which is an ideal time for manifestation and setting intentions. New Moons are always a good opportunity to set new goals, and with the upcoming New Year, it’s an excellent time to reinforce any resolutions you made and prepare short and long-term plans to achieve your dreams.
To prepare for the upcoming New Moon, I am happy to offer a free version of my New Moon Ritual which you can download from the Services section of my website: https://theprofessorpriestess.com/. Since this is the first new moon ritual of the year, I am excited to guide you through the moon cycles by providing instructions and practices that align with the planetary energies of the season.
Phase 3: Rest and Relaxation
It is essential to be mindful of your energy levels during each moon cycle and avoid over-exerting yourself. Being attuned to the moon’s energy means recognizing the right time for work and rest. As you work with the moon cycles, you should set your intentions or plant your seeds during the New Moon, and the Full Moon is a time for reflection and relaxation. By seeking the guidance and protection of divine mothers, you can nurture your manifestations and understand that it takes time for wishes to be fulfilled. You should take time for yourself to see the seeds grow to fruition.
I recommend ending any moon ritual with a good sleep. This is an ideal time to take advantage of the power of dreaming by intending to remember your dreams, using a dream sachet, or drinking dream-enhancing teas, such as mugwort. Make sure to keep a dream journal close at hand to write down what you see. You can visit my website for more information if you want to learn more about developing monthly rituals for a specific intention. And Happy New Moon!
