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Whether astrology is science or magic, we’re open to most things, if they may be of benefit. ~ Ed.

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If the New Moon could talk, its advice might be to slow down.

It might say, “stop pushing and go with the flow” or “didn’t you know there’s no such thing as the right time?”

We have this fantastic GPS system in the moon; it makes our Earth more liveable by moderating its wobble on its axis which in turn balances our climate, is essential for birds’ migration, and helps create tides in our ocean (which has guided us for years).

How can we possibly think the brightest and largest (after the sun) object in the sky that doesn’t have any effect on us—at all?

The moon is a gift of answers, guidance, and direction if we only look to it and listen to its advice. The moon’s cycle provides information that can help us to shift out of fear and into action so that we can live to be the creator we came to Earth to be.

Knowing the moon cycles was a huge part of what helped me to do that for myself. I have been working the lunar cycle for more than 20 years, and attribute that work and intention to creating mini-miracles in my life. It’s helped me schedule events and meetings, manage and grow my business, and guide my workout routines. I now have increased energy and even aligned my body back inflow despite hormonal imbalance symptoms from PCOS.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year on February 1, 2022, the following are four ways we can all use the moon cycles to better our lives:

1. Intention setting and releasing.

Use the moon’s two peak phases, the New Moon and Full Moon. We can align with right intention and action during these times and see results.

>> The New Moon is a time of intention setting, brainstorming, developing, exploring ideas, and planting seeds. It’s an optimal time to start new relationships of any kind and to set intentions, but not necessarily to act.

>> The Full Moon is a time of release, activity, actionable development, and manifesting. It’s an optimal time to let go of whatever is not working.

I notice when people work against the natural rhythms the moon provides. It becomes counterproductive, almost as if walking against a strong wind. Taking too much action at the New Moon can leave us feeling exhausted when the moon’s advice is to literally sit back and relax. Conversely, doing nothing during a more active Full Moon can leave us feeling bored or even anxious.

2. Using the eight-phase cycle for productivity.

The moon has eight phases we can apply for direction, starting with the New Moon and ending with the Waning Crescent. Just as we can set an intention with the New Moon and release with the Full Moon, there are optimal actions for every other phase.

Here are a few suggestions:

New Moon: brainstorm ideas, develop ideas, explore new opportunities, set intentions, garden, plant seeds (in the garden and of thought), and start new.

Waxing Crescent: amplify what you have, assess finances, plan emails and correspondence, take part in healing arts, plan for growth, do a vision board, and get acupuncture.

First Quarter: take action toward the intention from the New Moon, start something new, assess challenges, go with the flow, say yes, take in no’s, and redirect.

Waxing Gibbous: hold appreciation, feel love and gratitude, use a vision board, amplify the process you are in, implement, be active, avoid wasting the energy of forward movement, express thoughts and feelings.

Full Moon: let go of what is not working, engage in the high activity energy, develop intuition, manifest work, meditate, perfect plans and thoughts, perform vibrational alignment work, release what isn’t working.

Waning Gibbous: address negative thinking, begin a new eating plan, reach out to the people you love, rid yourself of bad habits, send appreciation letters, do tapping.

Last Quarter: continue to let go to make space for what is to come, declutter, make room for improvement, make a transition, allow things to come to completion.

Waning Crescent: do meditations to release and banish, let go of things, people, and situations that aren’t a good fit, rest, recuperate, and recharge.

If you’re called to have accountability and track this, I create a Moon Cycle Memoirs journal every year. 2022 was just released, and you can check it out here.

3. Adjust your workout regimen and activity levels.

Utilize the moon’s cycles for more energy and a healthier connection with your body. During the start of the moon phase, the New Moon, energy is dark and low. As it waxes into the Full Moon, the energy builds and the sky becomes brighter at night. Energy becomes optimal and active at the Full Moon and evolves to “wane” off afterward. When we apply the moon’s flow to our activity regimen, we enjoy optimal living and union with our body. Consider the following flow:

New Moon: a time of restoration, yin yoga, healing work, being alone, and going inward.

Waxing Moon: medium energy levels that will pick up as the Full Moon nears. Focus on cardio that is lighter closer to the New Moon and more intense closer to the Full Moon.

Full Moon: a shift to higher intensity, focus on higher impact, go for a run or jog, take a HIIT or boot-camp class, be active in community.

Waning Moon: the energy will start to wane and decrease as the moon moves from Full to New, start with higher intensity and as the days continue, shift to activities like yoga, walking, and pilates.

4. Eat with the cycle of the moon.

Just as we can correlate activity levels with the moon, we can plan our food according to its cycles as follows:

New Moon: nutrient-dense foods, healthy fats, iron, trace minerals, warming foods, and magnesium.

Waxing Moon: sprouted and fermented foods that are easy to digest like kimchi, sauerkraut, seeds, sprouted grains, tempeh, and yogurt.

Full Moon: support the liver with berries, cruciferous, fruit, veggies (fiber), berries, quinoa, and fresh/raw food.

Waning Moon: vitamin B foods to counteract sugar and cravings, magnesium, leafy greens, baked or roasted root veggies.

For persons who have a menstrual cycle, my strong advice is to let your cycle trump the moon regarding activity levels and even food. If you bleed on a New Moon you are in sync with the natural lunar cycle. If not, adjust accordingly and find a balance that works for you.

May one or a few of these suggestions inspire you to grow and glow with the flow of moon! It can make such a difference in our lives. If you want to go deeper on this, I invite you to check out Moon Cycle Restart, an interactive workshop that will guide you to create alignment with the natural rhythm of the earth so that you kickstart your year with a spark of action!

Happy Lunar New Year!

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More on this new moon: Set Powerful Intentions this New Moon—as Venus & Mercury turn Direct. {February 1st}