How to Utilize the Full Moon to Make Better Plans
What happens if you throw out what you think you know about calendars, goals, and noise—the magazines, commercials, comments from family members …?
My mission is to help women move away from all that outside noise and tune into their own bodies, minds and souls so that they can guide themselves towards their best lives.
I used to describe myself as a weird mix of very practical and a bit woo. I’ve come to realize that a lot of what I used to call woo is my most authentic feminine self… just living in a masculine world. I realized my conditioning around the calendar and masculine planning systems did not serve me. When I finally let go of the noise, I found the solution that let me shed 85 pounds, write a book, be there for my kids in ways I did not think a working mom could, and so much more.
Tracking your energy levels and planning from an informed place can be a transformative practice — and the moon cycle fits right into that. I learned from FLOW’s resident shaman, Julie Hannon; Sarah Jenks; and Ezzie Spencer.
Learning about the moon cycles helped me track my natural tendencies and rhythms. That means I can make plans that reflect my natural flow. This has helped immensely with both my productivity and happiness. It took me out of the model where every day is the same, and into a more informed space of each day being a bit different, and that cycle repeating every 29 days.
The coolest part about the moon as it relates to women and planning is that it helps us understand our own unique, consistent patterns — the tired days, the energetic days, the focused days, the loving days each repeat themselves in a very logical way. By knowing our energy, we gain a deeper understanding of our natural rhythms and patterns, and can identify our most productive times and low energy times.
Our culture has told us that low energy times are “bad” and we need to always be productive, but this is not the feminine way. When my energy is low, and I rest, ideas often flood in. My creativity is high.The trick is to understand my energy highs and lows and craft a life that lets me respond to my energy accordingly.
To do that, you need to know not only the cycle of the moon, but what that means for you! You do this by tracking.
Tracking our energy empowers us to make more informed life choices, such as adopting healthier sleep routines, food habits, and stress-management techniques. This self-awareness helps recognize early signs of exhaustion, enabling us to take timely breaks and prevent long-term fatigue. By honing the skill of energy tracking and informed planning, we unlock the door to a more balanced, productive, and fulfilling life.
New Moons and Full Moons
Each part of the moon cycle has an energy, and you’ll find that through tracking. The new moon and full moon are special times in the cycle.
Keep track of the full and new moon dates, so you know when each one occurs. You can find the full and new moon dates for your location online or in a lunar calendar.
New moons are for intention setting. I start my 90-day seasons on a New Moon, and our FLOW365 planning retreats often fall near new moons as well.
“Intentions set on a New Moon will be blessed and held into reality.”
– Sarah Jenks
Full moons are a time to manifest and release. Using the full moon as a symbolic time for self-reflection, manifesting, and release, can be a powerful practice for personal growth and self awareness. Here are some ideas of how to use/interact with the full moon.
- Create a Full Moon Ritual: Establish a personal full moon ritual that resonates with you. It could involve meditation, lighting candles, performing a simple ceremony, or spending time in nature. The important thing is to make it meaningful and consistent.
- Set Aside Time for Reflection: As the full moon approaches, set aside some quiet time for self-reflection. Reflect on the past month and your progress toward your goals. Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge areas that need improvement.
- Write in a Full Moon Journal: Consider keeping a full moon journal to document your reflections and intentions. Write down your successes, challenges, and any feelings that arise during this time. Journaling can help you gain clarity and identify patterns in your life.
- Release What No Longer Serves You: The full moon is associated with release and letting go. Take this opportunity to release any negative thoughts, habits, or situations that are holding you back from a better life. Write down what you want to let go of and then burn the paper as a symbolic act of release.
- Set Positive Intentions: After releasing the old, focus on setting positive intentions for the month ahead. Think about what you want to achieve, how you want to grow, and what changes you want to make in your life. Write down your intentions in a positive and present tense manner.
- Visualize Your Goals: During your full moon ritual, take some time to visualize yourself living your best life. See yourself achieving your goals and feeling fulfilled. Visualization can help align your subconscious mind with your intentions.
- Practice Gratitude: Express gratitude for the positive aspects of your life. Gratitude can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what you have, cultivating a more positive mindset.
- Take Inspired Action: While the full moon is a time for reflection and setting intentions, remember that action is crucial for creating a better life. Take small steps each day that align with your intentions and work toward your goals.
- Stay Consistent: Make this practice a regular part of your life. Consistency is key to personal growth and positive change. Embrace each full moon as an opportunity to assess your progress, adjust your course, and continue on your journey to a better life.
I didn’t really understand the effect of the moon cycle for me until I started tracking. Tracking doesn’t take much time each day, but it will give you lots of useful information to help you plan around your own energy.
Some things you can track— days when:
- Your period if you still get it.
- You feel like you are getting a cold
- You feel particularly social
- When your energy is contagious and you could sell anything
- You wish you could stay in bed
- When ideas just keep flowing
- Where you feel uncomfortable in your body
- When you feel like you could eat everything in your kitchen (or the opposite)
- Where you feel super connected to your partner
- You wish you could just be alone
- You need some serious self-care
- That you feel naturally productive
- When you really want to clean and declutter
