Humanity has been gazing at the moon for as long as we can remember ourselves. It gave light in the sheer darkness of the night and created special cycles that influenced people socially and psychologically. Today we may not follow those special cycles of the moon, but that doesn’t mean it lost its power to influence our mood and behaviour. Here are 7 things the moon affects in your life.
Feminine powers
In many cultures the moon is perceived as a feminine energy that is deeply connected with the cycles of life and death. Its mysterious, natural powers influence our psyche in many ways, connecting to our unconscious and whatever is hidden deep inside. The moon is always associated with an inner journey and intuition, as well as our emotional body. These are all considered feminine qualities, that’s why women may be more prone to feeling the moon cycles and the changes they bring.
Emotional tides
It’s no secret that the moon creates tides on Earth. We simply wouldn’t have that majestic movement of water without our planet’s satellite. What does this mean for our emotions, though? Our bodies consist mostly of water, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that we feel those tidal pulls one way or another. New moons and full moons are especially powerful as they mark the endings and beginnings of the moon cycle as well as lowest and highest tides. If we speak about emotions, it would mean emotional highs and lows along with smaller emotional changes during the cycle.
Full moon
Of course, one shouldn’t blame the moon for the emotional peaks, but it does help bring out supressed emotions and make the ones you have even more powerful. Full moon illuminates the darkness of the night as well as the dark parts of our psyche. This means that some negative or positive emotions get enhanced, which can result in a bit of a chaotic emotional state. Still, this is a great opportunity to revisit whatever is hidden from us most of the time and live through those emotions. Full moon can cause anxiety and tension in the body, so it’s good to take extra care of yourself during this time.
New moon
New moon marks the beginning of a new cycle, so it is a time of peaceful and calm reflection. You may want to stay away from parties and long conversations, choosing to spend this time with yourself, exploring your inner landscapes in the quiet of your home or out in the wild, enjoying the nature. Both men and women have that feminine aspect that is influenced by the moon, so it is not something only women experience. Following these moon cycles is a great way to unplug from the stress of everyday lives and celebrate the beauty of life itself.
Re-connect with your body
As moon cycle influence your mood and, as a result, behaviour, it is a good way to shift the focus towards the things your body truly needs. Most of the time we use our minds to decide what’s best for us, but our bodies have their own wisdom as to what is most important at the moment. Maybe your body needs lighter meals, more or less sleeping hours, or maybe you’ve been living under constant stress for so long that you simply forgot what it feels like to be calm and relaxed. This is where the moon cycles come in handy as they point us to the things that need fixing, enhancing, or rebooting. It’s a good way to analyse your whole lifestyle and see if it really makes you, your mind, and your body happy.
Women’s cycle
It is not a coincidence that women’s menstrual cycle is the same as the moon’s – about 28 days, give or take. It is believed that the menstrual cycle of a healthy woman who doesn’t live under constant stress corresponds to the moon’s cycle in an effortless way. Our cycles were designed to start on the new moon, but due to late night city rhythms, irregular sleeping patterns, and unhealthy diets we lose the connection with natural rhythms, and our body cycles change. In some Native American cultures it is considered that a woman is most sensitive during her menstrual cycle (which is closely connected to the moon), that’s why they even have a special Moon Lodge where ladies can live during their special days. They don’t work and spend this time with themselves, reflecting, relaxing, re-connecting with Mother Earth, and simply resting.
Things you can do
New moon and growing moon in general gives you more energy. You might notice that during waxing moon you are more likely to start new projects, try new things, plan trips, and go on adventures. It is also a good time for planning as you plant the seeds of ideas that will later turn into the events in your life. During the days of the full moon you reap what you’ve sown, which means this time can be both exciting and anxious as we’re not always satisfied with the outcome of what we thought or did. It’s important to stay true to yourself and be grateful for the experiences you’ve had, good or bad. Then you can move on without any regrets.