Learn What It Means to Flow with the Moon + How You Can Tune Into the Lunar Cycle

The Moon presents teachings of the rhythm and its waxing and waning cycle is the oldest way of marking time. The Moon teaches through example the importance of periodic rebirth in maintaining balance in life and the awareness that continual cycles of change are the natural order of things. ^[1]

The Moon exerts real physical influence on the earth and on women, controlling menstrual cycles and the rhythm of the tides. ^[1]

The easiest way to keep track of the current lunar cycle position is to add the moon phases to your calendar.

When you first start paying attention to the Moon, it can be a challenge to remember the order of the phases and what they mean. The Moon “comes in” on the right, and “goes out” on the left. The Moon begins as a New Moon, then moves into Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, then Full Moon halfway through the cycle. The second half of the lunar cycle consists of the Waning Gibbous, Third/Last Quarter, Waning Crescent, and another New Moon.

Each lunar phase is associated with Yin or Yang qualities. Yin is all about being and is associated with the feminine, stillness, softness, receiving. Yang is all about doing and is associated with the masculine, movement, hardness, giving.

Phases of the Moon

New Moon

Yang Phase

The lunar cycle always begins with a New Moon. Each month, the New Moon brings the opportunity for a new beginning. It is a good time to set your intentions for the coming month. When it comes to setting your intentions, you may be as broad or as specific as you’d like. There are no rules to this; possibility has no limit. What do you wish to create, experience, manifest, or bring into the world? It can be helpful to write your ideas down in a journal. Allow your ideas to germinate into a vision.

Waxing Crescent Moon

Yin Phase

Now is a the time to sit with your intentions and visualize the first steps towards your vision. Breathe and be with your intentions to really get the feel of them. The energy feels fresh, inspiring, and exciting. Allow your ideas to begin sprouting.

First Quarter Moon

Yang Phase

It is a good time to take action and build momentum in a positive direction. Now is the time to exert some effort towards achieving your vision. Allow yourself to put in the work needed to make your vision a reality. During this phase, you will probably feel more inclined to be active in all ways, especially physically. Remember to take breaks to go on longer walks, do some stretching, or complete a workout.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

Yin Phase

Now is the time to be patient with the work you have set in motion. Trust that everything will develop in its time. Allow yourself to refine your ideas. Make sure your mind, body, and spirit are all being cared for.

Full Moon

Yang Phase

The Full Moon brings heightened energy, making it an ideal time for any kind of positive ceremony. Now is a good time to come together in gratitude, joy, and celebration. If you’re feeling outgoing, you may want to look in your nearby area to see if anyone is hosting a Full Moon meditation, drum circle, sound healing class, gathering, potluck, bonfire, or similar event. It is also a good time to charge your crystals if you have any.

Waning Gibbous Moon

Yin Phase

Now is a time for trusting that everything is coming into place. Allow yourself to be present and feel grateful for everything in your life. Continue making sure your mind, body, and spirit are all being cared for.

Third/Last Quarter Moon

Yang Phase

Now is a good time to release and let go of anything that is no longer serving you. If you are harboring any kind of resentment toward someone, now is a good time to choose forgiveness and letting go so you no longer have to hold onto feelings that don’t serve you.
To do a little fire release ceremony, you can write down everything you wish to release. You can be specific or generic; include habits, feelings, or anything else you can think of. Then, focus on your intention to release those things as you burn the paper in a fire pit.

Waning Crescent

Yin Phase

Now is the time to rest, recover, go inwards, and reflect. Allow yourself to surrender physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Feel your feelings. Trust your intuition and flow with what feels right. You do not need to force yourself to do anything that you do not feel capable of. It is a good time to do some longer, 1-2 hour meditations to center yourself and simply breathe.

New Moon

Yang Phase

Then the lunar cycle begins all over again with another New Moon. It is a good time to reflect on the previous lunar cycle, refine upon your intentions, and set new intentions.

Additional Astrological Influences

Cancer, Ruled by the Moon

For those of us that were born between June 21 and July 22, we fall under the Cancer zodiac sign. Cancer is also ruled by the Moon, so changes in the Moon tend to affect Cancers even more significantly than other signs. We are the most sensitive sign in the zodiac. It is crucial to pay close attention to the phases of the Moon so we can appropriately go about our lives in a meaningful flow. This also applies to people who have Cancer placements elsewhere in their astrological charts. To see if you have other Cancer placements, you can create a free natal chart here.

Zodiac Signs of Each Moon Phase

In addition to the moon going through all of its normal phases, the moon also moves through all the zodiac signs in the order of Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. These influences can affect you in various ways depending on your natal chart placements. You can see the full astrological details of the current lunar cycle here.

How I Personally Flow with the Moon

How I flow with the moon changes from one month to the next depending on—you guessed it—how I feel! Here are some examples:

The May 2019 Full Moon was in Scorpio, which is my ascendant sign. Things felt pretty wonderful for over a week. I was ecstatic, joyful, blissful, and high on life. I couldn’t stop laughing and creating. I was in my element. I went to a potluck and was able to show up with full presence. And I’m so glad I did, because I met an amazing new friend!

The June 2019 Full Moon was in Sagittarius, which is my moon sign. I felt physical pain, high sensitivity, and fragility. I got a chiropractic adjustment and then a 90 minute massage. I came home and took a bath. I did my usual clay mask but opted to listen to Rise Against instead of binaural beats. It’s a good thing I followed my intuition because it was exactly what I needed.

I’m into flowing with the moon, no matter what that may mean at any given time.

Lessons in Flowing with the Moon

I believe we can learn many valuable lessons from tuning into the lunar cycle. In today’s society, it can be tempting to fall into the mindset of “always work hard!” and “hustle, hustle, hustle!” In tuning into the Moon, we realize that we are not designed to function this way all the time.

There is a natural rhythm to everything, and you are allowed to go with that flow rather than against it.

The Moon reminds us that we are allowed to choose to flow instead of hustle.

You are allowed to flow with what feels right to you in any given moment.

The magic doesn’t always happen in the space of working, striving, efforting—but rather, in moments of peace, stillness, and clarity.

The Moon teaches us that we are able to get in touch with our intuition so we may allow it to guide the decisions we make in our daily lives.

We are allowed to extend the deepest love and care to ourselves.

Taking time for ourselves is crucial. In order to maintain balance in life, we need to properly nourish our minds, bodies, and souls.

If you work a full-time job, know that you are allowed to take days off especially during the yin moon phases. You could greatly benefit from a few days dedicated completely to your intention during these times.

Here are some of my Watercolor Quote Art pieces that especially fit in with this theme of flowing with the Moon. Click here for more info about my Watercolor Quote Art.

References
^[1] Pratt, Christina. (2007). An Encyclopedia of Shamanism (Volume One, A-M). New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.