When I first began my spiritual journey, I always focused on the full moon. Never giving time and attention to the new moon through a ritual. In all honesty, the full moon is talked about more often than the new moon, so I wasn’t aware that I was neglecting a piece of myself. The moon is just as vital and powerful as the sun; she is responsible for the ocean tides, moving oceans, growing plants and so much more. A new moon ritual will allow you to release what doesn’t serve you and detach from your previous intentions to allow them to manifest.

What Is A New Moon?

In astronomy, the new moon is the “invisible phase” of a moon. It is when the moon and the sun are aligned with one another. Therefore, the moon doesn’t reflect its own light; it illuminates the sun’s light. The new moon represents a birth; it is at the beginning of the lunar cycle. In spirituality, the new moon represents beginning anew by releasing what does not serve you. Every lunar cycle, you are filled with ideas, habits, thoughts and etc. The New Moon is the opportunity for you to regenerate and start from a clean slate. You want to use the new moon to reflect on what occurred during the cycle, which can be done via meditation, journaling or introspection during a walk/hike in nature. Think of a new moon ritual as your second chance that you are given every month.

Simple Ritual

Rituals can get very detailed and elaborate, but a simple ritual will serve the same purpose. So, if this is your first time, don’t allow your inexperience to intimidate you. You truly only need the basics of a ritual and your intentions to release with the new moon. Remember, the new moon represents release and allowing yourself to be a clean slate for the upcoming lunar cycle. You will need the following:

A tall white candle

Salt (I recommend Lavender Bath Salt)

Sage Stick (for smudging)

Pen and Paper

Any oils, herbs or crystals (that you want to place around and/or in your bath

To start off your new moon ritual, write down your intentions; write down everything that you want to release. If you need assistance with writing your intentions, please use the Contact form. Fold your intentions paper up and hold it in you hand. Place your sage stick in your hand that has your intentions. After lighting it, use your sage stick to smudge yourself. Visualize the sage stick cleansing you of any old habits, thoughts, negative energy and etc. that no longer serves you. Place your sage stick into a fire-proof dish and put it onto your altar. If you have not created an altar yet, check out my Simple Altar Set Up For Beginners blog post. After that, draw yourself a bath and pour a bit of your salt into the water; place your oils, herbs and crystals around and/or in the water. Sit in your bath water and read your intentions to yourself. Visualize a white light emitting from you in the bath. Do not use this bath as physical cleansing (bathing with soap); use this bath to release and cleanse yourself spiritually. As the water drains from the tub, visualize what you have released draining as well.

After drying yourself, go to your altar and/or sit in the same room as your altar and light your candle. Place the candle on the altar (or in the same room as you, if you do not have an altar). Use this time to mediate and clear your mind. After meditation, write in your journal. Write down what you want to happen during this lunar phase, but in the present tense as though it has already happened. If you need assistance with this, please use the Contact form.