The Full Moon: A Time of Culmination, Illumination, and Release
Some believe that the full moon is a time of completion, however it is actually only the 5th out of 8 phases of the moon cycle: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.
In my last two blog posts (read here and here), we explored the new moon through the first quarter and how to embody those parts of the lunar cycle.
So while the full moon is not the completion of the lunar cycle, it can feel like a culmination of everything you have been working toward, beginning with the intentions you set at the new moon. As the full moon passes, you will move into a more introspective space and a time of rest.
If we were to give the moon cycles a season, the full moon would be autumn. It is a time of harvest, of feeling abundant with the blessings of all you have cultivated over the past couple of weeks, reaping the bounty of your dedication and action steps.
This is a time when the moon glows bright and full, lighting up the night sky. We tend to feel very alive during the full moon. Things feel illuminated. It can also be a time of emotional intensity and deep insight, affecting sleep for many, particularly women. It is a perfect moon for thoughtful, dedicated ritual.
It is also a moon for release, as you prepare to head into the waning, or "winter," phase of the cycle.
As you have been dreaming, visualizing, and taking action steps toward your goals, you have likely become aware of your own limiting beliefs, old habits, and even unhealthy connections, whether that be to a substance, a person or an activity. .
What has arisen in your mind that has tried to stall you from truly creating your dreams? What negative thoughts have surfaced, telling you that you aren't good enough, aren't worthy, or aren't ready because it isn't perfect? What have you had to push through, or perhaps what has managed to stop you altogether?
The full moon is a perfect time to take those limiting beliefs and work through a release ritual, keeping you on track toward your highest good.
Full Moon release ritual:
Night time ritual bath
Ingredients: 1 cup epsom salt, 1 cup baking soda, any nourishing oil, (scented or unscented). Optional: Herbs such as rose and lavender, pouch to hold herbs, and a candle and lighter.
Set your bathing space up for a beautiful ritual bath. Place the candle in a safe space, light it, keep other lights off or dim.
Place the epsom salt, baking soda and a bit of oil in the bath as it fills up. If you want to use fresh or dried herbs I suggest placing any herbs in a mesh pouch for easy clean up.
Water is a conduit of energy and can be programmed. Water offers cleansing and is a beautiful element to work with for release rituals.
Enter the bath as its filling. Begin getting the connected breath- one continuous flow of breath, in and out, no pause at the top of bottom. Spend several minutes simply breathing and enjoying the warm water and your body relaxing.
While in this bath, imagine that beautiful full moon in radiating down on you, filling the water with that full moon energy of illumination and the power to release. And as your breathing, allow whatever has been illuminated this month that has tried to stall you from your dreams. What old habits and limiting beliefs have arisen as road blocks to your manifestations?
As you sit in the water imagine those limiting beliefs seeping out of you into the water. Releasing from you in the water, charged by the full moon.
Breathe, relax, and if emotions arise let them release. Especially tears. Let your tears fall into the bath- your tears contain information about what you are releasing and connect with the waters of Mother Earth.
After you feel you’ve released what you need to, but before you get out, begin to drain the tub. Sit in the tub until all the water is drained out, taking with it your limiting beliefs, and fears that have been holding you back (or trying to). Feel the pull off of you as the water drains away.
Have a moment of gratitude to Water, and the moon and yourself.
Once you get out, you may feel drained, or extra tired. Not only can ritual release work do that, but so can epsom salt baths, which are detoxifying. Gently dry yourself off and if possible get in bed for the evening. Perhaps journal or read, do something that feels good. I advise not to pick up your phone and immediately doom scroll.
Release can leave you tired, even the following day or two. Its not a one and done experience. In the following days of the full moon illumination, and the following waxing Gibbous phase, continue to reflect, journal, move and meditate on what you are releasing, and make the changes in mind, body, spirit, and habits to effectively release.
If you feel tired, that is normal. Rest and be kind and loving with yourself. It’s not always light work. And remember, that letting go doesn’t always happen instantly.
And come back here next week for a write up on the 3rd quarter moon phase; and if you are local, come join a group of spiritually seeking women for the weekly Sacred Flow class in West Lafayette, Indiana at the Intuitive Encounters Healing Sanctuary.
