New Moon, New Beginning

When I was a young school girl, I always thought of the start of the school year in September as a new beginning.

And of course there’s the New Year, on January 1, which is also a new beginning.

But since then I’ve learned what indigenous people have always known: every month can be a new beginning on the new moon.

The new moon is the start of a new cycle, and is the perfect time to set your intentions for the next 29.5 days.  It can be a time for personal ceremony, calling in the elemental spirits and your spirit guides to help you manifest what you want.

This month it’s June 13, 2018.

People often think of doing ceremony on the full moon, which is also good for coming together in community, drumming circles and giving gratitude for the fullness of life.

The time of the full moon is one of energy and outward activity. Walk in the country on the night of the full moon and you can see everything you need to see, and it’s as though the landscape is lit by magic.

At the new moon, also called the dark of the moon, it’s said that the veil between the physical plane and the Great Mystery is the thinnest. It’s a more spiritual time, meant for retreat and vision and quiet reflection.

The new moon is for introspection, a time for ourselves. There’s less light and, therefore, less activity.

The new moon is also a time of new beginnings; a teaching I received from my elders was: when you see the new moon, acknowledge her and bless yourself by reaching up toward her and pulling her energy and light down over your body.

It’s also a good time to start new projects in a meditative, relaxed way, particularly artistic projects.

Set your goals for the month, and ask Mother Moon to bless your endeavors so you achieve them by the next new moon.

Spend more time at your altar, spend more time in reflection, prayer, meditation and doing your crafts and art work. You are more sensitive and open at the new moon, and therefore more creative.

New Moon energy is active for two days before and after the actual New Moon date, so don’t feel your limited to just doing your ceremony at one time. Same for the full moon energy.

What can you transform with the New Moon?

If you don’t have a particular goal you want to set for the coming month, you might want to think about what you can transform in yourself or your life or the world around you.

Spiritual teacher Edwene Gaines recommends we look carefully at the world and find something that needs transforming, something that would be fun for us to get involved in repairing, shifting, restructuring, fixing and perfecting.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

How can you work towards that?

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”  John C. Maxwell

Well, what could it be?

• Get up earlier; even 15 minutes.
• Spend 15 minutes less a day on FB.
• Eat a new vegetable.
• Eat less dairy.
• Switch to whole wheat bread instead of white.
• Buy organic eggs, not conventionally grown.
• Give someone a compliment every day.
• Go for a walk and admire the natural world
• Breathe in fresh air.

For more teachings about the moon, see my post on the Moontime.

For an ancient technique on manifestation, see my post on A Native American Prayer to Manifest Your Heart’s Desire.

And make good use of your new month!