The full moon has been talked about and written about for millennia across many cultures.
The Chinese, for example, associate the full moon with the essence of yin (feminine energy).
Buddhists view the full moon as the symbol of spiritual power (as the Buddha supposedly attained enlightenment on a full moon night) and many sacred festivals are held during the full moon.
The full moon brings out both the good and the bad within us all, amplifying all emotions.
The moon is known to affect sleep and emotions. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed and more irritable than usual.
So give yourself a chance to get to know the moon and how it can affect your body.
It's long been believed that full moons make people crazy. Hence the name "lunatic." And while it may not turn you into a werewolf, there must be some truth to the idea that we're emotionally connected to the moon? LA-based astrologer Athena Perrakis, Ph.D., explains: "The full moon affects our bodies and it affects the ocean. Since our bodies are made up of so much water, it's easy to understand how the moon would affect us just like the ocean." When the moon is full, Dr. Perrakis claims that it's high tide for emotions, and you should be careful not to get carried away.
Since the moon affects the ocean, could it also affect your menstrual cycle? In the 1980s, Winnifred B. Cutler published a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology that looked at 312 university women who were menstruating. She found that 40 percent of the participants had their periods start within two weeks of the full moon, meaning they were ovulating during the “dark phase,” or the second half of the lunar cycle, when the moon is not visible from Earth.
The study showed that 69 women had a menstrual cycle of approximately 29.5 days, the same length as the lunar cycle. As life moves increasingly online and away from nature, it becomes more important to turn to the spiritual significance of the moon phases as a way to connect to rhythms and cycles outside of the often hectic pace of modern lifestyles.
Participating in nature's cycles can be a powerful reminder that there are powerful forces at work, even as change swirls around you. If you live in a city, it may feel difficult to feel that connection, but the moon is always in the sky. Each lunar phase offers its own spiritual meaning and the opportunity to create rituals that harness the energy of that unique phase.
A full moon ritual is a great way to share with others (e.g. yoga, meditation), or you can have your own little ritual. This is a great time to go inward and let go of old feelings.
By performing rituals on or around the full moon, you both amplify the effects of your rituals through the energy of the moon, as well as working with the natural rhythms of the lunar cycle.
Here are some tips for rituals around the full moon:
- Meditate
- Cleanse your crystals in moonlight (put them on the windowsill)
- Write in your diary
- Self-care or "self pleasure" ritual.
Set a loving intention for this ritual, and tell yourself any wishes you may have to FEEL or EXPERIENCE something special, or perhaps something within you that you want to release, unravel, or let go of. Find a suitable place. Light candles, play calm and sensual music. Dim the lights. Do everything to set the right mood. Feel free to use essential oils, either on the body or in an oil diffuser. Rub the body with oil or and take your time.
When you feel completely relaxed... lie or sit naked with one hand on your stomach and the other on your heart. Breathe naturally, but with presence for any feeling or thought that arises. Welcome into all the feelings, waves or rhythms that rise. Visualize the full moon and give a personal blessing or prayer. Let go of that which no longer serves you.
If you wish, you can use a yoni wand or egg to get better in touch with yourself and your own pleasure.
Our glass wand The Moon is a beautiful glass dildo with a crescent moon, perfect for rituals and a "must have" for every girl. It is designed for vaginal massage and stimulates all erogenous zones in the yoni.
“Shoot for the moon; you might get there.”
