Essential Oils For The Full Moon -

Every lunar phase possesses unique energy characteristics. The Full Moon, in particular, is associated with the energy of release and clearing. Therefore, it’s an ideal time to clean up your home, resign from your job, or terminate a relationship. Synchronizing yourself and your actions with this lunar energy can aid in achieving your goals. For even greater alignment consider using essential oils for the Full Moon. These oils have medicinal and energetic qualities corresponding to intentions related to endings, letting go, clearing, detoxification, and creating space.

Working with lunar energetic qualities may sound farfetched, but people have used vibrational or subtle energy since ancient times. This includes subtle and medicinal attributes of plants as essential oils and fresh, dried, and smoldering herbs. For example, frankincense (Bowellia carterii) has long been associated with purification and spirit connection. Its scent permeates Catholic churches. Middle Eastern households regularly infuse their homes with it to cleanse and purify them as well as welcome their guests. Still today appropriate and complementary essential oils or blends are diffused as part of medicinal treatments, lunar rituals, ceremonies, or celebrations.

Full Moon Energy and Letting Go

The energies of the Full Moon and Waning Moon possess similarities with subtle differences. In a sense, the Waning-Moon is yin (inward and reflective) in nature and the Full Moon is yang (outward and action) in nature.

In practical terms, Full-Moon endings emphasize finality and commitment to act while Waning-Moon releases relate to a process of change. For example, on the Full Moon, you tell your boyfriend your relationship is over and it’s to move on. Because you still have feelings for him and want to remain friends, you decide to work through any residual feelings during the Waning Moon and bring full closure to your relationship.

The Waning Moon is approximately two weeks long and provides time for reflection and consideration of options. It’s also a preparation period. Since it immediately precedes the New Moon, it offers an opportunity to rid potential obstacles to starting something new on the New Moon.

Two Sides to Releasing and Letting Go

Not all endings involve two parties, but many do. For example, in the above example, you decide you want to end your relationship, but your boyfriend has to agree especially if you want it to be amicable.

Dianne Ronngren writes that Full-Moon endings are limited to those that involve someone else to bring about the desired change, Consequently, Full-Moon ceremonies comprise two steps: first, letting go and second, accepting or embracing the new. This view, however, is not shared by everyone. Many people see the Full Moon simply as a time to release and end.

For me, it can be any release or ending, but most certainly definitive and complete and entailing action. The person letting go is no longer mulling over options and choices. Instead, they’re committed to acting. However, I see Ronngren’s contribution in that many releases create waves of further adjustment whether the situation involves two people or is contained within the self where you have multiple parts with differing views.

Emotions Associated With Full Moon Actions

Because the Full Moon is about endings, it can also be associated with a sense of loss and even grief. One can experience sadness and grief even when a change is desired. Grief can accompany the excitement and enthusiasm for change as well.

Alternatively, a difficult choice requires courage. If there’s fear, the change maker requires confidence and fortitude. And, the action, can induce a sense of liberation and achievement.

These examples illustrate the range of Full Moon-related change events and the various emotions that can stem from them. Essential oils can support you over a wide range of possible change experiences.

Essential Oils For the Full Moon Transitions

Below are the most common Full Moon essential oils.

Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia)
Fragonia (Agonis fragrans)
Galbanum (Ferula glabaniflua)
Hyssop (Hyssopus oficinalis)
Juniper berry (Juniperus communis)
Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium)
Rose (Rosa damacenus)
Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Tangerine (Citrus reticulata blanco)
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternafolia)
Utah juniper (Juniperus osteoperma)
Virginia juniper (Juniperus virginiana)
White sage (Salvia apiana)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

This entire group of oils supports transitions on one or more levels – mental, emotional, energetic, or spiritual.

Full Moon Essential Oils Support Release

For example, galbanum and hyssop are excellent for shedding old ideas, beliefs, and behaviors. Myrtle and petitgrain help overcome destructive, obsessive, and addictive habits. Tea tree releases and clears residual mental and emotional stress once a new perspective is gained and actions are taken. Yarrow works on an energetic level. It reintegrates energy that has been disturbed through the process of change.

In my experience as a certified aromatherapist, fragonia is quintessential for release, whether orientating from deep-seated patterns and blockages, negative mental or emotional patterns, toxins, or suppressed feelings, ideas, or emotions.

Full Moon Essential Oils that Support Emotions

Some essential oils deal with the sadness and grief that often accompanies endings and transitions. Examples include bergamot, neroli (Citrus aurantium), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), sandalwood, marjoram (Oreganum marjorana), hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis). Sandalwood also helps one let go of worldly attachments.

Both rose and rosewood offer support with mental and emotional stress associated with grief and especially loss related to love, relationships, and personal attachments. Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) facilitates the release of fearful emotions and even those deep in the cellular memory.

Citruses are in general uplifting and instill optimism. For example, orange and tangerine, and to a lesser degree, bergamot. They bring emotional vitality to transitions. Tangerine allows one to realize change without a great amount of anxiety, drama, or trauma. Orange helps one detach from drama, expel negativity, and feel confident and courageous. It releases negativity and draws in positive energy. Bergamot helps one let go of the need to control and instead be open to new and uncertain situations.

Confidence and fortitude are often required for difficult transitions. These emotions are also associated with the Full Moon, letting go, and endings. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is an excellent essential oil to garner confidence, courage, and fortitude. Yarrow also instills courage.

Clearing and Detoxification

Smudging means clearing energy from a space, thing, or person. Specific herbs and essential oils have this capacity. The most notable examples are white sage, juniper berry, Virginia and Utah juniper berry, and cedarwood. These essential oils can also be used during the Full Moon.

Detoxification is another form of clearing. Some common detox essential oils are grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), lemon (Citrus limon), juniper berry (Juniperus communis), cypress, cedar (Cedrus atlantica), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). For more information, see my blog post on essential oils for detoxification.

How to Determine the Phase of the Moon

There are two easy ways to determine when the Full Moon is approaching. For the Northern Hemisphere:

When the moon is visible at night, the Full Moon is approaching.
When the moon’s dark or incomplete side is to the left and the moon is filling from right to left, the moon is waxing and a Full Moon is approaching. (The opposite is true for the southern hemisphere where the moon’s dark or incomplete side is to the right and the moon fills from left to right.)

Applications of Full Moon Essential Oils or Blend

How one uses a Full Moon blend of essential oils varies with beliefs and spiritual practices. Essential oils, essential oil blends, or dried herbs of the same plant or botanical species can be added to the ceremonies. (for more on clearing energy, see my Starchaser ebook on Smudging).

Dried Herbs

Note: Know the botanical name of the plant species because specific healing properties are associated with that species in particular. Dried herbs can be burnt along with traditional smudging herbs or sticks.

Essential Oils

Essential oils should not be burnt. They can be diffused using a proper essential oil diffuser (see beginner’s guide to simple inexpensive diffusers).

Diffuser Oils

Add diffuser oils to any ceremonial space. Just a few drops of the oil or a blend is sufficient because less is more when it comes to subtle aromatherapy. However, a ceremony isn’t necessary. You can set an intention for the lunar phase and use the diffuser oils during the phase. You can continue this process through various phases because the lunar cycle mirrors the process of change. The blend can be diffused a couple of days before the lunar phase begins for preparation and a couple of days after for continuity.

Personal Inhalers

Personal Inhalers provide an easy, convenient way to carry the blend with you over a few days during the lunar phase of choice. The supportive scent can be inhaled wherever desired.

Ritual Baths

Essential oils can be added to ritual baths. Baths are often the ritual of choice with the moon because of the intrinsic relationship between the moon and water. Use these wonderfully powerful natural substances safely.

Choose the right essential oil. Use only a few drops in a dispersant to ensure the oils and water mix or emulsify. For more detailed instructions, see our blog post on using essential oils in the bath.

With or without a Full Moon ceremony, always set a clear positive intention for a ritual bath.

Other Ways to Work With Intentions

One option is to write the intention down and place it in a special place such as a Reiki box, under a crystal grid, or in another special box or dish. It doesn’t matter where you place it. But the space should be treated as a special place (or a sacred place) with a special or designated purpose.

For Support With Letting Go, See:

Updated November 4, 2023

Integrated Coaching and Energy Healing

Essential Oils For The Full Moon