Waxing Moon rituals harness the energy of the waxing phase of the lunar cycle to improve focus and reinforce intentions about undertaking something new. This could be a new relationship, job, hobby, routine, etc.
Rituals help you align with and benefit from the energetic content of your current context, manage your commitment, take note and celebrate your successes, and internalize your desired change.
Fortunately, if you work with the lunar cycle and the quality of energy available to you during this particular phase, you can garner its support, galvanize your progress, and ably manage any adversity.
The Moon Cycle and Change
The lunar cycle serves as a good guide for the process of change. Its sequential phases (New, Waxing, Full, and Waning) map out the type of energy and actions typically required to navigate change.
The moon transitions through its monthly cycle that starts with one New Moon and ends with the onset of the next New Moon. The first phase of the lunar cycle is the time to initiate something new. Then, in accordance with its regular pattern, the moon travels through a full cycle. As it does, its form and energy changes following a predictable pattern. Each phase of the lunar cycle has its distinct energetic and metaphysical qualities.
During the waxing phase (7.38 days), the light of the moon increases from the right side to the left, and ultimately becomes a fully illuminated sphere (Full Moon).
The Metaphysical Meaning of the Waxing Moon Phase
Shepherding Something New
Starting something new is often exciting. However, novelty and the accompanying uncertainty can create a sense of vulnerability and trepidation as well. As a result, doubts and self-talk can creep in as we incur some hiccups and obstacles while moving forward with the new plan.
As the moon grows from a thin crescent, to a semicircle, and on to a full sphere, its energetic intensity increases. As it does, its character also changes.
Growth and Expansion
Initially, in sink with the growing luminosity, the moon’s energy grows more intensely transformational. It supports the growth and expansion related to your intentions and desired change and forward motion.
Consequently, enthusiasm and expectations can run high. Over this brief period, it’s easier to maintain commitment and take bigger and bolder steps toward the fulfillment of your goals.
However, that quality of lunar support begins to diminish as the light grows. From the half-moon point until it becomes full, the moon is more complete than empty. The energy that had supported newness and forward motion, diminishes as the qualities of the full moon increasingly take hold. At this stage, obstacles may appear more pronounced and progress may appear to slow.
Overcoming Obstacles
Impatience, doubt, and resistance may seep in, potentially creating internal confusion and conflict. Negative self-talk may dominate at this stage.
Fortunately, the clearing energy associated with the full moon strengthens and facilitates the release of the limiting beliefs and blockages that constrain the realization of your intentions. Consequently, the energy shifts from genesis to release in order to create more space and opportunity.
This works well provided you pay attention and then catch and release those constraining thoughts (see Releasing Limiting Beliefs virtual workshop).
Waxing Moon Rituals
The three rituals included here align with the energies of the Waxing Moon, and in so doing, reinforce your intentions and likelihood of actualization. But, remember, change is always a process, and rarely linear.
These waxing moon rituals will offer you opportunities to reflect, acknowledge progress, envision options, imagine new solutions, and remain agile throughout the process.
Here, we’ll look at three Waxing Moon rituals to support you through the process of actualizing something new.
1. Journaling – Tracking Progress, Gratitude, and Opportunities Journal
Journal writing helps you track progress and appreciate your successes. Use this time and energy to reflect and wonder. Through this process, identify helpful lessons learned and unexpected opportunities that can help you secure the goals you hope to achieve and are working to fulfill.These will initially be those you set on the New Moon.
When you note the need to alter the plan or process, make sure to break your new plans and action steps down into manageable ones. With the experience you’ve gain create more doable steps, even if they need to be to baby steps.
Keep in mind, a process of many small steps or measures, can result in numerous smaller success that cumulatively feel like many successes. Collectively, these smaller steps can build confidence and enthusiasm. This could amount to greater progress achieved over time.
2. Metaphor Work: Tap Into the Creative Mind
The thinking mind depends heavily on past experiences and the expected outcomes based on those experiences. In addition, it naturally seeks out potential obstacles and frustrations. It’s part of its safety and survival response.
However, the real power of a metaphor in the context of change is its ability to evoke your curiosity, open your focus, and help you think outside of the box. You can use this state to shift your mind and wander within your imagination, tantalizing the more spacious, curious, and creative side of you. In so doing, new opportunities and solutions are revealed.
Brief Illustration of Metaphor Work
The process is simple. Quickly pick something that grabs your attention right now. Jot down some notes and fully describe what you selected and why.
Ask yourself what does it feel like, taste like, and sound like? Does it symbolize anything? For example, the color yellow implies sunshine and grey suggests cloudiness, dullness, or impartiality?
Does it have a mood?
Next, within the text, substitute in an obstacle you’re facing for the object you just described. Some of the resulting notes may seem odd or silly when associated with your obstacle. That’s OK. Just make the substitution.
When finished, read through the description with an open and curious mind. Don’t disregard what sounds a bit nonsensical. Instead, allow your mind to wander into it and be creative.
Consider the way you see the obstacle now. Do you gain some perspective? Does it help you move forward?
3. Thought Work: Let Go of Limiting Beliefs
Limiting beliefs are those thoughts or beliefs that cause you to doubt, hold back, and overlook opportunities and solutions.
We all have thoughts and beliefs that contribute to our decision-making process and guide us through life. Many are enabling.
But, sometimes our thoughts create an obstacle and hold us back from moving forward. As difficult as it may be, we need to challenge them and their rigidity. This shift is necessary to achieve success and fulfill our intentions.
Thought work is often essential during the latter part of the waxing moon phase. A this point, it’s important that you catch your limiting thoughts through reflective processes and challenge what you feel is intrinsically real, factual, and inflexible so that you can open to alternatives and new opportunities. (See my releasing limiting beliefs in-person or virtual workshop to learn and practice a simple method).
Your Next Steps
You now know that you can work with the lunar cycle and the changing quality of the moon’s energy available to you during each lunar phase. And, you have practices to harness Waxing Moon energy.
While the New Moon is for the initiation of something new, the waxing moon phase can shepherd and reinforce its full manifestation. And, now you have three Waxing Moon rituals to support you through the process.
In sum, if you work with the lunar cycle and the quality of energy available to you during this particular phase, you can gain its support, boost your progress, and manage obstacles and limitations.
If You Want Or Need Support In Moving Something New Forward
- Mind Body Spirit Blog lunar posts on new, waxing, full, and waning moon energies
- Personal Growth, Natural Healing, and Wellness Workshops, in particular, Releasing Limiting Beliefs
- Clearing Energy With Smudging ebook
- Spiritual Life Coaching or Energy Healing sessions.
Updated December 28, 2023
