How to Live in Rhythm with the Moon
Creating ritual around, and harnessing the power of, the Moon’s phases and transits.
“There is no human life that isn’t like the cycles of the Moon. Where we are on the up and up for the first half of the cycle, and then we are waning, and then there are three days and three nights of every metaphorical month where the Moon disappears and you don’t know what’s going on. And you think you’re supposed to know what’s going on all the time. But no, no. You’re just meant to not know. If you did know something it would be the wrong thing.”
Our society conditions us to believe we should keep going at the same pace every day, as if our energy should be steady, predictable, and always operating at a high level.
But that’s not how being human actually works. Our bodies, our moods, and our energy all ebb and flow, just like the world around us.
Paying attention to natural cycles can be a relief. They remind us that rest, growth, and change are essential parts of life. We start moving with the shifts, rather than resisting them.
Following nature’s rhythms also helps us unlearn the grip of toxic productivity and step outside the demands of a system that equates worth with output.
The Moon’s Cycle & Phases
If you’re longing to be more in sync with nature’s rhythms, following the Moon’s cycle is a simple place to start.
Every 29.5 days the Moon moves through eight phases, giving us a rhythm that is:
Consistent ~ the cycle repeats on time.
Accessible ~ it’s easy to follow, no special tools required.
Frequent ~ phases shift every few days, unlike other natural cycles that unfold slowly across seasons or years.
When I began my “lunar living” practice, I just focused on the two most notable Moon phases: the New Moon and Full Moon. I would mark their dates on my calendar, reflect on what the astro girlies were saying, and played around with some tarot spreads. Over time I really noticed this practice began to have a positive systemic effect on my sense of balance and my psycho-spiritual growth.
In the next sections I’ll talk more about practice, ritual, and cartomancy, but first I’d like to share some basic notes about these two Moon phases.
🌚 The New Moon
intention setting
planting seeds
new beginnings
time of renewal
When the Sun and Moon come together and the Sun is in front of the Moon, we have a New Moon. The days leading up to a New Moon are good for introspection and turning inward. And the New Moon itself calls on us to commit to what we want to grow and expand in our lives. It can also be an auspicious time to deepen our alignment with our values.
Soul Healing Astrology refers to New Moons as “sacred pauses - invitations to turn inward, heal old wounds, and plant new seeds for emotional and spiritual growth.”
🌝 The Full Moon
culmination
releasing what no longer serves you
reaping the harvest of the New Moon seeds you planted
honoring your progress
When the Sun and Moon are exactly opposite each other in the sky, we get the Full Moon, the peak of the lunar cycle. It’s the brightest night of the month, illuminating more than just the sky. The Full Moon can bring about high energy and new revelations, and bring to light where we can make conscious choices about how to direct our energies.
Practice | Ritual
When we talk about practice, it’s the steady, repeated actions we return to over time. Ritual is practice done with intention, with symbolic weight.
Trying to implement a practice can get us into tricky territory. It can trigger that mindset of always needing to optimize or push ourselves harder, which isn’t the goal here. At the same time, a goal without a plan is just a dream, and practice is what brings it to life.
The sweet spot is creating structure that feels supportive rather than demanding. Think of it as a rhythm to return to, not another thing to add to your to do list.
Ritual is what can give your practice its depth. Meaning and intention transform an ordinary act into something that resonates on a deeper level. A ritual can be as simple as lighting a candle before you journal, or as layered as creating a Full Moon ceremony. There’s no right way to do it. You can bring as much or as little symbolism into it as feels true for you.
At its heart, ritual is about being present and infusing everyday actions with meaning. It doesn’t need to be elaborate to be powerful.
Casting with Cartomancy
Whether through tarot or oracle cards, cartomancy can be a beautiful complement to your lunar living practice. The Moon gives us a rhythm to follow, and the cards can offer a mirror for reflection within that rhythm.
On the New Moon, you can ask the cards to reveal:
What is ready to emerge
What energy you need to cultivate/the seeds you need to plant
And the blocks that might get in the way.
On the Full Moon, you can ask the cards to illuminate:
What has come to light in the past Moon cycle
What is ready to be released
And how you can honor and celebrate your growth
A simple three-card spread during these two prominent Moon phases can open meaningful space for reflection and intention, turning your practice into ritual by drawing on the wisdom of the cards.
Working with the Transiting Moon and Your “Big 3”
[adapted from Benebell Wen’s Metaphysician’s Day Planner]
A “transiting Moon” simply means that on a given date, the Moon is moving through one of the twelve zodiac signs. She changes signs every two to three days, and when she aligns with key points in your birth chart—your Sun, Moon, or Rising sign—it can be especially powerful.
These three placements, often called your “Big 3,” each carry their own kind of influence. When the Moon moves through them, you may notice different energies arise:
Moon transiting your Sun sign: These dates often bring a surge of productivity. It’s a good time to focus on personal or work-related goals and get things done.
Moon transiting your Moon sign: Intuition runs stronger here. These are ideal days for ritual, meditation, divination, or any practice that connects you to your inner world and spiritual life.
Moon transiting your Rising sign: This transit highlights self-development and personal empowerment. It’s a supportive time for life planning, inner work, or even shadow work—anything that helps you realign with your path.
Want to learn more?
I created this guide to support you in deepening your practice of lunar living. Inside, you’ll find:
A clear overview of the eight phases of the Moon and how each phase supports different kinds of intention, action, and rest
Expanded ritual ideas for the New Moon and Full Moon to help you work with them more intentionally
Step-by-step instructions for syncing with my Orbit & Seasons calendar, for important lunar, celestial, and seasonal dates to be added directly to your own calendar
A Note about Beginning Your Lunar Living Practice
If you choose to start working with the Moon, you don’t have to track everything at once. Start slow by choosing just one phase to follow, or simply notice when the Moon transits through your Sun, Moon or Rising signs.
Whichever approach you take, mark down the dates in a way that works for you. Maybe that’s decorating a Hobonichi spread (I’ve joined that bandwagon myself) or simply setting a reminder in your phone. I also bought some little moon and zodiac stickers for my journal. Get creative with it. The point is to make it yours, and to let the practice grow slowly rather than forcing too much at once.
Astrologers Worth Following
I want to share a few of the astrologers I trust and turn to the most, especially when it comes to following the Moon. They each bring their own wisdom and perspective, and I always find their insights grounding and inspiring.
This post is offered for educational and reflective purposes only, and is not intended as medical or mental health care. Please see the full Disclaimer for details.
