Affected by Lunar Cycles

Art provided by Carrie Elizabeth Wachter Martinez at CaraMiaBella

Do you ever find yourself affected by the changes of the moon?  You may not notice, but the lunar cycle has a huge effect on the state of your emotions.

As a teacher, I swear by the moon.  Working around many different energies, both from the children and adults, it's impossible to miss.  When things are bonkers all around, I wonder what could possibly be going on to make everyone so stressed and frustrated.  And, sure enough, when I check the calendar, I see that we are approaching the full moon.

It's a full-moon week, so I thought it would be fun to analyze the cycles of the moon to see what it brings us and how we can prepare for the changes to come.

Mini-Science Lesson

First, let me quickly explain how the moon cycle works. 

From grade 6 science class, you know that the moon orbits around the earth, right?  That means, the earth is in one spot (rotating on its axis, of course), but the moon is going around the earth continuously.  The light we see is actually the sun's doing.  The sun shines on the moon, and what we see is what the sun is lighting up.  So, as the moon goes about orbiting the earth, the sun is shining its light from different angles, all depending on where the moon is in terms of the earth.

The tides are affected by the phases of the moon because there is a gravitational pull from the moon.  Just look at what happens to wine during wine-making at the different phases of the moon to visibly see this process in action.  Since we are made up of mostly water, it is said that this magnetic pull also affects humans.

Freaky, no?

Phases of the Moon

What we see of the moon is given a different name.  You see these symbols on most calendars these days (because the calendar-makers know how we love to know when we're going to expect craziness!)

• New Moon - This is not just the title of one of the books in the Twilight Series.  This is first part of the phase (or the last, depending on how you look at it) when the moon is actually not visible to us.   
• Waxing Crescent - This is the shape that we learn to associate with the moon - you drew this in kindergarten.
• Half Moon
• Waxing Gibbous
• Full Moon - This cannot be missed.
• Waning Gibbous
• Half Moon again (only the other half)
• Waning Crescent - The other half crescent that we know
• New Moon (see, I told you it would come back)

And, this cycle repeats monthly. 

How the Lunar Cycle Affects Your Mood and How to Nurture Yourself

• New Moon - This is the time in the month when we are at our lowest energy level.  It's when we want to avoid going to our yoga class (oh, that might just be me), or have a hard time getting up in the morning.  Some people experience feelings of depression and sadness along with this phase of the moon.  To nurture yourself, accept that you feel this way and that it will pass.  Be gentle with yourself.  Sip warm tea.  Read.  Knit.  Take time with and for yourself without guilt. Things only look up from here.
• Waxing Crescent - This is the phase where we start to pick ourselves up from those low feelings brought about the New Moon.  We begin to feel more positive and enthusiastic about projects.  To nurture yourself through this phase, eat healthily and surround yourself with positive energy - good friends and family always do the trick.
• Half Moon - You will start feeling more energy in this phase and you will become motivated.  Do you have projects that you would like to complete?  Start planning them now.  This will be so nourishing to your body and spirit in preparation for the next phase.
• Full Moon - Holy crow.  You have put the pedal to the metal and you are accelerating like nothing we've ever seen!  Your emotional energy is at its highest during the Full Moon - for everyone, actually.  You might find yourself involved in conflicts and feel more explosive because everyone else is feeling the exact same way!   If you have projects planned, now is the time to tackle them since you are full of energy.  Exercise and eat right to help balance that wild energy.
• Half Moon - This is the calm after the storm.  You're going to feel yourself winding down after all of that productivity and craziness.  Nurture yourself by detoxifying.  Drink warm water and lemon tea in the morning.  And remember those conflicts during the Full Moon?  This is a great time to confront the people involved because you are much more level-headed.
• Waning Moon - Sometimes, this part of the moon cycle brings on anxiety and fears.  You must care for yourself as you prepare for the New Moon.  If you don't take care of those worries, they will get heavier during the New Moon.  Things to do: journal, meditate, talk to a close friend or a professional. 
• New Moon (see above)

Next time you're feeling depleted or, conversely, highly revved-up, instead of howling at the moon, nourish yourself accordingly.

How you find yourself affected by the lunar cycle?


Resources for you:

Effect of the Moon's Eight Phases on Your Personal Reality (neat chart)
Moon Phases (with images)
Wisdom of the Menstrual Cycle (how the moon affects women's cycles by Dr. Christiane Northrup)


Related article on this blog:

Regulating Emotions with Flower Essences