After a year of lockdowns, canceled plans and little choice of things to do, there’s every chance that the new proposed freedom may feel slightly overwhelming. With much of our gaze turned inwards over the past year, the invitation for outward expression may well be causing disconnect and the sense of abandoning self. If you have been feeling torn about what to do, overwhelmed by all that there is to do and totally confused as to whether you even want to do anything at all.., you are not alone!
Luckily, this New Moon is here to invite you to take a step back from that and connect within to find the answers you’re looking for. With the moon’s light hidden from the sky, the New Moon is a beautiful reminder that it is time to shine our own light within. Just as the moon ebbs and flows in phases of both outward and inward expression, our cyclic nature encourages us to take the same journey.
The New Moon is a marker point to help us re-centre and re-evaluate what has been working for us in the past moon phase and what we would like to invite into the next. This is why it is often referred to as the “intention-setting” phase. The perfect opportunity to step back from disconnect, overwhelm and confusion, it’s a reminder that all the answers lie within, so long as we tune in close enough to hear them.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the New Moon to reconnect.
Take a moment to pause.
Unlike the full moon, which can often feel a little chaotic, the new moon invites in stillness and rest. With the darkness of the sky, energy may be lower and it’s best to honour that. Where you can, schedule time for stillness to allow yourself to just be without having to complete anything. This may feel counter-intuitive with everything that is going on in the external world right now, but it’s hugely beneficial in finding inner peace.
Meditate
Now that you have taken the time to slow down a little, take the next step of tuning in deeper. Whether you prefer to opt for guided meditations, sit in silence, or perform a meditative activity, just take a moment to listen to all that you may be disconnected from. There doesn’t have to be any agenda, just simply take note of all that arises in the quiet.
Free Journaling
An incredibly powerful practice that invites everything from the mind to flow down onto paper, without any censoring or controlling, free journaling is a popular mindfulness practice. It’s a great way to release the mental chatter that often leads to overwhelm and anxious thoughts. For the New Moon, it is a great idea to take a moment to think on this past moon phase and release everything that comes to mind onto the paper. That way, you can take a real and honest within.
Intention setting
Now that you have allowed everything within to bubble to the surface, it’s time to set intentions based on what you would like to take into the next moon phase. From a grounded, centered place write down the words “I intend to….” and then complete the sentence with something that you want to bring into existence. You can do this as many times as you like.
Sip cacao
Cacao can be a powerful way to cement your intention, with its heart-opening properties. Take a few moments to bring an intention into the forefront of your mind, take a sip and be present with it as you enjoy the taste. Repeat this process as many times as you need to until you feel at ease with your intentions.
If you want to add some cacao to your New Moon ritual, you can buy some here.