For as long as I can remember, the moon has been more than just a glowing orb in the night sky—it has been a steady guide, a silent companion. Whether I was a child concocting “potions” from rainwater and dirt or a teenager anxiously flipping to the horoscope pages in CosmoGIRL! and YM, the moon’s rhythms always pulled me in. Over time, this fascination blossomed into a deeper understanding: the moon’s cycles mirror the rhythms of our bodies, spirits, and the world itself. Today, I align my life around her phases—using the New Moon to set intentions and the Full Moon to release what no longer serves me.
But this connection isn’t new, nor is it a modern trend to hop on. It’s a remembering—an ancestral memory rooted in traditions that predate capitalism and colonialism. For Black women and femmes especially, moving with the moon is a powerful return to an ancient way of being. Before our worth was tied to productivity or shaped by societal pressures, our ancestors lived in harmony with natural cycles. The moon was not just a celestial body; she was an elder, a guide, a portal to deep wisdom.
The Moon’s Pull: A Guide Through Life’s Cycles
Have you ever felt that urgent need to purge—whether it’s old clothes, toxic relationships, or worn-out habits—only to glance at the calendar and realize it’s a full moon? Or found yourself retreating into stillness as a new moon rises? These moments of instinctual alignment aren’t coincidences; they are the moon’s call, guiding us toward balance.
For centuries, Black communities, especially those linked to West African and diasporic roots, have honored the moon through rituals and daily life. Lunar phases dictated planting cycles, intention-setting, energy cleansing, and protection practices. The New Moon symbolized planting seeds and envisioning new possibilities. The Full Moon marked release and renewal. These rituals weren’t merely symbolic—they were acts of survival, healing, and liberation.
Reclaiming Lunar Wisdom in a Disconnected World
How do we reclaim this wisdom in a culture that constantly pulls us away from ourselves? By remembering that the moon is always there, waiting for us to reconnect.
New Moon: The Seed of Intention
The New Moon is the inhale before the exhale—the blank canvas, the quiet before movement. This phase invites us to plant seeds for what we want to grow in our lives. What dreams are you ready to nurture? What intentions do you want to call into being?
For Black femmes navigating a world that demands endless output yet often offers little in return, the New Moon is permission to want. To dream. To manifest abundance unapologetically. This phase isn’t about hustle; it’s about alignment—making space for what genuinely belongs in your life.
New Moon rituals can be simple yet powerful: writing down intentions, lighting a white candle for purity and balance, taking a cleansing bath with herbs like rosemary or basil, or sitting quietly to invite guidance from ancestors. Clarity is key—the universe responds best when you’re specific about what you’re calling in.
Waxing Moon: The Build and Action
If the New Moon plants the seed, the Waxing Moon is where growth happens. This phase supports momentum, urging us to take steps that align with our intentions. But it also calls for honesty: Are your actions reflecting what you say you want?
Maybe you desire ease but are burning out. Or you want peace but aren’t setting boundaries. Perhaps opportunities are knocking, but you hesitate to open the door. The Waxing Moon invites you to practice integrity—say yes to what nurtures you and no to what drains you. Every small, aligned step adds up, even if the full picture isn’t yet visible.
Full Moon: The Illuminating Mirror
The Full Moon shines a bright light on everything—our triumphs and shadows alike. She reveals what we’ve been avoiding, not to punish but to help us heal and grow. Old wounds may surface; limiting beliefs become clear. If you find yourself overwhelmed or emotional during this time, know it’s the moon’s energy working through you.
This phase calls for release. Write down what no longer serves you—fear, self-doubt, outdated versions of yourself—and symbolically let it go by burning, tearing, or burying the list. Cleanse your space with salt, take a restorative bath, move your body, and trust that clearing out creates room for new blessings.
Waning Moon: The Exhale and Rest
In a culture that glorifies hustle, the Waning Moon reminds us that rest is not a luxury but a necessity. As the moon shrinks, so should our energy output. This is a time for slowing down, reassessing, and integrating the lessons from the cycle.
For Black femmes, rest is revolutionary. The world often pressures us to prove our worth through constant productivity, but the Waning Moon says: stop. Nourish yourself. Heal. Come home to your body and spirit. Let yourself simply be.
The Gift of Moving with the Moon
Reconnecting with the moon isn’t about perfection or Instagram-worthy rituals. It’s about remembering a rhythm that has always existed within us. It’s about returning to a deeper alignment with ourselves and the natural world.
So next time the moon’s pull tugs at your spirit—whether it whispers at the New Moon or shines fiercely at the Full Moon—pause. Listen. Trust that ancient wisdom coursing through you. Move with it.
Because this guidance has always been yours, waiting patiently for you to come home.
