I started my love affair with moon magic a couple of years ago. I am, by my nature, very curious about magic. As a young child of school age, I was convinced I was a witch. This involved some pretty unsuccessful attempts at taking flight, impressive potion making and some half hearted hexing. It wasn’t until much later that I realised, to some degree, my suspicions were spot on.

I have always been very emotional. So, learning more about the moon cycles and how they have an effect on our emotions has been a path of clarity for me. Now I work with the constantly changing cycles of the moon and the emotions it evokes, rather than against it. This helps me to regain some power in an ever changing world. Nature is cyclical, we are nature, so it makes sense that our emotions also go in cycles. Following the phases of the moon allows us to review our intentions and revisit our dreams regularly.

The Earth moves around the Sun and the Moon moves around The Earth. A New Moon occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are all aligned and the Moon begins a new journey around the Earth. On 11 February 2021 we experience a New Moon so it stands to reason that this is a time to look at your goals and dreams, to set intentions and to plan in smalls steps during the month that will get you closer to your deepest desires. The New Moon opens us up to new opportunities and possibilities, the darkness starts to lift and we can start to see a way forward.

Dare to Dream Big

The New Moon is not a time for doing but rather a time for planning, preparing for a new adventure. This New Moon is in Aquarius this February, which encourages the pursuit of your greatest dreams and ambitions so think big! Can you envisage your dream life? If there was nothing standing in your way, you had no responsibilities or limiting beliefs, what would your dream life look like? Consider your location, work, habits, achievements, family, friends and hobbies…how does a normal day in your ideal life play out? Can you imagine it from the moment you wake until the moment you go to sleep? Don’t hold back, picture every little detail as if you are living it in this very moment.

Based on this big beautiful dream you can start to put together a type of vision board encompassing all the amazing aspects of your aspirations that you endeavour to bring into your life, all captured on paper (or Canva for the more technically minded of us!). This is you daring to dream big and it feels epic. Using the power of your mind with the possibilities of the moon energy is a very freeing experience indeed! Don’t get caught up in the detail, just allow your mind to run wild…all things are possible.

What is an intention?

Now that we’ve got the creative juices flowing and we are relishing in the joys of abundant possibility, let’s capture some of that magic on paper in the form of some heartfelt intentions. Let’s start by defining what an intention is. According to Collins Dictionary an intention is “an idea or plan of what you are going to do”.

Setting Intentions

Setting three or four intentions for the coming lunar cycle (29.5 days) helps to give focus and purpose to your hearts desires. Once you have an idea of your aspirations you can start to work towards them in the present moment. Having a focus to work towards your ambitions is extremely powerful and help you to live a more fulfilled present life. Let me give you an example. I want to live by the sea. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember but in the past I have allowed my limiting beliefs and excuses to block the path to my desires, convincing my mind that this can only ever be a pipe dream which in turn made me feel pretty unhappy with my present moment. So an intention of mine could be “I intend to walk along the river everyday” or perhaps “I intend to wild swim every week”. Do you see where I’m going with this?

The Power of Affirmation

Now you have some clear intentions to focus on let’s give them some super power by adding in daily affirmations. These are very different to intentions. An affirmation is a statement or declaration that something is true. By using affirmations we are convincing the mind that we are already achieving and living out our deepest desires. We allow our minds to see the possible rather than the impossible.

When creating an affirmation we need to follow some basic rules. Write your declaration positively in the present tense, as though you are already achieving the state you desire. For example, “I love and accept myself just as I am”. Second rule, make sure that it feels true. The mind can recognise a lie a mile off and will be sorely displeased with any deception! So if “I love and respect myself just as I am” is a bit too much of a stretch right now, then try adding in a continuance such as “I am beginning to love and respect myself just as I am”. This feels a bit better, right? Revisit your affirmations on the next new moon and change any that are not working for you or that you have grown out of to keep them powerful.

Want to learn more?

Self led learning is so important for growth and self worth. I am a huge advocate and encourage anyone with a passion for something to pursue it…it’s come to you for a reason. I can highly recommend the book Lunar Living by Kirsty Gallagher to get you started with your lunar adventure https://www.yellowkitebooks.co.uk/titles/kirsty-gallagher/lunar-living/9781529398229/ If you’d like to know more about working with the moon phases, intentions and affirmations I can highly recommend The Urban Priestess and her incredible Sisters of The Moon Membership. You can find out more about her here https://linktr.ee/urbanpriestess. As for me, I am offering meditations, guidance, yoga and mentoring. You can find me here www.instagram.com/sankalpayogawithsarah www.facebook.com/sankalpayogawithsarah

Photo by Wellington Cunha from Pexelshttps://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-3d-moon-lamp-led-lights-decoration-2479882/