Lunar Cycles: 30 Days Of Moon Meditations

If we want to align our 30-day journey with the lunar month then this meditation is our preparation day! We'll explore the transition from light to dark, this simple meditation will help us restfully transition from day to night ready for new moon tomorrow. If you would prefer to simply work through the 30 in your own time, then that's absolutely fine! I'll work through the next 29 day as I follow through the lunar phases - but you can simply envisage in your meditation each moon phase. I will follow the major lunar phases with meditations during this journey, but also, betwixt these major phases we'll have time to explore other lunar delights; including mythology and folklore.

The night sky is at its darkest at the time of the New Moon. For around three days during each lunar cycle, after the Moon has waned, just a ghost of an outline can be seen in the sky. New Moons are new beginnings, a fresh start. The New Moon is a beautiful time to set goals and intentions for the forthcoming cycle, and reflect on what you hope to achieve. Meditation and reflection can be useful, though, as you explore questions, emotions or concerns that require time for you to process. A time to plant seeds of intentions and watch them grow as the Moon grows brighter in the sky through the month.

To our naked eye - each moon phase will appear for around two days - so tonight it may still look like a new moon or just a sliver of light. So, tonight lets connect to the goddesses of the moon to seek guidance and inspiration. In this meditation you'll meet: Arianrhod (Celtic) - Weaving her silver wheel, weaving the threads of our fates, Selene (Greek) - the Titan goddess of the moon and is said to drive her glowing chariot powered by beautiful white horses across the sky each night. She has powers to harness the ability to awaken dreams and intuition, Artemis (Greek) - goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, the Moon.

In today's meditation, as we move gently towards Waxing Crescent moon; we will do some work with the breath, in the yogic tradition, this is known as Pranayama. Prana is sacred energy, the life force that we draw in with every breath, and energy we can harness to refresh, relax and inspire!

The moon represents many things to the Witch; goddess, divine feminine, feminine power, cycles of energy. You may well have heard the term 'Drawing Down the Moon' which is an essential ritual in many pagan and witch traditions. Where the spirit of the Goddess is invoked. Harnessing the power of each moon phase can help connect with your powers. And makes for some beautiful spells and rituals. In today's meditation, we'll journey into a beautiful garden and enjoy a little magic!

Waxing Crescent is a time to begin exploring your dreams, moving forward with courage and faith. In today's meditation we'll think about visualising your dream life; what do you feel​, what qualities are present?

We'll go through all the seasonal full moons in between the phases of the moon, so this wont be happening​ in the night sky during our journey (well, one will, depending on the month!) but are for you to learn more about the myth and story around​ the names of the full moons. Early Native Americans tribes didn’t record time using months of the calendar year. But instead, to keep track of the seasons and lunar months; they gave each full moon a nickname. Many of the names relate to events in the natural world or farming that took place at the time. Although names could differ from tribe to tribe. Colonial Americans adopted some of the moon names and applied them to their own calendar system, and they are still often mentioned in relation to farming. January can be known as Wolf Moon as hungry​ wolves would howl at the full moon in the cold months of the new year.

The phase of the First Quarter Moon marks the halfway point between the New Moon and the approaching Full Moon. Like the equinoxes during the calendar year, Quarter Moons are a moment of equilibrium, and a time for deliberate, thoughtful action as we tip over into a new phase.

February is the snowiest month in America, hence the name for Snow moon. And our meditation today will embrace some snowy imagery! Alternative names: Hunger Moon (hunting is hard in snowy weather, so both man and wolf were going hungry in the early months of the year).

The moon is growing brighter and as we continue our journey to fullness - gather and hold momentum in your actions. As the moon's light grows and blooms, so do your personal goals. A great time to check in with your goals, lists and baby steps.

As temperatures begin to warm in March, birds are more active as they are beginning to find food (mostly earthworms!). This moon is also known as crow moon, and sap moon. As animals and trees are bursting once more into life. Our meditation today is themed around this rising. This morning meditation will allow us to rise with the sun, birds, trees, floating, flying up into the sky!

As we continue our journey to fullness - gather and hold momentum in your actions. As the moon's light grows and blooms, so do your personal goals. Our meditation today will see us visualizing a flower unfurling at crown Chakra - known in Sanskrit as Sahasrara.

Aprils Full Moon is the Pink Moon, thought to be named after pink wildflowers, which appear in the US and Canada in early spring. But pink is also a colour connected with love and the heart chakra; which will be our meditation theme today. A chakra is a point of energy within the body, an area that we can bring our awareness and intention towards - often represented as a lotus flower.

May heralds the beginning of Spring, and flowers and colourful blooms dot the landscape. These beautiful flowers will be the inspiration for our meditation journey today. Alternative names: Bright Moon, this full moon is known to be one of the brightest.

This lunar stage has the potential for great power. Whilst the moon generally represents calming energy, now it is reflecting the full light of the sun: a more heightened, dynamic energy is occurring. Just as the Full Moon draws the tides higher, it can also heighten our emotions. So depending on how you are already feeling you may feel more positive or more hopeful, or you might feel more anger or more frustrations. Try and bear that in mind if you are feeling emotions strongly over a full moon. The Full Moon is a chance to be thankful for everything we have, a time of growth and gratitude. The bright light of the Full Moon can illuminate elements of our lives. And this can feel good if your plans are coming into fruition or challenging if that extra light is highlighting cracks in relationships or arrangements. This is an excellent time to do rituals addressing personal and spiritual growth.

June's full moon is the Strawberry Moon - Ripe fruits are appearing in the land and summer is here! a time for celebration and gratitude in the abundance of the natural world. Mindful eating exercise: Here we are going to practise paying attention mindfully with a small piece of fruit, strawberry or another piece of fruit. We will use all five senses to observe and take in every aspect of the fruit. The key to this exercise is in setting an intention to bring your awareness fully to the fruit. No matter how many times you try this exercise, set an intention to be curious and open attitude about what this moment has to offer. Just go with the process of paying attention and see what happens!

July is the Thunder Moon - as temperatures rise summer thunderstorms make the sky electric! Can we find calm even when thunder cracks around us? The Mountain Meditation is based on a very classic meditation by John Kabat-Zinn. We'll imagine a majestically tall mountain and contemplate how grounded, still, solid and stable the mountain is throughout the changing seasons. At times the mountain may be clouded over, its peak covered in fog. Sometimes the mountain is assaulted with thunder, lightning, and heavy rains. Sometimes it rises into a clear blue sky or a few white puffy clouds. At times it is covered in snow, at times with lush foliage, and at other times it is barren. Throughout, it remains stable and unaffected by the changing weather or seasons. Let this stable quality of the mountain nourish your concentration and your ability to sit through all the varying experiences that arise while practising this meditation.

…And breathe! Time to regroup, relax and accept. This is a time to reflect on what you have discovered on your journey thus far. And our meditation on day 18 will help us explore what we have learnt and what our next steps might be. You'll have a chance to make notes at the end of this meditation, so if you wish, bring a notepad and pen to with you to your meditation space.

The full moon of August is called the Sturgeon moon, as the natural world offers abundance in both plant and animal life (alternative names for this full moon are grain moon, barley moon and fruit moon). We'll explore the abundance of the earth during August with a connection to water - as we dip our head beneath the surface the world becomes quiet...

We'll connect with our waning moon energy today with a practice in stillness; with Yin Yoga. A very slow, easeful, stretching practice. The Yin Yoga poses we will do are: Undoing Pose, Twisted Roots Reclining Goddess/Butterfly.

Reflect under the September full moon: The Harvest Moon. We'll be journeying through this harvest with the help of the Native American; Corn Mother Goddess. She'll invite you to consider what you've worked for, where has your path led you? What fruit has grown from your actions?

Today we'll be setting down our ​armour with warrior goddess Freya under the Full Hunters Moon. Freyja is the Queen and Commander of the Valkyries. Some of her connections are said to be devotion, strength, the sun, the moon, love, luck, and protection. She a Goddess of great power and magickal knowledge. In charge of love, fertility, and death, Freyja rules over the land of Folkvangr as Queen, and there she receives the souls of half of those that die in battle (The other half go to Odin's hall in Valhalla.) Freyja, which translates as "lady," had many roles in the ancient Norse belief system. Freyja is credited with teaching witchcraft to other gods and humans. Freya was skilled in Seidr - A Norse term for sorcery; The practice of seidr is a form of magic relating to the telling and shaping of the future.

Once more we return to the quarter moon. The last time we were at this point of balance was day 8 for the first quarter. Now as we return to this point of balance, we are in the 'west' of our cycle, light is dimming, just as in Autumn.

What if the world, just for a moment, was frozen in time? Could you enjoy pressing pause on the busyness of the world and just taking time to be still? In November, we are invited to rest in the winter's dark under a frosted moon

This final period of the waning moon is often the most challenging period of the lunar cycle for those of us who are used to a fast-paced world, as it calls for us to slow down and reflect. You may want to reflect on the steps you wish to take next. Review and learn what you can from things that have gone well and things that have not gone so well. A goddess of ancient Greece called Hekate may have some insight for us...

Under the light of the Cold Moon, we meet the Goddess of Winter; The Cailleach (pronounced Kal-ee-ach). Like the soundless owl and the snow itself, we will move soundlessly over mountains as the Cailleach sweeps her white mantle over the land.

A few days before the New Moon, the moon goes "Balsamic," which is the very last little sliver of the waning moon before it disappears from view and goes dark. As you wind down and complete a month-long lunar cycle, the Balsamic Moon reminds you to let go of draining commitments, toxic relationships, and anything else that does not serve you.

Blue Moon - A blue moon is the second full moon in a month. It happens roughly once every two and a half years. An astrological blue moon is a full moon amplified, a bright light in which to glean deeper insight into who we are. Its energy is expressive and dynamic, making it a good time to do what’s needed to bring things to fruition and focus our intent. If we decide to use the energy of a blue moon to our advantage we can achieve great things with it and forge a positive, productive and authentic future.

Journey with the stars and moon: as the moon journeys across the night sky and through a full lunation, she shines her own magic. And we have journeyed full circle, glowing in her light, carrying the wisdom of every phase, and embracing the beauty of where the journey has brought us.

Back to the beginning! and back to the dark skies. The lunar cycle, like the days, the seasons of the year is cyclical, there will always be a return to teh light, but we can also enjoy the dark. This is a chance​ to rest, reflect and regroup and this meditation is a simple one to relax within. ​