We rise with the tides. And when they recede, we join the mother. The vast ocean. During the dark moon, we turn inward, like the receding tides. We go back to her, and we take in, integrate, and absorb all of the nourishment we received when our waves reached, touched, became part of, the land.
Dark to Light: Understanding the Lunar Cycle
The dark phase is the time for the quiet, private, internal work that takes place behind the scenes.
We spend the darkening phase of the moon cycle actively integrating and contemplating the lessons learned during the active phase.
We turn inward to integrate lessons learned.
We turn inward to nourish and nurture.
We turn inward so that we can see clearly the work required of us during the coming bright lunar phase.
The dark lunar period ends with Amavasya, the no moon, or new moon, day.
The new moon marks the transition from dark to light in the lunar cycle.
It acts as the boundary, transition point, from low tide, to rising tide.
In the Vedic tradition, transition points, or thresholds, mark the shift between phases.
Transition points are thought to be sacred.
We honor them through pause, reflection, meditation, devotion, and sacred contemplative action.
On the actual day of Amavasya (new moon), we take pause.
This is a time associated with going inward and intention setting.
This is also a day associated with ancestor rituals.
If you have an ancestor practice, this is a fine day to make offerings, to learn about, or to spend time with your ancestors (if you feel called, I have an on-demand class on this in my class listings).
Moon rituals can also be observed for the new moon.
We set intentions during this time for the brightening half of the moonth.
Considering the themes of the current planetary transits, along with your life and your goals, what is it that you plan to grow, to work toward, while the moon grows?
What is it that you are to accomplish with the help of this nourishing force?
What seeds are you planting that will be watered while the bright moon overflows?
As she swells and nourishes, we do as well. Giving to our projects, our growth, our relationships.
What aspects of life are calling for you? How can you incorporate these themes into your process moving forward?
You can write your goals, these seeds that you are planting, down on a piece of paper in red ink on the new moon day. You can place this on your altar, or in another special place, maybe where the moonlight will reach. You could even place this folded paper beneath an actual plant that you will nourish and water. You get to decide which space works for you.
The bright moon phase begins the day after the new moon (no moon), Amavasya.
The bright moon is the time for the active, external energy that is required of us to accomplish our tasks and to do our duty in the world.
It is a time for expansion, and for using the lessons we may have learned during the internal, darker, lunar phase.
We have the support of the moon during this nourishing phase, so it is time to utilize it.
We spend the brightening phase of the moon actively watering any “seeds” you have planted. We begin the process of building, of taking the external actions required of us to accomplish whayt we have set out to do. But, like the tides, it is a slow and steady growth that swells and strengthens over these 15 days. It culminates in the full moon (Purnima).
When you feel ready to move on, to take on a new assignment, you offer the “seeds” that brought forth your growth, the little piece of paper with the message written in red ink, to a body of water or to a fire on the full moon. You do this in celebration, with gratitude. You have fulfilled your goal. The moon is full, and has fulfilled you. The completion of this project and cycle has been integrated. It has become one with the mother. With you.
The full moon is for celebration, festivities, and joy. Dance in the moonlight (some call it moon bathing). Sing to her. Gaze at her. Make your moon water. Make offerings for her. Light a fire under the moon and give the offerings to the fire. Or, if available, to a body of water. Flowers. Grains. Poems. Whatever speaks to you. Ask for her support during the darkening phase, while you go back inside of the cocoon. To integrate. To become. Again. Drink the moon water each morning during the dark phase so that you have the support of that fullness with you until the growth period begins again.
This cycle continues until you have accomplished your goals (and beyond... forever).
More on the Dark and Light Phases
Four phases in total, marked with four colors.
The dark phase goes from light to dark grey, implicating the slowly transition toward deeper inner work that should build up during this time. It culminates with the new moon.
The bright phase goes from beige to bright yellow.
We build during the growing moon, and the brighter phase is where the bulk of the external work required of us is done.
Moon Phases: Each Day, a Tithi
This can get quite technical, so I will be brief…
Tithi refer to the lunar phases, so each tithi represents a lunar phase.
These tithi are marked by numbers (sanskrit name is provided in the calendars, along with the number).
There are 30 days in a lunar cycle, and so there are 30 tithi in total.
15 tithi in the bright half, 15 tithi in the dark half.
If you have access to your Vedic Astrological Chart, you can find out your birth tithi by checking a section called “Panchanga”.
Your moon phase will be marked under “Tithi.”
It will either have a name or a number (which is why I have provided both in the calendar).
Then you have to check which part of the lunar cycle you were born under.
Look for Krshna Paksha or Shukla Paksha.
Krshna Paksha: Dark Moon
Shukla Paksha: Bright Moon
Now that you have this information, you can use this day, every month, to honor yourself and the moon.
If you have trouble finding this info on your own, send me an email with the following and I will look it up for you:
1) name
2) date of birth
3) time of birth
4) location of birth
Spend some time in the moonlight during your birth tithi.
Make an offering to the moon on this day.
Set a new intention related to self care and growth every month on this day.
Use this tithi to celebrate you, in any way that you can.
You can even create your own ritual.
So there you have it. The guide to the moonthly guide.