"It used to be that making your wildest dreams a reality was all hard work and sacrifice. Nowadays, as cool, in-touch, ambitious women, we know that balance is key–hard work is just as important as imagination and dreaming. The moon cycle, historically used for anything from tracking fertility to farming, is a powerful tool when it comes to finding that balance and manifesting the life we want.
Not only has using the moon for manifestation helped me get more clarity on what I actually want in life, but it also helps move things along a bit more quickly (admittedly, I’m not so patient). While manifestation can seem more like a theoretical concept than a proven practice to some, the moon cycle helps break the process down into clear, action-focused steps that make sense whether you’re approaching it from a spiritual or a scientific angle.
A few years ago, I was manifesting a place to rent with my best friend. It had to be less than $500 per person per month, in a safe neighborhood, modern, and have a nice outdoor area. Within a month or two, an acquaintance of ours came out of the woodwork and offered to rent her basement apartment–and it checked every box! This is just one of the many goals the moon has helped me achieve, and she can help you too.
What is manifestation?
Tchiki Davis (M.A., Ph.D.) defines manifestation as “the conscious creation of the circumstances and outcomes that make for a fulfilling life.” Setting intentions, creating vision boards, and dedicating yourself to a goal are all forms of manifestation. It’s the process of turning our hopes and dreams into reality.
What Does the Moon Mean in Astrology?
In astrology, the Moon represents our emotional side, but it also represents the cyclical nature of life and the changes that we go through. This energy is pure magic when it comes to manifestation and creating changes we want to see in our lives. Each new cycle gives us the opportunity for a fresh start, to let go of what is no longer serving us, and to focus on what we truly want.
This calendar can tell you what phase of the moon we’re currently in and when the next New Moon is so you can prepare to manifest.
How to Use the Moon’s Phases for Successful Manifestation
The New Moon: Decide What You Want
Think of the New Moon as a breath of fresh air and a new start. On a practical level, farmers have used the New Moon as a time to plant certain seeds for centuries. It’s time to focus on what you want and why you want it, but you can save the how for later. Give yourself permission to dream away without judgment.
Manifestation Action Steps: Get comfy and spend time journaling, daydreaming, or talking with friends about what you really want in life over a bottle of wine or some moon tea. Get clear on your goals. Here are a few journal prompts to get you started:
- What is going well in my life right now?
- What would I like to change?
- Where do I see myself in five years?
- When I picture my dream life, I see…
The Crescent Moon: Identify and Remove Obstacles
The Crescent Moon represents consciousness and acting on our hopes and desires in more conscious ways. While manifesting a relationship a few years ago, the New Moon helped me get clear on my goals, but the true magic and transformation happened during the Crescent Moon. I began clearing longstanding trust and attachment issues, which helped me create space for a healthy relationship.
Manifestation Action Steps: The key to removing what stands in your way is awareness. After all, how can you create change if you don’t know what needs changing? A few questions to ask yourself during this time are:
- What obstacles stand in the way between me and my goal?
- How do my day-to-day behaviors and habits contribute to or bring me further from this goal?
- What are some ways I can work toward removing these obstacles?
Overcoming your obstacles can take many forms depending on what they are and your own personal style. For example, you could start going to therapy or take up meditation to process your emotions better, enroll in an online course to learn more, or cut down on expenses to save money.
The First Quarter Moon: Create an Action Plan
Visually representing a halfway point, the First Quarter Moon symbolizes leaving the past behind and focusing on the future. It also brings with it an analytical and practical energy. Sometimes our dreams are so big that deciding where to begin is overwhelming. During this phase, outline clear and realistic steps.
Manifestation Action Steps: I like to use this time to create a goal tree where I break a big idea down into small, actionable steps that can be taken each day. The obstacles that you identified during the Crescent Moon will come in handy here. If you’ve never done something like this before, no worries. Here’s what it would look like using the example of buying a home:
Goal: Buying a Home
What needs to be done?
- Save Money for a Down Payment
- Create a weekly Bbudget
- Identify where to reduce expenses
- Side hustles?
- Research side hustle ideas
- Connect with a Realtor
- Research realtors
- Reach out to realtors
- Decide on Location
- Research areas of interest
- What’s important? schools, cost of living, etc.
- Talk with locals and homeowners in the area
- Research areas of interest
- Understand Financial Aspects of Homeownership and Financing Options
- Attend webinars
- Research types of mortgages and financing options
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage
The Gibbous Moon: Refine Your Vision
After setting our dreams in motion, the Gibbous Moon is a time for refining and fine-tuning. We’re only human after all, and it’s normal for our dreams to change as we grow. Maybe being out on the dating scene has given you a clearer picture of what you want in a long-term partner, or perhaps you’ve done more research into a potential career change and are excited about an emerging industry.
Manifestation Action Steps: To understand where our vision could use refining, self-reflection is key. This is another great time for journaling or connecting with friends to make sure that we’re moving in the right direction. Some journal prompts to support your reflection during this time are:
- How does where I am now compare to where I started during the New Moon?
- Am I happy with the way things are going?
- Are there any changes I can make to make sure my vision is more aligned with who I am?
The Full Moon: Let Go of Control
Manifestation is a balancing act between putting in the work and letting go of control so that your dreams can take form. The Full Moon is often when we start to see the results of all of our hard work, whether it’s landing a new client or creating more meaningful friendships. Remember the old cliche: the universe works in mysterious ways. In other words, things don’t always unfold the way you think they will, so just go with the flow.
Manifestation Action Steps: Slow down and take the time to be present. Instead of focusing on controlling the future, focus on being grateful for what’s already here. Don’t just go through the motions of making your morning coffee, fully focus on it–smell the coffee grounds, thank the water for being there, really feel that first sip as it hits your lips. Try making a list of everything you’re grateful for, including how far you’ve come since the New Moon.
The Disseminating Moon: Share Your Achievements with Others
Throughout the beginning phases of the Moon cycle, we’re focused on putting in the hard work. Traditionally, the Disseminating Moon has been considered a good time for harvesting and sharing with others. In manifestation, it’s no different. We can begin to share what we’ve accomplished with others to make it more official.
Manifestation Action Steps: Get ready to finally introduce your new partner to your family and friends, have a housewarming party for your new condo, or celebrate with friends after finishing that marathon you’ve been training for. And, since it often takes multiple moon cycles for our manifestations to fully come to life, don’t forget to celebrate the little successes too! After all, what’s the point of all this hard work if you can’t take the time to enjoy it?
The Last Quarter Moon: Decide What’s Next
The Last Quarter Moon is a symbol of re-evaluation, incorporating feedback, and reconciliation. For us, that means another self-reflection point. While manifestation is a hopeful and exciting process, it can also be challenging. In times of change, we’re often forced to change our perspective, and it’s important to both create space for and integrate uncomfortable feelings that come up.
Manifestation Action Steps: Check in with how you’re feeling and how your vision has changed. Look back at your journaling or thoughts from early on in your manifestation journey. Ask yourself:
- Are my dreams and goals the same or have they changed?
- If they’ve changed, why?
- How do I want to move forward?
- Am I experiencing any uncomfortable feelings right now?
To integrate uncomfortable feelings, sit with them and breathe. It might help to focus on the center of your chest as you do this. Don’t forget that emotions can change and move—they don’t define you.
The Balsamic Moon: Come Back to Yourself
As the Moon moves into the darkness, the Balsamic Moon represents the finishing up of the manifestation cycle. This is the time for dreaming, imagination, and rest. Manifesting your dreams is hard work after all!
Manifestation Action Steps: Let go of expectations during this phase and instead focus on activities like meditation, yoga, reflective journaling, bundling up in some cozy blankets, and other forms of self-care. Manifestation creates big changes and resting ensures that you have the mental and physical ability to handle them with finesse.