The New Moon and You – Starting your cycle of renewal

Have you ever thought it might be a good time to start a change for the better? Most have at one time or another, but what is the right time to start? Is there best time to start?

Our world has become busy, filled with noise and ambient light. Our modern environment helps to hide what was once a very obvious cycle to start change: the start of a lunar cycle.

It is believed that humans have been observing the moon for approximately 30,000 years. This ancient method of tracking time has proven to be reliable and has significant benefits for humanity. Ancient Sumerian culture utilized lunar events to establish the 60-second minute, the 60-minute hour, and the 12-month year that we still follow today. The moon was crucial in guiding our ancestors in agriculture, religious practices, and even constructing temples aligned with lunar cycles.

So, it is not a new-age crazy or half-baked thought that the new moon is the start of a new cycle. It is rooted in the alignment of our physical world and our position. The new moon symbolizes fresh starts, rejuvenation, and progress. It is a period for setting intentions, self-reflection, cleansing, and growth, encompassing themes of fertility and new beginnings. It’s pretty cool when you think about it.

The power of cosmic alignment

Each lunar cycle marks a significant event. This time marks the cosmic dance of the moon, Earth, and sun. This rhythmic dance aligns them all, amplifying the moon’s impact on our planet and all living beings. This lunar force is both potent and mesmerizing. Just as gravity constantly influences us, the moon’s alignment is a formidable force that some believe we should honor and harness for personal development, making it a key player in our growth journey.

During a new moon’s mystical pull, our existing qualities are heightened. Our positive traits become more pronounced, while our negative aspects seem more prominent. The moon, especially when full or new, is believed to have an intoxicating effect, a belief that has added a layer of mystique, leading some to feel this is unscientific. Yet, there is nothing unscientific about the alignment, and this has always inspired spiritual seekers to use this time to embark on new endeavors or realign their current path. Yet, some feel this new moon is even more special.

What’s coming after this New Moon on September 2nd?

Many feel that today’s new moon is important since it starts a series of astrological events that can help us. Of course, we will have another full moon soon, but also a lunar eclipse on September 18^th, followed by a solar eclipse in the Southern Hemisphere on October 2^nd.

Start by getting started.

This new moon is associated with planning, efficiency, purity, and practicality, so you can see why many feel it is a good time to start or correct course. An easy example might be making this a time to purge old, outdated habits or declutter your living space to make it more workable. A not-so-easy example might be starting a new habit or forming a new relationship. Possibly even harder might be reducing or stopping your activity with a toxic relationship you now have in your life.

In as early as the first chapter of the e-book “Become the Boss of You.” We talk about the power of habit and choice or prioritization. If you already have a copy, I would review the first chapter to get you started. In chapter five, we delve into the importance of things that can have a lasting effect and improve the overall quality of our lives. It may also be worth taking another tour of chapter five, especially the parts about mindfulness and meditation.

Considering the book’s spirit, it’s intriguing to contemplate the potent influence of this concealed new moon. This presents a chance to explore hidden talents within yourself. Reflect on the strengths you possess that may not be immediately apparent. What aspirations would you like to pursue? What path do you wish to follow? Which narrative do you envision yourself being a part of? If you already have our journal workbook, I recommend recording your intentions set during this new moon phase in some of the supplemental journal pages included. The journal workbook and e-book serve as tools to help you view your life as a blank canvas. If you could depict anything on this canvas, what would it be? You can acquire a copy of the journal workbook at:

https://www.amazon.com/Workbook-Become-Boss-Ishall-Dogood/dp/B0D12BQB9Y/

The power of your journal

Journaling your experiences during a new moon cycle can also be a stress reducer. If you are not journaling your successes now and want to start, I suggest you look up my blog, “The Power of Journaling,” posted on May 24th, 2024. It starts by explaining “The Power of the Written Word.” Do not understate this power as it is therapeutic, especially when we maintain our privacy in our journaling practice genuinely expressing our emotions. Our personal emotional experiences and challenges are impactful regardless of how minor they may appear to others. The simple habit and ability to review our past journal pages gives us a feedback loop of reassurance. This tool can help us understand our struggles and let us know our growth is valid.

Our workbook is organized to help you along the path we have mentioned with this new moon cycle. However, you don’t need our workbook to start. Journaling in any form is better than not journaling. It can become a valuable aid that works! At the end of chapter one of the e-book, we delve into the “why and how” of my preferred journaling concepts.

At times, I allow my journal sessions to become brainstorming sessions. This helps me categorize my feelings, leading to better understanding. Some nights, I enjoy consciously allowing my creativity to flow freely. Following the e-book’s advice, I celebrate even the smallest achievements to solidify my progress. We should “Celebrate the big and the small, as great things are not measured by size.”

I feel all aspects of my journaling improve when I prioritize the enjoyment of the process. I avoid making it a chore, as that approach can hinder habit. I prefer to view it as spending quality time with my best friend – myself! This mindset allows me to start small and gradually expand my journaling practice. Journaling five evenings a week brings more benefits than just two; even two is better than none. I’ve learned that forcing myself to do something I dislike leads to inaction. After all, labor camps aren’t the key to great motivation.

I view my journal as a private guide and reflection tool. Reviewing my past entries allows me to track my growth and make necessary adjustments. It’s crucial to emphasize that I value my privacy. I only share what you are comfortable with in discussions and writing, keeping your journal entries confidential. Ultimately, I am in control of my own choices.

Meditation and prayer during the lunar cycle

Explore more benefits of lunar alignment in a previous blog post on our website, idogoodbooks.com. It is entitled “Once in a Blue Moon,” and it was posted before the August 2024 Super Blue Moon. In the blog, I discussed our relationship with the full moon, highlighting its link to meditation and mindfulness. While the new moon has similar effects, they differ slightly from a full moon.

There is never a wrong time to pray or to explore the practice of prayer; these are absolute truths for me. I derive great joy from creating environments that enhance my prayer routine. The same applies to meditation and mindfulness. Praying at night and beneath the moon brings me immense satisfaction. Playfully, I consider the moon a companion. The celestial body supports me when I sincerely pray, meditate, reflect, or write during these moments. At some point, I will share a Moonlight Meditation guide to assist those interested in utilizing this period for personal development, following a similar process to my other guided meditations.

If moon gazing is not a habit for you. Or if you do not have any private place to pray outside at night, maybe toss a new intention into the night sky? It’s as easy as stepping outside and mentally talking to our cosmic friend during this unique lunar phase. It is so cool that this celestial dance has been around since ancient times, so why not join in? Let your imagination run wild with the moon. Have a blast, and make the most of this because the new moon only lasts a few days.

Peace, I shall Dogood.

Sources you may want to check out:

https://www.almanac.com/what-new-moon

https://www.space.com/55-earths-moon-formation-composition-and-orbit.html