Illuminate Your Journey
Your Comprehensive Guide to Working with the Waning Moon
The Waning Moon
Alchemical Phase: Nigredo
The Waning Moon Phase is a time of release. We surrender to stillness and introspection. The Waning of the Moon reminds us that even after times of great light, we all sink back into darkness which we can accept and relish as a time for renewal and rejuvenation.
Now is the time to release everything that no longer serves you so that you can make way for new intentions and ideas during the New Moon.
1. Embrace the Waning Moons Reminder to Rest
As the Moon loses her light, day by day, we are reminded that we all need periods of hibernation so that we can shine brightly during other phases of our lives. Modern life is generally busy all the time. If you aren’t doing something at every opportunity, you might be missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime...
While we all experience these feelings at times however consider the fact that in all the “doing” you might not be giving yourself space to recognise the opportunity that you don’t want to miss out on. So, during the Waning Moon, make space for recalibration and just *being* so that you can see those opportunities that you need to pounce on when they come to you.
If you're ready to start practising Moon Magick, download one of our FREE hand-illustrated rituals here.
2. Listen to Your Body
The Waning Moon phase often has people noticing that their energy levels are lower than usual. This related directly back to point one, with the Waning Moon phase calling us to rest.
We tend to be resistant to looking inwards, which is exactly what this phase is calling us to do. Your body is telling you to rest, so that your mind can focus on processing and releasing. Make sure you listen to both your physical body and your intuition and let it guide you to what you need.
3. Stop Overthinking
A busy life tends to lead to a lot of overthinking. The Waning Moon reminds us that even the most glorious among us has times when she is a little less bright and a little less perfectly presented than at other times. This reminder is something we should all listen to.
In order to move forward, we must also look inwards to address the issues we often prefer to ignore. In order to find the stillness in which to process and work on our shadow selves, we must first allow our minds the space to do this.
Instead of obsessing over a work conversation, a misconstrued txt to a friend or an argument with a parent (or whatever else might get your mind whirring), sink into the stillness of the Waning Moons energies and allow all these worries to float away.
Observe yourself in these situations rather than observing the situation itself. See where you could be a little less quick to judge or a little calmer to react and focus on implementing that in your day-to-day life. Release those habits you observe and don’t appreciate in yourself to the Waning Moon.
We suggest learning more about the specific lunar energies of each month so that you can begin to incorporate these energies into your practice. Our MOON MAGICK CIRCLE gives you a comprehensive guide to each unique New Moon of the month, including an energetic roadmap, workbook, and correspondences.
4. The Waning Moon and her Alchemical Phase.
The Alchemical Nigredo phase, meaning blackness, is associated with the Waning Moon. This is considered the first Alchemical Phase and has often been called the “dark night of the soul when an individual confronts the shadow within” (Roberte H. Hopeke).
At this point, there are two main phases of self. There is the first stage, where we are not aware of our subconscious and ego and how much this affects our daily lives. The second stage is the growing awareness of our shadow self, where we understand that our subconscious and ego play just as important a part in our daily lives as our conscious being does. This second stage can be painful, as shadow work often is, however facing this growing realisation with the help of the Waning Moon sets us free.
Working with journal questions during this stage can be particularly helpful in working together with your shadow self. We've provided some for you below.
5. Journal Questions for the Waning Moon.
Journalling during a specific Moon phase with specific questions can help us really tune into the energies moving all around us. In conjunction with the alchemical phase, consider whether your conscious self or subconscious, ego-self is answering these questions.
You don’t need to cover all these questions in one go, pick the one or two that most resonates with you on the day.
Some questions to consider for the Waning Moon are:
- What am I deeply frustrated by?
- How can I change my perspective on this frustration?
- What is my own perceived worst trait?
- How can I work on my resentment of this trait within myself?
- How can I turn this perceived “negative” trait into a positive?
- What am I most disappointed by in my own life?
- What can I do to change this disappointment?
- What causes me to “overthink” most regularly?
- How can I address my overthinking of this situation to improve it?
- Emotionally, am I where I want to do right now?
Remember, some of these questions may bring up unexplained or difficult feelings. Allow these emotions to flow through you and then release them to under the light of the Waning Moon.
If you would like to learn more about working with the Lunar Cycles, consider joining our EMAIL CIRCLE. We send out FREE monthly New Moon Rituals and share helpful tips and tricks for working with Lunar Energies.
With some trust, a bit of reading, a commitment to lowering your guard and a spirit yearning to explore and evolve, you'll be working with the Waning Moon like an expert in no time.
Are you excited to start working with the Waning Moon in your magickal practice? What are you most nervous about exploring?
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