Next week’s full moon on May 26th is slated to be one of the most spectacular of the year. Not only will it be a “supermoon” (when the moon appears slightly bigger than usual) it also coincides with a lunar eclipse which will turns the moon a reddish colour – also known as a blood moon!
You’ll be able to see this celestial event if you’re living in Eastern Asia (lucky us), so keep your eyes skyward from about 7PM to catch a glimpse of it – it should last about 15 minutes.
If you’re looking to mark the occasion in a more contemplative way, consider making your own moon ritual! New and full moons alike are great opportunities to set goals and intentions, reflect, and make space for new energy and opportunities in the coming weeks.
To learn more about the history of moon rituals, and why rituals in general can help our wellbeing, we asked OMSA, a holistic healing boutique in Hong Kong that carries everything from crystals to oracle cards, to shed light on a few things. Here’s what they had to say.
What is the significance of a full moon or new moon?
In nature, full and new moons are the natural cycles marking the beginnings and endings of the lunar path each month. For centuries, humans have been living by these natural cycles, believing that in syncing to lunar energy, they could bring about change and transformation in their lives.
During the new moon, the sky is darkest as the sun is illuminating the side of the moon further from Earth and not visible to us. In the darkness, we plant our intentions and goals, and hope they bear fruit in the future. It is also a fertile time to start new projects or set off in a new direction to be fulfilled for the upcoming cycle.
During the full moon, when the sky is at its brightest and full of light from the moon, it is a time to reflect on your life and express gratitude, while shedding anything that doesn’t feel aligned to you.
How can that affect our own wellbeing?
In our modern world, our pace of living can be exhausting. Natural cycles that we would usually experience are often interrupted, extended, or completely ignored as we strive to meet deadlines and keep cadence with the world around us.
It is actually instinctive for our lives to have peaks and troughs, beginnings and endings to any chapter.
When we take a moment to reflect on this, and see the cycles happening around us in nature, we’re reminded to be more present, mindful of where we are in our own journey. We can restore our sense of wellbeing by coming home to ourselves, seeking from within rather than external pressures, validation and timelines.
What are some things we can do to make our own moon ritual?
There are plenty of exercises, rituals or ceremonies that can take place in preparation for either a full or new moon. It should be a practice that feels meaningful to you, and more importantly, accessible – it’s shouldn’t be so elaborate it prevents you from carving out time for yourself.
As guidance:
- Prep your space: our energy extends beyond our physical body, and our environment is important to get us into the right state of mind and set the mood. Place any distraction away from you and settle in. Cleanse your space with crystals or sacred herbs.
- Prep your mindset: use breathwork, meditation or simply sit quietly for a few moments, allowing yourself to come into the present moment, calling forth inspiration. Relax and centre yourself, you can even indulge in some home pampering, like a foot soak and scented candles, to really unwind.
- Write it down: Have a journal nearby to jot down your thoughts in your higher consciousness state.
- Actionable steps: Reflect on what you need to do post the session to put your dreams into motion. For the full moon, it’s all about showing gratitude, reflecting, and releasing what no longer serves you. If something seems hard to let go, dig deeper to address the root issue and send it along with gratitude. In contrast, the new moon energy is a time for setting new intentions, goals and direction. Be receptive of a change in routine, and remain fluid with your planning.
- Following through: Use a mantra, affirmation, to make it memorable. Keep yourself accountable, and lock in the momentum of moving forward with a personal mantra or power statement. Some examples: “The universe is conspiring for me, not against me.” “Everything I desire is making its way to me.” “I am a magnet for my dreams, for miracles.”
What can rituals offer us in our lives?
Rituals, in ceremonious or day-to-day forms, have been performed amongst humans across cultures for centuries. They provide connectedness with those around us and a way to communicate on a deeper level, which is the foundation for human interaction.
Rituals also give us a framework for us to evaluate the way we respond to the world around us. From a place of stability, we are able to come to terms with what we might be facing internally, leaving us better able to manage our emotions and find a sense of clarity when we feel overwhelmed.
It is critically important to have them – essentially, it creates meaning and context to our day-to-day lives!
Keen to try making your own moon ritual ahead of the Super Flower Blood Moon (yes, that’s the full name of it.) OMSA has a magic moon ritual set ($295) to guide you through both new and full moon cycles. Or design your own, using anything that speaks to you.
Read more: Where To Shop for Crystals in Hong Kong
