The Mystical Lunar Force

Did you know that conspicuous lunar rhythms can impact the way humans live, eat, sleep and breath?

Author Niall McCrae delves deep into this in her book The Moon and Madness. She talks about how the ‘lunar effect’ seems to be playing a key role in our behaviours, movements, actions and repercussions.

We all know how it impacts the sea-level with the tides, the calling of the animals, the direction of wind etc. But in Yogic language of the circadian rhythm, it impacts our sleep, modes, eating habits and vitality too. That is why, a practice as intense as the Ashtang Yoga, which needs to be done everyday for an hour and a half, is advised not to practise during full moon.

They say, the moon is directly connected to our internal life force or vital energy – the Prana. It influences our tri-dosha’s – Vata (air element in our body), Pita (fire element in our body) and Kapha (earth and water element in our body). Ashtang Yoga practice generates immense Pita, which is the fire element in our body, and when the moon is in full glory, it unleashes its full potential causing Vikruti – the imbalanced deviation from the innate self.

Full moon is a time of big emotions. You may find yourself being overwhelmed and more reactive than usual. It will signal a few sleep changes (sometimes even vivid dreams) too; the body may feel slow, lazy and lethargic. Spiritually, you may feel low on concentration – even a little emotional and slightly disconnected from your surroundings. This happens because as our bodies are made up of 70 per cent water, and the moon causes the Earth’s magnetic field to fluctuate, causing rise and drop in sea-levels affecting our alpha brain activity – this happens in tandem with the tidal waves.

Phases of the Lunar Cycle.

Whether we are aware of the waxing and waning crescents of the moon or not, they affect our mood, behaviour, personality and our lives. By becoming aware of these eight phases, we can awaken a new understanding of ourselves and harness that energy through daily life. This can be done with a practise called moon-mapping or the practise of acting in accordance with the moon-cycle. It helps us look inwards and set intentions or goals of what we want to achieve and what we want to let go of.

Let’s explore stage-wise: and how best we can harness each phase.

1. New Moon (also called Dark Moon)

This is when the moon is invisible. It signifies a time for new beginnings or fresh starts. This is a low-light phase, so you may feel low on energy, and more introspective. Take this time to re-set and dig deep on what you want to manifest during the upcoming month-long cycle.

2. Waxing Crescent

Here the moon appears as a sliver of a crescent. During this time you may begin to feel recharged and illuminated like the moon itself. This signifies new light and added energy flowing through the body. Here, embrace the dreams you envisioned and meditate on those desires.

3. First Quarter Moon

The half moon illuminated phase is a time for implementations. It is the time to take decisions. You may feel like swaying to the flow of life. It is also a time to reflect creativity – and hence the bodily energies bind towards unleashing highest creative potential.

4. Waxing Gibbous

This is the third week of the lunar phase, when the illuminated portion of the moon is increasing towards full moon. One can feel more focused, concentrated and own innate wisdom. This is the time to listen to one’s inner knowing and trust the universe with decision making.

5. Full Moon

This is the state of complete clarity. With the illumination of the moon, our intent and perspective is clear, and the trajectory to achieve our set goals are also very vivid. This is the time most people inherit new habits, focus on healing; leaving behind bad situations. Positivity appears in a full gleaming circle with the Sun, moon and Earth – all in alignment and so are, our body, mind and soul.

6. Waning Gibbous

Marked by convexity or swelling like the bump of a camel, the moon shrinks from 99 per cent to 50.1 per cent illumination. Here you are full of gratitude, reflective of actions taken and intensions set during new moon. You are in a state of utmost joy, contentment and at peace with your own mindset. This is a high-energy and high-emotion moon phase.

7. Third/Last Quarter Moon

As the light here continues to fade, you can feel the need to cleanse, rejuvenate and let go. This marks the time to slow down, pause, practise hatha yoga or meditation practises, to slow down the body and control the prana. You can feel very light, more inclined to sattvic or vegan intake of food, keeping it mellow on the stomach and weigh less on the mind.

8. Waning Crescent or Balsamic Moon

This is the last lunar phase before the new moon-cycle begins. This marks complete restfulness and calm. Tranquility and serenity take over here and the seven chakras are completely in alignment. A complete meditative state of body and mind. Surrender to the universe and allow time to take its own course of action. One will relinquish the need to control and harmoniously leave decisions to be taken by the universe. This is a state of surreal composure.

So now when you are struggling to fall asleep, lashing out at someone without a reason, going from low to super high energy and highest of creativities, reflect on these rhythmic lunar phases, and understand that the change in behavioural patterns could be in alignment to the moon-cycle. When we connect to the lunar cycle, we tune into our inner nature and come one step closer to self-realisation.

Words by Nikita Das.
Images via Unsplash.