I LOVE how every month, the new Moon presents YET another opportunity to set fresh intentions…

Yes, of course, you can set intentions whenever you want. But aligning them with the Moon cycle phases (especially the New Moon) means they get to ride the wave of growth and creativity that’s already present in nature.

Are you in?

What intentions should I set on a new moon?

The New Moon is an important (and effective) time for time for reflecting on what you really want, and planning for the future and starting something new. But it all begins with new Moon intention setting.

Take a few deep breaths and ask yourself: “What do I wish to bring into being this month?”

Maybe it’s a big life goal you’re working on like finding a new job or career, maybe it’s to do with money or relationships. But don’t dismiss smaller achievements, like reading one or two new books, or doing daily exercise. Think about how your present reality could change with a few simple adjustments – and use these as the focal point for your intentions.

When I set intentions during the new moon, I always take a moment to drop into my body, releasing the grip of the ego. I want to make sure my own intentions have space to emerge (and I’m not just repeating what I think I should want).

When the sky is dark and inky, on the new Moon night, we have a clean slate to draw on. I often feel as though la Luna is giving me permission to let go of all the thoughts, emotions, ideas and states of mind that have been weighing me down and allow something new to emerge.

I want my new Moon intentions to be authentically mine, and truly aligned with my path and purpose.

What are examples of a new moon intention?

• I am committed to embracing change and welcoming new opportunities into my life
• I nurture my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being
• I release all old habits and thought patterns that no longer serve my highest good.
• I am devoted to cultivating a mindset of abundance and attracting prosperity into my life.
• I create loving and supportive relationships with those around me.
• I set and achieve meaningful goals that align with my values and aspirations.
• I practice self-care and prioritise my own well-being.
• I approach challenges with resilience and a positive outlook.
• I am truly grateful for the blessings in my life.
• I am committed to embracing my creativity and expressing myself authentically in all that I do.

These are all common examples of new Moon intentions.

So far, so straightforward.

BUT unless you arrive at this Moon phase already knowing what you want to change in your life, it can be overwhelming to think of new ideas! So here are some areas of life you may want to ponder, to form your own new Moon intention:

Setting new goals: Use the energy of the new moon to clarify brand new goals for the things you want to achieve in the coming weeks or months.

Cultivating self-care: Set intentions to prioritize self-care and well-being. Think about starting a new self-care routine, nurturing your physical body, or taking better care of your mental and emotional health.

Planting seeds for growth: Consider setting intentions to initiate new projects, ventures, or personal growth. The new Moon is your opportunity to plant seeds for future success.

Embracing change: Use the new Moon’s energy to embrace change and let go of what no longer serves you, allowing space for new opportunities and experiences.

Cultivating creativity: Aim to nurture your creative expression. Set a new Moon intention to try a new artistic pursuit, commit to more innovative problem-solving, or find new ways to express yourself.

Strengthening relationships: Set intentions for deepening connections with your loved ones, improving intimacy, and communication, or spending more quality time together.

Inviting abundance: Set intentions to attract abundance and prosperity into your life. This may look like financial wealth, but for you abundance may mean growth opportunities or a sense of fulfilment.

Embracing mindfulness: Greater presence and mindfulness in your daily life can be a great focus. Set a new Moon intention to start meditation, breathwork, or simply attune yourself more deeply to the present moment.

Cultivating compassion: Use the next new moon to set intentions for practising kindness, empathy, and compassion towards yourself and others.

It’s important to choose intentions that resonate with your personal aspirations, dreams and values. It’s a deeply personal and reflective process, so take the time to consider what fresh beginnings you need in your life, and what feels most meaningful to you.

And allow yourself to change focus as new Moons happen throughout the year. Same Moon, but different you.

How do I set my intentions for the new moon?

Setting intentions revolves around a few key steps:

1. Create a sacred space: First I find a quiet spot, where I can sit quietly and be intimate with my thoughts. Usually, I light a candle, and to create a sacred space, I cleanse, clarify, and connect with Spirit.
2. Write it down: I write my intentions on paper, or into my Moon journal. It’s important to write my hand, as this act of self-expression helps to tap into the unconscious realms. Making a visual representation (that doesn’t use words, like a vision board) can also work well.
3. Focus and visualize: Next, I relax and concentrate my mind and heart on my intentions, visualizing them as already done.

Verbalizing intentions aloud

The power of spoken words can’t be overstated! So I highly recommend reading aloud to LIFE herself. Ensure your intentions are in positive statement form.

When to set your new Moon intentions (and when is it too late!?)

Try to set your intentions as soon after the new Moon as possible (and bare in mind this will always be during the daytime – don’t wait until nightfall!

The window for setting new Moon intentions is typically within the first 48 hours of the new moon. After this period, the Moon’s energy is waxing, momentum has begun, and the optimal moment for seeding my intentions may have passed.

But remember – it’s better to set intentions late, than not to set them at all! So don’t worry if you’ve missed the moment.

Simple New Moon Ritual

If you want to take your new Moon intentions to the next level, incorporate them into a new Moon ritual. Gathering for Moon circles with other women is another powerful way to give your intentions the added power of community

You will need:

• Notebook and pen

• Candle

• Crystals like clear quartz or moonstone (optional)

• Sage or palo santo for smudging (optional)

What to do:

1. Prepare the space: First, cleanse the area where you intend to conduct your new Moon ritual. This may involve smudging or saining to encourage positive energy.
2. Light a candle: Lighting a candle signifies the start of the ritual. If I’m using crystals, I may hold them in my hand to help focus and connect with the Spirit realm.
3. Set your intention: Close your eyes and ponder your intentions. When ready, write down your intentions with pen and paper. Be specific and clear, and stay rooted in the heart, not the mind.
4. Visualization: Spend a few minutes visualizing your intentions as if they’ve already manifested, feeling gratitude for the abundance the Earth provides.

This is the simplest new Moon ritual for creating and setting intentions. For more ideas and extra guidance, follow the links below…

Realise that setting intentions is just the beginning!

It’s now vital you nurture them and build on them, using lunar energy to help them grow.

How to work with your intentions throughout the lunar cycle

After completing a new moon ritual, it’s crucial to weave the intentions you’ve set into daily life, ensuring they remain active and dynamic.

• Meditate on your next steps
• Make plans
• Connect with other people
• Cultivate new energy
• Say yes to new opportunities
• Feel free to step outside your comfort zone

I recommend using a Moon journal to keep close tabs on how your intentions align with your day-to-day actions and readiness to ACT in ways you need to, to call them in. Because unless you are willing to DO something new, nothing will change.

For instance, if my intention is to foster more creativity, I might schedule 15 minutes every morning for free writing or sketching. Then to ensure my intention remains front and center, I may do something like this:

• Morning review: I take a few minutes each morning to read my intention (or list of intentions), inspiring a focused start to the day.
• Reminders: I set alerts on my phone at various times of the day to reflect on my intentions and redirect my focus if needed.
• Environment: I place visual cues related to my intentions, like motivating quotes or symbols, where I’ll see them frequently.

Can you set intentions at the full Moon?

Yes, you can absolutely set intentions at the full Moon.

Yet it can be more powerful to utilise affirmations during the full Moon, because this is the time when the intentions you set during the new moon are likely to manifest.

New Moons are a time of new beginnings, and full Moons are a time of fulfilment and illumination.

So by focusing on affirmations that reflect the fulfilment of your new moon intentions, you’ll help amplify the energy already in motion, around your intention. And this will create a potent force for manifestation.

The full Moon is a time to affirm and visualize the realization of your goals, reinforcing the positive energy and belief in the intention.

Where the new Moon fits into the rest of the lunar cycle

The lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, transitioning through various phases from new moon to full moon and back again. The new moon phase marks the beginning of the Moon cycle, a period when the Moon is not visible in the night sky. This phase is traditionally seen as a potent time for setting intentions since it represents a fresh start.

As lunar light and energy ebb and the Moon begins its transition from the full Moon back to a new Moon, it’s time to reflect. You are being invited to think about what manifested as a result of your new moon ritual, what you achieved, and what didn’t work out as planned.

This will help form the basis of the next cycle’s new Moon intentions.