Cycles Of The Moon & How They Can Affect You

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The mysterious moon and its lunar cycles, with its commanding presence, has captured the curiosity of humans for millennia. Over the centuries, the moon has been seen as a timekeeper, a calendar, and even a god. Our draw to this luminescence orb is strong and learning to live by the phases of the moon become important once we realize how deeply we are affected by its lunar pull.

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The moon and its cycles have fascinated humankind from the beginning. From the romantic connotations of seeing “the man in the moon” etched into its surface to the folklore claims of lunar influences of “odd behavior” and lunacy, the moon has held our attention and in some cultures, worship.

I first became interested and started to notice how my physical and emotional body responded to lunar cycles due to my Ashtanga Yoga practice. Traditionally, for those who practice 6 days per week, we are granted a “yoga holiday” each new and full moon. As one of the founding fathers of this practice, Sri K. Pattahbi Jois said, “two planets (grahas), one place, very bad”. Meaning the alignment of the moon relative to the sun (full moon/opposite & new moon/in conjunction) is as one & their gravitational pull is combined. Thus the energetic effects are more pronounced. These rest days are important for the regeneration of ones energy. We take this time to reflect and become mindful of our practices, our physical & emotional bodies and how we connect to earths energetic cycles.

Yoga is about moving energy in the body through our breath. Full moon energy corresponds directly to the end of our inhalation (prana). Prana’s force is greatest during the full moon and we may feel energetic, emotional, & ungrounded. New moon energy relates to the bottom of the exhale (apana). Apana’s force is greatest during this phase of the moon and we may feel calm, and grounded. By honoring the full and new moon cycles, we allow our energetic body the rest it needs during these combative periods of energy.

Astrologically lunar energy is considered to be feminine energy and has been called by many names; yin, lunar, shakti, and passive to name a few. They are all one and the same. Glorious, strong, intuitive, and emotional. This feminine energy presides over our fertility, monthly cycles, and the emotional body.

Physical Effects

The human body is made up of roughly 75% fluid. As the cycles of the moon are directly related to the strength of gravitational pull, common sense tells me that it will affect the biorhythms all living beings on earth as well as the earth itself. Lunars gravitational pull impacts not only earths tidal activity but also plants leaf movement, the lengthening of days, the earths axis and seasons.

Lunar activity has long been accused of increased mental breakdowns, crimes, suicide, hospital admittances, and even hormonal fluctuations. According to an article published, “The Lunar Cycle: Effects On Human And Animal Behavior And Physiology“,

Human and animal physiology are subject to seasonal, lunar, and circadian rhythms. The lunar cycle has an impact on human reproduction, in particular fertility, menstruation, and birth rate.

– M Zimecki

Emotional Effects

Throughout history, people blame it on the moon when they witness erratic behavior, stating, “it must be a full moon”. The word “lunar” itself stems from the Latin word lūnāris or Luna meaning moon. Words such as “lunatic“, “loon“, and “loonie” were derived from the root Latin words.

According to an abstract by Ujjwal Chakraborty, “Effects Of Different Phases Of The Lunar Month On Humans” it was stated:

A large number of investigations have shown the association of different lunar phases with the mental health or physical health and diseases, physical activity pattern, and reproduction of humans. 

– Ujjwal Chakraborty

Health Effects

Lunar cycles have not only influenced humans psychological behaviors and mood, but also has direct affect on health.
According to an article written in The Farmers Almanac, “7 Ways The Moon May Affect Your Health“, researchers have linked the cycles of the moon to many health issues including:

• Heart – According to the previous cited abstract from M. Zimecki, hospitals see increased cardiovascular and acute coronary cases correlating to moon phases.

• Brain – Dr. Athena Perrakis, PhD explains: ” Since our bodies are made up, proportionally, of so much water, it’s easy to understand how the moon would pull us and sway us just like the ocean” having direct effect on erratic behavior & even bipolar episodes as explained in an article by Thomas A. Wehr, “Bipolar Mood Cycles Associated With Lunar Entrainment Of A Circadian Rhythm“.

• Kidney – Increased cases of kidney stone pain.

• Accidents – Emergency cases increase by approximately 3% during the full moon and drop by 6 % during the new moon according to the Farmers Almanac. They also go on to say that this includes what Dr.’s describe as “medically unexplained stroke issues” including complaints such as “headaches, numbness, and coordination issues”.

Major Moon Phases

New Moon

The new moon is the beginning of a new lunar cycle. It is a time to set new beginnings & intentions. A time during which new energy is created, one with purpose and clarity. As the moon goes dark, it is often a time to turn inward for self-reflection and often toward our creativity. If you practice yoga, consider taking the “yoga holiday”.

Waxing Crescent Moon

As the visible portion of the moon is growing toward the full cycle (First Quarter), energies can be at the highest level. This is the time to put those goals into motion, accomplish set goals and reach those new moon intentions. It is also a time to allow gratitude to expand and grow.

Full Moon

The moon is at its fullest power when the moon is at its greatest luminosity. Energy levels soar (for me often times the energy can be overwhelming and I show signs of fatigue), behaviors become disruptive or erratic, and the mind can become overactive. Everything may seem bigger. Emotions are heightened, sleep escapes us, and we become more emotional. Again, consider the “yoga holiday” if you incorporate yoga into your daily routine.

Gardeners have long known the power of the moon phases. Transplanting is encouraged during the full moon phase as the flowering force is greatest. Seeding in on a new moon is encouraged as the rooting force is greatest.

Chinese tradition honors the full moon as a symbol of peace, prosperity & family reunion.

Waning Crescent

As the moon begins its transition back to the dark moon (new), the waning crescent (waning=smaller) phase is a time of release. An in-between time where we can feel off-kilter or in transition. A time to bring closure & endings when needed. We may feel tired or low energy during this cycle or feel the need to practice self-care and become introverted.

And the cycle begins again with the new moon phase. No matter how you may or may not have observed your own physical or emotional responses to the lunar cycles, no one can deny that the mysterious moon and its stages are beautiful and haunting.

Love to hear about your own experiences in dealing with the cycles of the moon! Comment below and be sure to stay up-to-date with all the “happenings on the hill” by subscribing and following us on social media.

Love, Light, & Laughter ~