Over the past few years we’ve incorporated more spiritual concepts into The Fashion Cookbook because we know more than the physical clothing we wear, it is our thoughts and perceptions of self that has the largest, most sustainable impact on our happiness. We’ve explored many areas of self-growth on the blog and today we are examining what it means to host a full moon ritual.
You may have heard the phrase “Oh, it must be full moon” when people notice a distinct change in someone’s energy or shift in demeanor. As beings living on this Earth, we’re just as affected by the lunar forces as everything else. Of course, lunar forces are invisible and subconscious, so they’re tough to measure; despite this, studies have shown that the moon has visible effects on the physical elements of our planet, like water. If you live near a body of water, you know that the tides experience accentuation during a full or new moon.
Both our bodies and the earth itself are primarily composed of water, 60, and 70% respectively. Therefore, it makes sense that we too can experience a shift during the lunar phases. For instance, female menstrual cycles are often referred to as “moon cycles.” This is because women menstruate during a new moon more than any other phase, suggesting that normal cycles are synced to lunar patterns.
In astrology, new moons represent fresh starts and beginnings, while full moons mark turning points, manifestations or experiences of closure. Whether you believe in the metaphysical properties of the moon cycle or not, the practice of a full moon ritual can still be helpful practice because it creates the opportunity for community and mindfulness. Full moon rituals are marked by women coming together, celebrating your divine femininity, and reflecting on the past, and setting intentions for a brighter future.
The next full moon is Saturday, May 18th. The full moon in May is also known by Native American tribes as the Full Flower Moon, a time for burgeoning May flowers and vivid shades of green and pink that follow April’s showers. To celebrate this special full moon (if you can’t tell we have a special place in our hearts for all things flowers) we’ve partnered with Need Fire Wellness to host a larger full moon ritual open to the public. The “Full Moon Fêté,” as we are calling it, will be based at Stroudwater Distillery and will feature activities such as henna tattoos, flower crowns, tarot card readings, guided meditation, and so much more.
Whether you decide to join us the night of May 18th or host your own full moon ritual at home, here are the key elements that go into harnessing the full power of la luna:
Create the Atmosphere
You can host a full moon ritual anywhere – inside or outside. When weather permits, an outdoor ceremony is great so you can feel one with nature—and hopefully even see the full moon! In the past, we’ve found it works well to play soft music, serve energizing food, light candles or a fire, and to create an ambiance that helps people tune in and most importantly be more present.
We chose to host our upcoming full moon ritual at Stroudwater Distillery because they offer an inviting spacious loft perfect for hosting a crowd that still has an intimate feel. Attendees will also be able to spend time in the tasting room where Stroudwater will be serving elegant moon magic cocktails.
Create a Sacred Space
An altar is a way to pay respect to our ancestors and the world around us. It reminds us that whatever we love is also within us.” Creating an altar” can sound kind of intense, but it’s really as simple as gathering items you love that will evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. We love collecting items that help us to feel grounded and remind us of nature’s beauty – so think lots of candles, sage or palo santo for an energetic lift, crystals, and flowers.
Supplies
- Matches or candles to burn something, which signifies letting go
- Natural elements such as crystals or shells
- Sage wands (also called smudge sticks), oils, or Palo Santo wood to burn and “clear” the energy
- Runes or divination decks like Tarot, goddess, or angel cards
Gather Together
Humans are tribal beings. We thrive when we have a healthy community in our lives and that means creating nurturing relationships with the same and opposite sex. Women especially love spending time together— it’s written in our genetic code and we have been doing it since the beginning of time. It’s so powerful to bring together your soul-seeking and self-aware friends to help you experience the magic of the full moon at the highest level. After all, being able to commune and talk through your insights and reflections can be such a profound learning tool to share new ideas and integrate different perspectives.
Remember, this is not an exclusionary thing, so share the love! Part of the reason we are hosting this event is we want to offer the opportunity to connect with new women in our community who share a passion for personal growth and connection.
Intention setting
Ready, set, manifest! The full moon is a perfect time to perform your manifestation techniques. Spend time imagining your goals and writing them down on paper. One study showed that people who wrote down their goals and share them with others are 33% more likely to achieve them, versus those who just formulated goals. Having other people hold you accountable for the intentions you set at each moon can add extra power. If sharing is too personal, you can get a deck of angel cards and have each person draw one, then perhaps share a little something about what the message inspires.
Guided meditation
We find it especially helpful to follow a guided meditation during a full moon ritual. This is a way to further connect to your inner self and receive helpful messages from your spirit guides. Someone can narrate the meditation or there are many apps, such as Calm or Headspace, that you can use to guide you through a simple mediation. Often, people will have and share revelations, unexpected visions, or finally will process something that’s been stuck.
Embrace Your Inner Goddess
When the moon is full, women are at their highest point energetically and we should lean into our feminine power (aka embrace your inner goddess). Within all of us there’s a bountiful amount of wisdom, power, and magnificence. This inner space is connected to the one energy source that we call God or Universal Intelligence. When we are in tune with our inner goddesses, we experience limitless, joyful, and abundant experiences. Unfortunately, this connection to our inner self and our higher power is often muted by stress and trauma. We find it’s helpful to realign with our highest selves by tapping into our feminine power. What does this look like? Some ideas:
- Adorn your head with homemade flower crowns
- Move your body – dancing can be a spiritual experience
- Do what makes you feel beautiful – this could be wearing makeup or clothing that makes you feel like your best self
- Get creative – allow your inner artist to play. We will be offering body paint and henna for ladies to help them to feel connected to their bodies
A full moon ritual is an empowering opportunity to take stock of what’s going on in your life through journaling and mindful activities. The end result is quality information that can help you to make the necessary course corrections in life. For us, hosting one every month offers us the chance to not only do deep-rooted soulwork, but also to forge meaningful relationships with other women who can hold space for us and support us in our lifelong journeys. 
Photography by Brianna Lueck
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