Waning Moon Ritual for Letting Go & Making Space

Following the moon has genuinely revolutionized my self-care routine. The waning moon is one of my favorite phases of the moon because it's all about slowing down and connecting with yourself on a deeper level.

In this post, I share my waning moon ritual for letting go, making space, and the daily habits I like to practice during this period.

Cleanse and clear, the moon whispers to let go of your pain and fears. The time has come to go within, reflect, and learn from where you've been. The sky is growing darker each passing night, inviting you to tend to your own inner light. Trust in the Divine and set yourself free, so mote it be...so mote it be. - Jessica Dimas

Waning Moon Ritual

Between the time of the full moon and new moon, the moon gradually returns back to darkness, with the energy surrounding it becoming more still and reflective.

Just as there is a time to plan, act, and celebrate, now is the time to rest, release, and make space.

During the waning moon, we can begin to slow down, reflect on all we've learned in the last few weeks, keep what we want that came to us, and let go of what's holding us back.

The waning moon is traditionally a good time to work on things you want to release: illness, negative people or situations, and emotions you want to heal and release. It's a time to take care of yourself and acknowledge everything you've accomplished and worked on during this cycle.

For example, the soil needs time to replenish before planting new seeds, and so do you. An overworked field doesn't produce a quality harvest. If you constantly try to act, act, act... you'll burn out.

The waning moon reminds us to slow down, take stock, clear clutter, and make space for the new cycle.

Here's my waning moon ritual for letting go and making space, which I hope gives you some ideas and inspiration for your own.

1. Clean House

The waning moon is all about clearing to make space for the new. This is a great time to clear the clutter and cobwebs in your home so that energy can flow and your mind can be clear.

If you haven't decluttered in awhile, the first few cycles of doing this might be a bit of work, but it will be worth it. You can instantly feel the difference when you walk into a decluttered space; it feels lighter and inviting.

I use the cleaning schedule from these moon worksheets. It has a section for daily chores, deep cleaning, and energetically clearing your home.

I like to go from room to room with two large trash bags, one for trash and one for donation. It gets donated if I haven't used an item in a year. All clothing that makes me feel uncomfortable when wearing it gets donated as well, even if it's not an old piece of clothing.

If you're crafty, I'm sure you find ways to recycle things in your home, but since I'm not, it all goes to our local donation center.

Once you're done with your waning moon cleaning, open or crack a few windows and go through your home with palo santo or some sage. Energetically clear all the corners of stagnant negative energy accumulated over the past lunar cycle.

2. Set up sacred space

I like to sit in my meditation space for any ritual and first ground myself. I do this by lighting incense, usually palo santo. I then take several deep breaths to help calm my body and become present.

If you have any essential oil sprays or roll-ons, use those to help ground yourself.

I love Kate's Magik Letting Go Anointing Oil, which is perfect for the waning and full moons. I rub the oil on my wrists, pulse points on my neck, and over my heart.

I like to incorporate candles or some other soft lighting. If you have crystals, some good ones to bring forward would be Lapis Lazuli, which helps with reflection and clarity; Angelite, which helps restore tranquility; and Lepidolite, which eliminates stress and anxiety and assists in making positive life changes.

3. Acknowledge what was brought forward

It's helpful to first reflect on everything that was brought forth this moon cycle. Like bringing in a harvest from the field, you need to sort through it all and decide what you're keeping.

Think about what you learned and what good things manifested. Your intention doesn't usually have to manifest within one moon cycle; it happens in stages.

Think about all you accomplished and what went well. Acknowledgment and appreciation of these things will aid in more manifestations as you enter the next moon cycle.

Acknowledge yourself and the Universe for what has manifested this cycle!

4. Contemplate on any messages

What came up for you this past cycle? What were your biggest blocks? Did anything random happen?

Think about what has come up for you and take a moment to try to see if there are any messages contained within these experiences. Think about how this specific block is holding you back from your intention manifesting.

Or what could you find within yourself that you could heal so that you stop attracting a certain kind of experience or block for yourself?

Within each moon cycle, blocks will be brought to the surface to heal so you can move closer to your intention. Never discredit yourself for blocks coming up; the Universe is bringing something to your attention...what is it?

Contemplate on this past moon cycle and look for any messages you might've received. Any lessons learned. Any healing that needs to be done. Allow what you no longer want to hold onto to fade away with the waning moon.

5. Let go

Think about your intention. You probably want it so badly and have a timeline set up for how everything will need to unfold for it to happen. But here's what I want you to remember: the Universe can make it happen in any way it sees best.

Your job isn't to worry about how it will happen; it is to visualize your intention in its end state, feeling with every beautiful fiber in your body how it will feel once it's manifested, and let the Universe take care of the rest.

You have to trust and let go. Surrender your worries and fears.

Feel yourself falling into the arms of the Divine and just release your grip. Allow the Universe to guide you instead of trying to forge your way through.

Nothing needs to be manhandled to manifest–the gift of feminine energy is that we allow and receive. Allow the Universe to surprise and delight you.

Your job is to literally follow what feels good; feelings of excitement and ease are the breadcrumbs the Universe is leaving on the perfect trail to lead you where you want to go.

Don't worry. You accomplished more than you think you did in this past moon cycle. One of these moon cycles, your intention will manifest before you even realize it, and when that happens, remember to acknowledge the blessing and all of the lessons that came with it.

6. Reflect and make space

As the moon grows darker each night, turn more inwards yourself. Rest and reflect on this past cycle. Is there anything you'd like to do differently? Is there anything you'd like to have ready to aid you in the next cycle?

Lay low this week, making space emotionally and physically for the next lunar cycle, allowing yourself and your mind to rest. The clearer your space and mind, the more ready you'll be when the new moon arrives.

Every morning during the waning moon period, I fill out the Waning Moon morning worksheet. It helps to remind me to slow down and take care of myself.

I like to end every ritual with Divine guidance. I usually pull oracle cards to help guide me through the week. Here are some questions you could ask:

• Where you're at currently
• Heal this
• Let go of this
• Focus on this
• Message from the Universe

EXPLORE FURTHER

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article and found something to take away with you. 

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With love,

Jessica

Other Moon Self-Care Rituals:

New Moon Self-Care Ritual

Waxing Moon Self-Care Ritual

Full Moon Self-Care Ritual

How I Organize My Moon Binder

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Jessica Dimas

Jessica is the founder of Dwell in Magic, where she shares grounded guidance to help women come into deeper alignment, ease, and everyday pleasure as a path to receiving more. Her work centers on practical self-care, emotional well-being, and slow, soulful living as the most natural way to magnetize abundance and create lasting transformation. Through her blog and Patreon community, she offers tangible tools, rituals, and reflections that support real-life integration—without force or hustle. Her writing has been featured on Today, HuffPost, Scary Mommy, Redbook Magazine, Motherly, and more.

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