Following the moon has truly 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'm sharing my waning moon ritual for letting go, making space and the daily habits I like to practice during the waning moon 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, emotions you want to heal and release. It's a time of taking care of yourself, acknowledging everything you've accomplished and worked on during this cycle.
Just like soil needs time to replenish before planting new seeds, so do you. An overworked field doesn't produce a quality harvest. If you constantly try to act, act, act...you're going to burn out.
The waning moon reminds us that it's necessary 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 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 is able to flow and bring clarity to your mind.
If you haven't decluttered in awhile, the first few cycles of doing this might be a bit of work, but it will so be worth it. You can instantly feel the difference when you walk into a decluttered space; it just 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. If I haven't used an item in a year, it gets donated. 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 just 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 and energetically clear all the corners from stagnant negative energy that accumulated over the past lunar cycle.
2. Set up sacred space
For any ritual I like to sit in my meditation space and first start by grounding myself. I do this by lighting incense and 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 as well.
I love Kate's Magik Letting Go Anointing Oil which would be perfect for the waning moon and full moon as well. I rub the oil on my wrists, pulse points on my neck, and over my heart as well.
Candles or some other soft lighting is always something I like to incorporate.
If you have crystals, some good ones to bring forward would be Lapis Lazuli to help with reflection and clarity, Angelite to restore tranquility, or Lepidolite to eliminate stress and anxiety, as well as assist 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 on what you're keeping.
Think about what you learned and what good things manifested. Your intention doesn't have to completely manifest within a moon cycle, usually it happens in stages.
Think about all you accomplished and what went well. Acknowledgement and appreciation of these things will aid in more manifestations as you go into the next moon cycle.
Acknowledge yourself and the Universe for what was 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 that 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 bad and have a timeline set up in your mind on 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; your job is to visualize your intention in it's 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 man-handled in order 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 back 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
I hope you enjoyed this post; if you have a waning moon self-care ritual, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
If you'd like to see snippets of my moon self-care rituals and daily self-care, follow me over on Instagram. I frequently share parts of my self-care in my Insta stories.
Other Moon Self-Care Rituals:
Lots of love,
Jessica
Jessica Dimas is the creator of Manifesting Magic with the Moon. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram for more inspiration and updates.
- 8 Ways to Explore the Depths of Dark Feminine Energy - February 24, 2024
- Unlocking Serenity: The Art of Choosing Contentment - November 25, 2023
- Reclaiming You: How to Find Yourself Again - November 18, 2023
Leslie
I am so new to this and I want to get everything from it that I can. I have a lot to learn but reading this makes me realize I’ve had a few signs and pushing thoughts as to what I need to create and manage.
Jessica Dimas
Hi Leslie, yeah if you're interested in this topic then I have no doubt you've had signs and inspiration that are leading you to the right information at the right time. I have found in hindsight that happens to me all the time. Have fun with it and just keep following those bread crumbs the Universe is leaving you 🙂
JoAnna
This is really FABOULUS I Love it Thank you~~ From a Grateful ENFJ!! 🙂 Blessings !
Jessica Dimas
Thank you JoAnna! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! ENFJ's and INFP's are supposed to be super compatible, so no wonder we both have the same taste 🙂
JoAnna
Yes They are very compatible ! Blessings !! 🙂 Thank you again !
Carol
Hi Jessica, I loved your recent waning moon self care ritual!! Reviewing ~ Letting go ~ so you can move forward, with a de-clutter ~ Home ~ Mind ~ Spirit ~ Body.
I loved it so much I posted it on my spiritual face book page.
Blessings, Carol
Jessica Dimas
Thank you so much Carol! I'm glad you enjoyed this post and also shared it on your Facebook page, I really appreciate that <3
Jay
Hello Jessica. I trust you are well. I believe the moon phase in London tonight (24 November 2021) is the waning gibbous moon. I am new to rituals and have been trying to find my way around them and what rituals fit each phase. I began because I am going through a horrible time at the moment and feel I have nowhere to turn for comfort and resolution. Is this the phase to sit back and rest? I find myself floundering over candle colours, timings, etc. I came across your site and it seems so down to earth and anything you suggest to follow does not seem too beyond me. However, I am floundering. Please help.
Jessica Dimas
Hi Jay, you are absolutely right. The waning phase is definitely a time to slow down and go within. I would suggest to not get too attached to the "right" way of doing things, because you are the true power behind all of it anyway. When going through a difficult time, the best thing I have found is to just become still and a bit distanced from the world. Journaling how you've been feeling and how you want to begin feeling is a super powerful practice. It's so simple but brings into your awareness the direction you want to begin going in. I'm sorry to hear you're going through a rough time, though I also know it will bring you expansion in some way. A book that really helped me when I was going through a hard time was The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
Anonymous
Jessica, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. Stay blessed
Jennifer
Hi from the UK, Jessica, I hope you're well. I'm an old technophobe who is not into Tik Tok, Instagram or Facebook. I can just about work my TV! Do you produce any videos on YouTube at all? Stay blessed.
Jessica Dimas
I'm actually about to start creating videos for YouTube. I've really moved away from most social media just because I don't have the desire or energy to try to keep up with all the new platforms that come out. But Youtube is something I've wanted to do for a long time so I'll be there soon!
Jennifer
Greetings from the UK Jessica. I hope you're well I've been trying to subscribe to your free Sunday Self Care emails but cannot get through. Anyway, when are you appearing on You Tube please? I'm afraid that's the extent of my technical know-how! Stay blessed - Jennifer from London
Jessica Dimas
Hi Jennifer, I'm sorry that I'm just now seeing this. If you'd like, I'll manually add you to the Sunday Self-Care emails. I am still going back and forth on whether to do Youtube or not. But if and when I do, I'll definitely notifying through email!