A Yogic view of Moon Cycles
New Moon
A New Moon is the time when the earth’s shadow falls between the earth and our rotating moon. From our perspective on earth, the moon is “dark”; there is no reflected light from the sun back to the earth. In traditional cultures, this is the best time for renewal ceremonies, special fasting, special meditations, and new beginnings- letting go of the old patterns. Our internal rhythmic energy is usually much lower during the time of a New Moon. It is a good day to take a break from regular foods and eat lightly, in order to clean and clear the body and mind. Yogi Bhajan suggested that yogis could fast on lemon and water from sun-up until the next morning at breakfast. If you cannot fast (pregnancy, or other health conditions prohibit), then eating lightly, such as cooked or raw veggies and fruits for a day also can clear your system and leave you feeling refreshed.
Waxing Moon
A waxing Moon is the time after the moon appears dark in the sky (New Moon), and before the moon becomes Full. During this time the energy of the body moves into your higher centers (charkas). A waxing moon is a good time to start new projects, begin new meditations, or refocus your energy in new patterns.
11 Days After New Moon
In the Kundalini Yoga tradition, Yogi Bhajan taught that 11 days after the New Moon is another important day in the moon’s rhythm cycle. Yogi Bhajan said that this is the day when you are in balance and that the glandular system is able to readjust itself on this day. He recommended eating very lightly (green foods) on this day, and also drinking a lemon and water mixture to support your changing metabolism.
Full Moon
The Full Moon is traditional a time of culmination of energies. We often find that our energy level is it’s highest during this cycle of the moon. We receive the highest amount of reflected sunlight off the moon’s surface at this time. It was traditionally a time for people to gather because traveling was easy in the light of the moon, and energy levels high. Many women who have natural fertility cycles (no use of hormonal birth control) find that when they have regular, healthy cycles, they ovulate with the full moon. Women who spend a lot of physical time together also tend to cycle together, so if you live in a house of women, you may find that the energy is very high indeed during a full moon!
Yogi Bhajan said “You are naturally accelerated on a full moon… the secretions in your body will be at their maximum, so you don’t want your energy being used to consume food. Save your energy to reconstruct yourself. Try to drink only liquids on the this day. If you feel you must eat, drink only milk” (from a lecture by Yogi Bhajan, August 6, 1991, as printed in The Masters Touch)
A note on fasting on milk: if you are able to fast on milk for the day, drink milk that is warm, and has been slowly brought to a boil (use the stovetop, not a microwave). You can also add spices that help digestion, such as ginger, cinnamon, black pepper or turmeric (kind of like Chai without the black tea).
Waning Moon
The Waning moon is the time after the Full moon, and before the dark moon (New Moon). It is a great time to reassess your relationships, projects and environments, and let go of things that you have outgrown, or need to release. It is also a good time to “tidy up” your accounts and household. A wonderful time to donate or give away items that no longer serve you, or to weed out those things and relationships that invade your psychic and emotional garden.
