Humans have always revered the moon. Its gravitational pull moves oceans and influences natural cycles across the planet. For centuries, peoples across the world have observed lunar phases as markers for planting crops, celebrating festivals, and setting personal intentions.

If you, too, feel drawn to the power of the moon, you’re in good company. Finding your own meaning in the lunar cycle is simply part of being human.

We’ve created this guide to explore how to harness the power of the moon in your life by developing your own lunar rituals and aligning your intention-setting practices with the phases of the moon.

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Not sure where to start? Take our quiz to find which lunar phase we think suits you best.

In this blog:

• Understanding the Four Primary Moon Phases
  • Associations by Moon Phase
• Intention-Setting Rituals by Moon Phase
• Creating a Sustainable Moon Ritual Practice
• Common Moon Ritual Mistakes to Avoid
• Advanced Moon Phase Techniques
  • How to Make Moon Water
• Building Community Around Lunar Practice
• Getting Started with Your First Moon Ritual

Understanding the Four Primary Moon Phases

It takes the moon about 29.5 days to complete one turn around the Earth. This period of time is known as a lunar month, or perhaps more commonly as the lunar cycle.

The moon moves through four primary phases as it charts its course across our skies: new, waxing, full, and waning. Each of these phases are believed to hold specific energetic qualities that some magical practitioners use to time ritual work and intention or goal-setting.

In this section, we’ll explore how these energetic qualities manifest in each phase, and what types of magical correspondences they might bear.

Note: The associations we include in this section are Sea Witch chosen. As such, they may not present a full list of magical correspondences, and may not represent or align with your personal correspondences. If so, that’s perfectly okay! Your magic responds to your mind, feelings, and experience—so your ideas matter most for your practice.

New Moon (Days 0-4)

In stillness, the seed listens.

The sky appears dark as the moon settles perfectly between Earth and the sun. At this time, no moon can be seen. This phase represents new beginnings, blank slates, and planting seeds for future growth. The darkness provides optimal conditions for setting fresh intentions and initiating new projects.

New Moon Associations

Season: Winter
Elements: Earth, Water
Colors: Jewel tones, indigo, silver, black
Stones: Black moonstone, iolite, amethyst, garnet, black tourmaline, obsidian, onyx, labradorite
Rune: Ingwaz ᛝ Seed (inner fire, new life, potential)
Botanicals: Cedar, fir, frankincense, garden sage, juniper, lavender, mint, mugwort, nutmeg, patchouli, star anise
Rituals: Stillness/meditation, divination, setting intentions, creating sigils, refreshing your altar
Menstrual phase: Menstruation

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Waxing Moon (Days 4-14)

Something new is taking shape.

Light increases from a sliver to nearly full illumination. This phase spans nearly two weeks and focuses on building, growing, and taking action toward intentions set during the new moon. The expanding light supports momentum-building, problem-solving, and adding energy to goals.

The waxing moon phase can be broken down into three sub-phases: waxing crescent, when the moon is sickle-shaped; first quarter, when the moon appears exactly half-full; and waxing gibbous, when the moon is bulbous but not quite full.

Waxing Moon Associations

Season: Spring
Elements: Air, Fire
Colors: Pastels, warm tones, pink, orange, red
Stones: Peach moonstone, peach selenite, red aventurine, carnelian, mookaite, citrine, crazy lace agate, dragon stone (dragon’s blood jasper)
Rune: Berkano ᛒ Birch (birth, growth, fertility)
Botanicals: Lemon, orange, rosemary, mint, garlic, ginger, lemon balm, passionflower, carrot, sweetpea, hibiscus, cinnamon, basil, tomato
Rituals: Intentional movement, candle gazing, kitchen/food magic, actions toward intentions set during new moon
Menstrual phase: Follicular phase

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Full Moon (Days 14-18)

Your power is in full bloom.

The entire lunar surface illuminates. This phase represents culmination, harvest, celebration, and release of what no longer serves. The peak brightness brings situations to full visibility and provides clarity for decision-making.

Full Moon Associations

Season: Summer
Elements: Fire, Water
Colors: Vivid tones, white, silver, blue
Stones: Rainbow moonstone, selenite, mother of pearl, clear quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, chrysocolla, green aventurine
Rune: Sowilo ϟ Sun (expansion, willpower, success)
Botanicals: Jasmine, ylang ylang, grapefruit, orange, apple, lemon balm, passionflower, hibiscus, pomegranate, mugwort, dandelion, St. John’s wort, willow, ginger, tomato
Rituals: Divination, cleansing bath, charging crystals/tools, making moon water, (safely) working with fire to release what you’ve outgrown
Menstrual phase: Ovulation

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Waning Moon (Days 18-30)

What falls away feeds the future.

Light decreases from full illumination back to darkness. This phase spans approximately two weeks and supports release work, introspection, rest, and letting go of patterns or situations that block progress. The diminishing light creates space for the next new moon cycle.

The waning moon phase can be broken down into three sub-phases: waning gibbous, when the moon is bulbous but no longer full; last quarter, when the moon appears exactly half-full; and waning crescent, when the moon is sickle-shaped again.

Waning Moon Associations

Season: Autumn
Elements: Air, Earth
Colors: Earth tones, cool tones
Stones: Black tourmaline, black onyx, obsidian, kyanite, smoky quartz, lepidiolite, rhodonite, moss agate, green and blue calcites
Rune: Eihwaz ᛇ Yew (transition, resilience, death & rebirth)
Botanicals: Lavender, patchouli, rosemary, cedar, mullein, thyme, nutmeg, clove, lemon balm, basil, juniper, pine, garden sage
Rituals: Cleansing/purification, banishing/protection magic, intentional movement (try yin yoga postures), journaling, rest
Menstrual phase: Luteal phase

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Intention-Setting Rituals by Moon Phase

Just as with other magic, lunar rituals are most effective when created and performed according to your own creative ideas, correspondences, and magical intuition. The rituals we have detailed in this section simply provide a framework to work off of that we encourage you to make your own.

Note: It can be especially helpful to keep track of your magical workings in a journal dedicated to your lunar practice. Consider writing down the rituals you perform (including when you perform it and which tools you use), synchronicities throughout the cycle, and your own experiences as a practitioner.

New Moon Rituals: Setting Fresh Intentions

The Practice: New moon energy is available at every new beginning. This lunar phase is best for launching new projects, relationships, or personal transformations, with the darkness providing a blank canvas for visualization.

Step-by-Step Ritual:

1. Cleanse the ritual space. Use herbs like rosemary, juniper, cedar, or garden sage (why we avoid white sage) or try essential oil incense or mists. Cleansing can also be done with sound (bells, singing bowls).
2. Write down 1-5 specific intentions for the upcoming lunar cycle. If needed, use this time to meditate or pull cards to help you discern how you’d like to direct your energy in the coming weeks.
3. Use present tense language as if intentions already exist ("abundance flows easily" rather than "want more money").
4. Optional: Create a vision board, craft personal sigils, or collect symbolic objects representing these goals.
5. Light a white or silver candle and speak your intentions aloud.
6. Place the written intentions under your pillow or on an altar for the duration of the lunar cycle. (Optional: Burn or bury the intentions at the full moon to release the spell.)

Timing Tip: Perform this ritual within 24-48 hours after the astronomical new moon for maximum potency.

Waxing Moon Rituals: Building Momentum

The Practice: Waxing moon energy is with us as we gather power. This lunar phase is best for taking action, overcoming obstacles, and building toward goals. Use this two-week period to develop habits, gain skills, and make tangible progress on intentions set at the new moon.

Waxing Phase Tips:

• Review new moon intentions weekly during the waxing phase.
• Identify 2-3 action steps to bolster each intention. Remember—intentions alone don’t necessarily bring something to fruition. Ground your magic in practical behaviors to build a foundation for your intentions to grow into.
• Devise gentle accountability measures (deadlines, check-ins, progress markers) to help yourself stay on track toward your goals.
• Address obstacles by writing them down and brainstorming possible solutions to experiment with. Journaling or reading cards might help this process.

Step-by-Step Ritual:

1. Optional: If you created sigils for your intentions during the new moon phase, carve them into a candle and/or draw them on a piece of paper and place beneath candle(s).
2. Light a green, yellow, or orange candle to represent growth and expansion.
3. Speak affirmations aloud that expand your intentions: "Progress builds naturally" or "Action flows with ease"
4. Keep track of your workings in a lunar journal.

Timing Tip: Perform check-in rituals halfway through the waxing phase to assess momentum and adjust actions as needed. The halfway mark is also called “first quarter” and notes the day the moon appears exactly half-full in the sky.

Full Moon Rituals: Release and Manifestation

The Practice: Full moon energy represents fruition and power, fully ripened. This lunar phase brings situations to their peak, celebrating what has manifested and illuminating what requires release.

Step-by-Step Ritual:

1. Take a cleansing bath with sea salt and essential oils (try lavender, eucalyptus, or rosemary).
2. Create two lists: "What Has Manifested" and "What Requires Release"
3. Express gratitude for manifestations by reading the list aloud under moonlight.
4. Safely burn your release list in a fireproof container or tear it into pieces and bury it.
5. Charge crystals, water, and/or other tools in moonlight overnight.
6. Journal about insights or emotions that surface during the full moon.

Timing Tip: The full moon's energy is available for 2-3 days, extending about 24 hours before and after the exact full moon moment.

Waning Moon Rituals: Releasing and Reflecting

The Practice: Waning moon energy permeates every ending. This lunar phase supports releasing patterns, relationships, or beliefs that block growth. Use this two-week period for introspection, gratitude, and clearing space for the next new moon cycle.

Step-by-Step Ritual:

1. Reflect on the full lunar cycle and what manifested or shifted.
2. Light a black or dark blue candle representing completion and wisdom
3. Create two lists: "Lessons Learned" and "What Requires Release.” Write your release list on biodegradable paper using non-toxic ink.
4. Express gratitude for lessons by reading the list aloud.
5. Hold your release list and speak aloud: "These no longer serve. With gratitude for the lessons, they are released."
6. Options for physical release:
   1. Bury the paper in earth
   2. Dissolve it in running water
   3. Compost it
7. Journal about insights or patterns observed throughout the lunar cycle.
8. Rest and cleanse your space to refresh your body, space, and spirit in preparation for the next lunar cycle.

Timing Tip: Perform release work halfway through the waning phase to maximize clearing before the next new moon. The halfway mark is also called “last quarter” and notes the day the moon appears exactly half-full in the sky.

Creating a Sustainable Moon Ritual Practice

Building Your Lunar Toolkit

Like many other magical practices, lunar rituals are vast in variety and can take any shape that satisfies your intentions and personal process. That being said, having a few reliable tools for lunar rituals that help to deepen your magical workings. Here are a few we recommend.

Lunar ritual toolkit:

• Lunar calendar or tracking app
• Journal dedicated to moon work
• Candles (white, silver, black, or phase-specific colors)
• Crystals aligned with lunar energy (moonstone, selenite, labradorite, clear quartz, or phase-specific stones)
• Cleansing materials (essential oil incense or sprays, herbal bundles, singing bowls or bells)
• Fireproof container for burning rituals

Track Your Workings

Use your working lunar journal to record the details of your moon phase magics. Consider writing down:

• Specific intentions set during each new moon
• Emotions and experiences during full moons
• Synchronicities or manifestations throughout the cycle
• Patterns emerging across multiple lunar cycles

Review these notes once each season to identify which types of intentions manifest most effectively and which moon phases produce the strongest personal responses.

Combining Lunar Rituals with Other Practices

Amplify or deepen the power of your moon magics by weaving in any of the following to your lunar practice:

• Meditation: 5-15 minute meditation before ritual work (perhaps with a lunar focus)
• Intentional movement: Incorporating stretching, yoga, swimming, or mindful walking to connect with your body
• Tarot or oracle cards: Pulling cards for guidance during lunar rituals and/or throughout the lunar cycle
• Astrology: Noting which zodiac sign the moon occupies during each phase and drawing this energy into your rituals
• Journaling: Writing to yourself throughout the lunar cycle to help your mind be clear and your energy centered

Common Moon Ritual Mistakes to Avoid

Setting Too Many Intentions: The lunar cycle works best with 3-5 focused, connected intentions rather than overwhelming lists. Think quality over quantity.

Overlooking Natural Cycles: Each full moon bears a flurry of traditional folk names (such as “Buck Moon” or “Strawberry Moon”) that reflect the rhythms of the natural world depending on the time of year. This context might help inform intentions or rituals.

If you connect with astrology, consider that each new moon and full moon takes place in a specific zodiac sign, which might influence the types of intentions the moon is primed to help fulfill. You might research the relevant astrological sign for optimal results, or simply to give additional perspective to your magical workings.

Forcing Positivity During Darker Phases: Just like autumn and winter, the waning and new moon periods naturally bring introspection and can dredge up discomfort. It is critical not to bypass these feelings! Rather than resisting, find how you can honor and incorporate your emotions into your lunar practice. Communing with discomfort helps to deepen your power.

Skipping the Release Work: Setting intentions without releasing old patterns creates internal conflict. Both sides of the cycle—growing and releasing—require attention.

Advanced Moon Phase Techniques

Making Moon Water

What if you need to work a banishing spell during a waxing moon? Or make a ritual bath exceptionally potent and special? Or simply need a deeply healing cup of tea? Meet moon water: your new favorite witch’s tool.

This simple practice allows you to draw the essence of the moon into a jar of water to store some of its magic for later use. Charge water under specific moon phases for different purposes:

• New moon water: Starting fresh ventures, cleansing energy
• Waxing moon water: Forward momentum, creativity, fertility
• Full moon water (most common): Amplifying manifestations, blessing sacred objects
• Waning moon water: Banishing work, releasing rituals

How to make moon water:

1. Fill a container with water. It’s certainly ideal to use filtered or spring water and a transparent glass jar, but tap water and a metal or plastic container will work just fine in a pinch.
2. Place container outside or on a windowsill to charge. Leave for 2-4 hours or overnight during the moon phase while the moon is in the sky.
3. Optional: Use crystals and/or sigils to charge water to a specific intention. Place a crystal atop the container, draw a sigil and place beneath the container, and/or arrange crystals around the container to magnify the lunar energy.
4. Store on an altar or in the fridge. Use for magical workings, pour into a bath, or brew into a tea (make sure water is safe to drink). Consider using within one lunar cycle for maximum potency, or adorning with crystals and/or sigils to maintain potency.

Eclipse Rituals

Solar and lunar eclipses act as supercharged versions of new and full moons, respectively. These high-energy periods can benefit from more elaborate rituals and can produce life-changing shifts. Intentions set during eclipses often unfold over six months.

On the contrary, some practitioners believe that such intense astrological energy can negatively affect magical workings performed during eclipses—they’ll tell you the only thing to do during an eclipse is to lay low, rest, and nourish yourself. (Consider looking into this if astrology is your thing.)

We talk more in depth about eclipse magic here.

Blue Moon Magic

A blue moon (the second full moon in one calendar month) is said to carry extra potency for magical workings. This short, super-charged window can provide opportunities for major transformations or significant intentions that require additional lunar power.

These are rare occurrences that only happen once every 2-3 years—hence the saying once in a blue moon!

Building Community Around Lunar Practice

Moon circles bring together practitioners for group ritual work during specific moon phases. The collective energy can amplify individual intentions while creating accountability and support. There are even virtual moon circles that have made this practice accessible regardless of location.

Example group ritual structure:

1. Opening circle and grounding meditation (5-10 minutes)
2. Individual sharing of intentions or releases (optional but encouraged, 1-3 minutes per person)
3. Guided visualization or group ritual activity (15-20 minutes)
4. Silent reflection time (5-10 minutes)
5. Closing circle with gratitude sharing (5 minutes)

Getting Started with Your First Moon Ritual

Begin aligning with lunar rhythms today by tracking the current moon phase and preparing for the next new moon intention-setting ritual. Take your time to get a feel for things as you develop your own lunar practice. Know that consistency across multiple cycles produces the most noticeable results.

This Week's Action Steps:

1. Download a moon phase app or check an online lunar calendar.
2. Note the current moon phase and read its corresponding section above.
3. Gather 3-5 basic ritual items already in your home (candle, paper, pen).
4. Set a reminder for the next new moon to perform your first intention-setting ritual.
5. Begin thinking on what intentions you might like to set.
6. Create a dedicated lunar journal or digital document for keeping track of your magical workings.

First New Moon Ritual (Simplified):

1. Find a quiet space at night.
2. Light a white candle.
3. Write three clear intentions.
4. Speak your intentions aloud.
5. Place the paper somewhere safe for 29 days.

From this foundation, expand practices gradually, adding elements that resonate personally while maintaining consistency with the lunar cycle.

The moon teaches us when to begin, when to grow, and when to let go. Our newest incense collection follows the full lunar cycle—four phases, four botanical rhapsodies to help you channel the power of the moon.

Look to the sky and harness the moon at every phase, bundled together at 10% off. Or, take our quiz to find the phase that suits you best.