Each month’s New Moon is thought to be an opportune moment for crafting intentions, envisioning what you want to bring to form over the subsequent four weeks. By following an approach called Moon Mapping, you can align your actions and orientation throughout the month with the lunar phases. This will not only help you feel more attuned with the rhythms of nature but it gives you a stellar sequencing plan to develop and manifest your intentions.

Following are the eight lunar phases and the energetics of each. Note that each phase, including those connected to the New and Full Moon, lasts for about 3.7 days.

New Moon

Keyword: Intention

Timeline: 0-3.7 days after the New Moon

During the New Moon, envision what you want to create. It may be a project, a new routine, a different way of orienting, or anything else that you feel would offer benefit to your life. During this phase, you then craft an intention, something you’d like to manifest over the next month, which will be the envisioned aim that will guide you throughout the entire lunar cycle.

Crescent Moon

Keyword: Initiation

Timeline: 3.7-7.4 days after the New Moon

During this lunar phase, further refine your intention as this will help you to continue to give shape to your New Moon vision. In doing so, a greater sense of positivity and excitement will likely arise. Focus on learning and researching, and turning to your intuition for further insights; all will move your manifestation forward.

First Quarter Moon

Keyword: Action

Timeline: 7.4-11.1 days after the New Moon

Now’s the time to really dive into your endeavor or project. Undertake concerted action steps to bring it to life. You may notice at this point that you’re crafting a new course towards your future, one that may help you break free of that which you want to release from the past. It’s a turning point moment. Work through any resistance and tension that arises, while learning from any confrontation you may experience.

Gibbous Moon

Keyword: Refinement

Timeline: 11.1-14.8 days after the New Moon

As you get striking glimpses into how your New Moon intention is coming to life, you may connect to a sense of greater hope as to what may manifest. Keeping your sight on your aims, apply your problem-solving skills should any challenges be present. Also, remember that while you’re close to the fulfillment of your intention, you’re not there yet. As such, stay present, orient with patience, and commit to following through.

Full Moon

Keyword: Illumination

Timeline: 14.8-18.5 days after the New Moon

During the Full Moon phase, we more fully witness what we’ve created and how our New Moon intention has taken shape and form. If it manifested as you had hoped, you may find yourself reveling in what was generated and celebrating your accomplishments. Yet, if it didn’t come to pass as you had expected, you may find yourself with disappointment. Regardless of the outcome, it’s a powerful learning moment: reflect upon how the way you oriented over the last two weeks contributed to what has emerged, as this will yield gifts of awareness for the future.

Disseminating Moon

Keyword: Sharing

Timeline: 18.5-22.1 days after the New Moon

The Disseminating Moon phase gives you the opportunity to further understand not only what you have recently manifested but also the path that you took to creating what you did. Key activities of this time include review and contemplation as well as gathering with others to communicate and share your findings. Not only will they learn from you but you will access more knowledge through their feedback.

Last Quarter Moon

Keyword: Maturity

Timeline: 22.1-25.8 days after the New Moon

Now’s the time to make any further adjustments to the project you’ve been working on over the past three weeks. What’s also supported and encouraged is acknowledging any resistance you’ve experienced and releasing what you’re realizing doesn’t truly align with what you want and need. Tie up loose ends and take responsibility for what has occurred, including any missteps you experienced along the way.

Balsamic Moon

Keyword: Renewal

Timeline: 25.8-29.5 days after the New Moon

As the Moon’s light fades to darkness and this current lunar cycle comes to a close, we move into a time of rest and renewal. Rather than actively starting new things now, reflect upon what has been made manifest since the New Moon. Do activities that will replenish your mind, body, and soul. As you do, be open to whispers of what you may want to give birth to in the coming lunar cycle.

Adapted from The Complete Guide to Living by the Moon by Stephanie Gailing, which includes an in-depth guide to Moon Mapping.

The Lunar Phases and Moon Mapping