New Moon Wishing

Modern Intention Setting Using Old World Wisdom: New Moon Wishing

Every New Moon represents a new beginning; an opportunity to start a fresh in a new area of life. As the Sun and Moon align, seeds are planted and new potentials begin to take form.

One of the most potent ways to connect with the power of a New Moon is through creative intention setting, through a process known as New Moon Wishing. Jan Spiller coined this phrase in her book ‘New Moon Astrology’ (2001 Bantam). She suggests making your wishes within 8 hours of the New Moon.

My New Moon Wishing ritual begins with lighting incense and a candle, and taking a moment to reflect on where I am in life today. Then, I imagine where I’d love to be. Usually, I focus my dreams on areas of life linked to both the sign energy of the New Moon and the house area of my birth chart the current New Moon is energising.

(Don’t know your personal chart? Calculate it free at www.astro.com OR better yet, book an astrology chart session to find out more about your planets!)

I then pull out my special New Moon Wishing book. I’ve been recording my New Moon wishes, as sporadically as I’ve done them, since 2002. This particular New Moon wishing book begins under the New Moon in Cancer in July 2002. I haven’t written every New Moon wish I’ve made since then in this book but I have recorded the vast majority of them.

In this book, I write down my wishes around the month’s current themes. I ensure I word them carefully, as Jan suggests, wishing for things to happen easily, and focus my wishes on things based around myself (yes, New Moon Wishes are a perfect time to be healthily selfish!) – knowing that unless it’s in another person’s highest good, it’s impossible to ask for something on behalf of another. Using therapeutic ‘I’ statements – usually something like ‘I’d like to easily find myself……’ I craft out the changes I’d like in both the relevant sign and houses areas.

Sometimes I write out the full allocation of wishes Jan suggests (10) – and other months, like this one, there are just three or four key wishes around current areas of focus. After writing these out, I then say them out loud, to firmly imprint the ideas in my being.

I seem to recall once reading something about how speaking what one has written helps the concept travel across both sides of the brain, thus imprinting it more deeply on one’s psyche. Either way, it’s an excellent editing technique and helps me ensure I’ve worded things just so – and haven’t forgotten anything currently important. Then, I take a moment to envisage my life with these things happening, gone or going on, whatever the wish may be.

How about you? Have you taken the time to try the power of creative wishing in your world?

Signs and Wishing Themes
Fire Signs
Fire energy is outgoing, expressive and social. Fire energy enjoys getting things done, being out in the world, attracting attention, taking action and living large. Fire energy demands movement and helps overcome procrastination. Anger and assertiveness are important qualities.
Aries – independent, “me first” acts are called for. Make sure you do what’s most important for you.
Leo – Drama abounds as does diva like behaviour. Show your leadership skills. Great for doing something creative, like going to the theatre.
Sagittarius– adventure and new experiences beckon. Honour personal beliefs and philosophies. Great for travel and study.

Earth Signs
Earth energy is grounded, practical, committed and focused. Physical health, money and daily routines are highlighted. Be practical and reliable; make plans and keep commitments. Earth offers a steady energy that holds things together. Great days for massages and body pampering.
Taurus – all about indulgence. Good food and wine is a must. Decadence adds magic to life. Reconnect with your body.
Virgo – precise and pedantic, it’s time to purify your body and your life. Clear clutter and refine diet, exercise and beauty routines.
Capricorn – long term ambitions need attention. Wear your responsibilities and titles with pride. Commitment is a must. Make plans for the future.

Air signs
Air = communication, so when the Moon is in an Air sign it’s time to deal with correspondence including emails, faxes, phone calls and snail mail. Pass information on, send in forms & deal with queries and questions. Information processing is the focus and you can almost hear the mental buzz in the air.
Gemini – chatty and social, it’s a great time to catch up with friends and acquaintances. Gather new facts.
Libra – important relationships benefit from extra attention. Make compromise the name of the game.
Aquarius – free thinking is encouraged. Dare to be your own person and strike out from the crowd in some way.

Water signs
Water energy is about comfort and emotion. This is the time to stay in, spend time with loved ones, rest and remember your feelings. Moods are more obvious and feelings harder to contain. Intuition is strong and safety is more important as are creature comforts.
Cancer – home, family and domestic matters. Stay in, connect with loved ones, deal with household errands.
Scorpio – an intense time where unspoken emotions direct life. Attend to matters of loyalty and trust and address joint money matters.
Pisces – time to bliss out and escape is needed. A great time for meditation, retreat and imagination.