A few years ago, I hosted an international women’s circle via Zoom. We were a small group of French and American women, gathering each month to set our intentions under the new moon. This moment, both intimate and luminous, created a sacred pause in our lives. Together, we held space for sisterhood and support, sharing our dreams, hopes, and doubts with the conviction that setting intentions under the moon’s gentle gaze was a meaningful and powerful act.
Later, my path led me to the Hopi teachings and Grandmother Medicine Song, where I discovered a different ritual. This practice begins just before the new moon and culminates with the full moon of the same lunar cycle. It invites us to create an inner space where our dreams can be born. When Grandmother Medicine Song introduced me to this practice, I didn’t yet grasp its depth. I didn’t realize how essential it is to set intentions with care and prepare both heart and mind to welcome what is to come.
The lunar cycle and manifesting dreams
The lunar cycle is a dance of preparation, release, gestation, and manifestation. Each phase brings unique energy to support our intentions and inner transformations. Here is a summary of the key steps according to Hopi teachings:
This ritual follows the moon’s natural rhythm, aligning with its energies to maximize their impact on our lives.
The new moon ritual: making space for your dreams
New moon ritual: setting your intentions is more than symbolic or an act of will. It’s an inner dance between the desire to grow and the need to let go.
Much like the earth resting under winter’s snow before receiving the first seeds of spring, our dreams require fertile ground. This preparation begins by releasing what no longer serves us: thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and attachments. It’s about clearing away what blocks space for our aspirations and dreams.
In Hopi wisdom, the new moon is an auspicious time for this inner cleansing. For me, the hardest part was asking myself: which dreams am I ready to let go of? Some dreams illuminated my life in the past but no longer serve me now. Yet they remain, nestled within me, like fragments of a past that refuses to fade.
Letting go of these dreams is shedding a part of oneself. It’s saying, “I release you, and in your absence, I create space for something new.” But am I ready? Am I sure this dream must go? These questions invited deep reflection, silence, and introspection to discern what truly needed to be released.
The time of preparation before the new moon offers a precious opportunity to slow down and create inner space for these reflections. This process requires honesty with oneself. Like the earth resting before spring’s renewal, we must prepare the ground with care, honor what was, and find the strength to release it.
Here lies the paradox of letting go: it’s not a renunciation but an offering. Releasing an old dream doesn’t erase it but allows it to transform, becoming a new form of energy to nourish our emerging aspirations.
The importance of the altar in the new moon ritual
In Hopi tradition, intentions are nurtured and supported by a sacred altar. The altar becomes an anchor, a place where dreams and prayers take shape. It’s not just about arranging objects in a space but creating a spiritual reflection of our intentions. Each element on the altar symbolizes an aspect of our aspirations, serving as energetic anchors that nurture our wishes and support their manifestation.
Creating an altar invites contemplation and harmonizes our energy. Every return to the altar strengthens the intention, infusing it with our faith and energy. It becomes a focal point where intentions crystallize and our connection to the universe grows more tangible. The altar is a sacred space, a silent witness reminding us that we’ve already laid the foundation for our future reality.
New moon ritual: setting intentions mindfully
Setting intentions under the new moon is an act of deep listening. It’s about connecting to the subtle energy that nourishes the universe and the earth and mirroring it in our inner desires. Taking the time to listen to our hearts, observe our dreams, and identify what deserves to emerge is engaging in a sacred process. It’s not merely a list of goals or resolutions but a reconnection with ourselves, the universe, and what wishes to unfold through us.
This new moon ritual invites us to return to the essence of our desires. By setting intentions with full awareness of what we release, we create fertile ground for our dreams’ manifestation. Writing or verbalizing these wishes under the moonlight anchors them in reality and makes them tangible.
Aligning with lunar cycles: an ancient and sacred practice
The Hopi, like other ancestral peoples, honor the lunar cycles as spiritual and daily life guides. The new moon ritual is a sacred practice reconnecting us to nature, the Earth, and the Universe. Aligning with these cycles allows us to harmonize with life’s natural rhythms, working with the surrounding energy.
Aligning with the moon is an invitation to live more consciously, honoring the ebb and flow of energies shaping our existence. Setting intentions during the new moon is a way to participate in this grand cosmic dance, linking every living being to ancient wisdom and the cosmos’ magic.
The moon, a mirror of your dreams
The new moon ritual is an act of faith in oneself and the universe. Each intention set, each dream released or planted, is an invitation to trust that what we desire is already on its way. Under the moon’s gentle and benevolent light, we offer ourselves the chance to rewrite our stories, turning a page to welcome what calls us.
May this new moon bring you peace, clarity, and kindness toward yourself. By setting intentions with sincerity and presence, you open the door to endless possibilities. Take this precious time to release the old and make room for your dreams so that the future unfolds harmoniously and authentically, guided by ancient wisdom and moonlight.
Discover the new moon ritual at yoga with you
If this ritual resonates with you, join me at Yoga With You for workshops dedicated to lunar rituals on January 18, 25, and February 1, 2025. These unique gatherings provide a sacred space to set intentions and explore the power of lunar rituals.
Take time to delve into Hopi teachings and connect with their ancestral wisdom—a profound reminder of the balance between humanity, nature, and the sacred.
For deeper reconnection, book a drum healing session, a powerful vibrational practice anchoring you to Earth’s energy and spiritual traditions.
Join our community and journey together toward a brighter, more serene life deeply rooted in nature and the sacred.
And remember: under each new moon, we are invited to become conscious creators of our lives, sowing intentions aligned with our deepest aspirations. 🌙
Comments