Archetypal Moon Energy; a Lunar Love Ritual
The moon cycles possess archetypal energies that offer women deeper insight into her own natural rhythms and how her divine flow guides her to have greater control over her mental and emotional well-being as well as harness the full potential of her creativity, strength, and nourishment. A woman who becomes consciously aware of her connection to the moon’s influence through her womb can begin to intentionally craft her life’s events in a way that will bring her the results she truly desires. Practice this Lunar Love Ritual to align with these archetypal energies and receive the full power of their guidance.
The 4 Archetypes of the Moon
It’s quite common for women to menstruate and ovulate in sync with the moon cycle. Since there is no evidence of women possessing greater or lesser health whether their menstrual cycles sync with the moon or not, please do not get too attached to these or allow them to mean something about your identity or worth as an individual. These are simply here to act as a framework to help guide you into an exploration of yourself.
A woman’s menstrual cycle is around the same length as the 28-day moon cycle, give or take a few days. There are two types of women depending on when they ovulate and menstruate – a white moon woman and a red moon woman. A white moon woman, which is the more common of the two types, will menstruate around the darkness of the new moon and ovulate with the full light of the full moon. A red moon woman will menstruate with the full light of the full moon and ovulate with the darkness of the new moon.
Depending on how our cycle aligns with the four moon phases – new moon, waxing moon, full moon, and waning moon – there are four archetypal energies that we can use as a guide to feel more in tune with our natural rhythms and those of the moon. Although the new moon is the start of a new cycle, for the purpose and ease of learning here, we will start with the virgin phase which corresponds to the waxing moon.
The Virgin or Maiden Phase
After the darkness of the new moon, outshines a sliver of fresh new light. Welcome the virgin phase. She is a strong and playful delight. Her fresh new energy feels quick and sharp. Where the seeds of intention were embedded in the new moon’s dark soil, now begins the process of growth.
How to use this energy
This renewed sense of lightness comes post-menstruation when your body has released the blood and the egg and is now in its most lean and agile state. It’s a great time to commit to short-term projects, new routines or workouts, or even start a cleanse. The playful and curious virgin is also strong and she has the capacity to take on more physical activity. This can translate into the bedroom as well. You may feel more open to trying new things and even take on more of a leading role. Be aware that some people might actually feel a little intimidated by this more masculine energy the virgin exudes.
Take caution as to not get ahead of yourself with this newfound inspiration to take on the world and achieve more. Be sure that you are not over-committing or over-promising on events in the future where your energy may not feel as up to the task as it does in the virgin phase.
Colors to consider
White or light-colored clothing can support this virgin energy.
The Mother Phase
As the full moon shines the fullness of her light, we arrive in the mother phase. With this fullness, comes the fullness of her love. Whereas the virgin’s outward energy is directed at her personal growth, the mother feels grounded in who she is and desires to be in service and support of others. The mother is comfortable in her sensual nature and unafraid to fully offer this part of herself to her partner.
How to use this energy
This is typically during a woman’s ovulation phase so her ability to bring to life what she has been creating is at its peak. This is a great time to host guests, lead workshops, or present final projects. However, the mother has the tendency to be so outward with her energy, she can neglect to tend to her own needs. Share your energy and your love, but remember to receive your energy and your love as well or you will be left feeling burnt out and underappreciated.
Colors to consider
Earth tones such as greens and browns may support you during the mother phase. You can also play with wearing more natural fibers and floral patterns.
The Enchantress Phase
Now the moon’s light begins to revolve towards the darkness during the moon’s waning phase. The enchantress phase is typically associated with the pre-menstrual phase. Here begins the process of withdrawal and the destruction that will come into full form in the next phase, the wise woman phase.
How to use this energy
The enchantress is intuitive and inquisitive, and she represents all the most mystical parts of Self. She is the evolved woman who has lived through experiences that moved her beyond her attachment to the material and into a deeper awareness of her internal worth and wisdom. Set aside time to begin creating sacred space for you to turn inward. You may feel called to spend more time with your tarot cards and crystals, connecting with the more mystical aspects of you.
See this as the transitional phase from outward energy to inward energy. Like a wave returning back out to sea to regather its energy, begin to pull back from outward activities, although you may still have the energetic capacity for some of it. Be sure to eat and consume in a way that feels intuitive without being too restrictive or over-indulgent.
Colors to consider
Blues, purples, and reds might be the colors you choose to adorn yourself with now to align with the enchantress within.
The Wise Woman Phase
The light has now returned back to the darkness of the new moon. It is important not to mistake the term darkness as something negative. The darkness is where space is created for the full potential of life to be birthed. The wise woman phase, typically associated with the menstrual phase, is a really important phase that, for some women, is easily neglected because it asks you to really slow down, be still, and honor your time for self-care. Knowing this phase is coming, you can plan ahead to not have guests over or schedule outings that will require a lot of outward energy from you.
How to use this energy
You might experience vivid dreams or, if honored properly, plant the seeds of visionary ideas to be nurtured into physical manifestation during the virgin and mother phases that follow. Be careful to not over-eat or over-drink or consume media that will negatively impact your consciousness, as to not miss your opportunity for connecting fully to your intuition. And perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate. Celebrate what worked well and what you did well in the last cycle. Journal and identify all that which you choose to leave behind and that which you want to either carry with you or create anew in this next cycle.
Throughout the month, make it a point to go outside and look up at the moon, observe her positioning and see her beauty in darkness and in light, and receive the wisdom she is pouring down and over you. Below is a ritual you can practice for connecting with the moon and to feel her divine energy running through you. This practice can be done at any time throughout the month to receive the fullness of the present archetypal energy.
Colors to consider
Red and black are colors that will support your wise woman at this time of bleeding.
Lunar Love Ritual
- Fill a cup or a bowl with your choice of drinking liquid such as tea or water. You may also use your bare hands in the shape of the lotus mudra.
- Standing under the moonlight, hold your cup or your hands in front of your heart.
- Receive the moon’s energy, feel her love pouring down through your crown and into your heart and all through your body.
- Ask the moon to show herself to you, through you. Ask her to illuminate the parts of self that desire to be seen and loved. Ask her to guide you deeper into your own Virgin, Mother, Enchantress, or Wise Woman.
- Feel her energy pouring down into you and filling your cup or hands in front of your heart, infusing it with her love.
- Now, hold the cup to your lips and drink this elixir of love with blessed intention, feel it being absorbed through your whole being.
- Sit in the sensation of this love and thank the moon for her presence. Thank yourself for choosing to be on this path and for giving yourself this time to receive and become. Blessed be.
About the Author
Vernal Equinox: Rhythm And Ritual Through Yoga
Over the course of each year, our playful planet performs an elliptic dance around the sun while simultaneously spinning about its own imperfect axis, which tilts roughly 23 degrees from vertical. Born of the primordial fire, the terms of this intricate cosmic relationship are responsible for all of the natural rhythms that inform our daily lives — from changing weather patterns to reliable zeitgebers that regulate our internal clocks.
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
-John Muir
THE STORY OF A BLUE SPHERE AND A FIERY MASS
As Earth diligently revolves around the sun each year, there are four distinct sandhis, or junctures, where a clear seasonal shift occurs from our terrestrial perspective. The vernal equinox is one such juncture, marking the transition from winter to spring.
As we welcome the appearance of new life in nature, many of us remain blissfully unaware. We may neglect or even override the innate curiosity that seeks to understand how our cozy blue sphere and its fiery solar star orchestrate this magnificent show year after year. The truth is, when it comes to their relationship status, “it’s complicated.”
A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO VISUALIZATION
Imagine yourself sitting in a camping chair with your feet warmed by the heat of a well-burning fire. Fortunately, you’re equipped with a warm scarf and hat to dull the chill you might otherwise experience as you recline back (at exactly 23.4°) to enjoy the stars. Now, without adjusting the direction your chair is facing, imagine yourself orbiting around the focal fire to the opposite side, giving the back of your head a chance to enjoy the warmth of the flame.
If your feet were the southern hemisphere and your head were the northern hemisphere, these two positions would represent the winter solstice (with more heat reaching the bottom half of your body) and the summer solstice (with more heat reaching the top half of your body) respectively.
To visualize the vernal equinox, imagine your chair were to revolve just a quarter of the way around this campfire circle. In this position, your body would be leaning neither toward nor away from the fire and the projected plane of your navel (the equator of your body) might pass directly through the center of the glow. Also, the light reaching one side of your body would match the darkness on the opposite side, much like the day and night which are of approximately equal length on the equinox.
Still confused? Don’t sweat it, simply allow yourself to enjoy the fruits of spring with a deep knowing that there are some wildly wonderful forces at play.
