Dance with the Moon
The moon is as part of our life as water is. The question is how do we enhance our health and wellbeing by connecting to the Moon cycles?
The moon cycles are connected to feminine lunar energy of production and manifesting.
Each 14-day moon cycle (full moon and new moon) affects and guides our mood and mental health – have you noticed how you feel during full moon and new moon cycles?
The gravity of the moon pulls at the earth, causing rice and fall in sea levels known as tides and the cycle slows down the Earth’s rotation.
‘The Moon affects Earth in several ways. The first and most obvious is through the provision of moonlight, with a full Moon coming around every 29.5 days, and a new Moon following 14.8 days after that. Then there’s the Moon’s gravitational pull, which creates the ocean tides that rise and fall every 12.4 hours. The height of those tides also follows roughly two-week cycles – the 14.8 day “spring-neap cycle”, which is driven by the combined pull of the Moon and Sun, and the 13.7-day “declination cycle”, which is driven by the Moon’s position relative to Earth’s equator.’
The moon cycles synchronise with human behaviour and moods. Scientists have noticed heightened emotions during full moon cycle. In Yogic terms, during full moon we are operating from our heart centre, the seat of emotions. We may feel more emotional, anxious, and have disruptive sleep patterns, resulting in more erratic behaviour, tension, or tiredness, because we sleep less.
The additional cycle of ‘supermoon’ takes place every 206 days. The moon is closer to earth, which effects mood, especially, depressions, mania, and those with mental health conditions.
Kundalini Yoga can help in managing emotions during moon cycles. The chakras, (etheric energy centres) correspond to the three nerves and the main organs in our body and the upper three chakras (heart chakra, throat chakra and third eye chakra) are aligned to the full moon cycle, and the lower three chakras (Root Chakra, the Sacral Chakra, and the Power Center) are connected with new moon cycle.
New Moon Cycle (no moon) – New beginnings
During these 14 days the moon begins to wane. It is known as the dark cycle (no moon).
‘New moon time is the perfect time to physically support the body to cleanse and replenish itself for greater balance in our health. It is also the ideal time to release on subtler levels what no longer serves us – emotions, thought patterns, belief systems perhaps.’
It is a time for introspection, nurture the self, tune into your feelings, reflect on what is working and what is not working out, what you wish to change and want more in life.
During this cycle we connect with the three lower chakras: Muladhara, Svadhisthana and Manipura (https://www.sirilakshmi.com/blog/a-life-journey-of-colours-manipura-the-third-chakra).
These chakras aid with physical and emotional identity and needs and the relationship to the physical world, they keep us grounded and provide stability.
During these new moon cycle, you can set intentions, plan and manifest for the full moon cycle. It is a great time to allow time for yourself to plan projects. In addition, pay attention to your energy and take time to meditate.
This cycle is beneficial for women. During the new moon cycle, women can develop a practice for self-nurture. Many women have difficult menstrual cycle with painful periods and PMS (premenstrual syndrome). A menstrual during the new moon time can help alleviate PMS, as this is the time to withdraw for self-nurture.
Introspect
Ideas
Plan
Fresh start
Write down!
Let it settle in your energy field and body!
New beginnings
Full Moon Cycle (Notice radiant moon in the dark sky) – Implement
During these 14 days the moon begins to emerge. It is known as the full cycle (Full moon).
‘The lunar cycle has an impact on human reproduction, in particular fertility, menstruation, and birth rate. Melatonin levels appear to correlate with the menstrual cycle.’
The full moon cycle is a time when we emerge from our dark 14 days to celebrate the appearance of moon and connect with the upper body energy: three upper chakras – Anahata Visuddha and Ajna. During the full moon we begin to implement the plan to make changes around us.
The upper chakras are about connecting to the heart to feel, throat to speak our truth and third eye to strengthen intuition. The waxing moon gives us energy and vision to make changes and progress with our plans. We can use the waxing moon energy to our advantage. It is a time to let go negativity and doubt and trust the instinct.
When the menstrual cycle is misaligned due to blocked chakras, it causes pain, bloating and emotional upset.
(See meditation below for re-orientating the menstrual cycle/balance the moon cycle).
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A menstrual cycle aligned to the moon cycle aids fertility of the humans and prevents PMS. Of course, it must be noted that diet plays part in the reproductive health of men and women.
The Energy of Full Moon (Pournima) and New Moon (Amavasya)
The Energy of both moon is both subtle and powerful.
The energy of full moon is (Poornima) is clear, beautiful, aesthetically pleasing. The glow of the moon makes everything light and flowing around your auric field. The Pournima is a light and strong presence and it’s the best time to meditate. The vibration of the Pournima strengthens the nervous system with light and subtle energy (Ida, Pingala and Sushumna).
Amavasya Energy is an absence of light and energy. This energy is as powerful as the full moon. The withdrawing into the darkness enables one to see deep understanding of oneself and world around them. Darkness/absence is about re-energizing and just being in the moment.
Regular meditation and Yoga keep the nervous system strong and enables you to remain in both full moon and new moon energy.
11th day Fast (Ekadashi)
On the 11th day of each cycle (full moon and New Moon). ‘The air pressure on our planet varies to extreme limits on both the new moon (Amavasya) and the full moon (Purnima) day. This is because of the orbital path combination of the sun, moon, and earth.’
Fasting on the Ekadashi, cleanses the body and improves the digestive system, because the atmospheric pressure is at its lowest point.
Normal heavy food takes 3-4 days to digest and reach the brain. Fasting during Ekadashi days helps for the body to relax, detoxify and cleanses the body.
The guidelines for observing the fast are:
Abstaining from grains: You should avoid consuming grains like rice, wheat, and lentils. It is important to abstain from onions, garlic, and potatoes, as they are believed to be tamasic Guna (dark and negative in nature).
Eat sattvic foods: You should consume Sattvic foods, such as fruits, nuts, milk, and yogurt.
Avoid foods that are spicy, sour, or salty.
Abstaining from grains: You should avoid consuming grains like rice, wheat, and lentils. It is important to abstain from onions, garlic, and potatoes, as they are believed to be tamasic Guna.
No alcohol and tobacco: They are tamasic so they can interfere with the process of spiritual purification.
Attached link shows dates for fasting: https://www.swaminarayangadi.com/calendar/events.php?event=2&year=2023
Balance the Moon centre Meditation
Time: 3-31 minutes
Instructions:
1. Lay on the stomach, place the chin on the ground and keep the head straight. The arms are along the side of the body with palms o the hands facing up.
2. Focus on Brow point.
3. Mentally vibrate the Panj Shabd: SA TA NA MA
4. Mudra:
On SAA, touch the first (Jupiter) finger.
On TAA, touch the second (Saturn) finger.
On NAA, touch the third (Sun) finger.
On MAA, touch the fourth (Mercury) finger.
5. Meditate on the sound current coming through the crown of the heat and flowing out through the centre of the forehead between eyebrow (third eye Point) in an ‘L’ shape.
6. The breath will regulate itself.
This meditation is FOR WOMEN ONLY. It is one of the most creative meditations to break any habit with it. This meditation balances the moon centres and the effect of outer moon and effect of the inner moon cycle, and one’s own zodiac moon effect. It also balances the glandular system, and the movement between the 11 moon centres. This meditation is a variation on Kirtan Kriya.
Kirtan Kriya music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfKEAiwrgeY&t=27s
The book contains meditations for cleansing the aura from past relationships, overcoming addiction, harmonising the energy for partners.
Click on the link below and download now!
https://www.sirilakshmi.com/offers/AxWRjDTA/checkout (Kirtan Kriya Book)
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Moon calendar: https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/