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Once a month, the Moon nearly disappears from the sky: it’s the new moon. In many traditions, this moment symbolizes a fresh start, a blank page. Today, many people have made it a personal ritual: a moment to reflect and set their intentions for the month ahead.
You don’t need to believe the Moon has any particular influence to enjoy this ritual. It simply offers a regular, poetic marker that’s easy to remember. Here’s how to prepare your new moon ritual, write your intentions, and keep them alive until the next moon.
What is the new moon?
The new moon occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun. Its illuminated side faces the Sun, while the side we see remains in shadow: the Moon is almost invisible. Then, day by day, a thin crescent reappears and grows until the full moon, about two weeks later.
This complete cycle, called a lunation, lasts about 29.5 days. It has long shaped many traditional calendars, in which the new moon often marks the start of the month.
Why have a new moon ritual?
Symbolically, the new moon evokes a beginning, a seed planted in the ground, the darkness before the light. That’s why it’s associated with setting intentions, while the full moon is more often associated with reflection, gratitude, and letting go.
In practical terms, this ritual gives you a monthly date with yourself, more frequent than New Year’s resolutions and less demanding than a weekly review. It invites you to slow down, take stock of where you are, and choose what you want to focus on.
Preparing your ritual
Find the date of the next new moon in a lunar calendar or an app: you can do your ritual that evening or within the next two days. Set aside thirty quiet minutes in a tidy space you enjoy.
All you need is a notebook and a pen. You can add anything that makes the moment feel special to you: a candle, herbal tea, soft music, a bowl of water, a few flowers. These details aren’t essential, but they make the difference between an ordinary moment and a ritual.
How to write your intentions
A new moon intention is written as a positive affirmation : in the present or as an ongoing action, phrased positively and in words that feel like you. “I make time for myself every Sunday morning” instead of “I don’t want to feel overwhelmed anymore.” Many people start their sentences with “I choose to…,” “I welcome…,” or “I commit to….”
Limit yourself to three to five intentions: a month goes by quickly, and a few clear priorities are better than a long list. If you need inspiration, our journaling prompts for new beginnings will help you discover what matters.
For a complementary perspective, watch this video from Adrianne DeCotes.
Read alsoMorning routine: build a morning that feels like youKeeping your intentions alive throughout the month
An intention you write down and then forget in a notebook is unlikely to come to fruition. Keep it where you can see it: copy it onto a sticky note, set it as your wallpaper, or add it to your planner. Each week, read it again and choose one small action.
The lunar cycle also offers natural milestones: the first quarter, a week after the new moon, to check that you’ve started taking action; the full moon, for a first check-in; and the last quarter, to make adjustments. Then, at the next new moon, it all starts again with what you’ve learned.
Ideas to make your ritual your own
- A mindful bath or shower, to symbolize renewal.
- An evening walk, reflecting on your intentions.
- A mini vision board for the month, with just three images.
- A ritual with friends, where each person shares an intention.
- A letter to yourself, to open at the next new moon.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to do the ritual on the exact day of the new moon?
No. The evening itself is ideal symbolically, but the following two or three days work just as well. What matters is taking the time.
How many intentions should you write?
Three to five is ideal. Some traditions suggest up to ten wishes, but having fewer intentions makes it easier to focus on them.
Does the Moon really influence us?
Research findings are mixed: some studies suggest a slight effect on sleep around the full moon, while others find nothing notable. The ritual’s value comes mainly from the time you give yourself and the clarity it brings you.
What if I miss the new moon?
It’s okay: do your ritual as soon as you can, or wait for the next one. You can also check in at the full moon, about two weeks later. The ritual is here to serve you, not the other way around.
Can you do the ritual with other people?
Yes, and it’s often a lovely experience. Each person writes down their intentions on their own, then shares whatever they wish, with no pressure. Saying an intention out loud in front of supportive people can also strengthen your commitment.
Sources
- Cajochen C., Altanay-Ekici S., Münch M. et al. (2013). Evidence that the lunar cycle influences human sleep. Current Biology, 23(15), 1485-1488.
- Cordi M., Ackermann S., Bes F. W. et al. (2014). Lunar cycle effects on sleep and the file drawer problem. Current Biology, 24(12), R549-R550.
- Casiraghi L., Spiousas I., Dunster G. P. et al. (2021). Moonstruck sleep: synchronization of human sleep with the moon cycle under field conditions. Science Advances, 7(5), eabe0465.
