We are coming up to a Full Moon in Leo on 25 January 2024 and I’m curious to learn how you feel about Full Moon Magick. There is no denying that the Full Moon is a powerful time for rituals. However, it is not always a high-energy time in the lunar cycle for me. I’m rarely up for doing a full-blown ritual and I’m not always sure about whether to manifest or release. So is the Full Moon better for manifesting desires or releasing negativity?
There is an ongoing debate over which practice aligns best with the energy of the Full Moon. Listening to both sides can get confusing. One side is not necessarily wrong and the other right, though certain traditions claim this to be the case. Let’s break it down with the arguments, pros and cons for using the Full Moon as a time for manifesting versus a time for releasing. That way you can choose the approach that best suits you and maybe even switch it up depending on your needs and energy levels. Remember, there is no Craft police!
Full Moon Magick for Manifesting
Arguments
- Intensified Energy: The Full Moon amplifies energies. This can be ideal for magnifying intentions and manifesting goals.
- Increased Emotional Insight: The Full Moon can shed light on our inner feelings and desires, providing clarity that is essential for setting intentions, especially around love and relationships.
- Symbolism of Completeness: A Full Moon represents completion and fruition, paralleling the achievement of one’s goals and desires.
Pros
- Optimised Intentions: Using the vibrant energy of the Full Moon can strengthen one’s focus on goals and aspirations.
- Ritualistic Reinforcement: Many feel that the ceremonial aspect of manifesting under the Full Moon adds to the psychological reinforcement of their intentions.
- Community Support: Since many individuals follow this practice, one can find community support and shared belief in the power of manifesting during this lunar phase.
Cons
- Overstimulation: For some, the intense energy of the Full Moon can be overwhelming, potentially scattering thoughts and diluting intentions.
- Misaligned Actions: There’s a risk of acting impulsively under the Full Moon’s influence, which may lead to setting intentions that are not in one’s best interest long-term.
- Disappointment in Outcomes: Relying on this sometimes illusory lunar phase for manifesting could lead to unrealistic expectations, resulting in disappointment if desires aren’t fulfilled.
Full Moon Magick for Releasing
Arguments
- Peak of Lunar Cycle: The Full Moon marks the peak of the lunar cycle, a natural point for culmination and release.
- Emotional High Tide: Emotions are heightened during the Full Moon, which can bring about a clearer understanding of what needs to be released.
- Visibility of Shadows: The illumination of the Full Moon can highlight the ‘shadows’ of the psyche, making it an opportune time to let go.
Pros
- Cathartic Experience: Releasing during the Full Moon can be a deeply cleansing experience, emotionally and spiritually.
- Decluttering of Psyche: It helps in the removal of unwanted energies and blockages, paving the way for new beginnings.
- Renewed Focus for Manifesting: By releasing what no longer serves, one can refocus on manifesting with renewed energy and clearer intentions during the next lunar phases.
Cons
- Emotional Intensity: The process of releasing can be emotionally taxing. The Full Moon’s energy might amplify these feelings.
- Potential for Rushed Decisions: There’s a risk of rushing a decision to release something that one may not be truly ready to let go of.
- Releasing Without Replenishment: Excessively focusing on release could create a void without proper plans to replenish and rebuild.
Conclusion
We can use the energy of the Full Moon for both manifesting and releasing. Ultimately, whether one should manifest or release during this time is a personal choice. This choice depends on intuition, the tradition we adhere to, emotional state, energy levels, and personal conviction. Whichever practice we choose, it is important to approach the Full Moon Magick with clear intentions and awareness of its powerful influence.
Personally, I find that the final quarter of the lunar cycle works best for releasing and the days after the New Moon for manifesting. The Dark Moon works well for releasing too in my experience. I am happy to make plans on the New Moon (which is visibly still a Dark Moon). However, I do not begin manifesting until I can see the first sliver of the Moon in the sky. That is also when in the lunar cycle I normally have the most energy. I’m rarely intuitively drawn to release energy on the Full Moon. What about you? Let me know in the comments!
