Lunar Goal Setting
Lunar goal setting is a natural way to use the rhythms of nature, the cycles of the moon to remind you to set goals and check in on their progress monthly. It is another layer allowing us to connect with the natural world no matter where we find ourselves in the world.
As part of my end of the year traditions, I put all of the new and full moon dates into my calendar for the following year. I add a reminder to the week when the moon phase is going to occur. Then I pick a day that works best for my schedule to block at least 30 minutes to prepare for the particular moon phase. Breaking this practice down into manageable chunks brings me enormous amounts of joy. It curbs my anxiety knowing I will not forget a practice I love and relieves the space in my mind to focus on other things, instead of hyper-focusing and then ultimately forgetting to routinely practice the practice of lunar goal setting.
The Basics
The new moon occurs when the moon is so close to the sun in the sky that none of the moon facing the earth is illuminated. Which means the night sky is at its darkest. The new moon is the beginning of a new cycle. A natural time to reset, refocus, or begin anew. I enjoy this time of the month because it feels so introspective. A space in the month to consciously turn inwards. It is during this time and space I channel my energy towards my intentions and desires for the coming days. What do I want to plant in the cloak of night? What is it I want to nurture or cultivate?
The full moon happens when the sun, Earth, and moon are in alignment and the moon is as close as it can be to being fully illuminated by the sun. The night sky is at its brightest. The full moon is the completion of a cycle. I love walking around at night during the full moon. Or laying out in a warm field moon bathing under the full moon. I feel energized during this time. Sometimes a little too energized. I can have trouble sleeping all night or settling my imagination. Regardless, my heart feels so full during the full moon. This can be a time of abundance. To celebrate what has come to fruition. Along the line of goal setting I use this time to shine a light on the goal or intention I set. Is it complete? Does something need to shift? Lessons learned?
This simple practice can be done just as it is. You can set small goals to be accomplished with every 29.5 lunar cycle throughout the year. You could space them out and have the new and full moons be checkpoints throughout the year as you work towards cultivating big scary goals.
The best way I have enjoyed using the lunar cycle for goal setting is in conjunction with astrology. Every new and full moon has an astrological sign attached to it. Along with each astrological sign there are many other aspects I take into consideration. I use the general informational insights below to focus my mind and become super intentional with what I want to work towards.
General Information
Date of New Moon phase
Date of Full Moon phase
Astrological Sign
Planet Associated
House Associated
Element Associate
How does this specific sign show up in my natal chart?
The last part of the structure I use is taking all of this information and forming a S.M.A.R.T goal. What is a S.M.A.R.T goal? It is a mnemonic acronym created as a guide to setting more specific goals to achieve a better result.
Specific - Details ( I use the astrological sign and house)
Measurable - How will you know you reached your goal?
Attainable - Can you reasonably accomplish the goal in the time-frame set
Relevant - In alignment with my values
Time Bound - from new moon to full moon (in the same astrological sign)
As a person who strives to live in alignment with the natural world, as well as lean into the chaos of life I have found this to be calming and doable practice.
What goal or intention setting practices do you enjoy? Or what have you tried and how did they work out? Leave me a comment below!
