It’s that time—the new moon is on the horizon! This point of the lunar cycle is all about new beginnings. It’s prime time for planting seeds, setting intentions, and sprinkling the kindling for the ideas you plan to ignite. New moon circles have surged in popularity, but often times they come with a price tag.
If you’re looking to honor the new moon without dropping dollars, look no further—wellness and ritual shouldn’t have to come with a prohibitive price tag. These innovative and symbolic gestures can help launch you into this next phase, filled with a sense of inspiration and purpose. Have other ideas? Add them in the comments below! We’re always looking for new ones.
Plant something.
This highly symbolic act reflects you planting your dream ideas. Find some seeds, a plot of land, and take a moment to set your intentions for this new cycle. Make it a practice to water and care for this living thing. It could be as simple as a houseplant, or (if you really wanna get wild), grow some herbs, fruits, or veggies. Use this physical symbol as a reminder of the bigger things you wish wish to cultivate.
Meal prep.
If meal prepping isn’t part of your routine, now’s a good opportunity to seize this time-saving life hack. For those of us busy with passion projects and side hustles, whipping up dinner every night just isn’t an option. Celebrate the new moon by meal-prepping and thus gifting your future self with the precious gift of time. You’ll have more mental space to focus on those new endeavors.
Walk through nature.
Many credit the stillness of nature to fueling creativity, insight, and ideas. Celebrate the new moon with a walk through along the beach, through the park, or on your favorite hiking trail. Notice the smaller details—the smell of certain plants, the interactions of the wildlife, the way your hands feel stroking the soil or a smooth stone. Take off your shoes if you can. By taking a moment to focus on the present, you set yourself up for success when it comes time to execute those ideas. (Read more here about why your brain needs nature!)
Reach out to someone you admire.
The cold-email may be intimidating, but this form of networking can be incredibly beneficial to your long-term goals. If you’ve got some new ideas on the horizon, consider now the time to reach out to that old professor or the CEO of a company who’s initiatives you respect. This too, in a way, is planting seeds.
Buy yourself a book.
It’s not free, but it’s not terribly expensive either. Go the local bookstore (skip Amazon this time around) and peruse. See what your subconscious spies. Depending on what draws you, this might be a sign as to where your head is at, helping you better understand your dreams and ambitions. If your dreams a more clear-cut, select something that aligns with those goals and values. Example: If it’s starting a meditation club, pick something on group meditation. If it’s working toward your own cookbook, consider selecting one or two with styles you admire.
Record your dreams.
The new moon is a great time to pull out that dream journal! As mentioned above your subconscious might have some thoughts regarding your new projects. A good way to tap into your subconscious is to tap into your dreams. See what patterns come up, or if there are any recurring themes. This will ultimately help you garner an idea of where your mind sits, which can help you fully launch into those projects.
Host a ceremony.
One way to celebrate the new moon is to quite literally, host a ceremony. Yours can be free—simply encourage your buds to bring a snack or dish to share with the group and you’ve got a full moon potluck. Set some time aside to write down your intentions, what you hope to harness, or what your new beginning looks like. Saying something out loud is one of the perfect ways to begin manifestation.
Find a new moon meditation.
Alternatively, you can host a new moon ceremony all on your. Simply find a meditation online, light some candles, find a comfy seat, and begin. If you’d rather keep technology out of it, you might prefer to sit or journal in quiet or alongside music, putting pen to paper so that you can track out your ideas.
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Amanda Kohr is the editor at Wanderlust. You can find her exploring new highways, drinking diner coffee, and on Instagram.