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Beneath the Moon

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Moon Phases: Does the full moon affect your sleep?

Moon Phases: Does the full moon affect your sleep?

Last updated on: February 17, 2017 at 11:39 am by Rachel Patterson

Moon Phases: Does the full moon affect your sleep? 2017-02-17T11:39:15+01:00 Rachel Patterson

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moon phases rachel patterson

Full moon (license GraphicStock)

A question that I get asked often is ‘does the full moon affect your sleep and how do you combat it’?

The answer to the first part is a resounding YES! I don’t sleep very well at all in the few days around the full moon.

How do you combat it is a more difficult question to answer but here are my thoughts:

Keeping track

I think it is an interesting and worthwhile for anyone to start a moon diary and to learn how to work with the moon phases and to realise what affect the different phases have on your emotions, feelings and mood.

The moon is powerful and it does affect us immensely. I find on the waxing moon I have ideas, inspiration and lots of organisational skills and energy to get things done. That tends to carry me up to the full moon but then things often go a bit squiffy. The word ‘lunacy’ is connected to the moon for a good reason! On the waning moon I find I am more lethargic and not so inclined to keep to my schedule.

Moon phase reality

In an ideal world, we would all perhaps live by the moon phases, our moods, our body clocks and how we feel each day, choosing whether to go to work, to do the housework, to read all day, to be productive or to just stay under the duvet for 24 hours. In reality that ain’t gonna happen. I am a working wife and mother with a very busy schedule. Staying in bed all day just because I don’t feel like facing life is not an option (no matter how much I might feel like it sometimes!).

I think they key is to learn, be aware of and work with the moon phases as much as possible. That way you are working with the energy rather than fighting against it. And I don’t just mean the waxing, waning and full or even the dark moon phases but also the particular energies of each month.

New Moon magic

So, if we look ahead to the next new moon which is Sunday 26th February 2017:

The moon is in Pisces.

There is also a solar eclipse that day (only visible from South & West Africa and South America)

“The New Moon is a wonderful time to make new beginnings of all types. It is especially good for getting rid of bad habits. Habitual ways of thinking that are harmful and negative can also be abandoned at this time. It is also a good time to start something creative. New projects at work can also be launched.

The first day of the New Moon is really best devoted to the planning stages of ventures. It is good to feel just a little excited and filled with anticipation, although your energy may not be at its highest. A day or two into the cycle is the time to take the initiative, apply for that job, and start house hunting or any similar endeavours. Good for attracting positive energies, bringing about change, good luck and growth.”

But to throw a spanner in the works the moon in Pisces brings the duvet day feeling just to counteract all that new moon juju. So be aware that for this month’s new moon you might feel a bit less enthusiastic than you usually do on a new moon…don’t sweat it…go with the flow.

Full moon magic

The next full moon to grace us with her presence is on Sunday 12th March and she will be in Virgo.

“Some may sense the pull of the sun from one direction and the moon from the opposite and their energy and will feel a bit scattered.

Hold a party or an event, but be aware that the energy level is likely to be high and anything troublesome is likely to surface. Cook and stock up the freezer. Pay special attention to your creative ventures and your dreams.

This is a good time to try out forms of divinations such as scrying or tarot. Reflect about your goals, feelings and maters that have to do with relationship and family. Also good for transformations, psychic abilities, strength, love, power and fertility.”

With the moon in Virgo you might like to get a grip on your paperwork, get some organisation in your home or even make a start on tidying up the garden ready for the warmer weather. It is a time of sorting and getting things done.

No guarantees

I can’t promise that it will cure the sleepless full moon nights completely but it might at least help a little and working with the moon phases can be seriously rewarding and it can bring positive results to the way you live your life.

She is full of magical potential…

(moon phase passages taken from Pagan Portals Moon Magic)

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