“We are all like the bright moon, we still have our darker side.” – Kahlil Gibran

This week’s blog is very much inspired by my own motivation for kicking off my retreats during the full moon. This time comes with a lot of heightened energy, bringing light to the dark, illuminating what has been in the shadows of our life. As a powerful moment to focus on personal growth, it’s one of the most potent times for meditation and reflection. As the full moon affects not only the deep oceans of planet earth but also our deep emotional self. As an international coach, yoga teacher, writer and speaker, I’m a big believer in harnessing the full moon as an opportunity to bring into the light aspects of yourself to let go and heal. In letting go of what no longer serves you or an aspect of yourself that you have outgrown, you create space for something or someone new to come into your life. And this Saturday’s Blue Full Moon is extra special – just like we colloquially say “once in a blue moon”.

So “What’s all this hocus pocus stuff about a full moon?” Well it’s not magic, per say, but simply Mother Nature in action. The Moon, because of its close proximity to earth, is one of the most influential heavenly bodies on life on earth, representing the feminine, emotional, creative and nurturing aspects of our lives. Like a magnet, the moon pulls on the earth affecting not only the ocean tides, but also our body and mind. Like earth with its vast oceans, the human body is composed mostly water and so we too are affected by the energies of the moon. The human body is an average of 70% water. The full moon is a lunar phase that happens when the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun, consisting of two days before the full moon, the day of and two days after. With the high tide of power amplified, these five days are a time to release that which no longer serves you.

And “Where exactly did the term “blue moon” originate from and what does it mean?” It’s been part of the English language for four hundred years with half a dozen different meanings. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Maine Farmers’ Almanac listed blue moon dates for farmers. These correspond to the third full moon in a quarter of the year when there were four full moons (normally a quarter year has three full moons). They occur once every two or three years, but not in the same years. Blue moons by the Almanac definition will always occur between the 20th and 23rd in February, May, August, or November, roughly a month before a solstice or equinox. According to the Almanac definition, the next one will occur on May 18, 2019. And so the term “blue moon” was coined to mean a rare event, as in the phrase “once in a blue moon”. It has nothing to do with the actual color of the moon, although a literal “blue moon” may occur in certain atmospheric condition with the moon appearing with a tinge of blue.

With this soon blue full moon affecting both the deep oceans and our emotional self, I encourage you to use this time to drop the barriers of the subconscious mind and release anything that no longer serves you. Here are my top six ways to let go and start to heal by letting Mother Nature (aka magic) do her thing:

1) Stay still. Try to not get too excited during nighttime, as more stillness is needed on this already highly energetic phase. Emotions will be amplified, so it’s important to stay positive. Move slowly and act mindfully.

2) Eat light. Food is one of the biggest consumers of energy. Whatever is going on in your body is magnified so conserve your energy and use it wisely by eating small portions of whole foods or juices.

3) Tune out. Avoid watching or reading anything counterproductive on the Internet, television, or cinema. Nourish yourself with inspiration. Full moon energy is very powerful so it’s necessary to direct your personal energy with positive intention.

4) Let go. Write on a piece of paper all that you wish to release from your life. Breathe deep into your heart and declare, “I now let this go. And it is so.” Mindfully and carefully rip and burn the pieces of paper in a small bowl.

6) Let flow. Sit and mediate in silence by yourself or in a group. Allow whatever comes forward to come forward. Remember this is about bringing our duality of darkness into the light – just as the bright full moon. Take a moment to journal your thoughts and experience.

As always, I’d love connecting with you and hear what you’re letting go during this full moon to create space for something new to come into your life. Head over to the comments section below to share your thoughts.

With love and gratitude,

Leslie xx