When the moon wanes, the light begins to disappear over a course of 2 weeks. In the book The faces of the Moon Mother. Rowena Kryder shares 8 phases of waning moon each lasting about 2 days. The properties and words of action are as follows as the full moon begins waning;

phase 9-rededication and purification, your diet, your thoughts, your habits of speech and your actions

phase 10- disseminating, a good time to move and sell goods, pass on the knowledge that has been learned, get in touch with nature

phase 11-transporting, face the past without attachment, release addictions, be present with the struggle and move through

phase 12-last quarter, confront, learn from the feedback of relationships, projects and thoughts

phase 13-yielding, re-evaluate everything, release, begin to flow, live, dance, let insight rise

phase 14-fragrances of the old and the new mingle together, transform desire into love and compassion, universalize and feel one with all

phase 15- immanent moon, love and accept, regenerative love and giving and receiving, harvest the essence of the entire moon cycle, prophetic and visionary time

phase 16-dark moon, be no thing, be empty and live in universal flow, voyage into the dark and see into the future

Activities and Practices Through the Waning Moon

• Slow down and enjoy the roses (the soma of life!). Take small breaks of movement and breath throughout the day, step out into the sunshine with nature reflecting the powerful energy of the sun, have a cup of soothing tea and take some breaths and ground in your body, hug your animal companion, eat foods to support serotonin and melatonin release (they work together) so maybe some bananas or dark chocolate? Manage your tech time, sorry but true...Here is a video from my you tube channel sharing ideas of short break ideas. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umilRZcE74Q&list=UULFJMxC_RuhUgno4C3KHZ5YKQ&index=7

• Journaling, , sketch, draw, color, label, create, movement, to help release energy to support soothing of the mind. Research has shown reduction in stress, anxiety when writing or using art as an expression to reflect on thinking patterns, beliefs, experiences and mindfulness as it has the power to transform negative thoughts into positive constructive patterns. Think about doing these activities in the light of the moon if able. Some journal ideas;

Are there energies from the full moon phase that I can begin to let go of?

What tools/practices/words can I use in my day to day life to help me release thoughts, emotions, and belief patters that are not serving me?

What is my wish to come into my life for this waning phase of the moon that I desire and that will support the energy of calming, soothing, compassion, self care, etc...

Free write for 10-15 minutes to support getting rid of blockages even if you write "I feel I have nothing to say". This is a good time to practice not judging ourselves or set limits. I love to repeat and write this all over the place many. many times throughout the day. "I am limitless"! I say it until I believe it. :)

• In this time of reflection, it may be time to slowly ween ourselves from toxic people, people who complain, gossip, are exposing themselves and investing in negative material. This can be a challenge. If help is needed (we all need help and support, we are communal beings), maybe seek out mental wellness support, yoga therapy, ayurveda counseling, reiki, theta healing, sound therapy, etc....Begin to build your tribe of healers.

• Chanting is a beautiful practice that slowly shifts the mental, emotional and energetic layers of a being which then begins to shift the physical body. Chanting mantras and yoga nidra are 2 of the 3 yoga practices that shift the habits and patterns of an individual to heal traumas at the subtle body. Chant what feels right to you. Let your intuition guide you. I chant the Ganesh seed mantra daily. Goddess Kali is also helpful to release and let go. She is a fearless warrior! She reminds me of Goddess Sekhmet, they share like qualities. I will include a Goddess Kali seed mantra in this section. :) But here is the Ganesha seed mantra and mudra from my you tube channel;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvSOoXd46Es&list=UULFJMxC_RuhUgno4C3KHZ5YKQ&index=8

• This is a good time to exfoliate everything, from your body to your house. Clean everything out! I love to use all natural products. Here are 2 easy recipes to create a skin exfoliant and a floor cleaner. :)

Skin exfoliant- sesame oil and sugar. It's that simple. Feel free to adapt when spirit calls to you. But isn't it nice to just have 2 ingredients!:)

Floor cleaner-boil vencedor herb in water, add as many drops of florida water as you wish. I make my own florida water (lots of essential oils in there). Again, I just love how simple the ingredient list is! :) I also put this mixture into a water bottle sprayer and spray the air and let it fall to the ground. I move from the highest floor to the lowest and out the front door. Affirm "I release all that doesn't serve and allow blessings to overflow into and around me at all times!" I may even take a pinch of cinnamon after and blow it into the front door while I speak my affirmation. :) <3

• This is a beautiful time to be mindful of daily eating and drinking intake. Begin to implement more veggies, fruits, home cooked foods, and cooking with spices that support your elemental constitution such as ginger, tumeric, cumin, corriander, fennel, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom. If support is desired I suggest an ayurvedic counselor. Life changing for me. :)

• Breathwork practices are always beneficial. As waning moon is the time for going inward, breathwork is a perfect practice! Please see video for a short breath practice. Here is a Nadi Shodhana practice on my you tube station to also check out. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7Jhx5ToCM&list=UULFJMxC_RuhUgno4C3KHZ5YKQ&index=11

This list could go on and on. There are many beautiful self care tools and practices in my Dark Moon Self care Circle course if you feel i9t may be nice for you. xoxo