You don't need special tools, crystals or a perfect altar. A quiet ten minutes, a pen and paper, and a little attention are enough. Here are three rituals to start with: a new moon intention ritual, a full moon release, and moon water.
The new moon is the start of the lunar month. This ritual helps you choose what to focus on for the next four weeks. It takes about 15 minutes.
Clear a small space. Tidy a table or corner. Light a candle if you like, or simply dim the lights. The point is to mark this time as different from the rest of your day.
Settle in. Take five slow breaths, making each exhale a little longer than the inhale.
Look back briefly. Write a few lines about the last month: what went well, what felt heavy, what you learned.
Choose one to three intentions. Write them in the present tense, as if already underway: "I am building a calm morning routine," not "I want to stop being stressed." Specific and kind beats grand and vague.
Name the first step. Under each intention, write one small action you'll take within the next three days.
Seal it. Read your intentions aloud, then fold the paper and keep it somewhere you'll see it: a journal, under the candle, on your mirror. Blow out the candle.
Check in at the first quarter moon (about a week later) and adjust. Our 2027 new moon guide has a sign-specific ritual and prompts for every new moon. Next new moons: Mon, Nov 9, 1:02 a.m. CST, Tue, Dec 8, 6:52 p.m. CST.
When: the night of the full moon, or a day either side
Full moon release ritual
Two weeks after the new moon, the full moon shines a light on what has grown. It's a time to celebrate, give thanks, and let go of what is getting in the way. Allow about 20 minutes.
Step outside, or sit by a window. Spend a minute simply looking at the moon. If it's cloudy, that's fine; the cycle doesn't depend on a clear sky.
Celebrate. Reread your new moon intentions if you set any. Write down three things that have grown, shifted or gone right, however small.
Give thanks. Say thank you, out loud or on paper, to the people, circumstances and parts of yourself that helped.
Name what you're releasing. On a separate slip of paper, write the habits, worries, resentments or expectations you're ready to put down. Be honest and specific.
Let it go. Tear the paper into small pieces and put them in the trash or compost, or safely burn it in a fireproof bowl outdoors with water nearby. As you do, take a deep breath and exhale fully.
Close. Drink a glass of water, stretch, and go to bed a little early. Full moon nights can feel energetic, so a calm wind-down helps.
Every full moon of 2027 has its own ritual and prompts in our full moon guide. Coming up: Beaver Moon on Tue, Nov 24, 8:54 a.m. CST, Cold Moon on Wed, Dec 23, 7:28 p.m. CST.
When: overnight on the full moon
How to make moon water
Moon water is simply water left out under the moon overnight with an intention. Many people use it to water plants, add to a bath, mist a room, or sip as a small daily reminder of their intentions.
Choose a clean glass jar with a lid. Glass is better than plastic, which can leach in the sun.
Fill it with clean water. Use drinking water (filtered or bottled) if you plan to drink it.
Hold the jar and set an intention, either a word ("clarity," "rest," "courage") or a sentence. Some people write it on a label.
Place it outside or on a windowsill where it will catch moonlight. Put the lid on outdoors to keep out insects and debris.
Bring it in before the sun gets strong the next morning and store it in a cool, dark place or the fridge. Use drinking moon water within a day or two, like any open water.
Safety: don't put crystals directly into water you plan to drink. Some stones (such as malachite, selenite and others) can dissolve or contain toxic minerals. If you want crystals nearby, set them beside the jar instead.
Pair your ritual with a moon tarot spread
Our free moon tarot reader has two spreads made for these rituals. Choose New Moon Intentions after you set your intentions to explore what to plant, what to nurture and what may help. Choose Full Moon Release for a reading on what has come to light, what to give thanks for and what to let go. The reader suggests the right spread for tonight's moon automatically.