How to make a moon phase plan: creating a magickal schedule
If you’re like me, a lot of your practice is based on “wait, it’s the full moon already?!” So it has definitely benefitted my practice when I am able to track and my moon phase activities ahead of time! There are much more complex descriptions of the moon phases. For simplicity, I tend to break it down into 4 "major" phases. A lot of people may choose to do workings on a specific day between these for the date, day, astrology or other specific energies that day may hold. The phases in-between these often follow similar waxing and waning energies. When I want to dive deeper and tap into the more complex energies of other specific phase periods and dates, I will simply add it to my notes.
I have a downloadable moon phase planner that I've been working with personally for a while available on my etsy shop (click here), but you can also easily make your own by following these steps:
Look at the moon's month ahead
The first step: Look at a moon phase calendar for the month you are planning. You can google it or have a moon phase calendar app on your phone. You could even look to astrology podcasts or videos if they are blocking out that far ahead! Block these dates out into your calendar.
Consider when in the month they are
Next, take a moment to think about those moon phases. Where they fall in the calendar. What day of the week. What holidays may be around it if you celebrate them. This could influence your possible spellwork or plans! If the full moon lands on your weekend, you may choose to create a full self-care ritual. Alternatively, if it lands on a work/school/busy day, you may make much smaller plans. Nearby holidays may also inspire your practice! Whether it's what type of spell, ritual or other activity or what seasonal themes or elements you'll want to include in it.
Consider your goals for the month ahead
What are your goals for the month? These can be ultra-specific or very broad. You can focus on one for the whole month or different ones for different phases. Are there things you want to let go of? Or things you want to grow? Are there things you want to change or reflect on? If you decide to go with one for the whole month, there are ways you can shift every moon phase to fit for your goals.
For example: you want draw in abundance. Great! But you're working with a waning moon phase, which has the pull of sending things away. Can you do a regular abundance spell? Absolutely, BUT many find that working with the moon phases is a lot like working with the tide vs. working against it. So instead, you could shift your waning moon spell to release/banish any blocks that are preventing you from reaching your abundance goals. See how we shifted focus there to fit the phase?
Plan it out!
Finally, write it all out. Under each date and moon phase you want to do spellwork, a task, an action, a meditation, a self-care day, etc.. Planning all of this out can be an excellent new or full moon ritual in itself. You can do meditations, vision boards or stream of consciousness journaling if you aren’t really sure. Tap into your subconscious of what you are truly hoping to achieve. This doesn’t all have to be spells! Your intentions can be starting a new habit or routine, or planning something totally special and new.
Dark/New Moon: setting intentions and new beginnings. You could plan a spell or ritual to magickally set your intentions, and you could also:
Example 1: To make healthier choices, try creating a healthy meal plan for this day or plan some form of exercise for this date (and stick to it!)
Example 2: Write out tasks in your calendar that you want to achieve. They can be big picture plans, adventures, or even just chores like "make a dentist appointment"
Waxing Moon: attracting something in. You could plan a spell or ritual to magickally set your intentions, and you could also:
Example 1: If you've set intentions to attract wealth, make some money moves! Work on career goals, side hustles/gigs, sending resumes to better paying jobs, or even just adjusting your finances so you aren't spending more money on things you don't need to be so you can focus on what you want to. (side note: as with many spells, looking into the why you want to focus on money - to buy things, to have financial independence, to be free of a 9-5. All of these are valid, but consider how you can look deeper at them and maybe achieve some of your goals sooner!)
Example 2: Want to be more adventurous? Plan an adventure. Do something you haven't done before. Try a new coffee house, window shop in a new area, plan a nature walk or hike. However big or small, whatever you are feeling called to do!
Full Moon: Reflecting. You could plan a spell or ritual to magickally set your intentions, and you could also:
Example 1: Not everyone can easily find calm and reflect with meditating/visualizing. If you feel at ease painting, crafting, running, or being in nature, give yourself a time slot to do it. Just make sure it's something that helps you find peace and calm for a full moon reflection. Not just something that you do to distract yourself! I may feel calm rewatching Gilmore Girls for the thousandth time - but I'll be honest with myself that to me it acts as a calming distraction and not a meditative act for me. Which also has an appropriate time and place!
Example 2: Cleansing both energetically AND physically can be really helpful to clear the energy. Sweep, dust, vacuum, wash windows/mirrors. Or plan something bigger, like clearing out and organizing a "junk drawer" or cleaning out your closet.
Waning Moon: Releasing/Banishing. You could plan a spell or ritual to magickally set your intentions, and you could also:
Example 1: Plan to actively reduce your contact with something that you want to start to let go of. This could be unhealthy habits, contact with a person, or even just reducing how much you let something effect you.
Example 2: Plan an activity that helps you feel free of/distract you from something that you want to get reduce.
How do you work with the moon phases? Do you track and plan ahead or keep it loose?
If you liked this post, found it useful and want to help support my website, please consider buying me a coffee on my ko-fi, downloading my moon phase planner on my etsy shop or subscribing to my YouTube channel! Thank you!