What is intention?

An intention is created to guide you on your path as you aim to achieve something or bring a way of being into your life. There are a variety of ways to set an intention but the one that we are going to talk about during Magic Week is intention setting by the moon. 

There are eight commonly discussed moon phases along with a ninth that some observe, the Dark Moon Phase. 

Here is a quick run down of the eight moon phases:

New Moon
The energy of the New Moon phase of a lunar cycle is that of intention setting. It’s a phase in which we actively plant a seed of thought, cast the net of our future vision, and decide what we want to cultivate during a particular lunar cycle. 

Waxing Crescent Moon
The energy of the Waxing Crescent Moon phase of a lunar cycle is that of growing and beginning to integrate an intention. During this phase we are essentially sitting with our intentions, allowing them to begin to develop in unexpected ways, and creating space for this intention to blossom.

First Quarter Moon
The energy of the First Quarter Moon phase of a lunar cycle is that of intentional action and integration. Here we are taking the intention that set, the intention that we let sit for a few days, and actively integrating it into our being. This phase is very solar in nature in that we are getting things done and working to put the intention that we set into the puzzle that is present life. 

Waxing Gibbous Moon
The energy of the Waxing Gibbous Moon phase of a lunar cycle is that of release and trust. Just like you sat with your intention and let it simmer during the Waxing Crescent Moon phase, you are going to let the pieces fall where they will during this lunar phase. Trust that your intention is playing out exactly where it should and that no matter what happens you are growing and learning. 

Full Moon
The energy of the Full Moon phase is that of both manifestation and release. The Full Moon is the most commonly known and observed lunar phase with no end stories, legends, and myths associated with it. The Full Moon is glowing in the night sky because it is fully illuminated by the sun. This creates a beautiful opportunity to manifest those deep rooted intentions of yours into being while also realizing that we must release the barriers and hurdles that we have created for ourselves that are making it challenging to fully realize our intentions. The Full Moon is also the beginning of the Waning portion of the lunar cycle where we do the insightful work of exploring ourselves. 

Waning Gibbous or Balsamic Moon
The energy of the Waning Gibbous or Disseminating Moon phase is that of gratitude. As ego driven people we tend to get caught up in our perceived failures, shortcomings, or lack. This is the time to practice gratitude for the present, gratitude for lessons learned, and gratitude for experiences gained. Whether or not your intention is flourishing, practice gratitude for having had the opportunity to explore that intention and know that a fresh start is always right around the corner. 

Third Quarter Moon
The energy of the Third Quarter Moon phase is that of taking action to give back in a meaningful way. You know those people who always take, take, take? No one wants to be that person! The Third Quarter moon is an invitation to give back to others, yourself, the earth, collective energy, the universe…whatever you want to give back to. The key here is to give back in a meaningful way. This is the action step related to the gratitude you cultivated in the Waning Gibbous moon phase. What greater way to practice gratitude than to give back?

Waning Crescent Moon or Disseminating Moon
The energy of the Waning Crescent Moon phase is that of relaxing and resetting. Here we are given the opportunity to breathe, consider all that has come to pass during the lunar cycle, and reset for the upcoming lunar cycle. Dreaming of what is to come happens during this pause. 

The ninth and lesser known phase- the Dark Moon Phase
The Dark Moon is sometimes considered to occur on the day of the astronomical New Moon. This is a day that is considered as sacred to some and is a day of quiet, rest, and being present in one’s body. It’s a day of nothingness that calls forth the inspiration for the New Moon intentions that will be set the following day. 

Now that we know about the eight phases of the moon, let’s explore the act of choosing an intention to work with. 

1. Identify one thing that does not feel great in your life right now
2. How can you make a change in this area?
3. Look at expectations. What expectations are you holding for yourself or others around this situation? Let them go. 
4. Choose one step to take (make sure it’s ONE step and something that you can actually do right now). 
5. How will you feel after this step is taken? That’s your intention!

When working with intentions (and the moon) there is a commonly held belief that you must do certain things at certain times of the lunar cycle. I’m here to tell you that this is a myth! The lunar energies are a guideline. Throughout each day you are cycling through the same phases in your own way. You are experiencing a hormonal cycle that brings you through the phases. The seasons around you are shifting in similar phases. The moon serves as a beautiful guide in intention setting because it’s something that we can see change day by day and works in a short enough period of time that we can cycle through the phases of intention setting in an active an spacious way. 

Intention setting, the first key to cultivating a life filled with possibility, delight, and oh-so-much enchantment.