TO THE MOON AND BACK

Can working with the cycles of the moon change your life? Ella Dove sheds some light on lunar living

Can astrology change your life?

‘THE REAL MAGIC IS GETTING TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE INSIDE’

When I was asked to live my life by the moon, my initial reaction was eyebrow-raising scepticism. As a romantic, imaginative Pisces, I’ve long loved horoscopes, and have even completed an online tarot reading course. I like to think I’m open-minded. However, the idea of measuring my daily existence against a lunar cycle seemed very daunting. It felt like a big commitment, requiring belief in moon magic that I wasn’t entirely sure I had. My moon mentor is Kirsty Gallagher. Yoga teacher, creator of online sisterhood Lunar Living and author of a book by the same name. Ever since she got her first astrology book aged 12, Kirsty has been fascinated by ‘the alternative’. In 2009, she quit her job in marketing and PR to do her yoga teacher training in India, where she also began to learn more about the moon. ‘I noticed that by using new and full moon days to check in and recalibrate, I started to make really profound shifts in the direction I wanted to go in,’ she says. Thousands of people have taken part in her workshops to date, and her book is now a Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller. I must admit, I begin my moon work with a lot of trepidation. Thankfully, and with no pun intended, Kirsty is far more down to earth than I’d imagined. ‘I’m actually quite pleased you’re a sceptic,’ she tells me warmly when I dare to admit my doubts. ‘It makes sense because the sign for Pisces is two fish swimming – one is your driven fish, the other your intuitive, dreamy one,’ she explains. ‘You will always have those two flip sides. Pisceans have a tendency to romanticise life and get lost in fantasy, but they can equally go so deep into reality that they don’t give themselves any time to dream or imagine.’

A lunar cycle, Kirsty explains, is around 29 and a half days. Beginning with the dark moon, which is barely visible, it moves through different phases, waxing to the full moon and then waning again – growing bigger and then smaller in the sky. Each of these phases brings its own emotional energy. The lunar cycle is connected to the zodiac, meaning as the moon moves through the houses, the resulting messages we receive are different at different times of the year. For example, Gemini is all about change, but Sagittarius pushes us to think about freedom. When the moon is in our own zodiac sign, Kirsty tells me we will feel her power very strongly.

Indulging my more logical side, she tells me I am suppressing the intuitive fish, the part of my mind that could open to alternative ways of living. She is certain, therefore, that by embracing the power of the lunar cycle, I will experience transformative change. ‘Your signs are deeply intuitive, but I would hazard a guess that you’ve hidden from or felt uneasy about this part of yourself,’ she says. She’s right.

‘The idea is that the moon becomes your touchstone, a way of holding yourself accountable while working towards your goals,’ says Kirsty. ‘It’s an opportunity to spend a few moments with yourself every day, to dig a little deeper and work out what you need to find contentment. The real magic is getting to know who you are inside.’

Time for this doubtful fish to swim into the light…

The Dark Moon – emotions and contemplation

Kirsty advises me to keep a daily moon journal. We begin with the dark moon, the lowest energy point of the cycle – and the most emotional. ‘As the moon disappears from the sky, she draws us into that inner world of our very deep emotions,’ Kirsty says. ‘These are the feelings that act as signposts for what is and isn’t in alignment in our lives.’

Sure enough, I spend three days feeling down and contemplative. Work is unproductive.

‘WITH THE FULL MOON COMES THE PEAK ENERGY POINT OF THE LUNAR CYCLE’

I can’t settle to anything. A small, frankly inconsequential argument with my family causes me to dissolve into tears. I am monosyllabic during my umpteenth Zoom quiz with friends. I want to hide away from everyone. Dutifully, I write it all down in my journal – and I begin to think about the reasons behind my emotions.

Gemini New Moon – change and intention

For my first new moon, the moon’s position is in Gemini. ‘On the new moon, we take what the dark moon showed us and use it to set our intentions,’ says Kirsty. She asks me to make a ‘sankalpa’, a solemn vow of determination, detailing what it is I want to work on about myself. Thinking about what has made me feel low, I decide on the mantra ‘put yourself first’. I realise that in every area of my life, I’m often prone to people pleasing – and this impacts my own happiness.

I feel energised to make a change. However, my brain is buzzing so much that I’m finding it impossible to sleep. There are a million ideas of how I can fulfil my sankalpa dancing constantly through my head.

On the night of the new moon, I take part in a moon circle. Kirsty addresses us on Facebook Live, and from the comments I’m surprised but reassured to see that I’m not the only one who is slightly unsettled. Many report feeling ‘tired but wired’.

‘Gemini loves change, but you need to manage your ideas,’ says Kirsty. ‘Catch those thoughts, write them down and pick out the nuggets of gold. Otherwise, you won’t actually do any of them. Take comfort in the fact that nothing and nobody that is meant for you will ever pass you by. Whatever change you choose, Gemini will give you all you need to bring it about.’ It sounds great in theory, but if I’m honest, I am still feeling sceptical.

Waxing Moon – planning and productivity

Waxing means that the moon is getting bigger in the sky. This phase of the lunar cycle is the best for action. ‘Ask yourself what you need to fulfil your intentions,’ Kirsty tells me. ‘What steps can you take? What conversations do you need to have? This is the moment to put a plan into place.’

I begin to set out ways in which I can actively find self-care. These include waking up early to work on my novel in bed over a morning coffee, taking up painting, declining social events I don’t want to take part in and seeking out new experiences.

Around this time, my boyfriend sends me a video about ‘toxic productivity’, and I realise it’s a sign. I have spent too long taking on activities and responsibilities in order to feel validated. Instead, I need to focus on what brings me joy.

‘The first quarter moon is most people’s favourite part of the lunar cycle because it feels like the universe is on your side,’ says Kirsty. ‘As the moon grows bigger above us, it’s the time to say yes to everything,

to step out there and let ourselves shine.’

I definitely feel empowered. I’m making huge strides with my novel. I spend a relaxing afternoon painting a canvas in the garden. I even sign up to do a charity abseil for London’s Air Ambulance. I feel more in control and significantly more relaxed.

I begin to wonder if there’s something in this lunar living after all…

Sagittarius Full Moon – freedom and celebration

With the full moon comes the peak energy point of the lunar cycle. ‘Sagittarius is all about freedom,’ Kirsty says. ‘Ask yourself,

“what does freedom mean to me?”’

One way to process this question is to have a moon bath. While this can mean standing beneath the light of the moon, it can also mean taking a relaxing bath – fearing the former will make me feel too self-conscious,

I decide upon the latter. On the night of the full moon, I light candles and recline in warm water, taking time to think about my new moon intentions, and where I am right now.

I realise that, for me, freedom is about choice.

It’s the ability to plan my days and weeks without being dictated to. It’s the space to be creative. It’s that feeling of calm that descends upon me when I realise that life is once again within my control.

After the bath, I do Kirsty’s full moon meditation. Lying on my bed, eyes closed, I whisper Kirsty’s affirmations. ‘I am safe here,’ I say. ‘I deserve pleasure in my life.’ ‘I am open to the wisdom within.’ Yes, my mind wanders, but that doesn’t matter. The overriding feeling is one of quiet, contemplative contentment. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so calm.

Waning Moon – reflection and boundaries

Getting smaller in the sky, the waning gibbous moon and the last quarter moon are a time for reflection. ‘Look back, take note of any challenges or difficulties and ask yourself what you could have done differently,’ advises Kirsty. ‘This is also the best part of the cycle to have conversations, whether about setting new boundaries or just sharing how you feel and what changes you might want to make.’ I pluck up the courage to tell friends I’m having a week without video calls – and find that rather than being offended, they respond positively. ‘I admire you for taking a step back,’ one tells me. ‘I think we all need a bit of me-time,’ says another.

Cancer New Moon – new beginnings

As we come back round to the next new moon, I have completed a whole lunar cycle. I realise I have learned some valuable lessons when it comes to putting myself first. This moon marks a move into the second half of the year, and I am amazed at how much more in touch with my emotions I feel.

I know now how important it is to listen to my inner world, to stop shutting the door on my feelings in favour of pleasing other people. As Kirsty predicted, my logical fish has loosened its grip, and my intuition has grown. Setting intentions holds huge power, and I am surprised to find that the way ahead feels clear. I have learned that I want autonomy in all areas of my life, from work to friendship to time out. And as the sliver of the new moon begins to break through the night sky, I feel confident in my decisions. The moon has shone a light on to my path, guiding the way to my future.