The New Moon – Physical Self-Care

The New Moon brings us into the darkness, and is a time of stillness.

Just as the seed is nourished and nurtured by the darkness of the soil, this is the time to nourish and nurture your physical body.

What do you need, and how can you look after your physical self?

This is a time to rest, before the energy grows and asks you to take action.

This is a time to turn your attention inwards, and make the time for anything that feels loving or nourishing, this could include:

• Eating nutritious foods
• Body work, such as a massage
• Sauna or steam
• Spa time, even in your own home – see pdf in the SHEro Library
• Gentle movement, such as walking, yoga, or pilates
• Meditation
• Rest
• Sleep
• Technology-free time
• Trust that the time spent recharging in this way will come back to you in terms of more abundant energy for the rest of the month.

Physical Self-Care is more than just bubble baths and spa days.

Physical Self-Care is to bring you back to centre, to connect you to your grounded, physical presence.

To connect you with the sacred container that is your body, so that you learn to recognise and trust the signals she sends you.

Physical Self-Care is essential so that you can re-establish your boundaries – physical and energetic.

When your boundaries are strong(er) it’s easier for you to recognise where you end and other people begin, so that you don’t pick up their emotional and psychic ‘smog’, which leaves you vulnerable to betraying your own needs, and succumbing to the judgements and expectations of others.

Your body is incredible!

No matter what we do to them they keep showing up and doing the best they can.

Your body allows you to experience the world, to give and receive love, it has the ability to fill you with pleasure and delight through your senses.

It’s in our bodies that we hold the wisdom of the mysteries; our intuition, our inner-knowing, our meaning and purpose.

This moon phase is dedicated to this sacred container as we focus on reconnecting to your incredible body and allowing yourself to celebrate, nourish and replenish her.

You will need:

• 1 bowl, one suitable to hold water
• A little sea or mineral salt
• 1 bowl, suitable to burn paper in (optional)
• Sage for smudging, or suitable cleansing incense
• A crystal of your choice
• 1 candle
• A paper and pen

Step 1. Clear your energy

Imagine standing under a silver waterfall and allow all negative energies to be washed away.

Step 2. Create a sacred space

Find a quiet place to sit, declutter and clean, you might like to place crystals or other special items around you, or cleanse the room with some incense.

Step 3. Become present

Become fully present in your body.

Become aware of every part of your body.

Bring awareness to your breathing.

Step 4. Connect to the elements

Earth: Hold your chosen crystal

Fire: Light your candle – I have 2″ candles for this purpose

Air: Light your sage leaves or your incense

Water: Fill a small bowl with water and add some sea salt to it to represent the oceans

Step 5. State your desires

Write down your wishes and desires on a piece of paper.

When you have written them all down, pass the paper through the smudge or incense smoke to clear away any unseen blockages or obstacles. Continue to do this until the energy around your desires feel lighter.

Step 6. Release your desires to the universe

State your wishes and desires out loud for the universe to hear. Feel your desires in your body.

Breathe deep into your heart and declare “I am ready to receive. And it is so.”

Step 7. Let go

Next you can either burn your desires, bury them in the ground or sleep with them under your pillow – do whichever feel right for you.

Step 8. Assimilate

Sit in silence for a while and see if any inspiration comes. You may even want to journal around your thoughts.

Let your candle burn itself out.