The Lunar Cycles for Creative Development

Marcelo Villaseñor
Jun 16
5 min read

Updated: Sep 4

In the same way that our inhalation requires exhalation, we need action in the same way that we need to rest. That's why we have days of the week for different activities and others for rest, just as -in a subtler way- there are seasons of the year of high and low energy. In the same manner, we also live a monthly cycle of approximately 28.5 days, originating from the cycle of the moon.

Here, it's important for me to recognize that the modern system in which we live -along with the calendar we use- has been diluted in its meaning and purpose, now becoming more of a means for commercial and cultural organization. Consequently, I feel that this has been counterproductive in several interconnected ways; from our physical and mental health to the way we relate to each other.

So, the question in this reflection is: how can we regain our health and balance through the lunar cycles and the practice of introspective writing?

Here, my intention is to answer that question by sharing an introduction to the eight stages of the month, along with ways we can relate to the lunar cycle to calm those internalized pressures through introspective monitoring and clarity in each phase.

Before continuing, here is the etymology of "Month":

"one-twelfth part of a year; one of the twelve parts into which the calendar year is arbitrarily divided," Old English monað, from Proto-Germanic *menoth- (source also of Old Saxon manoth, Dutch maand, German Monat...), which is related to *menon- "moon". Originally the month was the interval between one new moon and the next (a sense attested from late Old English).

Index 🫆

Introduction to the 8 lunar phases
- + The moon through the analogy of a plant
Key questions for writing and monthly tracking
Personal reflection on lunar cycles and how my months have changed

Introduction to the 8 phases

🌑 New Moon: The Moon, being between the Earth and the Sun, is not illuminated. This is a time of new beginnings, and therefore of setting intentions.

🌒 Waxing Crescent Moon: The Moon reflects a small band of light in the sky and is a period to contemplate our intentions and make plans to take action with fresh energy.

🌓 First Quarter Moon: The Moon is 50% illuminated and is a phase to continue our momentum with firm decisions and actions toward our goals.

🌔 Waxing Gibbous Moon: The Moon is mostly illuminated, marking days to fine-tune our goals and adjust our plans. This asks us to be patient and evaluate our progress.

🌕 Full Moon: Fully illuminated, the energy is high and inspires us to fully express ourselves, celebrate our progress, and reflect gratitude for this life.

🌖 Waning Gibbous Moon: The Moon begins its descent, inviting us to look inward and evaluate the results of our plans and actions this cycle.

🌗 Last Quarter: 50% dark, this is a phase to release what no longer serves us and transition back to the beginning through self-care rituals.

🌘 Waning Crescent Moon: The Moon is a band in the sky and is a period to rest, surrender to the process, and prepare to begin anew.

The moon through the analogy of the plant

🌑 New: Sowing seeds

🌒 Waxing: Irrigation and nutrition

🌓 1st quarter: Stem emergence and leaf formation

🌔 Waxing gibbous: Branching and bud formation

🌕 Full: Flowering and appreciation

🌖 Waning gibbous: Ripening and pollination

🌗 Last quarter: Process of decay and pruning

🌘 Waning gibbous: Composting and regeneration

Below is a representation inspired by this plant analogy:

Drawing inspired by the series "The Yoga of Writing"

This lunar cycle -with its phases and varying intensities- helps us gain perspective and focus our energy on the different stages of the internal creative process. Below, we share a few questions for each phase, intending this page to serve as a reference for your own exploration and development throughout this 28.5-day cycle.

We suggest revisiting the questions on this page every Monday ☾ so you can delve deeper and follow through with the self-reflection that honors your process and your being.

Key questions for a follow-up of the month

🌑 New

What excites me about living in this new lunar cycle?
How do I feel I can prepare for the next 15 days?
- (the moon goes from new to full by then)
To contemplate: How does it feel to allow myself to start over without the pressure of jumping straight into execution?

🌒 Waxing Crescent

How do I feel about prioritizing my intentions and goals?
What habits will help me facilitate my development?
With the lunar calendar in mind: how could I organize myself throughout the month so that my goals and projects materialize?

🌓 First Quarter

How can I support the momentum (and rhythm) of my activities?
How can I calibrate my actions to remain aligned with my intentions?
What projects do I want to complete/express for the week of the full moon? (2 days before and after the lunar cusp)

🌔 Waxing Gibbous

What needs to be developed and refined to make my month's goals a reality?
How can I maintain and sustain my energy to continue with my activities?

🌕 Full Moon

What do I recognize in myself and what do I feel inspired to celebrate?
To whom and to what activities am I grateful for their support and inspiration?
From what I cultivated this month: What do I feel called to share with others?

🌖 Waning Gibbous

How have I felt this month? What have I learned, created, and reflected on?
What actions/habits helped me and which drained me?
What themes require my attention for the coming month?
How am I excited to evolve my relationship with the next lunar cycle?

🌗 Last Quarter

What am I willing to purge to lighten and support my life?
What agreements and emotional situations do I feel like letting go of?

🌘 Waning

What helps me regenerate my energy?
What can the practice of surrendering teach me?

Final Reflection and personal impact

This "new" way of relating to the lunar cycles has given my creative structure what wise farmers and herbalists of all times have given to their crops: attention to the changing needs of their plants, support at every stage of development, and patient consideration of the full cycle of life. In the same way that they have honored each stage of the natural process, my intention during these years of learning and integration has been to allow myself to live with greater presence through each phase and, therefore, to purify myself of the anxiety caused by the lack of clarity regarding the different stages of the creative process.

That said, this writing is part of what I wanted to do for this full moon! 🌝 So I hope this also serves as support and inspiration for your own practice ✧

I/we will be here to clarify any questions you may have and continue growing in this study and integration of the cycles of nature into our lives.