Moon mentor, transformative coach and best-selling author, the effervescent Kirsty Gallagherhas put together a beautiful set of meditations on the Happy Place app to help break down and contextualize how you can work with the magic of ‘lunar living’.
I love this practice and have actively been working it into my daily life, implementing small changes based on the moon cycle.
If you are a beginner with this sort of practice, Kirsty breaks it down brilliantly on the Happy Place app with sessions that include ‘Rise & Shine’, ‘Energy Reset’ and ‘Finding Control’. I'd recommend the 15-minute ‘Lunar Living’ meditation as a great entry point.
Here I speak to Kirsty about how she discovered this practice and its benefits:
How did you first come to meditating alongside moon cycles?
'I discovered the life changing benefits of lunar living when I was living in India in 2009. It was traditional not to practice yoga on new and full moon days, and so on these days I would meditateon the lunar energies and what I felt they were trying to tell me.'
These days of quiet contemplation allowed me to fully connect to and draw upon the energies of the moon and immerse myself in her wisdom, effects and guidance, gaining insights, answers and clarification. I made profound changes in my life by working with the moon over that time, and have lived alongside her ever since.
How does this form of meditation differ from the sort of meditation that readers may be more familiar with?
'When we meditate with the moon we get to draw on her immense power, wisdom and guidance to help us. We get to work with her cycles and energies and end up knowing ourselves better than ever before.'
'Working with the moon and her various phases helps to keep you accountable. It means that you take conscious control over your lifeand the direction you want to go in.'
'Moon by moon and month by month you take time to check in with where you are in life, and whether you’re moving in the direction you want to go, and if not why not.'
'From here you can work with the moon and her energies to set intentions, make changes, let go of what stands in the way and move in the direction you want to go.'
What impact do moon cycles have on our wellbeing and how can this form of meditation be beneficial?
'Just as the moon turns the tides on earth she has an effect on our energy levels and the watery inner world of our emotions and dreams. When we begin to work more closely with lunar cycles and pay attention we start to see that the moon is always guiding us, showing us where we are out of alignment in ourselves and our lives.'
'Month on month, as we journey with the moon, she helps to uncover our greatest fears, doubts and insecurities alongside our most hidden hopes, dreams and desires.'
'She helps us to see what keeps us small and stuck and scared and also what our passion and purpose and unique individual gifts are – and what we are truly capable of when we claim our full potential and power.'
'Meditating with the moon brings us home to ourselves, our dreams and visions and goals, month after month. Working with the magic of the moon is a tool of immense self-awareness, self-care, nourishment, empowerment, manifestation and purpose.'
What does a typical month of moon cycle meditation look like? Are sessions different depending on the moon phase?
'It begins on a new moon, the very beginning of the lunar cycle where you set intentions for what you want to create in the lunar cycle ahead. This is your blank slate where you decide what you want to achieve, manifest and bring to life over the next few weeks and beyond.'
'A new moon meditation will help you connect with the energies of the new moon and set your direction for the month ahead.'
'Over the next two weeks, as the moon waxes and grows bigger and brighter in the sky each night you do all you can to bring your new moon intentions to life; look out for the signs, be open to opportunities, be seen and heard and take brave bold steps towards achieving your dreams.'
'A waxing moon meditation will help you to be seen and shine, notice the signs and be open to opportunities.'
'The full moon is the halfway point ofthe lunar cycle. This is where you reflect on what you have achieved so far through the lunar cycle, and what you allowed to get in the way. This is where you decide what you are ready to release and let go of.'
'A full moon meditation will help you to connect with the energies of the full moon and reflect on the lunar cycle so far.'
'Over the next two weeks as the moon wanes and grows smaller in the sky you do all you can to let go of all of your doubts and fears and all that stood in the way of achieving what you want.'
'A waning moon mediation will help you to release and let go opening space for something new to come in at the next new moon.'
Do you have any advice for lunar living beginners?
'Just give it a try and see what happens. Its potent power lies in its simplicity, and everyone can gain huge insights and inspiration, making quantum leaps in their lives from working with the phases of the moon.'
'The only proof you need lies in the practice of lunar living – in trying it for yourself and experiencing first-hand the magical benefits that this way of living brings to your life.'
What are your top tips when it comes to building Happy Habits this month and maintaining them?
'To find something you enjoy, and stick to it no matter what. Creating new habits takes dedication and commitment and there will be days your ego fights against it, so having something you enjoy doing makes this a little easier. '
Happy Place App is available to download on iOS from www.happyplaceofficial.co.uk/app.
Kirsty shares her lunar wisdom through her Lunar Living membership and sisterhood, online lunar yoga and meditation classes, and her Instagram. Learn more at kirstygallagher.com/lunar-living{href='https://urldefense.com/v3/http:/kirstygallagher.com/lunar-living;!!PIZeeW5wscynRQ!rDoCyzcB0UQOqJwbjkLv6eOMm_q_ccj_jio8_Fn2xJNc72-EUUEKV786GoaAfJ4iql1hBTfxrGeEizzNQTIAFA. target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}.