Quick answer
A supermoon is a full moon that happens when the Moon is at or near perigee, its closest point to Earth in its slightly oval orbit. It looks up to about 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a full moon at apogee, though few people notice without a side-by-side. The old version of this page said its immense power amplifies emotions and manifests opportunities, and gave a fire ritual with sage and crystals. Studies of full moons and human behaviour, covering hospital admissions, crime, births and sleep, have not found reliable effects, and none at all for supermoons specifically. What the lunar cycle offers a goal-setter is a calendar. A cycle is about 29.5 days, the phases are visible for free, and a monthly review tied to the full moon is easier to keep than one tied to sometime. This rewrite keeps the review and drops the fire. The nine-step method for actually moving goals is in Manifesting Your Dreams: What the Law of Attraction Gets Wrong, What Research Says Moves Goals, and a Nine-Step Method.
Each phase, what astrologers say, and a planning use
| Moon phase | What astrologers say | A planning use |
|---|---|---|
| New moon | Set intentions; plant seeds | Write three goals for the month, each with a first action dated this week |
| Waxing crescent | Take first steps; gather energy | Do the first actions; note which felt easy and which you avoided |
| First quarter | Meet obstacles; adjust | Mid-month check: what has stalled, and what one change would unstick it? |
| Waxing gibbous | Refine; persist | Finish the thing that is almost done before starting anything new |
| Full moon (or supermoon) | Culmination, release, heightened feeling | Monthly review: what worked, what did not, what to drop; go outside and look at it |
| Waning gibbous | Gratitude; share | Tell one person what you finished; ask what they are working on |
| Last quarter | Let go; clear out | Cancel, delete or hand off one commitment you will not honour |
| Waning crescent | Rest before the next cycle | Two quiet evenings with no planning at all |
Dropped from the old version
- That the supermoon’s power ensures projects complete to your satisfaction
- The sage and smudging steps, which borrow a closed Indigenous ceremony
- Open fires in bowls indoors, and burning paper to release burdens
- Scattering ashes in the light of the moon as the test of whether it worked; marking a review by moonlight is pleasant, and the Moon adds nothing to the review
Evidence note: Large reviews of the so-called lunar effect find no consistent link between full moons and emergency visits, psychiatric admissions, crime or births. A few sleep studies report slightly shorter or later sleep around the full moon, possibly from light. A supermoon changes brightness a little and behaviour not at all that anyone has measured. For another symbol people use as a goal cue, see the Uruz rune; for the money side of goal-setting, see money mindset in Canada.
The full guide to manifesting
The hub explains what the law of attraction gets wrong, what research says moves goals, and gives a nine-step method.
While the benefits of following moon cycles are subjective, the process described seems like it could offer psychological benefits by encouraging mindfulness and reflection on one’s life.
The idea of aligning oneself with the moon’s cycles is quite intriguing. It seems to offer a structured way to set and achieve goals while also addressing emotional or behavioral issues. The suggested ritual appears well thought out.
Indeed, it’s an interesting approach. The emphasis on intention and reflection could be quite beneficial for many.
I agree, the concept of using the moon’s phases for personal growth is fascinating. It’s almost like having a natural calendar to guide one’s self-improvement journey.
The article offers an interesting perspective on how to harness natural phenomena for personal growth. I am curious about the empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of such rituals.
Using the cycles of the moon to structure life goals and emotional cleansing is a novel approach. The ritual provides a clear framework for those interested in spiritual practices.
The step-by-step guide for the Supermoon ritual is quite detailed. It seems like a practical way to focus one’s energy and intentions, although some might find the use of spiritual elements a bit unconventional.