In the dance between lunar light and shadow, herbs become our companions. Each moon phase brings a shift in energy, and the plants, grounded yet wise, offer exactly what we need when we need it most.
Let’s walk the moon’s path together, from the dark hush of the new moon to the radiant bloom of the full moon, through the winding release of the waning moon, and into the bright climb of the waxing moon. And with each step, let us hold an herb in our hands, like a lantern for the journey.
Moon Phases & Herbal Work
New Moon
The new moon is a time of inward reflection, a fertile emptiness where seeds of intention are quietly planted beneath the surface. It's not a time for action, but for stillness, for dreaming, cleansing, and aligning with your deeper self.
Waxing Moon
As the moon begins to grow in the sky, so does your energy. The waxing moon is a time for movement, focus, and growth for feeding the seeds you planted with care and clarity. What you began to envision during the new moon now asks for nurturing action. This phase draws energy inward, building strength, structure, and momentum with each waxing sliver of light.
Full Moon
The moon is at her brightest, bathing everything in light. This is a moment of culmination, manifestation, and emotional release. What was hidden now comes to the surface, and with it, the chance to celebrate what’s come to fruition. Emotions swell under this lunar spotlight, making it an ideal time to express, release, and honor both shadow and shine.
Waning Moon
After the fullness, the moon begins to wane, and so do we. This phase calls for letting go, clearing, and healing. It is a natural descent, an exhale, a quiet unraveling. Just as trees shed their leaves in autumn, the waning moon invites us to release what’s heavy, stagnant, or outdated. It’s a time for reflection, rest, and trust in the cycle of return.
Herbs to Match Moon Energy
New Moon - Mugwort & the Mystery Within
The new moon is a velvet hush in the sky. It is like a blank page, an inhale before the spell is cast. This is a time for setting intentions, letting go of the noise, and turning inward.
Mugwort is the perfect guide here. She deepens our intuition, sharpens our dreams, and opens the door to inner realms. With her slightly bitter bite and silvery leaves, she clears mental cobwebs and enhances the clarity of your intentions
Ways to Work with Mugwort:
- Sip Mugwort tea while journaling your intentions—let the plant open your inner ear.
- Burn dried Mugwort to energetically cleanse your space before ritual.
- Add to a dream bath or steam to enter a liminal, reflective state.
Let this phase be your reset. Quiet the mind, plant the seed. Let mugwort keep the dreamtime candle lit.
Full Moon - Yarrow & the Bright Boundaries
The full moon is a spotlight. It illuminates everything, even what you’ve been trying not to see. It’s a time of celebration, emotional tides, and energetic highs. But with all that illumination, we also need protection.
Yarrow is the warrior healer. Delicate and strong, she forms a shield around your energy. She keeps you intact when emotions swell and clarity is needed.
Ways to work with Yarrow:
- Brew a strong infusion and drink under the full moon to fortify emotional boundaries.
- Add Yarrow to a foot bath to stay grounded amidst full moon intensity.
- Smudge with dried yarrow to clear away emotional static after gatherings or rituals.
Let the full moon expand your heart. Let yarrow guard its gates.
Waning Moon - Cleavers & the Great Release
The waning moon is the great exhale. The tide draws back. It’s time to release, to detoxify, to heal and make space.
Cleavers, with their sticky, grasping stems, remind us how energy clings, old stories, stagnant feelings, unmet grief. But cleavers also teach us how to move it all along. They support the lymphatic system, flushing what no longer serves.
Ways to work with Cleavers:
- Drink cleavers tea daily during the waning moon to assist in detox and emotional unbinding.
- Add cleavers to a bath or use as a facial steam to physically and energetically clear your system.
- Write down what you’re ready to release and sip your tea slowly as each word becomes a goodbye.
Energetic Herbalism Meets Lunar Rhythms
When we work with herbs in rhythm with the moon, we return to the oldest form of self-care. It’s not about strict rituals or perfect timing, it’s about attunement. Listening. Letting your body and spirit move in tandem with the tides.
Whether you're sipping Mugwort under the stars, bathing in Yarrow’s embrace, or letting Cleavers cleanse the corners of your being, you are participating in something sacred: the quiet, powerful marriage of earth and sky.
Let the moon be your guide. Let the plants be your allies. And let your practice be poetry in motion
~ rooted, radiant, and real!