Your Business And The Moon
The Moon and the Earth have always gone hand in hand. Ancient civilisations were fascinated by the phases of the moon as she changed shape and position in the sky. They tracked and recorded these changes and used them to mark the passage of time. Early calendars were based on the lunar cycle before we followed the solar year. (I wrote a blog on the history of calendars that you can read here)
Recently my blogs have focused on lunar planning in general, this week I want to focus on lunar planning in business. And as always, we will start by looking at the phases of the moon.
One lunar cycle is around 29 days long and is made up of the 8 phases of the moon. A new cycle starts on the New Moon, and each phase lasts for around 3 and a half days. This is a very predictable pattern that repeats over and over. When we are aware of the phase the moon is in we can work with that energy. This allows us to work in flow rather than constantly struggling and stressing and feeling like we are pushing water uphill.
The 8 phases are the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Gibbous, Full Moon, Disseminating, Third Quarter and Balsamic. Other names are used, but these are the ones that I use.
From New Moon to Full Moon, the moon appears to grow in the sky. This is the waxing part of the cycle and the focus is on growth. From Full Moon to New Moon, the moon appears to shrink in the sky. This is the waning part of the cycle and the focus is on release.
New Moon.
The New Moon Phase is when we plant the seeds of our future dreams. It is important to take baby steps with our New Moon Wishes, we have to believe that we can get to the next step. If you have a big bold wish, then break it down into smaller, achievable steps to build your confidence.
Turn your New Moon Wishes into mantras that you can repeat every day. They need to be something that evokes the emotions and feelings of the wish fulfilled so that on the days when you can’t be bothered or start to have doubts, you can repeat them and get excited again.
This is a time for setting goals and intentions, starting new projects and recommitting to anything you have let sip recently.
In business, this is when we set clear intentions and business goals for the next four weeks. Make plans for new projects and offers. You could create a vision board for your business, brainstorm ideas and strategies, and connect with other business owners to share ideas and support each other.
The New Moon is a good time to start launches, marketing campaigns and planning out your content.
Waxing Crescent.
The Waxing Crescent Phase is a time to explore your dreams and allow them to flower. This is a time to have faith in your ability to create your own life. If you can dream it, then it can happen.
Keep thinking about what you want and reflect on your New Moon Wishes. Think about them, visualise them and feel them as real.
As the moon moves from invisible to visible, we start to take action on our dreams, goals and wishes. What is one thing you can do to start moving forward?
In business, this is when we start to focus on growth strategies, increasing visibility and taking action on those intentions and goals you set on the New Moon. You could look at partnerships and collaborations to help grow your business and reach.
Do you need to update your services, website or social media? Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and make a structured plan to get there.
First Quarter.
This is the halfway point between the New Moon and the Full Moon and is an ideal time to check in with yourself. Are you taking inspired action? Write down action steps for your wishes. Having a to-do list can make it feel more manageable.
Because of the harsh angle between the Sun and the Moon at this time, this is when you may start to have doubts. It can feel like your resolve or commitment are being tested. This is when most people give up.
We think we know what we want but then when we get to the First Quarter Moon, we may find that we don’t want it as much. If you know in your heart that you are no longer committed to your wishes then do yourself a favour and let them go. If you are still excited about whatever you are working on, then this is the time to recommit. Decide that it gets to be easy and stop overthinking and overcomplicating things.
In business, this is when we implement changes or improvements based on how things have gone in the first week. What challenges or obstacles have you already faced? What resistance do you have to taking action and being visible?
Keep pushing forward with your plans using the growing energy levels of the moon to help you build some momentum. Write down any new ideas rather than allowing yourself to be distracted by them.
Gibbous.
As the moon swells towards fullness, our emotions may start to come to the surface. This is a time for building momentum and excitement. This is a good time to start new plans.
Review your plans, tweak them where needed and get back into any habits you have let slip. What has been working? What has run out of steam? Don’t become impatient at this time. Try meditation or a grounding practice.
In business, start looking at your wins, and gather data and feedback to see how your current strategy is working. Use this to make informed decisions rather than assuming something is or isn’t working.
Look at everything you need to finish before the Full Moon and delegate where necessary. If you are feeling overwhelmed then slim down that to-do list and focus on what you can get done.
Full Moon.
The Full Moon is the high point of the lunar cycle and is when things come to a head. This is a time to surrender and forgive, and then fill yourself back up with gratitude. We let go of the bad so we can focus on the good.
Celebrate all the progress you have made so far and then look at any challenges or problems you have faced. What is stopping you from achieving your goals? This is a time for endings, ending bad habits, ending negative thought patterns or ending toxic relationships or situations. Know that anything that falls away at this time is creating space for something better to come in.
In business, celebrate your successes and any milestones you have reached this cycle. Evaluate completed projects and finish any that are close to being done.
If you haven’t completed your goals then review your progress, look at the challenges and obstacles you are facing, and find ways to overcome them. Change the plan if you need to and keep moving forward.
This is also when we can start looking at any offers, products or services that we no longer wish to provide, remembering that everything we clear away for the next two weeks is creating space for something bigger and better to come in.
Disseminating.
After the heightened energy and emotions of the Full Moon, the Disseminating Phase can feel a bit like an emotional hangover. It can be easy to fall into a slump at this time, especially if things haven’t gone to plan. Or it could even be that you accomplished what you set out to do and are now left thinking “now what?”
If you need to relax then do so. This isn’t a time to start anything new but instead go easy on yourself. Accept that you are where you are and that’s okay. Try to relax and regroup your focus.
In business, this is a good time to tie up loose ends, get contracts signed and make sales. You should also be reviewing your business goals and looking at clearing out those things that aren’t working towards them. That could be old offers, unproductive strategies or outdated processes. We want to be looking at streamlining your business and making things as easy for you as possible. Clear away clutter in your workspace and make sure that you are looking after yourself and not working yourself into the ground.
Third Quarter.
This is the halfway point between the Full Moon and the New Moon and is the crossroads of the lunar cycle. This is when we look back at how far we have come. What have you learned along the way? What successes have you had? What challenges have you faced? What was the message there? How did you overcome them?
This is when we look at where we are, where we were and where we want to go next. What will you take with you and what will you leave behind? This isn't an activity in beating yourself up, it is a chance to step back and decide what is working, what isn’t working and what needs to change.
This is a time to empty ourselves, to release and let go. To reflect on what you have learned this lunar cycle and to decide what adjustments need to be made. Something needs to change here and we need to refind our balance. Maybe you need a new direction or just a new plan. This is a good time to break bad habits. Give yourself a pat on the back for all the hard work you have done and decide what you want to do next.
In business, this is about reviewing your progress on your business goals for the cycle, celebrating your successes and making positive changes to your strategy based on your challenges and successes.
Will you focus on a new goal, offer or service in the next cycle or stick to the same one using all the data you have gathered? Market research works wells here to help you tweak and adjust your strategy ready for the next cycle.
Balsamic.
Balsamic means healing or soothing, which is why this is the self-care phase of the cycle. This is a time to go easy on yourself, to live gently and breathe. Great things to do now include meditation, yoga, oracle cards, journaling and contemplating life. Make peace with what is, stop bad habits and allow yourself to rest and heal.
Think about your dreams, and allow hope to guide and inspire you. Remember that anything is possible. What dreams still make your heart race? Are you willing to work on them again? Let go of anything you no longer need.
In business, this is still a time to rest, recharge and get ready for the next cycle. Take time for yourself and reflect on all the things that have gone well.
Start to think about what you want to achieve in the next cycle, will you build on the work and momentum you did this cycle? Will you start a new project?
I would recommend tracking your energy levels and working with the moon over at least 3 lunar cycles so that you can gather data to help you tweak and adjust your plans and lunar strategy. Then once you are ready, you can add the next layer by working with the four elements as the moon moves through the zodiac. This will allow you to assign tasks based on the moon's energy and I will dive into that in a couple of weeks.
I hope you have found this week's blog helpful and if you are ready to start your lunar planning then click the button below to get started.
