Connecting with the full moon: archetypal reflections
Cycles and seasons: working with the full moon as an archetype, journal prompts and reflections
Exploring my own attunement and connection to the rhythms of nature is hugely important to me. The shifting seasons, the rise and fall of the sun, and the moon’s cycles. There’s magic in watching the moon wax and wane. It reminds us that everything moves in phases, including us.
The moon’s light has captivated humans for centuries, with the fullness of the moon symbolising completion, illumination and transformation. Spiritually and energetically, the moon’s peak is a time to pause, reflect on what’s come to fruition and release what no longer serves us. If connecting with the moon spiritually doesn’t feel aligned for you, you can also work with this cycle as an archetype.
If you’re new here I’m Laura, a counsellor, ecotherapist, a somatic trauma therapist and a space holder. My offerings are all about supporting you to connect with yourself and the world around you.
In this post I’m sharing:
Reflections on the archetypes and energy of the moon
A ritual and a somatic practice to connect with the moon
Full moon journalling prompts
A curated playlist
Additional resources to support you
The archetypal or spiritual energies of the moon
The full moon is a threshold moment, a tide that swells and invites us into contact with the themes of completion and release. In many moon related practices this is the time to ask ourselves what we’re letting go of.
This phase of the moon can also represent the embodiment of the feminine energy, which we all have within us irrespective of gender. When exploring the archetypal energy of the moon we can think of it as a mirror, illuminating areas of our lives that may be hidden or in shadow, and bringing them to our conscious awareness for integration.
Across traditions, the moon embodies shifting apects of our psyche: the Lunar Caregiver (more traditionally the Mother) who nourishes intuition, the Mystic who reveals the unseen, and the Oracle who illuminates what has been waiting in the dark.
From a Jungian perspective, the moon often mirrors the Anima, the receptive, imaginal, feeling-driven aspect of the psyche that draws us inward and asks us to listen rather than act. In Pagan folklore, the moon is the Triple Goddess; Maiden, Mother, Crone or the Initiate, the Caregiver and the Sage in non-gendered terms. The initiate is the waxing moon rising toward fullness, the caregiver is the moon at her peak of power, and the sage is the waning moon releasing back into darkness.
You work with these archetypes by observing and attuning to the moon’s shifting rhythms, asking yourself where does this mirror or oppose my own inner cycles. As well as the journal or reflective prompts that I’ve shared below, I’ve included a playlist that can support you to connect with these themes.
To explore working with archetypes more deeply, check out this post. You might also like to check out my Sacred Somatic Journeys series that explores spiritual and nature based archetypes through a somatic and embodied lens.
A Simple moon ritual to ground and reconnect with yourself
You could try this simple ritual if you’d like to explore your connection to the moon from a place of mindful presence. You can begin by creating a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. When I’m doing any kind of ritual or meditation, I like to light a candle. The process of repeating this each time we’re coming into a mindful space can signal to our bodies and minds that it’s time to slow down.
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths.
Feel the ground beneath you, the weight of your body and the rhythm of your breath.
Imagine roots growing from your body into the Earth, anchoring you in the present moment.
As you sit in stillness, gently bring your awareness inward.
Ask yourself: How am I feeling right now? What do I need?
Let whatever comes up rise without judgment.
Somatic connection to the moon through moon bathing
When the moon is visible, step outside (or sit by a window) and allow its light to wash over you.
Stand or sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep, slow breaths.
Bring your attention to the parts of your body that feel the moonlight; your face, your hands, your skin.
Notice any subtle sensations: warmth, coolness, tingling or stillness.
Let your body receive the moon’s presence as you soften into the moment.
This practice isn’t about doing, it’s about sensing, receiving and being.
Stay here for as long as feels good, letting your breath anchor you in your body.
If you’d like to explore an embodied approach to ritual, archetypes and nature check out my Somatic Journeys series. These somatic audio-guided journeys invite you to inhabit your body, attune to the rhythms of the living world and explore the archetypal landscapes of your inner life.
Moon journal prompts for reflection
Once you’ve come into a more grounded place through the ritual I’ve shared or a process of your own, you might want to explore these full moon journaling prompts.
Reflect on the current cycle in your life that is reaching its culmination, like a project, relationship, or personal goal. Write about the progress you have made, the lessons you have learned, and what you have achieved. How does the archetypal energy of the moon resonate with this particular cycle? How can you honour and celebrate completion of the cycle?
Dive into your emotions and intuition by journaling about your feelings and experiences during the time leading up to the moon’s peak. What emotions have been amplified? Have there been any unresolved issues or patterns that have come to the surface? How can you harness this knowing and what do you need to release?
Explore the ideas of balance . What areas of your life feel in balance, and what feels out of balance? How can you use the energy of the moon archetype to bring equilibrium to these areas?
Remember, journaling is a personal practice, and there are no right or wrong answers.
If you’re looking for other resources to support your connection with nature, check out this post around the wheel of the year.
