New Moon Shenanigans, Round Two
10.1.2024
Apparently, I enjoyed my first “new moon” experience so much that I’ve decided to make it a regular thing. You know, just casually aligning with the cosmos—no big deal. Tonight’s lunar escapades started when I ran into a lady who casually suggested I grab a white dollar-store candle, scribble some intentions on it, and burn it under the new moon. Naturally, I added it to my Walmart list. And there you have it—my very first intention candle. Fancy, right?
So what grand, mystical desires did I pour into this candle? I went with what’s been giving me the best vibes lately. I scribbled “home, peace, love, creativity,” and because I was feeling particularly zen, I ended with BE. Those are some solid intentions, if you ask me. Nothing too outlandish—just good, peaceful vibes. I value those things, and honestly, I don’t want to make choices that don’t align with them. So, no thanks to anything that doesn’t lead me to peace and love!
Then came my New Moon Bath Ritual. “Ritual” sounds intense, doesn’t it? Let’s call it what it is: a glorified, well-planned bath. And it was amazing. I’ve always been a bath person. In fact, I’ve been known to take four-hour baths (yes, you read that right). There’s something incredibly glorious about just soaking away, losing track of time while my body decides to forget about the world for a while. This one was particularly soothing. I listened to my favorite guided meditation, Willow Bend Zen (Ariadne, you are a calming genius), and it aligned perfectly with setting intentions. Was I a little distracted? Sure, but I still managed to float away into bliss.
(Check out Willow Bend Zen HERE)
So, why all this new moon business? Well, funny story. I’ve found myself smack dab in the mid-life void. You know the one. Where you’re old… but not too old? Life’s become a series of repetitive motions, mindless routines, and to-do lists. Then I had a health scare that landed me in the hospital, and nothing makes you rethink life quite like realizing it’s all just… this. Everyday life. Cue the mid-life crisis, right?
About that same time, TikTok’s algorithm picked up on my existential dread (thanks, Big Brother) and sent me to a group of ladies who were saying things I needed to hear. Then, out of nowhere—boom—the new moon discussion was all over my feed. I listened to these ladies telling me to give my intentions to the universe and it felt freeing.
I felt great after celebrating the new moon a few months ago. Now the real question may be, was it the moon’s power or the fact that I finally spent time focusing on myself? Who knows. And I don’t care. It’s the result that matters. And I felt rejuvenated. So now, I’m an official “new mooner” over here.
This bath ritual, though, was not all peace and tranquility. First off, it forced me to actually clean my bathtub, which, let’s be honest, was long overdue. Then, my pets kept wandering in for attention. Winnie, my cat, is especially persistent. He likes to perch dangerously close to the water’s edge, almost as if he’s daring himself to fall in. Oh, and he enjoys pushing random things into the bath. Charming, right? Meanwhile, Pipsqueak came to inspect my Hempz lotion. She gave her little nose-scrunch of approval, so I guess I picked a winner. And Koda, my big baby of a dog, was just happy that I was happy. He’s a bit of a guardian and usually insists on watching me like a hawk, but as I soaked, he curled up in his corner for a nap. All in all, not a bad evening—once I got past the interruptions.
Speaking of rituals, I realized this whole bath-time reflection thing was part of a bigger thought chain I’ve been obsessing over lately. You start with mindfulness—knowing what you want your life to be like—and then, each day, you remind yourself. I’ve been playing this game in my head where I ask myself, “Hey, what are we doing right now?” Usually, the answer is sitting in some pointless meeting about planning a different meeting. Then comes the follow-up: Is this something we actually need to be doing? Whether the answer is yes or no, it always leads to the next question: Why are we doing it?
The usual suspects come up: money, responsibility, pressure, expectations. But I keep digging.
I have to have a job for money.
Why?
To pay bills.
Why?
And on and on it goes, until you start questioning why you’re spending time in places and environments you don’t want to be in. It’s like peeling away layers of an onion—except, you know, without all the tears.
I’ve got big plans to grow this little bath party of one into something even more. Maybe a bath party for two someday (manifesting that tub!). Until then, I’ll keep refining the ritual. Here’s the plan for next time:
Lessons learned:
- Be prepared. Gather all my candles, scents, and bath accessories into a dedicated “new moon bin.” Only bring out the bin on the night of the new moon.
- Snacks and drinks are essential. But leave the phone out of the bathroom—no distractions or panic-scrolling allowed.
- Start prepping for when I’m at the soon-to-be Mr.’s house. I’ll turn it into a shower ritual until we manifest that bathtub.
- Clean the bathroom ahead of time. Seriously, nothing kills the magic faster than scrubbing soap scum off the tub right before your so-called “relaxing” bath. Make sure it’s sparkly and ready for a magical date night.
TLDR: New moon water rituals: peaceful, indulgent, slightly chaotic—and entirely worth it. Highly recommend.
5 Article Follow-Up Ideas:
- The Art of Setting Intentions: How to Cultivate What Really Matters in Life
- Mid-Life Reflections: Turning Daily Routines into Moments of Self-Discovery
- Bath Rituals for Every Occasion: From Full Moons to Stressful Tuesdays
- The Power of Pets in Healing and Mindfulness Practices
- How to Build Your Own Self-Care Rituals That Actually Stick