New Moon Rituals
New Moons are for Manifesting
New moons are the darkest night of the month — literally. No moonlight, no glow, just a blank, quiet sky. And that darkness isn't empty — it's an invitation. This is the phase for manifesting, setting intentions, and starting fresh, because there's nothing yet to let go of. (Save the releasing for the full moon, when the sky's at its brightest and everything's out in the open.
Remember: new moons = new beginnings; full moons = endings.
So if you've been waiting for a sign to start that ritual practice — this is it.
Here's how to make the most of your next new moon:
1. Clear your space (and your head). Light some palo santo, crack a window, do whatever makes the room feel like a blank slate too. You're setting the tone before you set the intention.
2. Journal it out. Don't overthink this part. What do you want to call in this month? Write it messy, write it in bullet points, write it like you're texting a friend. The point is getting it out of your head and onto paper. And, of course, use the journal prompts we share in our newsletter — they’re designed for the New Moon occurring this month.
3. Pull a card. A quick tarot pull (one card, no spread needed) can point you toward what energy to lean into as you start this cycle. Not well versed in tarot? Pull an oracle card!
4. Say it out loud. Intentions (or affirmations) hit different when you actually speak them. Read your journal entry back to yourself, or just say the short version out loud.
5. Anchor it with something physical. A candle, a crystal, a playlist — something that reminds you of this intention every time you see or touch it for the next 29 days.
6. Let it sit. You don't have to have the "how" figured out yet. New moons are about the seed, not the sprint.
Pictured: an OG House of Stellium Journal and the Journal I took with me to Thailand.
Abundance Rituals
New moon tip: make an abundance cauldron (or simmer pot - whichever work you resonate with)!
This one is simple. It smells incredible. And you can use whatever you already have at home. The new moon is a potent time to sit with your intentions - and this ritual is a beautiful way to do it. Also known as a simmer pot … if cauldron isn't your thing. 🧙♀️
It works on multiple levels: shifting the energy in your space, calling in abundance, and gently refreshing what your home is holding. Win, win, win.
Here's how:
Add everything to a pot of water.
Speak your intentions out loud. This is the most important step. Something like: "I welcome all the abundance available to me."
Slowly bring to a boil, then let it simmer for a few hours.
When you're done, drink it or return it to the earth.
What to add (use what you have):
🍋 Lemon — positivity, freshness, clean slate energy
🌿 Bay leaves — intention and manifestation
🫚 Cinnamon — abundance, warmth, "more is coming"
🌱 Rosemary — clarity, protection, clearing what's done
🫚 Ginger — movement and momentum when things feel stuck
🍯 Honey — sweetness, self-expression, opens you to receiving
🌸 Chamomile — calm, ease, grounding
You can also throw in orange, cloves, or whatever herbs you have on hand. There's no perfect formula - it's more powerful when it feels like yours.
Witches love simmer pots.
Add an Affirmation Practice
New moons are about the story you're telling yourself for the next cycle — and nothing rewires that story faster than saying it out loud. Janelle Monáe has some of the best self-love affirmations out there for exactly this: full acceptance, zero apology. Before or after you journal your intention, play the clip and say it back to yourself in the mirror. Bonus points if you do it by candlelight.
Your assignment for this new moon: practice true self-love and acceptance by reciting Janelle Monáe's empowering affirmations:
“I love myself, at and in, every evolution
both beneficial and non-beneficial.
Good, bad or indifferent -
I honor myself for operating in the fullness that I could
at that time and at that space.
I am proud of myself for the bravery to grow.
I’m proud of myself for finding tools and figuring this shit out.
I will give myself grace to figure it out -
Grace to stumble
Grace to pause.
I highlight and I cancel all contracts and agreements
that don’t serve me for highest good,
And I give myself permission to evolve as often as I need to.”
In Closing
New moon rituals don't need to be elaborate to work — they just need to be yours. Whether it's a five-minute journal session or the full candle-and-tarot experience, what matters is showing up for yourself at the start of the cycle. So tonight, when the sky goes dark, take it as your cue. Plant something. See what grows by the full moon. 🌑
