Turning Back Towards Darkness
The waning phase carries us from light back into darkness, from the full moon’s brilliant revelation towards the dark moon’s fertile void. We’re travelling the second half of the lunar cycle now, returning once again to the new moon, to beginnings, to the place where all things start.
In the waning phase of the moon we see the crescent of light on the left hand side of the moon. This tells us to begin the phase of letting go.
Image by Guillermo Ferla – Unsplash
The Gentle Dimming
The Waning Gibbous Moon begins to lose light from her edges over three or four days after the full moon. Watch her carefully and you’ll see the light slowly retreating, enabling the shadow to gradually returning.
A slight dip in energy often accompanies this phase. You might feel it as relief that the intensity is falling away, or as a gentle melancholy that the fullness cannot last forever.
Whereas the full moon focused your attention outward onto external manifestation and visible results, now you begin to move inward again. This is the time to look within and understand any obstacles that may be preventing you from creating what you truly desire.
The Gift of Processing
This is also the start of processing time so you can gain greater insight, wisdom, and knowledge about yourself. The full moon illuminated everything. Now the Waning Gibbous Moon helps you to understand what you saw. So, what patterns emerged? Which behaviours revealed themselves? What beliefs showed their influence? Which fears rose to the surface?
Try to process what you’ve learned and are still learning. Sit with the revelations. Don’t rush to fix or change anything yet. Simply witness. Understand. Allow the wisdom to settle into your bones.
Image by Sage Friedman – Unsplash
The Time for Truth
Interestingly, the Waning Gibbous Moon is also the time for communication. This might seem paradoxical as we’re moving inward, but it makes perfect sense. We’ve just received tremendous clarity during the full moon. Now we’re ready to speak our truth.
This means that it is the best time to have necessary, difficult conversations. To establish boundaries. To say what needs to be said. To share insights about your life and experience and listen deeply to those of others.
What to Say and Share in Business
While this is not the best time to share new ideas, it is the perfect time to communicate your developing ideas through conversation, marketing, and publicity. If your intentions have manifested, share them. If your vision has clarified, speak it. If your creative work is ready, show it to the world.
Image by Alex Shute – Unsplash
Preparing for the Next Cycle
This is also an ideal time to begin contemplating intentions you’ll set in two weeks at the next New Moon. The seeds you plant then will grow better if you’ve cleared the ground now.
The Art of Release
Release is an art, not a science. It requires both courage and gentleness. You must be willing to look honestly at what’s not working whilst being kind to yourself about why you held onto it for so long. Try this:
- Process what you’ve learned without judgment
- Become aware of patterns that hold you back
- Have difficult conversations with compassion and clarity
- End relationships that no longer serve anyone involved
- Set boundaries where they’re needed
- Share your wisdom and insights generously
- Communicate your vision to those who need to hear it
- Release tension through honest expression
- Make space for what’s coming next
Image by Jeremy Thomas – Unsplash
