Your Guide to Setting an Intention for Your Full Moon Rituals

Mindfulness

August 18, 2024

If you’re familiar with aligning your manifestations with the cycles of the moon, you’ll already know that the full moon is a time of release. Partaking in full moon rituals is a great way to help you let go and create space for what’s next in your life.

But to effectively do this, it’s best to approach it mindfully, setting an intention for yourself. While some people are into following the stars and living their lives by it, you can also see these moon phases as a built in way to check in on yourself monthly, it’s almost like the moon is your accountability partner.

The Power of the Full Moon

Before we dive into how to an intention for the full moon, let’s take a moment to understand why the full moon is such a powerful time for setting intentions.

The full moon is the peak of the lunar cycle, a time when the moon is fully illuminated and its energy is at its strongest.

This is why many people turn to the full moon for manifestation—it’s the perfect time to release what no longer serves you and invite new energy into your life.

Manifestation during the full moon isn’t just about wishful thinking; it’s about aligning your intentions with the natural ebb and flow of the universe.

By harnessing this potent energy, you can give your goals and dreams an extra boost, making it easier to bring them into reality.

How to set an intention for your full moon rituals

Before you start whatever rituals you are going to be doing for the full moon, it’s important to ground yourself in your intention.

To get started, gather a few simple items:

Something comfortable to sit on: This could be a cushion, yoga mat, or even a cozy chair. Comfort is key here, as you want to feel relaxed and at ease during this practice.
A pen or pencil and paper: These will be your tools for writing your intentions. There’s something powerful about putting pen to paper that helps solidify your thoughts and intentions.
A candle: The candle symbolizes the light of the moon and can help you focus your energy during the ritual.
Incense: Choose a scent that resonates with you. Incense helps to cleanse the space and set a spiritual tone for your practice.

Step 1: Ground Yourself

The first step in any intention-setting practice is to ground yourself, bringing our awareness into the present moment.

Find a comfortable place to sit, either on the floor or in a chair, and start by deepening your breath. Inhale slowly, filling your lungs with air, and then exhale just as slowly. As you breathe, allow your mind to settle and your thoughts to quiet.

The goal here is to become fully present in the moment, letting go of any distractions or worries from the day.

When you’re grounded, you’re more in tune with your inner self and the energies around you. This is the foundation for setting clear and powerful intentions.

Step 2: Light Your Candle and Incense

Once you’re feeling centered, it’s time to create a sacred space. Light your candle and incense, and if you have them take a moment to invite your spirit helpers or higher self to join you for guidance.

Your spirit helpers might be ancestors, cultural guides, or simply your higher consciousness—whatever feels right to you.

Trust your intuition in this step; there’s no right or wrong way to invite in support.

The act of lighting a candle and incense isn’t just symbolic; it also helps to create a sensory experience that can deepen your connection to the ritual.

The flickering candlelight represents the full moon’s glow, while the scent of the incense can help you relax and focus your mind.

Step 3: Reflect on What to Release

Now comes the introspective part of the ritual. Ask yourself, “What do I need to let go of at this time?” This is where you start to delve into the deeper aspects of your psyche.

Maybe it’s an old relationship that’s been holding you back, a negative habit that you’re ready to break, or a limiting belief that no longer serves you.

It could even be something as simple as daily stress or anxiety. The key here is to be honest with yourself and allow whatever needs to come up to surface.

If you’re feeling stuck, try this: close your eyes and imagine the full moon’s light shining down on you, illuminating any shadows within.

What comes to mind? What do you see or feel that needs to be released? Trust whatever comes up, even if it surprises you. This is your opportunity to clear out the old and make space for the new.

Step 4: How to Write Full Moon Intentions

Now that you’ve identified what you want to release, it’s time to focus on how to write full moon intentions. Take your pen or pencil and begin writing.

Don’t overthink it—just let the words flow onto the paper. Some people find it helpful to use their non-dominant hand for this part of the exercise, as it’s believed to allow Spirit to flow more freely.

As you write, try to stay in the moment. This isn’t the time to worry about grammar, spelling, or whether your intentions make sense. What matters most is that you’re being true to yourself and your feelings. Let the words come from your heart, and don’t judge anything that shows up.

Once you’ve finished writing, take a moment to review what you’ve written.

Does anything stand out to you? Are there any recurring themes or words? This can give you insight into what’s most important to you at this time.

Step 5: Refine and Speak Your Intention

After you’ve written down your thoughts, it’s time to refine them into a clear and concise intention.

Look over what you’ve written and ask yourself, “What’s the essence of this?” Boil it down to a single statement that encapsulates what you want to manifest or release.

For example, if you’ve written about letting go of stress, your intention might be something like, “I release the stress and anxiety that no longer serves me and invite peace and calm into my life.”

Once you’ve refined your intention, speak it out loud. As you do, imagine your voice carrying your intention out into the universe, where it will be heard and acted upon.

This step is crucial because it turns your intention from a thought into a vibration—a sound that can resonate through the cosmos.

Speaking your intention aloud also helps to solidify it in your mind, making it more real and tangible.

Step 6: Full Moon Ritual Burning Paper

If you’re looking to add another layer to your full moon practice, consider incorporating a full moon ritual burning paper technique. This is a powerful way to symbolically release what no longer serves you.

Here’s how it works:

Take the paper where you’ve written what you want to release.
Find a safe space outdoors or in a well-ventilated area where you can safely burn the paper.
As you hold the paper, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve written. Visualize yourself letting go of these things, seeing them dissolve from your life.
Light the paper on fire (using the candle from earlier) and watch as it burns, imagining all the negativity and old energy being transformed into smoke and carried away.

As the paper burns, feel the release in your body. Know that you are truly letting go and making space for new energy to come into your life.

This ritual is a tangible way to signify the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, and it can be incredibly cathartic.

Step 7: Express Gratitude

Finally, close your ritual by expressing gratitude. Even if you don’t see immediate results, trust that your intentions have been heard. You’ve planted the seeds that will be nurtured under the energy of the upcoming full moon.

Gratitude is a powerful force that can amplify your intentions. It shifts your mindset from one of lack to one of abundance, which is crucial for manifestation. Take a few moments to thank the universe, your spirit helpers, or simply yourself for taking the time to engage in this practice.

Incorporating Other Rituals

If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do on a full moon for manifestation, or if you want to explore other rituals, check out my other article on full moon rituals.

In it, I cover various rituals and self-reflection questions that you can use to deepen your connection to the moon’s energy, including the full moon ritual burning paper technique we discussed here.