"Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon." —Paul Brandt
The greatest gift I've given myself is forcing myself to give up everything that I know to start a life that looks completely different. Reflecting on the journey of seeing myself differently, some of the most memorable times were the walks I've had with my dog Xola at night. There aren't many people out and about while I walk Xola, and it's the best time for me to reflect and enjoy the sound of Xola's breathing. Being a greyhound, he has a massive barrel chest, so his breath is prominent when walking steadily.
During my walks at night, I would boost my self-esteem with affirmations and speak things into existence even though my reality looked completely different. The moon was a constant fixture during these walks, even during a new moon. Somehow, the moon gave me comfort, almost like a companion, and in return, I would ensure that I paid attention to its cycles because as the moon changed, I changed. Looking up at the moon was a reminder that many of the things I concern myself with paled in comparison with the expanse of the universe and all of life happening around me.
As I continue to settle and grow with my spirituality, I'm learning to focus on the basics and going back to learn from my ancestors. Life was more straightforward, and with technological advances and access to information, it is moving way too fast. I am all about change, but my speed is always cool, calm, and collected. Understanding this took me on a journey of learning what time meant. I was led to work with and study lunar cycles.
The moon energizes me. I love praying, meditating, practicing mindfulness, and working on projects later at night. My peak time to finish work is late at night, around 12 a.m.- 1 a.m. It's the best time to connect with all that is and to flow with my intuition, and this time guided me to create the "Change Begins With Me" course.
This course follows the moon's cycles, exploring the meaning of dreams, grounding spirituality, understanding the cognitive connections to spirituality and how it affects your body, and taking small actions to achieve what you want. It is the basis of change because, as we all know, it is hard and not something people want to engage in actively. I've learned that actively participating in my change process is much smoother. The alternative would be change by force or being indifferent to change, which has more disruptive consequences. I wanted to create a dynamic approach to change that explores several aspects of our being so you can practice slowing down to listen for the whispers of change.
This course intends to help us understand our insignificance and importance, that many of the things we worry about are small, and find new ways to practice our spiritual walk. Even if we do not participate in spirituality, this course allows us to see beyond ourselves and the beauty of humanity. In addition, I intend for everyone who takes the course to feel empowered to see the world differently and build the self-awareness that allows for community building and a sense of connection to the people around us.
Brief History of Our Connection with the Moon
Throughout history, the moon has been a vital guide for timekeeping, rituals, and spiritual practices across diverse cultures worldwide. The lunar cycle, with its reliable phases from the new moon to the full moon and back again, provided a natural framework for organizing human activities, marking the passage of time in a way that aligned deeply with nature.
The word "month" has roots in this ancient connection, derived from the Proto-Germanic word menoth, closely linked to the word "moon," whose root is menon. This connection reflects the central role of the moon in structuring time. Before establishing the solar-based Gregorian calendar, many societies measured time in "months" based on the approximately 29.5-day lunar cycle. The moon's predictability allowed people to anticipate agricultural, social, and spiritual events, weaving its phases into the rhythms of daily life.
Spiritual Significance and Lunar Rituals
In many cultures, each moon phase carried energy and symbolism, inspiring rituals and beliefs that honored creation, growth, culmination, and release cycles.
New Moon: Often associated with new beginnings, intention setting, and planting seeds—both literal and metaphorical. This phase represented a moment of introspection and setting intentions for the future. Across cultures, this phase was an ideal time for people to seek guidance, connect with their inner selves, and envision what they wanted to manifest.
Waxing Moon: As the moon grows in light, this phase is seen as a period of building, taking action, and working toward the goals set at the new moon. Many rituals during this time focused on growth and accumulation, whether of crops, knowledge, or relationships.
Full Moon: Symbolizing completion, power, and abundance, the full moon was often celebrated with rituals focused on gratitude and celebration. This phase was believed to amplify energy, making it a potent time for gatherings, spiritual practices, and healing ceremonies.
Waning Moon: The diminishing light of the waning moon represents a period of letting go, reflection, and release. This phase was a time to evaluate what no longer served one's purpose and to practice forgiveness, often with rituals of cleansing and release.
Ancient Civilizations and the Lunar Calendar
African Civilizations: African ancestors have a rich tradition of lunar observances. For example, the Dogon people of Mali have a complex understanding of the cosmos, including a reverence for the moon and its cycles. Lunar ceremonies were often intertwined with agricultural cycles and seasonal changes, guiding planting and harvest times. For many African tribes, the new and full moons were significant, marking times for community gatherings, storytelling, and celebrations.
In Egypt, the moon was closely associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom, writing, and the moon. Thoth was seen as a keeper of time and is credited with creating the 30-day lunar calendar that the ancient Egyptians used. Rituals during full moons often centered around reverence for Thoth and pursuing knowledge, wisdom, and balance.
Indigenous Tribes of the Americas: Many Indigenous tribes in North America, such as the Cherokee and Lakota, tracked the moon and named each full moon to mark seasons. For example, the "Harvest Moon" and "Hunter's Moon" were essential for planning agricultural and hunting activities. Each full moon carried a name and significance tied to nature's cycles, and rituals often sought blessings for health, protection, and prosperity.
Ancient China: The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, and festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrate the full moon's beauty and abundance. In Chinese culture, the moon symbolizes harmony and family reunion. Rituals and offerings during the full moon included sharing mooncakes, a symbol of unity and wholeness, while praying for harmony, prosperity, and the well-being of loved ones.
Mesoamerican Cultures: The Maya and Aztec civilizations relied heavily on lunar and solar cycles for their complex calendars. The moon was seen as a goddess tied to fertility, agriculture, and the cycles of birth and rebirth. Mesoamerican rituals often involved sacrifices or offerings to honor the moon's power and influence over crops and the tides.
Ancient Greece and Rome: The Greeks personified the moon as the goddess Selene, and the Romans worshiped Luna. Monthly rituals marked the new and full moons with offerings to Selene and Luna that called for protection, fertility, and the guidance of the gods. The philosopher Aristotle also wrote about the moon's impact on natural phenomena, a belief that extended into later European societies.
Lunar Rituals as Spiritual Practices
These lunar traditions provided not only practical guidance but also spiritual alignment with the rhythms of nature. The moon's cycles mirrored the human journey — the phases of beginnings, growth, fulfillment, and release resonated with life's experiences. For many, the moon became a celestial mirror reflecting personal and communal life stages.
In each culture, lunar rituals created space for people to gather, connect, and mark the passage of time with intentionality. Through prayer, offerings, songs, and dances, these rituals encouraged communities to honor the physical and metaphysical, blending the earthly with the spiritual.
Why the Lunar Cycle Resonates with Modern Change
In a fast-paced, often disconnected world, aligning with the lunar cycle offers a grounding rhythm that encourages intentional change. The moon's phases invite a balanced approach to transformation — setting goals, taking action, celebrating progress, and releasing what no longer serves. This ancient practice, rooted in the wisdom of ancestors from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and beyond, offers a timeless framework for navigating the journey of change with clarity and depth.
In reconnecting with these practices, we honor the wisdom of our ancestors and bring intentionality to our transformation, just as they did, one lunar phase at a time.
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