The moon has always been a faithful companion and guide to human beings (especially those with creative tendencies). It pulls the tides, it shifts our moods, and it illuminates paths we might not ever see otherwise.
For those of us who occasionally lose our way creatively (guilty!), the moon offers a potential gateway back to inspiration and imagination when we need it.
I've been taking full advantage of that gateway lately, as with the new Feast of the Wandering Pen lunar challenge I introduced in yesterday's post. I've also been applying some of what I've learned and adopted to other areas of my life when it makes sense, including in my professional life, my personal life with my partner, and my spiritual life. Here are a few pointers for doing the same.
1. Embrace the Power of Beginnings (New Moon)
I used to think of the new moon as a time of darkness –– a time when the moon was absent from the sky, simply because I couldn't see it. But time, age, and common sense have shown me that that's definitely not the case. The moon's designated spot in the sky may be dark during the new moon, but it's not empty. In fact, a new moon is the perfect time to plant a seed or explore something new.
You don't need a full plan. You don't even need to be certain about where you'll end up. You just need to plant a seed –– a word, a line, a sketch mark –– and give it a chance to grow into something greater in time.
2. Ride the Wave of Growth (Waxing Moon)
As the moon starts to grow, reach, and move toward fullness, the world around us (and within us) follows suit. A waxing moon is the perfect time to build, move, and expand as you further explore what you started during the new moon.
During this phase, you might find that creativity flows more naturally and just plain feels easier. It doesn't feel that way because everything's perfect or playing out exactly as planned. It feels that way because everything is moving. All you have to do is catch the wave and ride the momentum.
3. Take Advantage of Expressive Fullness (Full Moon)
It's hard not to fall in love with the world during a full moon. It's bright, it's beautiful, and it lights up the whole world around us. Even in the middle of the night, everything is positively bathed in soft, ethereal light. Creatively, this is the perfect time to tackle completion-focused tasks, like:
- Finishing a particular piece you've been working on for a while
- Sharing something you've created
- Taking a minute to celebrate how far you've already come on a project (even if all you've got so far is a sentence or two)
The full moon is a cosmic reminder that expression is a sacred act. This is the time to shine brightly and unapologetically, even if it's just for a moment.
4. Reflect and Refine (Waning Moon)
What do you do once the moon is on the wane again? This is the perfect time to take a closer look at what you've created and refine it. Edit something you've written. Trim the fat on an overlong piece that could do with some paring down. Ask yourself questions like the following:
- What is vital and needs to stay?
- What isn't essential and can be released?
- What have I learned so far about my creative voice and how I work best?
The waning moon is our reminder that creation isn't just about producing in the first place. It's also about pruning, polishing, and deepening.
5. Honor the Natural Pause (Dark Moon)
As the moon prepares to start its cycle all over again, you might feel a little less creative. Maybe you've been working on the same project long enough that the initial enthusiasm has totally worn off. Or maybe you're like me –– the type of person who just gets a little foggy-headed and dazed at times for what feels like no good reason.
Resist the urge to think you've failed. Definitely don't give in to the fear that you'll never feel on fire creatively ever again. Periodic pauses are all part of the process, and they're totally natural right on the cusp of a new moon. Honor this rhythm. You trust that the moon will eventually come back, right? Your creativity will, too.
Creativity Is a Cycle, Not a Straight Line
One of the most self-destructive things I used to do to myself as a creative was let hustle culture and the rest of the world around me convince me that if I wasn't grinding 24/7, I was failing somehow. But genuine creativity doesn't work like that, and neither do most creative individuals.
The moon is our reminder that:
- You don't always need to be producing
- You don't always have to be brilliant
- You just need to stay in step with your own inner tides
People tend to forget that they're children of nature, not robots or machines. Creativity is a current that ebbs and flows. Treat it that way.
On that note, Seth and I will be participating in the first ever Feast of the Wandering Pen starting tomorrow with the new moon, and I've chosen this blog as my platform of choice. Feel free to follow along or even silently embrace a Wandering Pen project of your own.
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