Take time to honor the sacred connection you have with nature through a First Quarter Moon ritual!
Every lunar cycle gives us a chance to set intentions, reflect on progress, and make adjustments as we journey forward in life. Today I’m sharing this guide to help you prepare and perform this very special ceremony.
First Quarter Moon Meaning
The first quarter moon is the point in this moon phase where the moon looks exactly half lit in the sky. It represents the one quarter mark on the moon’s monthly journey around Earth.
As she travels eastward on her journey around Earth, the moon becomes visible a few days after the new moon. This phase, until the moon becomes full is known as the ‘waxing moon’ and it’s made up of 3 sub-phases:
- Waxing Crescent – the moon is less than half full. You can start setting first quarter moon intentions now.
- First Quarter – the moon looks exactly half lit in the sky.
- Waxing Gibbous – the moon is more than half lit, but not yet full. At this point, I recommend setting full moon intentions instead.
Spiritual Meaning of First Quarter Moon
Spiritually, the first quarter moon symbolizes beginnings, transitions and new growth. It’s a time of embracing new possibilities and re-aligning our goals and intentions with the sacred cycles of nature.
Your first quarter moon ritual will help you take advantage of this moment to pause, reflect, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you are taking the right steps towards meaningful progress toward your goals.
You can do a first quarter moon ritual to help you manifest upgrades at work, in relationships, or life in general.
When To Do Your First Quarter Moon Ritual?
In general, the first quarter moon is about 1 week after the new moon. You can do your first quarter moon ritual within the two days before and after the first quarter.
If you’re not sure what phase the moon is in, just look up at the sky!
When the moon looks like a crescent or half-moon with the shadow on the left, it’s close to the first quarter. In other words, the moon is waxing, headed toward the next full moon.
On the other hand, if the shadow is on the right side of the moon, it’s waning (no longer full and headed toward the next new moon).
For this month’s new moon date, check here: New Moon Journal Prompts for Every Month in 2023
How Do You Manifest on a First Quarter Moon?
One of the best ways to make use of the energy of a first quarter moon is by completing a manifestation ritual.
You should feel free to follow your own intuition for your first quarter moon ritual, but I’m laying out a general 3-step process to get you started. Tweak as you see fit!
1. Prepare for Your First Quarter Moon Ritual
The first step is to find a space where you won’t be disturbed and gather your supplies.
It’s important that your first quarter moon ritual be a reflection of you!
So, I want you to customize it based on your intentions, intuition, and the supplies you have on hand.
Choose your supplies from the options below as you see fit, and then I’ll give you ideas for how to use them in step 2.
Crystals
- Dumortierite is a supportive stone that will help keep you organized and confident.
- Lepidolite will help you to trust your desires are unfolding. It also helps you receive intuitive guidance to keep you on your path.
- Obsedian will help keep you grounded and focused as you move toward your positive outcome.
- Any other crystal that calls to you is perfect.
Natural Elements
Each element carries specific properties to help you manifest:
- Earth (sand, plants, flowers, or stones) offers grounding and stability.
- Air (breathwork, a feather, incense) stimulates logic, intellect and communication.
- Water (making a batch of moon water is a ritual in itself) helps you connect to your emotional wisdom and intuition.
- Fire (a lit candle) evokes passion, creativity, and rebirth.
You can read more about how the elements can heal and cleanse your energy here: How To Use The 7 Chakra Elements to Heal + Grow
Did you know different candle colors help you manifest specific things? Find the perfect candle color to support your first quarter moon intentions here!
Manifesting Journal
Grab a journal or piece of paper and a pen to write down your intentions. There are lots of ways to manifest on paper! I’ll explain more below.
Find your perfect manifestation journal! ✨
16 Best Manifesting Journals in 2023: Attract Your Dreams Now
Manifesting Oils
Did you know essential oils can help you manifest? You can diffuse them or massage some into your palms during your ritual. These oils are the best for moon rituals: The Best Essential Oils for Manifesting Love, Success, Abundance
2. Set Your Intentions
Now that you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to perform your ritual!
To start, open with your intention. Either say it aloud, or in the privacy of your mind. Here’s an example:
It is my intention to align my energy with the power of the first quarter moon to manifest my greatest good.
Your first quarter moon ritual is now in full swing until you officially close it. So, keep your thoughts focused on what you want to create for yourself.
Choose any of the activities below. Feel free to mix and match or customize as you see fit. This should be fun! Think of your ritual as planting seeds for wonderful things to come.
Ritual Option 1: Make a Crystal Grid
Grab your crystals and arrange them in a way that’s pleasing to you. As you work, focus on your desires and intentions. Your crystals will ‘hold the charge’ of your intentions, and help you manifest after your ritual is over!
You can learn more about making crystal grids here:
If you only have a single crystal, that’s perfect too! Simply hold your crystal or stone in your hand. Then, ask your crystal to help you to manifest your specific desire. Crystals are living beings and want to support your intentions!
Tip: Holding your crystal in your left hand represents your divine feminine side: receiving, intuition, and abundance. Your right hand represents your divine masculine side, which is all about leadership, organization, and confidence.
Once you’re done, choose a permanent spot for your crystal somewhere in your space or carry it with you in the coming weeks.
Ritual Option #2: First Quarter Moon Journal Prompts
Since the first quarter moon is all about gaining traction on the intentions you set earlier in the month, this is a great time to check-in and do some evaluation.
These first quarter moon journal prompts will usher in clarity on next steps:
- 3 areas where I’ve made progress are…
- Is fear holding me back in any way?
- What’s a small step I can take toward my goals right now?
- How can I affirm my worthiness to receive my upgrades?
- What would I like to focus on in the next few weeks?
- Are things unfolding the way I planned?
- Do I need to adjust my plans in any way?
- How can I celebrate my success so far?
- What am I most excited about this month?
- What new ideas or solutions have come to me recently?
- Is there anything new I’d like to learn or research to support my goals?
While you’re journaling, surround yourself with the other supplies you’ve gathered, like manifesting oils, candles, crystals, and soothing music.
Ritual Option #3: Manifestation Box
The first quarter moon is a great time to start focusing on tangible evidence that your desires are manifesting.
Your thoughts are beginning to turn into things!
A manifestation box is a dedicate vessel to hold items that represent your desires. You can grab a shoe box or something fancier – whatever you want. Then fill it with items that remind you of your goals. For example
- A first quarter moon affirmation written on a piece of paper
- Magazine cut-outs of things you’d like to have
- Any crystals you used in your ritual
- A dollar bill for abundance
- A dried rose for love
You get the idea! Be creative and have fun with this. Your manifestation box is a physical reminder that your dreams are coming true, so put your heart into it!
3. Close Your Ritual
Once you’re ready (there is no time limit), formally close out your first quarter moon ritual. I like to say out loud: So be it!
Then, thank your Higher Self/The Universe/your spirit team for supporting you.
Finally, take a moment to thank yourself for showing up to do this beautiful work that honors your journey.
Put all your supplies away and check back in with yourself throughout the month.
First Quarter Moon FAQs
I’m answering some of the most common questions on this very special moon phase below. If you have a question I haven’t covered, please leave me a reply below and I’ll do my best to answer it for you!
What Does the First Quarter Moon Symbolize?
The first quarter moon is a time of action, when the original ideas and intentions expressed at the new moon can be put into motion.
First quarter moon vibes encourage you to take the necessary steps to achieve your goals and to recognize the potential for transformation and progress.
So, this period lends itself to reflection on where you’re currently at and what needs to be done in order to reach your goals.
What To Do During the First Quarter Moon
Aside from your ritual, there are lots of things you can do to connect with lunar energies on the quarter moon.
During the first quarter moon, take some time to slow down and reflect on where you are in your life and what kind of changes you want to make.
Spend an hour or more alone with your thoughts — meditate, practice yoga, journal, or take a walk in nature. Then, use this as a moment to set intentions for where you want to be by the next full moon.
Visualize these goals and create affirmations that help reinforce them into reality.
Finally, get creative about invoking self-love. Try some self-love journal prompts and engage in healthy activities that bring you joy, like creating art or spending time around your favorite people.
Conclusion
You are well on your way to laying a solid foundation for your manifestations! Take inventory of the areas of your life that are going right and give them all your focus.
You’re on the cusp of turning those thoughts into things, so give all your attention to what you want to create more of in the coming month!
XO, Andrea
Self-care starts here!
We’ll help you remember just how worthy you are.
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