The new moon is the most powerful time of the month for setting intentions.
Every 29.5 days, the moon disappears from the sky — a moment of pure darkness and pure potential. It's the cosmic equivalent of a blank page. And like a blank page, it's an invitation: what do you want to write on it?
A new moon ritual is simply a deliberate, intentional way of answering that question. It doesn't need to be complicated. It doesn't need to take hours. It just needs to be honest.
Here's how to do it.
What Is a New Moon Ritual?
A new moon ritual is a practice of setting clear intentions at the start of each lunar cycle — using the energy of the new moon to plant seeds for what you want to grow over the coming month.
The new moon's energy is inward, quiet, and fertile. It's not the time for bold action — that comes later, as the moon grows. The new moon is for clarity: getting clear on what you want, why you want it, and what you're willing to do to bring it into being.
When to Do Your New Moon Ritual
Ideally within 24–48 hours of the new moon — either the day before, the day of, or the day after. The energy is strongest closest to the exact moment of the new moon, but the window is forgiving.
You can find the exact date and time of each new moon in any lunar calendar or moon phase app.
What You'll Need
- A candle (white or black — white for new beginnings, black for releasing what you don't want to carry into the new cycle)
- Your crystals (see below)
- A journal and pen
- A quiet space with 20–30 minutes of uninterrupted time
- Optional: incense, a reading cloth, flowers, or anything that makes the space feel intentional
The Best Crystals for the New Moon
- Moonstone — the stone of new beginnings; supports intuitive intention setting and trust in the unknown
- Clear Quartz — amplifies your intentions and brings clarity to what you're calling in
- Labradorite — connects you to your deeper knowing and the magic of possibility
- Green Aventurine — the stone of opportunity; invites luck and new openings
- Citrine — abundance and optimism; supports intentions around prosperity and joy
Choose one or two that resonate with your intentions for this cycle. Place them on your journal, hold them as you write, or arrange them around your candle.
Your New Moon Ritual — Step by Step
Step 1: Cleanse Your Space
Before you begin, clear the energy of your space. Light incense and let the smoke move through the room. Use a Selenite wand. Open a window. Whatever feels right — the intention is to start fresh.
Step 2: Set the Scene
Light your candle. Place your crystals around you. Dim the lights if you can. Take three slow, deep breaths — in through the nose, out through the mouth. Let your body settle. You're here now.
Step 3: Reflect on the Past Cycle
Before you look forward, take a moment to look back. In your journal, write:
- What happened in the last lunar cycle that I want to acknowledge?
- What am I leaving behind as this new cycle begins?
- What did I learn?
This doesn't need to be long — a few sentences is enough. The point is to consciously close the previous cycle before opening the new one.
Step 4: Set Your Intentions
This is the heart of the ritual. In your journal, write your intentions for the coming lunar cycle — in the present tense, as if they are already true.
Not: I want to feel more confident.
But: I am confident. I trust myself. I show up fully.
Aim for 3–5 intentions. Be specific — vague intentions produce vague results. And be honest — write what you actually want, not what you think you should want.
Step 5: Choose Your Crystal
Look at your intentions. Which crystal feels most aligned with what you're calling in this cycle? Hold it in both hands, close your eyes, and pour your intentions into it — visualising them as already real.
Place the crystal on top of your written intentions overnight, or keep it somewhere you'll see it daily as a reminder of what you're working toward.
Step 6: Close the Ritual
Read your intentions aloud — three times if you can. There's something powerful about speaking your intentions into the room rather than keeping them on the page.
Then extinguish your candle (use a snuffer rather than blowing — this preserves the intention), take a final breath, and close your journal.
The ritual is complete. The seeds are planted.
Making It a Monthly Practice
The real power of new moon rituals comes from consistency. One ritual is meaningful. Twelve rituals — one for each new moon of the year — is transformative.
Over time, you'll start to notice patterns: the intentions that keep returning, the ones that manifest quickly, the ones that reveal something deeper about what you actually want. That noticing is the practice.
What About the Full Moon?
The full moon, two weeks later, is the time for releasing — letting go of what's blocking your intentions, cleansing your crystals under the moonlight, and celebrating what has grown since the new moon. Together, the new moon and full moon create a complete cycle of planting and harvesting.
Want a Complete Moon Ritual Workbook?
If you'd like a structured companion for your monthly practice — with ritual pages for every phase of the lunar cycle, a moon sign guide, crystal quick references, and a year-at-a-glance tracker — The Moon & Moss Moon Ritual Workbook has everything you need.
It's a beautifully designed 17-page PDF, delivered instantly to your inbox and designed to be printed and used month after month.
Get The Moon & Moss Moon Ritual Workbook — £9.99 →
Every crystal mentioned in this post is available in our shop — ethically sourced, cleansed before dispatch, and arriving gift-ready.