If you’ve ever felt your emotions start to spiral out of nowhere or suddenly find your exes coming out of the woodwork, there’s a chance the Full Moon is to blame. In astrology, the Moon symbolizes our emotions, dreams, and instincts, and the Full Moon can intensify our feelings and bring them to the forefront. It takes roughly 28 days for the Moon to complete a full lunar cycle, which means once a month, you'll want to be aware of this energy shift. You may also want to avoid doing certain things so that instead of fighting the cosmic chaos, you can embrace it.
“If you are feeling the intensity of the Full Moon, it's important to be gentle with yourself and practice self-care," explains hellenistic astrologerCourtney Trethric. "This can include spending time in nature, engaging in creative activities, or simply taking some quiet time for reflection and introspection.”
And no matter what sign the Full Moon is in, you can expect to feel things bubble up in a big way when the Moon reaches her brightest lunar phase. So it’s not the time to make rash decisions, burn bridges, speak before thinking, or do anything else you could regret in a few days. For some more specific tips on what not to do during the Full Moon, keep reading to hear from astrologers.
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8 Things Not to Do During a Full Moon
1. Don't manifest new opportunities.
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Full Moons are one of the most powerful lunar phases, and they hold a lot of supercharged energy.
Therefore, you might’ve heard people talk about using this time to manifest a new job, a new love, or a windfall of money. And while it’s true that working with the lunar cycle can be a powerful manifesting tool, the Full Moon isn’t the best time for new beginnings.
“As a general rule, the New Moon is used for manifesting new opportunities and the Full Moon is the time of reflecting or releasing," says professional astrologer and spiritualistSheba Roy.
Instead, try creating a vision board of all the things you’re hoping to work toward. Use the emotional energy of the Full Moon to tap into your inner desires and start creating a plan for how you’ll get there.
2. Don't make major decisions.
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The Full Moon gets a reputation for making people go a little crazy, and with good reason. In astrology, when the moon reaches peak fullness, everything we’ve been hiding under the surface comes to light.
This can become too much for some and often causes people to act on their emotions without thinking things through. Don’t let the lunar tides cause you to make a mistake you can’t undo.
Instead, sleep on it before making any big decisions. "Use this time to reflect on your goals and aspirations,” says Raquel Rodriguez, professional astrologer and founder of Your Zodiac.
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3. Don't pick fights with your partner.
<a href=https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/middle-eastern-young-couple-sitting-on-1787156570 target="_blank">Shutterstock</a>
Because the Moon rules emotions and hidden feelings in astrology, the Full Moon can be a hectic time. With all that lunar energy shining a spotlight on our feelings, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and overloaded, so your fuse might be shorter than usual.
“During the Full Moon, you’re going to want to be extremely aware of your emotions, taking extra precautions around your partner and especially avoiding emotionally charged conversations,” Trethric explains.
Try practicing a few breathing exercises throughout your day to help keep stress levels low.
4. Don't hold onto old baggage.
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The Full Moon acts like an amplifier, bringing to the forefront those things that need our attention. That’s why it’s common for unresolved problems and old issues to pop up. But rather than run for cover and hide, experts suggest facing your fears and letting go of what no longer serves you.
“Try writing down what you want to let go of on a piece of paper and [release] it under the moonlight," suggests professional astrologerStacee Magee.
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5. Don't doubt your intuition.
<a href=https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/womans-head-with-a-healing-crystal-gm1184153941-333209519?phrase=crystals target="_blank">iStock / janiecbros</a>
The Full Moon is a time of great power and transformation. It represents the culmination of the lunar cycle and offers hope and new beginnings on the other side.
And because the Moon symbolizes our emotions, the Full Moon is a time of heightened intuition and spiritual awareness. But remember not to act impulsively; instead, observe and listen to your inner voice.
“Avoid second-guessing yourself or ignoring your instincts, as this can lead to regret,” Rodriguez explains.
Try looking at your personal numerology to see where you’re aligned in your current path. Or consult your tarot cards for some guidance on what comes next.
6. Don't reach out to your ex.
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Full Moon cycles are all about letting go of the things that hold you back, but they can also bring up emotions from the past. This is why it’s not uncommon to have an ex-lover reintroduce themselves during this time.
“The Full Moon can bring up feelings of nostalgia and longing for past relationships," Magee says. "However, it's essential to avoid contacting your ex during this time."
While it’s alright to get closure with an ex or even explore a possible reconciliation, you’ll want to wait until after the Full Moon has passed. It’ll be easier for both people to say what’s on their minds without emotions taking over.
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7. Don't stay cooped up inside.
iStock / martin-dm
With how gloomy and emotional the Full Moon can get, it’s no wonder most people want to shut themselves inside. And while it’s tempting to put your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ so you can sleep through the chaos, astrologers say you should try to get outside.
“Use the full moon as an opportunity to connect with nature. Take a walk outside and soak up the energy of the moon and the natural world around you,” Magee says.
You can even sit outside under the light of the moon, or try leaving your favorite crystals out under the moonlight so they can soak up some of that energy.
8. Don't be impatient.
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One last tip about the lunar cycle? Don’t get discouraged if all the plans you made under the Full Moon take a bit of time to come to fruition.
Because the moon phases are linked to each other via the zodiac, the true lunar cycle never stops moving. It takes six months for the moon to cycle to the New Moon in the corresponding sign in the Full Moon—and it’ll take about that long to see movement on your plans.
Even then, most astrologers agree that you’ll want to wait a full year until the Full Moon is back where it started to see the best results.
“I always advise my clients to wait until the moon has returned the next year for completion because there are many lessons that need to take place in order to see the results of any intention setting,” says Roy.
