self-care + virgo new moon

Unbelievably, we are already approaching the Fall equinox! Another busy summer season has gone by. Nature reflects this changing of the seasons as our gardens overflow with a harvest bounty, the fields of wheat turn golden, the nights begin to cool & the leaves are already starting to shift to burnt reds & deep yellows. I treasure this time of the year, wanting to soak up every last bit of sunshine because we never truly know when it will be the last warm day before a long winter. 

The frequent energy I feel with new moons is a time to set intentions for the lunar cycle, to think about the future & call in the new. This Virgo new moon has felt very different. I’m being welcomed to hold myself with a certain gentleness. To slow down & nurture myself. 

Recently, while reading more about Ayurvedic approaches to align our bodies to the lunar cycle, I learned that the few days leading up to the new moon are when we typically feel the lowest energy. We can be so disconnected from these subtle cues of our body & so used to persevering & pushing through our daily routines. It might not even occur to us why we feel sluggish or unmotivated during this phase of the month. By respecting where our body, mind & spirit are at each day, we can feel more supported, avoid burnout & even increase our creativity & productivity during more active moon phases. 

One lovely way to do this is through the ritual of self-care. This phrase has become synonymous with a vast array of products, services & other commercial goods marketed under the guise of health & necessity. However, self care does not have to burn through resources like time & money in turn causing more stress than rest. 

This Virgo new moon, I encourage you to create a self care ritual that is approachable, nurturing & meaningful. In Ayurveda, daily self care is integral to a thriving body, mind & spirit. This daily routine is called “dinacharya” & it helps balance & clarify through a personalized practice unique to your body. 

Rather than set intentions for this new moon, let’s pause, reflect internally on where you could use some nourishment in your life & see which self-care ritual would best support that. 

Many of the options below require little to no money or only a few minutes from your day. I would recommend starting one or two at a time for at least 2 weeks to see how they align with your body. Solidify your daily practice before adopting any more. 

If this resonates with you & you’d care to go a bit deeper & personalized, certain routines work better for certain people. Ayurveda is made up of 3 body types or constitutions, called “doshas”. There are plenty of free online quizzes to help you figure out your dosha, then pick a routine that brings balance to your body based on your individual makeup. Have a check-in with yourself around the full moon & see if you notice any differences in sleep, mood, clarity or energy.

I am wishing you a peaceful, restful, easeful Virgo season & new moon.

Be gentle & take care, until next moon cycle.

Kerry + metamoon