Many spiritual traditions throughout history have given special importance to the moon, believing its various cycles affect our moods and physical well-being.
Rituals for harnessing the moon’s energy have existed for centuries. One of these is collecting moon water.
Some believe you can harness the moon’s power to promote cleansing, renewal, and intention-setting.
Moon water can be used in:
- spiritual rituals
- healing rituals
- manifestation
- your beauty routine
Spirituality
Lunar symbolism is present in nearly every religious tradition across the globe, and is especially prominent in astrology.
“Spiritually, the moon is a hugely influential entity that guides us enormously, energetically speaking,” says Emma Halley. “Moon water is a way of really bringing that energy into ourselves and carrying it with us.”
Halley says that a moon water ritual can help you to feel in “flow” with the universe.
“It benefits spiritual practice in many ways by allowing us to energetically supercharge our life source, water, with an energy source, the moon, that’s so powerful it pushes and pulls the oceans,” she says.
Healing
The energy of the moon has been said to be particularly beneficial for mental and emotional healing.
In many traditions, the moon is believed to possess feminine or yin energy that enhances qualities like acceptance, surrender, and equanimity.
Manifestation
Proponents also claim moon water can aid the manifestation process and help make your desires a reality.
Some believe the moon amplifies the power of your intentions, allowing your desires to manifest with greater ease.
Moon water is typically charged both with the energy of the moon and an intention, like:
- “I release all that no longer serves me.”
- “This water cleanses all that it touches.”
- “May I be healed by the power of the moon.”
Others claim it can enhance visualization practices, remove negative energy, and boost positivity, though the evidence is anecdotal.
Beauty
Moon water can give the skin an extra glow, clear impurities, and enhance youthfulness.
DIY moon water toner
Ingredients
- glass spray bottle
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil of your choice
Steps
- Fill the glass bottle with moon water, leaving 1/2 inch at the top.
- Mix carrier oil and lavender in a bowl.
- Add to the spray bottle.
- Shake and spray clean, dry skin.
You can also add the carrier oil and lavender essential oil blend to your bath.
Despite moon water’s historical and spiritual uses, there isn’t any science to back it up for beauty or healing. Still, there’s no harm in giving it a try.
Collecting moon water is a fairly simple process.
- First, find a glass bottle or jar.
- Fill it with water, preferably spring or distilled.
- Set your intentions.
- Set the bottle out overnight during your chosen moon phase.
- Seal the bottle and sip, spritz, or use in a ritual.
When you choose to collect moon water depends on the intentions you’re setting. Each phase is believed to have subtle energetic differences.
Practitioners believe that different times of the lunar cycle can produce different energetic effects.
Full moon
Best for: releasing what no longer serves you and removing negative energy
It’s a time to:
- reap rewards
- offer gratitude
- harvest intentions
- release old baggage
- clear energy
New moon
Best for: intention-setting, reflection, and personal growth
It’s a time to:
- focus on intentions and manifestation
- aid inner work and shadow work
- enhance personal growth and development
- begin new ventures, relationships, or projects
Other moon phases
- Waxing moon: best for creative work, inspiration, and intention-setting
- Waning moon: best for forgiveness, letting go, giving thanks, releasing, and grounding
- Blue moon: best for goals, ambitions, aspirations, and celebrations
- jar or bottle
- crystals and other sacred items
- pen and paper
- incense or smudge stick
- singing bowl or bell (optional)
Steps
- Gather supplies, like your jar, crystals, sacred items, and pen and paper.
- Cleanse the space with incense, sage, singing bowls, or a bell.
- Fill your jar with water, preferably distilled or spring.
- Place your jar in a safe location where it will get direct moonlight.
- Arrange crystals and sacred items around your jar.
- Speak your intention for your water out loud.
- Write down your intention for your water and place it under the jar.
- Cover the jar and leave overnight.
Cleansing the space before you begin will clear unwanted energies from your surroundings and prevent your water from absorbing them.
Placing crystals and sacred objects can help you tune into spiritual energies.
Some crystals are highly toxic when immersed in water. Never drink crystal-infused water without doing your research first to ensure the crystals you’re using are safe to drink.
Then, set your intention.
It can be as simple as “This water cleanses and purifies all it touches” or it can be as complicated as you wish, but it’s important to set an intention here for the water you are creating.
After speaking and writing down your intention, place the paper under the jar. Cover it with a cloth and leave it for the night.
In the morning, your moon water is ready to use.
Halley suggests using it straight from the jar or pouring it into smaller bottles for later use. You can use spray bottles, roller bottles, or small jars.
Always be safe when making moon water. Make sure your jars are clean and you’re using potable water if you intend to drink it.
Label and date your bottles and keep them in the fridge. Use within 1 month.