When it comes to planning your life with more flow and intention, few tools are more powerful than the moon. Moon mapping—a practice of aligning your goals, routines, and rituals with the lunar cycle—is quickly becoming the go-to framework for spiritually curious wellness seekers and astrology lovers alike.
This lunar planning method helps you harness the energetic rhythm of the moon’s eight phases—from setting intentions on the new moon to releasing and reflecting on the full moon. It’s a softer, more intuitive way to organize your life—and yes, it’s trending for a reason.
To guide us through this moon phase mastery, we turned to Amy Lea, a professional astrologer, Human Design analyst, and energy and nervous system practitioner. Amy’s ethos, Coherence Over Hustle, encourages us to swap striving for inner alignment—and her approach to lunar cycle planning is pure energetic gold.
In this guide, Amy breaks down what moon mapping is, how the moon influences us, and exactly how to use each phase to map your month with clarity, self-trust, and cosmic support.
Moon Mapping According to an Astrologer
If you’ve ever felt more emotional during a full moon, more introspective during a dark moon, or found yourself inspired to start something new without knowing why, chances are, you’re already subtly attuned to the lunar cycles.
Moon mapping is the practice of aligning your personal planning, goal-setting, and energetic output with the phases of the moon. This is an ancient practice that humanity has used for millennia. It’s a way of syncing with nature’s rhythms so your actions feel more intentional, easeful, and supported by the natural cycles of our world. Instead of marching forward on a linear path, moon mapping invites you to move cyclically, balancing phases of action and output with phases of rest and input.
The Sun and Moon are our primary luminaries—they govern the rhythm of life on Earth. The Sun is steady and sustaining. The Moon is changeable, mysterious, and magnetic. She doesn’t generate her own light but instead reflects the light of the Sun. This reflected light—called photonic light—carries energy and information. What we experience with the waxing and waning of the moon is an increase and decrease of light, energy and information. As she waxes and wanes in the sky, she signals energetic tides that move through our bodies, influencing our moods and motivations.
The Moon’s gravitational pull doesn’t just move the tides—it moves us. Our bodies are made mostly of water. Our emotional landscapes are equally fluid. The Moon influences our subconscious, intuition, innermost world and deepest motivations. By working with her phases, we’re attuning to her timing and learning to create, rest, refine, and release in harmony with something bigger than ourselves.
Firstly, the lunar cycle can be divided into two key arcs:
+ New Moon to Full Moon (Waxing Phase): A time of energy building. This is when we initiate, act, and gather momentum.
+ Full Moon to New Moon (Waning Phase): A time of energy decreasing. This is when we reflect, integrate, and release.
Your Guide to the 8 Moon Phases + What to Do During Each Phase
New Moon – Set Intentions & Begin Anew
The Moon is hidden from view, nestled with the Sun in the same part of the sky. This is the void, the fertile darkness from which new things are born. It carries the energy of stillness, potential, and reset.
Use this phase to pause, reflect, and plant seeds for what you want to grow over the next month—or year. Think long-term. Journal, meditate, create vision boards, or set intentions. No need to rush into action—this is a time to attune, not to act.
Waxing Crescent – Slow Emergence & Small Steps
A sliver of light returns. Hope is building. This is the early spring of the lunar cycle. You may begin to feel more clarity and optimism around your goals.
Now is the time to take small, aligned steps. Research, explore, and allow space for gentle progress. You don’t need to know the full plan yet—just follow the threads that feel right to you. Let insight and action emerge slowly.
First Quarter – Take Bold Action & Commit
Here, the moon is half-lit and aligning in a dynamic aspect with the sun, signalling a surge of energy and tension spurring you into action. This is the phase for movement and decision-making. You may encounter resistance or challenges—don’t take them as signs to stop. They’re invitations to refine your path and deepen your commitment.
Launch the thing. Say the thing. Do the thing. If you’re unsure which step to take, align with your Human Design strategy and authority to cut through the noise and know what your next most aligned action is. You can look your Human Design chart up here.
Waxing Gibbous – Refine & Prepare
Here, momentum is building, but you may notice imperfections or areas that need improvement. This is your window to polish, fine-tune, and elevate your work. Don’t get stuck in the details, but do take time to make improvements. Remember: done is better than perfect.
Full Moon – Illuminate & Reflect
The Moon is fully illuminated—her light at its peak. Emotions heighten, insights rise, and things come into full view. This is a time of culmination and clarity.
Reflect on what has unfolded since the New Moon. Celebrate wins. Acknowledge what’s no longer aligned. While some associate this time with release, true letting go often happens in the waning crescent phase. The Full Moon is more about illumination and seeing what you need to see in order to move forward in greatest harmony and alignment. Be open to what you are shown at this time. Allow what’s not working to drop away if needed. Be open to adjusting and pivoting as needed.
Waning Gibbous – Integrate & Share Wisdom
In this phase, energy begins to decline. Similar to those first days of Fall, you may start to feel your energy wanting to withdraw and go inward. This is the phase of digestion. Let what you’ve learned settle in. Express gratitude. Share your insights with others, or simply with yourself. It’s a beautiful time for teaching, mentoring, storytelling, or simply journaling what’s been revealed.
Last Quarter – Receivership
The Moon is again half-lit, but now her light is waning. You may feel tension between what you’ve committed to and what’s still relevant. Rather than being in a state of action, this phase is all about receivership.
What can you do to give back to yourself here? After giving so much throughout the month, this is the time to really focus on your own nourishment. Take yourself on a date, focus on your own self-care, and give to yourself in the ways you desire.
Waning Crescent – Rest, Surrender & Release
This is the final phase of the cycle. Energy is at its lowest. Your body and spirit may crave quiet. Rather than pushing forward, this phase is a time to surrender. Reflect, rest, and restore. Connect with your dreams. Tune into your intuition. This is where deep healing and magic happen—beneath the surface, in the dark.
This phase represents the completion of the cycle and is also a time of letting go. You may find you’re called to declutter —physically, emotionally, and energetically. Release what no longer serves. End projects, clear space, or lovingly say no. Reassess your path and let go of what’s weighing you down. Here, you’re preparing for the fresh energy that will emerge with the next New Moon.
Living in Rhythm With the Moon
Working with the moon isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing things at the right time. When you sync your life and creative process with the lunar phases, you start to operate in harmony with nature’s cycles. You build when energy is rising, reflect when it peaks, and rest when it recedes.
Pay attention to how you feel throughout the month and whether your energy aligns with the phases I have mentioned here. It’s important to remember that if you are someone who experiences a menstrual cycle, you will also have your own inner phases and seasons that you may feel more strongly than the lunar phases. Trust what you feel. And if in doubt, remember to come back to your Human Design strategy and authority, which you can look up here, as that will always align you with your next most aligned step.
About Amy Lea
Amy Lea is a professional astrologer, Human Design analyst, and energy and nervous system practitioner who helps individuals and leaders design extraordinary lives and businesses with authenticity and ease. With a holistic approach, Amy blends the wisdom of Astrology, Human Design, somatic practices, and strengths-based leadership to guide clients toward greater alignment and self-trust. Amy’s ethos is Coherence Over Hustle—the belief that true success stems from inner alignment and sustainable flow rather than relentless striving and ineffective busyness. Stay updated with Amy’s work here, and grab your personalized human design chart.
