As the moon waxes from an arc to a full moon it represents growth and expansion. When it reaches its fullest illumination it symbolizes completion. This is a perfect time to let go of the past and release negativity from your life.

When you’ve finished a project, you admire it and move on. When your closet is full of old clothes, you remove them and create space for something new. When you’ve outgrown a relationship, you end it and start anew. If you don’t let go, the weight of the past drags you down.

“Letting go isn’t the end of the world; it’s the beginning of a new life.” Author unknown.

Energetically we are connected to everything in our solar system. This is why many are affected by moon phases. Those who are sensitive to energy might notice a creative spark during a new moon and feel a sense of fullness or pressure during the full moon. We can use the phases of the moon to support us in our endeavors from start up to completion.

For an in-depth look at how your life can improve by following the cycles of the moon, read, Moon Magick: Myth & Magic, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells. And for tips on letting go of the past and releasing negativity during a full moon, read on.

Let Go of the Past and Release Negativity with Full Moon Rituals

Here are four full moon rituals I’ve discovered over the years. Try them out, modify them to suit your needs, or play with creating new ones. It’s the power of intention that’s most important.

1. Let go of the past. What negative aspects of your past still haunt you? What positive areas do you cling to? Your power is in the present moment, but you need to let go of the past in order to harness it. Forgive the past and everyone involved, grab the lessons and gifts you received, and move forward onto a clean slate. Visualize the past getting smaller and smaller until it is a speck of dust blowing away in the wind. Then call all of your energy from the past and bring it into your present-time body.

2. Banish limiting beliefs. What limiting and false beliefs do you hold onto that prevent you from moving forward in your life? Write each of them down on separate pieces of paper. One by one, as you are ready to let these go, toss them into the garbage or burn them in a fire. You might do this all at once, or banish one a day as the full moon wanes into darkness.

3. De-clutter your mind. A simple and easy way to relieve stress and negativity is to de-clutter your mind. Write all the tasks whirling in your mind onto a to-do list. Finish up old to-do items and discard ones that are no longer important. De-clutter your physical environment and notice the effect this has on your mental health.

4. Release negative habits. Choose a negative or unhealthy habit you would like to release. Perhaps it’s a habit of focusing on the negative aspects of yourself or others. Maybe it’s an unhealthy eating habit. Whatever it is, write the following on a sheet of paper: “I choose to release (write down the habit), from my life today. Instead I choose to (write down a new healthy habit).” As you go about your day and catch yourself moving towards the negative habit, release it and replace it with your new chosen habit. Do this one day at a time for a whole moon cycle. When you reach the full moon again, choose another negative habit to release and replace.

As you use the power of the full moon to release what no longer serves you, you create space for opportunities to blossom when the new moon arrives.

How are you affected by moon phases? Do you find it easier to release negativity and let go of the past during a full moon? Please comment below.