MOON DAYS

2024 MOON DAYS

New Moon – Wednesday, January 10th
Full Moon – Thursday, January 25th

New Moon – Friday, February 9th
Full Moon – Friday February 23rd

New Moon – Sunday, March 10th
Full Moon – Monday, March 25th

New Moon – Monday, April 8th
Full Moon – Tuesday, April 23rd

New Moon – Wednesday, May 8th
Full Moon – Thursday, May 23rd

New Moon – Thursday, June 6th
Full Moon – Friday, June 21st

New Moon – Friday, July 5th
Full Moon – Sunday, July 21st

New Moon – Sunday, August 4th
Full Moon – Monday, August 19th

New Moon – Monday, September 2nd
Full Moon – Tuesday, September 17th

New Moon – Wednesday, October 2nd
Full Moon – Thursday, October 17th

New Moon – Friday, November 1st
Full Moon – Friday, November 15th

New Moon – Sunday, December 1st
Full Moon – Sunday December 15th

New Moon – Monday, December 30th

Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. What is the reasoning behind this?

Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.

The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.

The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.


SOURCE: ashtangayogacenter.com