Unlock Your New Moon Manifestation Power: A Guide to Setting Intentions

New Moon Intention-setting tips for the zodiac signs

     Chalk it up to the Type-A, Enneagram 3, Leo Mars-Jupiter-and-Rising part of me, but I love setting intentions on new moons. It’s the thrill of a new goal to pursue—or, oftentimes a new approach to an un-reached goal—that sends sparks of excitement shooting through me. Sure, you can set intentions practically any time and with any astrological transit, but there’s so much potential and possibility for real-time growth on new moons. 

     And if we think about why this is, it makes total sense. A New Moon is the beginning of the lunar cycle. The Moon has waxed and waned for approx. 28 days, accumulating and releasing energy, whilst cycling through the zodiac signs until it reaches the sign and degree that is the very same as the Sun. In Carol Rushman’s book, The Art of Predictive Astrology, Rushman calls new moons times of “beginnings, initiation, renewed energy, and vitality, a time of excitement and stimulation.” And they are! New Moons are optimal days to do or start something new, be it a date, a job, or a long-term goal. They are also the days when something new, exciting, stimulating, revitalizing, and/or renewing happen to us.  

     Fun Fact: did you know that a New Moon isn’t technically a one-day only affair? I ask this because I’ve often felt like if I didn’t set my intentions at or close to the moment the Sun and Moon align on a New Moon, I’ve somehow missed my chance and/or missed out on the potency of the lunar energy. But this isn’t a legitimate concern! (It’s just the by-product of my own anxiety and impatience.) Because the Moon stays in a single zodiac sign for approximately 2.5 days. So, you have roughly three days to set intentions (or do whatever New Moon thing you’d like to do–go on a date with someone new, apply for a new job, etc.).

     Now, with all this talk of intention-setting and manifestation and New Moon renewal, you’re probably starting to think: “OK, great! Thanks, Camille! But what intentions should I set on a New Moon?” Obviously, my first answer to that is: set intentions based on YOUR desires. 

     Astrologers (like me and Rushman) can write guides about setting New Moon intentions, but these are, after all, guides. They’re meant to usher you towards an intention / theme based on the placement of the New Moon in YOUR birth chart. (These intentions and themes are determined by your Rising sign, btw.) However, if you already know what you want, you know the goal you want to set, and you don’t have any interest in learning how a New Moon can help or hinder your intention-setting, then…Go for it. Do the thing. Set the intention on the New Moon. Plant the seed. Ask for what you want. Believe you can receive it. Etc. Etc. (As I said, I’m a Type-A, Enneagram 3, Leo Mars-Jupiter-and-Rising, so I understand that urge to set goals without anyone else’s guidance!)

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          Although, I would argue that even when you know the goal you wish to set, you can still utilize the themes of each new moon to help bolster that intention. For example, I’m writing this post on the Virgo new moon. The themes of this new moon are: Practicality, specificity, detail-oriented, efficiency, productivity, etc. So, even if I’m not setting an intention based on the placement of the new moon in my birth chart, I can still set a specific, detailed, practical intention or goal. 

     But I digress. If you’re one of those people who likes the idea of setting intentions, but don’t know which intentions to set, here’s some good news: you can use the New Moon as a guide for your intentions. Because, believe it or not, in different houses, the New Moon begins, revitalizes, and initiates different things. All that said, here’s a list of ideas for intentions you can set on this or any New Moon.

New Moon Intention-Setting Guide, based on the Astrological Houses

     Please note, these intention ideas and activities to try are neither exhaustive nor final. You can get inspired to set your own unique intentions based on the themes and suggestions of each New Moon house placement (which I highly suggest you do).