by Jen Romanowski
The moon has long been a guiding force for witches, healers, and spiritual seekers. Its phases mirror the cycles of life—growth, reflection, release, and renewal. For those on a recovery journey, the moon provides a powerful framework to support healing, offering energy and wisdom for each step along the way.
By aligning your recovery with the phases of the moon, you can create a rhythm of self-care, spiritual growth, and transformation that keeps you connected to your highest self. Here’s how each lunar phase can help you navigate sobriety with intention and magick.
🌑 New Moon – Setting Intentions for Sobriety
New beginnings, fresh starts, planting seeds of intention. This phase represents This is the ideal time to set new recovery goals, commit to self-care rituals, and establish affirmations for sobriety. The energy of the new moon supports clarity and renewal. It is a time to This is the ideal time to set new recovery goals, commit to self-care rituals, and establish affirmations for sobriety. The energy of the new moon supports clarity and renewal. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Write down what you want to release from past addictions and what new habits you want to embrace. Light a candle and visualize your intentions manifesting. You can also create a personal mantra: “I welcome healing, clarity, and strength into my life.”
🌒 Waxing Crescent – Building Strength and Momentum
Growth, expansion, moving forward. This phase represents This phase supports taking action toward recovery, such as attending meetings, creating new routines, or building a strong support system. It’s time to fuel the energy of your intentions. It is a time to This phase supports taking action toward recovery, such as attending meetings, creating new routines, or building a strong support system. It’s time to fuel the energy of your intentions. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Create a sigil or spell jar for resilience and motivation. Use visualization techniques to see yourself thriving in your recovery. Write down one positive action you’ll take each day to strengthen your journey.
🌓 First Quarter – Overcoming Challenges
Decision-making, facing obstacles, taking responsibility. This phase represents This is when old cravings or doubts may surface. It’s a powerful time to work through emotional triggers and reinforce healthy coping strategies. It is a time when old cravings or doubts may surface. It’s a powerful time to work through emotional triggers and reinforce healthy coping strategies. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Write down limiting beliefs or fears on a piece of paper and burn them in a fire-safe container, symbolizing their release. Pull a tarot card for guidance and clarity on what challenges need your attention.
🌔 Waxing Gibbous – Refining and Strengthening Your Journey
Reflection, fine-tuning, perseverance. This phase represents If something in your recovery plan isn’t working, this is the time to adjust it. Seek therapy, deepen spiritual practices, and stay committed to personal growth. If something in your recovery plan isn’t working, this is the time to adjust it. Seek therapy, deepen spiritual practices, and stay committed to personal growth. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Work with herbs like rosemary or bay leaves for mental clarity and perseverance. Charge crystals like amethyst with your recovery affirmations and keep them nearby for support.
🌕 Full Moon – Celebrating Milestones and Emotional Release
Illumination, culmination, heightened emotions. This phase represents Acknowledging how far you’ve come. The full moon reveals progress and encourages emotional healing. It’s also a time to release any remaining guilt or shame. It is a time to Acknowledge how far you’ve come. The full moon reveals progress and encourages emotional healing. It’s also a time to release any remaining guilt or shame. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Take a full moon cleansing bath with salt, lavender, and chamomile to wash away negative energy. Write a gratitude list and read it under the moonlight, allowing yourself to feel joy in your progress.
🌖 Waning Gibbous – Sharing Your Healing with Others
Reflection, gratitude, giving back. This phase represents expressing gratitude for your journey and supporting others in recovery. Sharing your experience strengthens both you and those walking a similar path. It is a time to Express gratitude for your journey and support others in recovery. Sharing your experience strengthens both you and those walking a similar path. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Perform a gratitude ritual, lighting a candle and speaking aloud what you’re thankful for. Write letters of appreciation to your support system or offer guidance to someone newly in recovery.
🌗 Last Quarter – Releasing What No Longer Serves You
Letting go, breaking old patterns. This phase represents Now is the time to release toxic relationships, negative thought patterns, or behaviors that no longer align with your recovery. It is a time to Now is the time to release toxic relationships, negative thought patterns, or behaviors that no longer align with your recovery. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: Perform a cord-cutting ritual by visualizing yourself severing energetic ties with past destructive habits or people who no longer serve your highest good. Use a black candle and anoint it with protective oils like frankincense or myrrh.
🌘 Waning Crescent – Rest, Self-Care, and Spiritual Renewal
Rest, surrender, deep healing. This phase represents a time to Allow yourself time to recharge and process emotions. Engage in meditation, self-care, and preparing for the next cycle of growth. It is a time to Allow yourself time to recharge and process emotions. Engage in meditation, self-care, and preparing for the next cycle of growth. , focusing on how these energies align with your recovery journey.
Spiritual Practice: This is a powerful time for deep shadow work, dream journaling, or connecting with ancestors for wisdom and healing. Sit in stillness and listen to the whispers of your intuition.
Embracing Lunar Wisdom in Recovery
Recovery is a journey of cycles—of renewal, growth, challenge, and release. As the moon waxes and wanes, so does our healing process. By aligning with the moon’s energy, you can create a sacred rhythm for your sobriety, ensuring that each phase supports your transformation.
Trust in the wisdom of the moon, allow its phases to guide you, hold you, and illuminate the path of your recovery. Your journey is magickal, and with the moon as your ally, you are never walking alone.
Author Bio:
Jen Romanowski, a.k.a. Sunshine Witchski —The Pink-haired Sober Witch—has been practicing witchcraft and other esoteric practices for over 25 years. She is a spiritual advisor, recovery mentor, and Creatrix of Illuminate: The Unschool of Sober Witchcraft. Visit www.illuminateunschool.com or text 313-595-4148 for guidance in your recovery. Or check out Amazon for her newly published book, Sober Witch Life: A Magickal Guide to Recovery.
