In Japan, the new moon is seen as a time where wishes are granted. This is because the sky is stiller and darker than at the full moon, and this allows your requests to be heard clearer by O-Kami. As the Sun, moon and Earth are all aligned, this makes a stronger connection between kami.

In fact, the moon is so important in Shinto that all events used to be based on the lunar calender - though they are now based on the Gregorian calender, some members of the Shinto faith still work with the original calender.

The Shinto moon kami is Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. He can be prayed to at any time but is especially powerful on the new and full moon.

You can find a recent post on my blog about Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto here: https://foxofinari.wordpress.com/20.....C%88%E8%AA%AD/

Here are some simple things you can do on the new moon:

- Set goals for the next month. Break these down into smaller goals if possible.
- Create a list of things you wish to manifest this month. Make sure they are achievable things and are not to out of reach – otherwise you are simply blocking the energy.
- Perform cleansing/purification rituals to cleanse yourself for the month ahead.
- Perform chakra meditations
- Cleanse your ritual items – use crystals or smudging to renew your items
- Clean/dust your altar or kamidana
- Honour your ancestors – burn incense for them and perhaps provide them with alchohol or food offerings

Whatever you do, channel the new moon’s energy into your intentions and you will be sure to manifest what you want. The moon provides us with a loving, powerful energy for free, all we need to do is to use it.

Do you have a plan for the new moon? I would love to hear what others do at this time, so if you’d like to share please do comment below!