Waning Moon Rituals: Releasing & Letting Go

What is the Waning Moon?

The waning moon is the phase between the full moon and the new moon—approximately 14 days when the moon is decreasing from full to dark. This is the RELEASING phase of the lunar cycle, when energy is declining, and it's time to LET GO of what no longer serves you.

If the full moon is the harvest, the waning moon is the composting—taking what's no longer needed and transforming it into fertile soil for the next cycle. This is not the time for action or building—this is the time for RELEASING, RESTING, and RESTORING.

The Three Phases of the Waning Moon

1. Waning Gibbous (Days 1-7 after Full Moon)

Energy: Gratitude, sharing, giving back

Focus: Share your abundance and celebrate what you've achieved

Action: Give thanks, share knowledge, distribute resources

2. Last Quarter (Days 7-10 after Full Moon)

Energy: Release, forgiveness, letting go

Focus: Actively release what's no longer serving you

Action: Release patterns, forgive, clear clutter, let go

3. Waning Crescent (Days 10-14 after Full Moon)

Energy: Rest, surrender, preparation for rebirth

Focus: Deep rest and spiritual connection before the new moon

Action: Rest, meditate, reflect, prepare for new beginnings

What to Do During the Waning Moon

Perfect Activities for Waning Moon Energy:

Release and Let Go:

• Release limiting beliefs and negative patterns
• Let go of toxic relationships or situations
• Clear emotional baggage
• Forgive yourself and others

Cleanse and Clear:

• Declutter your physical space
• Clear energetic clutter (smudging, sound clearing)
• Detox your body (gentle cleanses, healthy eating)
• Clear your digital space (emails, files, apps)

Rest and Restore:

• Prioritize sleep and rest
• Slow down your pace
• Practice gentle self-care
• Restore your energy reserves

Reflect and Review:

• Review the past lunar cycle
• Reflect on lessons learned
• Journal and process emotions
• Prepare for the next new moon

Complete Waning Moon Ritual

What You'll Need:

Crystals: Selenite (cleansing), smoky quartz (releasing), black tourmaline (protection), amethyst (spiritual connection), clear quartz (clarity)

Candles: White (purification), dark blue (rest), black (release)

Tools: Sage or palo santo, journal, items to release or donate

Step-by-Step Waning Moon Ritual:

Step 1: Review the Full Moon (10 minutes)

1. Reflect on what came to light at the full moon
2. What did you celebrate?
3. What did you realize needs to be released?
4. What patterns or situations reached their peak?
5. Journal your reflections

Step 2: The Release List (15 minutes)

Identify what you're ready to let go of.

1. Write down everything you want to release:

• Limiting beliefs: "I release the belief that..."
• Negative patterns: "I release the pattern of..."
• Toxic relationships: "I release my attachment to..."
• Emotions: "I release anger/fear/resentment about..."
• Physical items: "I release [items] from my space"

2. Be specific and honest
3. Don't hold back—write it ALL down

Step 3: The Burning or Burying Ceremony (15 minutes)

Physically release what you've written.

1. Read each release statement aloud
2. Say: "I release this with love and gratitude for the lesson. I am free."
3. Choose your release method:

• Burn: Safely burn each paper in a fireproof bowl
• Bury: Bury the papers in the earth
• Water: Dissolve in water and pour down the drain

4. Watch/feel the release happening
5. Take a deep breath and let it go

Step 4: The Cleansing Practice (15 minutes)

Clear your energy and space.

1. Light sage, palo santo, or incense
2. Cleanse yourself: waft smoke around your body from feet to head
3. Cleanse your space: walk through your home with smoke
4. Say: "I clear all stagnant energy. I release what no longer serves. I am cleansed."
5. Open windows to let old energy out
6. Ring a bell or use sound to seal the clearing

Step 5: The Forgiveness Meditation (15 minutes)

Release through forgiveness.

1. Sit comfortably with your selenite or amethyst
2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply
3. Visualize anyone you need to forgive (including yourself)
4. Say silently or aloud: "I forgive you. I release you. I am free."
5. Feel the weight lifting from your heart
6. Place your hand on your heart and say: "I forgive myself completely."
7. Let tears flow if they come—this is healing

Step 6: The Rest Ritual (20 minutes)

Honor the waning energy with rest.

1. Create a cozy, comfortable space
2. Wrap yourself in soft blankets
3. Light your dark blue candle
4. Do NOTHING for 20 minutes
5. No phone, no work, no productivity
6. Just rest, breathe, be
7. Say: "I honor my need for rest. I restore my energy."

Step 7: Close the Ritual (5 minutes)

Place your hand on your heart and say:

"I release what no longer serves me. I let go with love and gratitude. I clear space for new blessings. I rest and restore. I am ready for the new cycle. And so it is."

Daily Waning Moon Practices

For the entire waning phase (14 days), practice:

• Morning: Identify one thing to release today
• Throughout day: Let go of control, practice surrender
• Evening: Reflect on what you released and rest deeply
• Weekly: Declutter one area of your home or life

Waning Moon Affirmations

• "I release what no longer serves me"
• "I let go with love and gratitude"
• "I forgive myself and others"
• "I clear space for new blessings"
• "I honor my need for rest"
• "I surrender and trust"
• "I am cleansed and renewed"
• "I release and I am free"

What NOT to Do During Waning Moon

• Don't start new projects: This is ending time, not beginning time
• Don't push hard: Honor the declining energy
• Don't set new intentions: Save that for the new moon
• Don't ignore the need for rest: Burnout happens when you fight waning energy
• Don't hold on: This is THE time to let go

Signs Your Waning Moon Work is Effective

• Feeling lighter and freer
• Physical or emotional releases (crying, purging)
• Situations naturally falling away
• Increased clarity about what matters
• Better sleep and rest
• Feeling peaceful and calm
• Space opening up (physical, emotional, mental)
• Ready for new beginnings

Final Thoughts: The Power of Letting Go

The waning moon teaches us that letting go is just as important as manifesting. You can't fill a cup that's already full. You can't plant new seeds in soil that's still full of old roots.

Release is not loss—it's LIBERATION. Every time you let go of what no longer serves you, you create space for what does. Every time you rest, you restore your power for the next cycle.

The waning moon is your permission slip to STOP, REST, RELEASE, and RESTORE. Honor this phase. Don't fight it. Surrender to it.

Let go. Rest. Trust. The new moon is coming, and you'll be ready.

Enhance your waning moon rituals with our cleansing crystals, release candles, and restoration tools.