Moon Mother Hemp and the Moon’s Phases

Jessica Bates, founder of Moon Mother Hemp, has herbalism in her soul. She “found herself” working on her herbal formulations the night after the birth of her second child. Herbs are her calling.

She has always created her herbal formulations under the influence of the moon and its phases; hence Moon Mother Hemp. She explains,

“Women and herbalists have been crafting products with the phases and harnessing the moon’s energies to amplify the healing benefits of their remedies from the beginning of time… (describing how she creates her products) For instance, seeds are planted near the Spring Equinox. Then, seedlings are transplanted and harvested depending on following moon cycles and seasonal shifts. Furthermore, our CBD Dream Balm harnesses the slow, dark energy of new moon create a quiet product. It’s started on a full moon and the oil is decanted on new moon to promote restful sleep.”

– Jessica Bates, Founder of Moon Mother Hemp

 

The Moon Mother’s love of nature and the moon inspires a respect for the cycles of nature. Modern people tend to conceptualize in straight lines, but this is deceptive. Life entails ups and downs, progression and regression, and it doesn’t always work out in a linear fashion. To balance the rational with the intuitive, one must release some of the desire to control the events of life. The energies of the moon can help one with just this thing, as they help one become familiar with, conceptualize, and embrace flows of nature (of the divine feminine).

What are the phases of the moon and what do they represent?

As the moon orbits the Earth, it’s illumination changes depending on the aspect it’s making to the sun. The moon takes 27.3 days to orbit the Earth, but the lunar phase cycle, from new moon to new moon, is 29.5 days. This means there are approximately 7 days between the major phases and 14 days between the full and new moon. The moon is representative of the feminine and the feminine is representative of the earth. This is mythologically personified by the goddess Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. She is the spiritual force behind the harvest. Her daughter was kidnapped by Hades, and in order to get her back Demeter would not let the Earth’s crops grow. Eventually, Hades agreed Persephone could spend half her time in the underworld and half her time on Earth with her mother. This is the legand behind why there are no crops in the fall or the winter. Demeter is upset, waiting for her daughter to come back to her. In astrology, the moon represents how one emotionally interacts with the world, and the lunar cycle is a cycle of emotional energy.

New Moon:

A new moon is a time of new beginnings and rebirth. In this dark period, it is a time to go inside, recharge, and reconnect in order to prepare for the chapter ahead. Astrologically, this is a sun and moon conjunction, they are aligned at 0 degrees, and represent the beginning of a new cycle. 

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Waxing Crescent:

 This is the time when the light on the moon is just beginning to grow. It’s time to use the revitalized energy and set new intentions. Astrologically, the moon has moved 45 degrees from the sun, therefore forming a semi-square; a minor aspect similar to, but less intense than, a square. Squares cause internal tensions and mishandlings of energy. Luckily these tensions are key, without tensions one does not grow and through resolving tensions one reeps the largest rewards. It is a time to get clear on what this cycle is about.

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First Quarter:

Ease creates idleness, while challenge creates movement. This is a time where it is important to retain determination and focus towards your goals. The energy is growing which means it is met with challenges. Astrologically, the moon is now 90 degrees away from the sun and forms the square aspect. Squares indicate challenges characterized by dynamic and internal tensions. And without a challenge, how would one become motivated to move forward?

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Waxing Gibbous:

Only 1 phase away from the full moon, the energy here is really building. Little things might go wrong, but this is purposeful because it creates more tension as we get closer to the full moon’s energy climax. Astrologically, the moon is now 135 degrees away from the sun, and forms a very minor aspect called a sesquisquare. This creates challenges made of smoke, rather than fire. Described by German astrologer Thomas Ring as a “tear in the structure”, this is a time of editing and refining.

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Full Moon:

We have made it to the full moon, energy levels are peaking, and the theme is transformation! The moon is now aligned, as it was on the new moon, but it is on the opposite side of the Earth. The energies are no longer internal, but are confronting each other in the physical reality. Astrologically, the moon and the sun are now 180 degrees apart; in opposition in terms of physical distance in the 360 degrees of the astrological wheel. Oppositions are a time of challenges, which, by manifesting in the external world, teach lessons. Luckily, the external element allows the individual to be more discerning and objective, therefore facilitating learning.

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Waning Gibbous:

Now that the energy is waning, it is time to begin slowing down and reflecting on feelings, on what is working, and on what isn’t. Astrologically we are at the 135 degrees sesquisquare again, so perhaps it’s a time of editing how one allowed things to play out in the physical space, what should be continued, and what should be left behind.

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Third Quarter:

Now the challenges and understandings within the introspection are peaking. It’s a time to get very clear about what will be carried into the future and what won’t. It’s a time of satisfaction with what’s been learned. In terms of letting go, it’s a time of forgiveness. Movement into the future cannot happen if one is stuck in the past. Life is a learning process and therefore a process of mistakes. Astrologically this is the final square, as the moon is 90 degrees away from the sun.

Photo by Roman Klimenko on Unsplash

Waning Crescent:

It’s the end of the cycle! The energy is now back to rest; it’s a time to contemplate and breathe. By breathe, I mean be present – with your breath. The best way to begin a meditation practice is to just focus on breathing. Let the subconscious integrate what it has learned. At 45 degrees from the sun, the moon is forming a final phase, the semi-square.

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The Moon Mother

Jessica Bates knows that by utilizing the forces of nature in her herbal formulations she creates true medicine. There is no sticker for “Moon-Formulated” or “Made with Intention”, but she does it because she loves what she does and what she creates. The healing hemp can bring is a true miracle, and it should be treated with nothing but the utmost reverence for it and nature. Our founders Amy Lund and Lauren Zilber went through over 1000 different CBD brands to find the 15 that are on our site, and Moon Mother’s creations are definitely some of our favorites.

Photo by Anderson Rian on Unsplash

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