2023 Moon Days
Full moon - Tuesday, December 26
2024 Moon Days
New Moon - Thursday, January 11
Full Moon - Thursday, January 25
New Moon - Friday, February 9
Full Moon - Friday, February 23
New Moon - Sunday, March 10
Full Moon - Monday, March 25
New Moon - Monday, April 8
Full Moon - Tuesday, April 23
New Moon - Tuesday, May 7
Full Moon - Thursday, May 23
New Moon - Thursday, June 6
Full Moon - Friday, June 21
New Moon - Friday, July 5
Full Moon - Sunday, July 21
New Moon - Sunday, August 4
Full Moon - Monday, August 19
New Moon - Monday, September 2
Full Moon - Tuesday, September 17
New Moon - Wednesday, October 2
Ful Moon l - Thursday, October 17
New Moon - Friday, November 1
Full - Friday, November 15
New Moon - Sunday, December 1
Full Moon - Sunday, December 15
New Moon - Monday, December 30
Why Take Rest on Moon Days?
Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. What is the reasoning behind this?
Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.
The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.
The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.