The Ultimate Guide to Moon Journaling (+ Prompts)

Have you heard of moon journaling before? It’s one of those things that, if you’re interested in the more holistic, spiritual space, you’re probably already a fan. But, even if you don’t consider yourself a spiritual person, moon journaling can still teach you how to support your mind, body and emotions as they ebb and flow throughout the month.

Yop & Tom's Moon and Stars dotted journal is the community's favorite moon journal - available in multiple colours - click here

2024 Lunar Calendar

Here’s how to get started.

In its simplest form, moon journaling is journaling your emotions in line with the different phases of the moon.

Whilst modern society might like us to feel and behave the same each day, the reality is that our feelings and emotions can vary wildly from one day to the next.

One of the explanations for that change is the influence of the moon. We all know that the moon is what guides the tides around the globe, using its gravitational pull to move our oceans as it orbits the Earth. But many believe that the moon can use that same gravitational pull to influence our emotions too.

And moon journaling is a way of understanding and harnessing that influence, in a way that gives your mind and body the support it needs to thrive.

What science says about the moon and your mood

If you’ve been reading our content for a while, you’ll know that we’re big fans of looking at scientific data. We even created an entire product based on a scientific theory.

And science has more to say about moon journaling than you might expect.

The idea that the moon can influence human behaviour has been around since the Romans and the Greeks were in power. In fact, the word “lunacy” comes from the Latin term lunaticus, meaning “moonstruck”. But now modern science is getting in on the act too.

Whilst the data has varied over the years, scientists studying patients in psychiatric clinics have observed that their mood and sleep patterns “were tracking rise and fall of the Earth's oceans, which are driven by the gravitational pull of the moon.”

The benefits of moon journaling

1. You can better understand your emotions (and how they change)

Even if you’re unsure about the moon’s influence on your mood, moon journaling can help you better understand how your emotions vary through the month.

The modern world is designed for us to behave in the same way every single day. But the reality is that our emotions and energy levels can change dramatically, even in a 24 hour period. Moon journaling can help you uncover that, and start detecting triggers or external influences that impact your mood and wellbeing.

2. You discover new and different ways to take care of yourself

Once you understand the changes in your emotions, moon journaling can help you uncover different ways to help to care for yourself and support those emotions.

You might find that you’re always feeling anxious at a certain time each month, or that hurdles always seem to get in the way of your plans. Moon journaling allows you to track those themes, whilst encouraging you to seek out ways to overcome them.

3. You feel a connection to something greater than yourself

In an era when loneliness is all too common and social media leaves us craving a connection with something bigger, moon journaling can fill that space. And you don’t even have to don an astronaut suit to give it a try!

There’s something magical about surrendering yourself to the universe and releasing the pressure to feel in constant control of your emotions. Moon journaling can be a reminder that there’s only so much you can do.

How to get started with moon journaling

Get a lunar calendar

Whilst you need relatively few tools to start moon journaling, a lunar calendar is a must. It’s going to tell you what phase the moon is in throughout the month, so you know which journaling prompts to follow and how to start tracking the lunar cycle.

My Moon Phase is a great free lunar calendar app, available in Apple’s app store here and on Android here. It has a clear, user-friendly interface with the moon cycle, moon rise and moon set times all easily available. It’ll also tell you whether it’s worth heading outside to try and spot the moon each night.

If you’re after an “offline” option, we love this moon calendar from Etsy. It’s easy to follow, with the moon cycle explained underneath. And let’s be honest, that minimal aesthetic is just beautiful.

It’s also a good idea to develop the practice of looking out your window to see the moon with your own eyes! Whilst apps and calendars are helpful, they won’t give you the same connection that you’ll feel when learning to track the moon cycle yourself.

Choose a moon journal

If you want to take a written approach to moon journaling, then a lined journal is perfect. You’ll have plenty of space to write out each phase’s prompt, journal your thoughts and track your experience throughout the month. Our moon and stars lined journal is ideal for that.

Or, you might prefer to illustrate the moon cycle. A dot grid journal is the choice for you. You can still write out your thoughts and emotions, and answer the prompts, but you’ll also have room to draw each moon phase, doodle your experience and make any creative additions you wish. If that’s you, then our moon and stars dot grid journal is the perfect pick!

Pick a pen

You can be as creative or as minimalistic as you wish with your moon journaling. You might want to practice your best journaling fonts, or illustrate what you see out of your bedroom window each night.

Either way, it’s important to find a pen that you enjoy using each month!

🌑 What to journal during the new moon phase

Astronomers have broken down the lunar cycle into four main moon phases, the first of which is the new moon.

The new moon phase is your fresh start. It’s a chance to release yourself from any tricky moments of the past month, and retreat for a moment ready to begin again. It’s the perfect time to prepare to start something new.

Your new moon journal prompts

• What are you hoping to accomplish this month?
• What dream can you turn into an intention for the future?
• If anything was possible, what would you do over the next 30 days?

🌛 What to journal during the moon’s first quarter

The moon enters its first quarter phase typically around a week after its new moon phase. The first quarter phase is when you usually start to see some hurdles and obstacles appear. These obstacles may try to hinder your progress towards the intention you set during the new moon phase.

So try to use this time to take focused action and make decisions that move you past those hurdles and help to bring your intention to life.

Your first quarter journal prompts

• What specific actions will you take to turn your intention into reality? How can you help yourself feel supported during this time?
• What hurdles are you experiencing? How can you move past them?
• What is in your control right now that you can use to move forwards?

🌕 What to journal during a full moon

The full moon phase can be a period of heightened tension. You’ll likely experience some strong experiences as the results of your hard work over the last few weeks are revealed.

You may also experience a different sleeping pattern during this phase, as your mind and body adjust to what’s happened over the previous weeks whilst preparing for what’s about to come.

Your full moon journal prompts

• Take a moment to reflect on the last few weeks. What has been your biggest surprise?
• Write out everything you’ve accomplished during this lunar cycle. How does it feel to look back at this list?
• How can you celebrate your progress from the last few weeks?

🌗 What to journal during the moon’s last quarter

Now, as you enter the last quarter of this lunar cycle, the time has come to let go. This is your chance to release the trials, tribulations and emotions that have come up over the past weeks. And prepare to begin again.

It’s also a valuable time for forgiveness, as you look back at the things that might not have gone as planned or moments when external hurdles stood in the way. Look at them, and then set them free.

Your last quarter journal prompts

• What hurdles got in the way this month? How can you set them free?
• Complete this sentence “I am proud of myself, because…”
• Release all the negative energy from the last month out of your body and onto the page. Let it stay there, outside of you and away.