New Moon Intentions: How to Set Them and Actually Mean It

Every month, without fail, the moon goes dark. That sliver of sky where she usually glows just… disappears. And in that darkness, something quietly opens.

The new moon has been used as a time for intention-setting across cultures for thousands of years. There's a reason for that. Something about the darkness — the absence of reflected light — creates a kind of inner quiet that makes it easier to hear yourself. To feel what you actually want, underneath all the noise of daily life.

But I want to talk about the difference between setting an intention and writing a wish list. Because they're not the same thing, and I think that distinction matters.

A wish list asks the universe to deliver. An intention asks you to become.

"I want more money." "I want to find love." "I want to feel better."

These aren't bad things to want. But as intentions, they're a little passive. They put all the power outside of you — as if the universe is a vending machine and you just need to press the right buttons.

A real intention is different. It's rooted in who you're choosing to be, not just what you're hoping to receive. It has your energy in it. It asks something of you.

"I am opening myself to abundance by releasing the belief that I have to earn my worth."

"I am ready to receive love by showing up honestly, even when it's uncomfortable."

"I am choosing to tend to my body and my rest as acts of self-respect."

Feel the difference? One is a request. The other is a commitment. And the new moon responds to commitment.

How I like to work with new moon energy

There's no single right way to do this. Please don't let anyone tell you there is. But here's what I've found works, both for myself and for the clients I read for.

Start by getting quiet. Before you write a single word, just sit for a few minutes. Light a candle if that helps. Put your phone face down. Take a few slow breaths. Let the busyness of the day settle. You're not trying to meditate perfectly — you're just creating a little space between you and the noise.

Ask yourself one honest question. Not "what do I want?" but "what do I actually need right now?" Sometimes those are the same thing. Often they're not. The new moon is a good time to be honest with yourself about the difference.

Write it down. There's something about putting pen to paper (not typing — actually writing) that makes an intention feel real. It moves it from thought into the physical world. Keep it simple. One or two intentions is plenty. More than that and the energy gets scattered.

Make it present tense. Not "I will" or "I want to" — but "I am" or "I choose" or "I am open to." This isn't just a linguistic trick. It shifts your nervous system into a different relationship with the intention. You're not waiting for something to happen. You're already in it.

Then let it go. This is the part people find hardest. You set the intention, you feel it, and then you release your grip on it. You don't obsessively check whether it's manifesting. You don't white-knuckle it into existence. You plant the seed and trust the soil.

What about tarot?

I always pull cards at the new moon — for myself and often for clients who want to go deeper. A simple three-card spread works beautifully:

• What am I being invited to release? (to make space for what's coming)
• What is the seed I'm planting this cycle? (the core intention)
• What do I need to embody to support this intention? (the inner work)

The cards don't tell you what to intend. They help you get honest about what's already stirring beneath the surface. Sometimes a client comes in thinking they want to set an intention around their career, and the cards reveal it's actually about self-worth. Or they think it's about a relationship, and it's really about learning to be alone without fear. The cards cut through the surface story and get to the real one.

A few things worth knowing

New moon energy is strongest in the 48 hours after the moon goes dark, but you don't have to be precise about it. If you miss the exact date, set your intentions anyway. The practice matters more than the timing.

You also don't need a lot of tools or rituals. A candle and a notebook are enough. The most important ingredient is your genuine presence — your willingness to actually feel into what you're setting, rather than going through the motions.

And finally: be patient with yourself. Intentions planted at the new moon often take a full lunar cycle — or several — to fully unfold. The moon doesn't rush. Neither should you.

This month's new moon

The next new moon falls in Leo — which means the intentions you set right now are being supercharged by solar, creative, heart-centred energy. This is a powerful time to set intentions around self-expression, confidence, visibility, and joy. What have you been holding back? What would you do if you weren't afraid of being seen?

Those are your Leo new moon questions. Sit with them. Write what comes up. And trust that the universe is listening.

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✨ Want to go deeper?

A new moon tarot reading is one of my favourite sessions to offer — it's a beautiful way to start a new cycle with real clarity and intention. Book your session here and let's explore what this moon has for you.