Moon Bathing Self Care Ritual
Today is a supermoon so I thought it was the perfect time to share the beautiful self-care ritual of Moon Bathing or Moonlight Bathing, which is a practice that is close to my heart.
The moon influences the water element, the way tides rise and fall. Our bodies are made up of 70% water so it makes sense that the moon would influence us too, particularly women. Just as women’s bodies follow a 28 day cycle, so does the moon, and it is thought to be hormonally beneficial for women to take notice of moon phases due to its influence on their daily and monthly cycles.
In Ayurveda, the name for moon is Chandra or Soma, and it is understood to embody feminine energy - loving, soft, nourishing qualities. Moonlight also has cooling properties and so moon bathing is used to calm Pitta Dosha (a fiery temperament or too much heat in the body).
When I was growing up, my sister and I shared a bedroom that was in the attic, or loft, part of the house. We had two huge skylight windows and when there was a full moon, the moonlight would cast two luminous rectangles on the bedroom floor. As a young child I would always feel restless when the moon was full and so I would go and curl up in the patch of moonlight, lying on the floor and bathing in it’s light. It was something I did very intuitively as a child that felt very healing and nurturing, and magical.
Custom illustration by Nanni Pai
Soma & the moon
The Ayurvedic concept of Soma is of vital importance for good immunity, longevity, and optimal health. Soma is the essence of all healing energy and is also synonymous with lunar energy. It is associated with feelings of bliss, content and nourishment. Like the moon, Soma is connected to the water element and also has cooling and nurturing qualities. It is thought to feed not only the cells and DNA of the body, but also the mind and consciousness.
Many Ayurvedic self-care practices are to do with increasing the quality of Soma, and Moon Bathing is an example of a cooling practice which invokes Soma energy. A slow and meditative Asana practice will have the same benefit, particularly if holding poses that focus on the hips, since this part of the body is symbolic of the water element.
Yin & Soma
There are many similarities between Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine as both systems rely on the notion of bringing balance and harmony to the whole being. In Ayurveda, this balance is achieved through the doshas, and in Chinese Medicine through harmony between yin and yang energy. The concept of Soma is very similar to Yin, and both have a strong connection to the water element, to feminine energy and to the moon. People who believe in the practice of moon bathing believe that harnessing the moon’s lunar energy brings the body's systems into harmony and promotes healing and wellness.
“A calming cosmic pursuit that offers infusions of gentle, yin energy to balance the yang energy of direct sun rays.”
- NADINE ARTEMIS
Benefits of moon bathing
According to Ayurveda, the moon has a soothing and calming effect on the body-mind complex. It carries and reflects the sun’s light energy without its harshness; balances excess heat, and is also known to help in the treatment of certain illnesses and conditions like migraines, rashes, blood pressure, and inflammation. The moon is also associated with the kapha dosha that combines water and earth elements. Moon Bathing increases Ojas, or vitality, reduces inflammation and balances fiery Pitta energy.
Moon bathing is a meditative practice that helps to cool, calm, collect and re-centre oneself. It soothes not only heat in the body, but in the mind - we are able to reflect, contemplate and relax in the presence of the cooling, luminous energy of the full moon.
Moon Bathing Ritual
On the day of a full moon, if the sky is clear and night has fallen, take yourself out for a walk or find a quiet spot where you can sit directly in the rays of moonlight. It’s beautiful to do this in a natural environment but of course you can also do it at home. Just find a spot where the moonlight is flooding into the room and turn the lights off so you can sit in the moon’s illumination.
Close your eyes and feel the beautiful, cool radiance on your skin. Let yourself be fully present and consider the moonlight as a supportive, nurturing, maternal energy that is here to support and guide you. Soak in the natural glow of the moon.
The mind can often feel more restless than usual on a full moon day so meditation helps us to be more balanced and calm. Connect to your body and mind and feel as though you are having your cup filled, like you are being restored - gently, kindly, sweetly. Feel as though the moon rays are healing you, helping you to reconnect with yourself in a space of calm, and serenity. Engage in some breathing meditation of choice and take a moment to feel grateful for everything in your life.