The very words "moon water" might conjure up visions of gossamer beauty and magical qualities. But this term, with a long history, references something quite simple: water that has been made special, even sacred, by exposure to the moon.
Across cultures and throughout history, the moon has held center stage in our reverence for the intimate interplay of forces in nature—all of which impact us, at our most elemental levels, from the way our emotions ebb and flow to the very essence of who we are. In this essay, we will look at the age-old practice of making moon water, consider the many and varied ways our ancestors put it to good use, and then come back to the present moment and the culture of wellness to see what, if anything, we've taken from this tradition.
For a long time, the moon has been the emblem of femininity, intuition, and emotional profundity. Countless cultures have celebrated the moon's rhythmic phases and acknowledged their sway over human action and the natural order. Farmers have long functioned on a lunar timetable, planting and harvesting according to the moon's moods, convinced that its gravitational pull works plant magic—that is, making them grow better and faster. Similarly, astrologers and us have noted that the moon can seriously influence our emotional states, rendering it a most potent symbol and tool for making personal and spiritual transformations.
One must first choose a proper container to make moon water. The most suitable materials are glass and ceramic. Metal and plastic might introduce chemicals that could change the water in undesirable ways. For the water itself, choose any kind that feels right. Spring water, tap water, or distilled water all work. The most important consideration is timing. If you want to make moon water, you cannot just do it whenever the mood strikes. You must do it during a specific lunar phase. Full moon energy is so strong; this is when most people choose to make their moon water. Other lunar phases that some people prefer include the new moon, the waxing moon, or the waning moon, and different people use these phases for different intentions.
Making moon water is a straightforward process. It involves exposing ordinary water to moonlight for a few hours, and with that exposure, the water takes on the properties of whatever the moon is doing—full, new, or in a phase in between. The full moon is the most potent time for making moon water, as this is a time of peak energy. Setting an intention while the water is charging is also key to making moon water something special. The use of moon water is widespread; it can be used in spiritual practices, healing rituals, or everyday activities like watering plants.
Moon water has a broad range of uses, making it adaptable for almost any purpose—that one's purpose is involved in whatever individualistic spiritual practice they may have. For a lot of people, the use of moon water falls very much in line with what's considered basic energy work. Cleansing crystals is something that's often done in moon water. The idea is that if you're going to use moon water to cleanse crystals, you're really using moon water in a way that's analogous to using a shamanic or ceremonial tool—that is, you're enacting a spiritual rite of purification.
Moon water has wellness applications and can figure into our self-care routines. Using moon water when bathing can help one reach a new level of relaxation and allow for a greater degree of emotional healing than is usually possible. Helping to set the space for true tranquility and partake in an atmosphere more conducive to reflection and introspection can make the moon water bath even more powerful. Moon water might also be applied to skincare routines. It is supposedly more powerful than regular water in that application, too.
In addition to being an increasingly popular medium for spiritual and wellness practices, moon water serves as a poignant reminder of our nearly forgotten connection to the natural world and the cosmos. In a society that is ever more technologically oriented and urbanized, the serving rituals for moon water can induce a state of mindfulness that is all too rare in our contemporary lives. They can also promote a moonlit walk in the vicinity of where one lives; serve as an excuse for some good old-fashioned stargazing; and spur a thoughtful consideration of a state of being in which earthly rhythms and the moon's quite obvious path 13 times across the sky each year are just as important as a rhythm induced by a 4/4 measure in a piece of contemporary music.
Additionally, the moon water ritual fits well with the increasingly popular return to environmentalism. When making moon water, one very intentionally considers the source of the water, making sure to choose a place that aligns with their values. Whether it's spring water fetched from a local spring or tap water that's allowed to run a thoughtful moment before filling a vessel, each step taken to choose, carry, and pour the water is part of respecting this resource so many take for granted and carving out a deeper environmental awareness.
To wrap things up, harnessing the power of the moon for making moon water may seem frivolous to some, but I would argue that it's an underrated practice with a lot going for it. It's not only about infusing water with moon energy. It's also a prime excuse for some serious self-care, as making and using moon water is a potent act of personal transformation. On top of that, I would say, it's a nearly waste-free, super low-impact way to engage with the patterns of life, reminding one of their intimate connection to the world of nature and the cosmos. And all you need is some water, a vessel, and a clear intention.