August Full-Moon Rituals. The pleasure of moon-bathing

August full moon rises this Friday. 

Known as the Sturgeon Moon, since historically it’s the time of year when the giant sturgeon fish appears in the American Great Lakes.

This moon represents the end of the summer and it encourages us to slow down, honor our efforts and prepare for the transition from the warmer months into fall.

In Ayurveda, the full moon is seen as a time of high cosmic energy and immense restorative power.

Moon-bathing (Chandra Snan) is a highly prized ancient practice that utilizes the moon’s cooling nourishing lunar nectar (Soma) to pacify the fiery summer heat (Pitta), cooling the body, calming the mind and supporting hormonal balance.

How to Practice:

Expose yourself: Spend 15-20 minutes sitting, walking, or meditating outdoors under the full moon to let its soft radiance touch your skin.

Make “Moon Water”: Fill a clean copper or glass vessel with drinking water and leave it on an overnight windowsill or outdoors to absorb the moon’s energy. Drink it the next morning on an empty stomach to pacify heat.

Sensory Soothing: Pair your moon bath with cooling aromas like sandalwood, lavender or rose.

Massage your body with gentle slow strokes with cooling and grounding sandalwood oil  and spray on your face and head floral mists of either rose or lavender to refresh and calm.

Invite Deep sleep: Massage in circular strokes your temples and jaws with a night jasmine deep sleep oil for a sweet summer sleep.