I am a poet and a fan of astrology, which means that I am especially predisposed to loving the moon. Whether it’s a curious glance skyward during nighttime walks with my dog or extolling its effervescent glow in my writing, I subscribe to its calming — and intuition-inducing — presence.

As a result, I loosely follow moon cycles in support of my well-being practices and goals. Sometimes those rituals manifest as a meditation sesh after yin yoga class, free writing in my journal before bed, writing a letter and burning it — in a fire-safe dish! — or simply taking a few moments for acknowledgment or gratitude.

“While new moons and full moons are a great time for setting and releasing intentions, what about supermoons?”

I am not strict when it comes to performing practices with every lunar phase in perpetuity, because that is exhausting. I try to keep these activities accessible and easy for when it feels natural in my life — or when there’s a special occasion. This got me thinking, while new moons and full moons are a great time for setting and releasing intentions, what about supermoons?

2024 has a few supermoons teed up — five of them from January to May, and April’s supermoon will also align with a full solar eclipse! I wanted to explore how to creatively engage with the moon during this exciting time.

I spoke to two experts: astrologer Cristina Farella, owner of Eighth House Astrology, and multidisciplinary esoteric practitioner Angela Renai to pick their luminous brains on all things supermoon-related. Follow me down the celestial rabbit hole of supermoon intentions, possible benefits, and how to set them for yourself. 🌕

What is a supermoon?

A supermoon is a full moon that is in a closer orbit to Earth than usual so it appears brighter and bigger than we’re used to seeing (this is known as a perigee). “The moon’s orbit isn’t perfectly circular (no planet’s orbit really is), and so there are points in the moon’s orbit where it’s closer to or farther from the Earth,” adds Farella. Pretty cool, huh?

As Renai confirms, supermoons are known to contain an auspicious time for setting intentions. “In spiritual work, it is thought that a supermoon makes the full moon more potent. Supermoons can happen a few times a year depending on how close it is to Earth, but the most noticeable ones happen when it is at its very closest point.” 

“Supermoons can happen a few times a year depending on how close it is to Earth, but the most noticeable ones happen when it is at its very closest point.” 

– Angela Renai, multidisciplinary mystic and astrologer

Need a refresher on standard intention setting around the moon phases? Easy peasy: Typically, new moons are an idyllic time for setting intentions with a focus on manifestation or renewal, whereas full moons are a perfect moment for intentions around releasing and letting go.

So supermoons are like super-charged full moons that can boost the energy to your goals and dreams. “The impact of a supermoon would be similar to the impact of a full moon, but way more of an amplification of the energy,” Renai says. “Mainly because of the amplification of emotions and all of the attention being poured into the moon from the collective. A full moon lights up what is normally in the dark. So a supermoon may be a time to really tap into one’s own insight or gain answers.”

Working with a supermoon can help you harness laser focus and decide what’s exactly worth your pursuit, be it time or energy.

Why set intentions for a supermoon?

Intentions — whether about drawing something in or casting something out — are powerful. They direct our focus and channel our energy, plus they serve as a vehicle for us to articulate and begin the process of actualizing what we want or need in our lives.

“Intentions — whether about drawing something in or casting something out — are powerful. They direct our focus and channel our energy.”

“Our lives are so busy, so hectic, and so stressful. Cultivating a practice of intention setting is a powerful way of dropping back into our center, reclaiming a sense of peace, perspective, and grounding,” says Farella. “When we set intentions, we’re envisioning our highest good. We get closer to achieving our most heart-felt goals, and perhaps most importantly, get to rekindle a connection to a sense of true self, which can help us navigate life’s many challenges.”

Renai agrees, but with a gentler, more supportive twist. (Her approach to intentions is very similar to mine above — occasional, easy, and fun.) “Setting intentions is very important, but I am actually of the belief we can easily get burned out by doing this for every single lunation,” she says. “I only set intentions a few times a year, and I think a supermoon may be a very good opportunity to take advantage of the energy.” 

She goes on to add that intentions are important and can serve as a North Star in our lives to move towards or open ourselves to, much in the same way that goal setting motivates our focus toward achievements and success. Setting an intention can redirect our attention toward something we want to bring into — or dissipate — from our lives. 

How to work with a supermoon

Supermoons are potent. If you’re looking for a way to get started, both Renai and Farella have essential pieces of advice to help.

“Think of the supermoon intentions as a force with a jet engine behind it.”

The first order of business? Farella says don’t hold back. “Let your intentions be big and bold. A supermoon amplifies our emotional, psychic territory, as the moon is the luminary who symbolizes emotions, nurtures needs, intuition, and creativity,” she says. “Let yourself be guided by these pieces of your psyche, to find alignment with your intentions.”

Next up, Renai offers this balmy nugget: Think of the supermoon intentions as a force with a jet engine behind it. “If you want something to come to fruition fast, be extra clear, or have a lot of collective intention behind it, this would definitely be the time to manifest.” 🌟

How to craft your intentions

Okay so, you have your what, when, and why — but how can you craft your supermoon intentions with purpose and intuition? Both Farella and Renai emphasize not stressing too much as this should come pretty naturally. Follow their simple tips below for guidance.

Tips from Cristina Farella

1. Focus on your desires. Before setting intentions, tune in with what you’re really desiring through journaling, meditation, drawing tarot cards, or just taking a peaceful walk in nature. Invite in images that serve your highest good.

“Focus on your desires.”

2. Craft statements of desire. Write down (or type) your thoughts and feelings of your desire or what you’re calling in. Use this phrase to craft your intent: “I am aware of my deep desire for [name what you want], and will find this desire met, by the power of the supermoon.”

3. Take actionable movements. This is important to take steps in real life to support your manifestations. The planets hear your wishes, and reward those of us who act in alliance with their energies. 🙂

Tips from Angela Renai

1. Don’t be afraid to peer deeply within. Perhaps set an intention that has been emotionally charged for you lately, maybe even work with something that has been difficult to look at. The supermoon will harness the emotional intensity and make the intention-setting impactful and profound while simultaneously illuminating answers to light your path.

“Don’t be afraid to peer deeply within.”

2. Pull a tarot card, or engage with another form of divination. Pulling a tarot card or two helps gain insight into if what you are trying to manifest is ready to come to fruition. A supermoon can be a very powerful and clear time to do divination work, so before you manifest, check in with yourself or any divination practice you have to get some guidance on crafting your intention.

Guidance on your ritual

As I stated before, don’t stress it. There’s no one perfect way to work on yourself or your spirituality during a supermoon (or any other lunar phase for that matter). But we do have some suggestions.

“There’s no one perfect way to work on yourself or your spirituality during a supermoon (or any other lunar phase for that matter).”

Basically, the direction — and the pomp and circumstance of it all — is completely and totally up to you. Renai reminds us that preparation for any ritual is essential. Whether it’s pulling tarot cards, looking at tension points in your astrology chart, or meditating with a gentle focus, center your energy on the task at hand.

Other ways to prep or set intentions? Renai loves moonbaths. “Take a long walk under the full moon. Maybe even try to find a quiet space in nature. Take in the beams of the moon on your skin, let it light up any parts of you that feel murky or without clarity,” she says. “If you can or if you live in an area where it is safe, consider taking out a picnic blanket or sleeping bag and really laying under the moon for a long while. Take a journal with you and write down any insights you gain.”

If you need a more literal cleanse — or a means to help you let go or surrender something — Renai recommends an actual bath, too. “Get some Epsom salts and skin-safe essential oils and if you really want to go extra, some herbs that would reinforce the topics to release. Put the oils and salt in a bowl to infuse together. Then pour into a bath,” she says. Live in a space that only has a shower? No worries, Renai says to bring the bowl into the shower with you and fill the mixture with hot water. Then, pour the salt and herb mixture over you. Salt neutralizes energies and clears away negativity. Envision what you are trying to release going down the bath or shower drain.

“If you need a more literal cleanse — or a means to help you let go or surrender something — Renai recommends an actual bath.”

Personally, Farella loves to have an altar ready with offerings she has a direct connection to. “Gather any resonant offerings that are personal to you (remember, your intuitive offerings are most important),” she says. “Add to this, traditional offerings like wine/spirits, and lunar objects like seashells, salt water, pearls, mirrors, moonstole, opal, selenite, and clear quartz.”

“The direction — and the pomp and circumstance of it all — is completely and totally up to you.”

Farella also suggests writing letters. “Write a letter to the moon, to your guides, about what it is you’re looking to culminate, release, and manifest. Full moons symbolize a time of completion,” she says. This can help you get clear on your intentions and communicate them, too.

Lastly, consider the astrological timing of your work with the supermoon. “If the supermoon is in the fire sign Leo, perhaps your manifestations are centered around passion, creativity, and self-expression. If the supermoon is in Pisces, perhaps your intentions are set around healing, compassion, and self-acceptance.” Thinking creatively with the resources we’re given is what it’s all about!

Let us know in the comments how you’re planning to work with the upcoming supermoons. Are there intentions you’d like to set? We can’t wait to hear your plans.

Stephanie Valente is a copywriter and editor covering wellness, commerce, lifestyle — and more — for publications like Brooklyn Magazine and The Good Trade. Based in Brooklyn, she’s often writing poetry, getting lost in a book, or hanging out with her dog.