It is impossible for the human race to have existed for thousands of years, without being mesmerized by the lunar cycle. It has been viewed as a benign object of curiosity beyond the celestial simplicity of a mass of rock that lights the night sky. It influences the oceans (activating tides), has effects on our daily emotional states and significantly impacted the way we humans grew our hair through history. Practically, if one prescribes to ancient belief systems surrounding the moon and hair, for centuries many peoples and cultures, for example, Indian, Greek, Babylonian and European civilisations, all believed the actions of hair growth were engaged in the influence of the moon, and this could directly correlate to the rate of growing hair and the health properties of the hair and possibly its texture. And yes – it is a strong belief system rooted in folklore.
Ancient Hair-Cutting Beliefs
Well before we understood the logic of modern hair aesthetics and science, people used the lunar cycles of the moon as a time-honoured guide for when to cut hair. The concept is that, similar to how the tides of the ocean are affected by the moon, the physical level of water or fluid inside the human body is tied to the moon. And it is believed that if one follows the moon’s draw when cutting hair, it helps to lengthen the hair. The reasoning seems simple enough. The human body is mostly made up from water, and since the moon can pull the entire ocean with its physical gravitational force, maybe the moon has the ability to pull the body’s tiny levels of fluids in correlation with the nutrient flow to the scalp. This thinking leads to a more ritual-like custom of a person’s hair care practice. The person wants to plan the haircuts and hair treatment like a schedule according to the lunar calendar, with the hope that it will result in increased hair growth and thicker hair.
The Moon Phases and Hair Growth Ideas
New Moon The new moon is a representation of new beginnings. It is said that getting a haircut while the moon is new will encourage new growth or a new beginning. Many will choose to have a haircut at this point in time, whether it is a simple trim of the damaged ends or if they want to create a hair care routine with strong, long hair in mind.
First Quarter (Waxing Moon) With the increased growth of the moon comes the increase of energy. The waxing moon is considered to be the optimal time for healing and treatment procedures. It is said that massage with oils, herbal masks, and nourishing serums will be more effective in the waxing moon phase.
Full Moon The full moon represents fullness and abundance. Cutting hair at this time is thought to support thickness, strength, and shine. It is said that underneath of the bright full moon, hair absorbs more energy which will lead to faster growth.
Last Quarter (The Waning Moon) During the last stage of the moon cycle, the fading of the moon engenders the release and energy of slowing down. Haircuts during this phase will slow down your regrowth rate and are a great time to maintain the length you are at, or rid yourself of some split ends without the need to schedule a salon visit so frequently.
Scientific Research on Moon Phase and Hair Growth
There is no scientific research directly studying the moon phases and rates of hair growth. According to science the primary substances affecting hair growth are genetics, hormones, nutrition, and scalp health.
Nevertheless, many scientists seem to agree that lunar cycles have an impact in the natural world, including on sleep patterns and reproductive cycles in certain animals.
Creating a Hair Ritual that is Moon Related
If the moon’s power is not scientifically measurable, creating a home ritual that capitalizes on the rhythm of the moon may elicit healing, transformative, or empowering experiences in your life. A simple ritual can be easy to develop. You could simply attempt the following three ideas consistently: massaging your scalp with some natural oil (coconut, rosemary, amla, or a combination); cutting your hair according to lunar cycle with the intention of freshness and renewal and/or growth in mind; and rinsing your hair with regular water that has been sitting out all night in the moonrise. These are small contributions that can help making hair care feel more significant in your life.
Should you cut your hair with the moon? Sure, why not? Even if there is no way for science to acknowledge or deny a physical relationship connected to lunar influence, aligning what you do to lunar influence may enhance how aware and connected you feel with your life. For some, it goes beyond mere superstition and brings an awareness to their higher level of consciousness through mindfulness. The lunar activity may not, in fact, directly allow your hair to grow twice as quickly, but it does offer you a moment to pause and think about cycles of nature and the effects that cycles have on us. Perhaps the best gift of the moon is the stillness and awareness of observing the moon’s cycles.
Final Thought
While the loving, glowing moon feels so far away, its rhythm and draw to and towards Earth has effects in some way that is undisputed. To take care of your hair by its phases and cycles can take a simple trim or haircut to a place of self-care, of self-renewal and awareness. Whether your hair does or does not actually grow double its speed, it will leave you feeling grounded, centred, secure and peaceful with the moon; thus bringing you peace and stillness in the power.
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