Is moon bathing howling mad? Not according to a new book on harnessing its energy

My best dress has been slipped on, my strappy sandals are buckled and my hair and make-up are just so. The candles are lit, so all that’s needed is a spray of perfume as I eagerly await my date.

It’s 1am and there’s no sign as I gaze out of my living room window. But my date keeps late hours, especially at this time of year. Finally, I catch a glimpse of the silver dazzler and dash off to our romantic rendezvous.

After only 40 minutes, the candles are blown out, I’ve ended the date and I’m in my PJs and heading to bed . . . alone.

My short-lived romantic encounter wasn’t with the man of my dreams, however. It was with the moon.

The moon and madness have long been linked, and after reading the above, you might be inclined to agree. But rather than howling at it, I was bathing in its healing rays by conducting a ‘moonbathing’ ritual according to the teachings of a new book — Luna by Tamara Driessen.

Tamara, also known as Wolf Sister — a name she took on when visions of wolves kept appearing to her during meditations — believes firmly that the moon has powers that can help us live happier, more fulfilled lives and even achieve our goals.

And she’s not alone; there are now whole communities online devoted to discussing and charting the effect of the moon on our lives and emotions.

A full moon is linked to odd behaviour (this is actually backed up by research — a study published in the BMJ found far more crimes are committed at this time).

Ancient civilizations worshipped the moon and many believe that because it controls tides — and we are made up of 60 per cent water — then it must surely have some pull over us, too. This belief is called the lunar effect, and is something scientists have been quick to dismiss as a myth.

However, it does have a growing number of disciples, from leading wine producers who use ‘biodynamic’ methods, such as planting vines during a certain phase of the moon in an attempt to make their products taste better, to people like Tamara and her followers, for whom it is a way of life.

Twelve years ago, after suffering burnout and a break-up, Tamara took herself off to Bali to study shamanic practices. It was there that she developed her fascination with the moon.

She believes the moon’s 29.5-day cycle can influence all aspects of our lives, from our moods and relationships to our sleep and work performance.

She says: ‘If you look up at the sky you’ll see the moon in different stages; there are eight in total.

‘It all starts with the new moon, which is a time when we feel more introspective, quieter and have less energy.

‘Then when the moon gets more light on it, our energy starts building. It slowly builds to the full moon, which is the peak of our energy.

‘Once people start observing the moon’s phases, they may start to see a pattern. They may realise that they are often experiencing more stress in their lives during a full moon, and parents often observe that their children are livelier then, too.’

Tamara has a growing following of fellow moon devotees. Many say that if they keep a journal, it will often show that their emotions reflect the moon’s phases.

Once they have that knowledge, they can ‘harness the power of the moon’ to improve their daily lives.

They may observe that they struggle to sleep during a full moon, for example, making it a bad time to take on a stressful work project.

One of the book’s revelations is that, just as we all have ‘sun signs’ — our sign of the zodiac, which relates to the horoscopes we might read every day — we also have a lesser known ‘moon sign’.

I’ll confess to not paying much attention to horoscopes, but maybe it’s because, as a Piscean, it’s always bothered me that I couldn’t be less like someone who is supposedly typical of my sign.

Pisceans are described as shy, gentle and romantic dreamers. Anyone who knows me will tell you that description really doesn’t reflect my character. But when I talk to Tamara, I discover that my moon sign (you can find yours online on websites such as astrolibrary.org) is Scorpio — fiery, bold, liable to offend people. That’s more like it.

According to Tamara’s book, those with a ‘natal moon sign’ of Scorpio like conflict and struggle to trust people. I think I could get on board with being a Scorpio.

Tamara explains: ‘Your sun sign is the expression of who you are, but your moon sign is how you experience and feel things.

‘A good way to think of it is that your sun sign is like the first impression you give to people, but your moon sign is the version they see when they get to know you a little better.’

But one of the reasons you won’t see moon horoscopes anywhere is that, unlike the sun, which stays in a sign for a month, the moon changes its sign every two days as it moves more rapidly across the night sky.

Moon lovers like Tamara know to check which sign the moon is in on any given day for guidance.

Today, for example, it is in sensible Virgo, making this an excellent time to declutter, get organised . . . or start a diet.

Before lockdown, Tamara would hold ‘moon ceremonies’ with up to 20 people, often outdoors. These days the gatherings take place over Zoom with attendees from all over the world.

She says: ‘The last event I did was when there was a full moon in Aquarius and that was called Free Your Mind because Aquarius is a liberating sign.

‘We used that event as a way of helping people not to limit their beliefs, as it’s the perfect time to reboot and start a new journey.’

A ceremony typically lasts two hours, during which Tamara will lead a series of meditations as people give their statements of intention — ways in which they want to change and improve their lives — and ask the moon for guidance to make this happen.

Which brings us back to my hot date with the moon, where I also intend to ask for guidance.

Tamara believes moonbathing, lying in the glow of the moon, can be re-energising and healing. It doesn’t have to be outside, it can be through an open window, but as it’s a hot, balmy night, I decide to step into my garden.

Tamara suggests creating an altar at which to worship, but I feel daft enough getting dressed up for my moon date, so I give that part a miss. Instead, I spread a picnic rug on the grass, light a few candles and put on some soothing tinkly music (listened to on headphones to avoid annoying the neighbours).

I start by declaring an intention. I decide I want to take more care of myself, to cast off all the poor lockdown habits I’ve got into and feel healthier again before the year’s end by shedding the weight I’ve piled on.

Then I lie down with my eyes closed and imagine the moon gazing at me and the energy from its healing rays going into my body. I focus on my breathing (trying not to be distracted by the moths fluttering around me or the curious cat from next door). I repeat my intention several times until 40 minutes have passed.

It’s important to bring the moonbathing ceremony to a close. Tamara suggests ringing a bell or the haunting sound of a Tibetan singing bowl. As I don’t have either of those to hand, I have to improvise by striking a metal colander from the kitchen with a dinner fork.

Afterwards, I do feel calm and rested. Is that the power of the moon in action or simply the fact that lying in a scent-filled garden on a warm summer’s night is a rather lovely thing to do?

With the moon in Virgo, the time has never been better to start my new healthy regime. Will my moon worship help me slim? It can take up to six months for an intention to come to fruition, Tamara says.

As someone who is too pale and pasty to sunbathe, I enjoyed my moonbathing experience.

Yet, when it comes to a second date, I think I’ll wait until I can go to Paris with an eligible man who doesn’t think it’s acceptable to keep me hanging around until 1am.

• Luna: Harness The Power Of The Moon To Live Your Best Life by Tamara Driessen is published by Penguin Life at £12.99.