I know my Fertile Moon Phase... now what?
How to use your FMP for contraception & conception.
If you’ve calculated your Fertile Moon Phase (FMP) you might be wondering, “Now what?” This post is going to explore how you can weave this special date into your cycle tracking, contraceptive practice, or conscious conception journey.
If you don’t already know your FMP or are asking yourself, “What in Goddess’s name is she talking about?” make sure you subscribe below to get my free PDF, How to Calculate Your Fertile Moon Phase sent to your inbox!
WHAT IS A FERTILE MOON PHASE?
Just to make sure we’re all on the same page, your FMP is the phase that the Moon was in at the moment of your birth. This phase signals a window of astrological fertility during your cycle and can increase your chances of getting pregnant regardless of your hormonal fertility. Remember, your FMP concerns the Moon’s phase, not the house or zodiac it’s stationed in.
WHAT DO I DO WITH IT IF I’M CYCLE TRACKING?
If you’re using a method of cycle tracking, including the Fertility Awareness Method, you’ll want to start by marking your FMP in your charts, phones, planners, or however else you record your flow. This way you can begin noticing patterns that are unique to this date and may even be able to explain symptoms of fertility when your body shouldn’t be in its fertile window. Some women are going to be more sensitive to their FMP than others. It’s up to you to develop a relationship with your body that only you can fully understand!
HOW DO I USE IT IF I’M TRYING NOT TO HAVE A BABY?
If you’re avoiding pregnancy naturally with the Fertility Awareness Method, you can choose to regard your FMP as you would your hormonal ovulation date.1 This includes honoring safety margins to account for sperm life.
During these days you’ll want to use whatever contraceptive methods you normally use when you’re fertile, whether that’s abstinence, withdrawal, or a barrier.
If you’re using a pharmaceutical contraceptive2, then the only additional precautions that can be taken are abstinence, withdrawal, or a barrier. You may find this excessive, but we all know someone who got pregnant on the pill (and now we know why! 😉)
HOW DO I USE IT IF I’M TRYING TO CONCEIVE?
If you’re trying to conceive, you can choose to regard your FMP as you would your hormonal ovulation date. Record these dates in your planner, on your FAM charts, or wherever you’ll remember to see them! They’ll signal the opening of your lunar fertile window during your cycle. Your peak fertile window will be 24 hours before the moment your Fertile Moon Phase occurs and is the ideal moment for love making (which is similar to your timing for hormonal ovulation.)
This 4-day interval…remains potentially fertile wherever it falls in the menstrual cycle, with fertility enhanced by its coincidence with either menstruation or, to a greater extent, with mid-cycle ovulation.
Francesca Naish, “The Lunar Cycle”
Your fertility is its most potent when ovulation and your FMP align within 2-3 days (1-2 is even better.) There is evidence to suggest that women who are astrologically fertile during their bleed also experience heightened fertility at that time. These women tend to be the type who spend years TTC with no luck, only to succeed immediately upon making love during menstruation!3
ADDITIONAL FACTORS
It’s important to remember there are other aspects to your chart that impact your fertility. Both natal placements and transiting planets can inspire seasons of “infertility” and may explain why conception isn’t occurring, even under your fertile Moon.
For a deeper dive into your astrological fertility and health, sit with me in (IN)FERTILE MOON and receive truly holistic guidance that honors your journey as above, so below.
Or, as always, pop in with a question in the comments!
All my love,
Athena
P.S. As per usual, this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute as medical or contraceptive advice.
The 4 day lunar fertile window, as outlined in the secondary graphic in this article, is shared and drafted according to the teachings of Francesca Naish in The Lunar Cycle: A Guide to Natural and Astrological Fertility Control.
Although I honor the free will of all Women, I never recommend pharmaceutical contraceptives due to their overwhelmingly harmful impacts on female fertility and physiology. I provide resources for self-education on this topic in my free resource guide: Womb Sovereignty.
Based on case studies verbally exchanged through the teachings of experienced astrologer, Judith Hill.