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The Moon isn’t just a ball of rock in space; it has a profound effect on human behavior, emotions, and even our physical health! A powerful energy source, the Moon and its phases are very important to astrology, as well as energy work, witchcraft, and spiritual practices around the world.
One of the first steps in understanding how to work with the Moon is knowing what phase the Moon is currently in. There are four main phases: new moon (dark/zero illumination), first quarter (half light/half dark), full moon (full illumination), and last quarter (half dark/half light). On average, a complete cycle takes approximately 29.5 days from one new moon to the next new moon.
The phases are one of the most iconic and important ways to track the movement of the moon; each phase has its own meaning and significance, which can be used as a guide when making important life decisions, tracking your menstrual cycle, timing rituals or spellwork, and more!
In astrology, the Moon represents the unconscious mind, your instincts, and your inner self. It has a profound impact on our moods and emotions, as well as our thoughts and dreams. Adding even further depth to the natal chart, the phase of the moon when we were born (not just the sign and house placement) can tell us a lot about our lives and personalities.
In real-time, the phases of the Moon can also influence how we feel about ourselves and others, which can affect our decisions and actions. In general, new moons and full moons are considered to be the most significant moon phases, while the other six moon phases are more subtle shifts in energy that happen over the course of each month. Throughout any given lunar cycle, the Moon is a natural way to keep tabs on your emotional and energetic state.
Read on to learn more about all eight moon phases and their spiritual meanings!
New Moon
The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon appears completely dark during its cycle. It marks the onset of a new lunar cycle, which means that it’s an opportunity for renewal and beginnings.
When the Moon is new, we feel like it’s a good time to take a break from all that has been going on before. This is a great time for personal reflection and setting intentions for yourself, or for the month ahead. As the first phase, the New Moon beckons you to start fresh and let go of the old so you can embrace all the beautiful things the universe has in store for you!
Waxing Crescent
The Waxing Crescent Moon is associated with growth because it occurs when the crescent is growing from nothing up to fullness (waxing means growing or increasing). You may have noticed this pattern in your life; every time you start something new it starts as a seedling — small, vulnerable, and fragile — but over time it grows into something more substantial until finally, it reaches its full potential.
Similar to the New Moon, this phase corresponds with new beginnings and fresh starts, and the waves of growth that ensue. You may feel motivated to make changes or start new projects during this time. The Waxing Crescent Moon is a time of hope and building upon the new foundations you set forth during the New Moon. It’s when you have an opportunity to evolve, make changes, and create something new. The Waxing Crescent phase is all about growth and encourages you to let go of things that are no longer serving you in favor of new opportunities.
First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon occurs when the Moon’s illuminated half has moved past the boundary between Earth’s shadow and sunlight. At this point, the Moon appears half illuminated by the Sun and half in shadow. The First Quarter also means that the Moon is halfway done waxing (growing) to a full lunation.
The First Quarter Moon carries several meanings across different cultures and religions – in some cultures, it represents a time of renewal and beginnings. In others, it symbolizes wealth and abundance. And in some other cultures, it signifies strength and power, but also great responsibility.
Most often, however, the First Quarter Moon is associated with action: things are happening now! We must use this energy wisely if we want to reach our goals successfully. In this phase, we can expect things to be getting better. The Moon’s light grows stronger as it gets closer to full strength. This can bring out feelings of happiness and positivity in people, and it often brings on changes in behavior. People might feel more energetic or like they have more energy to do things they haven’t done before. They might feel more inclined to socialize with others or go out into nature if they’re feeling down about life in general right now.
Waxing Gibbous
The Waxing Gibbous Moon signifies progress: things are moving forward! You can see how much closer you are getting to achieving whatever goal or dream you had set out for yourself at New Moon. This phase has light, bright, and positive energy. Like the Waxing Crescent and First Quarter phases, the Waxing Gibbous is leading up to (or growing toward) the Full Moon, indicating expansion and growth.
The Waxing Gibbous Moon phase is a good time to expand on existing projects as it suggests that you’re ready for more in your life! During this time, you may find yourself feeling more energetic or productive than usual. You may also notice that you feel more spirited and inspired. If you have big plans for the future or are working toward any goals, now is the perfect time to make them happen!
Full Moon
The Full Moon represents completion. It is associated with abundance, fertility, growth, and regeneration. The seeds of intention sown under the New Moon come to blossom under the fullness of the Moon.
In this phase, clarity and awareness rise. It allows you to see things clearly without any distractions or obstacles blocking your path forward. You’ll have a clear vision of what needs to be done in order to move forward with ease. This lunar energy can also help you get rid of any negativity that may have been holding you back in some way or another; it will help you clean up any messes that need fixing so they don’t continue to cause problems down the road!
The Full Moon is also known to give us more energy than usual (this is why people tend to feel more lively around Full Moons). Since the Moon is brimming at its brightest, this can also be a time when you are more sensitive than usual. If something doesn’t feel right to you, trust your instincts!
Waning Gibbous
The Waning (or decreasing) phases of the Moon represent preparing for renewal. The Waning Gibbous Moon is the first of the waning lunar phases, which occurs after the Full Moon when the Moon’s light begins to shrink towards the dark or new moon. The Waning Gibbous Moon has been associated with a time of rest, relaxation, and completion. It may also be associated with endings, especially those that are emotionally or physically draining.
This phase symbolizes reflection, assessment, and release. Leading up to the New Moon, the Waning Gibbous phase through the Waning Crescent are ideal times for looking inward, taking stock of your life, and letting go of things that do not serve you.
Last Quarter Moon
The Last Quarter Moon is the second to last phase of the lunar cycle. The energy of this phase continues to guide us toward getting rid of what we no longer want or need in our lives and making space for a fresh start.
The Last Quarter Moon is associated with endings that may come as a surprise or from an unexpected source. You may want to ask yourself if there are any changes you should make in order to feel better about where you are now. Or maybe there are habits or relationships that could use some improvement? If so, now is an excellent time to start making those changes!
As the Moon nears darkness, it is a beautiful time to sit still and reflect on the things you’ve learned over the past lunar cycle, as well as what you want to learn next. It’s a time of catharsis as well as being open to new ideas. As you reflect on what is ending or being released, consider what new beginnings await you.
Waning Crescent
The last phase of the Moon is the Waning Crescent, which comes just before a New Moon (and therefore the start of a new lunar cycle). This is considered to be one of the most powerful times for inner healing and shadow work, as you may feel the pull to let go of anything that isn’t working in your life. The Waning Crescent is all about moving on and is a great time to clear out the clutter in your life — whether that’s physical or emotional — so you can make space for new things to come.
This phase is also a great time to connect with your intuition and listen to what your body and soul need. While the Waxing Crescent Moon can be a time of building up energy and starting new projects or cycles, the Waning Crescent is for reflecting on your actions over the past Moon cycle and making sure they are aligning with what brings you happiness in life.
Because you’re so close to a New Moon, this is a good time for beginning to get organized, think about what goals you might set for yourself during the New Moon, and get ready for your next big project. Think about what you want to accomplish and what steps you need to take to get there.
The Waning Crescent is also associated with the Goddess Isis, who was known for her wisdom and healing abilities. As you step into this phase, consider what wisdom you need right now — from yourself or others — and ask yourself what you can do to heal.
“Each moon phase has a specific energy and can tell you something about your current or coming month.”
The Moon is a beautiful, powerful force — and you can use its phases to your advantage. Whether you’re using the Moon’s energy to bring about a specific change in your life or as a way to focus your intention, knowing how to work with the phases of the Moon is a potent way to more deeply connect with yourself, others, and the rhythms of Mother Nature.
Each phase of the Moon has a specific energy and can tell you something about your current or coming month. While there are many more meanings behind the moon’s phases to explore, this article is a good starting point in your journey of learning about the magic of the Moon. To learn more, check out our astrological library!
DISCLAIMER:
Sage & Moon is a participant in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. Any product we choose is based on personal recommendations that we love and trust you will too. By using these links you are directly supporting us to keep writing + creating. Thank you!
