Moon Phases This Week
This week, we have a few great moon phases to see. The first quarter Moon will rise around noon and set around midnight, and the waning crescent Moon is high in the sky in the evening.
During the first quarter phase, half of the Moon’s surface is illuminated. The illuminated area slowly begins to shrink, until the entire disk is in darkness.
New Moon
The new moon is a time of rebirth, fresh starts, and creative possibilities. This phase is especially powerful when you set a new intention, as it will be reflected in the ebb and flow of your life for the next several weeks.
The New Moon is the best time to focus on releasing unwanted toxins and stagnant energy. You can use this day to drink lots of water, herbal teas or detox juices, eat light fruits or steamed unflavoured vegetables, go for a sauna or get a massage, and take some much-needed rest.
This Moon phase is also a great time to celebrate the small and large things that are going well in your life right now, as well as those you are grateful for. You might want to make a ritual out of it, like gathering with friends under the full moon to share stories, or creating a space for healing and growth.
If you’re feeling a little stuck, this moon phase is a great time to seek out guidance and support. This could be through a meditation practice, or using your intuition and tarot cards to uncover insights about what direction you should head in.
You might even want to try a new exercise or yoga class that will bring you closer to your inner self. It’s a chance to connect to the spiritual meaning of the moon phases, which can help you find peace and connection in an era when many of us live disconnected lives.
Another way to tap into the spiritual meaning of each moon phase is to create a ritual that you do every time there is a new moon. This could be anything from a simple meditation to a more elaborate practice, such as writing a list of goals or making a crystal grid.
The moon cycles through all 12 zodiac signs and can reflect your natal chart, too. This can give you a more accurate idea of what the next new moon is likely to be about, as it will fall in your natal chart’s house of birth.
First Quarter
The first quarter of the moon cycle, or a “half Moon” as it’s often called, occurs halfway between new moon and full moon. It’s called this because we see half of the moon, or a quarter of it, as it rises above Earth’s horizon and sets near midnight. It’s a great time to view the moon because it is higher in the sky during this phase than at other times, according to NASA.
The Moon’s phases change in an orderly fashion as the Moon orbits the Earth. It begins its journey with a “new” Moon and ends it with a “full” Moon, which is when the entire disk of the Moon is illuminated. During each lunar phase, the Moon changes in size and appearance as it progresses around the Earth.
This cycle of phases lasts an average of 29.5 days, or a sidereal month (i.e., one that includes the period of time it takes the Moon to travel across Earth’s surface). The intermediate phases take an average of a quarter of a synodic month, and the long duration between the new and full moons is an average of 15 days.
When a Moon is in the waxing crescent phase, it starts to increase in illuminated area, becoming more and more visible to us. In the First Quarter, the illuminated part of the Moon is essentially half; in the Full Moon, the Moon’s illumination increases until it is fully lit; and in the Last Quarter, the illuminated part of the Moon shrinks again to a sliver.
As we move into the First Quarter, we can feel the energy of taking action, expression, growth, and breaking away from old patterns. The action may be physical, such as exercising or stretching, but it can also be verbal, such as writing letters or making phone calls.
It can also be spiritual, such as a time for gratitude or generosity. We may want to give back to others, especially those who have helped us along the way.
The first quarter is also a time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished so far, and to surrender to the flow of life. This can be a difficult time for some of us, but the benefits from hard work are in sight! Those who are still feeling the effects of a New Moon may be struggling to find their balance. It’s important to let go of what is no longer serving you and trust in the process.
Full Moon
The full moon is a powerful time to look at the parts of your life that need a little evaluation. This is a great opportunity to review your relationship with family & friends, work, communication, intuition, spirituality and overall wellness. You may find that this moon is a good time to let go of things that are no longer serving you.
It’s also a good time to get your priorities straight, so you can make the most of this moon cycle. It’s best to take a few minutes to assess your current feelings about your relationships, health and overall wellbeing.
When you’re evaluating your feelings, don’t forget to pay attention to the positives as well. It’s easy to forget the many, many wonderful people in your life and focus on only those who are causing you to feel overwhelmed, angry or sad.
If you do this, you’ll see that a lot of your challenges are actually quite small, and that your problems are not nearly as bad as they seem. Often, your difficulties are simply because you’re holding onto something that no longer serves you or is in alignment with your true self.
So when you’re taking a hard look at your relationships, your job or your spiritual practice during this full moon, it’s important to recognize that there are some things you need to leave behind. It’s not only good to let go of the things that are no longer working for you, but it’s also a great time to celebrate those things that have been a part of your life and helped you along the way.
This full moon is also a good time to look at what you’ve done in the past lunar cycle and evaluate the progress that you’ve made. While it’s tempting to start a new project during this time, resist the urge and instead celebrate what you’ve already achieved.
The next full moon in Leo will occur on February 5. This moon is known as the Harvest Moon, as it marks the time of year when farmers are harvesting their crops. It’s also the moon that corresponds to the Anishinaabe new year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Last Quarter
The last quarter phase of the moon is a time of release, letting go and forgiveness. It is a perfect time to take stock of your life and let go of anything that is no longer serving you.
This is also a great time to look at your relationships, if you are having trouble in any of them. This is the best time to cut loose with the toxic people in your life and make a clean break.
If you’re looking for a great way to connect with yourself, this is the right time to do a meditation using the zodiac sign of the current moon. This can help you to harness and release the energy of the last quarter, and make your next new moon even better!
In addition to a meditation, you can try some yoga, or maybe just a walk in nature. You can find the best times to observe the moon phases in your area, using our handy calendar.
A last quarter phase is typically associated with ‘letting go’, so this is a good time to release things that are no longer serving you and make a clean break from toxic relationships. It is a great time to do some soul searching, tarot readings or other forms of divination to get some clarity on what you should cut from your life.
It is also a time to reflect on the past month and what you want to create in the next. This is a great time to journal, meditate and take stock of your life.
The Moon cycles through eight phases, which astronomers divide into three primary and four secondary stages. The astrological meanings for each of these are explained below, along with how they affect you as a person.
The Moon is essentially fully illuminated during the New Moon, First Quarter and Full Moon stages, but during these periods only a fraction of its disk is visible to us, as seen from Earth. This is reflected in the percentage illumination listed under the Moon symbol in the Moon Phase Calendar.