If you look at a calendar, you will see that there are a total of eight phases in one month. These are new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter, waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning crescent, and waning gibbous.
The Moon’s phases are based on its orbit around Earth and its luminosity. These two factors allow us to establish precise definitions of when each principal phase occurs, independent of how it appears.
New Moon
The New Moon phase occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned. This is a special moment in time that only happens once in every 29.5 days (when the cycle of phases repeats).
When we see the illuminated part of the moon, it looks different because of its position in relation to Earth and the Sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, the left and right sides of the moon appear to wax or wane.
There are eight phases of the Moon in a lunar month, and each completes its own cycle. Four primary and four intermediate phases make up this cycle.
New Moon, First Quarter and Full Moon are considered major (or principal) lunar phases. The next three are called intermediate (or minor) lunar phases.
A Full Moon is the brightest and most prominent phase of the Moon, while a New Moon is the darkest and least apparent. Throughout the month, each phase changes our view of the Moon based on its position in relationship to Earth and the Sun.
There are four primary and four intermediate phases in a lunar month, and the entire cycle of moon phases repeats once every 29.5 days. Occasionally, the Moon orbits Earth at an angle that brings it between the Sun and the Earth during a New Moon, causing a solar eclipse or, in rare cases, a total solar eclipse.
First Quarter
The First Quarter phase occurs halfway between a new moon and full moon. It rises around noon and sets at midnight. This is also known as the half-moon because it looks like half of the moon is illuminated from Earth.
It is the third phase of each lunar cycle (each month), and it typically lasts three nights. In the Northern Hemisphere, this phase is a little bit less bright than the Full Moon, but it still appears very bright from our point of view.
During the first half of this phase, the right side of the moon is illuminated. During the second half, the left side of the moon is illuminated.
This is a good time to make plans, take action, and break free from old patterns of thought and feeling. You can start by doing things that get you moving, such as dance or exercise.
It is also a good time to clear away any obstacles that are holding you back from taking the action necessary for your new cycle. You may need to clear away emotional sensitivity, insecurities, or feelings of being misunderstood. Then you can focus on creating your vision for the new cycle.
Full Moon
The Full Moon is the most prominent Moon phase, and occurs once a month, when all of the Moon’s surface is illuminated by the Sun. It is also the phase when we can see the Earth’s shadow on the Moon, and the time when a lunar eclipse happens (see below).
A full moon can be a powerful energy for you, especially if you are preparing for a big project or goal. You can use this energy to create intentions that will support you throughout your journey.
Some people have a harder time sleeping during a full moon because it can feel more restless, but this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get the sleep you need. Research suggests that a full moon may actually be associated with increased REM (rapid eye movement) latency, which means you will likely have to spend more time getting to the deepest part of your sleep.
Although a full moon can be a powerful energy for us, it’s important to note that the Moon only cycles through its phases once every 29.53 days, so the full moon doesn’t repeat itself each month. Moreover, our calendar is not perfectly synchronized with astronomical events, so from time to time we may have more than one full Moon in a month.
Last Quarter
The Moon completes a cycle of phases once every 29.5 days. These phases are called lunations, and they include the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter.
Each phase is a specific degree of illumination and geometric appearance on the Moon’s surface. The phase changes as the Moon orbits Earth and the Sun, so it becomes a different shape in each of these cycles.
During a first quarter phase, the Moon is 90 degrees east of the Sun when it is viewed from Earth. The Last Quarter phase is halfway between a New Moon and a Full Moon.
It’s a good time to reflect on what has been happening, and to begin to plan for the future. Using meditation to delve into the depths of your soul can be beneficial during this time.
The Last Quarter Moon is the last of the primary lunar phases. It is also known as the Third Quarter Moon or Half Moon. It is a waning crescent phase, meaning that the part of the Moon’s surface that is illuminated is thinning.
Waxing Crescent
The Moon’s phases (the amount of light reflected by the Moon from the Sun) determine how much of the sky is illuminated. The phases are also a product of the way the Moon orbits Earth.
New Moon is essentially 0 percent illuminated, First Quarter is essentially 50 percent illuminated, Full Moon is 100 percent illuminated, and Last Quarter is back to essentially 50 percent illuminated. This is because the Sun and Moon are at a right angle to each other on opposite sides of Earth in space.
In Wicca tradition, the Waxing Crescent phase is a time for bringing new things into your life and for getting rid of old ones. This phase also suggests that you are about to take some important steps in your journey.
Waxing Gibbous
The moon orbits around the Earth every 29 days, providing the basis for our calendar months (even the word “month” is drawn from the moon). Its phases can help predict weather, tides, plant growth and spiritual energies.
There are four major moon phases: New, Full, First Quarter and Last Quarter. There are also four intermediate phases: Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent.
In a waxing crescent phase, half of the Moon’s surface is illuminated. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the left side and in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the right side.
When the crescent is fully illuminated, it’s called a Full Moon. And when the moon is completely dark, it’s called a New Moon.
The Waxing Gibbous phase is one of the intermediate phases between the First Quarter and the Full Moon. The moon is still illuminated by the Sun, but the amount of light is gradually decreasing.
This is one of the most important lunar phases because it symbolizes bringing all your hard work to fruition. It’s a time to take stock of what you have accomplished and what remains undone. The moon’s balance of light and shadow reflects the obstacles you may encounter as you bring your intentions to fruition.
Waning Crescent
The Moon orbits Earth at an elliptical angle, which causes its phase to change slightly each month. Astronomers have broken this cycle into four primary and four secondary phases.
The first phase is the New Moon, and this occurs when all of the Moon’s surface is illuminated from our view on Earth. It also happens to have one of the largest effects on the ocean’s tides.
In the next phase, called the First Quarter, only half of the Moon’s surface is lit up. This is when the Moon has traveled 3/4 of the way through its orbit around the Earth, and has only one more revolution to complete.
During this phase, the left side of the Moon is illuminated in the Northern Hemisphere, and the right side in the Southern Hemisphere. The line dividing the illuminated and dark parts is called the terminator.
The Waning Crescent phase starts after the Full Moon and is the last Moon phase before the New Moon. Its energy is considered low, so it’s a good time to reflect on your life and look at habits, negative thoughts, and stresses that may be holding you back.