The Moon is a celestial body that orbits Earth. Each month, the Moon goes through a series of phases in its journey around the planet.
These phases vary in length, depending on the time it takes the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth and return to the same position relative to the Sun and Earth. This cycle of phases is called a synodic month, and it averages 29.5 days long.
New Moon
Once a month, the Moon goes through a cycle of phases that changes our view of it based on its position in relation to Earth and the sun.
The first of these four phases is the new moon, and it’s essentially a dark crescent in the sky.
As the Moon moves through its cycle each month, it gradually transitions from one phase to the next. It goes from totally dark to a waxing crescent, then a full Moon and finally to a waning crescent.
First Quarter Moon
The first quarter moon is the halfway point between the new moon and the full moon. During this time, exactly half of the Moon is illuminated and the other half is completely in shadow.
Spiritually, this is a time to re-evaluate your goals and intentions. This is also the time to take stock of how far you’ve come and make sure that you are moving in the right direction for the future.
Full Moon
The full moon phase occurs when the Sun and the Moon are aligned on opposite sides of Earth. This means that 100% of the illuminated face of the Moon is visible from Earth.
People have been fascinated by the Moon for millennia, and its phases have influenced many cultures through myths, legends and religions.
Some people have been wondering if the moon affects human behavior and health conditions. While no studies have been able to link these correlations, some researchers believe that the full moon may impact sleep patterns.
Waxing Crescent
The waxing crescent phase is the time right after the new moon when the right side of the moon appears brighter. This occurs because the sun moves behind the moon, making it appear like a crescent.
This phase is a good time to take a closer look at your goals and intentions for the month. You might find that you’re feeling ready to make some changes and try new things.
Waxing Gibbous
The waxing gibbous phase is part way between a first quarter moon and a full moon. It gets its name from the word “gibbous” which means hump-backed in Middle English.
This is a good time to think about the last few steps you need to take to reach your goals. This is not a time to give up, but a time to work hard and finish what you’ve started.
The waxing gibbous moon phase is also a great time to consider what’s working and what needs changing in your life. Whether it’s your career or your relationships, there is a lot to be gained from this final push.
Waxing Half Moon
The moon phase now is a time for adjustment, redirection, and flexibility. It’s also a great time to reflect and get your creative juices flowing.
The waxing half moon phase begins a few days after the first quarter moon and ends on the day of the Full Moon. This is when the terminator — the line between the illuminated and dark parts of the moon — passes over a mountain range called Montes Jura.
This transition between the crescent and gibbous phases is a beautiful sight to behold. When the crescent phase fades away, the waxing half moon reaches its maximum brightness.
Waxing Quarter
As the Moon orbits Earth, a portion of its surface is illuminated and changes shape over time. This phenomenon is called phase.
The first part of the Moon’s face that’s illuminated is called a crescent. The next part is a gibbous, and the last half of the Moon is called a quarter.
The waxing quarter moon phase is a good time to get clear on your intentions and start making them real. During this phase, you may be feeling more motivated to finish up projects and achieve your goals.
Waning Crescent
The Waxing Crescent phase is the last of the eight phases in the moon cycle. It is a time of reflection and release.
A spiritually significant moment in the lunar cycle, this phase is a time to look back and celebrate how far you’ve come. It’s also a time to take stock of what’s worked and what’s not in your life, and create space for new manifestations.
During this phase, you may be feeling tired and need to rest. This is the perfect time to give yourself some extra attention and self care.