The moon changes its appearance each month based on its position in relation to the Sun and Earth.
Throughout the cycle the Moon goes from being a complete shadow to fully illuminated. This is called a phase.
Today the Moon is in a Waning Crescent phase. This phase is best viewed just before sunrise in the western sky.
Waxing Crescent
If you’re ready to take on the challenges that are brewing right now, then the upcoming waxing crescent moon is the phase for you! Whether you’re tackling a pile of home improvement projects, starting a conversation with your boss, or finally adopting, this is the time to make your dreams a reality.
A small sliver of the moon is visible during this phase, allowing us to see Earthshine, which occurs when the dark part of the Moon becomes illuminated by the Sun. This phenomenon has a unique spiritual meaning and can be incredibly healing, too!
The phases of the moon offer a great way to deepen your spiritual practice. They also help you connect with nature and the cycles she teaches us about.
Waxing Gibbous
The Waxing Gibbous Moon is an intermediate phase between a First Quarter Moon and a Full Moon. It is a very bright moon that shines from sunset through the night until it sets just before sunrise.
The waxing process is when the portion of the Moon’s surface that’s illuminated by the Sun gradually grows fatter. It’s also known as a “waxing crescent” or “sprinkling moon.”
In the Northern Hemisphere, the left side of the moon is lit up during the waxing phases, while the right side of the moon is in darkness. The same percentage of the Moon’s surface is illuminated during a Waxing Gibbous Moon as during a New Moon.
The Waxing Gibbous Moon is a time to take stock of what you want out of life, make the necessary changes, and begin a new chapter. This is a very powerful lunar phase and you’re likely to feel inspired, creative, and energized.
New Moon
The moon appears as different shapes in the sky depending on its ‘phase’, from new Moon to full Moon via ‘waxing’ (growing) and ‘waning’ (shrinking) moons. These phases are determined by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon in the orbital cycle that they travel around Earth every month.
The moon’s orbit is tilted with respect to Earth’s. This means that the moon doesn’t pass directly between Earth and the sun during a new moon, which is why we don’t see a total solar eclipse at this time of the month. Instead, the full moon phase is when the Moon’s orbit brings it right between the Earth and the Sun, causing a partial or complete solar eclipse.
Full Moon
The moon phase tomorrow will be the full Moon, which occurs when the Moon is lined up exactly with Earth’s orbit. When this happens, the full Moon is called a supermoon, because it is at its closest point to the Earth for this orbit.
As a result, it looks brighter than usual. This full Moon is also the Snow Moon, since it falls on a Winter Solstice night.
What’s more, this Moon is the smallest full moon of 2023. That means it’s in a far part of its orbit, so it will appear smaller to you than normal.
Use the time around the full Moon to rest and reflect. You can even draw a healing bath and gather your favorite salts, crystals, and candles to connect with lunar energy. It’s a good time to set intentions and make them come true!
In an era where it’s easy to lose our connection to nature, the spiritual meaning of the moon phases can help us reconnect to the rhythms and cycles that we often forget in a fast-paced world.
This is especially true with the last quarter moon phase. It is a time when we can see the progress we’ve made so far, but there’s still work to be done.
New Moon
The new moon phase occurs when the moon is most nearly between the Earth and the Sun for any given month. This means the side of the moon that’s not facing the Earth is lit up, showing us its dark side.
This first lunar phase of the 29.5-day cycle pushes us to dream big and start new projects, relationships, and ways of living. It’s a time to reevaluate your goals and set realistic daily actions toward them.
Waxing gibbous: This waxing moon phase energizes you as it progresses toward fullness. This is a magnetic time for building energy, nurturing dreams, overcoming hurdles, and potential breakthroughs.
This phase also calls for a bit of thoughtful appreciation as the light begins to dim. Take the time to slow down and soak up the darkness, giving yourself extra time for meditation or a mindful walk in nature. It’s a great time to reclaim your innate wisdom and listen to your intuition as you seek answers to questions that have been nagging at you for some time now.
First Quarter Moon
The first quarter moon phase occurs when the Moon is one-quarter of the way through its lunar cycle. It is visible up high in the sky, usually in the early evening, for about a week before becoming waxing gibbous and then full.
It is called the first quarter moon because only half of the Moon’s surface is illuminated. This is because the Moon’s orbit is inclining toward the Earth so it passes close to the Sun from our perspective.
This means that the first quarter moon is a time when obstacles rise up in your life and decisions need to be made. This is not a time to delay but a time to remove those obstacles and move forward.
Full Moon
The full moon phase occurs once a month, illuminating the Moon from Earth’s perspective. This occurs when the ecliptic longitudes of the Sun and the Moon differ by 180 degrees, allowing Earth to see the entire surface of the Moon.
While the full moon phase is a time for celebration, it can also be a time for releasing energy. Taking the time to cleanse your space, body and mind; and letting go of anything that no longer aligns with your personal brand is an excellent way to harness the lunar power.
This month’s full moon falls in Libra, a lovely air sign with a romantic vibe. This may mean that you’re feeling tempted to jump on a new love affair, or to start a new creative project–though it could also be a good opportunity to take a break from any new ventures for a couple of weeks.
Last Quarter Moon
The last quarter moon phase (sometimes called the third quarter moon) occurs when the Moon reaches the last, or third, quarter of its orbit around Earth. This is also the last major phase of the lunar cycle, after new and full moon.
This is an important time of transition, because it shows you what’s working and what’s not. This can be a good time to assess what’s holding you back and cut it out from your life, if need be.
It’s also a great time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished during this cycle and see where you want to go next. It’s a time of self-reflection and forgiveness.
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