The phases of the moon are caused by the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
The Moon goes around the Earth about 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes.
The Sun always illuminates the half of the Moon facing the Sun (except during lunar Eclipses, when the Moon passes thru the Earth's shadow). When the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, the Moon appears "full" to us, a bright, round disk. When the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, it appears dark, The Dark Moon. (Which is more commonly known as the New Moon) In between, the Moon's illuminated surface appears to grow (wax) to full, then decreases (Wanes) to the next Dark/New Moon. The edge of the shadow (the terminator) is always curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon its familiar Crescent shape. Because the "horns" of the Moon at the ends of the Crescent are always facing away from the setting or rising sun, they always point upward in the sky. It is fun to watch for paintings and pictures which show an "impossible Moon" with the horns pointed downwards. From any location on the Earth, the Moon appears to be a circular disk which, at any specific time, is illuminated to some degree by direct sunlight. Like the Earth, the Moon is a sphere which is always half illuminated by the Sun, but as the Moon orbits the Earth we get to see more or less of the illuminated half. During each lunar orbit (a lunar month), we see the Moon's appearance change from not visibly illuminated through partially illuminated to fully illuminated, then back through partially illuminated to not illuminated again. Although this cycle is a continuous process, there are eight distinct, traditionally recognized stages, called phases. The phases designate both the degree to which the Moon is illuminated and the geometric appearance of the illuminated part. Because the cycle of the phases is shorter than most calendar months, the phase of the Moon at the very beginning of the month usually repeats at the very end of the month. When there are two Full Moons in a month (which occurs, on average, every 2.7 years), the second one is called a "Blue Moon".
The first time that the thin waxing crescent Moon is visible after the 3 days of the Dark Moon is what I consider the New Moon hanging low in the evening sky just after sunset. Although Full Moon occurs each month at a specific date and time, the Moon's disk may appear to be full for several nights in a row if it is clear. This is because the percentage of the Moon's disk that appears illuminated changes very slowly around the time of Full Moon (also around New Moon, but the Moon is not visible at all then). The Moon may appear 100% illuminated only on the night closest to the time of exact Full Moon, but on the night before and night after will appear 97-99% illuminated; most people would not notice the difference. Even two days from Full Moon the Moon's disk is 93-97% illuminated. New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter phases are considered to be primary phases and their dates and times are published in almanacs and on calendars. (Click here for a list.) The two crescent and two gibbous phases are intermediate phases, each of which lasts for about a week between the primary phases, during which time the exact fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated gradually changes. The phases of the Moon are related to (actually, caused by) the relative positions of the Moon and Sun in the sky. For example, New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are quite close together in the sky.
Full Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are at nearly opposite positions in the sky - which is why a Full Moon rises about the time of sunset, and sets about the time of sunrise, for most places on Earth. First and Last Quarters occur when the Sun and Moon are about 90 degrees apart in the sky. In fact, the two "half Moon" phases are called First Quarter and Last Quarter because they occur when the Moon is, respectively, one- and three-quarters of the way around the sky (i.e., along its orbit) from New Moon. The relationship of the Moon's phase to its angular distance in the sky from the Sun allows us to establish very exact definitions of when the primary phases occur, independent of how they appear. Technically, the phases New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter are defined to occur when the excess of the apparent ecliptic (celestial) longitude of the Moon over that of the Sun is 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively. These definitions are used when the dates and times of the phases are computed for almanacs, calendars, etc. Because the difference between the ecliptic longitudes of the Moon and Sun is a monotonically and rapidly increasing quantity, the dates and times of the phases of the Moon computed this way are instantaneous and well defined. The percent of the Moon's surface illuminated is a more refined, quantitative description of the Moon's appearance than is the phase. Considering the Moon as a circular disk, the ratio of the area illuminated by direct sunlight to its total area is the fraction of the Moon's surface illuminated; multiplied by 100, it is the percent illuminated. At New Moon the percent illuminated is 0; at First and Last Quarters it is 50%; and at Full Moon it is 100%. During the crescent phases the percent illuminated is between 0 and 50% and during gibbous phases it is between 50% and 100%. The phases of the Moon, in the sequence of their occurrence (starting from New Moon), are listed below.
New/Dark Moon
Waxing Cresent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibous
Full Moon
Waning Gibous
Last Quarter
Waning Cresent
Moon Phases Magickal Meanings
New Moon phase
(“waxing” Moon increases in light until the Full Moon, the thin Cresent that appears right after the Dark Moon):
Key word is “Beginning”
Be new, allow the new you, new idea, new project, etc., to become firmly grounded and take root in “the fertile womb of all possibilities”. This phase is driven by vital instinct.
Crescent Moon phase
(waxing crescent):
Key word is “Growing”
The new you, idea, project, etc., emerges. The first fresh young shoots pop out of the soil to be nurtured with light (spirit), air (clear, freely flowing intelligence) and water (feeling, passion). This phase is driven by commitment and perseverance to continue the growth and development of the original intent.
First Quarter Moon phase:
(waxing)
Key word is “Action”
The new you, idea, project, etc., is developing a structure and form, it’s taking shape (stems and young leaves are growing), becoming more “real”. Challenges and crises arise which are a perfectly natural part of the process of birthing something new. Challenge and crisis are “the tension that produces growth”. The phase is driven by decisiveness, determination and courage to not be deterred by people, situations, circumstances and things (both in the inner and outer world) that might impede continued growth and development.
Gibbous Moon phase
(waxing Gibbous):
Key word is “Assessment”
The flower is flowering and a developing a distinct character. In this phase, step back, take an objective look at one’s progress and reassess, reevaluate, regroup, refine. This phase is driven by galvanizing all energies toward perfection.
Full Moon phase
(waning Moon decreases in light until the New Moon):
Key word is “Culmination”
The potential for the flower (idea, project, etc.) can be clearly seen now. Either it has been well tended and is healthy, ready to continue toward maturity, to spiral upward and outward to new levels of attainment, or it is not strong and must be strengthened quickly or allowed to die and be born anew in right timing. This phase is driven by clear-sight and honesty.
Disseminating Moon phase
(waning Gibbous):
Key word is “Co-operation”
Whether the flower (idea, project, etc.) is ripening and flourishing or withering, there is meaning to be derived and communicated to others regarding one’s efforts and experience. Accept the experience! Whether it feels like “victory” or “defeat”, treat those two imposters just the same, see and grasp the value of the experience and grow and evolve as a result. Humans have only one way of learning . . . we get it wrong over and over and over until we get it right! This phase is driven by communication, sharing.
Last Quarter Moon phase:
(waning)
Key word is “Contemplation”
Whether the flower (idea, project, etc.) is spreading and pollinating, or dying, this is the time for deep inner reflection and self-assessment. What worked, what didn’t, what does the future hold? What can be learned, what was awakened in your inner being, what new levels of self-awareness have been attained? This phase is driven by dedication, purpose and intent to continue shining brightly or strive to grasp that silver lining (“the moral of the story is . . .”).
Balsamic Moon phase
(waning Crescent):
Key word is “Immersion”
In this phase we are again immersed in the dark of the Moon that occurs in the 2 ˝ days prior to the next New Moon. We have returned to “the fertile womb of all possibilities”. It is a rebirth. Over the next two-and-a-half to three days we experience the end of the present 29 ˝ day Moon cycle, then the next New Moon occurs and the cycle begins again. Go within and feel your way. Discern how you will continue to spiral and expand the intentions/ideas/projects you set in motion on the prior New Moon, and/or launch new ones. Let go of what’s useless and unnecessary, powerfully engage what is working well, source and grasp your current desires and plant the seeds of intention for the coming New Moon. This phase is driven by instinct and inner vision.
