The Moon Phases

The Moon is not a Planet but rather a natural satellite orbiting Earth. It is an illuminary in astrology, serving as an amplifier to the characteristics of any Planet with which it appears within a Zodiac Sign. The Moon is a reflection of our emotions.

The Moon has no natural light. It is the reflection of the Sun’s light that appears to us in the night sky. It takes the Moon 28-29 days to orbit the Earth, while in turn the Earth takes 365 days to orbit the Sun. The Moon, the Earth, and the Sun are in constant motion, causing the Moon to appear to us in different configurations that we call “the Phases of the Moon”.

There are eight Phases of the Moon that include:

• New Moon—the “invisible” phase; illuminated side faces Sun while night side faces Earth, giving the illusion of invisibility

• Waxing Crescent—illuminated side faces mostly away from Earth’s view; crescent grows daily as Moon’s orbit carries the day side more into visibility

• First Quarter—has completed first quarter of monthly orbit around Earth; one-half of illuminated side is visible to Earth

• Waxing Gibbous—most of the day side is visible as illuminated portion forms more convex (reverse crescent) shape; appears more brightly in sky

• Full Moon—entire day side in full view from Earth; positioned on opposite side of Earth from Sun; remains for a few days before beginning to shift into next phase

• Waning Gibbous—beginning of journey back to Sun; illuminated portion appears to shrink as the Moon’s orbit carries it out of view on Earth

• Third Quarter (also, Last Quarter)—has completed three-quarters of monthly orbit around the Earth; one-half of illuminated side is visible to Earth (opposite side is now illuminated as was seen during First Quarter phase)

• Waning Crescent—the Moon’s orbit has now almost completed a full cycle around the Earth; day side begins to completely face the Sun again; illuminated crescent shape is now appearing on opposite side of Moon as was seen during the Waxing Crescent

Because the Moon’s orbit around Earth is so quick, the energies of the Moon are changing daily. The Phases of the Moon can be used to set affirmations and intentions to best possible outcome for an individual.