The phases of the Moon
The Moon's shape seems to change through the month as we see more or less of its sunlit side. Here are the eight phases, why they happen, and what they traditionally mean in astrology.
The full deep dive
Why the Moon changes shape
The Moon has no light of its own: it reflects the Sun. Half of it is always lit, but as it orbits the Earth we see different amounts of that lit half. From one new Moon to the next takes about 29½ days, a lunar month.
The eight phases
| Phase | What you see | Traditional meaning |
|---|---|---|
| New Moon | nothing, or a faint dark disc | new beginnings, setting intentions |
| Waxing crescent | a thin curve, growing | hope, first steps |
| First quarter | half lit, growing | action, decisions, overcoming obstacles |
| Waxing gibbous | more than half, growing | refining, patience, nearly there |
| Full Moon | a full bright circle | culmination, celebration, release |
| Waning gibbous | more than half, shrinking | gratitude, sharing what you learned |
| Last quarter | half lit, shrinking | letting go, clearing out |
| Waning crescent | a thin curve, shrinking | rest, reflection, getting ready |
“Waxing” means growing and “waning” means shrinking. In the northern hemisphere a waxing Moon is lit on the right; in the southern hemisphere, on the left.
Your birth phase
The phase the Moon was in when you were born is part of your chart. Some astrologers see people born near a new Moon as instinctive and forward-looking, and those born near a full Moon as aware of others and good at seeing both sides.
Moon phases and the Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar follows the Moon: each month starts at a new Moon, and Lunar New Year falls on the new Moon between 21 January and 20 February. The Mid-Autumn Festival is held at the full Moon of the eighth lunar month.