Moon Phases

In astrology, Moon Phases are an advanced natal chart topic.

This post lists the eight lunar phases and provides some keywords for each phase.

Moon Phases Podcast Episode

You can listen to our Moon Phases podcast episode by clicking below.

Your Astrology Journal

I love making my astrology journal and creating interesting pages that are zodiac themed. At the moment I’m using a Leuchtturm1917 journal. I chose the one with a yellow cover as I like that.

Moon Phase Keywords Page

On this page, I’ve listed the eight Moon phases.

The lunar phases in order are:

• New Moon
• Crescent
• First Quarter
• Gibbous
• Full Moon
• Disseminating
• Last Quarter
• Balsamic

I’ve drawn how each phase appears like when you look up at the Moon. At the New Moon, the Moon is all dark and you cannot see the Moon. At the Full Moon the whole of the Moon is illuminated, and you can see it clearly in the night sky.

Moon Phase Keywords[/caption]

The Lunar Cycle

The Sun and Moon’s Synodic Cycle

The Moon takes one month to orbit the Earth.

The Moon phase cycle, known as the synodic cycle, starts at New Moon when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct.

This happens once every month.

At New Moon, we cannot see the Moon as it is close to the Sun

The Moon starts to grow in light every day in the waxing part of the cycle.

Around day fourteen it reaches the Full Moon when we can see the most light from the Moon.

It begins the waning part of the cycle reducing in light back to the New Moon.

The Light and Dark of the Moon

The Moon is mainly dark for half of the month and mainly light for half of the month.

The darker half is during the last quarter, balsamic, new moon and crescent phases.

The light half is the first quarter, gibbous, full moon and disseminating phases.

This light/dark difference is symbolic and has much to say about the meaning of the Moon and its phases.

Lunar Phases in the Chart

The lunar phases are based on the angular relationship between the Sun and the Moon.

If the luminaries are in aspect to each other, the aspect between them must be considered highly in the chart interpretation.

Moon Timing

The synodic cycle is around twenty-nine and a half days.

The Moon is in each phase for around three and a half days.

The Moon is in each sign around two and a half days.

Planetary Phases

The planets also have phases shown by their relationship to the Sun and particularly the inferior planets Mercury and Venus.

Eight Lunar Phases

There are eight lunar phases, four in the waxing period and four in the waning period.

Even if the Moon is not in aspect to the Sun, it will be in the phase shown below.

Lunar Phase Table

There are no orbs with the lunar phase. Each phase begins at the exact aspect and runs through until the next aspect. Lunar phases are closely related to the aspects between the Moon and the Sun.

Moon Phases and the Growth Cycle

The cycle of the Moon can be symbolically correlated to a plant’s life-cycle.

It can also be related to the yearly solar cycle and the seasons.

This correlation shows the driving essence of each lunar phase which is expressed through individual charts.

New Moon Phase: Germination

The seed is in the dark, underground and germinates. It is a delicate time, and it can be touch and go if the seed and plant will survive. It is the beginning.

Winter Solstice – December 21st.

Crescent Phase: First Leaf

The fresh sprout breaks through the soil into the light and the first leaves form. During this time the little seedling grows and strengthens.

Imbolc – February 1st.

First Quarter Phase: Roots and Growth

Stronger roots appear to stabilize the plant. Fast growth happens as the plant strives to reach full potential. Bigger leaves form and branches thicken.

The Vernal Equinox around March 21st and the start of spring in the northern hemisphere.

Gibbous Phase: Buds and Blossom

The plant starts to bloom as buds and blossom form showing potential. The plant is now established, and you can see what it will become.

This time relates to Beltane around May 1st when the Sun is at 15 degrees Taurus.

Full Moon Phase: Flowers and Fruit

The flower becomes the fruit. The plant puts forth its full sweet bounty. The fruits of its efforts are available for all to see. The fruit ripens.

The summer solstice is around June 21st and signals the start of summer in the northern hemisphere.

Disseminating Phase: The Harvest

This is the harvest phase where fruits are harvested. It is the culmination of the plant as it gives up its bounty to others.

This relates to Lammas around August 1st and when the Sun is at 15 degrees Leo.

Third Quarter: Decomposition

Now the planet begins to decompose and withers. The leaves fall, and the remaining flowers make seed pods for next year. Seed pods explode as the plant casts forth its life potential for the next cycle.

This is known as the fall or autumn equinox around September 21st and signals the start of Autumn in the northern hemisphere.

Balsamic Phase: Rest and Lying Fallow

Seeds become buried in the dark and bulbs stay hidden underground. The plants rest. Nothing is happening as the ground lies fallow. The wait.

This relates to Halloween on October 31st and when the Sun is at fifteen degrees Scorpio.

Four Waxing Moon Phases

In the waxing half of the Moon’s cycle, the four phases are new moon, crescent, first quarter and gibbous. During the waxing half of the month, the light of the Moon is growing.

New Moon

Instinct

You see life through your own eyes, and not the eyes of others.

Subjective

You are subjective and struggle to see another person’s point of view.

Starts Projects

You enjoy beginning new projects. You are good at starting jobs but not so good at finishing them. You have lots of energy and are independent.

Emergence

You have the potential to emerge and do good things. At this stage, we don’t know.

Self-involved

You are mainly concerned with your life and your issues.

Crescent

Forward

You feel compelled to move forward in your life. You can do this when you have a strong foundation underneath from which to launch.

Self-belief

You have an opportunity to grow in your belief in yourself. As your life unfolds and expands, you will become more comfortable with the feelings you have about your future path.

Eager Confidence

You will probably face the future eagerly. In time you possibly will develop inner confidence.

First Quarter

Forceful

You perhaps have the forcefulness of youth, and there will likely be much subjective activity throughout your life. You prefer to lay a good base for your future and will take action to make this so.

Growth and Building

You are likely to construct your own plans to suit yourself. Your life is expected to be filled with lots of personal growth and experiences with which you can build a firmer foundation for your personal future.

Strong-willed

You are usually strong-willed, and some may even say ruthless.

Crisis in Action

You have controlled energy expenditure which comes in bursts, and much can be done.

Gibbous

Contribute

You generally have a desire to contribute something of value to society. You probably understand broad concepts and may have an impulse to clarify and work towards your personal goals or for a cause.

Overcome

You are an individual who can overcome obstacles. You have a youthful approach to life.

Perfection

There is effort spent to get better at what you do.

Four Waning Moon Phases

The four phases in the waning half of the Moon’s cycle are full moon, disseminating, last quarter and balsamic. During the waning half of the lunar cycle, the light of the Moon is diminishing.

Full Moon Phase

Clarity

You can see the other person’s point of view, and it is clear to you. You are very self-aware. You can discriminate between truth and lies.

Illumination

You can see the big picture and use broad strokes. It is all quite clear to you now.

Mature

You are supremely confident and have a mature outlook on life. You are realistic and accept things as they are.

Relationships

You can build fulfilling relationships confidently. You approach life through an adult’s eyes, and there are no illusions.

Disseminating Phase

Transmit information

You are likely to have the desire to transmit what you have learned through both study and your personal, worldly experiences. Probably you quickly disseminate ideas to pass on to others. It is as though you are on a crusade to share your learning.

Knowledge dispersal

Perhaps you wish to spread your wisdom and knowledge with other people as a disciple would. You can probably use demonstration as a tool to impart your grasp of situations.

Convey Awareness

It is vital for you to let others know what you know and share your beliefs with them. You wish to make contact.

Last Quarter Phase

Objective

This indicates that you are fundamentally objective and can pass on your experience and sow seed for the future.

Crisis in Consciousness

You may spend much time reorienting your outlook. You may have a crisis in consciousness and be able to change your beliefs into concrete thoughts. Old values become useless.

Pioneer

You perhaps can be a pioneer in your day, and, with time, posterity will appreciate you. You may be tiresome and stubborn.

Readjustment and Reorientation

You may feel it has all come to naught and that it was not worth the bother. A transformation emerges as you process life’s cycles.

Balsamic Phase

Release

You can become released from issues. You are likely to be visionary and have a confident belief in the future.

Sacrifice and Surrender

You may be called upon to sacrifice something in your life as a martyr perhaps. You need to surrender to the karmic cycle of life.

Closure

You are good with the closure of both relationships and situations but will mourn for what has past.

Moon Podcast Episodes

Below are some of our popular Moon related podcast episodes.

Moon Extras

• The Moon your Mother and food.
• Creating Good Habits with the Moon
• New Moon Wishing

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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