How to Use the Moon's Eight Phases to Guide Your Daily Decision-Making
When it comes to astrology, the sun gets a lot of love, but the moon has more control over our lives than we often realize. Every 29.5 days, the moon completes a full cycle. Each phase, from new moon to Full Moon, represents a different point in the moon’s orbit around the earth.
Whether we’re aware of all those waxing and waning crescents or not, the moon’s monthly journey affects our personalities, our outlooks, and our lives. By becoming aware of the moon’s four main phases and four intermediate stages, we can awaken a new understanding of ourselves and its power.
In astrology, the moon governs the realm of subconscious (and at times conscious) emotions—the part of ourselves which we often can't express, but feel on a deep and soulful level. Your moon sign, or the sign and placement the moon was in when you were born, dictates what your inner self needs. But the changing face of the moon in the cosmos affects you on a regular, more tangible basis, too.
Why does the moon exert such a strong influence? Think of it like this: The moon controls the tides of the ocean, and we are made of 60% water. We can feel its tugs and movement in everyday life.
As a result, moon mapping—or the process of deliberately acting in accordance with the moon cycle—can guide our daily decision-making. Each lunar phase is thought to give off a different energy, and we can harness that energy through daily life. Representing beginnings and ends, new moon energy is way different than Full Moon energy.
Since the moon encourages us to look inward, moon-mapping is especially important for inner work. Harness the moon’s power by setting intentions, or guiding goals and principles, during each lunar cycle. During the new moon, write a list of what you want to attract—and during the Full Moon, what you want to let go. Lunar journals, which provide reflective prompts timed to phase, are especially helpful.
Using the moon’s energetic shifts as a blueprint for planning our goals will help us manifest our best lives. After all, whether we’re aware of it or not, we’re all lunatics (which originally meant lovers of the moon) deep down.
Read on for a breakdown of the astrological meaning of the eight phases of the moon and how they affect us. To make your own moon map, check out the moon calendar to find out when the lunar phases are slated to occur.
New Moon (also called the Dark Moon)
What is it? The New Moon is the first lunar phase of the moon—and the easiest to miss. During this phase, the moon comes between the sun and earth and appears to disappear. That’s because the moon’s shadow side faces the earth, rendering the moon invisible.
How do I harness its energy? The New Moon is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Each New Moon, you might want to take the time to set a few personal intentions about what you want to manifest and bring to reality during the upcoming month-long cycle. A few examples? Making more money, starting a new relationship (or improving an old one), or bringing a gust of energy into work matters. Now’s the time to visualize what we want to achieve, whether in the pages of a diary or a vision board. Or, jot down findings in your lunar journal.
Waxing Crescent Moon
What is it? The Waxing Crescent Moon occurs right after the New Moon. During this phase, the moon appears as a sliver of a crescent.
How do I harness its energy? Now that we’ve decided on what we want to manifest and add to our lives under the New Moon, it’s time to work toward those intentions. The Waxing Crescent Moon offers a boost of hope and positivity as we embark on our goals for the cycle. Embrace the dreams you imagined for yourself. During the Waxing Crescent Moon, meditate on your desires.
First Quarter Moon
What is it? During the First Quarter Moon, the half of the moon lights up. In the Northern Hemisphere, the right half is bright, whereas the left half remains dark.
How do I harness its energy? With the First Quarter Moon, we’re able to take action in implementing our New Moon intentions. Translation? Now’s the time to make decisions. Use the phase’s momentum to overcome any resistance we may face along the way. We can add and change things that need tweaking with our New Moon intentions. The universe is allowing us to make edits according to our lifestyles and needs.
Waxing Gibbous Moon
What is it? This phase occurs two weeks after the New Moon. The Moon’s vibrant light is expanding and almost full.
How do I harness its energy? We can refine and clarify our ideas under this lunar phase. Assessing situations and discussing our feelings is a key focus now, as we are looking inwards and figuring out what we need to change up in our lives. Reciting positive daily affirmations will give us the confidence to evolve and transform during the Full Moon.
Full Moon
What is it? This luminary occurs when the earth finds itself between the sun and the moon. The moon is at its fullest here.
How do I harness its energy? Full Moons illuminate everything around us—even our intuition. The Full Moon’s glow allows us to see situations and relationships from a clearer perspective. Typically, Full Moons are a time of letting go and releasing. Now's your chance to quit habits, leave bad situations behind, and focus on healing. There are many rituals associated with the Full Moon, like charging crystals and taking a relaxing bath to unwind and be in flow with the universe. After all, we are honoring the Moon and all its glory now.
One final heads up: Interpersonal relationships can become more intense during this lunar phase. More so than not, relationships can evolve and grow if both parties are willing to leave past issues and squabbles behind. We can start anew under a Full Moon, if we’re willing to change.
Waning Gibbous Moon
What is it? Right after the Full Moon, the moon begins to dim its light.
How do I harness its energy? We’re over halfway through the moon cycle. How far have we come in the intentions we set during the New Moon? The Waning Gibbous Moon is a time to take stock—including revisiting those intentions and taking stocks. Expressing gratitude is essential now. Try writing a letter to the universe and owning your power.
Last Quarter Moon
What is it? Sometimes called the Third Quarter, half of the moon lights up during this lunar phase—the opposite of the First Quarter Moon.
How do I harness its energy? Think of this Last Quarter Moon as a lunar “spring cleaning.” Time to clean out that which no longer serves us, whether it be burdensome projects, toxic relationship dynamics, or even those sweaters we never wear. We’re coming to the realization that we have released in order to evolve. And yes, now’s the time to clean our houses, too. Give our mind a final cleanse through regular meditation. If you’re looking for justice, this is the time when karma will come full circle. Cord cutting on bad habits can have effective results if done during this lunar phase.
Waning Crescent Moon (also called the Balsamic Moon)
What is it? The moon is back to being a sliver, with only a crescent of the left side visible.
How do I harness its energy? This is the last lunar phase before a new cycle begins. Therefore, it’s a time when we need to be still and at peace. Instead of pushing ourselves to the limit, we should rest, focus, and reflect. Find peace before starting the new journey that’s coming our way in a few days.
Now that we’ve completed the whole lunar cycle, we can look back at the highs and lows of the past weeks to understand the lessons that the moon has brought to our attention. At the end of the moon cycle, take a crystal bath with flowers and Epsom salt. Get ready, because we’re about to start the lunar journey all over again.
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