Each phase of the Moon resonates with magical significance and astrological meaning.
These meanings spill out into world-wide folklore, sinister superstitions, and even gardening advice. Werewolves, in particular, are creatures of the Moon – transforming themselves by the light of the full Moon into deadly hunters which can only be killed by a silver bullet. Hairy, scary creatures aside….the Moon’s phases are used in witchcraft and magic to determine when to cast a certain kind of spell. New Moons are for beginnings, for example, while the waning Moon is believed to be a good time for banishing things, or clearing negative influences. In predictive astrology these phases reveal different themes in your life, and offer a guide to planning activities, projects, and even study. If you want to try tuning in to these phases you’ll need to observe the Moon every evening, cloud permitting, and check exact details of its phase in an almanac or moon calender.
Here are the phases and what they mean:
The New or Crescent Moon - Beginnings
It’s time to begin projects, new regimes, fresh starts. Some gardeners
maintain that this is the best time to plant seeds – you can easily
imagine that this is a symbol for many things.
The First Quarter Moon - Action
The Moon reaches her first quarter seven days after the New Moon. Take
your projects out there and do something practical about those
decisions or wishes you made when the Moon was new.
The Gibbous Moon – Movement
The Moon is now waxing larger as it moves from New towards Full. The
next seven days have a forward momentum. If you began something new,
like a diet, at the New Moon, you should be seeing some results by now.
Not the final results you imagined, but moving towards them.
The Full Moon – Harvest
The lunar energies peak now, fourteen days into the cycle. It is
harvest time, possibly for projects begun at a New Moon months
beforehand. Results in just two weeks are hard to find in most
endeavours……although we can always dream. Emotions may peak one way or
another too.
The Disseminating Moon – Thinking
The Moon begins to wane, and energies and thoughts turn inwards. This
is a good time to think about your projects or the direction you are
following. Use what you have learned and bide your time.
The Third Quarter Moon – Shuffling the deckIf you need to fine-tune things, now’s the time. It’s about seven days since the Full Moon. Work with what you have, and make it better. It’s not a good time to go after anything new, but a great time to polish up your skills and make things work out. Anything you don’t need, or which isn’t working can be recycled or thrown out now. Needless to say, this is a good time to clear out cupboards, weed your garden, or get a sassy new haircut.
The Balsamic Moon - ReleaseThe waning Moon has reached its last phase. It is a time of release. If you want to let go of a relationship, job, or anxiety this is the perfect time to focus on this desire. You may feel peaceful, or empty. The final days just before the New Moon are also called the dark of the Moon, because it sheds so little light. Symbolically, this suggests the inner world is more important than the outer world at this point in the cycle.
