moonfacts

Moon Facts!

A new moon is born every 29 days. During that period the moon progresses through certain stages or phases. Each phase has its on set of unique viewing characteristics and meanings.

As the moon circles the Earth, the shape of the moon appears to change; this is because different amounts of the illuminated part of the moon are facing us. The shape varies from a full moon (when the Earth is between the sun and the moon) to a new moon (when the moon is between the sun and the Earth). Four Major Lunar Phases divide each month...New, First Quarter, Full and Last Quarter. Since the Moon is constantly either waxing or waning as it travels around the Earth, its cycle can be broken down into eight obvious stages.

New Moon or "Moon of Rest and Beginnings"

Location: moon is 0 - 45 degrees ahead of the Sun It is in alignment, directly between the earth and the sun ,therefore hidden. The New Moon is the only Time the eclipse of the sun can be seen.

Span: Day of, to three and a half days later. The Moon's un-illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse).

Positive activities:
A soothing time of rest and planning for new beginnings; new growth; love, the beginning of or renewing of; bringing things in; regeneration; give thanks. This is a time of new beginnings and new undertakings. It can be a starting point for kicking that bad habit, or simply beginning a project. Put ideas in motion, become engaged, make long term relationship plans. The waxing Moon is a time of spontaneous and instinctual action. This is a time when efforts will grow visible. Transitions may seem to be accepted more calmly than other phases. A time for hair cuts to promote growth, medical treatments or getting your moneys worth from that facial!!

Goals:
Time to set new goals and review old ones for both the long and short term. Relates to the planting of the seeds. THE BEST TIME The best time to plant flowers and vegetables that bear crops above ground is during the light of the Moon; that is, from the day the Moon is new to the day it is full. Flowering bulbs and vegetables that bear crops below ground should be planted during the dark of the Moon that is, from the day after it is full to the day before it is new again

Waxing Crescent /Crescent Moon or the "Moon of Regeneration"
Location: Moon is 45 - 90 degrees ahead of the Sun

Span: Three and a half days after to seventh day. The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

Positive activities:
Gathering information; Making plans; Laying a Foundation; Emotions; Start of change. This is a time of regeneration. Anything you do to strengthen your body, to fortify yourself, is much more effective that when the moon is waxing. The body absorbs more easily...both good and bad.

Goals:
Gathering resources / information needed for your goals. Relates to the gathering of food by the seeds, so initial plans and actions, starting small, are now happening.

First Quarter / Waxing Moon or the "Moon of Caution"
Location: Moon is 90 - 135 degrees ahead of the Sun

Span: Seven to ten and a half days after new moon.

Positive Attributes:
Time of Warrior Maiden as represented by Artemis, Minerva, Bridget, Diana and Athena; the Virgin, not sexless but not reliant on sex or partners. The Good Folk; Extra pressure on plans, add that little bit of extra steam; Instinct and intuition; Courage; Motivation; Friends; Luck. Relates to initial germination of seeds the shoots striving to break their seed case and grow through the dark earth. During this time you’re walking the knife edge. Half Light, half Dark, good time for decisions. Balance carefully. Doorway to the Other places. Continue regeneration and renewal.

Waxing Gibbous Moon or the "Moon of Endings"
Location: Moon is 135 - 180 degrees ahead of the Sun

Span: Ten and a half to fourteen days after the New Moon. The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

Positive activities: Patience; Preparation for Full Moon energies.

Goals:
Tying off loose ends. Gestation period, may appear as a pause. Relates to the movement of the shoots through the earth. Movement and action may not be visible but it is occurring. Should your new ideas or projects come to an impasse, this might be broken at the Full Moon.

Full Moon or the "Moon of Celebration"
Location: Moon is 180 - 255 degrees ahead of the Sun

Span: Fourteen days to seventeen and a half days after the New Moon.

Attributes:
Time of the Mother Goddess. Anu, Hera, Isis, Demeter, Freya, Luna, Diana, Spider Woman, Chaos, Frigg, Morrigan, Ta - Urt. Beautiful, radiant MoonMother. LadyMoon.

Positive activities:
Very intuitive and productive time. Especially: Fertility; Magic; Dreams; Meditation; love; Matters of the home; Beauty; Money; Creativity; Psychic abilities. A time of heightened feelings. Not a good time for major decisions for they will be colored with emotional debris. Do not seek medical treatment, inoculations, operations are at its least favorable. Wounds bleed more, and the formation of scar tissue is more pronounced.

Goals:
Major workings should occur now. This is the climax of the obvious moon power. Relates to the Growing plant as it pierces the ground

Waning Gibbous /Disseminating Moon or the "Moon of Retribution"
Location: Moon is 225 - 270 degrees ahead of the Sun

Span: Three and a half to seven days after the Full Moon. The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Positive Attributes:
This is the Moon of the Earth Mothers. Demeter, Ceres, Korte, Danu (Anu), and Bast. What work has been done is now gathered in and the crop offered as a sacrifice to the Mother who gave it to us in the first place. Time to harvest and time to begin renewal. A time to review endeavors and correct mistakes. Settle disputes and make amends.

Activities:
A time to review endeavors and correct mistakes. Settle disputes and make amends. A time to start taking things apart. Addictions; Divorce; Stress; Unnecessary negativity; Bad or unwanted Habits; Decision making; Emotions; Protection; Unwanted influences; Unwanted situations; Healing, banishing what shouldn’t be there; Old ways of thinking and doing things. Goals: Start work on removing obstacles. Give thanks for what has been achieved. Relates to the Harvest of the Grown Plant.

Goals: The time of the waxing Moon is in many traditions concerned more with mundane outer matters, whereas the period of the waning Moon deals with subconscious enlightenment leading to the clarification of conscious values. The waxing Moon brings instinctual growth. The waning Moon brings a conscious process of creative release.

Last Quarter / Waning Crescent Moon or the "Moon of Harvest"
Location: Moon is 270 - 315 degrees ahead of the Sun

Span: Seven to ten and a half days after the Full Moon.

Positive activities: Release of any negativity, not just banishing it but consciously letting go of it . Continuing any banishing done during the last phase.

Goals:
Continue work from last phase. Good time to concentrate on removal of self from situations, relationships, and habits. Relates to the Storing of the Harvested Plant. A time to rid oneself of everything that is causing obstruction, to get rid of anything (or one) you know longer need. Good time for hair cuts to slow growth, dye hair, puck eyebrows (wax ...)Time for self-analysis, rest an recuperation, meditation and readying oneself for the energies of the New Moon. The third quarter, Full Moon through Last Quarter, ideally brings illumination to the influences of the entire lunar cycle. The fourth quarter, called the "Last Quarter," is from the Moon square Sun aspect through the next New Moon. It can bring a crisis in consciousness. This cycle's experiences have culminated and one must now prepare for rebirth.

Moon Void of Course or the "Moon of Silence"

What is it?
Each month the Moon passes through each of the Twelve Astrological Signs, which time wise, last and is equivalent to 30 degrees each or 9.3 days. Towards the end of each visit the Moon reach an aspect with a the last planet possible before reaching the next astrological sign. During this time of not moving to another aspect in this sign, the Moon is said to be "Void of Course". On the positive side this is a great time of rest. This is a wonderful time of reflection. Take a time out to assimilate what the world has thrown your way the past week. Give yourself a break. Read, see a movie, do things that are simple and nurturing. (and do not spend much money) Your decisions and actions will not be lucky. Plans made now will not pan out. We tend to be unrealistic, exercise poor judgment, initiate actions that are futile and sometimes costly.

Blue Moon or "Moon of Insight"

What is it?
Every so often, because of our revised calendars there are two full moons in a month. The second Full Moon is called a Blue Moon. This Moon is a Moon of the Good Folk, attributes are stronger than a normal Full Moon. Blocks are broken with introspect and faith. Peace prevails in those who choose and healing can occur with meditation and release of ill will.

Black Moon or "New Moon of Starting Over"

What is it?
Just as there is sometimes a second Full Moon (Blue Moon) there also occurs a second New Moon in some months. This Moon is a Most VERY GOOD time for introspection, exploring your repressed emotions and thoughts, meditate and rest for replenishing. Please, take a vacation. Begin a journal. Do not waste this period!!!

Easy way to recall waxing or waning:

The waxing Moon takes the place of a "D", it is developing to its fullness.
The waning Moon is "C", which is condensing and contracting...or getting smaller.