Moon Phases and Meanings

Moon Phases and Meanings

Working and aligning with the moon phases is one best ways to enhance your intentions and to practice self care. It's commonly known that the moon affects the ocean with its tidal pull. It's also commonly known that the human body consists of up to nearly 70% of water. What's perhaps less common is the connection between water and our emotional state.

The moon has always been a big theme in religions, art, ceremonies and rituals. Throughout eons of time, peoples across the world have worshipped the moon and gathered to celebrate its shine. Each phase of the moon’s cycle has a unique visual characteristic and spiritual meaning. 

In general, the moon represents powerful feminine energy. It signifies wisdom, intuition, birth, death, reincarnation, and a spiritual connection. The lunar phases are also used in agriculture as these same forces affect the water content of the soil, creating more moisture in the soil at the time of the new and full moon. This increased moisture encourages the seeds to sprout and grow. You can compare the lunar cycle to the cycle of a seed: it grows up into a flower, it blooms and then it dies.

In a similar way, you can also compare the moon cycle with the menstural cycle. In fact, many early societies respected the menstrual flow and its connection to lunar phases and the natural world, ritualizing bleeding as a time of rejuvenation, purification, rest, but also creativity and magic. Women were seen as more powerful during the time they bled.

Unfortunately today, we have detached from the natural world and also its' cycles. Shame is too often also connected to the menstrual cycle, instead of wisdom and magic. It's time to stop feeling shame around this monthly biological function. And instead, let's attune with the moons energies and activate our inner power.

The lunar cycle is made up of different stages and each phase has its own significance and energy. Traditionally the full moon and the new moon are considered to be the most potent phases. There is a myriad of ways you can work and connect with the moon through intention and ceremony.

Each month of the year also holds a specific symbolic meaning for each full moon as well as the weekday it falls upon. The full moon also falls each month in a different astrological sign and you can learn specifically about each full moon and its themes. Here is a simplified below of the different lunar phases of one moon cycle about what the various phases represent and what you can do in order to connect with them.

New Moon

New moons represent new beginnings. The Moon is positioned between the Earth and Sun so it cannot be seen from Earth.

WHAT TO DO: This is a time to start new projects and phases within your life.

Waxing Crescent Moon

This phase signifies intention. ‘Waxing’ means the moon’s illumination is growing, and ‘Crescent’ means less than half of the moon is illuminated.

WHAT TO DO: Write a list of your intentions and keep them in mind. What things do you want to accomplish or get done?

First Quarter Moon

This phase signifies decision making. Exactly half of the Moon is illuminated and the other half is shadowed.

WHAT TO DO: During this phase spend extra time making decisions.

Waxing Gibbous Moon

This moon phase signifies purification. ‘Waxing’ means the Moon’s illumination is growing and ‘Gibbous’ means more than half of the Moon is illuminated.

WHAT TO DO: Assess your goals and figure out what is working for you right now and what may need to change.

Full Moon

Fruition, completion, bloom, release and sealing of intention. The Sun illuminates the entire moon.

WHAT TO DO: This is a the time to set goals and make any promises to yourself on a soul level. If there are any areas that no longer serve you, it is time to let go of them.

Waning Gibbous

Gratitude. ‘Waning’ refers to the decreasing of the Moon’s illumination, and ‘Gibbous’ means more than half of Moon illuminated.

WHAT TO DO: Make a list of all the things you are grateful for.