Most people know that the image of the moon in the night sky changes in a repetitive monthly cycle. But did you know that the quality of moon energy changes throughout its monthly cycle too? As it shifts, the quality of moon energy changes and alters the actual and metaphysical meaning of moon phases. This is significant because you can align your goals and actions with its cycle or a particular phase and benefit from its specific energetic expression and force.
To some, this sounds like science fiction. But, people have always been fascinated with the moon imagining its power and effect on their lives, defining how time is measured (calendars), and weaving it into their stories of gods and goddesses as well as fairytales. Among the many lunar discoveries, modern science confirms the moon’s influence on ocean tides and the many migratory patterns in nature. In addition, scientists have documented numerous plant, animal, and even human behaviors tied to the lunar cycle.
The Moon’s Orbit and Eight Moon Phases
It takes the moon 27.322 days (approximately one month) to orbit the Earth. Because it’s tidally locked with the Earth (it rotates once during its orbit around the Earth), people in any given location on Earth, only see that side of the moon.
What Creates the Different Lunar Phases
A New Moon occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun. Therefore, the side of the Moon that’s in the shadow faces Earth. This is why you can’t see it. When the moon is full it’s on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun (the Earth is in the middle). Thus, a Full Moon is illuminated by the sun on the side that faces the Earth.
Most people recognize the New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full, Waning Moon in the night sky. But there are actually eight distinct and ordered phases (see the diagram and list below). Each lunar cycle begins with the New Moon.
In the diagram above cycle is shown to run counter-clockwise. However, this isn’t the only way the cycle is depicted. What’s important and fixed is the sequence of phases. The luminosity builds and then recedes.
the diagram above illustrates how the Moon and its phases look in the Northern Hemisphere. To see how the phases look and progress in the Southern Hemisphere, imagine the chart turned upside down. Unlike in the north where the moon fills and empties from the right, it fills and empties from the left in the south.
Duration of Moon Phases
The waxing and waning stages last approximately 7.38 days each. This is largely because the two wider interim stages include crescent, half moon, and gibbous “substages,” which map out the luminosity of the moon increasing and diminishing through the lunar cycle. In contrast, the Full Moon and New Moon are full for just an instant, but either can appear as full or dark, respectively, for up to three days.
Qualities of Moon Energy Create the Meaning of Moon Phases
Metaphorically and literally, the energy of the moon aligns with emotions, subconscious, darkness and the night, dreams, intuition, introspection, and inner sensing (felt senses). According to Chinese medicine, moon energy is Yin in nature, meaning that it’s inward and spiritually oriented. As Earth’s satellite, it also aligns with Earth’s energy and the Earth Star chakra.
The quality and quantity of specific moon energies present during different phases dictates the meaning of moon phases. The table below links the meaning of the moon phases with both the name of the phase and the energetic qualities of the moon’s energy at that time. (See my blog post on how to boost the efficacy of healing and personal development practices by aligning with the qualities of lunar energy).
New and Full Moon Energy
Both the New Moon and Full Moon possess energy that is definitive and action-oriented. As the table above indicates, the former associates with inward flow and actions along with initiation and beginnings. The latter, with outward flows and actions as well as release and endings. They are essentially opposite yet complementary in nature.
For example, to successfully take on something new such as new responsibilities or an updated style to your living space, you have to first relinquish some current responsibilities in the first, and get rid of some of your old belongings in the second case.
While these two phases are most highly recognized and celebrated with numerous rituals and other ways, it’s the liminal stages where the greatest transformation takes place. However, their respective qualities are present and blended to different degrees through the interim waxing and wanting phases.
Significance of Liminal Moon Stages
The liminal phases (waxing and waning) are where the greatest transformation takes place. Understanding the desire and need for transformation, the limitations and obstacles to overcome, and how best to maintain the process of change to achieve fulfillment and sustainability all fall within these liminal phases.
Waxing Moon Energy
Going back to the above table, Waxing Moon energy is predominately concerned with reflection, introspection, adjustment, and forward movement.
This describes well the qualities of Waxing Crescent Moon up to the First Quarter Moon. This is the period where there’s more darkness than light. It’s a time to surge forward with plans, intentions, and goals.
The Waxing Gibbous Moon, however, is characterized by more light than dark. The focus thus changes. This is a time to reflect, appreciate your progress, and gather insights on what has worked well and what hasn’t. These insights prepare you and inform your intentions for the coming Full Moon. The energy keeps shifting toward preparations for what to release, let go, or end.
Waning Moon Energy
Waning Moon energy is essentially concerned with reflection, assessment, adjustment, and deeper and residual clearing away of limitations and obstacles.
This describes well the qualities of the Waning Gibbous Moon up to the Third Quarter Moon. During this period, there’s more luminosity than darkness, but it is diminishing. Therefore, the energy is outward and action-focused. It is a time of external reflection, review of lessons learned, removal of remaining blocks, and breaking through sticky resistance.
In contrast, during the Waning Crescent Moon, there is more darkness than light, which shifts the focus toward inward reflection and consideration, as well as revaluation of intentions and goals and crafting new ones.
This was a lot of information to absorb about moon energy and the meaning of moon cycles. The information is, indeed, rich. The basic idea is you can align your goals and actions with the moon’s cycle or a particular phase and benefit from its energetic expression and force. The Moon is always with you and available to support you along your life journey or through some specific change.
Additional Moon Events and Their Meaning
To be more complete, we consider the following relevant cosmic events that involve the moon. We look at the meaning of the moon phases and one solar phase involving the moon, the solar eclipse.
Lunar Eclipse
A lunar eclipse involves the Moon, Earth, and Sun. It occurs only when the Moon is full. In the case of a lunar eclipse, the Earth perfectly aligns with the other two cosmic bodies. Situated between them, it completely blocks the Sun’s light from the Moon. Lunar eclipses last a few hours. They can occur zero to three times per year, however, these eclipses can be partial as well.
Lunar eclipses have a special energy and metaphysical meaning. These events are viewed by some as gateways to higher consciousness, and a moment when the veil between the incarnate and the discarnate and spirit weakens hence facilitating communications between the two.
The association with the Full Moon orients the energy toward release, letting go, and endings. The darkness of the eclipsed moon suggests reflection, introspection, and drawing upon the subconscious, intuition, and spiritual elements of the Self and human experience. The alignment of all three close cosmic influences expands, strengthens, and enriches personal assessment and growth.
Solar Eclipse
The solar eclipse is included here because it depends on the position of the moon. It occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align, with the moon in the middle blocking the Sun’s light from the Earth. The eclipse can be full or partial, depending on the precision of the alignment. A full eclipse occurs during the New Moon. Partial and Annular eclipses are possible too.
The metaphysical meaning of the solar eclipse is transformation, especially large or deep transformations. The deeming of light in general suggests moving inward, dipping into the subconscious, and engaging with spirit and spiritual aspects of the Self. Among a number of nature-based faiths, the energy is considered extremely strong. The Sun is said to draw out stuck energy and hence bolster an initiation of something new and galvanize the forward motion associated with the New Moon.
Super Moon
A Super Moon can be a Full Moon or a New Moon. Both result in what appears to be a bigger Moon because in both cases the Moon will be at the closest point to the Earth in its regular lunar orbit. Super Moons amplify the quantities and intensities of energy of the corresponding phase.
People tend to notice Super Full Moons more readily because their luminous size in the night sky appears larger. Paying close attention, a sky watcher can take notice of the apparently larger shadow that Super New Moons cast on the Earth’s surface. (See more on the energy of the Super New Moon).
Blue Moon
A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon within one calendar month. This occurs because the Moon’s regular cycle is not exactly equal (a bit shorter) to that of a calendar month.
The meaning of a Blue Moon is the same as that of any other Full Moon. It doesn’t have a special metaphysical meaning.
For More On Moon Energy and Aligning With the Meaning of Moon Cycles, See:
- Using the Lunar Cycle for the Process of Change
- Moon work with Spiritual Life Coaching Sessions – A Whole Person Approach
Updated April 5, 2024
