The Moon's phases are an important part of astrology. It can indicate when emotions are riding high, when you may need to take a step back for a little while, or when you need to rest. The most important thing when learning the Moon's phases though, especially for beginners, is knowing that the Moon does not work alone. The phases are caused directly by its aspects to the Sun in an astrological chart. When the Moon is opposite the Sun, for example, it becomes a Full Moon. When the Moon is conjunct the Sun, it enters its New Moon phase.

Each of these phases have an impact on us for various reasons, the most important of which being that the Sun represents our core identity and our sense of self. Think about it: When the Moon is opposite the Sun, we may feel torn between what we value (the Sun) and what we feel (The Moon). This inherent disconnect and energy of the Full Moon is caused by that opposition, not in spite of it. The New Moon, for example, is often said to be a time of new beginnings, renewal, and planting seeds. A good reason for this is because during the New Moon, you are in touch with your values and your emotions. In addition, the phases of the Moon for each month often encapsulate a particular mode of the signs. The Moon may hit all of its major phases in the cardinal mode or mutable mode, making us more likely to feel the energy of those signs.

So when learning about the different Moon phases in astrology, we need to consider a few things. The first, especially if you are not to the point of reading transits yet, is understanding your Moon's placement, house, and zodiac sign. Checking to see what aspect your Moon is making to the Sun in your birth chart (if it's not making an aspect, this is called a Void-Of-Course Moon, which is something else entirely) will greatly benefit you, and give you insights as to what phase it is. If you don't already know your Moon's phase, you can use a calculator like this one.

If you are to the point of reading transits, take note of how you experience them. Do you find that the Moon in the fifth house is your happy place? Or that the Moon in your twelfth house makes you want to tear your hair out? Noticing how you react the the Moon transits certain houses, signs, and interacts with other parts of your chart can give you new epiphanies about your birth chart as well as transits. When you've started tracking the Moon in such a way, then you can start to notice how you feel when the major phases are in a particular mode, and then in a certain phase.

Below are the Moon phases with a brief description to their aspect to the Sun.

New Moon- A conjunction. This is close to the Sun, so no light shines on it. It may represent being more in touch with your emotions.

Crescent waxing Moon- A semisextile, semisquare, sextile, or square. These phases can suggest numerous things, but mostly that you may operate between two extremes, depending on the aspect. For a semisextile or sextile, you may express your emotions wildly, creatively, and chaotically. For a square of semisquare, you may have issues expressing them fully, or feeling like you can’t just “get them out”.

First quarter Moon- A trine or sesquiquadrate. This Moon phase suggests your emotions flow easily or can be something you ignore. You may feel as if you have to work to express them, or that you are in perfect sync with them.

Gibbous Moon- An inconjunct or opposition. This phase suggests that you may need to work to get what you want, make peace with your emotions, or find common ground with yourself.

Full Moon- An opposition. This is when the Moon is opposite the Sun. It suggests that you may feel the need to “choose” between your emotions or identity sometimes. You may not identify with your emotions, or express them well. You may put off dealing with your emotions.

Waning disseminating Moon- A trine or sesquiquadrate. You may feel as if your emotions flow through you, or that you have to work to express them.

Last quarter Moon- A semisextile, semisquare, sextile, or square. Your emotions may feel out of hand, just out of your reach, or moving and fluid through you.

Balsamic Moon-A conjunction, semisextile, or semisquare. You may identify heavily with your emotions, or you may not understand them.

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best wishes,

Abigail