Moon Phases

The Moon begins invisible to the eye as New Moon but is quickly born to crescent. From there, She matures into bright, full, beauty until finally, She releases her power into mysterious darkness as She wanes. She is an embodiment of the Cycle of Life that all creatures, undertakings and even objects experience as part of the physical world. Although these changes are often most obvious on the physical level, they also embrace and transform on a mental and spiritual level as well.

Because the cycle of the moon has been observed to mirror women’s fertility cycles many cultures have associated it with female Gods. Its changes are also likened to the life changes of women, that of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Men experience similar transformations, however, they can usually be seen more dramatically in the fertility cycles of women. In Wiccan practice, the solar cycle of the God is observed through the keeping of the Sabaths on the Wheel of the Year, the cycle of the Moon is the subject of ritual observances called Esbaths.

Although there are eight phases of the Moon, the most widely discussed divisions are waxing, full and waning. Each of the phases has a different portion of the cycle of change associated with them. The waxing Moon is associated with the Maiden. She begins and explores. The full Moon is associated with the Mother and fruition that comes from creativity and the taking up of responsibilities that extend beyond one’s self. The Crone is associated with the waning Moon, the harvest and endings. This includes both a harvesting of one’s works as well as the harvesting of wisdom and mastery.

While observing the cycle of the Moon in a division of three is enlightening, so is understanding the sacred cycle of change in the division of the Moon’s eight phases. Each of Her eight phases corresponds to a Sabbath of the Wheel of the Year, but, Her phases offer different applications than those of the Sun’s solar sabbath’s and therefore offer different wisdoms. The eight phases of the moon are as follows:

New Moon - Endings make way for new beginnings.
Crescent Moon - Past is set aside; Clarify plans: Rise of magical intent.
Waxing Moon/First Quarter Moon - Manifestation hangs in balance; Action is key.
Gibbous Moon - Discovery; New skills; Adjustments.
Full Moon - Fruition; Actualization.
Waning Gibbous Moon- Harvest; Sharing; Cut wheat from the shaft.
Waning Moon/Last Quarter Moon - Letting go; Balance.
Balsamic Moon/Waning Crescent Moon- Explore shadows; Reflection; Rest.