To mark the ending of this summer’s Eclipse season, I thought I’d write about the phases of the Moon and how to work with her energy for your greatest good.
Following the cycle of the Moon is a powerful way to connect with our energy, and an invaluable way in which we can organize our life to its fullest advantage. In addition, we are all born during one of the particular lunation phases and we reflect the characteristics that one of those phases represent. It is quite interesting how it describes the core of our personality and the nature of our life purpose.
Much attention is given to the Full Moon and New Moon phases because they are the peaks and the most talked about. However, it is just as important to become aware of where the lunation cycle is at different times of the month when it moves through its 8 phases since each phase has something different to bring to the table. There are many wonderful books that explain this subject in detail, but a couple that are excellent sources are, The Lunation Cycle by Dane Rudhyar (this is classic), or one of my favorites, Finding Our Way Through the Dark by Demetra George.
To help you get started on experimenting with getting in sync with the lunar cycle, let’s look at an abbreviated version of each phase and how to best utilize your energy during these time periods.
The lunation cycle begins with the New Moon Phase. At this phase, we see none of the Moon’s reflected light and her dark side is facing us here on Earth. This is the time to plant your seed for future dreams. At this phase, we don’t exactly have any past experiences to draw on and are very much in the present. It is when we envision the future or what we desire. Make your wishes and visualize what you want to create in your life. Be courageous at this time in taking a leap of faith. Those of us born under this phase are here to begin a new cycle of activity, and emerge, creating new possibilities and potentials.
Phase 2 – Crescent Moon Phase. This phase begins about 3 ½ days after the New Moon. Here we begin to feel the need to break away from whatever has been holding us back. This is the time when we actually start to focus on our vision and start to move forward toward actualizing our dream. This is when we absolutely need to let go of any fears we have so that our dreams can blossom. People born under this phase are here to break with the past, develop new talents and skills, and learn to build confidence.
Phase 3 – First Quarter Phase. At the 1st Quarter Phase the Moon is half full, on its way from New to Full. This is when you start to maybe question yourself or your ideas. Some type of crisis or issue could come up where you need to work a little harder and will need to make a decision. Those born under a 1st Quarter Phase are here to learn how to deal with challenges or differences and step up to situations that are more difficult.
Phase 4 – Gibbous Moon Phase. At this phase the Moon is quickly approaching the Full Moon phase. Your soul is evolving and your interests are more about self-development and self-awareness. Life feels ripe with potential. This is when you will analyze, adjust and perfect the plans you started in the previous phases. People born under the Gibbous Phase are here to perfect themselves in order to contribute something of value to society or their tribe.=
Phase 5 – Full Moon Phase. This is the high point and climax of the lunar cycle. This is the time to reap the rewards and celebrate all of your planning leading up the Full Moon. Take note of the progress you have made and look back on how far you have come. It is total illumination and being able to see everything leading up to this moment. Basically, you are releasing, giving back and moving on. Those born during a Full Moon Phase are here to objectively realize their life’s purpose through relationships.
Phase 6 – Disseminating Moon Phase. During the disseminating period, the Moon starts to move into its Waning phase. She will appear to grow smaller each night until the time of the New Moon again. This is the time where we begin to see where our knowledge and wisdom can be shared with others. Everything we have learned leading up to this point is to be communicated with other people. Those born under this phase are here to spread out and communicate their knowledge. Theirs is a life of teaching in some way of the things they believe are of value.=
Phase 7 – Last Quarter Moon Phase. Half-light and half-dark, this is the halfway point between the Full Moon and the New Moon. Post Full Moon, we have already realized what is important. We now want to reevaluate and reorganize our philosophies and belief system. It is time to again make room for the new, which is rapidly approaching with the New Moon right around the corner. People born under this phase are here to turn away from old, limiting belief systems and structures and live by their own rules.
Phase 8 – Balsamic Moon Phase. The 8th and final phase of the lunation cycle is the closure phase. This is the time to rest and heal. To surrender to the Divine. This phase bridges the ending of the old and the birth of the new. During this quiet time is when your soul processes everything learned from the past and intuitively envisions the future. Those born under the Balsamic Moon Phase are highly intuitive and are known as visionaries who can sense what is ahead. They often feel a special sense of their life’s purpose and an urgency that there is something they must accomplish.
To summarize all of this, the first 4 phases from the New Moon to the Gibbous Moon is the Waxing stage. This is when you will want to plant ideas, set intentions, start new projects, and follow your brilliant visions. You will find that you feel motivated, courageous, proactive and excited about getting things accomplished. This is when you may be learning new skill sets, building relationships, starting a new business. It’s all about the building process.
The last 4 phases from the Full Moon to the Balsamic Moon is the Waning stage. This is the time to release, forgive, and let go of things no longer serving us for our greater good. This is such an important process because it allows space for new and fresh ideas and experiences to enter our lives and releases any negative or toxic energy that has been holding us back. It is the time to rest, recover and reflect. This may be a time when you do things like clearing clutter in your home, get caught up on daily chores, get a message or treat yourself to a haircut or pedicure. It’s all about releasing, regrouping, balancing and healing.
The best way to start is to go online and find out which phase the Moon is in by looking at a monthly calendar. I have provided a calendar for August to give you an idea of what you should be looking for.
This month the NEW MOON occurs on August 18th. This is when you want to envision something new. Tune into your inner self by meditating on your wishes or write a list/journal about what you want to create.
On August 20-25, the Moon turns Waxing Crescent. This is when you begin to communicate your intention to move forward. Return to your wish list and re-visualize your thoughts during the New Moon period. This is when you need to stay true to yourself and continue your forward momentum. Bring in new energy and add some preliminary action to help develop your skills needed to build your future.
On August 26th the Moon turns First Quarter. This is when you begin to have doubts. Are you doing the right thing? Is this a good idea? Watch out for stumbling blocks, but persist in your goal visions. At this time, start to have conversations with others about your intentions and get the ball rolling. Getting feedback can turn your doubts around.
From August 28-31 the Moon is in the Gibbous phase. Now is the time to edit, refine and make any adjustments needed to accomplish your goals. It’s about all the self-development necessary in order to reap the rewards. This would be a good time to brush-up on skills or knowledge that have gotten a bit rusty. Those things will have a tendency to come back to you much easier.
On September 1st we get the Big Kahuna – The Full Moon. At this point, the building portion of your vision should be accomplished. You should be able to look back and see everything leading up to this moment, release anything negative and give back. Take some time to practice forgiveness and gratitude. You are getting to see all of the things you need to, but it is definitely NOT a time to begin anything new. It is the time to end, to culminate, to release. You can also use this time for breaking old habits or routines.
The Disseminating Moon occurs on September 4-8. This is a time you want to be open to change and transformation. If you have a message to get out, now is the time. You will want to take this time to share and interact not only through information, but it is also a great time for socializing, charity work, attending or teaching classes or workshops, and make new friends with who you truly connect with intellectually.
From September 9-11, you will feel the Last Quarter Moon. During this phase, you may feel the energy diminishing. It is a time of looking back AND looking ahead. You will want to take care of things you have been putting off and work on wrapping things up. What things need to be eliminated in your life? When I talked earlier about cleaning up clutter, finishing paperwork, catching up on daily chores during the Waning phase, this is the time to do that.
From September 12-15 comes the final Balsamic Moon Phase. The New Moon is right around the corner and you need to prepare. We are on the border of a brand new lunar cycle. One of the best things you can do during this 3 day period is to rest and let your mind, body and spirit relax. This is an excellent time for creativity and inspiration and to just let your imagination run wild.