Moon Phases
By the numbers it’s the 19th of November but also, today is a waning crescent— the last phase of the lunar month.
This intermediate Moon phase is the last phase of the lunar month. In the sky it presents as a thin sliver crescent.
There is a depth to orienting yourself by our single natural satellite. For sure added perspective is gained with the daily reminder that we’re traveling on this glorious rock, in a vast universe, with our buddy the moon as our co-pilot.
Lunar Month: A Repeating Cycle
In western culture, we divide the lunar month into four primary and four intermediate Moon phases.The Moon phases start with the invisible New Moon, while the first visible phase is the thin sliver of a Waxing Crescent Moon. Around a week later, half of the Moon’s visible surface is illuminated while the other half is in darkness at First Quarter Moon.
The illuminated part continues to grow into a Waxing Gibbous Moon, until 14–15 days into the cycle, we see the entire face of the Moon lit up at Full Moon.
The illuminated part then gradually shrinks into a Waning Gibbous Moon, and when it reaches the Third Quarter, the opposite half from the First Quarter is illuminated. From there, it fades into the Waning Crescent Moon before it finally disappears from view again, only to reemerge and repeat this cycle over and over.
Working with the Moon Phases 101
Using the Moon phases to plan your life isn’t just pragmatic— it's intuitive. Harnessing the natural flow of the Moon and the energy of the living world around us offers support in ways that you might not even comprehend at first.And you can use the Moon’s cycles for any aspect of life: work, creation, dating, socializing, exercising. #truestory
Most people are familiar with using the full and new moons for ritual work. Full Moon ceremonies are traditionally oriented around releasing, harvesting, and gratitude. The Full Moon is when we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, celebrate, release expectations, and move forward. In new moon ceremonies, we plant seeds and intentions for the future. The new Moon is a perfect time to plan and dream big, as the energy is exceptionally fertile.
Crescent Moon
With this moon phase, we feel set into motion and propelled forward. If we planted roots on the New Moon, the Crescent asks us to step out of dream mode and into “action” mode.
It’s an excellent phase to spend really taking your dreams from pie-in-the-sky ideas to tangible reality. You can imagine and work out more of the details of your new goals and visions, &/or, edit your thoughts and start to take steps to bring them to life.
No Crescent Moon in Calendars
There is no symbol for a Waning Crescent Moon in most calendars as it is an intermediate Moon phase. Only the four primary phases are shown in calendars with the following symbols:
🌑 = New Moon🌓 = First Quarter Moon
🌕 = Full Moon
🌗 = Third quarter Moon
BUT! AND!
The Moon Phases can be powerful for ritual, and they can also be harnessed every single day and applied to any part of your life that you feel could benefit from a boost of cosmic energy. Track the magic of ALL the moon phases with the return of the luminous 2023 Moon Calendar— by Circle & Crescent and artist Paris Miller.
🌑 New
🌒 Waxing Crescent
🌓 First Quarter
🌔 Waxing Gibbous
🌕 Full
🌖 Waning Gibbous
🌗 Third Quarter
🌘 Waning Crescent
Beautifully screen printed by hand with a flood of matte color and delicately shimmering metallic silver and metallic gold. A clean and minimal design with new, full moons and significant celestial events indicated. (And sure dates too if you roll that way.)
This calendar is an annual event at Boketto (AKA: a Boketto favorite). Truly, I don’t know if we could measure if more people buy it for themselves, or as gifts. Maybe it’s both! What we do know is every year, they’re sure to delight.