Moon Phases: What They Mean

There is so much love for the moon and its mystical properties. The moon phases are also referred to as the lunar cycle which runs from new moon to new moon with eight phases across 29.5 days.

If you learn how to live your life according to each phase of the moon you’ll not only be one step ahead in harnessing its potential, but also more empowered in your everyday life.

In astrology, the moon rules over your inner world; the part of you that no one else sees. As the moon lives and breathes in the shadow of night, it protects your secrets, your emotions, and your imaginary world. However, as the moon travels through the ups and downs of the lunar cycle, the moon radiates different energies, impacting your life on a constant basis.

Here’s a summary of everything you need to know about the scientific and spiritual aspects behind each phase of the lunar cycle and which crystals to use for each phase.

1. NEW MOON (Beginning)

New Moon Scientific Meaning

The new moon is not visible because the sun and moon are on the same side of the earth. At this stage, we are faced by ‘the dark side of the moon’. In astrological terms, this would be the moment the sun and moon form a conjunction.

New Moon Spiritual Meaning

Think of the new moon as not only your fresh start, but your time of retreat — a time when you can regain your strength to begin again. This is a great time for setting new intentions and putting the past behind you. Try to envision yourself recharging under the energy of a new moon. Make a wish, set an intention, or make the decision to begin a new project. All a new moon wants you to do is start again.

Crystals to Help During the New Moon

	Labradorite: Helps you grow through and adapt to life’s transitions.
	Smoky Quartz: Keeps you grounded during lunar energy shifts.
	Moss Agate: Supports during new stages in your life.
	Black Kyanite: Helps release the past and clear your aura and chakras.

 

2. WAXING CRESCENT (Embracing Desire)

Waxing Crescent Scientific Meaning

As the sun starts moving closer to the new moon, it becomes illuminated again. A crescent appears, revealing a thin sliver of light just before it waxes into a first quarter moon.

Waxing Crescent Spiritual Meaning

This is the rebuilding phase as the moon has rejuvenated and emerged again. After recharging under the new moon, you may start to feel more motivated and ready to embrace your desires. This is the time to set intentions, hopes, and wishes as well as being the ideal time to work on self-confidence and compassion.

Crystals to Help During the Waxing Crescent

	Carnelian: Encourages motivation for setting intentions.
	Aventurine: Helps you to persevere and stay focused on your dreams.
	Citrine: Boosts self-confidence and promotes the sheer joy of being alive.
	Kyanite: Brings a balancing effect on emotions and promotes clarity.

 

3. FIRST QUARTER (Action)

First Quarter Scientific Meaning

The first quarter occurs a week after the new moon phase. At this stage, the whole right side of the moon is illuminated as the sun and moon are side by side.

First Quarter Spiritual Meaning

Thought to be the stage of obstacles, this is the ‘pause’ in the lunar cycle, a time when challenges, decisions, and actions come into play. Largely, this should be a time of reflection regarding your intentions and their obstacles. If your intentions were planted during the new moon, your first hurdles at achieving these goals are experienced here. This is the time for challenges, decisions, and action. Your week of rest and intention-setting is over, and now you may feel inspired to work harder. No matter how hard it gets, remember the intention you set during the last new moon and make decisions with it in mind.

Crystals to Help During the First Quarter

	Tigers Eye: Provides courage to overcome obstacles and march forth in the direction of your goals.
	Carnelian: Helps overcome fears and make decisions.
	White Aventurine: Encourages productive self-reflection, compassion and growth in pursuit of our goals.

 

4. WAXING GIBBOUS (Redirecting Course)

Waxing Gibbous Scientific Meaning

A waxing moon is one phase away from becoming a full moon. This moon is easily seen during the day because a large portion of it is illuminated.

Waxing Gibbous Spiritual Meaning

This is the time for review, adjustment and taking control in the face of the challenges from the last phase. You may begin to notice some of the mistakes you’ve been making and this phase of the moon will help you realise whether you need to re-evaluate what you’re doing and redirect your course.

Crystals to Help During the Waxing Gibbous

	Citrine: Provides confidence and belief in yourself.
	Indigo Gabbro: Expands your knowledge and provides you with insight.
	New Jade: Corrects imbalances helping you to take control of your life.

 

5. FULL MOON (Harvest)

Full Moon Scientific Meaning

A full moon occurs when the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, the face of the moon is fully illuminated.

Full Moon Spiritual Meaning

Thought to be the most powerful lunar phase, many believe that this is the most charged spiritual phase. Emotions run high as the sun and moon operate in opposing zodiac signs, but new opportunities and power surges are often available to those ready to accommodate them. This brings heightened tension as you fight to find balance between two extremes. Emotions can definitely run high during this period as you struggle to come to terms with everything you’re feeling. However, the full moon is also a time of revelation, reward, and of course, change. This is when the results of all your hard work are revealed. The seed you planted on the new moon has blossomed and bloomed, making itself ready to be harvested. A powerful climax to a story that began on the new moon takes place.

Crystals to Help During the Full Moon

	Selenite: Anchors lunar energy and fills your aura with light.
	Moonstone: Balances emotions and aligns with the moons light to vibrate at a smoother frequency.
	Amazonite: Balances the masculine and feminine energies.
	Black Obsidian: Provides support during change.

 

6. WANING GIBBOUS (Gratefulness)

Waning Gibbous Scientific Meaning

As the sun begins to move once again behind the moon, a dark slither becomes apparent on the right side, reflecting the last quarter moon.

Waning Gibbous Spiritual Meaning

A period of evaluation, this is the ideal time to reflect on the events of the past few days, and re-adjust intentions for the rest of the month. This is a time for gratitude, generosity, and enthusiasm. You should be feeling the benefits of your hard work for the last two weeks. Your metaphorical crops are in abundance and you should be seeing some (albeit small) outcome from your previously set goals and intentions.

Crystals to Help During the Waning Gibbous

	Clear Quartz: Purifies and cleanses negative energy.
	Amethyst: Provides a calming environment during this time.
	Labradorite: Develops enthusiasm and new ideas.

 

7. THIRD QUARTER/LAST QUARTER (Release)

Third Quarter Scientific Meaning

The last quarter moon is the reverse process of the first quarter. The moon is illuminated on the left side, back to half-power.

Third Quarter Spiritual Meaning

This is the time for letting go of anything that is no longer serving us, making it the ideal opportunity to clean, cleanse, and purge. Like the moon gradually letting go of its size, you may be ready to let go of all the baggage you’ve been carrying. Throughout the month, you may have experienced many challenges. It’s under this moon that you will let go of things like grudges, anger, and regret.

Crystals to Help During the Third Quarter

	Black Tourmaline: Helps to keep you grounded, its properties tether you to your intentions so that you can freely move towards them.
	Rutilated Quartz: Supports letting go of the past.

 

8. WANING CRESCENT (Surrender)

Waning Crescent Scientific Meaning

With just a crescent illuminated once more, this is the moon’s last stop before it re-enters the new moon period. This phase of the lunar cycle (aka the balsamic moon) reveals the final bit of light just before the darkness of the new moon.

Waning Crescent Spiritual Meaning

Now is the time to surrender to whatever has happened that is out of our control. We should practice compassion and self-care at this time ahead of dusting ourselves off for the next cycle. This is your chance to surrender, rest, and recuperate. You may feel somewhat empty during this time. You’ve gone through an entire moon cycle and things have come and gone — willingly or not. You are now getting ready to prepare for a new cycle. There’s not much to do but come to terms with what’s taken place and surrender to what’s no longer in your control. In other words, let fate take the wheel.

Crystals to Help During the Waning Crescent

	Rose Quartz: Provides self-care and self-love during this time.
	Bloodstone: Use to compound the moon’s retreat and clear out negativity from your life. Doing so will prepare you for the rejuvenating fresh start of the upcoming new moon.
	Black Obsidian: Promotes qualities of compassion and strength.

 

Conclusion

If all of this moon magic feels like a lot to process you’re not wrong. Ideally, it’d be best for you to become familiarised with the new and full moon phases first, given that the new moon kicks off a brand-new lunar cycle, while the full moon represents the point of culmination, and emotional climax.

Once you know the basics of the moon phases, finding their true meaning is really down to you. Every lunar journey is incredibly personal and, with these fundamentals in mind, it’s in your power to move forward and consider how each phase affects you, and what you can do to enhance those positives moving forward.

I hope you have found this blog of interest, feel free to comment in the box below.