The Moon moves through a repeating cycle of light and shadow. In astronomy, its changing appearance reflects the geometry of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. In astrology, these phases have traditionally been used as symbols for different themes of reflection, growth, culmination, and release. This guide brings the astronomy and the symbolism together.
The lunar calendar
Browse the Moon's phases month by month. Select a date to see its phase, the exact time of any major phase, and the traditional symbolism astrologers attach to it.
Lunar calendar
October 2026
- Waxing
- Waning
- New Moon
- Full Moon
- Quarter
Major phase
Last Quarter
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Oct 3, 1:25 PM UTC
About 51% illuminated, waning. Measured at 12:00 UTC on this date.
Traditional symbolism: Traditionally associated with reassessment and letting go of what no longer serves.
Reassessment · Letting go
This month's phases
Upcoming lunar phases
The next New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter. All times are shown in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), not your local time, so the date and hour may differ where you are.
November 2026
- Last Quarter
- New Moon
- First Quarter
- Full Moon
December 2026
- Last Quarter
- New Moon
- First Quarter
- Full Moon
- Last Quarter
January 2027
- New Moon
- First Quarter
- Full Moon
- Last Quarter
February 2027
- New Moon
- First Quarter
- Full Moon
- Last Quarter
March 2027
- New Moon
- First Quarter
- Full Moon
- Last Quarter
Phases are calculated by the same live astronomy calculations as the Cosmic Forecast, last updated Oct 26, 2026, 4:28 PM UTC. This list runs through Tue, Mar 30 and extends as new months are calculated. Please don't rely on exact clock times for precise or time-critical work.
Understanding the eight moon phases
Each phase describes how much of the Moon's lit side we can see, and the full cycle takes about 29.5 days. The astronomy below is observable fact. The astrological themes are traditional symbolism offered for reflection; they are not scientific findings, universal truths, or guaranteed effects.
The unlit face
New Moon
Beginnings · Setting intentions
In the sky: The Moon lies roughly between the Earth and the Sun, so the side facing us is in shadow and the Moon is almost invisible.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with beginnings and setting intentions, the start of the cycle.
A thin, growing sliver
Waxing Crescent
Early growth · Developing intentions
In the sky: A slim crescent of light appears low in the western sky after sunset and widens from night to night.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with early growth and the gradual development of intentions.
Half lit, growing
First Quarter
Decisions · Effort · Adjustment
In the sky: About a quarter of the way around its orbit from the New Moon, the Moon appears half lit, with the lit portion still increasing.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with decisions, effort, and adjusting course as early plans meet reality.
Nearly full, growing
Waxing Gibbous
Refinement · Preparation
In the sky: More than half of the Moon appears lit, and the lit portion keeps growing toward the Full Moon.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with refinement and preparation before a moment of culmination.
The fully lit face
Full Moon
Culmination · Visibility · Reflection
In the sky: The Moon lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, so the face turned toward us is fully lit.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with culmination, visibility, and reflection on what has developed.
Past full, shrinking
Waning Gibbous
Gratitude · Sharing · Integration
In the sky: More than half of the Moon still appears lit, but the lit portion is shrinking after the Full Moon.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with gratitude, sharing what has been learned, and integration.
Half lit, shrinking
Last Quarter
Reassessment · Letting go
In the sky: About three quarters of the way through the cycle, the Moon again appears half lit, now with the lit portion decreasing.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with reassessment and letting go of what no longer serves.
A thin, fading sliver
Waning Crescent
Rest · Release · Contemplation
In the sky: A slim crescent is seen in the eastern sky before sunrise and narrows each night toward the next New Moon.
In astrology: Traditionally associated with rest, release, and contemplation at the close of the cycle.
The New Moon & the Full Moon
Beginnings and intention
The New Moon
At the New Moon, the Moon sits roughly between the Earth and the Sun, so the side we can see is in shadow. To the eye it nearly disappears from the night sky, which is part of why it has long served as a symbol of a blank page and a fresh start.
In astrological tradition, the New Moon marks the beginning of a lunar cycle. Many people use it as a prompt to name what they would like to begin, to set an intention, or simply to pause before the weeks ahead unfold. Nothing about the phase asks you to act; it is an invitation to notice what you want.
Because the Moon is dark, the New Moon is also read as a time of potential rather than certainty: the shape of what is coming is not yet visible.
See the next New MoonIllumination and reflection
The Full Moon
At the Full Moon, the Moon lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun, so the face turned toward us is fully lit. It rises around sunset and stays in the sky for much of the night, making it the brightest and most noticeable phase of the cycle.
Traditionally, astrologers read the Full Moon as a moment of culmination: what began at the New Moon has had time to grow and can be seen more clearly. It is often described as a time for noticing what has come together, acknowledging progress, and reflecting on feelings that may feel more pronounced.
Light reveals; it does not settle. The Full Moon is often treated as a time to observe and take stock, rather than to force a conclusion.
See the next Full MoonA prompt for reflection
What would you like to begin, understand more clearly, or gently release during this lunar cycle?
This is an optional invitation to reflect, not a prediction or a promise of any astrological outcome.