Moon Phases

Moon Phases

Moon Phases

In astrology, Moon Phases are an advanced natal chart topic.

This post lists the eight lunar phases and provides some keywords for each phase.

 

Moon Phases Podcast Episode

You can listen to our Moon Phases podcast episode by clicking below.

Your Astrology Journal

I love making my astrology journal and creating interesting pages that are zodiac themed. At the moment I’m using a Leuchtturm1917 journal. I chose the one with a yellow cover as I like that.

 

Moon Phase Keywords Page

On this page, I’ve listed the eight Moon phases.

The lunar phases in order are:

  • New Moon
  • Crescent
  • First Quarter
  • Gibbous
  • Full Moon
  • Disseminating
  • Last Quarter
  • Balsamic

I’ve drawn how each phase appears like when you look up at the Moon. At the New Moon, the Moon is all dark and you cannot see the Moon. At the Full Moon the whole of the Moon is illuminated, and you can see it clearly in the night sky.

 

Moon Phase Keywords for each lunar phase. Moon Phase Keywords[/caption]

 

The Lunar Cycle

The Sun and Moon’s Synodic Cycle

The Moon takes one month to orbit the Earth.

The Moon phase cycle, known as the synodic cycle, starts at New Moon when the Sun and the Moon are conjunct.

This happens once every month.

At New Moon, we cannot see the Moon as it is close to the Sun

The Moon starts to grow in light every day in the waxing part of the cycle.

Around day fourteen it reaches the Full Moon when we can see the most light from the Moon.

It begins the waning part of the cycle reducing in light back to the New Moon.


The Light and Dark of the Moon

The Moon is mainly dark for half of the month and mainly light for half of the month.

The darker half is during the last quarter, balsamic, new moon and crescent phases.

The light half is the first quarter, gibbous, full moon and disseminating phases.

This light/dark difference is symbolic and has much to say about the meaning of the Moon and its phases.

 

Lunar phase aspects showing the light and dark sides of the Moon's cycle.


Lunar Phases in the Chart

The lunar phases are based on the angular relationship between the Sun and the Moon.

If the luminaries are in aspect to each other, the aspect between them must be considered highly in the chart interpretation.


Moon Timing

The synodic cycle is around twenty-nine and a half days.

The Moon is in each phase for around three and a half days.

The Moon is in each sign around two and a half days.

Planetary Phases

The planets also have phases shown by their relationship to the Sun and particularly the inferior planets Mercury and Venus.


Eight Lunar Phases

There are eight lunar phases, four in the waxing period and four in the waning period.

Even if the Moon is not in aspect to the Sun, it will be in the phase shown below.

 

 

 

Lunar Phase Table

There are no orbs with the lunar phase. Each phase begins at the exact aspect and runs through until the next aspect. Lunar phases are closely related to the aspects between the Moon and the Sun.

 

lunar-phase-chart

Moon Phases and the Growth Cycle

The cycle of the Moon can be symbolically correlated to a plant’s life-cycle.

It can also be related to the yearly solar cycle and the seasons.

This correlation shows the driving essence of each lunar phase which is expressed through individual charts.

New Moon Phase: Germination

The seed is in the dark, underground and germinates. It is a delicate time, and it can be touch and go if the seed and plant will survive. It is the beginning.

Winter Solstice – December 21st.

Crescent Phase: First Leaf

The fresh sprout breaks through the soil into the light and the first leaves form. During this time the little seedling grows and strengthens.

Imbolc – February 1st.

First Quarter Phase: Roots and Growth

Stronger roots appear to stabilize the plant. Fast growth happens as the plant strives to reach full potential. Bigger leaves form and branches thicken.

The Vernal Equinox around March 21st and the start of spring in the northern hemisphere.

 

Gibbous Phase: Buds and Blossom

The plant starts to bloom as buds and blossom form showing potential. The plant is now established, and you can see what it will become.

This time relates to Beltane around May 1st when the Sun is at 15 degrees Taurus.

Full Moon Phase: Flowers and Fruit

The flower becomes the fruit. The plant puts forth its full sweet bounty. The fruits of its efforts are available for all to see. The fruit ripens.

The summer solstice is around June 21st and signals the start of summer in the northern hemisphere.

 

Disseminating Phase: The Harvest

This is the harvest phase where fruits are harvested. It is the culmination of the plant as it gives up its bounty to others.

This relates to Lammas around August 1st and when the Sun is at 15 degrees Leo.

 

Third Quarter: Decomposition

Now the planet begins to decompose and withers. The leaves fall, and the remaining flowers make seed pods for next year. Seed pods explode as the plant casts forth its life potential for the next cycle.

This is known as the fall or autumn equinox around September 21st and signals the start of Autumn in the northern hemisphere.

Balsamic Phase: Rest and Lying Fallow

Seeds become buried in the dark and bulbs stay hidden underground. The plants rest. Nothing is happening as the ground lies fallow. The wait.

This relates to Halloween on October 31st and when the Sun is at fifteen degrees Scorpio.

 

growth-cycle-diagram

Four Waxing Moon Phases

In the waxing half of the Moon’s cycle, the four phases are new moon, crescent, first quarter and gibbous. During the waxing half of the month, the light of the Moon is growing.

 

New Moon

Instinct

You see life through your own eyes, and not the eyes of others.

 

Subjective

You are subjective and struggle to see another person’s point of view.

 

Starts Projects

You enjoy beginning new projects. You are good at starting jobs but not so good at finishing them. You have lots of energy and are independent.

 

Emergence

You have the potential to emerge and do good things. At this stage, we don’t know.

 

Self-involved

You are mainly concerned with your life and your issues.

new-moon-lunar-phase

Crescent

Forward

You feel compelled to move forward in your life. You can do this when you have a strong foundation underneath from which to launch.

 

Self-belief

You have an opportunity to grow in your belief in yourself. As your life unfolds and expands, you will become more comfortable with the feelings you have about your future path.

 

Eager Confidence

You will probably face the future eagerly. In time you possibly will develop inner confidence.

 

crescent-lunar-phase

First Quarter

Forceful

You perhaps have the forcefulness of youth, and there will likely be much subjective activity throughout your life. You prefer to lay a good base for your future and will take action to make this so.

 

Growth and Building

You are likely to construct your own plans to suit yourself. Your life is expected to be filled with lots of personal growth and experiences with which you can build a firmer foundation for your personal future.

 

Strong-willed

You are usually strong-willed, and some may even say ruthless.

 

Crisis in Action

You have controlled energy expenditure which comes in bursts, and much can be done.

 

first-quarter-moon-phase

Gibbous

Contribute

You generally have a desire to contribute something of value to society. You probably understand broad concepts and may have an impulse to clarify and work towards your personal goals or for a cause.

 

Overcome

You are an individual who can overcome obstacles. You have a youthful approach to life.

 

Perfection

There is effort spent to get better at what you do.

 

gibbous-moon-phase

Four Waning Moon Phases

The four phases in the waning half of the Moon’s cycle are full moon, disseminating, last quarter and balsamic. During the waning half of the lunar cycle, the light of the Moon is diminishing.

Full Moon Phase

Clarity

You can see the other person’s point of view, and it is clear to you. You are very self-aware. You can discriminate between truth and lies.

 

Illumination

You can see the big picture and use broad strokes. It is all quite clear to you now.

 

Mature

You are supremely confident and have a mature outlook on life. You are realistic and accept things as they are.

 

Relationships

You can build fulfilling relationships confidently. You approach life through an adult’s eyes, and there are no illusions.

full-moon-phase

Disseminating Phase

Transmit information

You are likely to have the desire to transmit what you have learned through both study and your personal, worldly experiences. Probably you quickly disseminate ideas to pass on to others. It is as though you are on a crusade to share your learning.

 

Knowledge dispersal

Perhaps you wish to spread your wisdom and knowledge with other people as a disciple would. You can probably use demonstration as a tool to impart your grasp of situations.

 

Convey Awareness

It is vital for you to let others know what you know and share your beliefs with them. You wish to make contact.

disseminating-lunar-phase

Last Quarter Phase

Objective

This indicates that you are fundamentally objective and can pass on your experience and sow seed for the future.

 

Crisis in Consciousness

You may spend much time reorienting your outlook. You may have a crisis in consciousness and be able to change your beliefs into concrete thoughts. Old values become useless.

 

Pioneer

You perhaps can be a pioneer in your day, and, with time, posterity will appreciate you. You may be tiresome and stubborn.

 

Readjustment and Reorientation

You may feel it has all come to naught and that it was not worth the bother. A transformation emerges as you process life’s cycles.

 

last-quarter-phase

Balsamic Phase

Release

You can become released from issues. You are likely to be visionary and have a confident belief in the future.

 

Sacrifice and Surrender

You may be called upon to sacrifice something in your life as a martyr perhaps. You need to surrender to the karmic cycle of life.

 

Closure

You are good with the closure of both relationships and situations but will mourn for what has past.

 

balsamic-lunar-phase

Moon Podcast Episodes

Below are some of our popular Moon related podcast episodes.

moon-phases

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Your Astrology Holy Trinity and Polarity

Your Astrology Holy Trinity and Polarity

Your Astrological Holy Trinity and Polarity

This article will show you what next two steps to take after you know what is your Sun sign. A way to learn astrology.

If you believe your Sun sign is not enough then this is for you.


Sun Sign

Perhaps you already know your Sun sign. It could be Aries, Cancer or Virgo etc. Your Sun sign depends on the date of your birthday. It is the zodiac sign which the Sun was in at the time and day you were born.

Everyone’s Sun sign is the easiest thing to know in astrology.

You will know your own, and your family’s birthdates, and probably your close friend’s birthdays as well. It is a simple step to ascertain everybody’s Sun sign.

The Sun sign is the first nugget of information that all people know about astrology but, after that, what should you learn next?

 

Ascendant Sign

The second thing you need to learn is your Ascendant sign. This is likely to be different to your Sun sign although it could be the identical.

You will only know your Ascendant sign if you cast your chart.

 

Moon Sign

The third fact you need to discover is your Moon sign. Again, you will have to cast your chart to find this out.

Your Moon sign is likely to be in a different sign both to your Sun sign and even to your Ascendant sign, but it could be the same.

 

Where to Get Your Birth Chart

If you do not yet have a copy of your birth chart, there are three pieces of information that you will need.

  • Your birth time
  • Your birth date
  • Your birth place (the city and country)

For quick information go here to calculate your chart.

 

The Holy Trinity

These three pieces of astrological information, your Ascendant sign, your Sun sign, and your Moon sign, are known as the holy trinity, the triad or the triumvirate of your chart.

They are always listed in this order of importance; Ascendant, Sun, Moon (and yes, your ascendant is more important than your Sun).

If you are an aspiring astrologer, and if you attend an astrology conference, you will be given a badge with your name. There will be a space for you to write the three main parts of your chart listed on it, your Ascendant, your Sun, and your Moon.

For example, my top three or Holy Trinity would be listed as; Leo, Leo, Scorpio. This is because my Ascendant is in Leo, my Sun is in Leo, and my Moon is in Scorpio.

Your Ascendant, Sun, and Moon can each be in any one of the twelve zodiac signs.

 

Combinations

Let us have a quick look at the numbers.

The Ascendant has the possibility of being in any one of the twelve signs, the Sun has the possibility of being in any one of the twelve signs, and the Moon has the possibility of being in any one of the twelve signs.

Therefore, 12 × 12 × 12 = 1728 possible combinations of Ascendant, Sun, and Moon.

This detail is huge and speaks to the complexities that can be found within an astrology chart, but there is a simpler way.


Polarity

In astrology there are two polarities active and passive. They can also be referred to as masculine or feminine, or positive (+) or negative (-).

The twelve zodiac signs are either in one polarity or the other.

The active signs are; Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. The passive signs are; Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Let’s look at some examples of polarity.

If you have your Ascendant in Aries, your Sun in Virgo and your Moon in Pisces your polarity converts to: active, passive, passive or (+, -, -).

If you have an Aquarius ascendant (+), your Sun is in Gemini (+), and your Moon is in Libra (+), you are active (+, +, +).

8 Combinations

In the scenario of active and passive signs, as regards to your chart’s holy trinity, there are only eight possible combinations.

The three are always listed in the sequence; Ascendant, Sun, Moon.

The ratio is always active:passive (+ : – ).

 + + +             3:0       100% active

 + + –              2:1       More active than passive.

 + – +             2:1       More active than passive.

 – + +              2:1       More active than passive.

 – – +                1:2       More passive than active.

 – + –                1:2       More passive than active.

 + – –                1:2       More passive than active.

  – – –                0:3       100% passive.

 

Some More Examples

Ascendant       Sun                  Moon

Libra               Gemini            Pisces               + + –

Aquarius         Sagittarius       Virgo               + + –

Leo                  Aries                Taurus            + + –

 

They are 216 possible combinations that are active, active, passive (+, +, -), but only eight possible combinations.

The use of polarity in the holy trinity of your chart is way to simplify what is a complex subject, astrology.

Spend some time analyzing your family’s and friends charts to see polarity at work.

Of course, there are many more interesting things about astrology charts that you could learn.

 

Aspiring Astrologer Activity

I love providing you with aspiring astrologer activities.

This initiative is similar to “next steps” and the activities give you some ideas on what to do with the information you have just gathered.

 

Step one:         Your Sun sign.

Step two:         Your Ascendant sign.

Step three:       Your Moon sign.

Step four:        Write your polarity combination (Ascendant, Sun, Moon).

Step five:        Holy trinity polarity (only eight possible combinations), (?, ?, ?).

Share and Learn Astrology

Share your polarity combination with us in this quick anonymous survey.

I will revisit this post every six months at the equinoxes.

The equinoxes occur twice a year the first equinox is around March 21st and the second equinox is around September 21st.

Have a prosperous day,

Alison ⭐️

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Creating Good Habits with The Moon: 30 Day Drawing Challenge

Creating Good Habits with The Moon: 30 Day Drawing Challenge

by Alison Price


Creativity

In astrology, your habits are closely realted to the Moon.

As the Moon passes through your birth chart it transits every house and forms every possible aspect to all of your planets.

Because of the Moon’s natural abilities, everything is sensed and instinctively known. You just have to pay attention.

Habits

To break a bad habit takes one lunar orbit of the Earth or one month.

By the same token, to build a good habit takes one lunar orbit of the Earth, or 30 days, give or take a whisker.

30 Day Drawing Challenge

Thus is born the 30 Day Challenge. All new habits can be established if they are practiced every day for 30 days.

I talk about the five components to live a satisfying life which are; love, money, wellbeing, vision and creativity.

I have taken up a creative project, and I will be doing a new sketch, or drawing,  every day for 30 days. You can join me if you like.

New habits that you begin are better supported, and more dynamic, when started at a New Moon, or a solar eclipse, like the one that occurred on August 11th, which spurred me into action as it was conjoined my Sun.

You can practice New Moon Wishing in line with your birth chart to support your creative new habits.

I will post my progress here. Tag your creations with #starz30 so we can see your beauties. “The 30 Day Drawing Challenge”

Please share this with anyone who needs to see it.

Have a prosperous day,

Alison ⭐️


Day 1

Vancouver Art Gallery - Day 1

The Vancouver Art Gallery from the steps of Robson Square, downtown Vancouver.


I take a photo just to show you. I complete the drawing at the location.

The buildings were a bit wobbly and the trees were hard to draw, but hopefully, I will get better over the next 29 days.


Day 2

The giant pandas outside the Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver.

This piece is named “Slow” by Chinese artist Zhang Huan. This sculpture is in stainless steel and is highly polished.

Huan’s pandas are “meant to eulogize eternal maternity and family while expressing expectations of a future, and expresses the artist’s understanding of human nature and his thoughts on love and eternity.” 

This drawing was quite a challenge to do in pen and ink. There is about 50 shades of grey.

On a side note, I need to get another pen as this one seems to have run out of ink.

Day 2 of the 30 Day Drawing Challenge over. Roll on the next twenty-eight.

Alison ⭐️


Day 3

Sunset Beach

This is the view across Sunset beach in Vancouver. Looking towards the west.

There were three main bands of color.

From the top down, the sky a hazy grey/blue due to lots of forest fire smoke, the sea which had more bands of dark blue and green within it, and the sand which was beige and grey, or greige, in the footsteps of the bathers.

Beachcombing was great and we collected many shells which we will use as mulch in the little plant pots in our apartment..


Day 4

The waterfall and rill in my local Emery Barnes park in Vancouver.

This was the first year for ages that they have had water flowing in the city parks due to recent water shortages.

The water itself was difficult to capture and somehow the falling water is not quite right, but I think the general image is ok.

Day 5

What is to come…



moon-mother-food
Cancer

Cancer

Cancer

The Sun is in the sign of Cancer from June 21st to July 23th.

 

Cancer’s Symbolism

The symbol is the Crab and their key phrase is “I feel…” which is often their sentence opener.

 

Cancer’s Polarity, Element and Mode

Cancer is the second cardinal sign which means you are leaders and Cancerians will often lead from behind.

You are in the water element which indicates that much intuition is used and you are fluid and in the passive polarity suggesting a reticence for aggression and a more receptive approach to life.

 

Cancer’s Ruling Planet

The ruling planet is the Moon which is not really a planet at all but the natural satellite of the Earth.

The Moon goes through phases and this is a typical attribute for Cancerians.

 

 

Cancer Compatibility

Passionate for Capricorn.

Loves Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Friends with Taurus and Virgo.

Stretches with Aries and Libra.

Grinds with Sagittarius and Aquarius.

Ignores Gemini and Leo.

The Other Signs

If you liked this information on Cancer you may wish to explore the other zodiac signs a little.

 

Author Bio

Alison encourages you to explore your unique creativity and live a satisfying life through your personal astrology. She offers her insights from the heart and with a sense of humor.

Go here to read more about Alison’s story.

If you want to send Alison a quick message go here.

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The Moon

The Moon

The Moon

Moon Rulership and Essential Dignity

Rules Cancer. Is in detriment in Capricorn, exalted in Taurus and falls in Scorpio.

 

Moon Keywords

Women: The Moon is the feminine principle in a chart.

Emotions: The Moon rules emotions, feelings, nuances, tears and things that well up.

Mother: It indicates your mother, mother figures, how you experience your mother and family ties.

Care: The Moon shows how you take care and what you care about. Food preparation and all cooking activities or storing food, eating and drinking beverages are influenced by the Moon in a chart.

Reactions: Anything that comes in phases such as reactions, responses, where we are reactive,

Habits: Instinctive behavior and habits are under the auspices of the Moon.

Nurture: The nurturing activities of breastfeeding, milk, all milk products and nutrition is under the Moon.

 

Moon Extras

Explore some extra information about the Moon.

new-moon-wishing-book
moon-mother-food
moon-phases
the-moon

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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