Lunar Phase

A lunar phase is the shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth, determined by the angle between the Moon and the Sun. In astrology, the lunar phase at your birth — from New Moon to Full Moon and back — reveals your core emotional style, instinctive reactions, and the natural rhythm of your inner life.

How it works

The lunar cycle begins with the New Moon (Sun-Moon conjunction), when the Moon is invisible, and progresses through waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, Full Moon (opposition), waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent. Each phase lasts about 3.5 days. In a natal chart, the phase is calculated from the Sun-Moon angle: 0°–45° is New Moon, 45°–90° is Crescent, 90°–135° is First Quarter, 135°–180° is Gibbous, 180°–225° is Full Moon, 225°–270° is Disseminating, 270°–315° is Last Quarter, and 315°–360° is Balsamic.

In practice

Your birth lunar phase colors how you initiate, respond, and complete cycles. A New Moon phase person tends to be impulsive and pioneering; a Full Moon phase person is more reflective and relationship-oriented. In transit, the current lunar phase affects daily mood and energy — waxing phases favor building momentum, waning phases encourage release. Check your birth chart to see your personal lunar phase and track today's phase on the astro calendar.