Spirit of the Mountain Astrology

Happy “Moon” Day!  Earth’s only natural satellite has her own day of the week: Monday!  What do you know about the Moon?  I study the Moon and it’s comforting to know how predictable she is in when and where she rises and what phase she is in.

Study the sky, day or night, and you too will learn her monthly phases:  Her waxing and waning cycle never varies.  Beginning with the New Moon she begins a two-week cycle where the Sun’s light gradually increases until the Full Moon appears:  The waxing phases.  As she moves from the Full Moon phase back to the New Moon phase the Sun’s light slowly fades until it once again is diminished at the New Moon:  The waning phases.

Waxing Phases are: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous

Waning Phases are: Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent

Moon watchers utilize the eight phases of the Moon during the month for different purposes:

• New Moon: This is a Sun/Moon conjunction.  This is when you start things such as setting new intentions, launching new projects, take action on new goals, etc. You are planting seeds for a future harvest.
• Waxing Crescent:  This is a timeframe where you might expect to meet with some challenge as you move forward with your intentions, projects, etc.  The seeds are sprouting and beginning to become visible.
• First Quarter: This is a Sun/Moon square. Step out of your comfort zone to act on your New Moon intentions, projects, etc., despite tensions or conflicts.  This is a turning point: The building stage as you lay the foundations necessary to support your goals. The roots and stems are developing more fully.
• Waxing Gibbous:  Have patience as you are being tested:  Expect difficulties and the unexpected in your goals.  You are in the developmental growth stage.  The flower buds are forming!
• Full Moon:  This is the Sun/Moon opposition.  When you reach the fulfillment/consummation stage or illumination.  Illumination reveals where you were successful or where you failed.  You can still make changes.
• Waning Gibbous:  This is also known as the Disseminating Moon.  It’s about teaching, sharing wisdom and abundance.  Why?  Because the Full Moon revealed that which we must now move forward on and share so that transformation may occur.  Share the knowledge.  The plant now bears fruit!
• Last Quarter:  This is a Sun/Moon square:  A turning point, a transitional timeframe to stop and rethink your goals.  Tension or conflict may arise as you review your monthly progress, make any last minute changes to your goals, or decide to let them go to rebuild.  The fruit ripens and falls.
• Waning Crescent:  This is also known as a Balsamic Moon.  When the light of the Sun fades and she is thrown into total darkness.  This is a timeframe for resting, dreaming and intuition.  Like Mother Earth, go inward.  Plants wither and die and the seeds lie dormant.

And the cycle begins anew…magical!

I cannot imagine a life without the relationship I have with the Moon.  I am grateful and full of gratitude for the works of Dane Rudhyar in his book, the Lunation Cycle, as well as Dana Gerhardt’s extensive writings on Moon Rituals, Moon Watching and her Twelve Moons Workshop at mooncircles.com.  Dana’s writings had a big influence on connecting me with Luna’s rhythm.