Eight Moon Phases at a Glance
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Moon phases are eight positions in the synodic month, measured by the angle between the Sun and Moon. Use this table to compare rhythms, not to assign good or bad outcomes.
Practical guidance for the new Moon, first quarter, full Moon, and last quarter is in How to use new and full Moons. The crescent, gibbous, disseminating, and balsamic phases have individual wiki pages. For the astronomy, see the Moon’s orbit, phases, and synodic cycle.
| Phase | Sun–Moon angle | Rhythm keywords | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Moon | 0° | Beginning, sowing, not yet visible | How to use new and full Moons |
| Waxing crescent | 45° | Early resistance, finding direction | Waxing crescent |
| First quarter | 90° | Action, choice, forward movement | How to use new and full Moons |
| Waxing gibbous | 135° | Revision, fine-tuning, nearing fullness | Waxing gibbous |
| Full Moon | 180° | Harvest, illumination, emotional peak | How to use new and full Moons |
| Disseminating Moon | 225° | Sharing, communication, integration | Disseminating Moon |
| Last quarter | 270° | Review, release, restructuring | How to use new and full Moons |
| Balsamic Moon | 315° | Rest, clearing space, preparing for a new cycle | Balsamic Moon |
Four lunation points (canonical pages are articles): New Moon, First quarter, Full Moon, and Last quarter.
Four intermediate phases (wiki pages): Waxing crescent, Waxing gibbous, Disseminating Moon, and Balsamic Moon.
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