People have studied the phases of the Moon since ancient times, at least in terms of planting and crops. As we evolve as a society our astrology grows and evolves with us so that now we wonder what astrology means in terms of our psychological and spiritual development. Although there are may ways of studying the lunar cycle, one of the first modern astrologers to really explore it’s deeper psychological meaning was Dane Rudhyar in his classic book “The Lunation Cycle”. Although some astrologers divide the lunar cycle into four phases, Rudhyar divided the lunar cycle into eight. I have found Rudhyar’s eight lunation types to be quite accurate in describing an individual’s character, but before we get into the specifics, let’s take a look at the basic symbolism of a lunar cycle and what that means for us.

A lunar cycle tells us something about cycles of life. Rudhyar believed the lunar cycle to be one of the most basic ‘cycles of relationship’ simply because it is one that we can all understand and relate to. He said similar ‘cycles of relationship’ can be found throughout all life and if we understand something of the lunar cycle, we will understand a principle that holds true for all such relationships.

What did he mean by a cycle of relationship? Well when we talk about a lunar cycle, we are really talking about the Moon’s relationship with the Sun. To understand this we need to know a little bit about what the lunar cycle is. The lunar cycle begins with what we refer to as a ’New Moon’. A New Moon is when the Sun and Moon occupy the same point in the sky - so the Moon is not visible to us, because of the brightness of the Sun. In contrast a ‘Full Moon’ happens when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun. We can see it clearly because it is lit up by the light from the Sun. So as we continue, and describe the ‘phases of the Moon’, we begin to realize that the Moon itself has no actual ‘phases’ as such, but they are apparent phases created by the Moon’s relationship to the Sun.

Basically we know the Moon is either waxing, as the energy builds up to a Full Moon, or waning as the energy ‘dies down’ and dissolves into the next New Moon. However within the waxing and waning process Rudhyar also saw distinct phases. To calculate your own Moon Phase check below to see where the Moon is in relation to the Sun in your natal chart:

Waxing:
New Moon (0 - 45º ahead of the Sun). The New Moon is a time of new beginnings. Something is emerging and people born around this time can be impulsive initiators. They are carrying the ‘seed’ of something and like to begin things!

Crescent (45 - 90º ahead of the Sun): People born at this time may have a pioneering spirit but also have a sense of being ‘held back’ by the past. May need to work to assert and establish themselves.

First Quarter (90 – 135° ahead of the Sun ): People born at this time can be strong-willed adventurous, exploring, types.

Gibbous (135 – 180° ahead of the Sun): People born at this time may have a sense of being on a mission, or quest, which can include your personal search for meaning.


Waning:
Full Moon (180 – 135° behind the Sun): People born at this time may be visionaries with a clear sense of purpose and an ability to ‘fertilize’ a situation and bear fruit.

Disseminating (135 – 90° behind the Sun): People born at this time can be passionate crusaders, with a powerful desire to share what they have learned.

Last Quarter (90 – 45° behind the Sun): People born at this time may be more reflective and philosophical. There may even be a sense of ‘dying on the vine’ as energy is withdrawn back into the cycle. They may have an urge to share what they have learned yet may also be discarding what has not worked, and be perceiving the inklings of a new future yet to come.

Balsamic (Waning Crescent. 45 – 0° behind the Sun): This is the closing of the cycle. Ending. People born at this time may have a need for space and solitude. There may be a sense of something is gestating that is about to be birthed.

So we can see that by studying the cycles of nature, we may understand something deeper about our own psychology. We may find in the lunar cycle a deeper understanding of some of those irrational feelings that we sometimes experience, that don’t seem related to current events in our lives.

Astrologer Demetra George goes one step further and relates the lunation cycle to our Soul’s evolution:


She also points out that, by looking at our progressed chart, we can see the entire lunation cycle unfolding in our lives over a period of thirty years. She has included a very helpful diagram of this process in her article here.

Best Wishes,

Ruth