BEAUTY WELLNESS FOOD FAMILY FASHION WOWSHOP GIFT GUIDE SUBSCRIBE

WELLNESS

How to Live by the Moon’s Phases

By Jaime Wright • Published Jul 15, 2022

As an astrologer, people are often asking me how they can incorporate astrology into their
daily life. My answer is always to start paying attention to the moon! The bene ts of syncing
your life to the moon’s cycle is something that’s been talked about more recently due to the
rising popularity of astrology and holistic wellness. But this isn’t anything new. People have
been setting spiritual ceremonies, planning agricultural seasons and even guring out the
best time to get a haircut based on the moon’s phases for as long as there’s been human
civilization. So much of what we now consider “woo-woo” was a given in times when we
lived more in tune with the earth.

The moon has an undeniable pull on our mental and physical energies throughout its cycle.
Even if you don’t “believe” in the moon’s e ect, why not experiment with setting your life to
the moon’s rhythm?

RELATED

WHAT YOUR LILITH SIGN (AKA YOUR INNER B*TCH) SAYS ABOUT YOU

So What Are The Phases Of The Moon?

The moon takes approximately 28.5 days to orbit Earth. Throughout that 28.5 day cycle, the
moon appears to wax and wane based on its proximity to the sun. Every lunar cycle begins
with a new moon, which is when the sun and moon are on the same side of the Earth, and
peaks at the full moon when the two luminaries are on opposite sides of the Earth.

These are eight distinct phases of the moon:

• New
• Crescent
• First Quarter
• Waxing Gibbous
• Full
• Waning Gibbous (or Disseminating)
• Last Quarter
• Waning Crescent (or Balsamic)

How do I get started living my life by the moon’s

phases?
Though it might seem overwhelming to incorporate eight lunar phases into your life, like
anything cyclical, these build upon each other. It’s not random, but a natural energetic rise
and fall. As you build your practice, you might want to begin with acknowledging just the
new and full moon. Slowly, you can start working in the other phases.

To keep track of the moon’s cycle, I highly recommend downloading this simple app which
gives you a visual of the moon’s illumination along with its phase each day. I also
recommend keeping a journal (in a notebook or Notes App) to track how your body, mind
and emotions change from day to day, or phase to phase.

The optimal time to start this practice is at the new moon. As the moon gains light, you
might notice that you’re also gaining energy, and that more social invitations come in
around the full moon. You might also notice that things slow down and your energy lulls as
the moon wanes.

What are the best things to do during each phase of the

moon?

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

1. New: The Beginning Of The Cycle

Best for: Waiting, journaling, meditating, reading, listening

A new moon is when the sun and moon are on the same side of the Earth, astrologically
occupying the same sign of the zodiac. The moon is completely dark during this phase.
Though the popular advice is to “set intentions!” or “manifest!” with a new moon, it’s
actually best to wait until the moon is showing some light to move forward with anything.
Using the metaphor of the life of a plant, this phase is the seed of pure potential that hasn’t
yet broken ground. The new moon is a great time to journal, meditate and wait to see what
comes to you. Once you spot a crescent moon in the sky around sunset (usually 2-3 days
after the new moon), you can declare your intentions, whether that’s through writing them
down, telling a friend or performing a small new moon ritual.

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

2. Crescent: 3 To 4 Days After The New Moon

Best for: Setting intentions, reaching out, taking risks, experimenting with activities or style

Continuing with the metaphor of the life of a plant, the crescent moon is when the seedling
rst breaks ground and is exposed to the elements. This is an exciting but also a tender and
vulnerable time. Action picks up but nothing is certain yet. Crescent moon days are great for
initiating conversations, setting up appointments and experimenting with your style. You
won’t know how things are going to turn out unless you try.

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

3. First Quarter: 7 To 8 Days After The New Moon

Best for: Making decisions, organizing, nalizing a team or to-do list

The rst quarter moon brings the rst challenge in the lunar cycle. There’s no turning back
at this point: The light is here to stay, and the plant is setting down roots. This is when you
may face some resistance to your plans as everyone around you is gaining their own energy
and con dence. This is why it’s so important to make decisions, devise action plans and
clarify goals at this time. The clearer your vision, the more likely you’ll make it happen.

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

4. Waxing Gibbous: 11 To 12 Days After The New Moon

Best for: Working out (high impact), editing, preparing party snacks, re ning a pitch

It’s almost showtime when we hit the waxing gibbous phase. I often liken this phase to “tech
rehearsals” (for the theater nerds out there) or “ nals week” (for the regular nerds out
there). During this phase, you’ve made your choices and are now tasked with putting the
nishing touches on the project: editing, re ning and making sure every little thing is in its
right place. Energy builds rapidly at this time, and you start to receive invitations as things
come together, just don’t let others distract you from the work you need to do on your own
projects at this time! Social time is coming soon!

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

5. Full: 14 Days After The New Moon

Best for: Presenting, partying, impressing a date, showing o

It’s the day of the show! The full moon is when all the energy we’ve put into our intentions
over the previous two weeks reaches a climax. This is when the plant reaches its full bloom
and begins to bear fruit. If possible, plan parties or celebrations for full moons as most
people are high energy and hungry to connect. Just be mindful that this time can also bring
out high emotion and sensitivity, especially if whatever was initiated at the new moon
doesn’t go as planned.

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

6. Waning Gibbous: 3 To 4 Days After The Full Moon

Best for: Networking, socializing, collecting feedback

If the full moon is the show, then the disseminating moon is the after party, when we
harvest the fruits of our labor. When the full moon show has gone well, this is a time for
spreading joy, networking and making connections. When the show hasn’t gone well though,
it’s necessary to collect feedback and course correct. This is the busiest and most socially
engaged part of the cycle: a great time for sharing ideas, following up and seeking out
inspiration.

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

7. Last Quarter: 7 To 8 Days After The Full Moon

Best for: Pivoting, regrouping, re ective journaling

Like the rst quarter moon that comes before it, the last quarter moon is another point of
challenge. The adrenaline of the full moon has fully worn o at this point, and it’s time to
regroup. Again, if things didn’t go well during the full moon phase, this period could be
emotionally di cult. The cycle is coming to an end and the plant is beginning to wilt and
die. If possible, keep social obligations light at this time so you can use the extra time to
re ect on everything that’s happened over the last few weeks through re ective journaling
and conversations with close friends.

SOFIA KRAUSHAAR

8. Waning Crescent: 11 To 12 Days After The Full Moon

Best for: Cleaning, resting, leaving, quitting

The Waning Crescent (aka the Balsamic) phase is the end of the cycle. At this point, the
moon wanes to complete darkness, and we are left once again to sit in stillness. This is a
great time to rest, clean and let go of regrets from the last 28 days. You might feel exhausted
or depleted so plan for restorative activities and hearty meals. Try not to push when the
energy just isn’t there. You may also want to plan to do some tarot pulls or other divination
to con rm the lessons of the last few weeks. The more you can release at this time, the more
clarity you’ll have about what you want to initiate at the upcoming new moon.

Upcoming New Moons in 2022:

• June 28
• July 28
• August 27
• September 25
• October 25 (though this new moon is an eclipse, so I recommend not starting your tracking
here as things might be irregular)

• November 23
• December 23
RELATED

HOW TO MAKE MOON WATER

Jaime Wright
Astrologer
Jaime Wright is an astrologer and writer based in NYC. She has been
writing PureWow’s weekly and monthly horoscope columns since 2019,
and also authors the cult favorite...
read full bio

More Stories You'll Love

WELLNESS BY SARAH STIEFVATER WELLNESS BY JAIME WRIGHT WELLNESS BY SYDNEY MEISTER

Oatzempic Is Trending on Your Weekly Horoscopes: I Tried the Contra-Dating

TikTok. Is It a Safe Way to May 5 to 11, 2024 Trend. Did It Help Me Find
Lose Weight? Love?

WELLNESS BY SARAH STIEFVATER WELLNESS BY DANA DICKEY WELLNESS BY KIKI O'KEEFFE

11 Signs You Might Have a How to Talk Dirty, According Virgo Compatibility: Your
Toxic Friend (& What to Do to 3 Sex Experts (Because Best and Worst Zodiac
About It), According to You Know You’re Curious) Matches, Ranked
Therapists

WELLNESS BY KIKI O'KEEFFE WELLNESS BY JAIME WRIGHT WELLNESS BY JAIME WRIGHT

Cancer Compatibility: Your Libra Compatibility: Your Best Taurus Compatibility: Your
Most Suited Zodiac Signs, and Worst Zodiac Matches, Best and Worst Zodiac
Ranked from Worst to Best Ranked Matches, Ranked

WELLNESS SPONSORED WELLNESS BY JAIME WRIGHT WELLNESS BY EMMA SINGER

These Athletes Won’t Hit the Your Monthly Horoscopes: 50 Cheap Date Ideas
Gym Without BODYARMOR May 2024 (Because Love Don’t Cost a
ZERO SUGAR (& Neither Will Thing)
Olivia Culpo)

VIEW MORE

COMPANY LEGAL
About Terms & Conditions
Careers Privacy Policy
©2010-2024 Wow Media
Contact Editorial Policy Products, Inc doing business
as PureWow. All rights
     
Advertise Contests reserved.

Instagram Portfolio Do Not Sell or Share My

Purewow Information SUBSCRIBE

Cookies Settings