The moon phases for healers is vital that we understand the Waxing and Waning Lunar Phases to work with the tides, and not against them.
Each day, the Moon moves about 12.7 degrees. The complete cycle from New Moon to New Moon lasts about 28 days, the average length of the menstrual cycle. The cycle of the Lunar phases give us markers in the evolution and change of circumstances – the Moon looks different every day; it is not in exactly the same place each day. Unfortunately, there are many cycles at work, and few astrologers understand the mechanisms at work – ask an astronomer!
The qualities of the phases below from an astrological aspects such as Squares, Trines.
Waxing Phase – New to Full – individual initiative
0 -180
Growth, development, expansion, moving to a goal. A sense of optimism, extravagance. Willingness to take risks, explore, begin enterprises.
0
Initiation of seed idea. Death and rebirth. Onset of movement
60
Establishing the idea. Strong growth
90
Crisis. Testing and strengthening to overcome obstacles
120
The notion flowers, and begins to motivate others
180
Reaping the fruit, but where do we go now?
Waning Phase – Full to New
180 – 360
Consideration of society – loss of the self
240
Motivating in society
270
The need to prove the conception within the world and reassert itself
The idea consolidates itself into the world
360
Death of the old cycle and rebirth of the idea in a new guise
Extra information to the Lunar Phases
0 – New
The beginning of the cycle, the seed is sown
45 – Crescent
New Moon to First Quarter is a time of new beginnings, new thoughts and ideas with a tentative hold in the mind. The Crescent Moon shows how the Seed is likely to take hold so that no other ideas appear at the same time. The sprouts start to show through the ground, so that there is public awareness of the action
90 – First Quarter
Physical manifestation, building up the Ego, pushing ideas. Rapid growth.
135 – Gibbous
Understanding and working with the energy. Being able to believe and have faith with the process that is going on. The results are in sight, but they are not yet right.
180 – Full
Time to reap the rewards, for good or evil. Not a time for new ideas, but a time to recollect, to receive. There is nowhere else to go.
225 – Disseminating
The harvest is over, there is no more, no challenge, so there is a desire for change in work. The Waning Phase is more reflective, life has moved on.
270 – Third Quarter
Orientation or re-arrangement of skills. Review of life, so there is just as much pre-occupation of the past about what the future holds. Actions work best by restructuring skills and not new ones.
315 – Balsamic
The last phase. Security is important as circumstances change. Friends change. This is the time to clear out the old and bring in the new. Gaps begin to appear into one’s life, which brings a sense of unease – there is a natural tendency to withdraw from life. Nature conspires to increase this feeling. The preparation for the New Moon
The Four Seasons
The occult aspect to the lunar phase also covers the four seasons, beginning at the Spring equinox.
Spring – Beltaine
Stimulation – New Works
Summer – Lughnasadh
Completion – Work to produce on the material plane
Autumn – Samhuinn
Quiescence – Work to produce on the Spiritual plane
Winter – Imbolc
Conflict – Withdrawal (avoidance of trouble). Work done to disrupt the start.
Lunar Tides and Magical actions
First Quarter
Inception and growth
Full Moon
Powerful deeds
Gibbous Moon
Not a time for action
Darkening Moon
Malefic deeds
Dark Moon
Black magic
Eclipse
Black magic
The Four Elements in the Daily Cycle
There is also a daily cycle of the four elements, starting at sunrise, starting with Spirit then Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Spirit rules for about two hours, so each sub-element lasts for about 24 minutes. Air is the next element, and so on. To make things more complicated, adjustments are made for the length of the day.