The phases of the moon explained simply: what each of the eight phases looks like, how to tell waxing from waning, what each phase is traditionally for, and the dates for the rest of 2026
If you have ever looked up at a half moon and wondered whether it was growing or shrinking, you are in very good company. The phases of the moon are one of the most searched sky questions in Britain. This guide explains them plainly: what is actually happening up there, how to read the Moon’s shape at a glance, and how people have worked with each phase for centuries, from setting intentions at the new moon to letting go as it wanes.
The Moon Phases at a Glance
- One full cycle: about 29 and a half days, from new moon to new moon
- The eight phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent
- Waxing: growing, from new to full, about two weeks; traditionally for drawing things in
- Waning: shrinking, from full to new, about two weeks; traditionally for letting things go
- In the UK: a waxing moon is lit on the right; a waning moon is lit on the left
- Strongest phase: the full moon, worked across three days
- Quietest phase: the dark moon, the night before the new moon, kept for rest
- Today’s phase: shown live on our Grove Insights page
Why Does the Moon Have Phases?
The Moon does not shine by itself. It is a ball of grey rock, and the light we see is sunlight bouncing off it. At every moment, half of the Moon is lit by the Sun and half is in darkness, just like the Earth has day and night.
As the Moon travels round the Earth, roughly once a month, we see different amounts of its lit half. When the Moon is between us and the Sun, the lit side faces away and we see nothing: the new moon. When it is on the far side of the Earth from the Sun, we see the whole lit face: the full moon. Everything in between is a phase. The Earth’s shadow has nothing to do with it, except during an eclipse.
A quick way to remember. The word waning sits hidden inside weakening: the Moon’s light is weakening. Waxing is the old word for growing, as in “to wax lyrical”. In Britain, if the bright edge is on the right, the Moon is waxing. If it is on the left, it is waning. Some people remember it as the letters D and C: a D shape is developing, a C shape is closing.
The Eight Phases of the Moon
1. The New Moon: beginnings
What you see: nothing at all. The Moon is between us and the Sun, rising and setting with it, its lit side turned away.
What it is for: new beginnings, fresh starts, hope and setting intentions. It is the seed of the month. Traditionally the new moon is counted as two to three days, and much of the active work waits until the very first crescent is on its way.
The Dark Moon: rest
The dark moon is the last night or so before the new moon, when the old month runs out. Energy is at its lowest, and it is traditionally kept for rest, quiet and clearing away rather than for action. If you feel tired and inward at this time of the month, you are in tune with it.
2. The Waxing Crescent: intention
What you see: a thin silver curve low in the west just after sunset, lit on the right.
What it is for: setting and writing down your intention, and taking the first small step. The traditional stone is rose quartz, for kindness towards whatever you are beginning.
3. The First Quarter: decisions
What you see: a half moon, lit on the right, high in the south at dusk. It is called a quarter because the Moon is a quarter of the way round its cycle.
What it is for: decisions and action, the point where an intention meets real life and you have to choose. The traditional stone is carnelian, for courage; red tiger’s eye carries a similar warm, motivating note.
4. The Waxing Gibbous: refining
What you see: more than half lit, bulging towards full. Gibbous comes from an old word meaning humped.
What it is for: refining and adjusting, polishing what you have started, patience before the peak. The traditional stone is tiger’s eye, for steady focus.
5. The Full Moon: release, sealing and gratitude
What you see: the whole face lit, rising in the east at sunset and up all night.
What it is for: the strongest phase of the cycle. It is traditionally the time to seal an intention, give thanks for what has grown, release what has not worked, and charge crystals and moon water in its light. It is worked across three days: the night before, the night itself and the night after. The traditional stone is sunstone.
6. The Waning Gibbous: gratitude
What you see: just past full, the dark edge creeping in from the right, so the light sits on the left. It rises later each night, well after dark.
What it is for: gratitude and sharing, passing on what you have learned. The traditional stone is citrine, the stone of warmth and generosity.
7. The Last Quarter: forgiveness
What you see: a half moon lit on the left, rising around midnight and still up in the morning sky.
What it is for: forgiveness and letting go of grudges, including ones against yourself. Waning moons are traditionally for pushing things away and breaking old habits. The traditional stone is clear quartz, for clarity.
8. The Waning Crescent: surrender
What you see: a thin curve lit on the left, low in the east before dawn.
What it is for: surrender, endings and making space, the deep breath out before the new moon. The traditional stone is bloodstone, for strength while things close.
Waxing draws in. Waning lets go. The full moon seals, and the dark moon rests.
Waxing and Waning: Which Phase for What?
The simplest rule of moon work is this: while the Moon grows, work on what you want to grow; while it shrinks, work on what you want to shrink.
- Waxing moon, new to full: attracting, starting, learning, building momentum, new relationships, growing savings, confidence.
- Full moon: gratitude, completing, sealing, celebrating, charging crystals.
- Waning moon, full to new: releasing, clearing out, breaking habits, ending what is finished, forgiveness.
- Dark moon: rest, reflection and silence.
When to pause
Many people choose to pause their moon work during eclipses, when the energy is seen as unsettled. It is traditionally not a time for charging crystals, making moon water or elixirs, or setting new intentions; rest and reflection suit it better. The dark moon, too, is for being rather than doing.
Moon Phase Dates for the Rest of 2026
All times are UK clock time. The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, so dates after that are in GMT.
- New Moon in Libra: Saturday 10 October, 4.50pm
- First quarter: Sunday 18 October, 5.13pm
- Full Moon in Taurus, the Hunter’s Moon: Monday 26 October, 4.12am
- Last quarter: Sunday 1 November, 8.30pm
- New Moon in Scorpio: Monday 9 November, 7.02am
- First quarter: Tuesday 17 November, 11.48am
- Full Moon in Gemini, the Beaver Moon, a supermoon: Tuesday 24 November, 2.54pm
- Last quarter: Tuesday 1 December, 6.10am
- New Moon in Sagittarius: Wednesday 9 December, 12.52am
- First quarter: Thursday 17 December, 5.43am
- Full Moon in Cancer, the Cold Moon, a supermoon: Thursday 24 December, 1.28am
Each new and full moon has its own guide with a ritual and a crystal grid. You will find them all, sorted by year, in our moon guides.
A Simple Moon Phase Practice for Beginners
You do not need to mark every phase. If you are starting out, try just four moments a month, each taking five minutes, with a moon phase notebook to keep it together.
- New moon: light a white chime candle, take five slow breaths, and write one intention with a date in it. Read it aloud.
- First quarter: read your intention again and write down one decision or action that moves it forward.
- Full moon: write three things you are grateful for and one thing you are ready to release. Read both lists aloud. Set your stones on the windowsill overnight.
- Last quarter: write down one thing you forgive, in yourself or someone else, and close the notebook for the month.
Some people like to picture the Moon’s shape as they write; others prefer to step outside and simply listen to the night for a minute, or hold a stone and feel its weight. Any of these anchors the practice beautifully. Always snuff candles rather than blowing them out.
Questions People Ask About Moon Phases
What are the 8 phases of the moon?
New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter and waning crescent.
How do I know if the moon is waxing or waning?
In the UK, a waxing moon is lit on the right and a waning moon is lit on the left. A D shape is developing; a C shape is closing.
What is a waning gibbous moon?
The phase just after the full moon, when the Moon is still more than half lit but shrinking, with the light on the left. It is traditionally a time for gratitude.
How long does each moon phase last?
The whole cycle takes about 29 and a half days. The four main phases, new, first quarter, full and last quarter, each come about a week apart, with the crescent and gibbous phases in between.
What phase is the moon in today?
Today’s phase is shown live, with the next new and full moon, on our Grove Insights page.
Why is it called a quarter moon when it looks half full?
Because the name describes where the Moon is in its cycle, a quarter or three quarters of the way round, not how much of it is lit.
Your Moon Phase Toolkit
A Moon Phase Notebook to follow the cycle, white Manifest Magic chime candles for new and full moons, the New Moon and Full Moon manifestation candles, and rose quartz and tiger’s eye for the waxing weeks.
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