Moon phase today

The eight phases of the Moon

A full cycle of phases, from one new moon to the next, takes about 29.5 days. Four moments in that cycle are exact: the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon and the last quarter. Between them come four in-between phases, named by whether the light is growing (waxing) or shrinking (waning).

• New Moon

  Dark

  Sitting between the Earth and the Sun, the Moon turns its dark side toward us. Many people use this night to name one intention for the month ahead and write it down.

• Waxing crescent

  Under half lit, growing

  A thin sliver of light grows a little every night. It suits first steps: send the message, book the class, start small and keep going.

• First quarter

  Half lit, growing

  Half of the Moon is lit and the light is still growing. This is the phase of the first obstacle, when a plan meets real life and asks for a decision.

• Waxing gibbous

  Over half lit, growing

  More than half is lit and the Moon is close to full. It is a time to refine rather than start over, so adjust, practice and polish what you began.

• Full Moon

  Fully lit

  Its whole face is lit, and the Moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise. Feelings run high and things come to light, which makes it a natural moment to see what has grown since the new moon.

• Waning gibbous

  Over half lit, shrinking

  After the full moon the light starts to shrink. It suits sharing what you learned, thanking people and passing things on.

• Last quarter

  Half lit, shrinking

  Half of the Moon is lit again, now on the other side, and the light keeps shrinking. This is the phase for letting go, so finish, clear out and say no to what no longer fits.

• Waning crescent

  Under half lit, shrinking

  Only a thin curve of light is left before the next new moon. Rest counts here. Sleep a little more, slow down and leave room for what comes next.

What the Moon’s sign says about the day

Moving faster than anything else in the sky, the Moon crosses all twelve zodiac signs in about 27.3 days, so it changes sign every two to three days. Astrologers read its sign as the emotional weather of the day: the background mood, not a forecast.

• ♈︎

  An Aries Moon brings a quick, restless mood. Start things, move your body and count to three before you snap.

• ♉︎

  With the Moon in Taurus the day slows down and asks for comfort. Good food, a tidy space and steady work feel right.

• ♊︎

  Under a Gemini Moon minds get busy and chatty. Messages, short trips and new ideas flow, though focus can scatter.

• ♋︎

  A Cancer Moon turns attention home. Feelings sit close to the surface, so be gentle with yourself and the people you live with.

• ♌︎

  In Leo the Moon wants warmth and a little attention. Make something, praise someone and let yourself be seen.

• ♍︎

  With the Moon in Virgo the details matter. Lists, cleaning and small repairs feel satisfying, as long as they do not turn into self-criticism.

• ♎︎

  A Libra Moon looks for balance and good company. Talks, compromises and anything beautiful go better than going it alone.

• ♏︎

  In Scorpio the Moon deepens everything. Honest talks and focused work go well, while grudges and suspicion need watching.

• ♐︎

  A Sagittarius Moon lifts the mood and widens the view. Plan a trip, learn something new or say yes to a small adventure.

• ♑︎

  With the Moon in Capricorn the day turns practical. It is a good time for duties, plans and the task you keep putting off.

• ♒︎

  In Aquarius the Moon cools emotions and sharpens ideas. Friends, groups and unusual solutions come forward.

• ♓︎

  A Pisces Moon softens the edges of the day. Intuition, music and rest help more than a strict schedule.

When is the next full moon?

A full moon comes about every 29.5 days, when the Sun and the Moon sit on opposite sides of the Earth. Its exact moment is the same everywhere, but the date on your calendar depends on your time zone. Our panel above lists the next ones in your local time.

Each month’s full moon also has a traditional name. The best known ones come from North American almanacs:

The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox, so in some years it falls in October. That September’s full moon is then called the Corn Moon.

How the Moon is calculated here

Positions come from the DE421 ephemeris published by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, computed with the open-source Skyfield library. Phase times are accurate to the minute and shown in your device’s time zone. For the sign we use the tropical zodiac of Western astrology, counted from the spring equinox.

The Moon in tarot and in your birth chart

In tarot, The Moon is card XVIII. It stands for intuition, dreams and the things you can’t see clearly yet, which is why it pairs well with a quiet night of reflection. Read the full meaning of The Moon card.

The sign the Moon was in when you were born is your natal Moon sign. It describes what you need to feel safe and how you recharge. You can find it in your birth chart.

Questions people ask