posted August 19, 2008 08:04 PM
http://www.astrologicallyspeaking.com/eightphases.htm The Eight Phases of the Moon
The major work in modern times for the Lunation Cycle was Dane Rudhyar’s book. The appendix to his work was written by Leyla Rael. In order to understand these cycles I would recommend reading the original author, whose thoughts have been reinterpreted by numerous astrologers since. The Lunation Cycle - A Key to Understanding Personality.
New Moon (0 - 45 degrees in front of the sun)
Keyword: Emergence.
This phase is most commonly associated with the Aries point and thus birth, youth and beginnings. Concepts of the eastern hemispheric and quandrant emphasis are used to explain the phase. The keywords used to describe both action and personality of a native born during this phase are instinctive, subjective, impulsive and emotional.
Crescent Moon (45 - 90 degrees ahead of sun)
Keyword: Expansion.
Individualization, separation from the past, and awareness as consciousness expands. The phase is associated with action, assertion, and confidence in oneself with the need to make an impression. Typically associated with the 2nd house as 45° (semi-square mild friction) falls in the middle of that house yet encompasses all of the third house. Yet it encompasses the sextile aspect (60° - harmony, ease of communication)
First Quarter Moon (90 - 135 degrees ahead of sun)
Keyword: Crisis in Action.
Awareness is still moving toward understanding. It’s the time to act on ideas, to assess potential solutions. This phase is typically associated with the square aspect (90° tension, friction, action) of Aries-Cancer as well as the age of seven. The separation from the family unit, acting on your own, becoming independent.
Gibbous Moon (135 - 180 degrees ahead of sun)
Keyword: Overcoming.
Analysis, evaluation and understanding the reason or logic behind actions. Associated with introspection, personal growth and a need to contribute in a creative way. This is just prior to the full Moon and the building tension is pronounced. This phase is typically associated with the sesquiqadrate (135° - oops) and quincunx (150° adjustment) aspects, drawing a 1st to 5th house aspect.
Full Moon (180 -225 degrees ahead of sun)
Keyword: Fulfillment
At the full Moon we reach a culmination. The heavenly body has waxed and is in full view. This phase is associated with the opposition aspect. Oppositions are associated with objectivity and relationships. However, the phase is associated with waning, the Moon is loosing her brilliance as she begins her journey toward the dark of the Moon.
Disseminating Moon (135 - 90 degrees behind the sun)
Keyword: Demonstration
The waning Moon forms a sesquiquadrate aspect, 1st to 8th - 9th house aspect. Disseminate literally means broadcasting and dispersing of information. Prior to this the waxing Moon phase was about learning and gathering information. There can be a struggle like with the complementary gibbous phase, but now it is more to do with understanding.
Last Quarter Moon (90 - 45 degrees behind the sun)
Keyword: Re-orientation
This is dynamic, conscious movement the aspects formed are the once of action and friction. The Moon is completing her monthly journey, and bringing with it information and knowledge - crisis at the level of ideals and ideologies, as this aspect lands in the 11th house.
Balsamic Moon (45 - 1 degree behind sun)
Keyword: Release
This aspect is formed to mid-11th house through the 12th. Some sources call this phase - Karma. The cycle is closing and preparing for the new. People born during this phase often have a mission, something bigger than themselves that they must carry out. It’s a time to release the past.
The dark of the Moon, once the Moon is the same sign as the Sun is coined as being the time to accomplish the impossible. If you are unaware, this is the time that you can be mislead or conned.
Note that this information about the lunar phases is used extensively to analyse the modern quadrant qualities. It is also applied to understanding aspects and the phase relationship between planets. Applying aspects operate differently from separating ones. So this information is included for a variety of reasons and intended as reference material not an exhaustive analysis on these. That was already written exceptionally well.
© Anne Massey 2003, All Rights Reserved - Course Material
© Anne Massey 2006