“It’s the day-to-day decisions and reactions that are most critical, not our once-in-a-lifetime promotions or lottery wins. It is from daily acts and thoughts that our fates are engineered. From them, we take the spiritual measure of our life. A cycle that keeps us trained on this daily business – goading us into small forward steps or holding us back for reflection – is precious.” ~ Dana Gerhardt, Moon Astrologer
Dancing with the Moon’s Cycles and Phases
At the time of the New and Full Moon, the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in alignment. “The solar tide has an additive effect on the lunar tide, creating extra-high high tides and very low, low tides.” Our Earth can keep everything in place except for the water; the human body is comprised of 60% water. We wake up each morning and go about our day – as our day-to-day lives wax and wane with the cycles of the Moon. Cycle after cycle, our desires, frustrations, meetings, and revelations move in rhythm with the Moon’s cycles and phases.
The Monthly Solar/Lunar Cycle
The cycles of the Moon begin in darkness, then gradually increase in light until the complete illumination at Full Moon. Then the light of the Full Moon slowly recedes back into the darkness of the New Moon – only to begin the process again. The Moon’s monthly motion through the heavens and its phases are timers that, if taken seriously and consciously used, can positively direct the daily flow of your life.
The Waxing Moon
At the New Moon, the visible portion of the Moon gradually increases toward the wholeness of the Full Moon. The increasing light is accompanied by gradually ramping up the outward flow energy. The action is straightforward, choices are made, the direction is initiated, and the lunar increase carries the project forward. This is the formative time that defines the outcome of the cycle. The first four phases that make up the waxing or growing half of the cycle are when the energy is building.
- New Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 0-45 degrees (Gestation)
- Crescent Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 45-90 degrees (Laying down roots/Gradual growth)
- First Quarter Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 90-135 degrees (Crisis in commitment)
- Gibbous Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 135-180 degrees (Struggle for survival)
The Waning Moon
“Form, revealed in a moment of lucid perception at the ‘Full Moon’… gradually releases its meaning (or significance) as the Moon decreases in light. The waning period of the lunation is thus a period of growth for the active power of consciousness. Consciousness, once it is formulated, can be shared with others, and thus can actively affect and transform others.” ~ Dane Rudhyar
At the Full Moon, the visible portion of the Moon steadily decreases towards the dark of the New Moon. The gradual reduction of the light we receive from the Moon and the outward flow of energy gives way to processing what was initiated at the New Moon – information is gathered, and elimination begins. Endings can be accomplished faster and more smoothly by aligning with this natural energy decrease. The last four phases that make up the waning half of the cycle are when the energy is released.
- Full Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 180-225 degrees (Illumination/Flowering)
- Disseminating Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 225- 270 degrees (Pollinating/Dispersal of knowledge)
- Third Quarter Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 270-315 degrees (Crisis in belief/Preparing the seed for the next cycle)
- Balsamic Moon: Sun-Moon Angle 315-360 degrees (Decay/Letting go/Releasing the seed for the next cycle)
The Astrological Importance of the Solar/Lunar Cycle
“Astrology can be defined as a technique for the study of life cycles. Its main purpose (is to establish) the existence of regular patterns in the sequence of events constituting man’s inner and outer experience; then, to use the knowledge of these patterns in order to control or give meaning to these experiences. Indeed, the study of cycles, that is, of periodical activities in nature, human and otherwise, is the root of all significant knowledge, be it scientific or philosophical. And the study of cycles is a study of time.” ~ Dane Rudhyar
The very visible monthly cycle of the Moon is the rationale for interpreting all the cyclic processes that are the foundation of astrology. The monthly Solar/Lunar cycle is the archetypal cycle. The eight phases of the Moon can be used to understand better the signs of the zodiac, the sequence of the astrological aspects, and the planetary transits. Their meanings are derived from the particular place each has within the cycle as a whole.
For example, using the waxing and waning lunar phases as the model gives more clarity to the natal and transiting aspects. For instance, although their geometry is the same and both are challenging, a waxing square aspect will carry a different energy than a waning square aspect.
Natal Solar/Lunar Phase
Our birth Moon phase describes a fundamental orientation, the underlying pulse of our life. Your Sun sign and all other birth chart factors, like planetary placements and aspects, are subtly, but essentially, modified by the qualities and traits of your birth Moon phase. Dane Rudhyar calls this our Lunation type.
Secondary Progressed Solar/Lunar Cycle
The progressed Sun and Moon perform the same dance as the monthly Solar/Lunar cycle, but a complete cycle takes thirty years, and the timing depends entirely on your personal birth chart. The progressed Solar/Lunar cycle beats a slow, steady, and meaningful rhythm to our lives, one that you may overlook but one that can put the ongoing transits to the planetary placements in your birth chart into a larger context. It’s worthwhile to pay attention to the progressed Moon phase you’re currently in, so you can attune yourself to it. The secondary progressed (SP) Solar-Lunar phases mark the times of our lives. Prediction is never easy, but making an accurate forecast is easier when attention is given to the SP Solar-Lunar phase. Of course, there isn’t a specific type of circumstance or event that goes with any phase, but life events that happen during that time occur within the context of your SP Solar/Lunar phase.
“…Astrology is not merely a study of celestial cycles in themselves; it is a technique of interpretation of the meaning of these cycles with reference to the possibilities for growth in individuals…Its essential purpose—when true to its highest and truest function in human affairs—is to indicate the possibilities for individual development inherent in the significant turning points in the cycle of a human life.”
~ Dane Rudhyar, The Lunation Cycle
My Thoughts on Interpreting the Solar-Lunar Phases
My fascination with the Solar-Lunar phases began in my SP New Moon phase when I realized I’d sold a successful business to study and practice astrology – I’m now moving through another – and my last – Balsamic. Over the years, I’ve let the Moon phases let my imagination flow, leading me to see the eight phases from different perspectives and leading to a deeper understanding of astrology.
The Aries Points
The New, First Quarter, Full, and Fourth Quarter Moon phases correlate to the Aries Points or 0° degree of the Cardinal signs:
- 0° Aries, New Moon
- 0° Cancer, First Quarter
- 0° Libra, Full Moon
- 0° Capricorn, Fourth Quarter
Aries points are said to reveal the potential to make an impact and be recognized.
The Avatar Degrees
The Crescent, Gibbous, Disseminating, and Balsamic Moon phases correlate to the Avatar degrees or 15° of the Fixed signs.
- 15° Taurus, Crescent
- 15° Leo, Gibbous
- 15° Scorpio, Disseminating
- 15° Aquarius, Balsamic
The Avatar degrees bring forth resourcefulness, coincidences, and lucky accidents that can often seem magical.
The Sabian Symbols
The Sabian Symbols can add more depth and detail to the meaning of each phase. The Sabian Symbols below are interpreted by Marc Edmund Jones.
- 0 – 1º Aries (New Moon): A woman has risen out of the ocean; a seal is embracing her. Potentiality of selfhood: the individual emerges from the collective and realizes self for the first time.
- 15º Taurus (Crescent): A man with a rakish silk hat, muffled against the cold, braves a storm. Supremacy of conscious mind over brute nature forces. Full appreciation of outer difficulties. Great inner resources.
- 0 – 1º Cancer (First Quarter): On a ship, the sailors lower an old flag and raise a new one. The nascent desire to align oneself with a larger and more significant life trend. Compelling decision. Repolarization.
- 15º Leo (Gibbous): A pageant moving along a street packed with people. Spectacular, dramatic release of subconscious energies. Self-exaltation for social approval. Self-indulgence and license.
- 0 – 1º Libra (Full Moon): A butterfly preserved and made perfect with a dart through it. The symbolical death that is initiation into spiritual reality and wisdom. Sudden awakening. Craving for inner light.
- 15º Scorpio (Disseminating): Children playing around five mounds of sand. The world of the five senses as the playground of God and Soul. Honesty in self-expression. Bondage to sense patterns.
- 0 – 1º Capricorn (Fourth Quarter): An Indian chief claims power from the assembled tribe. Mastery of a situation through purposeful planning and venturing. Bold rising to opportunity. Extreme of self-confidence.
- 15º Aquarius (Balsamic): Two lovebirds sitting on a fence and singing happily. Contagiousness of happiness in human associations. Revelation of constructive reality. Radiation of spontaneous faith.
Equinoxes
There are two equinoxes during the year. The Vernal or Spring equinox happens when the Sun enters the astrological sign of Aries – approximately March 21. The Autumnal equinox occurs when the Sun enters Libra – approximately September 23. Due to the Earth’s and Sun’s positions, the Moon phases are directly affected. During the Spring equinox, the Moon phase is the First Quarter, and during the Autumn equinox, the Moon phase is the Third Quarter.
The Power of 45 Degrees
Each of the Solar-Lunar phases spans 45 degrees of the zodiac, which makes it seem, at least to me, that the semi-square should be given more attention. If you google “the importance of 45 degrees,” you’ll find that 45 degrees is used in economics and martial arts, specifically Karate. In Karate, there’s a saying “”Karate iz… whoore-tee-high-boo”, which means, Karate is forty-five. There’s a 45-degree rule for architectural house plans. And in sports, there’s something called the “45-degree principle,” which seems to be a good analogy for the 45-degree Solar-Lunar phases.
“… The basic principle, however you achieve it, is to progress the athlete along a 45-degree trajectory if plotted on a graph. A steady improvement over a period of years is the ideal trajectory for any budding Elite Athlete. If you take this principle into coaching and increase the load and intensity at a 45-degree angle, the athlete has more chance of fulfilling their potential in the future, whatever that may be.”
Note: This is the first in a series of 9 articles covering the 8 Solar/Lunar phases.
Read the Entire Series
Wօndеrful site. Lots of helpful infοrmation here. I’m sending it
to several buddies ɑns also sharing in delicіous.
And of course, thanks to your effort!
Hi Promise, Thanks for reading… unfortunately the entire Part 1: Introduction was not online… it will be shortly. So come back and read the entire piece. Patricia