In astrology, the Sun is associated with consciousness, vitality, drives, shine, purpose, and the future.
The Moon, on the other hand, is related to the unconscious, emotions, needs, darkness, belonging, and the past.
Every day, these two celestial bodies interact. According to the characteristics of their interaction, the phases of the moon originate.
Moon phases are the manifestation of the fluctuating, visible (and sometimes invisible) relationship between the Sun and the Moon as seen from the Earth.
In this text, I will discuss some general characteristics of the moon phases and how to connect with them.
This is the table of contents:
- Moon Phases by Dane Rudhyar
- The Actual Meaning of the New Moon
- New Moons and Farming
- The Best Time To Create “New Moon” Intentions
Let’s go.
Moon Phases by Dane Rudhyar
The Moon phases became astrologically significant thanks to the astrologer Dane Rudhyar.
Rudhyar considered the Moon phases to be the archetype of all other cycles of relationship. Therefore, this specific cycle deserves special attention.
According to him, thanks to the knowledge of the Moon phases, the concept of astrological aspects emerged.
Furthermore, by studying the Moon cycle, astrologers were able to unveil the existence of the nodes.
Related: Eclipse Season and the First Saturn Return
As stated, the phases of the Moon are the archetype of all other cycles of celestial relationships. That being said, these phases don’t involve the Moon exclusively, but the interaction between the Moon and the Sun.
The Moon moves quickly. It changes its position in the sky daily, as well as its physical appearance as seen from the Earth. Sometimes, the Moon changes its physical appearance so much that it disappears.
When the Moon is not seen from the Earth, a New Moon occurs. This disappearance was considered ominous by our ancestors.
If the Moon was not visible, certain activities and social commitments were not encouraged. It was a mysterious time, and, as such, action was not favored.
I find it extremely interesting to see the New Moon as a “bad omen” because social media astrologers always recommend you create “intentions” during New Moons.
I disagree with that invitation. And I’m going to explain why.
The Actual Meaning of the New Moon
In astrology, New Moons traditionally are used for purging and releasing tasks. This perspective doesn’t precisely align with the modern “plant seeds, new beginnings, set intentions” rhetoric.
The rationale behind the traditional perspective was related to the Moon’s brightness.
Classically, the quality of light is what determines the actions you take during different parts of the Moon cycle:
- Dark (Balsamic and New Moon) = ending or rest
- Waxing Moon = growth
- Full Moon = amplification or revelations
- Waning Moon = decline
You want the Moon in the waxing phase when you start something. Waning or dark phases are suitable for ending something or resting. Full Moons amplify and reveal whatever is already underway.
In the present, people usually associate the darkness of the New Moon with the darkness of the soil. Hence, the “plant seeds during the New Moon” metaphor.
But the darkness of the New Moon is analogous to the energy of the Winter Solstice. While the year is energetically turning and the yang energy begins to ascend, it’s still early to start planting seeds.
Related: Yule and the Winter Solstice
Folks may have simplified the Moon cycle to think that a New Moon equals new starts. They have done so with no connection to observable phenomena or an understanding of how nature works.
The Moon phases are very clear when it comes to farming. There were a lot of ancient texts talking about the best time to (literally) plant, ripen, or harvest. Older almanacs give indications of this continued tradition.
Keep reading to find out about Moon cycles and their connection with farming.
New Moons and Farming
My brother-in-law comes from a farming family. They used to grow vegetables and sell them in markets to make a living.
Although he no longer needs to do it as a job, he still enjoys growing vegetables.
Like his ancestors, he guides his gardening work according to the phases of the Moon.
Before a New Moon, he told me that he was going to plant new seeds in a few days, once the Moon started gaining some light.
At that moment, I had an epiphany.
When I started applying astrology in a practical way in my life, I always wrote intentions during the New Moon. That practice was suggested by every astrologer I followed on social media. But doing so never worked for me.
Related: My Philosophy About Astrology
Some years ago, I used to craft intentions during the New Moons. A few days later, I realized I didn’t want to commit to those intentions. They felt forced and outside of my realm of interest.
Once I heard my brother-in-law say that he would literally plant seeds closer to the waxing Moon, I realized I had to do the same with my metaphorical seeds.
New Moon intentions are useless. You have to create them when the Moon is gaining light.
The New Moon is a dark time, and darkness prevents us from seeing clearly. Therefore, that Moon phase is not the appropriate time to craft intentions or act. Clarity will slowly return when the Moon separates from the Sun and receives its light.
I know it’s tidier to make intentions during a New Moon because it marks the beginning of the Moon cycle. But doing so keeps you disconnected from the concrete movement of the celestial bodies.
The Best Time To Create “New Moon” Intentions
The best time to craft “New Moon” intentions is when the Moon reaches the following sign of the sign where the New Moon occurred.
For example, if there’s a New Moon in Capricorn, you can craft your intentions when the Moon moves to Aquarius. Aquarius is the zodiac sign following Capricorn.
(Note: If the New Moon occurs in the last degrees of a sign, it may move to the next sign and still be dark. I’m trying to keep it simple for the time being.)
You can start working towards those intentions when the Moon moves to the next sign after the sign where you crafted the intentions.
Following the same example, you should start moving towards your intentions when the Moon reaches Pisces, the sign following Aquarius in the zodiac.
In social media, you may read a lot of hype before every New Moon. It seems that every New Moon is going to change your life upside down. Spoiler alert: It won’t.
We have a New Moon every month. Not ALL of them are going to cause life-altering events. However, some of them are more important than others.
The New Moons (and Full Moons) that are going to be crucial for you are those that occur less than two degrees away from a planet, node, or angle of your birth chart. This two-degree distance can occur by conjunction or opposition.
All the other New or Full Moons may happen without causing any significant disruption in your life.
Of course, this is my opinion. You may agree or disagree with it.
Be that as it may, I invite you to experiment on your own and see what works. Try different approaches and see what resonates, what information you want to keep, and what you want to disregard.
I would love to read about your experience in the comments. Feel free to write about it, and I will reply to you.
Thank you for being here, and until next time!
First Saturn Return 
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