The Moon ☽
a multi-perspective guide to lunar facts & phases
Introduction
Earth's moon is our nearest celestial neighbor!
Our Moon's cycle, from our perspective on Earth, has 8 phases:
new moon🌑waxing crescent🌒first quarter🌓waxing gibbous🌔full🌕waning gibbous🌖last quarter🌗waning crescent🌘
The study of the Moon’s motions has both crafted and expanded our understanding of time, and the fundamentals of celestial mechanics and physics. Earth’s gravity and the gravitational pull of the moon combined create a phenomenon called tidal force, which impacts the movement of Earth's ocean tides. Early observations of Moon movement and tidal impact led to the development of the first calendars. Past civilizations honored the moon as a diety for its cyclical control over the tides and female fertility. The Moon has also long been associated with magic - legends and lore have often revered its power to infuse spells and transform humans behaviorally and physically (think full moon lunacy and werewolves!). As you read this, the Moon is moving away from us. Throughout history, the Moon has been revered in rituals, it's power has been adapted and interpreted in present times through metaphysical, astrological, and spiritual lenses. It's cyclical pattern resonates existentially with us, much like the phases of birth, death, and renewal. This is also reflected in the changing of the seasons - Native American Folklore designate specific names to each full moon throughout the year, to denote winter snowfall, spring renewal, summer's height, and falls' harvest.
Learn more about Native American Full Moon names.