By Leigh Tremaine
The Moon has long been associated with the archetypal feminine energy. By becoming more aware of its cycles we can develop our inner feminine receptivity and attune more to the rhythm of nature and the universal cycle of birth death, and renewal. As we do this we can also become more aware of our response to the Moon, and of our own inner cycles. Of particular interest here is the lunation cycle or synodic month. This is counted from one New Moon to the next New Moon, and is around 29½ days in length.
The New Moon is associated with new beginnings (albeit in darkness) and a new infusion of potential. The New Moon and Sun are always in conjunction (occupying the same degree of the zodiac), and together express the symbolism of unity, out of which all is formed.
The First Quarter occurs between 7 and 8 days after the New Moon and marks the midway point between the New Moon and Full Moon. It is associated with growth, development, and learning - represented symbolically by the increasing light of the waxing Moon. At this point in the cycle, the Moon is square the Sun (90° apart), and during this time the first major challenge of growth is set.
The Full Moon occurs between 14 and 15 days after the New Moon and is associated with maturation, revelation, and enlightenment. Whatever seed was sown at the New Moon is likely to come to fruition now. At this point in the cycle, the Moon is opposite the Sun (180° apart), and during this time there may be a tension between the old and the new, or between passivity and assertion. This coincides with the realisation of power and responsibility, and an acute awareness of relationships.
The Last Quarter occurs between 21 and 22 days after the New Moon and marks the midway point between the Full Moon and the next New Moon. It is associated with dissemination (think of a pod releasing its seeds), implementation, and service. At this point in the cycle, the waning Moon is square the Sun, and during this time the challenge of responsibility in action is set. This involves a looking to the future and a contemplation on how things should be concluded so that the next cycle can build upon the present one. As the New Moon approaches, there will be an increasing need to bring all that has been established into harmony with the whole.
Additional information about each stage of the lunation cycle is given by the sign-placing of the Moon at that time, and any aspects to other planets that it forms. For example, a Full Moon in Leo (the sign ruling creative self-expression) could represent the issue of the fulfilment of creative expression. The position of the Sun - as the Moon's reference point - also needs to be taken into account. In the example just given, the Sun will be in the sign opposite to that of the Full Moon (Aquarius), suggesting that here there needs to be an awareness of collective concerns (Aquarius) in the fulfilment of personal creative expression.
The occurrence of an Eclipse in the lunation cycle heightens the significance of the issues involved, since the Sun-Moon alignment to the Earth will then be precise. A Solar Eclipse occurs on a New Moon, and a Lunar Eclipse occurs on a Full Moon. Symbolically, the Eclipse allows us to see the shadow - the aspects of ourselves that we disown - so that we can accept it, learn from it, and integrate it. The effect of an Eclipse can last for weeks and (if it is a Solar Eclipse) sometimes months afterwards. Shamans in tribal cultures believe that the energy of an Eclipse also facilitates the opening of inter-dimensional doorways.
A 'SuperMoon' occurs when the Moon's distance from the Earth is 90% or more of its mean closest approach, and is either New or Full. Its energy is particularly strong at this time.