Tonight's Moon Spiritual Meaning: 8 Moon Phases Explained

Learn to lean into the natural cycles of life

Co-authored by Sarah Potter and Savannah Vold

Last Updated: August 9, 2025 References

The beauty of the moon tends to invoke feelings of peace and clarity, so it’s not hard to understand how its 8 phases are believed to have deep, spiritual meaning. In this article, we’ll walk you through the spiritual purpose behind every moon phase, plus how to tap into these cycles so you can lead a more balanced, positive life. Read on for magical moon phase meanings!

Things You Should Know

A new moon symbolizes a time to pause. Take time to listen to your intuition and set intentions for accomplishing future goals.
A waxing moon is a period of energy and action. Exercise your body and mind by spending time in nature, pondering your dreams.
The full moon is a time to celebrate your accomplishments. With all the hard work you’ve been putting into your intentions, have fun with friends, or treat yourself!
Working with the moon’s cycles doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple, intentional acts, like lighting a candle, meditating, or pausing to set a heartfelt intention, can help anyone connect with the moon’s energy.^{[1]
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Sarah Potter
Witch, Tarot Reader, and Psychic Medium

Expert Interview}

Moon’s General Spiritual Meaning

Sarah reflects on the moon as ruling the night, symbolizing intuition, emotions, mystery, and inner wisdom, a “quieter, reflective time” with divine feminine energy.^{[2]
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Sarah Potter
Witch, Tarot Reader, and Psychic Medium

Expert Interview}

1

New Moon

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A new moon is symbolic of rest and intention-setting. The beginning of the lunar cycle, new moons are believed to be an excellent time to listen to your intuition, explore your heart’s desires, and set intentions for the future.^{[3]
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Research source} With no light in the sky, consider a new moon a clean slate—wipe stress off your plate, if only for an hour, by indulging in some well-deserved TLC.
- What to Do: Sit down with a good book, watch a movie, take a bubble bath, or do anything to help put your mind at ease and wind down. Then, once you’re relaxed, tap into your deepest desires and goals by asking questions like, “What do I want most from my life?”
- Examples of intentions to set include, “I will have saved enough money for a new car by this September” or “I will be in a loving, fulfilling relationship by the end of this year.”
- Taking a nature walk during the new moon may be an excellent way to soak up all the quiet, nurturing feminine energy flowing through the air.

2

Waxing Crescent Moon

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Waxing moons symbolize spiritual growth and action. Just like the little sliver of the moon appearing in the sky, the intention(s) you set during the new moon may be taking form. Look to the waxing crescent moon as a motivator to follow through with your goals by taking action. Abundance is on its way!^{[4]
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- What to Do: Meditate for at least 15 minutes, and ask yourself questions throughout, like, “What steps could I be taking to accomplish my dreams?” or, “What is it that’s stopping from moving forward with my goals?”
- If fear of failure is holding you back, remember that putting yourself out there and trying is the true measure of success. People like Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, and more failed many times before accomplishing their dreams—it was their refusal to give up that got them to the top.

3

First Quarter Moon

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A first quarter moon signifies a time for decision-making. With half of the moon illuminated, a first-quarter moon is a reminder to assess how your intentions are growing. If you’ve been taking active steps towards making your dreams come true, a first quarter moon could be the right time to double down and make final decisions to really set things into action, like pursuing your passion project full time.^{[5]
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- What to Do: Be brave and go for it! Whether you want to jump into a new relationship, ask your boss for a promotion, or anything in between, now may be the time. Journaling may be a therapeutic way to write down anything you want to mention and flesh out any anxieties you may have so you feel confident in your ability to move forward.
- As you look to the sky to see the first quarter moon, think of its half-fulness as a sign that you’re halfway there.

4

Waxing Gibbous Moon

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Waxing gibbous moons are a time for mindfulness. If all the action you’ve been pouring into your passions has worn you down, a waxing gibbous moon (between a half moon and a full moon) is a sign to slow down and listen to your body. Remember, it’s healthy to take a break when needed. Research suggests that even a 5-minute break can increase productivity, focus, and energy.^{[6]
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- What to Do: Allow yourself the time you need to re-energize and reinvigorate your efforts toward accomplishing your intentions. Whether it’s taking a quick 5-minute break or leaving your project till the next week, follow what your intuition is guiding you towards to feel renewed.

5

Full Moon

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A full moon is symbolic of celebration and fruitfulness. The most dazzling of all the moon phases, a full moon is a particularly powerful time to celebrate yourself and, in turn, usher in more positivity for the future. Because the potent energy of the full moon is believed to make us more anxious or emotionally reactive than usual, it’s more important than ever to practice soothing rituals, like getting a massage, to celebrate all your hard work.
- What to Do: Celebrate all the good in your life by scheduling a fun night with your best friends, purchasing yourself something you’ve wanted—essentially, do whatever would bring you the most joy!
- A lunar eclipse during a full moon is a sign to release anything that isn’t serving you. For example, if you’ve been dealing with a negative friend, it might be time to let that relationship go to move towards a more positive future.
- The full moon’s energy can be both intense and transformative. It invites letting go of anything that no longer serves you while also offering a powerful moment to set new intentions. Balancing release with celebration and self-care can help manage the emotional intensity that often comes with this phase.^{[7]
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  Sarah Potter
  Witch, Tarot Reader, and Psychic Medium
  
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6

Waning Gibbous Moon

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Waning gibbous moons are a time for practicing gratitude. With the recent full moon slightly fading away, a nearly-full waning gibbous moon is a reminder to show appreciation for what you have.^{[8]
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Research source} According to the Law of Attraction, thinking positively manifests more positivity in your life, so the more grateful you are, the better!
- What to Do: Reflect on all the good in your life by writing down 5 things you’re grateful for. Whether it's something as simple as having hot water or having a wonderful partner to share your life with, you might be surprised by all the gratitude flowing out of you once you get started.

7

Third Quarter Moon

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A third-quarter moon symbolizes forgiveness.^{[9]
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Research source} Whether you’ve been dealing with some difficult situations or internal conflict, a half-full third-quarter moon signifies an opportunity to make allowances for yourself and others. While it can be challenging to let go of past hurts, sometimes forgiveness is exactly what we need to boost positivity and move forward with our lives.
- What to Do: Forgiveness is an excellent way to cultivate a more loving relationship with yourself if you've been battling with your self-image. For example, you might say to yourself, “I forgive myself for not knowing how to handle that situation at that time. I have grown and would handle it better now.”

8

Waning Crescent Moon

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Waning crescent moons are a time for restoring balance and letting go. With only a small sliver of light left, this is a time for releasing anything that isn’t helping you achieve your goals. Additionally, a waning crescent moon can serve as a reminder to lend your support to others and give back to your community, setting a precedent for kindness and compassion as a new moon cycle approaches.^{[10]
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- What to Do: Reset your space by tidying up around the house and getting rid of any clutter that might be stressing you out.

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Cleanse or charge your crystals by letting them soak in the moonlight or moon water overnight.^{[11]
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Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director

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Make moon water by pouring water into a bowl and letting it sit in the moonlight overnight. Then, store it in a clear glass container and place it in a cool, dark place.^{[12]
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Jennifer McVey, Cht
Spiritual Director

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Use a moon phase app like My Moon Phase to pinpoint the exact phase of the moon at any time.