Throughout the year there are thirteen cycles of the moon. We are familiar with the 12 months of the year, yet there are 13 lunar months in each year. A lunar month begins with the New Moon and ends with the Dark Moon. During each lunar month, the moon travels through each of the astrology signs, taking 28-29 days to complete the cycle.

At the New Moon the sun and moon rise and set together, in "conjunction" (within 5 degrees). In this phase we cannot see the waxing crescent at exactly New Moon, but She appears a few days later in the evening sky. Both the sun and the moon are on the same side of the earth and are both in the same astrological sign, pulling us strongly in one direction. This is when we experience a burst of fresh energy and new beginnings, especially when it's in our astrological moon sign.

It is also a time of mystery when the veil between the worlds is thinner, and psychic powers more acute. This moon is more inward and personal than the extroverted full moon. Because it is the beginning of a new cycle of growth, it is a good time to clean up your act', begin new projects, and plant seeds of whatever you would like to come to fruition during this moon cycle. Wishes made when first you see the New Moon will come true. Greet her outside and make a wish, for this is a time to ask for blessings. New Moon corresponds to the Maiden or Nymph aspect of the The Goddess, going out into the world and finding her place.

The Waxing Moon, time of enchantment, occurs 2-3 days after the New Moon. This is when the left-facing waxing crescent shows her face in the west. For a two-week cycle of time her light increases (she grows fatter) and energy rises. Everything is active, vital, outgoing and expressive, bringing to fruition the seeds planted at New Moon: a gathering of earth's bounty for health and healing. Each day she rises an hour earlier and sets an hour late. Halfway through this phase of the cycle the sun and moon are square each other (making a 90 degree angle), bringing challenge and growth through struggle. This moon is visible from noon to midnight. Waxing moon corresponds to Artemis, Goddess of enchantment.

She rises at sunset as the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of the earth, and in opposite astrological signs.

Full moon is a time in the moon phase of intensity and clarity, strong energies pulling in opposite directions, a time of high creativity, excitement, tension, and tremendous potential, especially if it occurs during your birth sign. The seed of the New Moon is now realized, actualized, and established, and ovulation is stimulated. It is a time to connect psychically with some one you love who is far away, or be your most creative self. Electricity in the air is greatest just before and on the Full Moon; and when she peaks in her fullness, there is actually a sense of relief. Full moon represents maturity, nurturing, and richness; the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess. Selene and Yemaya, are Goddesses of the Full Moon.

During the Waning half-moon crescent, which is right-facing, the Sun and the Full moon are again square each other at 90-degree angles. Beginning at the Full Moon the moon rises an hour later every night: by half-waning she sets at noon and is visible every morning. The waning crescent symbolizes contraction, inwardness, receptivity, cutting back, and ending the energy begun at the New Moon. It is also a good time for completing, tidying up, or eliminating anything that is no longer necessary. Now we can mentally clean house.

It is also a time to share the accomplishments of the preceding Waxing Moon, reap what you sow, weed and prune what you don't need, and clear the way for new energy. This is Goddess as The Crone and the Cutter, She who ends energy with one flash of her scissors or knife. The Goddess Hecate guides us into her cave to rebirth again.

Dark Moon follows the Waning Crescent phase when the moon disappears, withdrawing and resting. During this time, we often deal with our inner selves and our fears, and take care of all unfinished affairs left from the last moon cycle. This time can be challenging, a time of dreaming, power and quiet. Emphasize resting, watching, listening. It is a time when the soma (life energy) on the planet is released in a power surge.

The lunar-solar New Year starts on the New Moon closest to Winter Solstice, the darkest time for both lunar and solar cycles. It begins a new cycle of growth. The phases of the year correspond to the Moon's phases. New Moon corresponds to Winter Solstice (time of seeding), First Quarter Moon corresponds with Spring Equinox (action), Full Moon corresponds with Summer Solstice (fulfilment), and Last Quarter Moon corresponds with Fall Equinox (re-orientation).

A blue moon occurs only once every three years, when one month contains two Full Moons. Folklorist Philip Hiscock traced the calendrical meaning of the term "Blue Moon" to the Maine Farmers' Almanac for 1937. Instead of the calendar year running from January 1st through December 31st, the almanac relies on the tropical year, defined as extending from one winter solstice ("Yule") to the next. Most tropical years contain 12 full Moons -‹three each in winter, spring, summer, and fall - and each is named for an activity appropriate to the time of year (such as the Harvest Moon in autumn). But occasionally a tropical year contains 13 full Moons, such that one season has four rather than the usual three. And that would be a blue moon.