New moon and full moon meaning: what each phase signals in astrology

New moons and full moons are the two anchor points of the lunar month, and the moments astrologers pay most attention to. This guide explains what is happening in the sky at each, how the zodiac sign changes the meaning, how people use them, and what the evidence says. For the exact dates and times in your time zone, use the moon calendar.

What a new moon is

At a new moon the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so the side facing us is in shadow and we cannot see it. Astronomers call this the Moon’s conjunction with the Sun. Astrologers call it a fresh start: the Sun and Moon are in the same degree of the same sign, so the energy of that sign is concentrated.

In practice, people use the days around a new moon to set intentions, begin habits, plan projects and make a fresh list of what they want for the month ahead. It is traditionally a time to plant seeds rather than expect results.

What a full moon is

At a full moon the Earth sits roughly between the Sun and Moon, and the whole face of the Moon is lit. The Sun and Moon are opposite each other in the zodiac. Astrologers read this as the high point of the cycle: what began at the new moon comes into view, emotions run strong, and tensions between opposites (head and heart, work and rest) tend to surface.

People use full moons to notice what has come to fruition, celebrate progress, finish things and let go of what is not working. Some simply use the evening to pay attention to how they feel.

The lunar cycle in numbers

• One cycle from new moon to new moon takes about 29.5 days (the synodic month).
• The Moon is 14 to 15 days from new to full.
• The Moon rises about 50 minutes later each day.
• A full moon and a new moon each happen in a different zodiac sign, because the Moon moves through a sign in about two and a half days.

New moon by zodiac sign

The sign the new moon falls in sets its theme. In brief:

• Aries: new beginnings, courage, taking the first step.
• Taurus: money, comfort, building something solid.
• Gemini: learning, communication, curiosity.
• Cancer: home, family, emotional security.
• Leo: creativity, joy, confidence and visibility.
• Virgo: health, routines, practical improvement.
• Libra: relationships, fairness, partnership.
• Scorpio: depth, honesty, transformation.
• Sagittarius: travel, belief, big-picture goals.
• Capricorn: career, discipline, long-term plans.
• Aquarius: community, innovation, friendship.
• Pisces: intuition, imagination, rest and compassion.

A full moon in a sign reflects the opposite sign: a full moon in Leo is about the balance between Leo’s self-expression and Aquarius’s community, and so on. The Sun is always in the opposite sign of a full moon, which is why full moons in Leo happen in winter, when the Sun is in Aquarius.

The phases between

The Moon has eight commonly named phases. After the new moon come the waxing crescent, first quarter and waxing gibbous, when the light grows. After the full moon come the waning gibbous, last quarter and waning crescent, when it shrinks. Astrologers treat the growing half as a time for building and the shrinking half as a time for releasing and resting. Our guide to Moon phases covers all eight.

New moon and full moon rituals people use

• Write down three intentions at a new moon, and check them at the next full moon.
• Take a short walk outside on a full moon night and notice how you feel.
• Declutter a room, a bag or an inbox in the days after a full moon.
• Keep a simple moon journal: date, phase, mood, sleep. After a few months you may see your own patterns.

Do moon phases affect behavior?

Studies have not found a reliable link between the lunar phase and mood, sleep, crime or hospital admissions. The one clear effect is that a full moon makes nights brighter, which can disturb sleep slightly in places without much artificial light. Many people find the lunar rhythm a pleasant reason to check in with themselves once a month, and that does not depend on it having a physical effect.

Supermoons and blue moons

A supermoon is a full or new moon that happens when the Moon is near its closest point to Earth (perigee), which makes it look slightly larger and brighter. A blue moon is either the second full moon in a calendar month or the third full moon in a season with four. Astrologers sometimes treat both as especially strong, but astronomically they are ordinary full moons.