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April 21 through April 27, 2025

The Aquarius Moon will inspire us on Monday and Tuesday, as it provides innovative ideas and new options for us to consider. Things slow down considerably when the Moon dips into Pisces Wednesday and Thursday, providing us with a few days of easy-going and time for contemplation. However, once the Moon marches into Aries on Friday, we'll be moving full steam ahead for the next few days, which in turn, makes the end of the week the most productive. We'll experience a new Moon in Taurus on Sunday, marking a two-week cycle when we can move on to new projects, find compromises to break any impasses we are dealing with, and for all intents and purposes, make decisions we've been holding off on. Make a wish, as this is one of the most powerful Moons of the year for manifesting!

The Eight Phases of the Moon, by Amy Herring

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

As Earth orbits the Sun, the Moon orbits Earth, reflecting the Sun's light back to us. The Sun is always lighting the side of the Moon that faces it, but we don't always see the illuminated side as the Moon circles us approximately monthly. Over the course of about fourteen nights, the light of the Moon waxes, growing more full as each night passes, until a seemingly perfect circle shines in the heavens. Then the Moon's light begins to visibly wane, returning over another fourteen nights to darkness until the Moon's light diminishes entirely. The Moon is dark once more until the cycle begins again. This cycle repeats about every twenty-nine days.

As the saying goes, "As above, so below." The waxing and waning of the Moon is a symbol of life itself, ingrained into human consciousness. Just as we are born, grow, and die, the Moon seems to do so as well. We can tap into this lunar symbolism by aligning our intentions and actions with the energy of the current lunar phase.

During the waxing half of the lunar cycle, the light is growing and expanding, symbolizing a good time for things here on Earth to expand and grow as well. It's a good time to plant and nurture seeds, to set plans in motion, and act on our desires. There is a sense of things building.

During the waning half of the lunar cycle, the light is diminishing, symbolizing a time to reap what we've sown, and to review, let go, and surrender. It is a good time to release things that have run their course and close doors that have stood open too long. Near the end of the waning phases, we can cleanse and prepare for the renewal of the cycle.

The Lunar Phases
While this light cycle of the Moon is continuous and unbroken, eight lunar phases offer a way to mark the transitions in the shape of the Moon's reflected light during its monthly cycle. The phases are typically known as the new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent phases.

The Moon's entry into each of these phases is not necessarily as exact as the chime of a clock striking the hour; in fact, four of these phases mark a threshold and the other four represent the journey toward the next threshold. The four crescent and gibbous phases (both waxing and waning) are not moments in time but periods between the thresholds when the Moon could be said to be "crescenting" or "gibbous-ing" as it makes its way from new to full and back to new again.

Finding the Moon
Just like the Sun appears to rise and set, so does the Moon, rising and setting about an hour later each day as it moves around the Earth in its orbit. In its waxing phase, it is often too close to the Sun to see properly until after the Sun has set. As it gets further along in its cycle of phases, its position in the sky is more distant from the Sun, making it easier to see for longer periods of time, even sometimes during the daylight hours.

The Moon's light always grows from right to left in the northern hemisphere, and left to right in the southern hemisphere. It is delightfully simple to recognize whether the Moon is waxing or waning just by sight—just give yourself a "hand." Hold your right hand up to the Moon. If the curve of your hand between your index finger and thumb corresponds to the curve of the light side of the Moon, the Moon is waxing. If it's the opposite, the Moon is waning, and the curve of the light side of the Moon will correspond to your open left hand instead. In the southern hemisphere, this is reversed—simply switch hands to perform this lunar magic trick!

The Phases
New Moon (Dark Moon)
The Moon cannot be seen in the sky when in its new phase. The lit side of the Moon faces away from us, and the night sky is illuminated only by starlight. A New Moon rises and sets in relative unison with the Sun, too close to it to be seen.

The phases of the Moon represent a never-ending cycle, but the period of the New Moon is often considered the beginning, the renewal, of this cycle, and it is a good time for your own beginnings, to act on what you've been planning or to try something new. This is a time for experimentation and spontaneity.

This phase is sometimes referred to as a dark Moon (for obvious reasons). During this phase, there is no guiding light on the path. This is a phase of instinct, a time when we must feel our way forward. It is a good time to try something new or take a step in a good direction, even if you don't know where it will lead. The New Moon is a time to act on things that are meant to grow, like a seed being planted. Hope and enthusiasm, even if seemingly naïve, are the attitudes to embrace.

If you were born during a New Moon phase, you are learning to trust what you know inside and act on it with faith in your inner guidance system, even if you don't always end up where you'd hoped you would.

Waxing Crescent Moon
As the light of the Moon moves from total darkness to the balance of light and dark at the first quarter phase, a crescent of light grows. The waxing crescent Moon is an early riser, getting up just after sunrise. This Moon is difficult to see during the day but look to the west to see her just after sunset. The farther along from the New Moon phase, the easier it is to spot the Moon in this phase.

Both the new and waxing crescent phases of the Moon have a feeling of spring about them—the enthusiasm of bursting into the world and a sense of being at the beginning of something just starting to get underway. The seed that was planted now begins to push a tiny sprout above the soil.

A sense of momentum is present in this phase, as the growing light gains more ground each night. It is a good time to seek out sources of inspiration and support to keep up the projects or goals you've begun and continue to put forth an enthusiastic effort.

If you were born during a waxing crescent Moon, you are deeply in tune with potential and possibility and may feel most nourished when you are able to express your heart through a sense of mission or purpose. You are learning how to follow through on the things that matter most over time.

First Quarter Moon
At the first quarter Moon, the waxing light appears balanced: half of the face of the Moon lies in darkness and half is illuminated. This Moon can be easily seen moving through the sky for most of the day, setting in the west around midnight.

A sense of anticipation prevails during this phase. The seed has now grown beyond just a small sprout but has not yet produced blossoms.

This threshold is a tipping point. From here until the Full Moon phase, the scales will tip toward the light side, like spring expanding into summer. It is not uncommon to experience bumps in the road, and this phase is a good time to confront obstacles and acknowledge conflicts to work past any stalled energy. In the previous phase, you needed to build momentum; here, you need courage and conviction to continue moving forward. You may feel like you have something to prove, although possibly only to yourself.

If you were born during this phase, you are likely to fight for what you feel is important rather than live in complacency but may struggle with overconfidence and impatience.

Waxing Gibbous Moon
Throughout the waxing gibbous phase, there is more light than dark. You can see the Moon rising in the east later in the day and setting later at night, well past midnight in the west as this phase progresses.

After the make-or-break, confrontational feeling of the first quarter Moon, a sense of promise embodies this phase. Now the seed has grown into a plant and is beginning to sprout buds—there is no need to prove yourself because the result, though not fully grown, can start to speak for itself.

This is a good time to seek out assistance from those who can reinforce your confidence in yourself and the goals and projects you have undertaken. This can also be a social time where a sense of collaboration, formal or informal, is most beneficial. This is still a waxing phase so there is still something building, but the angst and fervor present in the earlier phases is more relaxed now. It's a good time for activities that require patience, continued effort, and some fine-tuning.

If you were born under a waxing gibbous Moon, you may find you have an instinct for supporting and connecting with others on many levels, not because you are necessarily an extrovert, but that you have a knack for collaboration and bringing ideas and people together.

Full Moon
At the full phase, the light has reached its maximum. It rises in the east as the Sun sets, illuminating the sky throughout the night and setting in the west as the Sun rises again. The Moon shines bright and clear; the plant's buds open fully into blossoms.

If you have something to reveal or express, now can be a good time to do so, even if you are not sure you are ready. Share, socialize, and let the world see what you are and hear what you have to say.

There may be a sense of exposure during this phase. It can seem that everything is running at high power when the Moon is full, including our emotions. Whatever has been brewing and building now manifests; for good or ill, it comes into full view.

It is common for things to feel like they are coming to a head during this time, or something not previously seen is now in full view. The Full Moon can bring revelations, even if there isn't necessarily understanding or clarity.

None of us are perfect, but if you were born during the full phase, you are meant to lay all your beauty out bare to the world, ready or not. You are learning to be comfortable with your humanness and foibles and not let embarrassment, fear, or shame hold you back from your sincerest expression of self.

Waning Gibbous (Disseminating) Moon
The light from the Full Moon is now waning, with the Moon rising later each day after sunset and setting in the west after dawn.

In this "afterglow" phase just past the Full Moon, the light begins to wane, the blossoms becoming overripe and drooping under their own weight. This lunar phase is sometimes called the disseminating phase, symbolizing a time to share what you've learned and gather feedback from others. Recently completed projects, especially of a creative nature, may feel like they are taking on a life of their own.

You may have an intuitive sense of things beginning to come to an end. The fast, building pace of the waxing phases can feel too manic in the waning phases. It is a time to review what is working, what has worked, and what's no longer working. Seek some objectivity and distance if a situation has been dominating your time or emotions. If things have been culminating, there may be a sense of letdown that might be simultaneously a relief on some level, depending on your feelings about the outcome.

If you were born under this phase, you may have the heart of the philosopher or teacher, with a desire to share a message or bring others to clarity. You are learning to let go of how others receive your message and simply find fulfillment in giving and wisdom.

Last (Third/Reconciling) Quarter Moon
The face of the Moon is once again divided down the center, a moment of balance before giving way to the growing dark. The Moon rises in the east near midnight during this phase and sets in the west well after sunrise.

This threshold is a good time to break through stalled energy by confronting and releasing anything that needs to be let go. This Moon is sometimes called a reconciling Moon, symbolizing a good time to take stock and see if we are holding on to anything—be it circumstances, objects, or relationships—that has already run its course, and to wrap things up and put things in order.

The plant that has long since flowered and produced fruit is now ready to die and return to the earth, but it cannot if we cling to it or prop it up. If something in you or a situation you are in is ready to collapse and give way to change, this phase is a good time to acknowledge fears that may be standing in the way. Acknowledge what you intuitively see coming. Releasing feelings of sorrow and surrendering to the natural course can ultimately bring relief.

This phase is also a good time to begin to consolidate our energy, to draw energy inward rather than expel it outward. Save money rather than spend, use what you have rather than acquire something new; the beginning of this phase may carry more angst but reflection, meditation, and rest are in alignment with this phase as it progresses farther toward the crescent.

If you were born during this phase, you may feel caught between two instincts: the instinct to engage with the world, share your wisdom, make things happen, fight the good fight, and the instinct to disengage. You may be a bit of a nonconformist by default as you strive to keep the balance between living in the world but not being a product of it.

Waning Crescent (Balsamic) Moon
During this last phase, the Moon rises in the east well after midnight, rising later each day until overcome by the Sun's rays, becoming the invisible dark Moon until the cycle begins again.

This phase symbolizes a time of both restoration and preparation. There is a feeling of finality to this phase and it's a good time to tie up loose ends, finish what has been started where possible, and banish what you wish to see ended. Practically speaking, this is a good time for cutting ties or breaking bad habits.

This last lunar phase is sometimes referred to as balsamic, a word whose origins refer to a substance used to heal wounds and soothe pains. The energy of this phase is best utilized in rest, solitude, and simplicity, to heal and regroup, if needed.

The previous waning phases lead us ever more toward a path's end. As this phase progresses, we may start to sense the promise of renewal around the bend. It is a good time to clear the way in preparation for new insights and actions, but do not rush. Now is a time for meditation, hibernation, and patience as new insights and plans make their way into your consciousness.

If you were born during a balsamic Moon, you may be constantly in tune with the inevitability of life, consciously or unconsciously. You are challenged with living to the fullest while always being aware of a sense of finality. You possess an inner mystic that can reveal wisdom beyond your years, but you may also struggle with melancholy and be prone to nostalgia.

And the cycle begins again.

Excerpted from Llewellyn's Moon Sign Datebook.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2024. All rights reserved.

Last summer, I was driving to work when I had a sudden vision of a man I feel a strong spiritual connection to. I believe we are soul mates though we have never had an opportunity to be together in this life. We are friendly acquaintances but do not see each other often. In any event, in my mind's eye I saw myself in a kitchen I didn't recognize, and heard knocking. I turned and saw my friend standing outside a screen door. He asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. I agreed and went outside with him. During our walk, he told me he loved and admired me but we could not be together in this life because we each have separate major missions to accomplish, he as an artist and me as a mental health professional. As a result, we both need to be in relationships with people who will support us and help us reach these goals. (He has been in such a relationship for years.) This type of devotion was not something we could provide each other (particularly him to me). He went on to say that I would meet another soul mate soon and that this man would love me completely and encourage me to follow my dreams. (Strangely enough, I met my current boyfriend two months later, and he fits this description!) My friend wished me well and the vision ended. I know this friend frequently practices transcendental meditation. Did he send me this vision? If so, what was his intention? The information he provided about our connection was something I already accepted and was at peace with. I am curious to hear your take on this experience. Thanks so much!

L.

Astrea:

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the people we love and admire from afar could come to us and tell us everything that we want or need to hear? Then we could go on with our lives as if nothing had happened between us. This would enable us to avoid addressing the magical dreams/visions we have with the other person, and allow us to keep things the way they had been on the surface while we move on with our own individual paths.

I believe your vision was born out of the love that you feel for this man, and that he probably admires you as well. I know a lot about spiritual law and human nature, and while it's not impossible, it's improbable that this person sent you that vision. For someone else to come into your subconscious that way, they would have to be a Guide, Angel or Deity.

Perhaps one of your Guides came to you in that vision and impersonated that person so that you would be able to get on with your life and move in a completely different direction without any regrets. Our Guides and Angels often appear to us in our visions as other people, places or things to show us what will happen in the new beginnings that are coming our way.

We all have free will, and there are spiritual laws that prevent other people from taking over our minds and pushing themselves into our inner worlds. It's possible that you'd been wondering about the strong connection you feel to this man, and your own mind created this vision for you. When you went for a mental walk with your friend, you
heard all the things you needed to hear from your own subconscious mind.

If you were attached to being with this person prior to this experience, this vision helped you release your need to be with him and allowed you to move on with your life. It encouraged you to go in a different direction with a new boyfriend whose goals and dreams are in harmony with yours.

Regardless of the source of this vision, by releasing your need to be with this person, your life has been enriched. Now you'll be able to let this new relationship blossom into what you've always wanted.

Realize that this was a choice that YOU made, not some mystical thing that happened because someone else willed it to be. Your own mind and spirit is stronger within you than anyone else's ever could be. I'm glad you've found someone wonderful and that you're able to build a life together in a way that really works for you both.

*****

Susyn:

Based on the nature of the messages you received during this vision, you can be almost certain that your friend was visiting you in spirit either through transcendental meditation or astral projection. There were specific sentiments and information he wanted you to consciously know even though you were already aware of them in your heart.

Though you had already accepted that you were destined to take different paths in life, his visit via this vision was very important to both of you. He wanted you to know that he shared your feelings. He also wanted to make sure you understood the reasons you could not be together in this lifetime, though both of you had hopes for a different outcome. He felt that sharing these messages with you would bring peace and acceptance to the situation.

One of the greatest challenges we face is the higher awareness that we have shared loving relationships in other lifetimes that cannot be repeated in our current incarnation. However, I sense that in past lives as well as this lifetime, you were separated by various circumstances. The kitchen you saw yourself in during the vision suggested to me a war-time past life. It may have been that in that lifetime, he was called to duty and did not return.

It's highly likely that you have a pattern in your past lives of having great feelings for one another and being unable to express them. If you are willing to do some past life research with a professional psychic, you could discover more than one lifetime in which you had this sort of experience.

The beauty of this relationship is how you two are able to connect on a spiritual level, if not a physical one. He sent you messages of comfort, love and support, and now you can also do the same.

The best way to do this is to write him a letter, sharing any thoughts and loving sentiments you would like to send his way. Then, during a guided meditation in which you focus on him, you can burn the letter with the flame of a white candle. Burning the letter will send it out into the atmosphere where he can receive it. This may happen when he is meditating, dreaming, or having a vision similar to yours.

When we remember that our spirits connect us more deeply than any physical or emotional interactions we might share, and that this type of connection endures through lifetimes, it's easier to accept the human limitations we are destined to operate under during certain phases of our journeys through time.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.