Mystics both ancient and modern have looked to the Moon for spiritual inspiration and guidance, and when one considers this beautiful ivory light in our night sky, it is no wonder. Just looking at the Moon can evoke a sense of romance and mystery, and when the world is bathed in its pale white glow, it can seem magical.

We’ve learned a lot about the Moon since then, and have even been there, but still the sight of it coming up over the horizon or sailing across the sky fills us with awe. Whether it is Full and glorious, or a subtle crescent, the Moon brings us something new every night throughout the duration of its monthly cycle around the Earth. These phases of the Moon bring us a different energy each phase.

The crescent phases surround the New Moon, and waxing crescent takes place right after New Moon. It is the small sliver of light we see when the Moon is coming out of New phase and growing larger. Read on to see what the waxing crescent phase of the Moon could mean for you!

A Crash Course on Moon Phases

Modern science has only enhanced the mystique of the Moon. The ancients noticed the phases, or the amount of light the Moon reflects from the Sun during its rotation around the Earth, and that these phases could help forecast the weather, tides, and other environmental concerns. The modern word “month” is drawn from the word “moon” because a month is an approximation of the time it takes the Moon to complete one rotation around the earth. During the month, the light from the Moon waxes (grows) to Full and then wanes (decreases) to New. This takes about 29 days.

The Science Behind the Waxing Crescent

The waxing crescent phase lasts for about a week and marks the period between the New and First Quarter major moon phases. It is well-known that the Moon reflects the Sun’s light, but crescent moons reflect most of the light back into space rather than toward the Earth. However, the Earth also reflects light and this can sometimes be caught by the dark parts of the crescent Moon, barely illuminating the whole orb and making the crescent part stand out even more. Waxing crescent moons usually rise in the morning before noon, and the crescent can fall on either side of the Moon.

Crescent Lunar Symbols

The most prominent symbolic use of the waxing crescent Moon is in Islam’s lunar calendar, where the month begins with the first sliver (and is a part of why the crescent is a symbol of Islam). Astrologically, the waxing crescent represents growth and new projects, providing a spiritual call to action on goals and giving us the energy to immerse ourselves in our pursuits.

Your Waxing Crescent Forecast

This is the time to dig deep and dive into those pursuits you’ve been wanting to get into. Especially if you have a hard time getting motivated, the waxing crescent is the right time to get this moving and totally immerse yourself in your goals. While this applies to any time of year, springtime especially holds a lot of growth and positivity that matches the waxing crescent Moon perfectly!

Humans have been relying on the Moon for guidance for thousands of years, and will have it to depend on for thousands more. The waxing crescent is our reminder each month that the Moon is out there, emerging from the darkness to smile in the nighttime sky. What can the energy of the waxing crescent Moon help you get accomplished?