The lunar cycle represents a creative process of personal integration. The monthly interplay between the Earth, Sun, and Moon sends
energy to us that teaches new levels of responsibility. Awareness of this process is key to our conscious development. There is great
power in learning to understand how much energy the Moon has at different points in its cycle. The Moon waxes and wanes from
New Moon to New Moon in approximately 29.5 days. The gravitational pull on the Earth and our physical bodies is strongest at the
New and Full Moons. The table below should serve as a rough guide to the influence of the lunar cycle:  

NEW MOON:
Sun-Moon conjunction in same sign. The light reflected at the New Moon is less than at any other lunar phase. It is the beginning of
the cycle, and signals emergence and expansion. It is the most yin part of the cycle, analogous to birth. Our solar and lunar sides work
harmoniously together during the New Moon, making this is an appropriate time to initiate new activities, begin something new, and
work on changing stagnant habit patterns. The focus of the New Moon is moving new energy forward while leaving behind the beliefs
and attachments that no longer serve us.



FIRST QUARTER:
Sun-Moon square. The halved First Quarter Moon symbolizes complete severance from our past so that the cycle initiated at the New
Moon can continue to move forward. Our New Moon goals meet their first challenges of the outer world, and any fears and issues
that haven't been fully integrated into the cycle are revealed. The focus of the First Quarter Moon is to make sure that we have
focused the cycle wisely, for after this point its path will be fully in motion.
FULL MOON:
Sun-Moon opposition in opposite signs. The light reflected at the Full Moon is more than at any other point in the lunar cycle. It is the
most yang part of the cycle, and the culmination of its outer development. There is a great sense of connection between the inner self
and external reality. Our solar and lunar sides are in opposition at the Full Moon, creating an opportunity to integrate these dualistic
energies and spheres of life. The result is a state of heightened tension, as we experience our inner divisions in an extreme way. This is
an apt time to receive intuitive insight as to how to harmonize these energies, and what meaning these imbalances are providing for
us. The focus of the Full Moon is to integrate our dualistic energies and begin moving them out into the world. 


LAST QUARTER:
Sun-Moon square. The halved Last Quarter Moon represents a return back to our inner selves so that we can begin to process what
we have learned from our outer environment. While the First Quarter Moon symbolized letting go of the past and moving forward,
the Last Quarter Moon symbolizes revising and dissolving ideals and beliefs that have been challenged by our outer environment. As
the New Moon approaches, it becomes crucial to assimilate the results of the complete cycle so that we can begin anew. The focus of
the Last Quarter Moon is to synthesize what we have and have not learned from the cycle so that we can lay foundations for a new
one.
The lunar cycle.