Phases of the Moon

The phases of the moon are caused by the relative positions of the earth, sun, and moon. The moon goes around the earth, on average, in 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes.

The edge of the shadow (the terminator) is curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon its familiar crescent shape. Because the “horns” of the moon at the ends of the crescent are always facing away from the setting or rising sun, they tend to point upward in the sky.

The sun always illuminates the half of the moon facing the sun (except during lunar eclipses, when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow). When the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth, the moon appears “full” to us, a bright, round disk. When the moon is between the earth and the sun, it appears dark, a “new” moon. In between, the moon’s illuminated surface appears to grow (wax) to full, then decrease (wane) to the next new moon.

Depending on your  intention, you should aim to work with the cycles of the moon to receive the most effective results. The three major aspects of the moon are the Waxing (or New), Full and Waning.

The New Moon
The Moon is waxing and growing. This marks the phase of the moon when the light is not visible from Earth, because the side of the moon that is being lit by the sun is not facing us. This should be a time to plan new beginnings and projects. A new career, house move, job, relationship, any new venture in life.

Waning Moon
The casting out of the old ways, banishing old habits, the removal of troubles and worries. A waning gibbous moon comes halfway between a full moon and a half moon, and a waxing gibbous moon lies between a half moon and a full moon.

A half moon looks like half a circle. It is sometimes called a quarter moon as this Moon has completed one quarter of an orbit around the Earth from either the new position (First Quarter) or the full (Last Quarter) and one quarter of the moon’s surface is visible from Earth.

Full Moon
This is a time when the Moon is at its most powerful, and your intention most potent. Planning intentions and using positive affirmation or intention at this time will achieve good results. This is the ideal time for healing, guidance, and completion.

Mercury Retrograde 2011

A second full moon occurring in any month is called a Blue Moon.

Mercury is Retrograde (MR) from 30 March - 23 April which can mean Work and production disruptions, protests, breakdowns in negotiations especially labour relations may bring limited outcomes when negotiating contracts or disputes. MR can cause computer hardware and software crashes, slowdowns and loss of mail, loss of luggage while traveling, car problems, delays in receiving mail and loss of documents. There may be mix-ups and errors in written and verbal communications and unreliability of e-mails (except for spam)

We have two other MR this year so put them in your diary so your ahead. 2 August - 26 August and 24 November - 13 December 2011

To ensure that your retrograde Mercury period goes smoothly, both personally and professionally, here are a few tips:

• Take the time to think through your projects and issues before taking action. Reread important documents clearly, especially quotes and pricing for business transactions. All business, commercial and financial communications and documentation should be carefully edited and revised. Give yourself ample time for mailing and shipping letters and packages. Now is not the time to play chicken with your important deadlines!
• Keep an eye on your luggage while traveling.
• Follow-up on business communications, either with an e-mail or telephone call. Avoid making assumptions. Confirm appointments before setting out for a meeting.
• If possible, postpone the signing of important documents such as leases, especially car leases, important sales orders and offers. If you must sign, reread carefully as misplacing a "0" on a quote could spell disaster!
• Clearly this is not the best time to begin a new business venture. But if you must sign during this period, revise all contracts carefully. Otherwise, it is best to wait until Mercury returns to Direct motion.
• I can't say this often enough: back up your important data, every day, more often if you are working on important documents! Keep your filing and paperwork up to date. It doesn't take much to lose an important document!
• Due diligence! Take the time to think things through, revise your plans and don't be in a hurry to finalize important deals or matters, whether personal, or business. This period is more favorable for introspection than for quick decision-making.'
• Remember, don't rush, think twice and look three times!