Moon phase calendar

October 2026 moon phases, day by day

Moon calendar for every month

Each month has its own page with the times of every phase, eclipses and a day-by-day table.

The eight moon phases and what they mean

Astronomically, four moments count: new moon, first quarter, full moon and last quarter. Calendars split the cycle into eight phases, and tradition gives each one its own character. The tips below come from the lore of lunar calendars, not from scientific research.

• New moon

  The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun with its unlit side toward us, so you can't see it. It rises and sets with the Sun.

  The start of the cycle. Traditionally a quiet time for planning, before anything gets going.

  • Good for: setting goals, planning, rest, writing down your intentions.
  • Better to avoid: big launches and decisions made in a hurry.

• Waxing crescent

  In the evening a thin crescent, lit on the right, shows above the western horizon. It grows each day and sets a little later.

  The first rush of energy: ideas from the new moon start to take shape.

  • Good for: first steps, new habits, signing up for classes, sowing plants that grow above ground.
  • Better to avoid: spreading yourself across too many things at once.

• First quarter

  Exactly the right half of the disk is lit. The Moon rises around noon, so it's easiest to see in the afternoon and evening.

  A test: the first obstacles show up and you have to decide whether to keep going.

  • Good for: decisions, action, solving problems.
  • Better to avoid: putting things off.

• Waxing gibbous

  More than half the disk is lit, and the shadow shrinks each night. The Moon shines from the afternoon through most of the night.

  Time to refine. Traditionally everything you're working on grows now, tension included.

  • Good for: fine-tuning, studying, training, patiently seeing things through.
  • Better to avoid: dropping a project just before the finish line.

• Full moon

  The Moon is opposite the Sun, and its whole lit side faces us. It rises at sunset and shines all night.

  The peak of the cycle. Traditionally emotions run highest and hidden things come to light.

  • Good for: taking stock, celebrating, important conversations, gratitude rituals.
  • Better to avoid: knee-jerk reactions and arguments.

• Waning gibbous

  The disk starts losing light on the right. The Moon rises later and later after dark and is easy to see in the early morning.

  Harvest time: sharing what this cycle taught you and drawing your conclusions.

  • Good for: saying thank you, passing on what you know, reviewing what worked.
  • Better to avoid: taking on new commitments.

• Last quarter

  The left half of the disk is lit. The Moon rises around midnight and is still up in the morning sky.

  A turning point. Traditionally the time to let go of what isn't working.

  • Good for: decluttering, wrapping things up, breaking old habits.
  • Better to avoid: clinging to plans that aren't working out.

• Waning crescent

  A thin crescent lit on the left shows only before dawn, low over the eastern horizon.

  Winding down before the next cycle. Traditionally a time to recharge.

  • Good for: rest, extra sleep, tying up loose ends, planting root vegetables.
  • Better to avoid: starting something brand new and wearing yourself out.

The Moon in the zodiac signs

The Moon travels through the whole zodiac in about 27 days, so it spends two to two and a half days in each sign. Astrology gives each sign its own mood for the day. The calendar shows the sign the Moon is in at noon.

• ♈︎

  Moon in Aries

  More energy and less patience. Good for quick decisions, sports and getting things started; not so good for waiting.

• ♉︎

  Moon in Taurus

  Calm and a need for comfort. A good time for money matters, cooking, gardening and anything meant to last.

• ♊︎

  Moon in Gemini

  Lively talk and curiosity. Good for meetups, phone calls, learning and running lots of small errands.

• ♋︎

  Moon in Cancer

  Attention turns to home and the people closest to you. A good time for family get-togethers, cooking and taking care of yourself.

• ♌︎

  Moon in Leo

  More confidence and a wish to be seen. Good for creative work, dates, presentations and having fun.

• ♍︎

  Moon in Virgo

  A sense of order and practicality. A good time for planning, cleaning, healthy habits and detail work.

• ♎︎

  Moon in Libra

  A need for harmony and company. Good for one-on-one talks, negotiations, art and decorating.

• ♏︎

  Moon in Scorpio

  Feelings run deeper. A good time for honest conversations, getting to the heart of things and closing difficult chapters.

• ♐︎

  Moon in Sagittarius

  Optimism and an urge to broaden your horizons. Good for travel, learning and plans for the future.

• ♑︎

  Moon in Capricorn

  Discipline and long-term thinking. A good time for work, budgeting, important duties and setting boundaries.

• ♒︎

  Moon in Aquarius

  Fresh ideas and a need for freedom. Good for friendships, teamwork and unconventional solutions.

• ♓︎

  Moon in Pisces

  Sensitivity and imagination. A good time for rest, art, meditation and slowing down.