We often focus a lot on the new moon and the full moon when we’re talking moon phases, whether for manifesting, self care, or just understanding the astrological energy present. But these two phases are actually the smallest portion of the lunar cycle.
Both the new moon and the full moon only last for about 2-3 days each, so what’s up with the moon the rest of the month?
In this article, we’re going to explore one half of the lunar cycle, known as the waxing moon, including what this phase is, what its spiritual meaning is, and how to work with this moon phase in your life and self-care practice.
First, What Is The Waxing Moon Phase?
The waxing moon phase is the roughly two-week period between the new moon and the full moon. You might be wondering, why is it called a waxing moon? That’s because this is the period when the moon appears to be getting larger and larger in the night sky.
What’s actually happening here has to do with the zodiac (There’s some science to it, of course, within the relationship of Earth and our solar system, but not relevant to our rituals!)
The new moon occurs when the sun and the moon are exactly lined up in the same astrological sign (and within space). But the moon moves much more quickly than the sun does. While the moon spends only two and a half days in each zodiac sign, the sun spends a full month in each sign. 
So while the sun stays in the sign that the new moon was in, the moon moves on ahead, moving forward into the next zodiac sign, the one after that and so on. This is because the moon does not give off any of its own light, but only reflects the sun’s light.
The reason we can only see a portion of the moon at any given time is because of the angle being formed between the sun and the moon.
For example, if the new moon is in Aries, then the waxing moon would be in Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, etc, and the moon would appear to get larger and larger as it moves through each successive sign.
The full moon occurs when the moon gets all the way around to the other side of the zodiac – and the other side of the sky – and can be fully illuminated by the sun!
This is in contrast to the waning moon, which is when the moon appears to be getting smaller and smaller in the sky, after the full moon.
Yes, you can think of this in Karate Kid terms – wax on, wane off, if you will.
Waxing Versus Waning Moon Phases
The waxing vs. waning moon phases have very different energies and we actually spend most of our lives experiencing these two phases.
Since the new and full moon phases only account for less than 20% of the total lunar cycle each month, we are much more accustomed to the waxing and waning phases such as moon waning crescent, moon waxing crescent, moon waning gibbous, moon waxing gibbous, full moon waning and new moon waxing.
This is actually why the new and full moon phases get so much attention – because they represent more unique and unusual energies. That’s why they are so potent for manifesting and doing ritual work.
However, although the waxing and waning moon phases may not seem as “special”, they are available to us for longer periods of time and can actually be very supportive in the actual work of manifestation and living our lives.
You can tell whether the moon is waning or waxing based on which direction it is facing. If the rounded part of the moon is on the right and its ends are pointing to the left, then the moon is waxing. If the rounded part is on the left and its ends are pointing to the right, then the moon is waning.
Different Facets Of The Waxing Moon Phase
The waxing moon lasts for just about two weeks, give or take. This entire period of the waxing moon phase is associated with taking action.
This is the part of the manifestation process where we move into aligned action on our intentions, because no intention is going to magically come to fruition without a little elbow grease, (literal or energetic!)
Within that two-week period, there are three distinct phases, each with a subtly different energy related to taking action.
The first of these is the waxing crescent moon. This is the first little sliver of the moon that becomes visible after the new moon. The waxing crescent phase is that first promise of something truly new.
We set intentions for new beginnings at the new moon, but as it just barely starts to become visible in the sky over the following few days, we are still in that first feeling of newness.
Think of this like the first few days of the new year or the first few days of spring. There is a freshness and hope to this time. Over the first week of the waxing moon, we are in this crescent phase and focused on holding the vision and taking those first baby steps toward what we desire.
Next is the first quarter moon, also called the waxing quarter phase. This is when the moon looks like a perfect half-circle, with the rounded part of the moon on the right and the flat side facing to the left. This is the peak of the waxing moon phase and the halfway point between the new and full moons.
This is the most active part of the moon cycle. There is a tension that builds during this time, where we feel particularly motivated to fight our own battles and go after what we want. This part of the waxing moon is about creating momentum.
Finally, we have the waxing gibbous moon, which is when the moon appears to be kind of a lumpy, blobby shape! This is the last phase before the full moon, so we are edging closer and closer to the moon appearing as a perfect circle.
In this last week of the waxing moon, we are still in the action-taking phase but we’re now approaching the full moon.
The full moon is a time to pause for reflection, gratitude, and to check in with your intuition. During the waxing gibbous moon, we are preparing for that pause by taking the final actions necessary to achieve our desires and allowing our momentum to start building toward a culminating point – at least for now.
In case you were wondering, the different phases of the waning moon repeat this same pattern but in reverse: after the full moon, we have the waning gibbous moon, when it’s no longer quite a perfect circle.
Then we have the waning quarter moon, halfway between the full and new moons. And the last phase before the next new moon is the waning crescent moon!
Now when you see one of those images, signs, or tattoos of all the different moon phases lined up, you can easily identify which phase is which!
Easy Waxing Moon Rituals For Reflection, Setting Intentions And Manifestation
The waxing moon phase is an essential part of the lunar cycle for manifestation, (as are all of the phases.) When you are manifesting with the moon, you want to start by setting your intention at the new moon.
Perhaps you want to manifest traveling, a new job or relationship, more money, or any other intention that you want to hold for at least the next month.
The next step then is to take action on that intention! Sometimes we think that if we set a new moon intention and perhaps do a ritual or some spellwork related to it, then all we have to do is sit back and the universe will provide.
Well, to a point this can be true – sometimes simply knowing what we want can be enough to energetically align with the frequency of it! But in general, intentions must be accompanied by practical, real-world action in order to come into your reality.
For this reason, you might even argue that the waxing moon is the best moon phase for manifestation because it’s the part of the lunar cycle that really motivates and inspires us to go after our goals.
The new and waxing moon phases are also the most active part of the moon cycle and of the manifestation process, whereas the full and waning moons are more about reflection, intuition, and release, (all equally important things to do when manifesting a desire.)
Easy Ritual for the Waxing Moon
First quarter moon rituals are the most popular type of rituals for the waxing moon phase, because this is the only part of the waxing moon that occurs on a specific date each month. The waxing crescent and waxing gibbous moons are more ambiguous periods of approximately 4-6 days each, but the quarter moon occurs on a specific date just like the new and full moons do.
You can do rituals for each moon phase, of course, but you’ll need to choose your own best dates to do so outside of the new, full, and quarter moons.
Honestly, I also wouldn’t recommend doing rituals for all eight separate phases of the moon – one per week on the new, full, and waxing and waning quarter moons is more than enough.
Here is a ritual that you can do anytime during the waxing moon, including on the night of the first quarter moon, to support you in taking aligned action:
You Will Need
- A white, gold, yellow, or red candle to represent the fire element, which is associated with the waxing moon
- A fire-safe container such as a cast iron cauldron or kettle
- A piece of paper and pen
- Crystals such as carnelian, citrine, or clear quartz
Place your candle on your altar or on a flat, safe surface. Intuitively place the crystals around it. (If using just one crystal, place it directly in front of the candle.)
Take a few moments to ground yourself and come to center. Close your eyes, place your hands over your heart, and take a few long, deep breaths.
Allow your shoulders to drop down, straightening your spine and becoming aware of your body on the seat or floor beneath you.
When you feel ready, open your eyes and light the candle, keeping your energy focused.
Gazing into the candle flame, take your mind back about a week or so to the new moon. Reflect on the intention that you set then, or on another intention that you’ve held for longer. Notice the feeling-tone of this intention. How do you feel about it now that a bit of time has passed?
Do you still feel motivated and excited about it? Has your excitement waned at all and, if so, why? Notice what comes up here without judgment, simply allowing yourself to observe how you truly feel.
Think about what actions you have taken in your real life, practically speaking, to achieve this intention. Also think about any actions or mindsets you have been having that are actually at odds with what you desire.
When you feel ready, write down one sentence on a piece of paper that describes the actions you are going to take right away – make it something you can do within the next 24 hours.
If you feel it is needed, write down one sentence on a separate piece of paper that describes the unaligned actions or mindsets you are going to stop doing as soon as possible.
If you’ve written down something to release, hold this piece of paper to the candle flame until it catches fire and drop it into the fire-safe container. Allow it to completely turn to ash, focusing your thoughts and energy on releasing this unaligned perspective.
Then, hold the action-oriented page to the candle flame and drop it into the fire-safe container. You might stand up and dance or move your body now, focusing on building joy and excitement in your body as this paper turns to ash.
When you feel complete with this step, grab your phone or notebook and make notes of the practical actions you need to take, whether in your calendar, notes app, or wherever works for you!
When you’re finished, extinguish the candle – and then get to making things happen for yourself!
Try this ritual next time there’s a waxing moon, and take action on your dreams.
