The New Moon happens 13 times a year - surprise! We normally think that there are only 12 months, but in reality there are 13 LUNAR moths per year. The New Moon takes place when the Sun and the Moon are together in the same sign. This is why there is no light reflected on the Moon. The Sun is actually behind the Moon - and therefore we cannot see it reflecting light on the Moon’s face.

The New Moon is a time of New Beginnings. The light of the Moon is fresh and begins to increase in it’s intensity through the following 2 weeks. As the Moon increases it’s light it is called a waxing moon, but as it decreases - which happens for the 2 weeks following the FULL Moon - it is said to be waning.

As you watch the Moon in the sky, from night to night, you can see it either increase or decrease in light. As it increases, following the full darkness of the New Moon, the light of the Moon can be seen to begin from the right side and creep slowly across the face of the Moon towards the left side. Hebrew is said to be read from right to left to mirror the movement of the Moon’s light. English, on the other hand moves in the opposite direction across a page - left to right.

Psychologically and spiritually the Right side of the body is extroverted, logical and masculine in nature, while the left side is introverted, visual and feminine. When we say that someone is ‘right brained’ we refer to them as creative and visual. This is because the right side of the brain rules the Left side of the body and vice-a-versa. The way in which English is read is a reflection of our English speaking way of approaching life as if the Masculine has the final say in things. The English speaking world favors logical masculine thinking and ways of being. But the Moon reminds us that the great feminine (which the Moon represents) operates in the opposite way.

If you would like a lot of left brained-logic oriented mathematical equations that explain how the New Moon works in extreme logical terms then visit this Logical New Moon link. It is a purely left brained explanation, which leaves the entire SPIRIT that the Moon Represents out of the picture all together. One of the best descriptions of schizophrenia I have heard, described it as such an extreme of left-brained logic that the person (schizophrenic) cannot make normal intuitive leaps of insight. Thus the Schizophrenic ‘feeds’ orange juice to his car, because when it ran out of gas it was ‘hungry.’ This is a true story, by the way.

Logically correct, yet completely wrong. On the other hand a purely Right brained, intuitive, touchy feely (but logically mushy) explanation of the New Moon can be found here at this imaginary New Moon link. The goal of course is to balance the two halves.

The Moon represents the unconscious, both individually and collectively. It is obedient and does what we ask it to, which is why we need to start asking it very clear and specific questions - especially at the time of the New Moon.

The Days of the New Moon is the time to concentrate on New Beginnings and fresh starts that we want to accomplish. The Sign that the Moon is in will determine what area of life that new beginnings will be favored. For example, a New Moon in Leo is a great time to plan a celebration or party, but a New Moon in Scorpio would NOT be! In Scorpio the New Moon favors delving into mysteries, getting loans or joining forces with someone else to accomplish a goal.

The following links explain more about each sign and what it governs:

Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces

Below is a Table of New and Full Moon Phases for 2008

** Please note that a LUNAR ECLIPSE can only take place on a FULL MOON and a SOLAR ECLIPSE can only take place on a NEW MOON.