I am writing this because of the increased interest in the moon and her phases due to the recent Blue Moon phenomenon. Many people are confused about how moon phases work. My hope is that the information presented will illuminate you such as the moon is illuminated by the sun and hopefully you wont be left in the dark.

The revolution of the Moon around the Earth makes the Moon appear as if it is changing in the sky. This happens by the different angles from which we see the bright part of the Moon's surface. It is just the reflection of the sun on its surface. As the Moon does not generate any light on its own, it does so with the help of the sun. the angular distance between the moon and the sun is what makes the moon appear different. The Moon passes through four major shapes and eight phases during a cycle that repeats itself every 29.5 days.

The moon phases were marveled by many cultures since time immemorial. Some cultures believed that the moon was being eaten by a the head of a demon only be reborn a few days later. Each phase causes a specific influence on the natural and magical world The following is the name of each moon phase. Identification of the angular distance between the moon and sun and the time frame at which each phase rises and sets.

I will cover my interpretations of the magical trend of each phase in another post. these figures do come from Lady SilverRavenWolf's Ultimate book of Shadows pg. 296 many here don't agree with or particularly like her, myself included but the figures she presented in her book are useful accurate and well organized.

New Moon

• The New Moon is 0-45 degrees ahead of the sun
   
  
• The New Moon rises at dawn and sets with the sun
   
  
• The New Moon starts 14 to 17.5 days after the Full Moon

Crescent Waxing

• The Moon is 45-90 degrees ahead of the sun
   
  
• The Moon rises at mid-morning and sets shortly after sunset
   
  
• This moon phase starts 3.5 to 7 days after the New moon

First Quarter

• Moon is 90-135 degrees ahead of the sun
   
  
• Moon rises at noon and sets at midnight
   
  
• moon is 7 to 10.5 days after new moon

Gibbous Moon

• Moon is 135-180 degrees ahead of the sun
   
  
• Gibbous rises at midafternoon and sets at 3am
   
  
• Moon is between 10.5 to 14 days after the new moon

Full Moon

• Full Moon is 180-225 degrees ahead of the sun
   
  
• Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at dawn
   
  
• Moon is 14 to 17.5 days after New Moon

Disseminating Moon

• Moon is 225-270 degrees ahead of sun
   
  
• Moon Rises at mideavening and sets at midmorning
   
  
• Moon is 3.5 to 7 days after Full Moon

Last Quarter

• Moon is 270 to 315 degrees ahead of the sun
   
  
• Moon Rises at midnight and sets at noon
   
  
• Moon is 7 to 10.5 days after the full Moon

Dark Moon

• Moon is 315-360 degrees ahead of sun
   
  
• Dark Moon rises at 3am and sets mid-afternoon
   
  
• Moon is 10.5 to 14 days after Full Moon