One of the eight lunar phases
New Moon
The Moon sits between Earth and Sun, its lit face turned away from us. Traditionally this dark phase is a pause for planting intentions quietly — choosing what the coming month is for before telling anyone.
How to Use This Phase
Setting intentions, quiet planning, resting before a new push
The Dark Beginning
At the new moon, the Moon lies roughly between Earth and the Sun. Its sunlit side faces away from us, so it is almost invisible, and it rises and sets with the Sun.
This dark phase marks the start of the lunar cycle. In many traditions it is a moment of stillness before something new grows.
Astronomically, the new moon is an instant; in practice, people treat the day or two around it as the new moon period.
Planting Seeds
Lunar tradition treats the new moon as the ideal time to set intentions for the month ahead. The emphasis is on deciding quietly rather than announcing plans publicly.
Many people write down one or two goals, much as a gardener plants seeds before anything shows above ground.
The new moon's sign is said to colour the kind of intentions it suits best.
Rest Before Effort
Because the new moon follows the waning crescent, it can feel like a low-energy time. Tradition encourages rest and reflection rather than rushing into action.
Use this pause to consider what you truly want rather than what you feel obliged to pursue.
Clarity now can make the rest of the month more focused.
The New Moon and Eclipses
When a new moon happens close to one of the points where the Moon's orbit crosses the Sun's path, a solar eclipse can occur.
Astrologers often treat eclipse new moons as especially significant turning points.
Visit Sky Events for more on eclipses.
A Simple Ritual
Find a quiet ten minutes on the day of the new moon. Write down what you want to begin or nurture this month.
Keep the note somewhere visible and revisit it at the first quarter and full moon.
The Moon Phase Calendar shows when the next new moon arrives.