Have you ever looked up at the sky in the early morning and have been surprised to see the pale Moon against the bright blue sky? It feels like whenever we see the Moon in the mornings it’s in this phase. Coincidence or is there something more to this? We’ll get to that! Here is your complete guide to the waning gibbous where we touch upon the basics, the superstitions, and all the fun that accompanies this phase. 

Waning Gibbous Basics

In Moon phase lingo there are two words that you need to be familiar with, the first is waxing and the second waning. When the Moon is in the waxing phases, slowly more and more light is illuminating the Moon. From the new moon (when we can’t even see the Moon with the naked eye) until it’s full those are considered to be waxing. 

Waning on the other hand includes all the phases following the full moon where we see less and less illuminated. Following the Full Moon until the cycle resets with the new moon, all these phases are considered waning. 

This phase occurs between the splendor of the full moon and the third quarter. This means that slowly every day we see less and less of the lovely luna until we see only half (on the left-hand side). 

Gibbous may also seem like an odd word and not one that lives rent-free in many people’s vocabulary. It’s derived from the Latin word “gibbous” which means hump. A fun fact, sometimes gibbous is used to refer to a pregnant belly, because of the shape and we can see why. 

The Astrology of the Waning Gibbous 

When the Moon is no longer fully illuminated but not quite half and continuously decreasing, it is the time for self-reflection and getting your ducks in order. What we mean by that is that it’s a moment to take a look at your life, to destress, dispel negativity, and to work on any bad habits you’ve picked up over the last month. It’s also a great time to check in on your relationships, to make sure that you’re checking in on friends and family. It’s also a great time to ensure that you’re taking care of your health. 

We love this phase for fine-tuning the little things that sometimes we put off. If you have anything on your to-do list that you’ve been procrastinating the waning gibbous is the time to get them done! 

Super superstitions 

The Full Moon has a whole lot of superstitions associated with it, whereas the waning gibbous not so much. It is said that this phase is the time to trim and cut things like your hair, nails, and even tree branches. Next time you’re thinking of getting a fresh haircut or a manicure, be sure to wait for this phase. The superstition goes that anything that’s cut during the waning gibbous will grow will well again! 

Do you know if any of the special moments of your life fell on the waning gibbous? You can use our Moon phase calculator to find out! And if you want to keep learning about the phases, be sure to read our complete guide to the full moon. Don’t forget to tag us with your #MoonglowMoment for a chance to be featured on our socials!