The eight moon phases

The Moon moves through eight phases in its roughly 29.5-day cycle, from the dark new Moon to the bright full and back. Vela reads them as a rhythm to reflect against, a cue for where you are in your own cycle, never a force acting on you. Curious about right now? See the Moon phase today.

• New Moon

  Symbolically, the new Moon is for beginnings and intention.

• Waxing Crescent

  As the light returns, the crescent is about first steps and commitment.

• First Quarter

  The first quarter is the point of decision and effort, where an intention meets its first real resistance and asks whether you will push through or let it go..

• Waxing Gibbous

  Nearly full, the gibbous Moon is about refinement and patience.

• Full Moon

  The full Moon is culmination and clarity.

• Waning Gibbous

  Just past the peak, the waning gibbous is about gratitude and sharing.

• Last Quarter

  The last quarter is release and reckoning.

• Waning Crescent

  The final crescent is rest and surrender.