The astronomy
At the new Moon, the Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun, so its lit face is turned away and the disc is dark. It is the start of the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle.
What the new moon means
Symbolically, the new Moon is for beginnings and intention: a seed planted in the dark, before there is anything to show for it. It is the invitation to set a direction rather than prove one.
The dark of the Moon is for seeding, not showing: a beginning you plant now and do not yet have to prove.
If you could plant one intention today and tell no one, what would it be?
See the Moon phase today, read about your Moon sign, or explore all eight phases.
Frequently asked
What does the new moon mean?
Symbolically, the new Moon is for beginnings and intention: a seed planted in the dark, before there is anything to show for it. It is the invitation to set a direction rather than prove one.
Is the new moon waxing or waning?
The new moon is waxing: the light is growing, from the dark new Moon towards the full.
Does the moon phase affect me?
Vela reads the Moon as a mirror, never a cause. The phases mark a rhythm you can reflect against, a cue to notice where you are in your own cycle, not a force that acts on you.