The astronomy
More than half the disc is lit and brightening towards full. "Gibbous" simply means more than half but not yet whole.
What the waxing gibbous means
Nearly full, the gibbous Moon is about refinement and patience: the adjustments and the almost-there restlessness of work close to completion.
Almost-full is the season of refining: the editing and adjusting that happens when the shape is there but not yet finished.
What is nearly ready in your life that a little honest editing would finish?
See the Moon phase today, read about your Moon sign, or explore all eight phases.
Frequently asked
What does the waxing gibbous mean?
Nearly full, the gibbous Moon is about refinement and patience: the adjustments and the almost-there restlessness of work close to completion.
Is the waxing gibbous waxing or waning?
The waxing gibbous 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.