What is the difference between waxing and waning

Waxing happens when the moon’s light grows. It begins with the new moon and goes through waxing crescent and waxing gibbous. The moon rises in the morning and sets at midnight during this time. On the other hand, waning is when the light area gets smaller, from a full moon to a waning crescent.

The moon looks different from where you are. In the Northern Hemisphere, a waxing moon has light on the right, and a waning moon has light on the left. This is the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere.

Characteristics of a Waxing Moon

During the waxing phase, the moon’s illuminated portion increases. It begins with the new moon and ends at the full moon. This cycle takes about 14.75 days, half of the 29.5-day lunar cycle.

Waxing Crescent and Waxing Gibbous

The waxing crescent appears first, with less than half the moonlit. As I observe the sky, I notice the waxing crescent grows from a thin sliver to a. The waxing gibbous follows, showing more than half but not yet full. Both phases last about 7.38 days each.

Waning Moon: Decreasing Illumination

As I look up at the night sky, I’m drawn to the waning moon’s shrinking glow. This lunar phase shows the moon’s light fading after it’s full. In the Northern Hemisphere, the moon’s lit side gets smaller from left to right, creating a beautiful sight.

The waning moon goes through two main phases: waning gibbous and waning crescent. Right after the full moon, the moon looks three-quarters lit in the waning gibbous phase. Then, as nights go by, the light fades, leading to the waning crescent phase, just before the new moon.

The waning moon rises around midnight and sets in the morning. This timing makes it even more mysterious. Some believe the waning moon is for releasing, letting go, and looking inward – great for self-reflection and growth.

“The waning moon whispers secrets of release and renewal, inviting us to shed what no longer serves our journey.”