New Moon - There are usually two days of the new moon. the new moon is as powerful in its own way as the full moon. It is a time for taking stock.
It is a phase of hibernation, retreat, and contemplation. This phase is very similar to the Waning Moon and used to rid ones self of things. New Moon workings can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings.
Also love and romance, health or job hunting.


Waxing Moon - This is when the moon is increasing in size of visibility. The new moon through first quarter The waxing moon goes from black (new) to full. As the moon grows, she will excert a magnetic pull on all things - strengthening energies. this is a good time for any positive magick, or constructive magick. This phase is for doing spells that might increase your gain such as love, money, power or other material things, friendship, courage, health, luck and success. The waxing phase of the Moon is the best time to build the body up.


Full Moon -  High tide of psychic powers. Helpful in all types of magick
this is a powerful time where energy is in an abundance.
your magick is amplified as energy is in it's zenith. my beliefs are that magick is much more powerful during this phase. some only consider the full moon the actual day that it is the fullest and marked on the calendar. but the moon has the same influence for a seven day period.   this is a prime time for rituals for prophecy, protection, divination. fertility, spirit conjuring, increase psychic ability and dream spells. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money, any spell that is very important to you. On the energetic level, it acts like a magnifying mirror. The strong lunar energy pulls everything out of hiding and reflects it back at us.


Waning Moon - This is when the moon is decreasing in size of visibility. The full moon through the last quarter;  This phase is normally for  banishing magick, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity. spells that do away with things or make things go away. Such as making an enemy go away or a bad spirits, undoing negative forces or ending bad relationships. any kind of reverse magick.



Dark Moon - Is a time for dealing with attackers, for exploring our darkest recesses and understanding our angers and passions. Also bringing justice to bear.


The overall cycle of the phases governs the acceleration or deceleration of growth and momentum. Ideally, start projects and build them when the Moon is increasing in light -- waxing

when the moon is decreasing in light is when you want to bring whatever activities you can to a completion.

Each phase represents a segment of time within the monthly lunation cycle as a whole. you will begin to see how each phase is not an isolated period within itself, but rather a consequence of the previous phase and a preparation for the following one.  Whatever you send out will come back to you at the appropriate time.

peace,
blackcat

not all of this info is my own. some is, and some was taken from other sites. i tried to give as much info as possible in each phase to help other's understand the moon. if you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

Hey, BC.  Is there any special significance to tonite's lunar eclispe?

yes, This combines the power of the full and new moon all at once.There are actually several type of lunar eclipses, total, partial and penumbral.  This kind can only take place when the Earth passes directly in front of a full Moon, thus casting its shadow on the Moon's surface. Eclipses represent the perfect union of sun and moon.  Any spell performed this night needs to be done carefully as you will be invoking the Triple Goddess in each of her forms. Eclipses are opportunities for major transformation; this is a time when the energies of the lunation's are more amplified and focused.

if you watch a eclipse from beginning to end. it's going through all the moon phases at once. this is a very powerful thing. from full moon to waning, waning to new moon, from new to waxing, then back to full.  the next lunar eclipse will be in Aug. of this year.



and here's a little more info.
a blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in one month. There's a Blue Moon in May of this year. the last one was in July of 2004. they happen very seldom, thus the saying "once in a blue moon" this is also a very powerful moon phase.

i don't know if that helped or answered you question

peace,
blackcat

Thanks, BC, very helpful, in deed.  I can appreciate tonite's eclipse in a newer and better context!

Oh wow I never knew that.  How interesting.  Thankyou for that info I will make sure come May that I do the things I usually put off.