The Moon In Chinese Astrology
The cycle of the Moon
The Moon plays a significant role in the entire Chinese culture, not just in Chinese astrology. The Chinese calendar is based on Moon cycles. A Moon cycle consists of four phases, the new Moon, the first quarter Moon, the full Moon and the last quarter Moon (see image below).
The Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the first new Moon of the year. Each year consists of 12 Moon cycles. The 11 out of the 12 months of each year include one full Moon phase while 1 month out of the 12 includes two full Moon phases. As a result we have 13 Full Moons each year. In the image below you can see a Moon cycle with the four Moon phases:
The phases of the Moon
As mentioned before, each Moon cycle consists of four phases. In Chinese astrology the four Moon phases play a significant role in how the system works. Each phase is being interpreted differently. For example the New Moon phase means its a good time for new beginnings, situations and facts. It also means that all the energy from the previous Moon cycle is somehow recycled. A New Moon cycle begins.
Let’s see how the rest of the phases are being interpeted in Chinese astrology.
- The first quarter Moon phase is a good period to examine everything that you’ve started during the new Moon and make sure you are on the right path. If you want to reconsider, do it carefully.
- The full Moon is probably the most important phase of the Moon cycle. The actual full Moon phase lasts about four days including the day that the Moon is really full (perfect circle). The effects of the full Moon can double the power of your actions.
- The last quarter Moon phase which is the last of the phases lasts until the next new Moon. This is a good time to review everything that had happened during the previous phases and prepare yourself for the next Moon cycle.
The age of the Moon
Each Moon cycle lasts about 28 days. To find the age of the Moon you can count the days that have passed since the last new Moon. When the new Moon starts the age of the Moon is zero (0) days. The age of the Moon is about seven (7) days when the phase of the first quarter starts. When the Moon enters its full Moon state its age is about 14 or 15 days while when it reaches its last quarter phase its age is about 22 days. Just before the Moon cycle closes and the next new Moon is about to start the age of the Moon is about 28 or 29 days.
The Chinese New Year
The first new Moon of each year (according to the western calendar) falls between the end of January and the beginning of February. The first day of the first new Moon is the Chinese New Year. Here is a table with the Chinese New Year dates:
- 2008: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 7, 2008 (This year lasts until January 25, 2009. The next day which is January 26, 2009 is the first day of the first new Moon for 2009. As a result it is the day of the Chinese New Year, see below)
- 2009: New Moon and New Chinese Year at January 26, 2009 (This year lasts until February 13, 2010)
- 2010: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 14, 2010 (This year lasts until February 2, 2011)
- 2011: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 3, 2011 (This year lasts until January 22, 2012)
- 2012: New Moon and New Chinese Year at January 23, 2012 (This year lasts until February 9, 2013)
- 2013: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 10, 2013 (This year lasts until January 30, 2014)
- 2014: New Moon and New Chinese Year at January 31, 2014 (This year lasts until February 18, 2015)
- 2015: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 19, 2015 (This year lasts until February 7, 2016)
- 2016: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 8, 2016 (This year lasts until January 27, 2017)
- 2017: New Moon and New Chinese Year at January 28, 2017 (This year lasts until February 18, 2018)
- 2018: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 19, 2018 (This year lasts until February 4, 2019)
- 2019: New Moon and New Chinese Year at February 5, 2019 (This year lasts until January 24, 2020)