A person lives his entire earthly life in constant contact with such celestial bodies as the Sun and Moon. The first refers to the concept of "star", the second - a planet that is a satellite of the Earth.
And no matter how people wish it, both the Sun and the Moon influence the internal state, physical health and other processes that occur within the Blue Planet.
How to track the cycles and phases of the Moon (by month and day), and anticipate favorable days in 2018? Read about this in this article.
Characteristic features of the Moon
The name itself means “light” in translation. It is known that the satellite rotates around the Earth in an orbit that is not round, but oval. The period is approximately 27.3 days (therefore the lunar calendar consists of 29 days).
It is known that the satellite is gradually moving away from the blue planet (by 4 centimeters per year), and therefore represents a consistently unwinding spiral.
The structure of the celestial body consists of a core and three layers of mantle. The outer surface consists of loose lunar soil - regolith. It has low reflectivity. In color, the Moon seems almost monochromatic, yellowish, with barely visible spots.
But there are periods when it takes on an ashy hue.
Significance for planet Earth
Thanks to the Moon, people were able to learn to determine a new week or the beginning of a new month (just as with the help of the Sun they could celebrate the new year).
Each of these indicators forms the basis of the lunar calendar, which is compiled to understand the movement of the celestial bodies. For example, moon phases by month in 2018.
The influence of the Earth's satellite on the life and health (mental and physical) of a person has long been noticed by observant people.
About the phases of the moon
People from Earth can only see the part of the Moon's surface illuminated by the Sun, which revolves around the Blue Planet. There are days when its thin curved stripe is visible - a “sickle” (new moon), and there is a bright circle (full moon).
It is this sequential change in the visible parts of the surface of the Moon that is called the cycle of lunar phases. There are four of them (main) and the same number of intermediate states - depending on the location of the satellite from the Earth.
The lunar calendar consists of 29 days. And the Earth’s satellite goes through each phase in 7 days (that’s why there are the same number of days in a week!).
The phases have their own name, and each of them is characterized by its own characteristics, which are also manifested in the states of people and the implementation of life processes:
- New moon.
- First lunar phase.
- First quarter - second phase.
- Full moon.
- Third phase.
- Waning moon.
- Fourth phase.
- Old Moon.
Description of each phase
- It is typical for the new moon that the celestial body itself is not yet visible, but some people’s health deteriorates somewhat on such days, and apathy and irritability may be felt. During this period, it is not recommended to start new and important things.
- The first lunar phase is characterized by the fact that it is already visible and is visible from the Earth as a “sickle”. This period is favorable for new projects (in the field of business, creativity, sports), as well as doing household chores.
- The second phase allows you to already see half of the Moon, but for a person this period is fraught with the possibility of getting sick or overtired.
- During the full moon, the Earth's satellite reflects sunlight most brightly and already looks like a luminous circle. People feel a surge of energy (including emotional energy), a readiness to complete complex tasks, and accomplish many things with ease.
- In the third phase, the Moon again decreases in size and declines. If a person has previously accumulated a sufficient amount of positive energy, then during this period he will feel normal.
- During the waning Moon, it is recommended to devote time to your health and appearance.
- When the fourth lunar phase begins, a thin “sickle” is again visible from the Earth. The time is suitable for thinking about life, putting in order not only the internal world, but also the external one (cleaning, getting rid of trash, and so on).
- When the Moon becomes old, a person may feel a decline in energy in himself, which is accompanied by apathy, sensitivity to the words and actions of other people.
Other phenomena involving the Moon
A supermoon occurs when the Moon comes closest to the Earth and appears brighter and larger. This phenomenon occurs during the new moon and full moon.
An eclipse is an unusual phenomenon during which the Moon appears in a cone of shadow cast by the Blue Planet. And if the satellite is completely placed in this shadow, the eclipse is called total, if only part of it is called partial.
These phenomena will also occur in 2018: 2 supermoons and the same number of lunar eclipses.
Calendar for 2018
Since there are four main lunar phases, the calendar is built according to the days and times of the beginning of each of them: new moon, waxing moon, full moon, waning moon.
In 2018, the phases of the moon by day are as follows.
In January:
- 1st - waxing Moon;
- full moon - 2nd;
- waning moon - January 3-16;
- the new moon will be on January 17;
- waxing moon - January 18-30;
- full moon - January 31st.
Also on January 2, at 5.24, there is a supermoon, and on January 31, 2018, at 13.51, there is a lunar eclipse.
In February:
- waning moon - February 1-15;
- new moon - 16th;
- waxing moon - February 17-28.
- 1st - waxing Moon;
- full moon - 2nd;
- waning moon - March 3-16;
- new moon - March 17;
- waxing moon - March 18-30;
- full moon - March 31st.
In April:
- waning moon - April 1-15;
- new moon - 16th;
- waxing moon - April 17-29;
- full moon - April 30.
- waning moon - May 1-14;
- new moon - 15th;
- waxing moon - May 16-28;
- full moon - May 29;
- waning moon - May 30-31.
- waning moon - June 1-12;
- new moon - 13th;
- waxing moon - June 14-27;
- the full moon will be on June 28;
- waning moon - June 29-30.
- waning moon - July 1-12;
- the new moon will be on the 13th;
- waxing moon - July 14-26;
- the full moon will be on July 27;
- waning moon - July 28-31.
Also on July 13, 2018, at 5.47, there is a supermoon, and on the 27th, at 23.22, there is a lunar eclipse.
In August:
- waning moon - August 1-10;
- new moon - 11th;
- waxing moon - August 12-25;
- the full moon will be on the 26th;
- waning moon - August 27-31.
In September:
- waning moon - September 1-8;
- new moon - 9th;
- waxing moon - September 10-24;
- full moon - 25th;
- waning moon - September 26-30.
In October:
- waning moon - October 1-8;
- new moon - 9th;
- waxing moon - October 10-23;
- full moon - 24th;
- waning moon - from the 25th to the 31st.
In November:
- waning moon - November 1-6;
- new moon - 7th;
- waxing moon - November 8-22;
- full moon - 23rd;
- waning moon - November 24-30.
December:
- waning moon - December 1-6;
- new moon - 7th;
- waxing moon - December 8-21;
- full moon - 22nd;
- waning moon - December 23-31.
Favorable days of the lunar calendar
Everyone has good and bad days. First of all, this is again due to the phases of the satellite.
For example, the first quarter after the new moon is considered a favorable phase of the Moon. These days it is recommended to start new projects, establish relationships with people, and so on. Most of all, you feel full of energy and good concentration.
Also successful are periods when an aspect of 60 and 120 degrees is created between the celestial bodies - the Moon and the Sun.
All this information can be clarified in the sections on the phases of the moon by month for the year.
During its rotation around the Earth, the Moon is in different positions relative to the planet and the Sun. Sunlight falls on the satellite, illuminating its movement. The visible lobes of the lunar disk in the sky change during the lunar month, which lasts 29.53 days. This is how the lunar phases change.
The lunar month has four phases, including new and full moon periods. In the first and second quarters, the Moon waxes, in the third and fourth, respectively, it wanes. Each phase of the moon lasts about 7 days. It is not difficult to learn to identify them, focusing on the visible presence of the night star. In addition, you can use the lunar calendar with a detailed description of each lunar day and its impact on people and events.
The phases of the moon determine the ebb and flow of the planet. Not only the movement of the mass of water, but also a person’s energy, his emotions and physical well-being depend on these changes. Each lunar phase affects the development of situations in all spheres of life: public and purely personal.
The first phase begins with the new moon, which occurs during the daytime. The Moon, Earth and Sun are on the same straight line. With its unlit side, the Moon is turned towards the Earth. During this phase, the moon is not visible from Earth. Therefore, to accurately determine the new moon, astrological tables are often turned to. The new moon feels like a change, inspired anticipation, hope. But it should be taken into account that for each person the sensations are very individual and the specifics may vary markedly.
Over time, a very narrow thin crescent begins to appear in the night sky - the edge of the surface of the Earth's satellite illuminated by the Sun. The moon at this time is called “growing” or “new moon”. In general, this is a favorable period for a person. After possible depression, decline and some relaxation, he is tuned to a surge of strength and development. During this lunar phase, people usually accumulate energy potential, adjusting to more active rhythms.
The second phase of the moon occurs a week after the new moon. The moon is half illuminated, with its convex side to the right, which is very easy to navigate by determining the phase. During this period, the body's energy increases. Emotionally, a person feels more free, liberated, but at the same time his emotions are under control. However, the closer the time of change of lunar phases, the more likely there is an excess of energy in the body, which, without the necessary control, can turn into excitement.
The second phase of the moon ends with a full moon two weeks after the new moon. It is not at all difficult to determine. Being directly opposite the Sun, the Moon during this period is characterized by the special brightness of its full disk. The full moon is a dynamic period of phase change in the human body, a transition from the accumulation of energy potential to its waste.
The third phase of the moon begins immediately after the full moon. Every day the moon loses its round outline, “bending” to the left. By the end of this week it will only be half illuminated. The moon wanes, and with it, as a rule, the accumulated enthusiasm of a person.
With the fourth phase, the night star continues to decrease. The crescent moon becomes thinner and narrower until it completely disappears from the night sky. The human condition during this period is characterized by a decrease in energy level, some fatigue, and a desire to rest in anticipation of the new lunar cycle.
The moon has always had an aura of mystery and mysticism. And I recently became interested in the elements of astronomical calculations. And somehow these two facts coincided :)
What is the phase of the moon?
In fact, this is the current state of the triangle of three bodies - the Earth, the Moon and the Sun. The way the Moon is illuminated in relation to an observer on Earth determines the current lunar phase. The Moon moves in its orbit around the Earth with an orbital period of 27.554550 days, which is 27 days 13 hours 18 minutes 33.1 seconds. But while the night wanderer makes a full revolution around our planet, it, in turn, manages to go a long way. Because of this, the Moon, having made a revolution, appears to the observer in a new phase.
To catch up with the Sun and appear in the same phase, the Moon needs almost two Earth days. This period between two identical phases of the moon is called synodic month. Its period is 29.5305882 days or approximately 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes 2 seconds.
Determining the current lunar phase.
To determine the phase of the Moon, you need to take a reference point, i.e. some point in time with a known phase of the moon. Then the phases of the Moon will repeat with a known period and they can be calculated. Seems pretty simple?
But many nuances remain.
Actually, the synodic month is an average value. Its length can vary within a range of ± 13 hours. The main contribution to this deviation is made by the shape of the Moon's orbit. It is elliptical in nature, and the Lena-Earth distance varies from 356,400 km to 406,700 km. For example, in the current month (November 2015) the length of the synodic month was 29.73 days. Of course, 13 hours is not a big amount compared to 29.53 days - the error in determining the phase will be no more than ±1.85%. In general, here, for the accuracy of the calculation, you will have to monitor the movement of the apogee of the Moon, which shifts with a period of 8.85 Earth years.
Secondly, since we are tied to a specific earthly time (we have chosen a reference point), then to determine the phase of the Moon it is necessary to clarify in which time zone the observer is located. This clarification has approximately the same magnitude as the previous amendment. The maximum error in indicating the moon phase without specifying the observer's time zone is up to ±1.6% (12 hours / 29.53 days).
These two contributions are quite significant. There are also contributions of lower orders, but the further we move away from the “reference point”, the greater the error will accumulate during the calculation.
I found sets of pictures demonstrating the phase of the moon, but the appearance of the moon, the inclination of its crescent to the horizon depends on the location of the observer, his geographic latitude. In the northern hemisphere, the waxing moon is turned with its crescent so that it forms the letter “P” if a stick is added to it. In the region of equatorial latitudes, the sickle will lie on its side. And in the southern hemisphere of the Earth, an observer will see a waxing moon in the shape of the letter “C”.
Do you want to know what the Moon is like today, in what phase, and in what zodiac sign the night star is located? Our online calendar will help you find out! Using our service, you can track not only what lunar day it is today, but also the rising and setting of the Moon, and its current position. The calculation was made taking into account the time of the Moscow time zone.
Moon phases
First phase of the moon - New Moon
Neutral phase. During this period, you should refrain from performing any serious magical rituals, because the person feels unnecessary and abandoned by everyone. If today is a new moon, there may be a slight mental deviation in all zodiac signs. But don't worry, this is normal. The strength will grow with the Moon, and all the energy will return back.
Second phase of the Moon - Waxing
At this time it is best to make plans, but it is too early to start new achievements. My strength is only growing, my body is getting stronger. Luck is returning, the reboot of all feelings has begun.
If today is a full moon, then there is already enough strength to accomplish important things “here and now.” It is recommended to control emotions during this lunar phase. Now the emotional background will fluctuate very often, but don’t let this scare you. If there is a full moon today, then insomnia is possible. If the surplus of positive energy is very high, then throw it out in art or sports. Meditation and analysis of everything that is happening will help you calm down. Today, solitude with nature is encouraged. Now you should take a break and go on vacation to the forest or park.
Third phase of the moon
Today the time has come when a person can accomplish absolutely everything he dreamed of. All things are going according to plan, as calculated.
Fourth phase of the moon
Incredible productivity is on the decline. Everything falls out of hand, energy fades. Depression and poor health may return. The moon today has a negative impact on many people, taking away mental and physical strength. However, there is no need to succumb to melancholy - this period will soon pass, and you will again be able to enjoy the bright colors of life.
The end of the fourth phase is represented by a small crescent in the sky. A mysterious stage when a person is neither happy nor unhappy. It all starts again. The circle of life seems to close and people feel completely different. During this period, pay special attention to your emotional state, cultivate a reverent attitude towards yourself.
Why is it important to know what the moon is now?
If you are going to perform one or another magical ritual, then it is extremely important for you to know what the Moon is like today. For example, it is customary to read conspiracies and prayers for the growth of wealth and the emergence of love relationships. It is believed that the growing night luminary will be able to attract positive events into your life. , on the contrary, it is necessary to get rid of something unnecessary: from a protracted illness, from failure, and so on.
The night luminary affects the representatives of the Zodiac circle in different ways and enhances their qualities. Knowing your characteristics, you can use them for your own benefit. This is even easier to do than to say.
Qualities of the Zodiac signs:
- — leadership, love of life, harmony;
- — peace, communication, ideas;
- - emotionality, amorousness, sociability;
- — subjectivity, isolation, vulnerability;
- — courage, understanding of rules and laws, creativity;