Astrology can feel overwhelming at first. As I wrote last week, "Astrology becomes complicated to track because the astrological new year begins in March with Aries Season, we use a Gregorian calendar for daily planning, the sun moves through the zodiac over 365.25 days, and the moon completes 13.28 cycles in that same time." Despite this complexity, many of you are here for it! So, let’s simplify things and focus on one celestial body that’s easy to track: the moon.
The moon’s quick journey around the zodiac makes it the perfect place to start building a deeper relationship with astrology. By observing the moon’s phases and connections to the zodiac, you can quickly gather insights into patterns in your life. Let’s dive into how to use the moon’s cycles, eclipses, and energies for self-discovery and intentional living.
Why Start with the Moon?
The moon is fast-moving, completing its orbit in just 29.5 days. This makes it an ideal tool for predictive astrology and observing immediate results in your life. Unlike the slower-moving planets, the moon produces "data" rapidly, allowing you to track changes and cycles effectively.
For example, every 6 months, you can witness a complete manifestation and release cycle. New moons bring beginnings, while full moons represent completion and release. These patterns play out like chapters in the grand screenplay of life.
A Real-Life Example
A friend of mine started planning a big business move during the new moon in Leo in August. By the time the full moon in Leo arrived in January, her plans came to fruition. This six-month cycle is just one of the many storylines you can track. If you’ve kept a journal, revisit your entries from past new and full moons. If you haven’t, now’s the perfect time to start.
Here is a schedule to get you started if you start immediately with today’s blog posted on April 28th, 2024.
Sunday | 4/28 | Capricorn | 5/5 | Aries | 5/12 | Cancer | 5/20 | Libra |
Monday | 4/29 | Capricorn | 5/6 | Aries | 5/13 | Leo | 5/21 | Libra |
Tuesday | 4/30 | Capricorn | 5/7 | Taurus | 5/14 | Leo | 5/22 | Scorpio |
Wednesday | 5/1 | Aquarius | 5/8 | Taurus | 5/16 | Leo | 5/23 | Scorpio |
Thursday | 5/2 | Aquarius | 5/9 | Gemini | 5/17 | Virgo | 5/24 | Sagittarius |
Friday | 5/3 | Pisces | 5/10 | Gemini | 5/18 | Virgo | 5/26 | Sagittarius |
Saturday | 5/4 | Pisces | 5/11 | Cancer | 5/19 | Libra | 5/27 | Sagittarius |
Understanding Eclipse Cycles
Once you’ve mastered the basics of moon tracking, you can add eclipses to your observations. Eclipses occur in pairs (solar and lunar) every 5.8 months and create longer storylines, often unfolding over two years. These celestial events mark pivotal moments in life, offering opportunities for growth, release, and transformation.
Example of Eclipse Cycles
In November 2021, a partial lunar eclipse in Taurus marked a significant career shift for me. Taurus represents my 10th house of career, and during this time, I left a long-standing job. Scorpio, representing my 4th house of home and emotional needs, showed me the personal transformation required to align with my true self. The unfolding Aries-Libra eclipses now highlight themes of expansion, publishing, and innovation—all directly tied to my astrology work at Alchemy & Art.
Partial LUNAR Eclipse 2021 November 19 3:57:17 at 27 Taurus 14
Total SOLAR Eclipse 2021 December 4 2:42:51 at 12 Sagittarius 22
Partial SOLAR Eclipse 2022 April 30 16:27:54 at 10 Taurus 28
Total LUNAR Eclipse 2022 May 16 00:13:58 at 25 Scorpio 18
Partial SOLAR Eclipse 2022 October 25 6:48:30 at 2 Scorpio 00
Total LUNAR Eclipse 2022 November 8 6:01:57 at 16 Taurus 01
Annular Total SOLAR Eclipse 2023 April 20 0:12:19 at 29 Aries 50
Penumbral LUNAR Eclipse 2023 May 5 13:33:50 at 14 Scorpio 58
Annular SOLAR Eclipse 2023 October 14 13:54:56 at 21 Libra 08Partial
LUNAR Eclipse 2023 October 28 16:23:49 at 5 Taurus 09
Penumbral LUNAR Eclipse 2024 March 25 3:00:05 at 5 Libra 07
Total SOLAR Eclipse 2024 April 8 14:20:37 at 19 Aries 24
Partial LUNAR Eclipse 2024 September 17 22:34:13 at 25 Pisces 41
Annular SOLAR Eclipse 2024 October 2 14:49:02 at 10 Libra 04
Total LUNAR Eclipse 2025 March 14 at 23 Virgo 57
Partial SOLAR Eclipse 2025 March 29 at 9 Aries 00
The Moon and Daily Intentions
The moon influences not just major life events but also daily moods, intuition, and productivity. Every 2.4 days, it changes zodiac signs, bringing subtle shifts in energy. Observing these changes can help you:
Align daily tasks with the moon’s energy.
Gain insights into your intuition and emotional patterns.
Create a balanced approach to productivity over a full lunar cycle.
How to Track the Moon’s Influence
Here’s a simple exercise to get started:
Take a calendar (digital or paper) and note the moon’s zodiac sign each day.
Record:
A few words describing your mood or energy level.
Intuitive moments or gut feelings.
Decisions influenced by these intuitions.
Patterns you notice over the month.
This practice will help you identify cycles of growth, rest, and action, making it easier to align your intentions with the moon’s rhythm.
Tracking Moon Cycles: The Bigger Picture
Over time, your observations of the moon’s cycles can reveal significant patterns. Here are a few key cycles to track:
1. New Moon to Full Moon (14 Days)
New moons are about setting intentions, while full moons bring clarity and culmination. Observing these phases can help you track short-term goals and emotional progress.
2. Six-Month Manifestation Cycles
As in the Leo example, new moons and full moons in the same sign (six months apart) often highlight related themes in your life. Use this cycle to reflect on personal growth and achievements.
3. Eclipses (2-Year Cycles)
Eclipse cycles offer insights into long-term transformation. Track their influence by noting the zodiac signs and houses they activate in your chart.
You don’t have to navigate the astrology alone.
If you’re ready to explore your chart, uncover life patterns, and align with your true purpose, I’d love to be your astrologer. Let’s work together to track your lunar cycles, identify eclipse influences, and create a roadmap for self-discovery and intentional living. Book your Astrology Reading Today to start your journey.
XOXO Peace
Erin
Learn More
"The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need" by Joanna Martine Woolfolk for foundational knowledge.
Cafe Astrology’s Eclipse Tables for eclipse tracking.
You CANNOT make this stuff up! Love the examples and realizations of how things sometimes seem to take a frustratingly long time in bearing fruit but another way to consider it is that intentions and plans all just need time to cycle and settle into place.