Lunation cycle is about Moon, its orbit around Earth and the phases or stages in the Moon’s cycle. Traditionally lunation cycle is viewed as an important barometer to understand human lifestyle. In this blog post I explain the lunation cycle in general and review the Eight phases of Moon in its orbit around the Earth. I give a brief on Astronomy and the Cosmics for the Eight Phases of the Moon in a Lunation Cycle so that you can improve your life style.
Lunation Cycle
The Moon takes 29 days 12 hours and 44 minutes (29.53 days) to complete the orbit around Earth and return to the original position where it started. This we call a synodic month. During a synodic month Moon goes through eight phases in its lunation cycle. Each phase lasts a number of days. The duration is asymmetrical, that is not exactly uniform. Like Sun, Moon also rises in the east and sets in the west. Though many consider the Moon as a satellite of Earth, it is in fact a planet of its own. It has a diameter of 2,140 miles little more than quarter of the Earth and revolves around the Sun in synchronization with the Earth. Earth’s gravity keeps the Moon on a specific path. When the Moon and Earth meets on every 45 degree tangentially you can see that the Moon’s gravity rises resulting in greater pulling power for the Moon evidenced in high tides. Likewise when the Moon comes very close to the Earth called “perigee” the pulling power of the Moon over Earth is high.
Lunation cycle is useful to study about mind, medicine, agriculture, calendar, meteorology etc. It is very useful in women’s affairs such as menstruation, marriage and pregnancy. The eight phases are: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent (Balsamic). A schematic representation is given below:
Courtesy: http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/time/phases.jpg
1.New Moon
Astronomy: This lasts from 0 day to 2.4 days. You cannot see this Moon as its light is lost against the background of the Sun’s glare. Sometimes you can see the darkened part of the Moon in the western sky as Moon sets along with the Sun. During this time the Sun, Earth and Moon are almost on direct line at the zero degree in relation to the Earth. In case this alignment is too close we have solar eclipse. Generally we have two solar eclipses in a year. Since the Earth is in-between Sun and Moon, the Sun’s light first fall on Earth, reflects back on the Moon and bounce back to the Earth. This process of Sun-Earth-Moon-Earth is an interesting phenomenon. At this phase Moon lags behind the Sun by few minutes. Astronomically, movement is measured in minutes and hours. The zero point of the Moon tangentially to the Earth can neutralize the gravity of the Earth.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase, you have dependency syndrome, you cling to someone or idea to protect you. You have lot of intuition like baby tortoises hatched in the sea-shore. You need constant prodding and guidance. You are not good in leading but good in advising, reforming etc. Many will take you for granted. Unless properly guided you may become a dreamer or revolutionary. Your mind is never stable.
2.Waxing Crescent
Astronomy: This phase lasts from 2.4 days to 7.4 days. During this time we can see the crescent Moon in the western sky as it sets with the Sun. The light side of the Moon faces away from the Earth. It slowly grows from a sliver to just smaller than half of the disk. At the beginning of the phase, Moon is ahead of Sun in terms of movement by about 2.5 hours. The Moon rises progressively late in the morning almost an hour late every day. Unless there is dim Sunlight you cannot see the Moon. Progressively the Moon sets late in the evening. You can see the Moon almost overhead in the northern sky after the Sun sets. During this fairly long phase, the Moon passes the 45 degree tangent to the Earth giving it high pulling power.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase, you are a busy guy, in soccer you are in the wings always running but less scoring. You like growth, cherish greenery and like to be with grandma or grandpa; you can story-tell, bring new ideas of how to fix the roof that is leaking. Once you make –up your mind you will cling to it like a child. You can do things like advanced maths, play chess and card games because your mind works faster than what the body can bear. Split-second decision making is your hall-mark. Negatives are; you always demand attention, go forward blindly even if there is an obstacle.
3.First Quarter
Astronomy: This phase lasts from 7.4 days to 11.1 days. During this phase, the Moon is just over-head, rising in noon and setting at midnight. At 7.4 days, the Moon passes the 90 degree tangent to the Earth neutralizing the gravity of the Earth. On the 7th day half of the Moon disk is illuminated. We call this first quarter because half of total globe is equal to quarter. Sunlight reflected on the Moon is increasing; Moon is ahead of Sun by 6 hours at the start of the phase. You can see Moon in the broad daylight after it arises over-head; Moon is visible from noon till well past mid-night. You will see the right side of the Moon illuminated.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase you strike middle course in any matter. Furthermore, intermediary work like banking & finance, stock & bond broking appeals to you. You have strong mind and positive outlook. You tend to look after your physique well. Leading an active life-style you are a club-going personality. Negatives are: temptation to make quick buck leading into criminality; craving for self—praise. Depending on your element you either become a peace maker or a trouble-monger
4.Waxing Gibbous
Astronomy: The Moon is fast reaching its fullness. This phase lasts from 11.1 days to 14.8 days with most part of the Moon disk illuminated. At the beginning of the phase the Moon is 135 degree tangential to Earth with high gravitational pull over Earth. Moon is ahead of Sun by 9 hours at the start of the phase. The Moon rises late in the afternoon towards east and sets early morning, before the Sun rise. You will observe the Moon looks closer to the Earth now than in the early phases.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase you are good in auditing or profession that evaluates and reports to an independent party. A stable mind asking others to “dot the I and dash the T”, you are a perfectionist when it comes to others; in your personal matters, you gloss over details. You are curious, anxious and do lot of coaching your spouse how to run the house. Though your mind yearns for sophistication and good life you cannot get it because you are too honest. Negatives are: your impatience and lack of pragmatism will make you an odd man out. Enemies fear you because you crush them; friends are scared because you do not toe their line.
5.Full Moon
Astronomy: In the night you see the full Moon, a full disk of illuminated part facing the Earth. This phase lasts very short from 14.8 days to 16.2 days. Moon is ahead of Sun by 12 hours at the full Moon stage. The Moon is in the east as Sun sets. At this point Moon has reached half-way through its orbit. This phase is like the New Moon. All three- Sun, Earth and Moon align almost on a straight line. Moreover, the Moon is at 180 degree tangential to the Earth neutralizing the gravity of the Earth. Violent storms specially in the oceans appear during this time. If the Moon aligns more closely then we have lunar eclipse. Generally we have two lunar eclipse in a year. This Moon is also called as Night Moon because it is there in the sky the entire night. After reaching the full moon phase the Moon starts to wane.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase you always make two choices: yes or no. A personality with bright face and inviting look, you are enjoying the best that nature has given you. You have lot of energy and make others energetic too. You enjoy life and allow others to do the same. Very charitable person; promises you keep, mistakes you forgive. Your magnetism attracts every and sundry. Unless monitored, you will tend to over-do many things. Negatives are: you are perennially weak in relating to the opposite sex including your spouse. There is only one way to take you out: create a fear in you that you will fail. Thereafter you are an humpty dumpty.
6.Waning Gibbous
Astronomy: As the longest spell, this phase lasts from 16.2 days to 22.2 days. Moon is behind the Sun by little more than an hour at the start of the phase.The Moon is slowly receding from fullness. Though major part of the Moon disk is illuminated, it is losing its brightness steadily. At the beginning of the phase the Moon is 225 degree tangential to Earth with high gravitational pull over Earth. The Moon rises late in the night towards south east and sets after Sun-rise. You observe that the Moon is giving much cooler even though paler light.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase you are a land-lubber, that is neither you will move nor be swayed to accept reality. But when it comes to sway others you will do better. If you are not controlled you will bring the entire roof down. You are good at marketing, advertisement and selling ice to Eskimos. Your mind power is such that it can break any issue into small parts and then join to resolve. Jig-saw puzzle appeals to you. You have the capacity to reflect and report on any event; something like a trouble shooter. Negatives are: You are resistant to change and you simply do not like others pushing you around. At some critical moment you may suddenly give up.
7.Last Quarter
Astronomy: This phase lasts from 22.2 days to 25.9 days. During this phase, the Moon is just over-head, rising at midnight and setting in noon. Moon is behind the Sun by 6 hours at the start of the phase. As Sun rises you see the Moon over-head. At the beginning the Moon passes the 270 degree tangent and the pulling power of the Moon is very high. Only half of the moon disk, that is left half is illuminated. Sunlight reflected from the Moon is decreasing. You can see Moon in the broad daylight in some days.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase you are a principled person with a rational approach. No place for emotions; “let us see” is your mantra. You come with “out of the box solutions” to any problem. You have the stomach to face insult, defeat and tragedies. Whether success or failure you remain composed and cool. Negatives are: your relationship with the bosses and colleagues is not smooth; many critical matters will remain un-settled. Many army generals have this feature.
8.Waning Crescent (Balsamic)
Astronomy; This last phase is known as Balsamic. It lasts from 25.9 to 29.6 days. During this time we can see the Moon once again becoming a crescent. It rises in the early morning in the south western sky; it sets in the afternoon amid the glare of the Sun. Once again you see the Moon losing Sunlight reflected on it. You also see the sliver thin with the right side partly illuminated. At the beginning the Moon passes the 315 degree tangent to the Earth with high pulling power. As days go by the Moon disappears from your view. The Moon is behind the Sun by about 9 hours at the beginning of the phase and by the time it runs its full course of 29.6 days it l reaches almost 12 hours behind the Sun.
Cosmics: If you are born during this phase, you love light fragrances, light colours etc. You have complete control over your temper; you crack witty jokes. A person with powerful inner power you are good in back-room operations, this is due to your slow burning energy. You tend to study subjects like history and quickly draw parallels in any issue of human understanding. You are futuristic too. Very satisfied with what you have you will not break rules or be un-faithful to your spouse. Negatives are: you have searching mind prompting you to look through the key-holes; fantasize specially in sex; if you are male you may acquire qualities of feminine.
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Muthu Ashraff
