1. New Moon Phase: the moon is zero degrees, or conjunct with the sun, to 45 degrees ahead of the sun; and is not lit up in the sky, at all, to a slight waxing (increasing in light) crescent alight; the general purpose for this time is plunging into new experiences in spontaneous and instinctive ways; new beginnings.

2. Crescent Moon: the moon is 45 degrees to 90 degrees ahead of the sun; and moon is a crescent lit up in the sky, to half-lit-up (the waxing-type moons are lit up on the right side, in the northern hemisphere); overcoming obstacles, growing.

3. First Quarter Moon: the moon is 90 degrees to 135 degrees ahead of the sun; the moon is half-lit, to more-than-half alight; solving problems (sometimes everyone's problems) and dealing with them.

4. Gibbous Moon: the moon is 135 to 180 degrees ahead of the sun; the moon is more-than-half lit up, to about completely lit; growth, refining, being analytical, finishing drafts to present.

5. Full Moon: the moon is 180 degrees from, or opposite of, the sun; the moon is completely illuminated; to the moon being 135 degrees behind the sun, and is still more than half alight, but is now waning or decreasing in light, but on the other side of the moon (the left side in the northern hemisphere) from the waxing phases; the full moon involves culmination, climax, and also, relationships.

6. Disseminating Moon: the moon is 135 to 90 degrees behind the sun; it is more-than-half lit up, to half-way lit; dispersing knowledge and ideas to others, teaching.

7. Last Quarter Moon: the moon is 90 to 45 degrees behind the sun; the moon is half-lit-up to a crescent lit up; dealing with personal problems that build mental strength (they can be physical problems, to note); can be a crisis in consciousness until complete change occurs.

8. Balsamic Moon: the moon is 45 degrees behind the sun, to zero degrees, about conjunct (up by) the sun; the moon is a crescent lit up, to being not visible in the sky; completion, resolution of karma, leaving a legacy to others, commitment to the future.