Waxing Crescent Moon Spiritual Meaning in 2024

The waxing crescent Moon is one of the most hopeful, emergent phases of the lunar cycle. If you gaze up at the sky on a clear night, you may notice the silvery arc of this gentle but strong Moon. Take a moment to receive her light – she has much spiritual meaning and medicine to offer…

The waxing crescent lunar phase occurs just after the new Moon phase, when the Moon is catches just a sliver of the Sun’s illuminating glare.

Many cultures throughout history have associated the waxing crescent moon with new beginnings and fresh starts. This is a powerful time to set intentions, sow seeds, and send wishes into the wind.

Whatever you’re wanting to manifest – whether you’re starting a new project, launching a business, or beginning a new relationship – The waxing crescent moon is a symbol of hope and potential, reminding you that anything is possible.

What are the 8 phases of the Moon?

There are 8 (well actually 9!) phases that make up the lunar cycle. Here's a breakdown -

New Moon

The new Moon phase arrives when old Grandmother Moon has just become visible. She is a sliver of light, emerging into the daytime sky.

Waxing Crescent Moon

The waxing crescent Moon has a more obvious crescent shape, rising during the daytime and setting in the western evening sky.

First-quarter Moon

The first quarter Moon forms an astrological square with the Sun, this phase is revealed as a clear “half Moon” shape. Light will expand, overtaking the dark quarter.

Waxing gibbous Moon

The waxing gibbous Moon is closer to the full Moon phase than to the new. This appears as a blossoming disc of light, illuminated from the right in the northern hemisphere, and the left in the south.

Full moon

At the Full Moon phase, la Luna rises with the Sunset, and sets when the Sun rises. She’s fully illuminated and present in the sky all night long.

Waning gibbous Moon

Past the cycle’s climax, the waning gibbous Moon phase is almost a mirror image of the waxing gibbous – a swollen round disc ebbing away from one edge.

Last-quarter Moon

The last quarter Moon (also known as the third quarter) forms another astrological square with the Sun and appears as a clear “half Moon” shape. This time, though, dark will overtake the light.

Waning crescent Moon (or balsamic Moon)

The waning crescent Moon is closer to the next new Moon, than to this cycle’s full Moon phase. It appears as an ebbing, almost disappearing arc in the daytime sky.

Dark Moon

The dark Moon appears between one and three days before the new Moon, and is invisible. During the dark Moon, la Luna rises with the Sun, but is bleached out by sunlight, and absent completely from the night sky.

What is the waxing crescent Moon phase?

The Waxing crescent Moon is the second phase of the moon’s cycle. It occurs after the New Moon and before the first quarter Moon, when the Moon is between about 30 and 90 degrees from the Sun. You can see this as less than half of her surface illuminated.

During this emergent phase, la Luna appears as a thin crescent shape, visible in the sky for almost a week.

As the light she receives (and reflects) from the Sun increases over the days to come, this phase of the Moon represents growth. She is a symbol for the creative momentum and the power to build that we also tend to feel at the Moon phase. This is when we begin to open up from the cocoon of the dark and new Moon phases, venturing out into the world with fresh eyes.

When does the waxing crescent Moon rise?

At the New Moon, the Moon rises when the Sun does (which is why she’s invisible to us). As she waxes, the Moon rises about 45 minutes after the Sun each day, meaning she is visible later in the morning and further into the day and evening.

As the days progress, the crescent shape becomes more pronounces and bigger, as the Moon moves towards the first quarter phase.

In the northern hemisphere this curve appears from the right, in the southern hemisphere it appears from the left.

What’s the spiritual significance of the waxing crescent Moon?

The Waxing Crescent Moon Phase represents new beginnings and setting intentions.

But that’s not all.

After the dark, fertile soil of the New Moon, the waxing Moon brings the invitation to begin to act. To actually participate in the game of life with real actions and interactions. This is a time for intentional growth and creating change in your life.

As the light of the waxing Moon gradually increases, we too are encouraged to let our own light shine a little brighter. The spiritual meaning of this phase means it’s a powerful time to focus on your own journey – on your personal growth, your dreams and desires.

Take time to ponder and plan how you’re going to manifest what you want. It’s one thing to set intentions, but it’s another to bring them into being – it takes courage, persistence, and alignment. And these aren’t passive processes.

In the spiritual realm, the waxing crescent Moon is associated with spiritual growth and transformation. Under the waning phases, we’re invited to do the inner work of shadow seeking and self reflection. But when the balance tips and la Luna begins to wax, it’s time to be bold.

If you want to evolve, expand and build your spiritual muscles, the waxing Moon is time to go out into the world and practice what have learned to create change.

Real, positive change in our own lives, and the lives of others can come at the phase of the Moon! The waxing crescent Moon is the first step we take, towards the promise of fruition at the full moon. So along with the impulse and urge to act, to set those wheels in motion, is a reminder that with patience and perseverance, you can achieve your goals and create the life you desire.

What’s the meaning of the crescent Moon symbol?

The crescent moon is one of our planet’s most ancient and sacred symbols of spirituality and the feminine. In many spiritual traditions, the crescent Moon represents the divine feminine herself. A powerful symbol of inner knowledge, intuition, and the mysteries of life, the crescent Moon influence is far reaching and profound.

Unlike the symbol of the full Moon – a simple circle, that could be confused with the Sun – the crescent is an iconic symbol of the moon. The crescent Moon shape reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of embracing change.

In the context of the triple Goddess, the waxing crescent Moon represents the maiden aspect. Together, they look like this:

Waxing crescent Moon: Maiden
Full Moon: Mother
Waning crescent Moon: Crone

In Greek mythology, the crescent moon was often associated with the goddess Selene, regarded as the divine embodiment of the Moon.

The waxing crescent was also connected to the goddess Artemis, well known as a lunar deity of the hunt and the wilds.

In Ancient Egypt, the crescent Moon was associated with the goddess Isis, known as the mother of all gods and goddesses.

Crescent Moon spiritual associations tend to align with maiden Goddesses from many different cultures. She represents youth, possibility and potential.

ALSO READ: A Complete List of Moon Goddesses from Around the World

What to do under the waxing crescent phase

Bringing with it the energy of growth, manifestation, and expansion, the first part of the waxing Moon phase can be a little overwhelming.

SO much to do, so little time! Maybe you feel excited to emerge from the waning Moon phases, and the soft embrace of the dark Moon? Remember to take your time, and not to rush – the waxing Moon will offer you her gifts as she unfolds over two whole weeks. SO focus on this phase – the crescent moon.

This is a time to focus on your goals and take first steps of action toward manifesting your desires. The energy of the Waxing Crescent Moon can help you step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. It is a time to embrace change and work on making connections beyond your immediate circle.

Here’s a list of 10 things to try –

Set Intentions

Maybe you missed the boat at the New Moon?!

Setting intentions during the waxing crescent Moon is still an extremely powerful practice. This is a time to focus on what you want to manifest in your life and set your intentions for the coming lunar cycle. Take some time to reflect on your goals and write them down. Be specific and clear about what you want to achieve.

Make plans

Hot on the heels of setting intentions comes making actual plans. The idea isn’t to set your pathway in stone, but to offer a way. Making plans gives you direction, somewhere to go. And if you stray from your path, that’s fine. But you need to at least pave the first step or two…

Act on your plans!

Made your plans? Act on them!

This is where the energy of the waxing Moon really begins to come into its own. There is a momentum carried in our spinning celestial body at this time. The waxing crescent Moon influence can really move you forward, if you invite her in. But you need to participate, and this means putting some skin in the game.

Perform a ritual

Harness the momentum of the waxing Moon with ritual. Performing spiritual work intentionally with this phase of the Moon can really accelerate your actions.

Follow your intuitive hunches

Even though you’ve (hopefully) made a few plans, it’s still important to look out for signs and signals from Spirit. At the waxing crescent Moon spiritual guidance is flowing! (Yes, the same IS true under the waning crescent Moon, but it’s more likely to direct you inwards).

Remember – before the first quarter Moon, the dark unknown is still must stronger than the light. Look beyond yourself, and you will be shown exactly where you need to go.

Take a risk

Break from your routine. Exit your comfort zones. Experiment! The waxing Moon is THE time to take a risk.

Reach out to someone new

Everyone is opening up under the waxing crescent Moon. This means that if you reach out to someone new – whether it’s sending an email to a prospective client, making a phone call about a job vacancy, or simply starting a conversation on the bus – you’re more likely to be met with curiosity and openness.

Embody your inner maiden

The Goddess moved through all lunar phases, but the archetype of the maiden is strong at the crescent Moon. Consider exploring how she shows up in your life, and work on bringing her gifts to life.

Experiment with a new image

The early stages of a waxing Moon bring a wonderful opportunity to play around with your self image. If you’ve wanted to try a new haircut, outfit or style of make up, give it a go! And if the crescent Moon is waxing through Aries or Aquarius, then don’t hold back!

Get inspired

At the waxing Moon phase, light is expanding. You are too – so what are you choosing to fill yourself up with?

Make intentional choices about what you let into your world.

Instead of plugging into mainstream media, choose inspirational podcasts.
Rather than joining in with gossip, celebrate other people’s successes.
Instead of picking up your phone, gaze up at the clouds.

The waxing Moon spiritual potential is HUGE!

And it begins with the waxing crescent – that beautiful curve of silver light that spills across the Moon’s surface once in a lunar month.

If you begin to harness its power, your life will change. Its energy will help you to grow, manifest your desires, and step out of your comfort zone. By setting intentions and harnessing the energy of the Waxing Crescent Moon, we can work toward becoming the best version of ourselves.