Spiritual Meaning of the Waxing Gibbous Moon in 2024

Did you know, that the waxing gibbous Moon holds a significant spiritual meaning for many people. Rising just after the first quarter Moon, this phase has a dynamic, creative and exceptionally strong momentum! As the Moon grows, her energy can be harnessed to manifest wild and unbelievable things… But the power of this phase is often overshadowed by the close arrival of the Full Moon.

What is the waxing gibbous Moon phase?

As the moon orbits Earth, the Sun illuminates different parts of the Moon’s surface, making the phases of the Moon appear differently to us.

The waxing gibbous moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are almost opposing, and la Luna is between 51% and 99% illuminated. She’s recognizable as more than half of her surface is lit up. IN the northern hemisphere, the right side is illuminated, in the southern hemisphere the left side is the illuminated portion.

For many, the waxing gibbous moon represents a time of growth and progress. Coming just before the full Moon, it’s a time to focus on completing projects and achieving goals, in readiness for the ripeness of the next stage.

It’s a wonderful, dynamic and fun-filled time, when it’s easy to harness the energy of the Moon and use it to move forward with your dreams and desires. Yet this can also be a time when it’s hard to keep momentum on your own. So under the waxing gibbous phases, it’s vital to trust the journey and have faith in the universe’s plan for you!

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.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Waxing Gibbous Moon Phase

This point in the lunar month has a particular quality, because it immediately precedes the Full Moon… yet work is still required to get there.

Stamina is called for! It’s been almost a couple of weeks since the waxing crescent phase, so momentum has been building for a long time. Energy has been rising since that first phase, and it’s highly likely you’ve done a huge amount, and already achieved great things!

But there’s potential for more.

Of all the eight phases, the waxing gibbous calls you to keep moving forward. Even if you’re tired, even if the waxing Moon has already demanded a lot of you, keep going.

Often likened to the transitional phase in labour – when a woman needs to draw on all her reserves to finally spiral her baby out into the world – this primary phase asks us to dig deep.

Look up into the night sky and you’ll see la Luna also doing the same – with over three quarters of the Moon illuminated, she, too, is not giving up until she reaches fullness.

The waxing gibbous Moon and achieving perfection

In spiritual terms, the waxing gibbous Moon also represents a time of refinement and honing in on the details of your plans. Associated with the concept of “final steps”, it’s a time to focus ever more clearly on the particular direction you want to take. And then make the necessary adjustments to ensure you’re still on the right path.

Just as la Luna strives to become full, this Moon phase can be seen as a time when you, too, are making the final adjustments to achieve perfection in your endeavors.

So as well as putting in that extra effort, This Moon phase is a time to trust the process and have faith that everything will come together in the end.

The waxing gibbous Moon and learning new skills

For many spiritual people, the waxing gibbous Moon is a great time to learn new skills. Because this last phase of the waxing half of the Moon cycle is associated with growth and development, it’s an ideal time to pick up the skills you need to make that final stretch.

If you’ve been thinking about learning a new skill, then the waxing gibbous moon is the perfect time to take action on that inner calling!

This is also true because the Moon waxing means your mind is more open to new ideas and concepts, which can help you learn faster and more efficiently.

YES, we do normally set intentions at the new Moon phase, but you can also take advantage of this time to set new goals (micro-goals, in relation to your existing intentions is a great way to frame it) and work towards achieving them. Whatever you want to learn, the waxing gibbous Moon can give you the motivation and energy you need to succeed.

The waxing gibbous Moon and reflection

The waxing gibbous Moon may also be a time for reflection for you. In order to course-correct, you may need to look closely at the details of your life and work, in order to make the best use of the dynamic and powerful lunar energies.

Just like at the waning gibbous Moon, we tend to be good at critical thinking and analysis, when the illuminated part of the Moon is a lot, but not quite full.

Take some time to think about what you have accomplished so far and what you still want to achieve. Use this time to journal, meditate, or engage in other activities that help you connect with your inner self. By doing so, you’ll gain clarity and insight into your life, and be better equipped to make the right decisions for the future.

The waxing gibbous Moon and manifesting BIG!

All the waxing Moon phases are great for manifestation.

Yet the time between the primary phases of the quarter Moon and the Full Moon have a wild, amplifying and exaggerated quality. Some people believe that then the light of the Moon grows between these phases, your wildest dreams can be manifested!

This means dreaming BIG. And taking BIG inspired actions. As the illuminated part of the Moon increases, so does the momentum and magnetism available to you. But you have to be brave to use it.

Remember that the moon’s phases are a reflection of the natural cycles of darkness and light that exist within all of us. Embrace the darkness as a time for rest and reflection, and use the light as a time for action and growth.

Incorporate the waxing gibbous phase into your spiritual practice by meditating, journaling, or performing rituals that align with its energy. Trust in the process and know that your desires are taking shape, just as the moon continues to wax and increase in brightness.