Moon Phases Spread #
Introduction #
The Moon has guided human understanding of time, cycles, and inner experience since the beginning of consciousness. Her phases map a universal rhythm: emerging from darkness, waxing toward fullness, waning toward return. This cycle mirrors countless processes in life—projects, relationships, seasons of growth.
This spread aligns tarot wisdom with lunar phases, creating an eight-position map of cyclic energy. Use it to understand where you are in a cycle, to plan intentions aligned with lunar energy, or to gain perspective on any process that moves through beginning, culmination, and completion.
You need not time this reading to an actual moon phase, though doing so can deepen the experience. The spread works whenever you need cyclic wisdom.
The Layout #
Drawing order: Follow the cycle from New Moon (1) through Dark Moon (8)
The Positions #
Position 1: New Moon - Intentions #
Lunar energy: Fresh beginnings, seeds planted, emergence from darkness What it represents: What new intention or beginning is seeking to emerge
This card answers: What wants to be born?
Working with this position:
- This is the seed stage—energy is potential, not yet manifested
- Set intentions rather than taking big actions
- Plant in darkness; growth comes later
Position 2: Crescent Moon - Emergence #
Lunar energy: First light visible, fragile growth, initial challenges What it represents: How the new beginning is taking its first steps
This card answers: What is emerging? What early challenges arise?
Working with this position:
- Protect the tender new growth
- Doubts are normal here; don’t let them stop you
- Stay committed to the intention despite challenges
Position 3: First Quarter - Action #
Lunar energy: Half lit, tension between dark and light, decisive action required What it represents: What action is needed to support growth
This card answers: What decisive action should I take?
Working with this position:
- This is a crisis point—action determines whether intentions manifest
- Make decisions, commit resources, take concrete steps
- Overcome internal resistance
Position 4: Gibbous Moon - Refinement #
Lunar energy: Almost full, perfecting, analyzing, adjusting What it represents: What needs adjustment or refinement
This card answers: What needs fine-tuning before culmination?
Working with this position:
- Examine what’s working and what isn’t
- Make adjustments before the full moon illumination
- Practice patience as you approach fullness
Position 5: Full Moon - Illumination #
Lunar energy: Complete light, maximum visibility, culmination, revelation What it represents: What is being fully revealed and manifested
This card answers: What is coming to fullness? What truth is illuminated?
Working with this position:
- This is the most important card—the culmination
- Harvest what’s ripe; see what’s true
- Full light reveals both success and what didn’t work
Position 6: Last Quarter - Integration #
Lunar energy: Waning half, releasing, sharing, integrating lessons What it represents: What needs to be integrated and shared
This card answers: What am I integrating? What should I share with others?
Working with this position:
- Take what worked and integrate it into your life
- Share wisdom with others
- Begin releasing what didn’t serve
Position 7: Balsamic Moon - Release #
Lunar energy: Almost dark, deep release, surrender, letting go What it represents: What must be released to complete the cycle
This card answers: What am I being asked to release?
Working with this position:
- Let go of what’s complete
- Clear space for the next cycle
- Surrender rather than cling
Position 8: Dark Moon - Stillness #
Lunar energy: No light, the void, rest, incubation, mystery What it represents: The wisdom of the dark before the next new moon
This card answers: What waits in the darkness? What needs rest?
Working with this position:
- This is sacred pause before new beginning
- Don’t rush—honor the darkness
- Something gestates in the void
Reading the Spread #
Waxing and Waning #
Cards 1-4 (Waxing): Building, growing, manifesting Cards 5 (Full): Culmination, peak Cards 6-8 (Waning): Integrating, releasing, resting
Look for the balance between building and releasing energy.
The Full Moon Focus #
Card 5 is the central revelation:
- How do the waxing cards (1-4) lead to this illumination?
- What does this culmination require you to release (6-8)?
- Is the full moon showing success, truth, or both?
Cycle Awareness #
Notice where challenging cards appear:
- Challenges in waxing: Obstacles to building
- Challenges at full: Difficult revelations
- Challenges in waning: Resistance to release
Working With This Spread #
When to Use It #
- New moon: To set intentions for the coming cycle
- Full moon: To understand what’s culminating
- Beginning a project: To map its natural phases
- Understanding timing: To see where you are in a cycle
- Monthly practice: As a regular lunar check-in
Aligning With Actual Moon Phases #
For deeper work, use this spread at new moon and work with each card as its phase arrives:
- New moon: Draw all 8 cards. Focus on Card 1 for intention-setting.
- Each subsequent phase: Return to the appropriate card for guidance.
- Full moon: Let Card 5 illuminate what’s ready to be seen.
- Dark moon: Close the cycle with Card 8’s wisdom.
Sample Reading #
Question: “What is the cycle of my current creative project?”
Cards Drawn:
- New Moon: Ace of Wands
- Crescent: Seven of Pentacles
- First Quarter: The Magician
- Gibbous: Four of Swords
- Full Moon: The Sun
- Last Quarter: Six of Cups
- Balsamic: Death
- Dark Moon: The High Priestess
Reading:
Waxing Arc:
The project begins with pure creative fire (Ace of Wands)—a genuine spark of inspiration. Early stages require patience and tending (Seven of Pentacles); growth won’t be immediate. At the action point (The Magician), you have all the tools needed—take decisive magical action. Before culmination, rest and reflection are needed (Four of Swords); pause before the peak.
Culmination:
The Full Moon (The Sun) promises radiant success, joy, clarity. This project wants to shine. The illumination brings warmth and vitality.
Waning Arc:
Integration (Six of Cups) involves sharing with your community, possibly connecting this work to your past or offering it as a gift. Release (Death) requires letting the project end in its current form—transformation, not preservation. The dark moon (High Priestess) suggests deep wisdom incubating; what you learn will seed the next cycle, but it must remain in sacred darkness first.
Synthesis: Your creative project moves from inspired beginning through patient growth to powerful manifestation (The Sun). After success, share it freely, let it transform completely, and allow wisdom to gestate in darkness before beginning again.
Journaling Prompts #
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Current phase: Which card feels most like where you are right now in life? What does that tell you?
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Waxing intention: Looking at Cards 1-4, what are you building? What action is required?
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Full moon truth: What is Card 5 illuminating that you need to see and accept?
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Waning release: Looking at Cards 6-8, what must you integrate, release, and allow to rest?
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Cycle wisdom: What does the overall arc suggest about honoring natural timing?
Affirmation #
I honor the phases of all things. I plant in darkness, grow toward light, and release when the cycle turns. I trust the rhythm. I align with the moon’s wisdom.
The Moon teaches patience, timing, and trust in cycles. What waxes will wane; what wanes will return. This spread helps you see where you are in the eternal rhythm and work with rather than against the natural flow of becoming.
May your seeds grow. May your harvests nourish. May your releases be complete. May your darkness be fertile.