Moon Phases+ – + – + – + – + |
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| name | amount illuminated | increasing / decreasing | |
|
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New Moon | none | unilluminated side faces the earth. |
 |
Waxing Crescent | less than half | increasing |
 |
First Quarter | half | increasing |
 |
Waxing Gibbous | between half and full | increasing |
 |
Full Moon | all | illuminated side faces the earth. |
 |
Waning Gibbous | between half and full | decreasing |
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Last Quarter | half | decreasing |
 |
Waning Cresent | less than half | decreasing |
•
| Notes | The moon passes between the earth and the sun approximately every 29½ days, at which point there is a new moon. | |
| Honey Moon | The June full moon is called the Mead or Honey Moon. Traditionally, a honey drink was taken after wedding ceremonies held on the Summer Solstice. This is the derivation of the term honeymoon. | |
| Harvest Moon | The moon at and about the period of fullness that is nearest to the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon. | |
| Hunter’s Moon | The first full moon after the Harvest Moon is called the Hunter’s Moon (also known as Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon). | |
| Blue Moon | There are occasionally two full moons in one month. The second moon of the month is called a blue moon. | |
| Dark Moon | When two new moons occur in a month, the second is called a dark moon. | |