Moon phases

The moon's phase during the dream, which shapes the reading.

The moon goes through a fixed cycle of phases in about 29.5 days: new moon, waxing moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter and waning moon. In wicca and many other forms of nature spirituality that cycle plays a large role. The moon is connected with the goddess, with intuition, feeling, water and the night, and so also with dreams.

In practice each phase has its own character. The new moon stands for beginning, silence and sowing intentions. The waxing moon for growth, building up and attracting. The full moon for clarity, intensity and fulfilment; many covens gather then for an esbat, a moon celebration. The waning moon for letting go, clearing and completing. And the dark moon, the days just before the new moon, for rest, reflection and shadow work.

For dream interpretation this means: the moment of the month colours the reading. A dream about something growing or beginning carries a different charge under a waxing moon than under a waning moon. A dream at full moon is often seen as clear and important; a dream at dark moon as an invitation to look inward. That is why many practitioners note the moon's phase with every dream in their dream journal.

Scientific research into a link between the moon and sleep gives mixed results. Some studies find somewhat shorter or more restless sleep around the full moon, others do not. Whoever wants to know does best to keep track of how their own dreams relate to the moon.

Wicca has no central doctrine, and the meaning of the phases differs by tradition and person. On Dreamkin the wicca readings mention the moon as context for a dream.