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The phases of the moon are caused by the relative positions of the earth, sun, and moon. The moon goes around the earth in 27.3 days, or 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes, on average. This measurement is relative to the stars and is called the sidereal period or orbital period.
because of the earth's motion around the sun, a complete moon cycle (New Moon to New Moon) appears to earthbound observers to take a couple of days longer: 29.5305882 days to be exact. This number is called the synodic period or "lunation", and is relative to the sun.
The sun always illuminates the half of the moon facing the sun (except during lunar eclipses, when the moon passes through the earth's shadow). When the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth, the moon appears "full" to us, a bright, round disk. When the moon is between the earth and the sun, it appears dark, a "new" moon. In between, the moon's illuminated surface appears to grow (wax) to full, then decreases (wanes) to the next new moon. The edge of the shadow (the terminator) is always curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon its familiar crescent shape.
A complete lunar cycle (New Moon to New Moon) is also called a "lunation". During this time the moon will completely circle the earth.
(some of above information courtesy of NASA http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov)
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The phases of the moon Is or are a very important Part of the Craft- for when Creating spells or rituals you should aways know which alignment or which moon phase is best for your ritual or spells
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New (also called the Dark Moon) - not visible
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Waxing Crescent
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First Quarter - commonly called a "half moon"
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Waxing Gibbous
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Full - we can see the entire illuminated portion of the moon
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Waning Gibbous
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Third Quarter - another "half moon", but the illuminated part is opposite of the First Quarter
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Waning Crescent
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New - back to the beginning
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ORBIT:
DIAMETER:
MASS:
SURFACE AREA:
AGE:
DAY LENGTH:
TEMPERATURE (DAY):
TEMPERATURE (NIGHT):
GRAVITY:
HIGHEST MOUNTAIN:
DEEPEST CANYON:
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225,745 miles from Earth
2,160 miles
81 quintillion tons
9.4 billion acres
at least 4.5 billion years old
27.3 days
273° F
- 244° F
1.63 m/sec/sec (6 times less than on the Earth)
over 16,000 feet high
over 15,000 feet deep
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New moon
New Moon Magick can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting.
Waxing moon
From seven to fourteen days after the new moon.The waxing moon is used for constructive magick, such as Health, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or Love
full Moon
From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. this time is Prime time for rituals for protection, prophecy, and divination. Any working that needs extra power can be done now.including love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams.
Wanning Moon
From three-and-a-half to ten-and-a-half days after the full moon.The waning moon is used for banishing magick, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity
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