Asking Yourself: What is the Meaning of My Moon Sign in Astrology?
This article was written for the beginning, as well as the advanced astrologer. By the end you’ll not only understand the meaning of your Moon sign in astrology, but how to interpret it in any chart.
We’ll begin with a historic look at the moon and the way it was viewed throughout astrological history. After, we’ll travel back with real-world strategies you can use to strengthen your own natal moon.
Make sure you read to the end – you’ll be able to accurately interpret the Moon the in your own natal chart like a pro.
- What Does the Moon Represent in Astrology?
- The Moon as Cosmic Manifestation
- Technical Details of the Moon in Astrology
- Lunar Phases of the Moon in Astrology
- The Moon in Medical Astrology
- The Moon in Electional Astrology
- Lunar Gods and Goddesses
- Challenging Moon Aspects
- Weak Moon Remedy: Meditation to Strengthen the Moon in Your Astrology Chart
- What is the Meaning of My Moon Sign in Astrology?
What Does the Moon Represent in Astrology?
If you’re like me, you’ve heard a lot of conflicting interpretations of what exactly the Moon means in your chart. For instance, according to Amy Herring’s The Astrology of the Moon: “Astrologically, the Moon is the symbol for our feelings and our instinctual emotional reactions…the Moon can give us clues about what our home life was like.”
Sure. That’s something most people interested in astrology already knew. Fair enough. We’ll examine this angle first, and then we’ll dig deeper as we progress.
Metaphysically, as the closest celestial body to the Earth, absorbing and transmitting the energy of the entire solar system, the Moon is the sum total of all cosmic energies. Thus, as the totality, it is certainly symbolic of our attitudes and feelings towards others and ourselves. That very attitude determines how we approach life and manifest our desires.
Thus, from an emotional standpoint, the Moon can make us feel connection, empathy, individuality, love and creativity. We embrace the Moon, as it’s a part of ourselves.
Yet, at its most negative side, it makes for delusional lunar-tics, bi-polar tendencies, delirium, insomniacs, and inability to reason.
So it’s true in this regard, the Moon is emotion, but it is also much more. Let’s go back to the roots of Western astrology to see if we can reach a more refined definition.
The Meaning of the Moon in Hellenistic and Medieval Astrology
Let’s travel back in time 2000 years or so. According to the ancient Hellenistic astrologer Vettius Valens, the Moon possesses a “borrowed light”, as its own light is a reflection of the Sun.
The Sun emits light, while the Moon receives it. Hence the Moon is endowed with a receptive principle of energy. Like a battery has two sides, positive and negative, male and female, yin and yang, so do the inherent forces of nature.
Therefore in traditional astrology, the Moon is considered the feminine vessel of the universal masculine spirit (Sun), which gestates until new life (the elemental and physical realm) is born.
Consequently, as the feminine mother, the Moon represents the collective womb of humanity. This means she’s the nurturer of the collective human experience. All the way down to your community, household, and you, personally.
The Moons prominent influence on society, and our mood, often associated it with sects, faith, communication, and aspirations. Things that people gather together for.
Consequently, the Moon is the mother of us all, nurturing our very body until it is capable of holding a spirit. Hence in the broadest sense, it represents the physical body, and all that comes with it.
For this reason, astrologically the Moon is a great indicator of health.
Astronomically, the Moon is a fast mover through the sky. Symbolically, that means it represents things that happen fast, like quick trips. At the beginning of the month the Moon rises easterly, and by the end of its cycle it is only visible to the West, before disappearing and heading East again.
The Moon completes this cycle in only 29.5 days.
The Medieval Jewish astrologer Ibn Ezra had this to say about the Moon:
“The Moon is for sailors, travelers, messengers, and servants. In her share of the metals are silver, crystal, onyx and lime. In her share are the seas, the rivers and ponds.”1
In Hebrew, the most common name for the Moon is Arah, translated as ‘the wanderer”, an attestation to the speed and distance the Moon travels monthly.
Consequently, Ibn Ezra associates the Moon with all things that move quickly, such as messengers and travelers. Have you ever gotten a FedEx overnight? You might want to check where the Moon was when your package left.
But surely that’s not all there is to the Moon? Of course not, read on.
The Moon as Cosmic Manifestation
We’ve covered the basics, but why does the Moon seem so…fickle? Its influence and power seems to rapidly change, throwing us through constant loops. At one point we think we understand it, at another, we don’t.
Now would be a good time to reiterate the importance of seeing the Moon as a reflection of higher forces. As the closest celestial orb to us, she acts as a communication tower, delivering the messages of the other planets to our doorstep. Her position in the sky can change the meaning of the message.
In the Hellenistic era, Ptolemy astutely observed: “By the changes of her illumination…plants and animals are expanded or collapsed as she waxes or wanes.”
Ptolemy isn’t alone, most Hellenistic and Medieval scholars held that lunar energies changed depending on where she was in the sky. As Ibn Ezra writes: “She tends to vary according to each nature of sign or planet she is with.”2
Remember, the further planetary influences must first pass through the Moon before reaching us here on Earth. The Moon collects and reflects those forces back to us, dispersing them according to phase and sign. The Moon is the Earth’s spiritual communication tower, a literal bi-functional satellite, from the universe back to us.
This is why a well positioned Moon can make all of your desires manifest.
Hellenistic astrologer Firmicus writes: “The Moon makes men stable, appointed to high position, respected, large of body, corpulent but truly handsome.”3
The Moon can make us prominent in our social circle. It can make us happy or sad. It corresponds with gain and loss. But why? Is the Moon bi-polar, or is there a logical reason? Let’s have a closer look.
Technical Details of the Moon in Astrology
This section is for those of you interested in advanced astrology. If that sounds like you, read on. If not, you can skip this part and still have a better understanding of the Moon than many other astrologers.
The Moon finds its home in feminine Cancer, a sign home to Jupiter’s exaltation. Cancer is opposed to Capricorn, home to the furthest and darkest traditional planet, Saturn. Hence these two represents opposite poles: The Moon light, and Saturn dark.
The Moon is is exalted at 3 degrees of the fixed sign Taurus, and finds its fall in opposing Scorpio. Its exaltation has sometimes associated it with Taurus’s rule over the throat.
The Moon is the leader of the night sect along with Venus and Mars, while the day sect is lead by the Sun, who partners with Jupiter and Saturn. If you’re born at night you will have a more prominent Moon.
The Moon finds its ‘joy’ in the 3rd house. In the joys scheme, the lower half of the chart is reserved for the night sect while the upper is reserved for the day. The Moon’s joy here has come to associate the 3rd house with siblings, family, short travels, communication, and faith.
In the Ptolemaic elemental scheme, the Moon is moist but can also be warm, due to its absorption of the Sun’s light. Ptolemy writes: “The Moon principally generates moisture… she has, however, also a moderate share in the production of heat, in consequence of the illumination she receives from the Sun.”
Lunar Phases of the Moon in Astrology
Now the fun part. I’ve been alluding to the fact that there is a reason that the Moon gives as much as it takes.
The secret has to do with the phases of the Moon, and how much of her we see in the sky. This is called lunar phase.
The lunar phase reflects both how much light, and what type of energy is currently affecting us. The phases change as the Moon cycles through a month. As its position relative to the Sun and Earth shift, its sign and phase shifts, changing the Moons qualities and significations.
Now that you understand the Moons nature, let’s dive in and learn exactly how lunar phases work.
In astrology, the Moon has four phases (although some break this down further into eight, and Valens eleven), it isn’t necessary from an astrological sense.
What are the Four Phases of the Moon in an Astrology Chart?
Earlier we learned that the Moon’s light is an absorption and reflection of solar energies. The parts of the Moon visible in the sky are those facing the Sun, not the Earth. Depending on where in the sky the Moon is, it will capture different amounts of light and adjust its phase.
Traditional astrologers held that there were four primary phases of the Moon. These phases were based on 90 degree increments of the Moon’s orbit.
In the Medieval Picatrix4, the phases were interpreted as: “infancy, childhood, youth, and maturity.” The final, hidden lunar phase was simply called “age”.
In modern Pagan/Wicca practices, the lunar phases are known as “maiden, mother, crone, and veiled”, respectively.
Let’s examine these phases to see just how they affect us.
First Phase
As the Moon moves to its first quarter, a portion becomes visible at the 90 degree angle of its orbit, allowing it to reflect light back to us. At this time we observe the right sided crescent moon.
This is the infant (or pagan maiden) waxing moon.
This is when plans and ideas begin to form. It is the process of beginning. It is increase and gain.
Second Phase
When the Moon reaches the other side of the earth at 180 degrees, it is aligned in opposition to both Sun and Earth. Now the Moon appears full as its reflected side is completely unblocked.
This is the childhood (or pagan mother) phase.
The full Moon denotes complete manifestation of an idea begun earlier. It’s when your project is in full swing and at its peak.
Third Phase
When the moon reaches its decent and wanes, it has moved 270 degrees from the earth, making it appear a crescent on the left side.
This is the youth (or pagan crone) phase.
This phase denotes decrease. In this phase, your idea or project is complete and you’re beginning to wind down.
You’ve built something, you’ve done it, but its time to begin putting away your tools and observing the results.
Fourth Phase
When the Moon finally returns to it’s initial position with the Sun, it again becomes invisible to us. Once more the bright side faces away from us. This is the mature moon (or pagan veiled).
This is the maturity (or pagan veiled) phase.
The mature moon is a time of endings. If you’re looking to end a relationship or job, this might be a good phase to do it!
The (Secret) Fifth Phase of the Moon
Medieval astrologers recognized a fifth phase, when in its final 60 seconds the Moon returned within 1 degree of the Sun, it was said to be “of age”.
As the Medieval grimoire Picatrix explains, “Our sages are in agreement that the better quality of the Moon is the aspect she makes when she is conjunct to the Sun within one minute”.5
Think of the cycle of the Moon as a long journey. Do you remember going on a long trip and arriving back in your home or neighborhood. Did it feel good to be back? Did you learn anything? Did you bring back gifts, or kick your feet up and think: ‘I’m glad to be home’? You’re a new person with new experiences. Now you can integrate them into your life.
The Moon acts the same way when it arrives home. It reveals the influence of the Sun and integrates everything it absorbed along the way. It brings back and shares what was previously unknown or hidden.
Interestingly, this concept was reflected in ancient Mesopotamia, when “at the end of each month all other Gods would gather to consult Sin (the Moon God), who would then make all the necessary decisions for the others.”6
The Moon in Medical Astrology
“The moon rules the parts of the body as follows: the left eye, the stomach, the breasts, the breath, the spleen, the dura mater, the marrow. Of materials it rules silver and glass. It is of the night sect, green in color and salty in taste.” – Vettius Valens
Medical astrology is the art of associating planets and signs to portions, and ailments, of the human body. This enables the astrologer to aid the client in finding the root cause of their issue so that homeostasis may be restored.
Medical astrology was historically practiced by major medical institutions, and taught at Universities until only a few hundred years ago. In fact, many surgeons refused to perform surgery until the stars were aligned. With all of today’s “modern diseases”, it may be a good idea to get back to basics.
The Medical astrologer will generally recommend lifestyle changes and try to balance elemental proclivities in the client. For instance, you have Mars in Leo in your sixth house, squaring the Sun. That’s alot of fire and heat.
Consequently, the client may experience inflammation, skin boils, irritable bowel, or other inflammatory problems as a result of their placements. As a remedy, the astrologer may recommend that they modify their diet to remove all spicy foods, avoid certain activities, and instead introduce a number of cooling herbs, cold compresses, and other mitigating tools into daily life.
The Moon has traditionally been associated with the stomach and breasts, coinciding with its sign ruler, Cancer. As Jane Ridder Patrick notes in a Handbook of Medical Astrology7, the Moon is known to rule:
The above information is then used by the astrologer to determine if the patients Moon sign could be causing any ailments. If the client is experiencing the above, and has a poor Moon aspect, the astrologer will recommend a change.
Pay attention to both your natal Moon as well as the daily lunar transits (particularly new/full and eclipses). See if you can spot times where you felt down, weak, bloated, uncomfortable, or overly emotional. Your Moon may be trying to tell you something about your body.
If you’d like more information on Medical astrology and how to interpret your Moon for optimal health, join my mailing list for exclusive information you won’t find anywhere else.
The Moon in Electional Astrology
In electional astrology, practitioners time the beginning of events by planetary alignments to ensure a good outcome. Think of the process like a birthchart for your specific goal or project. Only this time, you get to pick the chart.
For instance, you want to start a new job, or even a relationship. You’d want to be very certain that the Moon was in a favorable position to get the best outcome. If it was afflicted, things may not work out as you had hoped.
I’ve used Moon elections in astrology to time going to the doctor, to move, and even to meet people. When it’s well positioned, I’ve had nothing but great results, even when I thought for sure the situation wouldn’t work out.
In elections, the Moon is one of the most important factors to look at. It signifies the overall situation and how it’s ultimately going to play out. The ascendant and its lord are also important, and represent the person starting the event. Preferably both are well placed, but you always want to have at least one bonified.
A weak Moon in an election will make your goal difficult, or even impossible to achieve. As it collects the light of the other planets, its phase and aspects communicate the will of those planets back to us.
When making elections, remember, the ascendant represents you personally—It is how you navigate the particular situation. The Moon, however, is the situation itself.
Medeival astrologer Sahl ibn Bishr wrote: “Consider the Moon as the significatrix of all matters: because her soundness is the soundness of every matter, and her detriment is the detriment of every matter…she commits her disposition to whom she projects her rays..and she changes her own being to that planet..she is these planets bearer of information.”8
By making informed decisions on when to start an event, and by watching the Moon, you are likely to succeed in almost any endeavor.
There is much more to this particular form of astrology, but the Moon is a major piece of the puzzle. I offer full consultations on picking elections so you can make the best timing decisions. You’ll get real, actionable results by aligning with the Universe, instead of fighting against it.
“As Above, So Below”
Lunar Gods and Goddesses
Cultures such as ancient Greece had multiple lunar deities. For instance “Artemis, the best known Greek goddess is symbolized best by the crescent moon – while Selene represents the full moon”.9
The Romans venerated Diana as their Moon deity. Although a triple lunar Goddess, she was mostly associated with the full moon, where “she made it like day during the night”. In contrast, the Romans knew the Moon as her fourth and final phase. They named her Hecate: Goddess of change, renewal, and death.
Unlike Western cultures, the middle east viewed the Moon as a masculine deity. He was ‘Nanna’ to the Sumerians, represented by a waxing crescent in the form of a bull. He was ‘Sin’ to the Akadians, a name later adopted by the Aramaic speaking world. The word meant ‘Father of Time’ and his symbol was the crescent moon. In Egypt, the Moon God was Thoth, symbolized by a crescent on top of a full Moon.
Challenging Moon Aspects
The Moon can set things off, big time. As it travels roughly 13 degrees per day, the variety of its influence changes quickly. I’ve noticed that fast lunar transits seem to be the catalyst for slower moving planets.
For instance—You have a negative transiting Saturn, but you haven’t noticed its effects yet. Then one day, transiting Moon makes an poor aspect to your natal Saturn— all of a sudden you’re thrust into a situation you can’t help BUT notice.
Hence, the Moon makes catalysts happen fast, while other planets carry out long term plans.
Just as a well placed natal Moon can make you prominent or cheerful, a challenged Moon can make life difficult, erratic, dull or depressing. Difficult lunar placements can effect our mood, strength, health, travels, family and community.
I happen to have a very strange Moon who finds herself squaring a very prominent Uranus. Can you say bi-polar, constantly changing health, status, community, and relationships? Oh, it’s fun. Wink.
Weak Moon Remedy: Meditation to Strengthen the Moon in Your Astrology Chart
Now that we understand that the Moon is the closest and strongest influence on us, reflecting and integrating the other planets, we can work to improve our Moon in astrology. Let’s start by trying to understand what she is telling us, and work to make changes. Do this weak Moon remedy each month until you feel centered and connected.
For this meditation we’re going to use NLP, your intuition, and a bit of timing.
Wait until after the new Moon to do this meditation. From now until then think of areas of life you’d like to improve in terms of emotion, body, family, parenting, health, moving, or community. Dwell on it, pick the most important subject, and visualize what you’d like to become.
Follow these instructions exactly for the best weak Moon remedy.
On the night of the new Moon, light a candle and sit in a quiet place. Stare at the candle for a few minutes, breathing slowly. With every breath you take, imagine light being drawn into your body. Imagine that with every inhale, you feel more whole, like something missing has returned.
As you breathe in, feel this light enter through your mouth, filling your head. Breath out, and see it pulsate as it expands within and without.
With every breath this light expands to a new section of your body. First your head, then your torso, arms, stomach, legs, all the way to your feet. Keep breathing deeply until you can visualize the light throughout your entire body.
After a few minutes, the light feels like a long lost friend or relative has returned. You smile. You feel at peace with this old friend as you become reacquainted.
As you breathe out, this friend becomes more than just light. With every breath it surrounds you and solidifies. In front of you, you begin to see an ancestor or teacher that passed long ago—or if you prefer, someone else you greatly respect.
This person tells you about all of the wonderful things they’ve seen since you’ve last seen them. They tell you how good it is to be back. They have much to share.
Close your eyes and imagine that your friend guides you through a large temple to a huge, elegant beautiful room. Inside there is a seven pointed star in a giant circle on the floor.
One of these points has a giant image of the Moon. Your friend slowly guides you and seats you in front of it. You feel comfortable.
As you sit, images appear at other points of the floor, across from where you’re sitting.
You glance and see images of the old you, the person you no longer want, the one you’re here to change. These images form in all of the six points of the circle. You stare for a while, not particularly liking what you see.
Your friend senses your distaste and instructs you to look forward and away from these images. As you do, a giant image of the Moon appears. Soon, it begins to dim. In its place is the new you, the ideal person that you’ve been trying to become.
The New Image Contains everything you dreamed. your goals are accomplished, your relationships perfected, success is yours.
You begin to glance back at the images of the old you. Putting their hand on your shoulder, your friend quickly diverts your attention back to the ideal you in front of you.
You look back a few more times at the old images, but your friend quickly instructs you to keep looking ahead.
Soon, the old images begin to completely fade, while the one in front of you grows brighter and brighter, louder and louder. It fills the entire room with a soft but powerful light, the crisp sounds invigorating you. You bask in the scene.
The image appears to solidify. You reach out and touch it. It feels warm and comforting.
Your friend instructs you to stand and walk to the image. You gladly do. As you approach you notice your body begin to fade. You’re almost translucent. You keep walking—right inside of the image, and it grows ever brighter. As you breathe in, it begins to integrate itself into you. This image of yourself as you want to be fills you, and you KNOW that it is you, now.
As you stare down, the old you completely fades away. There is only this new you. As you breathe in this image begins to fill every pore of your being until it becomes solid.
Your friend gently taps you on the shoulder and whispers into your ear: You are everything.
You open your eyes. You look down at yourself and realize that the image is no longer an image. It is you. You feel overwhelmed with gratitude. You’ve become what you’ve always wanted.
As you slowly open your eyes, you realize you can accomplish what you’ve set out to do. In fact, you already have.
For personalized meditations, rituals, and NLP techniques, book a consultation today. Re-align your chart and avoid negative planetary pitfalls.
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What is the Meaning of My Moon Sign in Astrology?
You’ve made it this far in this rather lengthy article, congratulations! You are serious about your Moon. Now we can begin to deconstruct its meaning by sign, house, and phase. By the end you’ll be able to properly interpret your own natal Moon.
The Moon can cause increase or decrease. It can give health or illness. It can create love or bitterness.
For this example, the Moon finds itself in the cardinal Westerly sign of Libra.
Libra is traditionally known as fair, sociable, romantic, artistic, creative and optimistic. It uses the artistic side of Venus while having the seriousness of exalted Saturn. At its worst— Libra is moody and demanding, as Saturn is exalted here. Being tropical, it can have problems bringing things to a conclusion. However, for this example we’re assuming positive delineations.
Now we can begin to associate lunar attributes with those of Libra.
A well placed waxing Moon in Libra will cause the increase of fairness and beauty, perhaps someone in a public office—or a mediator for their family. This person will be looked up to, a great communicator that is called to different locations to keep the peace. They will have a good outlook and be emotionally stable. They probably play a role in a community, with roots in art or justice.
Adding to this, let’s assume the Moon is in the fifth house. Being the joy of Venus, this house is associated with children, love, intercourse, playfulness, and beauty. A well placed Moon in Libra here will make you open, free, having many children, maybe even caring for children of others. You could aspire to be an art teacher. This will make you a very busy person, constantly mediating disputes, but that never gets you down as you feel a deep connection— and the more children, the merrier.
Finally, let’s assume that your Moon is a 3rd phase waning in the 5th house. Remember, this phase is all about winding things down. This means that you might care for older children, or not have any until you’re getting older. Or, when you’re heading to retirement, you take a keen interest in the lives of your grandchildren. They in turn love your collected, worldly demeanor, ability to keep the peace, and your taste in fine toys. Or perhaps you have a knack for helping children wrap up their own studies so they can move on to the next grade.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, you know that the Moon is both magical and versatile. She brings to fruition the very will of the heavens back to earth. Keep an eye on your own Moon and get a good feel for it. You might learn more about yourself than you ever have.
If you’d like help interpreting your Moon, or want more tips to realign yourself with the destiny the Moon has in store for you, sign up for my newsletter for exclusive content and offers.
[et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_5″]Resources:
- Abraham Ibn Ezra and Epstein, Hand. The Beginning of Wisdom. Park Ridge: Arhat, 1998, 103-4, https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Beginning_of_Wisdom/fIZgPwAACAAJ
- Abraham Ibn Ezra and Epstein, Hand. The Beginning of Wisdom. Park Ridge: Arhat, 1998, 103-4 https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Beginning_of_Wisdom/fIZgPwAACAAJ
- Maternus, Firmicus. Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice, Brahm Translation. Park Ridge: Noyes Press, 1975, 143.
- Greer, John, and Christopher Warnock. The Complete Picatrix, The Occult Classic of Astrological Magic Liber Atratus Edition. Minneapolis: Adocentyne Press, 2010, 67.
- Ibid, 67.
- Baigent, Michael. Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia. Rochester: Bear & Company, 2015, 104 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Astrology_in_Ancient_Mesopotamia/GUv0oAEACAAJ?hl=en
- Ridder-Patrick, Jane. A Handbook of Medical Astrology. United Kingdom: CrabApple Press, 2006, 46-47 https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Handbook_of_Medical_Astrology/mCvvAAAACAAJ
- MashaAllah, Sahl ibn Bishr, and Ben Dykes. Works of Sahl and Masha’Allah. Minneapolis: Cazimi Press, 2008, 51. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Works_of_Sahl_Masha_allah/Nmt2NAAACAAJ?hl=en
- Bengston, Brandi. https://blogs.bellevue.edu/library/index.php/2015/06/the-moon-and-its-protectors/
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