The cyclic relationship between the Sun and Moon — and between any two astrological planets — is constantly changing, never static. All cycles of planetary relationship begin and end with the conjunction aspect, an angular relationship of zero degrees. A cycle is not a circuit of empty and meaningless "eternal return," but a spiralic process of evolutionary growth, so two successive conjunctions never occur at the same place.
      The Lunation Cycle has two fundamental half-cycles or hemicycles. The character of the first or waxing hemicycle, from New Moon (conjunction to Full Moon (opposition), is of decidedly different character than the waning hemicycle extending from the Full Moon to the next New Moon.
      In brief, the waxing hemicycle and waxing phases are related to involutionary, subjective and organic form-building activities with the goal of realizing a certain set of potentialities released at the New Moon. Here plans are best formulated. Materials should be gathered and organization developed. Subjective, instinctual and spontaneous activities are featured. The waning hemicycle and waning phases signify life-processes directed toward some kind of objective realization and purpose. Outside factors come into play and the meaning and ultimate social worth of ones activity receives attention. The keynotes are inclusiveness, expansion of understanding and participation.
      Each hemicycle is further divided into two halves, producing four quadrants (see the accompanying illustration). The turning point of the waxing hemicycle occurs at the First Quarter Moon, when the Moon is half-illuminated and half-dark. It symbolizes a crisis in action performed against a background of struggle between the inert pull of the past and a futureward, creative directive to actualize the potential of the current cycle. In terms of Lunation Planning, what occurs between the New Moon and the First Quarter Moon is of paramount importance and failure to move forward at the First Quarter greatly limits the scope of success for the particular cycle.



The Full Moon shows both fulfillment of the cycle's potential on an organic or practical level and evidence of failure to actualize the potential released at the New Moon. Since both success and failure are inevitable in any cycle of activity, it is always a question of more or less rather than absolute either/or. As the cycle unfolds beyond the Full Moon, success and failure both become increasingly evident.
      The Third Quarter Moon marks the midpoint of the waning hemicycle, and, like the First Quarter Moon, it features a half-illuminated, half-dark lunar face, except in its case the opposite sides are illuminated and dark. While the First Quarter Moon featured a crisis of action, the Third Quarter Moon symbolizes a crisis in significance. It becomes increasingly important to integrate the diverse experiences encountered during the course of the cycle in a meaningful and significant manner and to envision the new cycle which lies ahead.
      Each of the four quadrants are further divided in halves, producing the classical eight lunar phases presented on the following pages