Print article - The Progressed Moon Cycle in Astrology

Progressions are an advanced predictive method. The progressed chart is calculated by progressing the natal chart forwards one day for every year lived for the native and is interpreted in a different way from transit charts in that progressions can teach us more about the internal world of the native or their psychological developments as opposed to the external circumstances in their lives over which they have seemingly less control.

Something important to look at when considering the progressed chart are the positions of both the Sun and Moon, not just independently but where they are in relation to one-another too. Just as the positions of the Sun and Moon in relation to one-another in a transit chart will show you information about the lunar cycle at any given time, the positions of the Sun and Moon in relation to one-another in a progressed chart will show you information about the natives progressed lunar cycle at the time for which it is calculated.

Here are the eight lunar phases of the Moon’s cycle and their meanings by way of progression.

The New Moon

The start of the New Moon phase brings with it a sense of completion; as the last cycle has ended so another one begins. Look to which house in your natal chart your last progressed New Moon fell under, as this will tell you much of your last cycle’s story and the phase of life you have just completed. Is this progressed New Moon in the same house or the next? Which type of internal or psychological journey are you about to embark on this time? The full progressed lunation cycle lasts around twenty-eight years, so this is a major (and quite personal) astrological event in your life.

The Crescent Moon

After experiencing the birth of a new cycle, the crescent phase is where we may begin to expand on our journey as we are urged out into new social and professional territories that we may not be entirely comfortable with. The circumstances we have attracted towards us at this stage may seem very new and fresh and we may feel somewhat naive to them and even a little apprehensive.

The First Quarter Moon

This phase marks the first crisis period of the cycle, in which certain parts of your life may feel unstable and you simply aren’t sure exactly what you want for the longer term or where you’re going to go. You can look to your natal chart’s Sun and Moon positions for a feel of the areas of life you may experience this, as you expand your life creatively, expressively interacting with the world around you.

The Gibbous Moon

Creative expressions and a desire to socialise are likely to be very strong now, as this is the last phase before the progressed Full Moon. Whatever you choose now and however you choose to interact with all that arises, will be matured and ready to be reaped during the next phase. This is why all unconscious reactions and impulses are important during this time and patience is a huge virtue.

The Full Moon

All that has been developed since the New Moon phase is now ready to come to fruition and will be handed over by nature, so this may be an intense period where so much is going on in your life, it is hard to keep up. You will likely remember this time as one of the most pivotal times in your life for many years to come because at this time you may also instinctively be willing to go out and do whatever it takes to share your talents with the world and all you have nurtured over the past fourteen years.

The Disseminating Moon (waning gibbous)

You may realise at this time that life’s situations simply have you turning inwards to a more contemplative state of rumination and the emotionally hectic period of the progressed Full Moon is now subduing. Life may become a little easier at this stage as you start realise a space to consider all that has happened during the Full Moon period and how you are going to use this moving forwards. You may find you have the time to take a breather and gather your bearings.

The Last Quarter Moon

This is another crisis period, much like the first quarter, only this time there may be a huge realisation that is sequentially related to those happenings during each lunar phase in your life since the New Moon and the progression of things since then. Your consciousness may suddenly expand, you may experience and awakening of some sort and the whole experience may feel vital, coupled with a powerful urge to make some necessary changes in your life to reach a comfortability between your emotional life, your ego and the callings of your soul.

The Balsamic Moon (waning crescent)

The balsamic Moon is a time for the deepest of healing, spiritual rejuvenation and contemplative reflection, because our psychic and emotional bodies are ready to shed the unwanted remnants of the whole cycle just gone, while preparing for the fresh renewal that is the next progressed New Moon. This is a closure and ‘release of old energy’ phase; it is time to make way for the new cycle.