ermetikon

Lunar Phase

Waning Gibbous

The Waning Gibbous Moon has passed the Full Moon's opposition and begun its decrease in light. The Moon is still large and bright, more than half illuminated, but now moving back toward the Sun. Classical doctrine regards the decreasing Moon as less favorable for initiating new endeavors, though still strong enough to carry matters toward completion.

At a glance

Waning Gibbous meaning in the current sky

Distribute, interpret, and close out what the full moon revealed. Still bright enough for consolidation and informed follow-up.

Current sky

Last Quarter in Pisces

Waning Gibbous is not active right now; the Moon is currently in Pisces.

Elongation range

225 to 270 deg

Measured from the Sun, with illumination running from 85% to 50%.

Best used for

Still bright enough for consolidation and informed follow-up.

The Moon has passed the opposition and begins to decrease in light. Classical election doctrine regards the Moon as decreasing in strength from this point, less favorable for initiating new endeavors.

Caution

~7 days

The Moon is decreasing, so this is weaker for brand-new starts.

Visual geometry

Waning Gibbous geometry

A visual anchor for where this phase sits in the solar-lunar cycle.

Lunar phase
Sun
Moon
0 deg
90 deg
180 deg
270 deg

Solar side

Sun as the source of light and the fixed reference for lunar elongation.

Lunar side

Waning Gibbous as a representative lunar position in the cycle.

Local personalization

Local timing for the Waning Gibbous

This page keeps the doctrine and citations in a stable canonical format. Add your own coordinates to see local ascendant, planetary hour, and local-time conversions for the next occurrence.

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Current moon

Last Quarter in Pisces

Waning Gibbous is not active right now.

Ascendant

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Planetary hour

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The Waning Gibbous begins immediately after the Full Moon's opposition, as the Moon starts its long return toward the Sun. The Moon is still more than half illuminated, visually impressive, rising after midnight and visible through the morning, but the cycle has turned. The peak is past.

In classical astrology, the distinction between an increasing and decreasing Moon carries real weight. An increasing Moon is often preferred for elections requiring growth, building, and accumulation. A decreasing Moon, even one as large and bright as the Waning Gibbous, is generally less favored for new beginnings, though it remains strong enough for matters of completion, reflection, and release.

The Waning Gibbous spans from 225 deg to 270 deg of lunar elongation - approximately one week between the Full Moon and the Last Quarter.

Decreasing in Light

Once the Moon passes opposition, it enters the decreasing half of the synodic cycle. Classical electional doctrine treats a decreasing Moon as less conducive to new beginnings - the momentum of growth has reversed. However, a Waning Gibbous is still highly illuminated, making it suitable for concluding, harvesting, and bringing existing matters to resolution.

Reflection and Integration

The Waning Gibbous is sometimes called the disseminating moon - a time when what was built or revealed at the Full Moon can be shared, integrated, and applied. Classical doctrine focuses less on that symbolic framing and more on the Moon's literal condition: still substantial in light, but no longer growing.

Approaching the Last Quarter

As the Waning Gibbous moves toward 270 deg elongation, it approaches the Last Quarter square - the cycle's next crisis point. The mood of this phase is one of gradual withdrawal combined with the effort to make use of what remains of the Full Moon's light before the cycle closes.

Classical Perspectives

Primary-source passages on the waning gibbous from the Hermetikon archive.

Cover of Tetrabiblos

Tetrabiblos

Claudius Ptolemy
150
"from her full state to her third quarter she causes dryness; and from her third quarter to her occultation she causes cold"
CHAPTER VIII THE INFLUENCE OF POSITION WITH REGARD TO THE SUNOpen in Reader
Cover of Anima Astrologiae

Anima Astrologiae

Henry Coley
1676
"Fruits and Wood for use should be cut in the decrease of the Moon, but if you would have Timber to keep long Fell it towards the latter end of the Winter, the Moon being under the Earth, and beheld by Saturn, for that will prevent its Roting, and render it exceeding hard and durable"
Page 191Open in Reader
Cover of Astrologia Restaurata

Astrologia Restaurata

William Ramesey
1653
"and the Moon decreasing in light; for if so, the mischief and misfortune is so much the more increased, as is the nature and signification of the afflicting or impeding Planet; but if the Moon be separating from the Conjunction or aspect of any afflicting and unfortunate Planet, and be increasing in light and motion, the evil will be so much the more lessened and diminished, &c"
Page 81Open in Reader

Sources on the Waning Gibbous

Open the cited books and authors behind this waning gibbous page.

Books cited here

Tetrabiblos

Open the full book page in the archive.

Anima Astrologiae

Open the full book page in the archive.

Astrologia Restaurata

Open the full book page in the archive.

Authors cited here

Claudius Ptolemy

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Henry Coley

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William Ramesey

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Waning Gibbous FAQ

What does the waning gibbous moon mean in astrology?

In classical astrology, the waning gibbous moon is decreasing in light after the Full Moon's opposition. The Moon is still large and more than half illuminated, but moving back toward the Sun. Classical doctrine treats a decreasing Moon as less favorable for new beginnings, though suitable for completion and integration of existing matters.

Is the waning gibbous moon good for anything in astrology?

Yes. Despite the decrease in light, a Waning Gibbous Moon is still strong. Classical electional doctrine treats it as suitable for concluding matters, completing projects, harvesting results, and distributing or sharing what has been built. It is less ideal for beginning new endeavors.

How long does the waning gibbous moon last?

The waning gibbous phase spans from 225 deg to 270 deg of lunar elongation - approximately one week between the Full Moon and the Last Quarter. During this week the Moon decreases from nearly full illumination to half illumination.

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