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Why You Shouldn’t Fear the Dark Moon

By Dana Gerhardt

It’s the word “dark” that does it.   Often when I tell people they’re in a dark moon period, they’re triggered.  Instantly they revert to a childhood bedroom, when the dark meant being alone and vulnerable to unseen dangers, when monsters could leap out from the dresser or under the bed.  We are creatures who love the light.  Dark suggests something dismal, gloomy, even ignorant (as in, “she’s in the dark”).

Magicians know that nature often hides her best jewels in forbidding places. Teach your eyes to see the jewels in this phase and it will quickly become your favorite, bringing the most nourishing days of your month.  Dark moons signal the end of each cycle, coming 3 to 4 before each New Moon. This is the optimum time to reset yourself and come back into harmony with nature. The Moon’s cycle is an organic, supporting rhythm, pre-wired inside all things living on earth.

Dark moon nights are moonless.  The sky is indeed darker—which actually makes the canopy of stars more visible.   Likewise we can now see the inner worlds of body and mind more clearly.  We get a keener view of our own mysteries.  So important is it to take our seat in this darkened theater, that our body slows us down to do it—at least once a month—and for longer stretches, at key moments throughout our lives.  During dark moons we’re naturally tired.  Trusting this fatigue is key to our continued wellbeing.

This Moon phase is sometimes called “Balsamic” for the way it can distill us into our essence.  Balsam, the nourishing resin that can form on trees and plants is related to the word balm, a fragrant concoction made to soothe and heal.

Eight Gifts of the Dark Moon

1.  You get celestial permission to do the one thing you’re often longing to do—which is absolutely nothing!  In this go-go-go world, we need the balancing nectar of lazy, unstructured time.  Netflix time.  Staring-at-the-wall time.  Doing less now is more.

2.  Out of nothing you’re conjuring new creativity, energy and inspiration. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn for good reason. Dark periods clear space. They hollow you out.  This acts as a powerful vacuum that draws in new ideas, vitality and opportunities.

3.  You’re restoring your entire body/mind system. Just as sleep takes us offline to recover from the work of the day, so the dark moon takes us offline.  We stop in order to get free from whatever tensions we’ve been holding onto for the past month.  We let go of whatever stories we’ve been telling ourselves.

4. A resting body has more energy to repair and renew itself. You don’t have to direct this healing.  Your body already knows.  It’s ruled by the Moon and this is Moon knowing.  Listening inwardly, you learn to trust your innate feminine wisdom.

5.  In your dark moon pause, you learn how to listen to your needs.  You discover how to tend to your feelings.  You become more skilled in the arts of self-care.  Over time you become a better mother to your inner child.

6.  With your silence and ceasing, priorities fall into place. You remember who you are and what truly matters. Your new intimacy with yourself is like a chiropractic “snap” for your psyche.

7.  Going forward, you tend to value yourself more. This makes it easier to keep healthier boundaries.  It’s easier to say no to what you don’t want to do—ie., what’s out of alignment with your spirit and soul.

8.  Over time, this practice anchors you in the present moment. You discover the magic of genuine presence—what people pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to get at spiritual workshops.

What the Moon herself teaches about this time

The moon is a visual teacher.  The play of light and dark is perhaps the Moon’s most reliable method of teaching.  Light is a universal emblem for consciousness, awareness, the active thinking mind.  Without light, the Moon is saying we need very little “mind” at this time.  The power in this period derives from all that’s implied by the orb that’s dark.  The dark is symbolic of our unconscious forces.

Look for the outer Moon in the east, at the end of her cycle, when she rises in the hours just before dawn.  Appearing so close to sunrise means she won’t be visible in the nighttime sky.  For thousands of years, this fact kept our ancestors wisely indoors.  Even now, these are not the best nights for a big party or gathering of any kind.

Dark moon nights favor solitude and an early bedtime.  This makes it easier to get up before dawn and see meet this Moon’s thin crescent of light yourself.  Look for her three mornings in a row and you’ll watch how this crescent gets thinner and thinner, until it eventually disappears.  That tells us the New Moon is just around the corner.

What the Body teaches about this time

We find the potency of this Moon phase not in the mind, but in the body—the unconscious intelligence that operates below the neck.  It’s from this place we need to proceed.  The body is not an extensive conversationalist.  At this time of the lunar month, it’s concerned primarily with the physics of resting.

The body has a thumbs up/thumbs down language.   During the Dark Moon, if you wonder,  Should you go here or there?  Should you do this or that thing?–just ask the question.  Then tune in below the neck.  Does your body respond with “ugh” or “yay” ?  The “ugh” tells you not to waste your energy.  The “yay” tells you this is in tune with the new thing that’s coming.

Your magnificent body knows how to build energy from the activity of resting.  How wonderful!  Support your body’s work by keeping a light schedule.   By slowing down and doing less, you draw new juice into your cells–and your future.

What if you’re just too busy to rest?

Of course that means you need this pause more than most!  But you can choose your resting times wisely.  You don’t have to be idle the whole period.

For me dark moons are like the signal flag sailors raise to indicate tricky weather or race track officials use to slow speeding cars after an accident.  My dark moon flag says something like “Watch out. Go slow. Don’t push yourself.”   And then I watch for the ideal invitation to surrender into the nothing that is everything.

Practically speaking, this falls somewhere between actually planning it and waiting to be called.  When intention and opportunity converge, I stop.  I drop in.  I can sense my body and spirit drinking, thoroughly enjoying the delicious nectar in the Nada of the moment.  May you discover this pleasure yourself!

Your other monthly dark moon

The monthly dark moon is universal.  But there’s another dark moon that’s personal.  This one comes when the transiting Moon occupies the 12th House of your astrology chart, where it remains for about two and a half days. The 12th is the house of hospitals, prisons, monasteries, mental institutions, and the unconscious. These aren’t your typically happy places!  When the energy goes to this house, most people tend to feel pretty vulnerable.  When the Moon is in my 12th, if I ignore my 12th house sensitivities—this is the house of hidden things—my vulnerabilities tend to grow.  Eventually I find myself feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

I’ve learned, during my 12th house moon time each month, to watch for opportunities to safely “collapse.”  Then I treat myself like the “baby” that somewhere deep inside I still am. Again, I don’t stay indoors with the shades drawn the whole time. I just pay attention. Each month it’s a little different—but babying myself in some way on these days tends to strengthen me for the whole cycle.

Good endings make good beginnings

Dark moons mentor us in the art of good endings.  We typically like to hurry into beginnings and away from endings.  Among humans, endings are an acquired taste. Yet in the natural world, endings are the meal supreme.  What is old breaks down.  This becomes fuel for the new thing, waiting in the wings.

As with all things astrological, I encourage you to be skeptical—prove to yourself what’s true.  The value of slowing down at the dark moon is easily tested. The next dark moon phase occurs from March 20 to March 24.  Mark your calendar.  And then, when these days arrive, observe.  Are you wired and ready to go?  Or is there a genuine desire to slow down, stop, and unwind?

 

What sign is on your 12th house?  Were you born during a Dark Moon—and if so, what does that mean?  Get your free chart and moon phase report here.

In addition to the monthly Dark Moons, over the course of our lives there we get several extended dark moon periods that can last three to four years each.  One such period is the “progressed Balsamic” phase.  You’ll find the years for yours (along with many other Moon goodies) in my Moonprints report. Order here.

Too wired to rest during the Dark Moon?  My Moon Bliss practice will help!  

And always, you’re welcome to join my monthly Moon Workshop–enroll here! 

Filed under: Uncategorized

About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Capricorn


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon square Neptune, 10:55pm  May 15 2025
  • Moon trine Mercury, 5:29pm  May 16 2025
  • Moon square Venus, 5:45pm  May 16 2025

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


Enroll in Dana Gerhardt’s Moon Workshop!
Your Venus Unleashed!
Moonshadow Eclipse Report
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Steven Forrest’s Transit/Progression report
Mary Shea’s Solar Return report
John Townley’s Lunar Return report

© 2000 - 2025 Mooncircles.com

Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.