Illumination

Some more interesting facts regarding our celestial neighbors:

The moon orbits around the earth and takes 27.3 days which is rounded off to 28 days and is equal to a woman's menstrual cycle.  

The reason it takes 28 days is because the moon is tidally locked into the earth's position (a captured rotation) and thus capable of showing only one side to our planet.

The moon rotates on its axis.  

The sun illuminates both the earth and the moon.  

There are eight lunar phases every month:

* New Moon means:  This is when the moon is between the earth and the sun and the side of the moon facing us is not illuminated by the sun.  During this time the moon is not up at night but actually up during the day (we just can't see it). 

* Waxing Crescent:  After the new moon it waxes (or grows) into its crescent phase. 

* First Quarter:  Seven days after the new moon it is in its first quarter.

* Waxing Gibbous:  This is the shape of the moon when it is more than half full but not fully illuminated.

* Full Moon:  The sun lights up the face of the entire moon that faces earth. 

* Waning Gibbous:  The lunar shape starts to wane (it gets smaller). 

* Last Quarter:  Being able to see only half of the sun lit face of the moon. 

* Waning Crescent:  The steadily shrinking crescent phase.  

The moon is responsible for ocean tides, influencing menstrual cycles and affecting our emotions.  

Meaning of the Moon Card in Tarot:

RWS Tarot Card XVIII The Moon

Illumination; Fear; The mysteries of Good and Evil; Consciousness; Insight; Confusion; Wisdom; Transformation