This is meant as a reference for the posts on Moon Cycles, aka lunations. Not much information has been found on the whole cycle. Usually astrologers report on the new Moon, then the full Moon, but don't tie them together.

My intent is to treat the new and full Moons as part of one cycle, looking at how one affects the other.

Nicholas Devore in his Encyclopedia of Astrology (Philosophical Library, New York, 1947) under the heading Lunation states:

(1) As usually employed it is approximately synonymous with New Moon; specifically the precise moment of the Moon's conjunction with the Sun; a Syzygy. The New Moon falling upon sensitive points in the Figure has much signification as to events of the ensuing month. It is deemed to actuate, within 14 days, any Secondary Directions that are of the same nature, and to nullify those of an opposite nature. Falling upon the places of the Benefics [Venus, Jupiter] it produces good; upon the Malefics [Mars, Saturn] evil. Aspects to the position of the lunation are interpreted according to the positions of the aspecting planets.

(2) The period of 29d 12h 44m 2.8s between one New Moon and the next—more correctly termed a synodic month.

...[There's more but this is what we'll be working with...]

Before we go any further, let me say that I do NOT believe in evil, nor do I buy into the concept of malefics. Aspects to some planets can be more difficult and require more work (or patience) to achieve a given goal or preferred state. But, if we are, as I firmly believe, here to learn, it is indeed all good.

We might depict the lunar cycle thus:

In science, I'm more familiar with sine waves representing cycles. If a sine wave fits this instance, then one Moon cycle must be positive, the next negative, like so --

That one Moon cycle is positive, and the next negative, is currently just a theory. With the addition of some observation and a little data, it may become usable. Note that traditional astrology designates alternating signs positive and negative, or masculine and feminine.

• Positive/masculine: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius
• Negative/feminine: Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces

The general consensus among astrologers is that the new Moon represents a beginning. Artcharts.com explains it thus:

The New Moon occurs when the Moon and the Sun are in the same place in the sky or exactly conjunct in the same sign. During the New Moon phase, the power and illumination of the Sun literally makes the Moon invisible to our sight, and the Moon's gravitational pull on the Earth is at its strongest. The New Moon is the seed time when primal Earth energy is released and we are all infused with a new vitality. A seed is planted in the Earth without light so that all its essence and potential becomes ready to freely, and without thinking, grow to be itself. Without analysis, let yourself grow upward. This is a natural time to start new cycles and undertake new challenges.

About the full Moon artcharts.com says:

The Full Moon is the time when the Moon reflects the greatest amount of the Sun's light. The Earth is astronomically poised between the Sun and the Moon, enabling us to see two different sides of ourselves clearly. The opposing but equally-pulling gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon also reveals a tension within ourselves. By providing enough distance and light to give us an objective view of ourselves and how we relate to others, the Full Moon works to integrate and harmonize the contradictions in ourselves and others. This opening of increased awareness traditionally makes the Full Moon a beneficial time for meditation on personal and worldwide issues. There's literally an electrical energy build-up before a Full Moon and a release just after the peak. At the Full Moon, the seeds sown at the last New Moon are ready to be harvested and used ~~ we reap what we've sown. Working out the energy through the physical body can be grounding and centering.

As Michael R. Meyer points out in A Handbook for the Humanistic Astrologer (Anchor Books, New York, 1974):

...the Moon does not change, it is the soli-lunar relationship that changes; the Moon simply reflects the changing relationship.

Another thing to keep in mind it that the Moon's primary domain is the subconscious, and by extension, one's emotional state. When the Sun and Moon interact, subconscious content is brought to consciousness and outward expression, especially at the full Moon (recall all the acting out that you see then). For the full Moon, keep in mind the image of steam being produced when water is thrown on a hot stone.

The Moon represents women, moods, home, mother, domestic arts, land, things found beneath the surface of the earth (as in mining), chemistry, the public, the populace, mobs & crowds (when aspected by Mars), voters, and maybe democracy.

Each month, or 29.5 days, we'll look at the following pieces of information about the upcoming lunation

Transiting Moon:

• Sign the Moon is in (including element and quality)
• Where the sign's ruler is posited
• Close aspects, especially conjuncts, squares & oppositions

Moon event as related to U.S Natal chart:

• House position(s)
• Close aspects, transit to natal

In closing, let me note that often one begins to notice the effects of the upcoming new or full Moon about four days before it is exact.