Moon Phases Calendar: Your Guide to Full Moons & Lunar Events

Introduction

The moon’s 29.5-day journey across the sky is a predictable and powerful celestial event that has guided humanity for millennia. Understanding its rhythm is key, whether you're planning an evening of stargazing, timing agricultural planting cycles, or are simply curious about the light outside your window. Knowing the current moon phase provides a direct connection to the cosmos and the natural cycles that influence tides, wildlife, and even cultural traditions.

This comprehensive moon phases calendar offers the exact dates and times for every New Moon, Full Moon, and quarter phase. Beyond the schedule, this guide explains the science behind the eight distinct lunar phases—from the waxing crescent to the waning gibbous—and defines special events like the Super Full Moon and Blue Moon, giving you a complete reference for our closest celestial neighbor.

Understanding the Lunar Cycle

The moon's ever-changing appearance in our night sky is not due to the moon itself changing shape, but rather our perspective of its sunlit half as it orbits Earth. The moon does not generate its own light; it acts like a giant mirror, reflecting sunlight. The lunar calendar is based on the time it takes for the moon to complete one full cycle of phases relative to the Sun, known as a synodic period, which lasts approximately 29.5 days.

As the moon travels on its orbital path, the angle between it, the Earth, and the Sun continuously changes. This shifting geometry dictates how much of the illuminated lunar surface we can see from our vantage point. When the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, the side facing us is not illuminated, resulting in a New Moon. Conversely, when the Earth is between the Sun and the moon, we see the entire sunlit face as a Full Moon. This elegant and predictable progression from one phase to the next is what allows us to map out the lunar year with precision.

The Eight Lunar Phases in Order

Grasping the sequence of the eight lunar phases is essential for using any moon phases calendar effectively. The cycle is divided into two main parts: the "waxing" period, where the visible illuminated portion grows larger each night, and the "waning" period, where it shrinks.

1. New Moon

The cycle begins with the New Moon. At this stage, the moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. The side of the moon facing Earth is not illuminated, making it invisible to the naked eye against the glare of the sun. This phase marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar cycle.

2. Waxing Crescent

A few days after the New Moon, a small sliver of the moon becomes visible. This is the Waxing Crescent. The term "waxing" means the illuminated portion is growing. You can typically spot this slender, delicate crescent in the western sky shortly after sunset.

3. First Quarter

Approximately one week into the cycle, the moon reaches its First Quarter phase. From our perspective, we see exactly half of the moon's surface illuminated. It is called a "quarter" moon because it has completed one-quarter of its orbit around the Earth, and it is often visible high in the sky during the late afternoon and early evening.

4. Waxing Gibbous

Following the First Quarter, the illuminated portion continues to grow. This phase is known as Waxing Gibbous. "Gibbous" refers to the shape being larger than a semicircle but not yet a full circle. During this phase, the moon appears more than half-lit and grows brighter each night.

5. Full Moon

The Full Moon occurs when the Earth is located between the Sun and the moon. The entire side of the moon facing us is illuminated, appearing as a bright, complete circle in the sky. It rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, making it the most luminous and celebrated phase of the lunar cycle.

6. Waning Gibbous

After reaching its peak illumination, the moon begins its waning phase. During the Waning Gibbous, the visible sunlit portion starts to decrease. The moon remains more than half-lit but shrinks each night, rising later and later after sunset.

7. Third Quarter

About a week after the Full Moon, we reach the Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) phase. Like the First Quarter, the moon appears half-illuminated, but it's the opposite half that we see. This phase is typically visible from late at night into the early morning hours.

8. Waning Crescent

In the final days of the lunar cycle, the moon is reduced to a thin Waning Crescent. This sliver of light becomes smaller each night and is visible in the eastern sky just before sunrise, heralding the return of the New Moon and the start of a new cycle.

With a clear understanding of this sequence, we can now apply this knowledge to a practical moon schedule for the upcoming year.

Moon Phases 2025: Your Complete Lunar Calendar

This moon phases calendar for 2025 provides the exact dates and times for every New Moon and Full Moon throughout the year. All times are listed in Eastern Time (EST/EDT) to help you plan your stargazing, fishing, gardening, or other lunar-related activities with accuracy.

Full Moon Schedule 2025

Date	Time (EST/EDT)	Traditional Name
January 13	5:27 PM	Wolf Moon
February 12	8:53 AM	Snow Moon
March 14	2:55 AM	Worm Moon
April 12	8:22 PM	Pink Moon
May 12	12:56 PM	Flower Moon
June 11	3:44 AM	Strawberry Moon
July 10	3:37 PM	Buck Moon
August 9	4:55 AM	Sturgeon Moon
September 7	5:09 PM	Harvest Moon
October 7	4:47 AM	Hunter's Moon
November 5	8:19 AM	Beaver Moon
December 4	11:14 PM	Cold Moon

New Moon Schedule 2025

Date	Time (EST/EDT)
January 29	7:36 AM
February 28	12:45 AM
March 29	6:57 PM
April 28	1:33 PM
May 28	6:07 AM
June 26	5:51 PM
July 26	3:02 AM
August 24	10:57 AM
September 22	8:19 PM
October 22	6:06 AM
November 20	5:32 PM
December 20	6:53 AM

While these primary phases mark the cornerstones of the lunar calendar, certain orbital alignments create even more spectacular celestial events that capture our attention.

Special Lunar Events Explained

Beyond the eight standard phases, the moon’s orbit and its alignment with the Sun and Earth can produce several noteworthy phenomena. Understanding these events can add another layer of excitement to your sky-watching and deepen your appreciation for celestial mechanics.

Supermoons and Micromoons

The moon's orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle; it's an ellipse. This means its distance from us varies throughout its cycle.

• Supermoon: This occurs when a Full Moon coincides with the moon's closest point to Earth in its orbit, known as perigee. A Super Full Moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical Full Moon, creating a stunning visual display.
• Micromoon: This is the opposite phenomenon. It happens when a Full Moon occurs at apogee, its farthest point from Earth. The moon appears noticeably smaller and less bright in the sky, though the difference can be subtle to the casual observer.

Blue Moon

A Blue Moon has nothing to do with color. The term most commonly refers to the second Full Moon that occurs within the same calendar month. Because the lunar cycle (29.5 days) is slightly shorter than most calendar months, it is possible for two Full Moons to happen in one month, though this is relatively rare, occurring about once every 2.7 years.

Lunar Eclipses

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon and temporarily dimming its light. There are three types:

• Total Lunar Eclipse: The entire moon passes through Earth's darkest shadow (the umbra), often taking on a reddish hue. This "Blood Moon" effect is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere, which scatters blue light and allows red light to pass through and illuminate the moon. Astrologically, such powerful events are believed to influence everything from personality to compatibility between signs.
• Partial Lunar Eclipse: Only part of the moon enters the umbra, making it look as though a bite has been taken out of it.
• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: The moon passes through Earth's fainter outer shadow (the penumbra), causing a subtle dimming that can be difficult to notice without careful observation.

Understanding these special events adds excitement to stargazing, but for daily tracking and practical applications, you need a reliable and accessible tool.

How to Find the Moon Phase Today

Knowing the moon phase today is simple with modern resources. Whether you are a photographer planning a nighttime shoot, a farmer planting by the lunar cycle, an angler tracking tidal patterns, or simply curious, there are several easy ways to get up-to-the-minute information.

• Use an Interactive Online Tool: Many astronomy websites and apps offer real-time moon phase trackers. These tools not only show you the current phase but also provide rich data on the moon's visibility, age, and distance from Earth. They are the quickest way to find the exact appearance of the moon for your specific location.
• Consult a Digital Lunar Calendar: You can bookmark a reliable moon phases calendar online that updates daily. This is a great way to see the moon phase today and view the upcoming schedule for the week or month at a glance, making it ideal for planning activities influenced by the lunar cycle.
• Download a Printable Calendar: For those who prefer an analog approach, a printable moon schedule is an excellent option. You can hang it on your wall or keep it with your journal to manually track the lunar cycle and make notes. This is particularly useful for long-term planning in fields like agriculture and education without relying on a digital device.

Conclusion

The moon's journey across our sky is a reliable and elegant celestial clock, with its eight phases marking the passage of time in a predictable 29.5-day cycle. Understanding this rhythm—from the invisible New Moon to the brilliant Full Moon and special events like eclipses—transforms casual sky-watching into a meaningful practice. It provides a timeless framework for planning everything from nighttime photography and scientific research to agriculture and fishing, connecting us to a natural, ancient cadence. For some, this even extends to personal planning for aspects like love, money, and career based on astrological interpretations of these phases.

Looking ahead, the ability to track and anticipate these cycles remains as relevant as ever. In an age of digital distraction, the lunar calendar offers a consistent reminder of our place within the grand mechanics of the solar system. The real opportunity isn't just to observe these phases but to integrate their rhythm into our lives. The next time you look up, you won't just see the moon; you'll recognize a specific chapter in its timeless story, inviting you to pause and appreciate the cosmic dance unfolding above.