What Is A Waxing Gibbous Moon?

Have you ever heard somebody use the terms “waxing” and “waning?” Usually, they mean something is coming or going, increasing or decreasing, or expanding or contracting.

A similar concept applies to the moon. During a waxing moon, the area of light covering its Earth-side surface is increasing. So this phase begins as a small crescent and then grows into a full circle. Afterwards, it transitions to a waning moon as the area the sunlight covers diminishes.

The term gibbous refers to the fact that the sun’s light covers more than half of the visible surface of the moon. So a waxing gibbous moon refers to one where the moon’s illumination coverage is increasing from half-moon to full moon. Likewise, a waning gibbous moon refers to the phase of the moon as it goes from full moon to half moon.

The Science Of The Waxing Gibbous Moon

Unlike spiritual traditions, science actually says relatively little about the waxing gibbous moon. It just refers to the period when the size of the surface of the moon exposed to the sun (relative to viewpoints on the Earth) is increasing from half to full. Thus, the waxing gibbous phase sits between the waxing quarter and full moon.

Because of the size of the illuminated area of the moon, the waxing gibbous is among the most visible from Earth. The phase usually lasts around five to six days before it reaches its peak in the form of the full moon.

Spiritual Meaning Of The Waxing Gibbous Moon

Historically, the waxing gibbous moon symbolised the concept of “final steps”. It is a time of the month in which people strive to complete their projects, just as the moon “strives” to become full. As such, it represents the hardest part of the month for many people.

How the waxing gibbous moon behaves is instructional for our lives. For instance, it doesn’t resist the hard work of change. Instead, it trusts in its nature and energies and always transitions to the full moon, without fail. Thus, we should try to do the same.

From a zen perspective, the waxing gibbous moon is also an opportunity for people to become more mindful in what they are doing, paying that little extra bit of attention to their circumstances. It’s a time to reflect on what’s working for you right now, and what might need to change.

Some people see the waxing gibbous phase as “developmental”. In other words, it represents things coming to fruition.

This idea of growth and development is incredibly important in nature and something that you find everywhere and at every scale. Plants will create buds before they flower, people have to go through adolescence before they reach maturity, and even stars themselves go through a development phase as giant gas clouds condense.

Spiritual people, therefore, use the gibbous moon as an opportunity to refine and cultivate themselves before their next stage of development. They might begin reading a book, practising a new skill, or going deeper in their meditation practices. After a period of commitment, they are then ready to enjoy the things in life that they have worked so hard to attain. That could be money, skills, wealth, friends and even love.

The waxing gibbous moon, therefore, is the phase that immediately precedes the full moon - a time of abundance, completion, fertility and transformation. It’s the run-up to everything that you hope to achieve and accomplish in your life.

You need to be careful during this phase, though. Yes, the waxing gibbous moon is a time for hard work and study, but don’t overdo it. Instead, follow the moon’s example and go with the flow, remaining loyal to your essential nature, even when you're working hard.

While it’s true that people generally associate this phase of the moon with the urge to change direction in their lives, you don’t necessarily have to force yourself in any particular direction. Instead of trying to get to where you want to be through sheer determination, allow yourself to lean into change in your life. That way, anything you do will feel more natural and sustainable, just like the rest of nature.

Ultimately, the waxing gibbous moon is an opportunity for you to work hard and get to where you want to be in your life. It’s part of the ebb and flow of nature - a time for putting in the effort before you can enjoy your creations and, ultimately, relax.

Born On A Waxing Gibbous Moon

Does it mean anything if you’re born on a waxing gibbous moon?

Some believe that it can have an influence on your character. For instance, people born around this time of the month tend to be more calming, nurturing and caring in their relationships. They also have greater ability to develop new relationships with people, no matter their life stage.

Most critically, waxing gibbous babies grow up to be people who bring others to greater joy and fulfillment. They often become gurus, guiding people through their words and actions.

However, people born at this time of the month also need to be careful. Because they are so talented, they can often fall prey to their desire to achieve perfection. Many times, they can fail in their mentorship role because they want to create a perfect world instead of accepting it how it is. Thus, if you were born during this phase, it is critical to remember that it’s okay for people to be “good enough.” Nobody has to be the best at everything - that’s neither possible, nor desirable.

Remember, even if you were born during a waxing gibbous moon, you still have room to grow as a person. You might have a natural inclination towards enlightenment, but there is always room for expansion.