Moon phases › Waning crescent
Waning crescent Moon
A thinning sliver lit on the left, visible low in the east before sunrise. Earthshine often shows the rest of the disc.
Today: waning gibbous, 64% lit. The next waning crescent runs from the last quarter on Sun, Nov 1, 2026, 3:28 PM ET to the new moon on Mon, Nov 9, 2026, 2:02 AM ET.
Live Moon phase · As of Sat, Oct 31, 2026, 11:15 AM ET
Next waning crescent dates
| Dates (Eastern) | Between |
|---|---|
| Nov 1 – Nov 9 | Last quarter → new moon |
| Dec 1 – Dec 8 | Last quarter → new moon |
| Dec 30 – Jan 7 | Last quarter → new moon |
When to see it
Rises before dawn, sets in the afternoon. Look east in the hour before sunrise. In its last day or two it is too close to the Sun to see.
Illumination: 49–1%, shrinking. It lasts about six days, between the last quarter and the new moon.
Waning crescent meaning in astrology
Astrologers call the final crescent the balsamic Moon: a time to rest, reflect and clear space before the next New Moon.
Born under a waning crescent (balsamic) Moon, you are associated with endings and vision: reflective, intuitive and oriented toward the future.
All 8 Moon phases · Full Moon calendar · New Moon calendar · Moon phase data 1950–2050 (CSV)
Frequently asked questions
What is a waning crescent Moon?
A thinning sliver lit on the left, visible low in the east before sunrise. Earthshine often shows the rest of the disc. Illumination: 49–1%, shrinking.
When is the next waning crescent?
The next waning crescent runs from the last quarter on Sun, Nov 1, 2026, 3:28 PM ET to the new moon on Mon, Nov 9, 2026, 2:02 AM ET.
When does a waning crescent rise and set?
Rises before dawn, sets in the afternoon. Look east in the hour before sunrise. In its last day or two it is too close to the Sun to see.
What does a waning crescent mean in astrology?
Astrologers call the final crescent the balsamic Moon: a time to rest, reflect and clear space before the next New Moon. Born under a waning crescent (balsamic) Moon, you are associated with endings and vision: reflective, intuitive and oriented toward the future.
What comes before and after a waning crescent?
Last quarter comes before it and new moon after it.
Astrology is a symbolic and cultural tradition. The planetary positions on this site are calculated with astronomical accuracy; the interpretations describe what astrologers associate with them and are not scientifically validated predictions about personality, relationships or the future.