Moon phases › Waxing crescent
Waxing crescent Moon
A thin sliver lit on the right (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere) that thickens each evening. The dark part often glows faintly with earthshine, sunlight reflected off Earth.
Today: waning gibbous, 64% lit. The next waxing crescent runs from the new moon on Mon, Nov 9, 2026, 2:02 AM ET to the first quarter on Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 6:48 AM ET.
Live Moon phase · As of Sat, Oct 31, 2026, 11:15 AM ET
Next waxing crescent dates
| Dates (Eastern) | Between |
|---|---|
| Nov 9 – Nov 17 | New Moon → first quarter |
| Dec 8 – Dec 17 | New Moon → first quarter |
| Jan 7 – Jan 15 | New Moon → first quarter |
When to see it
Rises mid-morning, sets in the evening after the Sun. Look west after sunset. The crescent follows the Sun down, so it is visible for a few hours in the evening and sets before midnight.
Illumination: 1–49%, growing. It lasts about six days, between the new moon and the first quarter.
Waxing crescent meaning in astrology
Astrologers read the waxing crescent as the stage of commitment: the plan made at the New Moon meets its first resistance, and steady effort matters more than inspiration.
Born under a waxing crescent, you are associated with determination: pushing forward against the pull of the past to build something of your own.
All 8 Moon phases · Full Moon calendar · New Moon calendar · Moon phase data 1950–2050 (CSV)
Frequently asked questions
What is a waxing crescent Moon?
A thin sliver lit on the right (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere) that thickens each evening. The dark part often glows faintly with earthshine, sunlight reflected off Earth. Illumination: 1–49%, growing.
When is the next waxing crescent?
The next waxing crescent runs from the new moon on Mon, Nov 9, 2026, 2:02 AM ET to the first quarter on Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 6:48 AM ET.
When does a waxing crescent rise and set?
Rises mid-morning, sets in the evening after the Sun. Look west after sunset. The crescent follows the Sun down, so it is visible for a few hours in the evening and sets before midnight.
What does a waxing crescent mean in astrology?
Astrologers read the waxing crescent as the stage of commitment: the plan made at the New Moon meets its first resistance, and steady effort matters more than inspiration. Born under a waxing crescent, you are associated with determination: pushing forward against the pull of the past to build something of your own.
What comes before and after a waxing crescent?
New Moon comes before it and first quarter 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.