What's the moon phase today?
- Illuminated
- 93%
- Sign
- Moon in Gemini
- Lunar day
- lunar day 18
This page answers one simple question — where the Moon is today — with exact data: phase, illumination percentage, the sign it's crossing, and the day of the lunar cycle. Everything is calculated from the Swiss Ephemeris, the astronomical reference behind professional astrology software, and recalculated every night.
Why care? Tradition ties each phase to an energy: the waxing moon carries launches and momentum, the full moon amplifies emotions and brings things to completion, the waning moon helps finish, sort, and release. These aren't laws of physics — they're an observational rhythm many people find useful for planning. We present them honestly as exactly that.
The eight Moon phases, and what tradition ties to them
The full cycle runs about 29.5 days. Tradition gives each phase a tone — an observational rhythm, not a law:
Cutting your hair by the Moon: what tradition says
It's the most persistent lunar custom: cut during the waxing moon for fast, vigorous regrowth; cut during the waning moon so the shape holds longer — handy for short cuts and tidy ends. The full moon has a reputation for dramatic makeovers; the new moon, for being a day to skip — hair and decisions alike.
Honestly: science hasn't measured any lunar effect on keratin. But generations of stylists and clients keep this calendar — and a standing ritual appointment with your hair has at least one proven virtue: the hair gets regular care. Today's phase is at the top of this page; feel free to make it your salon calendar.
The Moon in the garden
Lunar gardening follows one simple logic: during the waxing moon, sap is said to rise — sow and plant what grows above ground (tomatoes, greens, flowers); during the waning moon, energy heads down — root crops (carrots, radishes, bulbs), pruning, and soil work. Full moon and new moon days are pauses: observe, don't intervene. Plenty of gardeners swear by this rhythm; others see just a pleasant calendar of consistency. Both camps grow the best tomatoes on the block.
The Moon and sleep: what studies show
Here research does have something to say: several studies observed slightly longer sleep onset and reduced deep sleep around full-moon nights in part of the population — a modest effect that varies by person, but documented. Night brightness plays its role: a full moon gets through thin curtains. If your full-moon nights run restless, the fixes are simple: truly blacked-out bedroom, screens off an hour before, slightly earlier bedtime those three nights. The dates of the next full moons are listed above.
What's a lunar day for?
The cycle splits into 29 or 30 "lunar days," each starting at moonrise. Tradition — especially vivid in Eastern European astrology — gives each one a tone: days of momentum, days of caution, days of review. Without turning it into scripture, it's a reading frame many find useful for pacing tasks: launch on the momentum days, tidy on the sorting days. The current lunar day number is in the banner at the top.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Moon waxing or waning today?+
What's the difference between a full moon and a new moon?+
Does the Moon's sign really change every couple of days?+
Are these calculations right for my time zone?+
See also
Page updated