Nature is filled with examples of rhythms and cycles, from the ebb and flow of the tides to the four seasons of the year. Many farmers and gardeners time their planting and harvesting with the seasons and the moon phases.

Have you tried using nature’s calendar for planning and goal-setting?

Let’s look at the four quarters of the year and how to use two of the moon’s eight phases for setting goals.

Fun fact: The word moon comes from the Old English word for “month.” And Monday means “moon’s day.”

The moon waxes from new to full, then wanes from full to new. According to NASA, it’s about 29.5 days from one new moon to the next.

Set goals and intentions with the new moon.
If possible, take on your high-energy tasks and projects during this waxing phase.

At the full moon, audit your last couple of weeks.
Course correct, make adjustments, and use the waning period for paperwork and activities that require less energy.

The sun and new moon are in the same sign.
Astrologically speaking, the new moon forms a conjunction with the sun in the same sign.

Cardinal = initiating something important
Each quarter of the calendar year, the first new moon will be in a cardinal sign, a good time to get meaningful things started, especially as they pertain to the characteristics you associate with the season.

The first new moon of winter is in Capricorn.
The first new moon of spring is in Aries.
The first new moon of summer is in Cancer.
The first new moon of fall is in Libra.

Side note:
At the exact moment each season begins, the sun enters a cardinal sign.

Winter solstice, the sun is 0° Capricorn.
Spring equinox, the sun is 0° Aries.
Summer solstice, sun is 0° Cancer.
Autumnal equinox, sun is 0° Libra.

Fixed = steady, determined
The second month of the quarter, the new moon will be in a fixed sign, smackdab in the middle of that season and all it embodies.

The second new moon of winter is in Aquarius.
The second new moon of spring is in Taurus.
The second new moon of summer is in Leo.
The second new moon of fall is in Scorpio.

Mutable = flexible
The third month of each quarter, as one season changes into the next, the new moon falls in a mutable sign.

Winter to spring is Pisces.
Spring to summer is Gemini,.
Summer to fall is Virgo.
Fall to winter is Sagittarius.

Set your goals and intentions a few minutes or hours after the new moon.
Be sure to recalibrate and rest during the full moon. See how the rhythm of the sky works for you!

2024 Lunar Calendar

Dates and times for new moons and full moons in 2024, eastern time. (I checked so many different sources for these exact times, and wouldn’t you know—they don’t agree! So let’s give them at least one minute +/- margin of error, okay? Sigh.)

NEW MOON
Jan. 11, 2024, 6:57 a.m.
Capricorn 20°44’ (sun also)
What can I start and/or what actions can I take, that are important to me?
How can these goals and intentions be grounded and practical?

Full Moon
Jan. 25, 12:54 p.m.
Leo 5°14’
How did I do these past two weeks? What adjustments do I need to make before the next new moon? How can I rest and play and be creative?

NEW MOON
Feb. 9, 6:00 p.m.
Aquarius 20°40’
What innovations are calling my name, particularly for humanity? How can I be diligent about making my originality a focus?

Full Moon
Feb. 24, 7:30 a.m.
Virgo 5°22’
What adjustments do my goals need to make sure Q1 is “successful” (by my own definition)? How do I plan to rest? How can my daily habits and routines give me the space to rest?

NEW MOON
March 10, 5:01 a.m.
Pisces 20°16’
In what area of my life can I be intentionally flexible?
How can I rely more on my intuition and intentional compassion?

Full Moon
March 25, 3:00 a.m.
Libra 5°7’
What adjustments do my goals need before the next new moon?
How can I rest, and enjoy time with the arts and all things aesthetic?

NEW MOON
April 8, 2:21 p.m.
Aries 19°23’
What can I start and/or what actions can I take, that are important to me?
How can I make sure these goals honor my best sense of self and leadership?

Full Moon
April 23, 7:50 p.m.
Scorpio 4°17’
How do I plan to chill? How can I transform my downtime into something meaningful?

NEW MOON
May 7, 11:24 p.m.
Taurus 18°01’
How can I stay grounded, on track, and maintain the momentum I started last month? How can I remind myself of the good things in life?

Full Moon
May 23, 9:54 a.m.
Sagittarius 2°54’
As I reflect on the past couple of weeks, how can I add a little adventure into my goals? What types of R&R can I enjoy?

NEW MOON
June 6, 8:40 a.m.
Gemini 16°17’
As Q2 begins to come to a close, where do I need to double down? How can I amp up my communication skills?

Full Moon
June 21, 9:09 p.m.
Capricorn 1°06’
Do I need to implement more structure, or look into a different system, for my goals and intentions? How can I rest so I feel it deep down to my bones?

NEW MOON
July 5, 6:58 p.m.
Cancer 14°23’
What can I start and/or what actions can I take, that are important to me?
How can I make sure these goals and intentions are honoring my ability to nurture myself and others?

Full Moon
July 21, 6:18 a.m.
Capricorn 29°08’
How are my Q3 goals going? Do I need to course-correct? How can I add structure and discipline to my own rest and downtime?

NEW MOON
Aug. 4, 7:14 a.m.
Leo 12°33’
In maintaining the momentum I began last month, how can I be bold with confidence, charisma, and a positive sense of self?

Full Moon
Aug. 19, 2:27 p.m.
Aquarius 27°14’
Do I need to recalibrate any recent intentions? How can I loosen up and enjoy this time of my life, fully allowing me to be me?

NEW MOON
Sept. 2, 9:56 p.m.
Virgo 11°03’
This month contains both summer and fall; how can I enjoy both? What daily routines do I need to continue, or implement, to bring structure into my life?

Full Moon
Sept. 17, 10:35 p.m.
Pisces 25°40’
As I reflect on these past two weeks, how do my daily routines factor into my accomplishments? How can I rest, go deep into my feelings, and take time to sit with my dreamy hopes and dreams.

NEW MOON
Oct. 2, 2:50 p.m.
Libra 10°03’
What can I start and/or what actions can I take, that are important to me?
How can I make sure these goals and intentions honor my sense of art and beauty, and how I relate with other people?

Full Moon
Oct. 17, 7:27 a.m.
Aries 24°34’
Do I need to tweak the intentions I set earlier this month? When can I take time to relax by myself?

NEW MOON
Nov. 1, 8:48 a.m.
Scorpio 9°34’
How am I maintaining relationships with the important people in my life? Have I been giving and doing too much, and if so, how can I dig deep to uncover my truest desires?

Full Moon
Nov. 15, 4:29 p.m.
Taurus 24°00’
How can I rest, reset, and enjoy time in nature?

NEW MOON
Dec. 1, 1:22 a.m.
Sagittarius 9°32’
It’s the last month of the year, and it includes both fall and winter, holidays and the wrapping up of Q4. What goals will spark my sense of adventure? What lights me up?

Full Moon
Dec. 15, 4:02 a.m.
Gemini 23°52’
How can I turn off my brain for a while? How can I rethink my connection to creativity and play?

NEW MOON
Dec. 30, 5:27 p.m.
Capricorn 9°43’
New lunar cycle for 2025, y’all!