Your Day of Birth
Phase 8 of 8 · Rest and renewal

Waning crescent moon

A thin, shrinking sliver on the left, seen only in the hours before dawn, often with earthshine glowing on the dark part.

When to look
Rises in the early morning before the Sun and sets in the afternoon. Look low in the east before sunrise.
How often
For about six or seven nights in a row every month, between the last quarter and the new moon.

What the waning crescent means

RestHealingSurrenderDreams

The last sliver before the dark is a time of rest and quiet. Astrologers call it the balsamic moon, from balm, for its healing feel. Lore says it is the time to rest, dream and get ready for the next beginning.

Born under a waning crescent

Those born under a waning crescent moon are said to be old souls: intuitive, imaginative and a little mystical. They sense where things are going and often feel they are here to finish something important.

Gifts

  • Intuitive
  • Imaginative
  • Compassionate
  • Wise beyond their years

Watch out for

  • Needs lots of alone time
  • Can feel out of step
  • Gives too much

Moon lore

  • The balsamic moon is named for balm, something that soothes and heals.
  • Old farmers waited for the waning moon to plant root crops like potatoes and onions.
  • Many traditions treat the last days of the cycle as a time for rest, fasting or quiet reflection.

Next waning crescent dates

Oct 4 – Oct 9, 2026Waning crescent nights
Nov 2 – Nov 8, 2026Waning crescent nights
Dec 2 – Dec 7, 2026Waning crescent nights
Dec 31 – Jan 6, 2027Waning crescent nights
Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2027Waning crescent nights
Mar 1 – Mar 7, 2027Waning crescent nights

US Eastern time. See this year’s full moons.

Babies born under a waning crescent

US births per day
11,351
2000 to 2014 average
Days in the sample
1,188
of 5,479
Vs. expected
+0.0%
after weekdays and holidays

In real numbers, the moon makes no meaningful difference to when babies arrive. See every phase compared. Source: SSA daily birth counts via FiveThirtyEight.

Famous people born under a waning crescent

Marlon BrandoAmerican actorApril 3, 1924Anthony HopkinsWelsh–American actor and directorDecember 31, 1937Meryl StreepAmerican actressJune 22, 1949Stevie WonderAmerican and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, composer and record producerMay 13, 1950Barack Obama44th President of the United StatesAugust 4, 1961Jodie FosterAmerican actress and filmmakerNovember 19, 1962Michael JordanAmerican basketball player and businessmanFebruary 17, 1963Keanu ReevesCanadian actor and musicianSeptember 2, 1964Leonardo DiCaprioAmerican actor and producerNovember 11, 1974Angelina JolieAmerican actressJune 4, 1975Tiger WoodsAmerican golferDecember 30, 1975Emma StoneAmerican actress and producerNovember 6, 1988

The moon on your birthday

Uses the US Eastern calendar date. We don’t save your birthdate or link it to you.

The other phases

New moonA fresh startWaxing crescentHope and growthFirst quarterAction and decisionWaxing gibbousRefinementFull moonPeak and illuminationWaning gibbousGratitude and sharingLast quarterReleaseWaning crescentRest and renewal

Phase dates use exact times from NASA (Fred Espenak) in US Eastern time; the day a new, quarter or full moon happens is named for that phase. "Born under" traits and lore come from tradition and astrology and are shared for fun, not fate. Famous birthdays come from Wikidata.