Phase 2 of 8 · Hope and growth

Waxing crescent moon

A thin sliver of light on the right side (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere), growing a little each night. On clear evenings you can often see the dark part faintly glowing with earthshine, sunlight bounced off Earth.

When to look

Rises in the morning and sets in the evening. Look low in the west just after sunset.

How often

For about six or seven nights in a row every month, between the new moon and the first quarter.

What the waxing crescent means

HopeCourageGrowthFirst steps

The first sliver of light after the dark is a symbol of hope. It is the time to take the first small steps toward what you wished for at the new moon, and to keep going even when the light is still thin.

Born under a waxing crescent

Waxing crescent people are said to be determined and forward-looking. They push to break free of old habits or expectations, and they have a quiet confidence that things will grow if they keep tending them.

Gifts

Determined
Hopeful
Resourceful
Self-made

Watch out for

Can feel held back by the past
Restless
Hard on themselves

Moon lore

The faint glow on the dark part of a crescent was called "the old moon in the new moon's arms," and sailors said it warned of a storm.
A crescent lying on its back, like a bowl, was called a "wet moon" or "dry moon" depending on the region: either holding water or spilling it.
Turning over the coins in your pocket when you first see the new crescent is an old British custom for good luck.

Next waxing crescent dates

Oct 11 – Oct 17, 2026Waxing crescent nights

Nov 10 – Nov 16, 2026Waxing crescent nights

Dec 9 – Dec 16, 2026Waxing crescent nights

Jan 8 – Jan 14, 2027Waxing crescent nights

Feb 7 – Feb 13, 2027Waxing crescent nights

Mar 9 – Mar 14, 2027Waxing crescent nights

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

Babies born under a waxing crescent

US births per day

11,351

2000 to 2014 average

Days in the sample

1,181

of 5,479

Vs. expected

+0.2%

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 waxing crescent

Frank SinatraAmerican singer and actorDecember 12, 1915 Paul NewmanAmerican actorJanuary 26, 1925 Martin Luther King Jr.American Baptist minister and civil rights leaderJanuary 15, 1929 Dustin HoffmanAmerican actorAugust 8, 1937 Paul McCartneyEnglish musician and member of the BeatlesJune 18, 1942 Jackie ChanHong Kong actor and martial artistApril 7, 1954 Steve JobsAmerican entrepreneurFebruary 24, 1955 Tom HanksAmerican actor and film producerJuly 9, 1956 Tom CruiseAmerican actor and producerJuly 3, 1962 Brad PittAmerican actorDecember 18, 1963 Ben AffleckAmerican film actor, director and screenwriterAugust 15, 1972 Katy PerryAmerican singerOctober 25, 1984

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 start Waxing crescentHope and growth First quarterAction and decision Waxing gibbousRefinement Full moonPeak and illumination Waning gibbousGratitude and sharing Last quarterRelease Waning 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.