Last Quarter

The Last Quarter Moon is half-illuminated on the left side (Northern Hemisphere), the mirror image of the First Quarter. It rises around midnight and is best seen in the early morning sky. This is sometimes called the 'Third Quarter Moon.'

Where the First Quarter challenged you to commit, the Last Quarter challenges you to release. This is the 'crisis of consciousness' — a time to evaluate what worked, forgive what did not, and consciously let go of patterns, relationships, or projects that have run their course. Clearing physical and emotional clutter now creates space for the next cycle's intentions.

The Last Quarter has long been associated with banishing and clearing. In European folk magic this was the preferred time for spells of release and protection. Traditional Chinese medicine associates the waning moon with yin energy, recommending gentler exercises and cleansing diets. In Japan the late-night rising of the Last Quarter inspired the concept of ariake no tsuki — the 'dawn moon' that lingered into morning, a poetic symbol of lingering feelings.

Astrologically the Last Quarter squares the Sun, generating internal tension that demands honest self-assessment. The Moon's sign highlights what area of life needs pruning. A Last Quarter in Aquarius encourages releasing outdated social commitments; in Cancer it urges letting go of emotional attachments that have become burdens.