Folklore #008
The eight phases
The waning crescent is the balsamic moon, the traditional three days of rest before the cycle starts again.
The name comes from balsam, a healing resin. This is the phase folklore reserves for doing very little: sleep, quiet, no launches, no decisions. The Moon rises just before dawn and is barely there. So, tradition says, are you.
Tradition: Dane Rudhyar's eight-phase scheme, 1967 · checked Aug 2026
🔭 Meanwhile, in astronomy: Earthshine lights the Moon's night