Celestial Crescent

This brilliant crescent Moon inspired a photo shoot to capture its shape against an early evening sky. High winds and partly cloudy skies brought challenges, as the clouds moved quickly and frequently covered the Moon. Captured during a few moments when a break in the clouds allowed lunar light to shine through, this image shows the Moon early in its cycle, just three days after the "dark" Moon began the monthly waxing period, during which the lit portion of the Moon grows larger day by day. In this photograph, both the bright crescent and the rest of the Moon's disk--much dimmer, but still visible--can be seen. This effect occurs during the crescent phase, when the Sun has set recently enough that sunlight reflected from Earth dimly illuminates the full circle of the lunar disk. Since ancient times, the Moon has been associated with the Divine Mother and all things receptive and feminine. In astrology, the Moon rules the sign Cancer; those born under this sign often have round, Moon-shaped faces and tend to exhibit moods as changeable as the Moon's. Just as the Sun dominates daytime, the Moon rules night and reminds us of nature's wisdom in alternating periods of action with time for rest. Gazing at the Moon or walking in moonlight not only inspires lovers and poets but can assist everyone in slowing down, tuning in to natural rhythms, and contemplating life's mysteries.