A reference for everything on Faris — moon phases, zodiac signs, the planets, and the sun.
The start of the 29.5-day lunar cycle. The moon sits between Earth and the Sun, its face fully in shadow at 0% illumination. In astrology this is a reset — intentions set now carry the energy of the whole cycle ahead. A good time for reflection, journaling and planting seeds.
A thin sliver of light grows on the right side of the moon (in the northern hemisphere). "Waxing" means illumination is increasing. The intentions set at the new moon are gathering momentum — a phase for first steps, building habits and moving tentatively forward.
The moon is half-lit, a quarter of the way through its cycle. This is a phase of decision and push-through: obstacles surface and the question is whether to commit or course-correct. Take action, even imperfect action.
More than half illuminated, still growing. "Gibbous" comes from the Latin for hump-shaped. Momentum is high — a refinement phase to evaluate what's working, adjust and keep building toward the peak of the full moon.
The moon is opposite the Sun and fully illuminated. Energy peaks: emotions, creativity and visibility are all heightened. Things begun at the new moon reach culmination. Full moons often disrupt sleep and intensify feelings. A time to celebrate, complete and release what no longer serves.
Just past full and starting to dim. "Waning" means decreasing. The energy that crested now disperses outward — a natural phase for sharing, teaching, communicating and expressing gratitude for what the cycle has produced.
Half-lit, three-quarters through the cycle. A phase of release: let go of what didn't work, forgive and clear space. The pace slows naturally. Resist the urge to push hard and instead prepare for the renewal ahead.
Also called the balsamic moon. A thin sliver on the left side as the cycle winds toward dark. The most introspective phase — rest, surrender and quiet inner work. Old patterns are completing and the next new moon is close.
A surge of energy, boldness and impatience colors the mood. Spontaneous action comes naturally, and the urge to lead or initiate is strong. Lean into physical activity, quick decisions and creative problem-solving — but set aside anything requiring careful follow-through or tact.
A steadying influence settles in, bringing patience, persistence and a taste for comfort. The pace slows, and that's an asset — sustained effort yields results now. Good for tending plants, cooking, hands-on work and rest. Avoid situations that demand snap decisions or quick pivots.
Curiosity and sociability run high. Conversation flows easily and the mind hunts for novelty. This favors learning, networking, writing and light intellectual work. Watch for restlessness — scattered attention can mean lots started and little finished.
Emotions rise to the surface and sensitivity deepens. The pull toward home, family and trusted intimates is strong. A quiet day with people you love beats any crowd. Business dealings and public-facing work may feel draining — emotional undercurrents can complicate what should be straightforward.
The desire to shine, connect and be seen takes center stage. Warmth and generosity flow outward, and creative expression feels natural. Perform, celebrate, play and do whatever lights you up. This is not a day for working in the shadows.
Precision and practicality come to the fore. The eye for detail sharpens, and there's satisfaction in doing things carefully and correctly. Good for editing, organizing, health routines and correcting errors. The body is also more attuned to what it takes in — a good time to clean up your diet.
A desire for harmony, connection and beauty softens the edges of the day. Social life flourishes and partnerships of all kinds benefit. Good for gatherings, negotiations and romantic plans. Decision-making can stall — weighing options feels endless, so avoid forcing conclusions.
Intensity rises. Emotions run deep and complex, with little room for the superficial. Passion, focus and the drive to get beneath the surface are all heightened. This energy suits deep work, research and transformative conversations — but diplomacy and lightness may be harder to access.
Optimism and generosity expand the mood. There's a pull toward the horizon — travel, big ideas, philosophical questions and open-air experiences all call. Good for bold plans and inspired thinking. Fine detail work is likely to feel tedious and is best postponed.
A sober, disciplined tone takes hold. Ambition, structure and a no-nonsense approach feel natural. Good for tackling responsibilities, setting long-term intentions and doing work that demands rigor. Don't count on emotional warmth or flexibility from others — or yourself — right now.
The mind reaches outward — toward ideas, ideals and like-minded people. Intellectual curiosity and a streak of independence are both heightened. Good for study, research, group work and anything unconventional. Tedious or repetitive tasks will feel especially draining.
The boundary between self and others softens. Empathy deepens and imagination takes over from logic. Lean into creative, spiritual or intuitive work. Be gentle with yourself physically — sensitivity to substances and stimulants tends to increase now.
The brightest object in the night sky after the Moon — impossible to miss. Because it orbits closer to the Sun than Earth does, Venus never strays far from the horizon. Look for the "Evening Star" low in the west after sunset, or the "Morning Star" low in the east before sunrise.
The second-brightest planet, shining with a steady, brilliant white-yellow light that stands out even in light-polluted skies. Jupiter is large enough to be visible for much of the night and can often be spotted before the sky is fully dark.
Its warm reddish-orange color makes Mars unmistakable once you know what to look for. Brightness varies considerably: at its closest approach to Earth (roughly every two years) Mars can outshine everything but Venus; at its farthest it looks like an ordinary dim star.
A steady, pale gold light — less dazzling than Venus or Jupiter but easy to identify once you see it. Even inexpensive binoculars reveal Saturn's rings, making it one of the most rewarding sights in the night sky.
The most elusive of the naked-eye planets. Because Mercury orbits so close to the Sun it is only ever visible low on the horizon — either in the western sky just after sunset or the eastern sky just before sunrise. On the Planets page, a rise time near dawn means it's a morning planet; a set time shortly after sunset means it's an evening planet.
Too faint for reliable naked-eye viewing, but binoculars reveal a small, distinctly pale blue-green disk — the only planet with a visible color tint. Worth seeking out on a clear dark night once you have its position from the Planets page.
The sun rises due east and sets due west only twice a year — at the spring and fall equinoxes. In summer it rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest, giving more daylight. In winter it rises in the southeast and sets in the southwest, tracing a lower arc across the sky.
The moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, roughly halfway between sunrise and sunset. Shadows are at their shortest, UV intensity is at its peak, and due south (in the northern hemisphere) is where to look. The exact time shifts slightly day to day as Earth's orbital speed varies.
The number of daylight hours changes throughout the year. The summer solstice (around June 21) is the longest day; the winter solstice (around December 21) is the shortest. At the equinoxes in March and September, day and night are roughly equal at about 12 hours each.
The period just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun is near the horizon. Light travels through more atmosphere at a low angle, scattering the blue wavelengths and leaving warm orange and gold tones. Shadows are long, contrast is soft — the reason photographers and filmmakers prize this window of the day.