Following are the times and astrological positions of the lunar phase cycle that begins on Wednesday. I'll add a few notes on their themes from the section of my book, Moon Tides, Soul Passages, "Living with the Moon in Daily Life."

Lunar Phase Cycle data beginning with New Moon in Taurus

New Moon, 25 Taurus 33, May 16, 2007, 3:27 pm EDT
Taurus has a mellow energy. Comfort and security needs dominate. New Moon is always a good time to start something new. With the Taurus theme, those new intents are likely to run toward practical matters, such as taking steps to improve finances. It's the season for attention to gardening, too. This new Moon would be especially appropriate for the planting of perennials. In fact, you could make a good New Moon ritual of it—plant some perennial flowers in colors that fit your intent, perhaps yellow for an intent relating to mind and communication, red for firing creativity or courage, blue for the flow of love or intuition and lush greens for growth, stability and abundance in of earthy matters. Plant mindfully, with a ritual atttude and then nurture your plants, and your intent toward healthy growth.

Crescent Moon, 13 Cancer 45, May 19, 2007, 11:07 pm EDT
The flow of emotion is strong when Moon is in Cancer. Crescent phase can bring challenge. Though the light (of new beginnings) becomes visible, it can be a bit fragile when pulled by other obligations or even inner lethargy. To persist in moving forward is what's needed in meeting the challenge of this phase. Increase the light. If you feel yourself taking a step backward, then take two steps forward and regain your focus. This is the path of successful passage through this phase.

First Quarter Moon, 2 Virgo 21, May 23, 2007, 5:02 pm EDT
At this phase of the 8-fold cycle, action is the key—decisive action! Be assertive in moving forward toward your goals. By now something begun at New Moon is taking shape, and there's increasing clarity about where you want to go with it. With Virgo Moon, especially, you won't take what needs to be done lightly—you'll want to do it right. This can be the very best time in the month to take a significant step forward toward your goals. Go for it!

Gibbous Moon, 21 Libra 18, May 27, 2007, 7:33 pm EDT
Moon in Libra emphasizes being with others, and we're more likely to compromise and accomodate for the sake of harmony and sociabiltiy. This is a time of energy release and the building of momentum toward Full Moon. It's also a hollday weekend—and could be a great time to gather friends for the first picnic or cookout of the season.

Full Moon, 10 Sagittarius 12, May 31, 2007, 9:04 pm EDT
The energy of Sagittarius is idealistic, adventurous, optimistic, enthusiastic and freedom loving. At Full Moon, things begun at New Moon may come to culmination, and if so, enjoy! But it can also be important to recognize purpose for our intent, and to charge it with extra energy. At the fulness of light, we face the onset of waning light. Balance is needed. The charge of standing beneath the bright Full Moon and drawing down her energy always feels wonderful—sometimes the simplest rituals, such as this, are the most sustaining. Draw down the Moon & experience magic!

Disseminating Moon, 28 Capricorn 52, June 4, 2007, 5:11 pm EDT
This phase is an optimum time to show what you can do, demonstrate what you've learned, make presentations, and in general, share what you have with others. Goals initiated when Moon was New are now clear, objective and in some sense fulfilled. Light is waning, but not that noticeably yet. Fulfillment is most satisfying when shared. To disseminate means to spread, so spread the word!

Last Quarter Moon, 17 Pisces 19, June 8, 2007, 7:43 am EDT
On the surface, all may be well and appear much the same to others. Inside, you may be having second thoughts, or are just wondering what else the future might hold. If you're in the midst of a much longer term project, this may be a time when you tweak things a bit, consider revisions. This phase was called by Dane Rudhyar the "crisis of consciousness." Serious thinking is likely at this stage, and perhaps necessary. It's time to begin letting go of something that is finished, or that deep down you realize perhaps ought to be. Take a walk beneath the Moon to think things through and begin the process of letting go.

Balsamic Moon, 5 Taurus 33, June 11, 2007, 4:34 pm EDT
Early in the morning, in the dark before dawn, look for the Crone's Moon, the waning crescent in the eastern sky. Let your thoughts be free to dream and reflect. Thnk of this phase not sas dark endings, but instead as a time to restore your soul. If you must be practical, then choose activites that cut back and cut down. Pull weeds, diet, make peace with someone with whom you've been at odds, let go of stuff you don't need, or perhaps of relationships that you know aren't good for you. This is the optimum time in the cycle for rituals of banishing...but new things can be tried, too. Experiment, just for fun, without vesting too much in the outcome. Sometimes the things we try during this phase will become the seeds of the new cycle. The wheel never stops turning—light to dark, dark to light.