Moon Phase Today: July 18, 2026
Waxing Crescent
Your plan is real now, and it's fragile. Protect it from your own doubt and other people's opinions. Pick the single next action and do it before you talk yourself out of it.
Moon in Virgo
Moon in Virgo — sharp eyes, low patience for mess. Clean, fix, organize — just don't nitpick people.
Learn more about Virgo →Next full & new moon
Dates are estimates from the mean lunar cycle and may shift by a few hours.
Moon phase on any date
Your birthday, an anniversary, any night in history: pick a date and see the exact moon phase, illumination, and sign.
Full moon names by month
Every month's full moon carries a traditional name, most of them handed down through Native American and colonial almanacs and tied to what was happening in nature at that time of year. The Buck Moon is next.
The 8 moon phases
A moon phase is just a matter of geometry: as the Moon orbits Earth roughly every 29.5 days, the angle between the Moon, Earth, and the Sun changes, and so does how much of the lit half we can see. New moon, the Sun is behind it and the near side is dark; full moon, we're looking straight at the lit face. The percentage above is that illuminated fraction, calculated from the Moon–Sun angle. Astrologically, each point in that cycle carries a distinct energy.
Frequently asked questions
What moon phase is it tonight?
Tonight the Moon is a Waxing Crescent, about 21% illuminated. The visible disc is growing toward the next full moon (waxing).
What sign is the Moon in today?
The Moon is currently in Virgo. It moves through one zodiac sign roughly every 2 to 2.5 days, so its sign shifts far faster than your sun sign, which is why the Moon's daily sign colors the emotional tone of the day.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon falls on July 28, 2026 (in 10 days). At a full moon the Moon sits opposite the Sun, fully lit and at peak illumination.
When is the next new moon?
The next new moon falls on August 12, 2026 (in 25 days). At a new moon the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so its lit face points away from us and it's effectively invisible.
Is the Moon waxing or waning right now?
Right now the Moon is waxing: its illuminated portion is increasing each night as it heads toward full. At 21% lit, that makes today's phase a Waxing Crescent.
How is the moon phase calculated?
The phase comes from the angle between the Moon and the Sun along the ecliptic. We pull both bodies' positions from an ephemeris, take their separation, and convert it to an illuminated percentage, today that's 21%. Full and new moon dates are projected from the mean 29.53-day lunar cycle, so they can shift by a few hours.
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