Waning Gibbous Moon Symbolism: Spiritual Meaning and Significance

The waning gibbous moon is the sixth phase of the lunar cycle, immediately following the full moon. During this time, the Sun is slowly illuminating the Moon less and less. You might begin to experience a gradual dip in energy as the Moon appears smaller and we come off of the potent full moon energy. The waning gibbous moon phase carries deep symbolism that can help us better align with the lunar cycle.

Here’s everything you should know about the waning gibbous moon, including its spiritual meanings and significance. 

What Are the Different Moon Phases?

The lunar cycle has eight phases: the new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent. Each phase of the moon impacts our ocean’s tide. The Moon ultimately affects Earth’s climate and its tilt on the axis. Research has even suggested that the lunar cycle might influence human and animal behavior and physiology. 

What Is a Waning Gibbous Moon?

The waning gibbous moon is the phase of the lunar cycle immediately following the full moon. This occurs when the side of the Moon facing Earth slowly becomes less illuminated by the Sun. During this phase, we might notice the moon appearing less full than it was during the full moon. Think of it as the gradual decline into the new moon. 

Waning Gibbous Moon Symbolism: Spiritual Meaning and Significance

The waning gibbous moon is a great time for release, gratitude, and surrender. Here are some of the associated symbolism and spiritual meanings of the waning gibbous moon.

Release

What do you need to release right now to get the manifestation you intended during the new moon? The waning gibbous moon is an excellent time to let go of the past. Now is a great moment to move through any roadblocks you might be facing. For example, if you wanted to manifest a new love interest during this lunar cycle, you might be noticing your resistance to dating. Perhaps you’re struggling with self-worth, or maybe you are battling social anxiety that’s preventing you from putting yourself out there.

On the other hand, you might even be closed-minded when it comes to giving people a chance. At this time, you will benefit from releasing any blocks and working through any insecurities that are holding you back. You might need to let go of people from the past or pain from previous relationships to make room for new love and connection.

Gratitude

During this moon phase, you might be feeling especially grateful for all the things you called in during the new moon. Even if your manifestations have yet to come to fruition at this time, you can still express gratitude. Appreciate where you are in your life and the amazing people you have around you. This is a great time to reflect on your blessings and appreciate the beauty in your life. Oftentimes, when we express gratitude to the universe, we can raise our vibration and be in alignment with all we are trying to call in. 

Additionally, we can express gratitude for the manifestations we have yet to see. Behaving as though our manifestations are already our own (believe they are) will help them come to fruition. In fact, you can supercharge your manifestations by meditating and visualizing your ideal future. While doing this, express gratitude for the abundance. Additionally, you can script your ideal future through writing. Detail all of the emotions you will be experiencing when you get what you want.

Reflection

The waning gibbous moon phase is a time for reflection. This phase occurs after the full moon, and it happens when energy is beginning to deplete and we are beginning to turn inward to reflect on the lunar cycle thus far. You might benefit from reflecting on the choices you made and where they got you during the past few weeks. 

For example, if you have been trying to manifest a new job, did you put in the effort to update your résumé and apply for a new position, or did you simply hope an opportunity would find you? Many people believe that manifesting works like magic and requires little to no action on our ends. While manifestation helps opportunities flow to us more easily, it doesn’t mean that we can simply sit back and wait for our dreams to come true. Instead, it is a time to put our intentions into action and take the proper steps toward our desires. This is a perfect opportunity to reflect on all that we have accomplished or, on the other hand, avoided so far.

Introspection

Similar to reflection, introspection requires you to turn inward and consider your actions, thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives. Typically, we become more introspective when we spend time alone and reconnect with ourselves. For example, when we are in tune with our intuition, we often become more introspective in nature. Introspection allows us to examine our own emotional and mental processes so that we can better understand our motives and behaviors.

Observing our conscious thoughts and feelings can help us connect more deeply with our souls and address any parts of ourselves that still need healing. The waning gibbous moon phase is a great time for introspection as it allows us to consider how our mental state is impacting our ability to manifest and grow.

Reevaluation

Oftentimes, gaining clarity on a specific matter allows us to consider whether we have the right approach. Reevaluation entails assessing something differently than we may have done before to get the result that we are seeking. For example, perhaps at the beginning of this lunar cycle during the new moon, you wanted to approach your health by forcing yourself to work out every single morning and eat the same healthy meal consistently each night. As you progress with this plan, you might notice that your body isn’t responding the way you wanted it to. Maybe you felt drained, bored, or even stressed by the strict rules you’re putting on yourself. Perhaps other areas of your life then began to suffer, such as your relationships or your work life.

After reevaluating this plan, you might consider listening to your body, working out in a way that feels fun and during a time when you have the most energy, and cooking healthy meals that excite you. This reevaluation and these adjustments are meant to better serve your goals and shift how you intend to achieve them. 

Rebirth

Many people view the waning gibbous moon phase as a time of rebirth. During this phase following the full moon, we usually have shed some baggage and addressed addictions or resistance that may have been holding us back. With this fresh perspective, we might feel reborn and ready to start again. While the new moon is the official clean slate, the waning gibbous moon phase brings us to that place of rebirth by preparing us for a new chapter.

Surrender

In what areas of your life are you unwilling to surrender? What are you resisting, and how might you allow yourself to practice faith in the universe and yourself? During the waning gibbous stage, you will benefit from surrendering to whatever higher power you believe in and allowing things to unfold as they’re meant to. By now, you have likely done the necessary work to get what you desire and can rest in the sweet surrender of trust and hope. Don’t fight fate; rather, allow it to teach you a new lesson and expose you to different perspectives. Know that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and simply let yourself flow freely through life as the Moon begins appearing smaller and smaller before the new moon. 

Recuperation

Are you feeling especially tired and emotionally drained during this time? Look at the waning gibbous moon phase as a moment for recuperation and recovery. This is a great time to rebuild your energy so that you are set for the new moon. After the full moon, you might be especially depleted, and it will benefit you to listen to your body and allow yourself some rest after a chaotic and strenuous period. A great way to recuperate is to spend some time alone or in nature, allowing yourself to unwind without the pressure of “doing.” As the saying goes, we are human beings, not human doings. It is safe and beneficial to rest.

Contemplation

The waning gibbous moon phase is a great opportunity for contemplation. As you look back and reflect on the lunar cycle thus far, you might consider whether your actions and thoughts were in alignment with your desires, beliefs, and values. This might make you contemplate how you should move forward. Consider what you might need to do to set yourself up for success in the next lunar cycle. 

Contemplation is healthy so long as you don’t sit in it for too long. It can be beneficial to assess something in depth to better understand the situation from various perspectives. Practice practicality while contemplating your current situation or a current issue.

Healing

The waning gibbous moon phase can be an especially healing time. Coming off of the full moon, which entailed deep, potent, and spiritual energy, this phase will allow you to reap some of the benefits of the healing work you’ve been doing. Healing is not linear and often occurs in phases (just like the moon). Consider this specific phase as one of deep spiritual growth and relief. These therapeutic points in your life are meant to nurture your soul and align you with your desires on the right timeline.

Celebrating the Waning Gibbous Moon

The waning gibbous moon phase is the perfect time to start slowing down and unwinding after a long lunar cycle. By now, you’ve likely done your manifesting and your releasing. Now, you can surrender to the universe and allow things to fall into place the way they’re meant to.

To celebrate the waning gibbous moon, allow yourself some time in solitude to reflect, rest, and reconnect with yourself. This is a great time to journal your thoughts, release anything that is holding you back or when you’re down, and treat yourself with grace and compassion.