The ancient Greeks and Babylonians divided the lunar cycle into 30 segments, and Indians still do today. The last phase or segment is the dark moon, and the Greeks associated it with Hecate, a goddess of dark places. Hecate was often associated with ghosts and sorcery. The dark moon in India is associated with the goddess Kali, thought to be the most terrifying goddess. She is the goddess of time, doomsday, and death—which makes sense, given this phase is the last of the lunar cycle. As far as how they both relate to the full moon, the dark moon is still holding on to the energy of the full moon that came prior, which would tie back to the previous new moon at the beginning of that cycle. And once the moon moves from waning crescent to new again, a brand-new cycle begins. “You’re kind of sleepy and cranky and don’t have a whole lot to give,” they add. New moons, for example, can feel inspiring and refreshing as if we’ve turned a new leaf, while full moons are a time of culmination that can feel very energizing and magnetic. Dark moons are far past all this, and by the end of the lunar month, many of us will just crave rest. The final nights of the lunar cycle are a time to “rest, clean up, and get closure,” the twins say. If you’re feeling exhausted, know you’re probably not the only one. Allow yourself some downtime, try not to force productivity, and look forward to the start of a new lunar month to come.
