The new moon is a time of initiation and new beginnings. It is the time to plant a seed of what you want to grow in your life. Making a wish, an intention, a promise, or a vow is a common custom. It is believed that as the moon grows, that your intention or goal will too usually by the time the moon completes its cycle and returns full circle to new again.

Each month, the Moon waxes and wanes through a period of approximately 29 1/2 days. The waxing moon phase, from New Moon to Full Moon, lasts approximately two weeks. The waning phase, from Full Moon to New Moon, also lasts two weeks. The turning of the moon is further broken down into four parts, called quarters. Each of these four phases has a first half and second half, ultimately breaking the moon's cycle into eight equal parts.