In this article
What the card above tells you
Everything in the card is calculated on your device from standard astronomical formulas, so there is nothing to refresh and nothing to wait for. Each line answers one small question you might ask when you glance up at the sky.
- Moon phase and percent lit. The drawing shows the Moon as it looks tonight, with the share of the disk that is lit.
- Day of the cycle. A count from the last new moon, from zero up to about 29.5.
- The Moon sign. The zodiac sign the Moon is passing through right now.
- The Sun sign. Where the Sun is, and how many days remain until it enters the next sign.
- Next full and new moon. The two dates most people want to plan around.
- Retrograde planets. Any planet currently moving backward against the stars, with the day it turns direct again.
- Planets visible tonight. Which bright planets you can find, and whether they show in the evening, before dawn or most of the night.
- Next sky events. The two nearest eclipses, meteor shower peaks, equinoxes, solstices, supermoons, conjunctions or retrograde starts.
- Card of the day. One tarot card drawn for the date, the same for everyone on that date, as a prompt for the day.
- Number of the day. A single number for the date, also shared by everyone, with a short traditional meaning.
Moon phase today and why it matters to skywatchers
The Moon takes about 29.5 days to go from one new moon to the next. The phase you see depends only on the angle between the Sun, Earth and Moon, so it is the same worldwide: a full moon is full for everyone. What differs is the date and clock time, because those depend on your time zone. A full moon late in the evening for you can fall on the next calendar day somewhere else.
For observers the practical value is simple. Around new moon the sky is darkest, which is best for faint stars and meteors. Around full moon the Moon rises at sunset and lights the whole night. Quarter moons are the best time to look through a telescope, because the shadows along the terminator show craters in sharp relief.
If you want the full story of the eight phases, the moon phases guide covers each one.
What sign is the Moon in today?
The Moon circles the zodiac once in about 27 days, which means it spends roughly two and a half days in each sign. That is why the answer to "what sign is the Moon in today" changes so often, and why checking daily is worthwhile.
In astrology the Moon stands for mood, habits and instinct, so the Moon sign of the day is traditionally read as the emotional weather. A Moon in a fire sign is said to favor action, in an earth sign practical chores, in an air sign conversation and in a water sign feelings and rest. Some people use the phase for timing too, starting things near the new moon and wrapping them up near the full moon.
This is a tradition, not a measured effect. Astrology has no demonstrated scientific basis, although the positions it uses are real astronomy. Treat it as a prompt for reflection if you enjoy it. To find the Moon sign you were born under, use the moon sign calculator.
Sun sign and the zodiac calendar
The Sun spends about a month in each sign, so the countdown on the card tells you when the astrological season changes. The sign dates shift by a day from year to year, which is why a fixed table can be off. The card uses the Sun's real position, not a rounded date.
Retrograde planets and tonight's visible planets
A planet is retrograde when it seems to drift backward against the background stars for a while. It is an optical effect caused by Earth overtaking, or being overtaken by, that planet. Astrologers link it with review and delay, most famously for Mercury. The retrograde planets hub explains every planet and its usual themes.
The visible planets line is for practical stargazing. Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can all be spotted without a telescope, and the card says when to look. For a fuller list with directions, try the visible planets tool.
Coming sky events and a reason to return
The last two lines point ahead: the next two events worth marking, such as an eclipse, a meteor shower peak, an equinox, a solstice, a supermoon or a planet conjunction. Because the list rolls forward on its own, a quick visit now and then keeps you from missing the good ones.
Make it a habit: a glance in the morning for the Moon sign, a glance at dusk for the planets. The sky changes a little every day, and this page keeps up with it.
Questions people ask
What is the moon phase today?
The card at the top shows it as a drawing with the percentage lit and the day of the cycle. It is computed for your own date and time, so it updates by itself.
How often does the Moon change signs?
About every two and a half days. It crosses all twelve signs in roughly 27 days, so the Moon sign today is rarely the same tomorrow.
Is the moon phase the same everywhere?
Yes, the phase is the same worldwide. Only the local date and time differ with your time zone, and in the Southern Hemisphere the Moon appears flipped.
Does the Moon sign really affect my mood?
Studies have not found that it does. People enjoy using it as a ritual for planning and reflection, but astrology has no demonstrated scientific basis.