New Moon: Romantic Renewal  
New moons occur when la luna is perfectly positioned between the Earth and the Sun. As such, the “backside” of the moon is lit and she becomes invisible from our view down here. In astrology, the new moon always occurs in the same sign as the Sun—for example, when the Sun is in Libra from September 23-October 22 each year, the new moon that takes place during those 30 days will also be in Libra.

Romantically, new moons are a breath of fresh air. This is a day each month to make a wish, set intentions and get clear about what you want to manifest for your love life. In a relationship? Think of this is a heavenly "honeymoon phase" every month. Renew your commitment to your partner, or host a discussion about the "next steps" you'd like to take together. If the two of you have drifted—due to emotional friction or busy schedules or who knows what(!)—sit down together to reconnect. What would you like to create as a couple over the coming four weeks; and six months, which is the time leading up to each corresponding full moon? Vacations, renovations, supporting each other's dreams...let the ideas flow.

Searching for your soulmate? If you unleash a "Single Ladies Dance" (or send up that mating call) during a new moon, you're likely to attract some delightfully unexpected results. Take a swipe on someone new, let friends fix you up, or check out a social gathering where you might meet someone with common obsessions. Release those grudges! New moons reset your heart, turning your focus to the future after a period of dwelling. Distill the lessons of your recent missteps, but don't burn up with bitterness. Under the galvanizing beams of a new moon, you're in the clear to take a proactive step in a smarter direction.

Date planning: Go on a voyage of discovery. Try a new restaurant or fun activity. Give someone who isn't your usual "type" a chance. While you're out, start cooking up adventurous plans like vacations or collaborative projects.

First Quarter Moon (Waxing): Take Action
The first quarter moon comes about a week after each new moon. It essentially marks the halfway point be- tween the new moon and the forthcoming full moon. Since this moon is waxing (growing fuller), it brings a reminder to pick up the pace and make sure that our actions match our words. After all, what’s the point of making those new moon wishes if we don’t actually do something about them?

Start taking concrete action steps during this lunar phase. Is it time for a baecation? Research flights and hotels and decide on a location. Did you pledge to get back into the dating game after a painful breakup? Sign up for a new dating app or buy tickets to an event (and actually go!) where you might meet a sexy kindred spirit.

Move the needle...but no need to figure everything out. Since quarter moons are balancers, measured, thoughtful action is key—and haste makes waste. Just start taking some strides in the right direction.

Date Planning: Return to a favorite location for a fun follow-up date. Give an activity that you both love, like karaoke or hiking, another spin (maybe at a different venue this time). Turn a shared interest into a tradition of sorts

Full Moon: Ready, Set, Manifest!  
It’s manifestation time, baby! The full moon is the culmination point of six months of effort. During this phase, the moon is on the exact opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. That explains why it’s such a brightly lit spectacle for us to enjoy—and why the full moon is always in the opposite sign as the Sun each month. For example, the Virgo full moon always happens between February 19 and March 19, while the Sun is in its opposite sign of Pisces.

On the bright side of things, full moons are amazing phases for reaping romantic results. You may get confirmation that a simmering attraction is mutual—and off with the clothes, you go! This illuminating cycle can bring ultimate clarity about a dating situation or a relationship's next step. Be confident and make a bold move—finally! Plant a kiss on your long-term crush or propose something major, like hunting for a love nest or getting engaged. If you've been eyeing the exit ramp, a full moon can steel your courage as you break things off.

Contradictions tend to stand out in stark reality during full moons and can stir up some intense passion or head butting. Does your lover make pillow-talk promises but fail to keep them? Have you been backing up your words with action? Relationships take work, and don't "just happen naturally" forever, alas. Under the glaring klieg light of the full moon, there's no dodging the adjustments that need to be made. Open your eyes to what's truly going on, then, get to work!

Date planning: Get active and physical! There's a lot of sexy energy buzzing around and if you don't "move" it, there's a chance it could devolve into a lover's quarrel. Go dancing, play sports, compete for the gold in Bedroom Olympics. Dressing up will be fun—the more flamboyant, the better(!)—even if your clothes wind up scattered on the floor before the night is through. Surprise your date with a wild plan, like taking a ride in a private plane or having a slice of chocolate ganache cake served with an engagement ring on top!  

Last Quarter Moon (Waning): Walk Your Talk
The last quarter moon comes approximately a week after the full moon, as we are reaping and harvesting, but also winding down to the next new moon. This is a time for sorting the crops, if you will. Not every pick is a keeper, so we might be shedding some things that we thought were the bees knees a week before.

If you've fallen in love with someone's potential instead of who they actually are, you may decide to cool things off instead of eternally waiting for them to be "ready." Or maybe you've been pressuring your S.O. to indulge an activity that's not their cup of tea—and would be better enjoyed with your GF or GH. Here's your clue to back off from the sales pitches and create healthy independence in your relationship.

The good news is, without this “dead weight” in the mix, the true gems can shine. Saying goodbye to a chronic ghoster will open up a vacancy for someone consistent. Accepting that absence makes the heart grow fonder can amplify the erotic charge with your partner when you do spend time together. Yep, you’ve gotta be discerning during the last quarter moon.

And since quarter moons are all about balance, embrace the best of both worlds. Fantasy or reality? IRL or URL (unreal life)? Strike a happy medium. With a good dose of both, you can enjoy another week of reveling in the full moon’s bounty.

Date planning: The element of surprise can shake things up in a positive way during this lunar phase. One idea is for each partner to pick a night during the week, and plan a mystery date for the two of you. If you're meeting someone for the first time, don't just autopilot to the "casting couch" of your favorite bar or coffee shop. Stay in a neighborhood where you're comfortable, but meet dates at different venues and try them for the first time together. That way your home court advantage won't be so strong that it provokes nervous energy in your date. Plus, sharing a new experience is a great way to test a bond.

Balsamic Moon: Sweep and Sleep  
Feeling worn out, fed up, and pushed to the edge? Check your calendar because there might just be a balsamic moon at the wheel. One to two days before the new moon, la luna goes “balsamic,” which is the very last little sliver of waning moon before it goes dark. And like the vinegar that shares its name, this lunar phase can serve up an acidic sting. As we gear up for the fresh starts that the new moon brings (which comes right after the balsamic), we need to do a monthly inventory. What's not working for you about your current romantic status? Or, how could things be tweaked, to make them even better? 

As we wind down and complete a month-long lunar cycle, the balsamic moon reminds us to clean house. At the same time, grievances should not be aired during this cycle. You'll be keenly aware of every "crime" or infraction committed by your love interest—or everything that seems to be "missing" from your love life. The trouble is, the low light of this lunar phase make it difficult to have a clear-eyed perspective. As a result, minor issues could blow up into major battles fast.

What you can do during the balsamic moon phase, is to let go of draining obligations (even the unspoken one like, "I'll just do all of our laundry or pay all the household bills.").  If you've been caught in a bad romance, snip those toxic emotional ties—and anything else in your relationship that’s gotten more complicated than its worth. Or just go take a nap. You probably need one. The new moon will hit the reset button shortly, and your joie de vivre will return.

Date planning: Netflix and chill (with some delicious take-out)—or any sort of low-key distraction that doesn't require you to dress up, please your partner or stay up half the night.

Solar & Lunar Eclipses: Embrace Change
Eclipses happen 4-6 times a year, bringing sudden changes and turning points. If you’ve felt stuck or indecisive about your love life, an eclipse will knock you off the fence and force you to face the facts. During an eclipse, the light of the Sun or moon are blocked. This is a great metaphor for the clarity that comes when we sit in darkness and tune in to our thoughts. The introspective window an eclipse provides can speed up our ability to make the best decisions for ourselves—although, like this transit, there is a brief window for action and we'll have to move fast once we're feeling certain about next steps.

Since eclipses literally expose shadows—like the shadow of the Earth on the moon during a lunar eclipse—hidden truths and secrets may rise to the surface. But no denial allowed! Eclipses are like giant industrial vacuum cleaners. They either suck away the messes, or clean up what’s gotten dusty and leave it shiny and new. Situations that aren’t “meant to be” will be swept away without notice, leaving space for a better fit.

There are two types of eclipses—solar and lunar. Lunar eclipses arrive with full moons, when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and moon, cutting off their communication. Similarly, couples may struggle to communicate effectively during these super-intense full moons, and it's probably best to not catch each other off guard, even with a playful surprise, on these days.

A solar eclipse takes place when the new moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, shadowing the Sun. The effect is similar to an emotional power outage. You may be temporarily plunged into darkness or despair as you come to terms with behaviors or situations that are making you unhappy. Something's gotta give, and a solar eclipse can provoke the change you've been resisting! Although this can feel scary, it's likely that the shift is in your best interest.

The effects of an eclipse can usually be felt for 3-5 days before and after (some astrologers say eclipses can announce themselves a month before or after, too). Expect the unexpected, and wait for the dust to settle before you act on any eclipse-fueled impulses.