The change of the visible surface of the Moon from the Earth gives rise to the so-called lunar phases : one of them is known as the last quarter. These modifications are produced by the change in position of the satellite with respect to our planet and the Sun.
The lunar phases follow one another, creating a cycle known as a lunation. In this frame, the visible surface of the Moon increases until the full Moon appears (the entire face of the Moon facing the Earth is illuminated ). Then, said surface begins to gradually reduce.
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The last quarter is a phase in which the surface of the Moon visible from our planet is reduced. In this phase, the Moon is visible during the early morning and morning. The surface that can be observed passes, in the period, from 65% to 35%.
In the last quarter phase, the lunar surface visible from Earth shrinks.
The lunation
The lunar cycle begins with the new Moon, when no more than 2% of the satellite ‘s surface can be seen. Then come the crescent Moon, the crescent Moon and the crescent gibbous Moon until arriving at the full Moon, the moment of greatest visibility from Earth. In all these phases, the visible surface is increasing.
After the full Moon, the waning gibbous Moon, the last quarter and the concave waning Moon follow each other. Finally the new Moon reappears and the lunation begins once more.
With the last quarter, those in the northern hemisphere can see the left side of the Moon, while those in the southern hemisphere can see the right side.
It is often said that the last quarter phase is favorable for gardening.
Curiosities of the last quarter
The influence of the lunar phases in the life of the human being is considerable, and many people plan various aspects of their day to day based on this phenomenon. To explain some of the many ways in which our natural satellite can affect us, we will go to the Caribbean in mid-October.
It is said, for example, that the last quarter phase is the ideal time for the development of bonsai, trees and plants that are grown in trays controlling their size so that they are very small. If we want it to grow with a good density of leaves, during this phase of the moon we must cut the shoots or the buds of the new leaves and stop their growth on the first day of the last quarter.
Gardening itself benefits during the last quarter, which is why many recommend dedicating these days to mulching, pruning, and repotting for best results.
Although it is believed that during the last quarter the plants do not grow much but that the soil “rests”, so to speak, it can be a favorable stage for the healing of certain trees and plants that are sick, and for this it is necessary to provide them with all possible nutrients.
Influence on insects
Other curiosities of the waning quarter moon in the spring of the southern hemisphere is that its light can serve to regulate the activity of various species of insects: depending on each one, this can affect them favorably or unfavorably, depending on whether they need total darkness or clarity to grow and develop. In the case of the cruciferous worm, for example, the lack of light limits its growth.
People who are engaged in agriculture are recommended to take advantage of the last quarter to plow the land and remove the weeds, so that it is ready for the new harvest. Regarding the influence of the moon on people’s attitude, it is said that during this phase our predisposition to housework increases.
