Badass Moon Goddesses
A goddess for every phase of the moon...
This week we’re talking about the phases of the moon, and identifying eight badass goddesses from different mythologies that represent the energetic character of each moon phase. Let’s go…!
New Moon—Ixtab, Mayan Goddess of Suicides
The New Moon is the dark womb of the lunar cycle; a threshold, a void, and a point of surrender. Ixtab, a Mayan goddess of the moon, is often misunderstood as simply a patroness of suicide, but her role is actually a psychopomp who guides souls across the boundary between life and death.
She is a guardian of those fragile souls whose spirits were too sensitive, too broken, for this life. She shepherds them to the other side, where they can finally be at peace and protected for all eternity.
If you think of all our fallen creatives in the fields of music, poetry, art, literature, and simply being a person with feelings, you’ll understand how important Ixtab is in the grand scheme of the afterlife.
She represents the darkness of the new moon, where things need to stay hidden so they can gestate and come to fruition in their own time.
Waxing Crescent—Chang’e, Chinese Goddess of Sacrifice
The Waxing Crescent is the moment of first light, fragile but determined. According to legend, Chang’e was a beautiful woman married to the hero archer Hou Yi. After he saved the world by shooting down nine of the ten suns in the sky, he was rewarded with an elixir of immortality.
Hou Yi didn’t want to live forever without Chang’e, so he left it in her care. One day, his apprentice tried to steal the elixir, and to keep it safe, Chang’e drank it herself. She rose into the sky and chose the Moon as her home so she could stay close to her beloved husband.
She represents the tentative light of the crescent moon, full of love and hope, but tinged with sacrifice, separation, and the longing to bridge the distance of space and time.
First Quarter—Artemis, Greek Goddess of the Hunt
The First Quarter Moon is decisive—a turning point where intention meets resistance. Artemis, the huntress, is a virgin goddess who represents self-possession, free will, protection and preservation. She is both a hunter and a protecter of wild creatures.
With her bow drawn, Artemis represents the moment when desire and skill are tested. Revered as a patroness of young girls, virgins, and mothers, she is the goddess you pray to when you need strength of character as much as physical fortitude.
The first quarter moon is a time to sharpen your skills; ask Artemis to guide your hands and steady your mind for whatever battles you must face.
Waxing Gibbous—Ix Chel, Mayan Goddess of Nature
The Waxing Gibbous is the almost-full phase of the moon; bustling, creative, overflowing with momentum. Ix Chel, the Mayan goddess of weaving, childbirth, healing, fertility, and floods, embodies the buildup of natural forces before fruition.
She represents refinement, preparation, and the final weaving of intentions before they blossom into fullness. Associated with the rainbow, but also snakes, jaguars, and rabbits, Ix Chel is a complex goddess linked to weaving, a singularly feminine craft.
The waxing gibbous phase of the moon is a time for weaving together all the loose ends in preparation for what’s next. If you’ve done your due diligence, expect blessings and rewards. Otherwise, it could all be swept away by the waters of fate.
Full Moon—Selene, Greek Goddess of the Moon
Selene is literally the embodiment of the full moon—radiant, complete, and undeniable. She represents the mythic glamour of moonlit revelation, emotional openness, and deep intuition. When she rides her silver chariot across the sky, nothing remains hidden.
When Selene fell in love with the beautiful mortal shepherd Endymion, Zeus granted him eternal sleep so that they could be together. She represents the sacred liminality of the full moon, when night is at its brightest, and sleep can be a cosmic loophole for death.
Waning Gibbous—Yemaya, Yoruba Goddess of the Ocean
The Waning Gibbous is the “integration” phase—embodying generosity, the harvest, and sharing the abundance of all that has ripened. Yemaya, mother of oceans and tides, is the nurturing force of nature in all its fertile glory.
Compassionate, protective, giving, and powerful, Yemaya is the great symbol of all that is maternal in the physical world. Her association with the oceans includes all the life that resides within the waters, and feeds her children who live on the land.
The waning gibbous moon is a time for appreciating all that you have, the blessings of nature, and the fruits of your own labors, but it cautions you to be aware that times of plenty are fleeting. Protect what you love, and take nothing for granted.
Last Quarter—Hina, Polynesian Goddess of Transformation
The Last Quarter Moon is about discernment, letting go, and refining what truly matters. Hina, who chose her own path and journeyed to the moon for peace and sovereignty, expresses the essence of this energy. She embodies self-determination and the power to step away from what no longer nourishes you.
A wise and ancient goddess, Hina is a celestial navigator and creator, associated with shaping islands and guiding humanity, teaching Māui how to snare the sun with her hair. She is a fertility goddess and protector of women’s knowledge.
The last quarter moon is a time to take stock, to relinquish that which you no longer require, and take steps to preserve what sustains you.
Waning Crescent—Isis, Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Immortality
The Waning Crescent is the closing of the lunar cycle. Isis represents wisdom, healing, and magic, which allowed her to reassemble her husband Osiris when he was murdered and dismembered by his brother, Set.
Isis is the ultimate magical powerhouse matriarch, collecting the pieces of Osiris’ body and resurrecting him through the force of eternal love. From their union was born Horus, god of the sun. She embodies feminine power, compassion, healing arts, and the divine power to transcend death itself.
The waning crescent moon is the final phase of the lunar cycle, and what better time to honor a goddess whose myth is all about life, death, rebirth, healing, and transformation?
Moon Magic
It’s a good time to think about all the powerful, wise, compassionate, badass women in your life. How will you honor them at this time as we near the end of the year? How are you acting to preserve and amplify their lessons?
More importantly, what new rituals and ceremonies will you invent and invite others to partake in to celebrate the symbolic inner landscapes of these lunar goddesses?
Share your gifts. Teach others. Learn together. Remember those who taught you, and pass along their wisdom.
The Gift of Goddesses
A few copies of my 2026 Badass Goddesses calendar are still available. Order yours in time for the holidays or give someone special the gift of badass goddesses!
Thanks for reading, everyone.
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