Lunar Stations

Contemplating the Sun and the Moon as they move across the sky is undoubtedly the oldest form of astronomical observation. However, despite the fact that the main celestial body, the source of heat and light for humans, is the Sun, ancient astronomers and astrologers focused primarily on the Moon. And this is understandable. After all, the Sun does not change its shape and hardly alters its size; it always remains a dazzling disc that prevents seeing almost any celestial landmarks against its background. The Moon is a different matter. Night after night, it waxes in light, going through all its phases from a thin crescent to a full disc, and then it begins to wane until it completely disappears in the sunlight near the new moon.