Waxing and Waning

Waxing and waning refer to the phases of growth and decline of the moon's visible surface. Waxing occurs after a new moon, when more of the moon becomes illuminated each night, leading up to a full moon. Waning happens after a full moon, as the illuminated portion decreases each night until it’s new again. These phases are part of the moon's natural cycle, taking about 29.5 days. The terms are often used metaphorically to describe increasing or decreasing intensities or quantities in various contexts.