The lunar calendar is a calendar set to the phases of the moon. The lunar phases result from the angle at which we see the part of the Moon illuminated by the Sun from Earth.
In short, it is the state of the moon seen from Earth!
The moon continues to fascinate and guide human activities. Its real or supposed influence is important for many people and weighs on natural phenomena. As every year, we offer you some explanations of “celestial mechanics”. Plus a 2025 lunar calendar available in PDF, to help you plan your activities in harmony with the cycles of nature.
Download the 2025 lunar calendar for free | design Les Marées
A unique and exclusive presentation.
Designed in A3 format, print it to display it at home! We have added the dates of the 2025 high tides to our graphic presentation.
PDF of wishes + image of the calendar
lunar-calendar-2025-design-les-marees-brand
The moon in 2025
After a year with 13 moons in 2024, return to normal in 2025:
- 12 full moons
- 2 total lunar eclipses: during the full moon of 03/14 and during the full moon of 09/07. The one of 03/14 clearly visible on the Breton peninsula.
- 2 super full moons: 11/5 and 12/5
Understanding the lunar calendar: the phases of the moon
During the lunar cycle, the moon seen from Earth changes appearance, it goes through a series of “phases”.
This is the orbital journey of the moon divided into four main phases:
- New moon: when the moon is placed between the sun and the Earth, we no longer see it. Its illuminated face is turned towards the sun and therefore invisible from Earth.
New moon = Sun – Moon – Earth alignment
Continuing to move on its orbit, we begin to see a part of it that gradually lights up, it is the crescent moon. - First quarter : then continuing on its orbit, we end up seeing the right half illuminated.
- Full moon : the Earth is between the sun and the moon. The entire visible face is illuminated.
Full moon = Sun – Earth – Moon alignment - Last quarter : the orbital journey continues, only the left half is illuminated.
Celestial mechanics is not so simple!
Can you follow ?
The moon is the natural satellite of the earth and it orbits around it.
At the same time the earth moves around the sun.
The moon follows an inclined elliptical trajectory.
The complexity of this celestial mechanics is influenced by the combined gravitational forces of the earth and the sun.
In addition the moon rotates on itself. This is why we always see the same face of the moon from the earth.
A lunar month or “lunation” corresponds to the 29.5 days that the moon takes to complete its lunar cycle (29 days 12 hours and 44 minutes). Time for the moon to return to the same position in relation to the sun and the earth.
The moon, the main driver of the tides
The impact of the phases of the moon is notable on the tides. The phenomenon of the tides is the most visible and spectacular manifestation of the influence of the moon on earth. It is the gravitational force of the moon that deforms the earth and attracts the ocean masses, thus creating the incessant ebb and flow of the tides.
The tidal effect on the oceans is undeniable. These beats are felt even in the great depths.
The force of attraction of the moon is 4 times stronger than that of the sun.
- the first rhythm of the tides: daily this force is at its maximum twice a day: when the moon passes the Zenith and its opposite, the Nadir. The masses of water are then attracted and the sea level rises: 2 times a day, it is therefore high tide or high tide.
At the Zenith it is the force of attraction of the moon itself that acts; at the Nadir, it is the center of gravity of the Moon-Earth assembly ! - the second rhythm of the tides: over a longer period of time, this mechanism causes higher and lower tides, accentuated during new and full moons (the sun amplifies the attraction of the moon during the alignment of the stars). This knowledge is crucial for navigation or fishing.
The high tides 2025 included in the lunar calendar
The high tides are positioned at the times of the new moon or the full moon when the 3 stars are aligned.
By SHOM convention, in order to be able to speak of high tides, the tide coefficient must be equal to or greater than 100.
Since our main interest is the tides, we add the high tides to our lunar calendar, which is a unique and innovative approach.
Dates of high tides source SHOM for the port of Brest, valid for the entire west coast of France, for England, Spain and Portugal on the Atlantic side.
The impact of the moon on earth
Beyond its impact on the tides, the moon influences the cycles of nature, agricultural cycles
There are many examples of its influence on living things :
- the ideal times for sowing and harvesting, based on centuries of agricultural traditions. Gardeners take this into account because the moon has an influence on the earth and plants.
- popular wisdom recommends certain activities according to the lunar phase.
- the lunar attraction would also disrupt the Earth’s magnetic field and atmospheric pressure.
- marine organisms would have a lunar biological clock.
- in addition, the moon carries many cultural and spiritual beliefs. It would have the power to prevent us from sleeping, to grow hair and nails, to stimulate fertility, to synchronize the menstrual cycle or to trigger attacks of dementia or furious aggressiveness.
- it would increase the number of births or the attendance of emergency rooms in alignment of the stars.
- but there is no scientific evidence for these correlations.
- should we talk about its role in encouraging the misdeeds of werewolves, vampires and other witches?
The lunar calendar is more than just a tool for measuring time. It is a companion that guides those who seek to live in synchrony with nature. It can enrich your gardening activities, your fishing trips or simply your understanding of the natural rhythms that govern our environment. Each lunar phase offers opportunities and particularities. Download our 2025 calendar, included in PDF, and
Let the moon guide you through the seasons !!!
Our Best-Seller product, the Tidal Calendar, is also a lunar calendar and a calendar, quite simply.
The Tidal Calendar offers an innovative concept for presenting tide predictions that we print in large format.
It is an ideal educational tool for teaching the little ones about tides because it is visual.
This poster is a decorative tool to integrate into your interior, while remaining this essential tool on the coast.
It exists for the entire French west coast from Hendaye to Dunkirk and some areas in Europe as indicated in our area guide.
The cherry on the cake is that you can personalize your Tide Calendar online by choosing your title.
Online viewing on the Les Marées website.
