You’re fully addicted to your daily horoscope app. You blame Mercury retrograde when your cell phone dies or your car breaks down. But are you consulting the moon about your haircuts yet?
Sure, that question sounds a little ridiculous, but it’s no more ridiculous than rethinking that Tinder date after you find out they’re a Scorpio (no offense, Scorps). Plus, there is some logic to scheduling your salon appointment around the phases of the moon: As the science of biodynamic farming tells us, the waxing and waning of the moon affect crop growth. And as the internet tells us, humans are basically just plants with more complicated emotions. Ergo, the moon affects hair growth…right?! Maybe we should just let an actual astrologist explain it.
“The traditional ideology surrounding hair care and the moon is related primarily to the moon’s phases,” Lauren Tisza, an astrologist and psychospiritual mentor, tells Mane Addicts. “The moon travels through many degrees of illumination throughout its 28-day cycle. Depending on if the moon is waxing or waning (becoming more or less illuminated), it is said that your hair growth is affected.”
Tisza explains that when the moon is waxing or becoming full, it’s “considered astrologically ‘wise’ to cut hair, as the energy is building toward bounty and lusciousness.” But when it’s waning (the period between the full moon and the new moon), it’s not the best idea to get a cut. If you want your hair to grow back at a normal rate, that is. It’s written in the stars that as the moon disappears, so will any semblance of growth.
That’s not the only reason to avoid aligning a big chop with the full moon. “The full moon and the days leading up to it tend to be a very emotionally charged time, so you’re more likely to act on impulse,” Alice Bell, the astrologist behind British Vogue’s weekly horoscopes, tells Mane Addicts. “You should reflect rather than take immediate action because your emotions are kind of in a state of flux.” In other words: You’re probably not making the soundest decisions under a full moon, and your strands could pay the price. Instead, the stargazer suggests a snip-snip around the new moon. “New moons are for fresh starts. If you’re going to do a drastic haircut, that would be the better option,” she says. “Or, do it when the moon is waxing, in the days that follow a new moon.”
If you really want to get specific, Tisza says you can look to the “element rulership of the sign the moon is in on the day you decide to cut your hair.” Basically, the moon moves through a new astrological house (or sign) every few days, and each house has its own unique characteristics. “Water signs (Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio) are generally acknowledged as the most fertile for growth,” she explains. So if you’re scheduling a minor trim for maintenance while growing your hair out, book an appointment while the moon’s visiting a water sign.
“When the moon is in a stable earth sign, like Virgo or Capricorn, it’s better to get a cut because no details are overlooked,” Bell adds. “When it’s in a rebellious air sign like Aquarius, your hair might be more all over the place, so it’s better not to do anything drastic.” And if the moon is moving through a fire sign like Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius? Maybe cancel that salon sesh, just to be on the safe side.
Of course, the cosmos are infinite, and the moon isn’t the only celestial being that can interfere with your hair care routine. “Venus is the planet associated with beauty, so when Venus goes into retrograde, which happens roughly every one and a half years, definitely try to avoid making any major beauty changes,” Bell advises. “It’s more likely that something will go wrong and it won’t turn out how you expected.”
According to these calculations, you have, uh, three solid days a month in which to schedule an astrologically sound haircut. But before you manically rearrange your iCal, you should know that Tisza doesn’t totally believe in the whole moon-hair connection thing. Rather, she believes that each individual controls their own destiny at any given moment, no matter what the moon may say.
“Astrology is wonderfully flexible when used well, and leaves room for everyone to have their own unique experiences when it comes to the reality we partake in,” the astrologist explains. “If astrology is fun for you, then I would urge you to use it as a ‘guiding star’ in your life. But always know that at the core, you’re the one who determines your reality.” And the reality of your hair.