Moon phases and Magic:
Dark/New Moon: This when the moon is not visible from earth. It is good for cursing, chaos magic, bringing justice, ridding yourself of attackers. It is a time of reflection where you should look inside yourself to help better understand your angers and passions. Personally I have found this to be a more relaxing time. It is a time before the earth and moon energys build up once again. During this phase I have done banishings and cleansings.
Full Moon: This phase is used for most magics since it increases power. It is good for rituals that balance self and situations. Helps with artistic endeavors, workings on beauty, health, hearing, self improvement, charging, drawing down the moon, blessings, cleansings, and chakra work. It is wonderful for cleansing because of its effects on the tides and all water. Setting your crystals out during a full moon helps to cleans and charge them at the same time. During the full moon some people have problems with controling their emotions. It is theorized that this is due to the gravitational pull during the full moon. Our bodies are made of 75 % water and therefore could be effected by it but less so then the ocean. This is a time when I would do workings envolving cleansing my home and my chakras more. This helps to maintain balance during such a tense energy.
Lunar Eclipse: This phase represents and is the perfect union of the sun and moon. All magic is acceptable and more powerful at this time.
Blue Moon: This is when there is a second full moon in a month.
Workings are the same as with new/dark moon but stronger. This is perfect timing for serious workings such as banishing a powerful entity (if need be) or kicking someones behind on the astral if they have been harming you. Justice/karma spells and curses are good to do at this phase because they are stronger.
Blood Moon: Also called the hunters moon. It is named after the color it takes on. It is the full moon that follows the autumnal equinox. People can sense the change in the energy around them. It is a time for contacting our ancestors and for spiritual growth. All forms of Divination and discovery of higher self and or spirit guides are wonderful to do at this time. It is said that women that have there menses fall during the blood moon have more power at this time then others. I have never seen proof of this but thought it was interesting enough to share.
Waxing: When the moon goes from Dark/new to full. This is the time when you should work on things you wish to increase. I would personally do workings for building positivity, charms, and things to attract the right energies into my life.
Waning: This is when the moon goes from full to new/dark. It is a time for decreases and breaking ties to things that are undesired in our lives. I have used this time to do workings for quitting bad habits.
Some people count the quarters but as long as you know the changes for waxing and waning you should be able to do your workings successfully. Waning is for decreases and letting go. Waxing for Increases and gain :)