The Week Ahead- First Quarter Moon – and Muddling Mercury Retrograde

Sunday, February 02, 2014 the Moon is Void in Pisces from 11:34 AM EST until 11:55 PM EST when Moon enters Aries.  Void Moon in Pisces is a great time to kick back and let things gel within us.  Moon in Pisces enhances our psychic impressions.  On the down side Pisces Moon encourages us to escape from reality.  Some do this through meditation and prayer, while others do it by bellying up to the bar for a few shots and beers.  Remember that the hangover is wicked payback. As for the Super Bowl,  Void Moons always promise that things do not turn out as expected.

By Monday morning with Moon firmly in Aries we are ready for action and action is what the Aries Moon calls for.  This is an initiatory Moon, we want to get started and get going. The drawback here is action is predicated on impulse and reason is thrown out the window as we neglect to think things through. Moon goes Void at 6:14 PM EST on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning at 4:46 AM EST Moon moves into stable, earthy Taurus.  If you want to start something that will grow and last start it now while waxing Moon is in Taurus.  Taurus is fertile, and waxing Moon encourages growth.  Beware though, Taurus Moon has a fixedness that will make it hard to get rid of what you started.  So make sure that it is what you want.   Folks get stubborn and dig their heels in under this Moon.

Thursday is the big day this week as the First Quarter Moon occurs at 2:32 PM EST with Moon in Taurus squaring, 90 degrees from Sun in Aquarius.  Quarter Moons shake things up.  Often, more than the Full Moons, the crazies come out.  Any square aspect between planets or the lights, as the Sun and Moon are referred to, brings action.  Things happen under Quarter Moons.

To add weight to this particular phase, Mercury in Pisces stations, or stops, in the sky and turns in retrograde motion.  Retrograde Mercury favors the introverted, those activities that focus on the inner landscape of the human condition.  Meditation, reflection and contemplation are favored while Mercury is retrograde, especially while it is in Pisces.  The energy of Pisces favors the contemplative. This can also bring about confused communication, messages gone astray and delays in travel. 

Whenever Mercury stations whether going direct or retrograde the mercurial energy is strong.  So information is often not reliable or confusing during those times.  Amanda Knox accused of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher made confusing statements at the time of her arrest.  At the time of the murder Mercury was stationing preparing to move in direct motion.  Amanda Knox has retrograde Mercury in her natal chart that opposes her natal Neptune.  This aspect is one of confusion.  She’s not clear in her thinking. Questions and answers may not have been understood.  The public may never know what really happened because of misunderstanding and the muddling up of the facts.

For the rest of us during a Mercury retrograde period it pays not to make decisions, sign contracts and prepare for disruptions in plans.  Decisions made now are often reversed after Mercury goes direct.  Information is not available while Mercury is retrograde.  This information pops up after Mercury moves in direct motion. It pays to check and doubled check on appointments, travel plans and gossip that surfaces now.

Moon ends the week in Gemini and remains there throughout the weekend until early Monday morning.  Gemini Moon is a restless Moon. People are talkative, adaptable and willing to exchange ideas and information.  Keep in mind the retrograde Mercury.  There is little danger of being overly emotional while Moon travels through Gemini as rationalization rules the day.