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.

A Week of Change- Winter Solstice – Retrograde and Direct Motion

The week begins with Moon in Gemini.  This Moon is perfect for multi-tasking as Gemini is the best juggler in the Zodiac.   On Tuesday morning the 17^th at 4:28 AM EST, Moon reaches fullness with Moon in Gemini and Sun in Sagittarius.  This is the yakkety-yak Full Moon.  The Full Moon is the last aspect the Moon makes before changing signs, becoming void of course.  Void in Gemini is a time to be wary of allowing your mouth to run away with you.  You may say things that you really shouldn’t say. 

That very same day, Uranus, the original shock and awe guy, stations, or stops and changes direction moving in the direct mode.  Coming during the Full Moon period heed that old cliché, “expect the unexpected.” 

Moon slides home to Cancer on Tuesday as well.  Emotions move to the head of the class and folks are more sensitive and need to be nurtured or to do the nurturing thing. We react in an emotional manner to all of life’s ups and downs.  Comfort food calls under a Cancer Moon and eating for the wrong reasons can quickly become an issue during this time.  All in all, Tuesday is a shifty changy day.  

But it ain’t over yet.  On Friday afternoon Moon moves into Leo. A fire sign, Leo Moon brings out the drama queen in all of us.  We want love, romance and appreciation under this Moon.  Leo Moon heightens the need for fun things and generosity to others.  Attributes that are certainly suitable to the season.

But the real biggy of the week is the Winter Solstice on Saturday, December 21, @ 12:11 PM EST.  This is when the Sun enters the cardinal sign of Capricorn. The Sun is at its most extreme southern declination and it is the longest night of the year. After this day the days begin to get longer.  Throughout history this has been a time of celebration.  This solstice day has Venus changing direction from direct to retrograde.  Venus rules love and money.  It points to what we desire and to what we consider important or value.  With Venus retrograde issues in these areas may be put on hold and/or be reevaluated.

The Horoscope for the Winter Solstice provides a picture of what the winter season will bring.  This horoscope for this Solstice has Mars in Libra opposing Uranus in Aries and squaring Pluto in Capricorn.  This is called a t-square and the aspects of a t-square are not aspects of ease.  They are aspects of agitation. Mars is about war but he is in Venus’ sign of peace.  Uranus adores the shakeup and is ready to rock and roll.  Pluto is the great destroyer but not without the prospect of something new and better to replace what is gone.  This is transformation time.  Jupiter in Cancer is in the mix as well and this can be a benevolent influence.  But that is not always the case.  Jupiter for sure will bring a “lot of” but a lot of what is the big question.  Saturn in the Sign of Scorpio mixes it up with Jupiter providing the brakes to any headlong dash. Saturn in Scorpio highlights debt and interest rates.  Saturn warns us to be cautious about running up the credit card. Take heed else Saturn will come back and remind you when the bill arrives.

All in all it is a week of change and new direction.  Keep your feet on the ground and remember to breath.

First Quarter Moon - Interesting and Active Week Ahead

This Week starts off with the First Quarter Moon at 10:12 AM EST.  Quarter Moons occur when the Moon and Sun are at 90 degree angles from one another. This is called a square in the language of astrological aspects.  This one is the opening square and like all squares it is an aspect of action. This action could be something as simple as paying a bill. It doesn’t have to be dramatic as the Moon rules our daily life and the Sun brings us the flavor of the month.  The Moon’s aspects can trigger some major action if there are other configurations present that aspect the natal horoscope. 

This First Quarter Moon has the Sun in Sagittarius and the Moon in Pisces.  Both of these signs have a lot to do with the spiritual side of life, the search for truths and the activation of the higher mind.  At the moment of exactness there is a lovely grand trine between Moon in Pisces, Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Scorpio.  A trine is an aspect of ease when two planets are 120 degrees apart.  A grand trine occurs when these two planets trine a third creating a pattern that looks like a triangle.  This grand trine is in the Water signs which indicates a lot of emotion and a lot of intuition.  Saturn in the mix brings a certain degree of practicality and assists in grounding the flights into the ethereal that a Moon in Pisces/Jupiter in Cancer aspect can instigate.

On Tuesday morning Moon leaves the soft light of Pisces behind entering aggressive Aires where physical action becomes the keyword.  Be wary of impulsive actions and remember to look before you leap. Think before you open your mouth.  Especially around noon time when Mercury in Sagittarius, notorious for putting foot in mouth, forms a trine with anything goes Uranus.  Shock and awe are some apt words for this combination.  Mercury rules all kinds of transportation, communication, and the media. Youth and the public school system fall under Mercury’s purview.  I would be careful on the road and while behind the wheel curb that impulse. Uranus rules electricity, air flight, and any activity that likes to upset the status quo. This aspect may kick off a big news cycle.

On Thursday afternoon Moon slips into the more sedate Taurus.  Taurus is an earth sign and while the Moon is here we are comfortable with “stuff” we can see, feel and touch, none of that mystical crap for Moon in Taurus. Folks tend to get a bit stubborn under this Moon.  Resistance to change calls to mind the phrase “bullheaded”, so keep in mind that Taurus is the sign of the Bull. There is a need for security and material possessions while Moon is here.  In the evening Jupiter makes a trine to Saturn.  This is part of the 20 year rumba these two engage in.  In the year 2000 they were together in the sky in Taurus. Two planets sharing the same degree is called a conjunction.  This joins the energies of the two and is a strong aspect. The next time they get together like that will be in December of 2020. When they aspect one another during the course of their 20 year dance there is usually some societal shift or action going on.  Jupiter’s energy is one of exuberant enthusiasm while Saturn tends to be more conservative and restrictive.  A trine creates a cooperation between the energies.  Saturn tones down any excessive expansiveness of Jupiter while Jupiter prods Saturn into letting go of some outworn traditions that no longer serve. With Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn in Scorpio the water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces resonate most with this energy while the other Cardinal signs of Aries, Libra, and Capricorn along with the Fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius will feel the rumble as well. 

This combination is of great help if you have some huge task to perform that requires stamina, focus and organizational skills.  It can also help to maintain the balance between work and play.  There is a need for both in this world and while all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, all play and no work makes Jack a good time Charley.

Moon doesn’t shift gears until the wee hours of Sunday when the Air signs, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius get a big break when Moon enters busy Gemini.  Folks are talkative, busy and curious under this Moon.  Moon is gearing up to oppose the Sun at the Full Mon on Tuesday.  Stay tuned, more to come.

Monday Again! Venus in Cancer – Mercury Direct – Last Quarter Moon

The week starts off with Moon in “get up and go” Aries. Folks are enthusiastic, ambitious and energetic. Not a bad way to begin the Monday morning grind. Be wary of impulsive actions; try to think things through before you start something new. People can be temperamental under Aries Moon and flare-ups and arguments often spark and burn before flaming out.

On Tuesday Venus the planet of love, money and relationships moves from talkative Gemini into emotional Cancer.  Venus in Cancer becomes the nurturer.  She’ll bring you a cup of tea, wipe your brow and offer a shoulder to cry on.  Watch out for emotional outburst with moody Venus in Cancer.

Mercury moves into direct motion early Wednesday morning.  All the communication snafus, missed appointments, and crossed wires come to an end as projects on hold move forward.  New information surfaces and new ideas blossom as we begin to understand what our friends, colleagues and relatives really meant.  Clarity arrives. 

Moon moves into Taurus shortly after Mercury’s change in direction.  Taurus Moon kicks aside the impulsiveness of Aries and settles into a routine.  Caution is the name of the game under Taurus Moon.  Change is not a word in this Moon’s vocabulary, maintaining the status quo is the primary focus. Folks get stubborn under this Moon as they dig their heels in from a sense of insecurity.  We identify with our “stuff” under this Moon and fear we don’t have enough.  Emotions can run high now as Taurus enhances the Luna attributes.

Thursday the Last Quarter Moon arrives as we enter fully into the winding down process.  We assimilate and prepare for the upcoming New Moon.  This is the time to incorporate and let go.  Take what is needed and shed what is useless. Make ready for the rebirthing process that comes with the next New Moon.

This Last Quarter Moon has Venus in Cancer forming a sweet little aspect with Neptune in Pisces. On the high level this can bring relationships of a spiritual nature.  Taking the low road can bring relationships that emphasize escapism whether through seeing the other through rose colored glasses or getting together for a round of drinks in order to flee from reality.

The work week ends with Moon in Gemini. Under this Moon making a decision presents a problem.  Dualistic Gemini sees all sides of every issue. Something as simple as choosing a restaurant or a movie becomes a major production. This is a good time for the intellectual, puzzles and mental challenges as under this Moon folks are curious, restless and looking for change.

Moon moves fast through the sky and throughout this speedy passage through the Zodiac Moon touches all planets. It rules the ups and downs of daily life.  Transits from the outer planets to an individual’s horoscope often get triggered by the swift moving Moon. When that happens life’s ups and downs can get a bit steeper. A consultation with an astrologer can prepare you for these bumps in the road.