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.

New Moon in Sagittarius - Tis the Season

The New Moon in Sagittarius occurs on Monday night, December 2, 2013 setting the tone for the upcoming month.  The dark Moon time over the weekend had Moon in intensely emotional Scorpio.  Scorpio and the dark Moon time are great for deep inner probing in order to clear out the emotional junk we all carry.

The New Moon in Sagittarius lifts us out of that emotional muck urging us on to higher things.  This is the season, as the days get shorter, that leads us into that point in time when the shift from dark to light begins, the Winter Solstice. Sagittarius brings out the philosopher in all of us.  This sign provides the push to explore the far horizon seeking meaning and purpose.  There’s a strong feeling of religious conviction and the need for justice.  If one does not take the high road, the Sagittarian ideal can become one of hypocritical self righteousness.   The energy of this New Moon is one of enthusiasm, freedom, learning and teaching.  Any and all activities that expand the mind as well as the individual’s universe receive a boost during this lunation cycle.

Mercury while still in Scorpio makes a congenial aspect to Mars in Virgo on Tuesday.  Thoughts and actions coincide with each planet giving the other a positive push. This is because Mars rules Scorpio and Mercury rules Virgo and each planet is in the sign the other rules. This is called Mutual Reception. 

Early Wednesday morning Moon moves into practical Capricorn bringing us down to earth to deal with the material world reminding us that spiritual pursuits, while uplifting, don’t do much for us when dealing with practical issues.  Moon in Capricorn deals with the real, physical, material world and requires you to do the same. Later in the evening Mercury slips out of Scorpio to join the Sun in Sagittarius.  All that inner probing and spiritual searching pours out when Mercury is in Sagittarius.  Talk flows freely and despite the practical Capricorn Moon the talk runs to the philosophical and spiritual. 

During the wee hours of Friday morning Moon enters Aquarius a place where emotion chills out as rational objectivity moves in.  Folks are friendly but in a more impersonal manner. Interest in the welfare of others prompts many a donation when Moon is traveling through Aquarius.  The urge for freedom, independence, the new and unusual surfaces now.  During the evening commute Mercury, the philosopher in Sagittarius squares off with Neptune in Pisces and the talk turns once again to the spiritual.  Be wary on the road as this aspect promotes daydreaming and meditative states.  Behind the wheel is not the ideal place for these activities. 

On Saturday afternoon Mars enters Libra.  Mars is not comfortable here as he rules the opposite sign, Aries. He’s a visitor in Venus’ domain and can’t run around in his ratty old underpants while lounging around the house.  Mars is going to remain in Libra for longer than his usual stay due to his retrograde motion which begins in March when reaching 27 degrees Libra.  He cycles all the way back to 9 degrees Libra before turning direct only moving into his home turf of Scorpio on July 26^th.  As Mars is the planet of action and energy where Libra falls in the individual’s horoscope will be the area where the process of moving forward will require some review or experience delay.

Early Sunday morning Moon enters Pisces.  Under a Pisces Moon folks feel more sympathetic towards others.  There is certain empathy that enables people to get an idea what it is like to walk in another’s shoes. Unlike the more practical, material signs of the Zodiac, Moon in Pisces senses the unseen.  Heightened awareness to the intangibles of this world surface now.  Some folks go to the church of their choice while others find their church or spiritual connection through meditation, a walk in the woods or a seat by the ocean.  Folks are softer and gentler now.  A great time to listen to music that transports.