First Quarter Moon: Crisis Management

The Tiger's Leap ... are we ready? or not?

First Quarter Moon in Aries
January 18, 2013

Tomorrow evening brings the First Quarter Moon, the fiesty square between Sun and Moon when challenge is in the air. Our commitment to our New Moon intentions is tested––by outside events or from within.

The First Quarter square always presents a challenge, and this First Quarter, arriving Friday evening (EST) has it in spades.

The Moon's in fiery Aries, wanting to shoot first and ask questions later, leap into unseen nets, and forge ahead into the swamp without map or compass. The Sun's in pragmatic Capricorn, standing stock still, rule book in hand, saying with heavy-handed authority, "You want to do what, son?"

Not the best mix, especially when both are in the anaretic degree: the 29th and final degree of their signs that concentrates all the energy of that particular gestalt into a single point of focus before releasing into the next sign of the zodiac.

So, the Moon is very Aries, passionate and impulsive. The Sun is very Capricorn, structured and traditional. Mercury is tightly conjunct the Sun, adding great strength of mind to the Capricornian stance––we will be able to see every possible objection to why our ideas won't work.

The strongest aspect to the First Quarter Moon is from Neptune in the first degree of Pisces, which adds to the challenge. Neptune's in the early degrees of her own sign (Neptune feels more ocean goddess than guy with a trident to me), and so makes out-of-sign aspects to the Sun and Moon in the last degree of their signs: An out-of-sign sextile to the Moon, and semisextile to the Sun and Mercury.

This Neptunian energy seems likely to add confusion and fog. The Moon, on fire to act, will feel inspired by dreamy visions that might be no more than elusive will-o-the-wisps. The Sun and Mercury might sense deep oceanic currents, making them more adamant in holding their ground without a clear view of the way ahead.

The tension in this particular First Quarter Moon might feel unbearable, and could break out in impulsive actions or authoritarian responses––something along these lines could show up in the news, for example. In our own lives, the pressure might show up in areas of our New Moon wishes and/or wherever this First Quarter touches our charts.

Who's right? Do we trust our gut and leap into action? Or do we wait for more information?

That question can't be answered by anyone but you. You know your history: If you've had problems with leaping too soon in the past, listening to Capricornian caution could be a really good idea. If you tend to wait too long and miss the opportune moment, maybe this is the time to go with the Moon and dive in.

This is a time when your connections with your own inner compass and intuitive guidance could prove invaluable. All those recommendations to practice listening to your true inner voice, make friends with the muses, and learn to follow your true path––this is a time when we'll see the value of practice.

Remember we're in the cycle of the New Moon in Capricorn, the one about manifesting our dreams in physical reality. Our decisions now are likely to have real-world consequences. Look back to your New Moon wishes as touchstones: Does the action you feel impelled to make right now, this instant, feel in line with those wishes? Is there an inner resonance? Look for the inner "ah ha!"