Last Quarter Moon: What Works?

the open door

Last Quarter Moon in Virgo
Thursday, December 6, 2012

At the Last Quarter, the Moon and Sun square each other, a challenge of information and decision. We're turning a corner here, moving from the illumination and fireworks of the Full Moon toward the quiet darkness of the New. As we approach the sharp corner of this Sun–Moon square, what are we needing to see?

The Sun continues his journey through philosophically adventurous Sagittarius. The Moon will be squaring from carefully anxious Virgo.

Sagittarius can feel held back by Virgo's nit-picky attention to detail and endless need for reassurance. A little Virgoan carefulness can keep Sagittarius from stepping off a cliff. Where are you in this balance between adventure and planning?

At first glance, the support is clearly on the side of taking action. The Moon makes an exact (and I mean exact) trine to Mars in Capricorn at the Last Quarter, which means the Sun and Mars are exactly semisextile.

Mars is the action planet, and Capricorn says, point me at the goal and let's move that mountain. And yet, Capricorn is nothing if not organized, the sign of planning your work and working your plan. The message here is, take action with a plan, not in spite of one.

And look ... Vesta, goddess of home and hearth, is opposite the Sun and square the Moon, offering a T-square that balances the safety and honor of home against the strong pull of the open road. Once again, we see the both/and.

So, this can be a corny idea. Remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

Nick Portokalos: Don't let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you will become.
Toula Portokalos: Nick, that's beautiful.
Nick Portokalos: Yeah, that dear Abby really knows what she's talking about.

In spite of the humor, there's truth there, and Toula hears it. Sagittarius and Virgo are, after all, mutable signs––they don't need to hit us over the head.

Mars in Capricorn, now, he might hit us over the head, so maybe part of the message of this Last Quarter Moon is to find the balance––between adventure and safety, planning and spontaneity, close to home and far away, planning and doing––and then take the next step.