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!"
    

Rising Moon Reflections

A Rising Moon

January 14, 2014
Moon in Aquarius 
... moving into Pisces
New Moon 
... moving into Crescent

My journey in this Capricorn New Moon cycle includes looking at my Rising Moon blog to assess what I'm doing and how well, and what directions I'd like to explore.

I first posted under a Capricorn Moon in May 2010. I began with brief daily posts about where the Moon was, moved into posting when the Moon changed signs, and now link my posts to the points in the lunar cycle.

Each approach taught me about the Moon and about patterns in astrology, and I hope was helpful to you.

The next change, already in the works, is linking the Rising Moon blog with an integrated website. I have other ideas for writing and formats, and I know there are things I've offered in the past (like the Full Moon journey recordings) some of you would like to see again.

Today, I invite you to share your thoughts on the Rising Moon blog.

Is what I write here helpful to you? If it is, could you tell me how? What would you like to see more of? What do you especially like?

Are there ways you can imagine Rising Moon being better for you? Is there anything that gets in the way?

I know this writing reaches readers in different ways––some of you visit the blog directly, some are notified through Facebook, some receive the blog via email. Are there other delivery routes that would work better for you?

As I write (very early in the morning here!), the Moon is reaching the last degrees of cerebral and visionary Aquarius before plunging into the emotional dreams of Pisces––a good time for different kinds of perspective-taking and reflection.

I invite you to post comments here at the blog, on the Rising Moon Facebook page (which you're also invited to Like), or via email (threecauldrons at gmail dot com). I look forward to your ideas!

My heartfelt thanks to all my readers. Each of you brings the unique and irreplaceable gift of yourself that is reflected in your birth chart and expressed in your lives.
    

Crescent Moon: The Power of the Mother

Earth and Water in Costa Rica ... Pacific dawn

Crescent Moon
January 14, 2013

Tomorrow, as midnight approaches, we reach the Crescent Moon, the semisquare between the Sun and Moon marking the emergence of whatever we wished for with Friday's powerfully grounded New Moon.

It's not too late to make wishes! Today's Aquarius Moon is a far-sighted visionary, whose just-past conjunction with action-planet Mars want to do something now.

I'm in Costa Rica at the beautiful Blue Spirit resort, and lucky enough to have made my wishes at the Pacific Ocean this morning.

Howler monkeys woke me up at 5 am, and I let them call me up and out to the ocean, where I wrote my intentions in the wet sand and watched them merge with the waves. I don't have this kind of chance every month, and each time, I find a way to make wishes that aligns with the energy of the Moon and where my life is at that point.

Find your best way to let the universe know what you're hoping for––then let the energies help you reach your goals. Stay fluid and open-ended, because the universe is more creative and imaginative than we are, and we don't want to hem her in.

The challenge of the coming Crescent Moon continues the theme of groundedness and practicality finding balance with visionary change.

The Sun and Mercury are conjunct in pragmatic Capricorn, semisquare the Moon and Chiron in visionary Pisces. This is where we come to grips the steps we need to take, to bring our dreams into reality.

The Moon is tightly trining Saturn in Scorpio, the magician who knows how to do exactly that. Between Mercury and Saturn, sextiling them both, are Pluto and Venus together in Capricorn. More magical, more transformation, more power.

Pluto–Venus and Saturn are each inconjunct Ceres, a reminder that everything manifests for us here on Earth. Ceres is the goddess of growth and abundance, who asks for respect and proper boundaries. We can't get what we want by taking what isn't ours––not without consequences, anyway.

This is a very yin Crescent Moon, lots of Earth and Water. There is plenty of power here too, a continuing of the strong feminine power we saw in the New Moon. Never underestimate the power of a mother.

Uranus in Aries sparks quick change and masculine Fire in his square to Pluto and Venus. Still, the overall feeling tone of this Crescent Moon is slow, steady and reflective. There is deep insight here, and relentless power where we know for sure what we're moving toward.

Feel the power; take it slowly; enjoy the journey.