The 1st Quarter in Cancer comes exact on Friday, Mar 27 at 12:14 pm EST
Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Cancer.
The First Quarter marks halfway between the New and Full Moon. The First and Last Quarter occur when the Moon aspects the Sun at a 90 degree angle. (Seen from above, the Moon forms a right angle in relation to an invisible line running through the Earth to the Sun, hence “square” for the name of this astrological aspect. Here the Moon has completed 1/4 of her journey around the Earth.) In this particular phase, the Sun in cardinal fire Aries will square the Moon in cardinal water sign Cancer. The Moon will rise at noon, peak at dusk and set at midnight.
This phase is a checkpoint. What aspects of our initiatives have been successful thus far? Where do we need to work harder? Nearing the Full Moon is like creeping to the high point of a rollercoaster. Soon all undertakings will be fully realized and answers to lingering questions brought to the fore. You are encouraged now to scope out any flaws in the foundation laid with the Super Solar Eclipse in Aries. Are your ventures built to last? The waxing light of the Moon symbolizes a return to total awareness. This is the best time to tweak and improve upon existing plans. At every Full Moon we manifest all New Moon intentions, so the week between the First Quarter and Full Moon (Mar 27 – Apr 4) is a very powerful time. If you have been diligent, expect to see your ideas come to fruition now.
Squares mean change. We have reached a corner and must choose a new direction. The building energy and excitement you may feel is there to inspire you. The First Quarter Moon encourages decisive action, calculated risk-taking, networking and deepened commitment to personal growth. The Moon is asking you to gather yourself. This phase falls in cardinal signs, meaning that the most attractive path now will be one that serves as a proverbial compass rose, a foundation that we will return to again and again throughout the next astrological year. Our intention is to initiate. Now that the Piscean cycle is over, let’s reflect to see which spiritual insights we can carry forward. What was a lovely idea in theory but failed to manifest smoothly in reality?
Divine Masculine challenged by the Divine Feminine
The First Quarter Moon falling in Cancer represents a conflict between the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine. I like to imagine each Moon cycle as a procession of poignantly themed challenges. Generally speaking, the Aries cycle seeks to embolden and activate. The ram is a kickstarter - it’s time to do, move, breathe, scream, climb, jump, grab, pull, push, dance. Now we make things happen rather than “let them.” Cancer the crab courageously stands in front of the ram with little pincers upraised: slow down! Remember your heart! Cancer is the mother of the zodiac, Aries her firstborn son running headfirst towards the next adventure. Like any good mother, Cancer wants to make sure we are secure and protected. Do our plans for the new year nurture the soul? In yoga this principle is called ahimsa, non-violence. We have a duty, to the Self first and foremost, to treat all beings with love and respect.
Cancer attempts now to redirect the raging fires of the ram. The crab is not satisfied with aspirations that fail to leave room for open emotional expression or proper self-care. The First Quarter will allow us to reconnect to feminine energy – without Cancer’s gentle yet potent maternal powers, it is all too easy to lose stability amidst the flames. Think of this phase as a “back to basics” approach: if we haven’t truly tapped into the full potential of our capacity for Love, how will we accomplish lofty goals in the new year? From Aries we learn to be dynamic and fearless; from Cancer we learn the importance of compassion and sensitivity. Indeed, what we really learn is that it takes incredible fortitude to keep the heart open. As you may recall, Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so she is “at home” for this phase, as we say in astrology. Planets at home are auspicious placements.
The Moon in Cancer intensifies any susceptibility we might already have to lunar energy. Expect people to be more emotional and empathic than usual. This phase is connected to the Last Quarter Moon in Aries of last July 2014. Any themes that predominated then will now resurface. It’s time to get in touch with how and where we can find strength in softness – what keeps the connection between body, heart and mind burning brightly? How do you live up to your responsibility to be kind and patient? I suggest performing a ritual that involves water: a baptism of the soul. Identify what is most important to you and then ask yourself, how can I embody this spirit, how can I become it?
If you are curious about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.
Mantra: I listen to my intuition