The 1st Quarter in Gemini comes exact on Wednesday, Feb 25 at 12:14 pm EST
Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Gemini.
The First Quarter marks the halfway point 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 mutable water Pisces will square the Moon in mutable air sign Gemini. The Moon will rise at noon, peak at dusk and set at midnight.
Approaching checkpoint
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 New Moon in Pisces. 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 that was intended at the New Moon, so the week between the First Quarter and Full Moon (Feb 25 - March 5) is a very powerful time. If you have been diligent, expect to see your ideas come to fruition now.
Making way for the new
Squares mean change. We have reached a corner and must choose a new direction. The building energy and excitement you may feel now 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 mutable signs, meaning that the most attractive path now will be one that allows for plenty of flexibility. Our intention is to adapt and modify: during the Aquarian cycle, what new aspects of your routine/life philosophy proved to be most conducive to inner peace? What was a lovely idea in theory but failed to manifest smoothly in reality?
Dreams vs. reality
The First Quarter Moon falling in Gemini represents a conflict between our most cherished dreams and the harsh details of reality. I like to imagine each Moon cycle as a procession of poignantly themed challenges. Generally speaking, the Pisces cycle is spiritual in nature. The fishes want to gauge your comfort level with the proverbial death of all things - Pisces represents ultimate change: irreversible transformation. Are you prepared for metamorphosis, should the Universe come knocking on your door at this very moment? The Gemini twins catch the fishes now in all four hands to inspect them meticulously; the First Quarter Moon in this particular cycle is a trial run for the dreamy fish - will our hopes and plans find traction in the real world, or are they better left in the depths of REM sleep?
Gemini attempts now to contain and categorize the free-flowing essence of Pisces. The twins are not satisfied with blank spaces or unanswered questions. The First Quarter will allow us to get organized - without Gemini’s insistence on order, it is all too easy to get swept away in the mighty current of wishful thinking. Think of this phase as a “back to basics” approach: if we haven’t figured out the logistics, how will we accomplish lofty spiritual goals? From Pisces we learn to be romantic, optimistic, faithful and gentle; from Gemini we learn the importance of practicality, intellectualism and precision. At this time our desire to get everything in shipshape speaks to the heart while the responsibility of remaining open and flexible will feel more like a duty.
When the Moon transits an air sign, social and mental energy run high. Expect people to be more chatty and animated than usual. I like to visualize Gemini as an arcade: stimuli for days, an endless turbine of noise and color and movement. So if you feel like going out and mingling with the masses, this is perfectly natural. It’s time to get in touch with how and where we can better focus on the smaller details of day-to-day life - what keeps you running at top speed? How do you live up to your responsibility to be punctual, tidy and efficient? I suggest getting everything in writing: plans, aspirations, ideals, beliefs, methods. Identify what is most important to you and then ask yourself: how can I embody this in mind, body and 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: surfacing for air