The 1st Quarter in Virgo comes exact on Monday, May 25 at 1:19 pm EST
Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Virgo.
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 Gemini will square the moon in mutable earth Virgo. 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 New Moon in Taurus. 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. What was a lovely idea in theory but failed to manifest smoothly in reality? At every full moon we manifest all new moon intentions, so the week between the first quarter and full moon (May 25 – June 2) 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.
Mind versus body
The First Quarter Moon in Virgo represents a conflict between mind and body. I like to imagine each moon cycle as a procession of poignantly themed challenges. Generally speaking, the Gemini cycle seeks to empower the intellect. So here we are at the first stop along the Gemini path: a mystical encounter with the earthy virgin of the zodiac realm. In some ways, Virgo (number 6 in the zodiac) represents a more evolved version of Gemini (number 3). Virgo is associated with work, health, daily routines and details. Let’s harness Virgo power to better understand our mind’s capacity for knowledge and creativity.
Gemini is the thinker of the zodiac, and Virgo his dutiful mother, quietly and persistently patching the tears found in the rippling cosmic fabric of externality. What can Virgo teach us in order to help the twins get out of the mind and back to the hands which work and mend, back to the raw landscape of reality? Yes, both signs have a habit of dwelling, nitpicking and generally getting lost in the mind’s labyrinth. And yet Virgo exercises a ruthless practicality that the twins often lack. Even when she falls into states of neuroticism or over-worrying, the balanced virgin inevitably returns to the surface, again and again.
Divine earth energy
The First Quarter in Virgo reconnects us to divine earth energy, something we are deeply familiar with after a seemingly long and arduous spin through Taurus. However, this transit is markedly more fluid - indeed, it is mercurial. Both Gemini and Virgo are ruled by the planet Mercury. The purpose of this first quarter moon is to examine (Mercury) our communication and mental processes (Gemini) to see where we can improve in work and health-related sectors of life (Virgo). Some examples: quality of relationships with co-workers; general communication in the workplace; personal feelings/mindset towards exercise and nutrition.
Mercurial types such as Geminis and Virgos have unmistakable presence. Perhaps this is the key to the First Quarter in Virgo - cultivating presence. Resist the urge to sink below, as do the twins; stay behind your eyes, carefully and systemically observing the world around you. This phase is connected to the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini of September 2014. Any themes that predominated then will now resurface. At this time the pull towards work, health and daily routine speaks to our intuition while the occasional need to wander/roam/dillydally speaks to the ego. I suggest performing a ritual that involves soil or twisting yoga poses to generate new blood flow in the intestines, ruled by Virgo. Namaste.
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 am disciplined