Everyone notices the Full Moon. It’s the big, round, glowing sphere in the sky over our heads for a few days a month. The New Moon? Can’t see it, but it’s usually the time astrologers recommend for seeding our intentions and there are many columns about it. But the Quarter Moon? Who? While it’s not as glamorous as the Full Moon, or as mystical and special as the New Moon, it does play an important part in the lunation cycle and, by correspondence, in our personal cycles for growth and evolution. So what is the quarter moon and why should you care? The quarter moon, astronomically, is the time during the month where the Moon is at a right angle, 90 degrees, from the Sun. When the distance between the Sun and Moon is 0 degrees it’s the New Moon- they’re both in the same spot. When the distance between them is 180 degrees it’s the Full Moon- the sun is directly across from the moon and we see the light reflected off of it. The quarter moon is when the moon is halfway between new and full. So, when the Sun is just setting and dipping below the horizon the Moon will be overhead (since the distance between the horizon and directly overhead is 90 degrees) Got it? Good. Now, what does this mean astrologically or metaphysically? The meaning is derived from their relationship to one another- one of 90 degrees, or what in the astrology “biz” we call “square,” or, more accurately, “in a square aspect to one another.” Since the Moon is moving away from the Sun we say that it is separating. A separating square in astrology is referred to as a “crisis in action.” The word crisis doesn’t necessarily mean a dramatic situation in this case (although that’s what I might need in order to take action). The word crisis comes from: c.1425, from Gk. krisis “turning point in a disease” (used as such by Hippocrates and Galen), lit. “judgment,” from krinein “to separate, decide, judge,” from PIE base *krei- “to sieve, discriminate, distinguish” [reference] A crisis simply mean a turning point- a situation where a decision must be made. It sounds more dramatic than it really is, and I think in our common usage of the word it has lost some of its objectivity. So a crisis in action simply means that it’s time to actually choose to do something. To act. The New Moon challenges us to set our intention and plant the seeds that will potentially blossom at the Full Moon. But without taking real action, physically doing something, then nothing will get done and the full moon will yield nothing. The quarter moon says that it’s time to engage- dont’ just sit there- do something! So, since the quarter moons tend to get so little attention in our traditional sun sign culture I thought I’d do my first quarter moon column. This phase within the cycle is a critical phase. This phase relates to Cancer and the fourth house: action must be taken to nurture, feed, and protect your intentions. This angle of the chart is also very sensitive and translates into physical action. This is when the idea starts to become real. The January Quarter Moon occurs on Tuesday January 15th, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. in Miami, FL. This puts the Capricorn Sun in the 8th house and the Aries Moon in the 11th house. Get out into your various social circles and meet people. Being a leader in your particular social cause can open up many doors that will help you accomplish the intentions you set at the New Moon on January 8th (remember those?). The Moon in Aries is comfortable taking action. A person with the Moon in Aries rarely relaxes. She finds activity- whether doing yard work, group sports, or shopping- a way to feel connected, secure, and safe. Aries is a cardinal sign, meaning that it is the “first,” just as the cardinal season, or the first season, is March 21- the start of Aries/springtime. Cardinal signs are all about action! Cardinal energy can initiate. Cardinal signs start things, just as March 21 starts spring and a new cycle of growth. From January 15 through the 22nd we should all be engaging and taking some kind of action to move our plans forward. If you’re familiar with the Getting Things Done phenomena then do your “next action.” There are two important things to remember about January 15 as well. First, the moon is Void of Course from about 10:30 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. EST. Not the best time to start an activity. Try to get things started before 10:30 p.m. Secondly, Mercury stations Retrograde on January 28th. If your next actions involve signing contracts, drawing up plans, or making important decisions then get them done before the 28th. Synchronistically the next day, January 29th, is the Last Quarter Moon- the last major phase marker before February’s New Moon and the start of a new cycle. So, starting on Monday morning roll up your sleeves, boot up the computer, get on the phone, write it, mail it, pay it, post it, sign it, edit it, draft it, save it, and do it. These next two weeks are critical for moving plans forward before Mercury retrograde on January 28 (through February 20). Put feelings and distractions aside and begin. Don’t pressure yourself to get everything done before the 28th; this will only distract you. With the Sun in Capricorn it’s about Focus. What one thing do you really want to move forward, take root, and build? Be aware of the decision points during your day so you keeping taking actions that will move you closer to your goals. Stay tuned for more on the Last Quarter Moon as the month progresses!