First Quarter Moon
“Pointing the Way” photo by Lyn Dalebout
For some of you, the dreams have been wild and informative this past week, right? That trend will continue during this Mercury retrograde cycle. Chaotic yet message-filled dreams have asserted their way into my sleep every night for a week. In one dream, I was gifted a visitation by the Kingfisher, the bird associated with the regal Jupiter, on the very night of the Sun/Jupiter trine. Wondrous imagery for an astrologer like me, and I paid attention. With Jupiter in Leo aligned with the North Node through the first half of 2016, we can all expect abundance, new paths and possibilities, greater peace, new alliances and love coming our way. These same gifts are all associated with the sacred medicine of Kingfisher.
This week, Mercury retrograde returns to fiery Sagittarius, creating an even more restless and fervent mind-field. Best to drink calming teas and meditate before you go to sleep. Instruct your mind to be quiet, or it might keep you up all night in endless exhausting mind loops, unable to stop obsessive thinking. Alternatively, commit to staying up all night and harness this immense field of inspiration. Bring more consciousness to the choices you are making, or not making.
This week, the word ‘lollygag’ has seized my attention. Lollygag means “to spend time doing things that are not serious or useful, to fool around and waste time”. Hmmmmm. That doesn’t sound so bad. Leo is often the astrological sign associated with playing simply for the joy of playing, and isn’t that often the way great art emerges?
I am currently lollygagging quite a bit in Sedona, Arizona. I knew I needed a respite from my many Wyoming winters. This is fun: when I searched the word, here’s one of the quotes that came up: “he sends her to Arizona every January to lollygag in the sun”. I take this as confirmation I am on the right track, making my dream come true. I encourage you to find non-destructive ways to lollygag, so as to invite surprise, delight and fresh perspective into your world.
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Here’s a list of the First Quarter Moon characteristics compliments of my friend/sidereal colleague Nick Anthony Fiorenza ~ www.lunarplanner.com
“The First Quarter Moon of each lunar cycle draws an external stimulus to initiate action as we move from the inspirational quarter of the lunar cycle into the action quarter. Now is the time to drop all hesitation and take the steps to move forth on what you were inspired about…. it is time to now participate in trust and knowing. Trust in the process. Demonstrate this trust in physical action and you will be supported. This time is stressful or traumatic only if action is ignored. Simply, this phase is a time to work.”
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Note: I write my posts according to the Lunar cycles, posting on the New, First Quarter, Full and Third Quarter Moons. If you work with and within the natural flow of time and supportive cosmic energy, your life can flow with more ease and grace. I base my interpretations and predictions on the true sidereal astronomical alignments. You can read about my unique way of interpreting astrology at this link: earthwordskyword.com/astrology-readings/astrological-readings/
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Sat January 16
First Quarter Moon: Sun in Capricorn square Moon in Aries: This moment in our monthly SolLunar cycle always marks a turning point in terms of taking some kind of action, making a decision, in regards to what’s currently on your plate. The 90-degree square of Moon to Sun takes hold of us after noon today, so plan on getting a second wind in the latter part of the day. Make the morning hours for rest and lollygagging as the Moon departs Pisces, then feel fired up for evening events.
Sun January 17
Venus in Scorpio square Jupiter in Leo: Our planet of love, Venus, transits the star of Lesath, the stinger of the Scorpion. Conversations can be very direct, even stinging in their honesty. When Venus and Jupiter make a tense square, you can use the tension to express fervent desire for intimacy and passion. This aspect can also manifest as temporary spats, possibly over financial issues.
Also note, the next two days promise to be exceptionally inspiring days. Head to bed early so you are ready to take on the world with the renewed bursts of creativity tomorrow.
Mon January 18
Mars in Libra trine Neptune in Aquarius: This relatively rare and very positive alignment of action-oriented Mars to imaginative Neptune makes for a 2-3 day portal of creative downloads coming your way if you make time to receive the information. This aspect also spawns supportive collaborations to bring about a healthier world, like global peace meditations. If you follow your passion ~ Mars ~ and reach out to community ~ Aquarius, you will encounter and make new friends.
Moon in Aries trine Jupiter in Leo: This fleeting influence today can bring a burst of energy and confidence in relationship to all your tasks. It’s also about making a commitment to ensure play and occasional lollygagging are central to your life, whether that’s throwing the ball for your dog, or protecting zones of joy for your kids as they come of age in these challenging times.
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius sextile Chiron in Aquarius: As is the theme all month long, helpful alliances are being formed, strategized and organized during this entire Mercury retrograde cycle. This aspect might seal the deal or bring key news that helps you make a decision soon.
Tue January 19
Sun/Pallas Athene conjunction in Capricorn: Once a year, these two planetary energies fuse in a conjunction and spawn a wealth of new ideas, collaborative strategies, inventions of the future. It is a very creative portal available to all of us, so use it to design anything you desire: a meal, a home, a vision board, a budget, your life as an artist.
Venus enters Sagittarius: Our planetary ruler of love and art and all things beautiful leaves the depth and mystery of Scorpio and enters Sagittarius for the coming weeks, igniting desires of the heart that might involve a new study or a sudden desire for travel.
Wed January 20
Moon in Taurus opposite Saturn in Scorpio: This aspect takes place just after midnight but the effects might be felt upon awakening. It’s always a bit serious, intense, when Saturn aspects the emotional Moon, like a bit of an energy hangover from the last two days. This aspect advises us to face the reality of life, and is good for paying bills, making peace with your limitations or setting limits.
Thu January 21
Grand Trine in Air: Moon in Gemini/Neptune in Aquarius/Mars and Juno in Libra: This is wonderful sky news today. This uplifting communicative ease-filled trine makes for a busy social day. Moon in Gemini is always curious to explore new ideas. Neptune in Aquarius is known for seeing the better angels in everyone. And the almost exact Mars/Juno conjunction in Libra is about to launch a plethora of new partnerships and collaborations in your life, if you desire to work in concert and community with others.
Venus in Sagittarius sextile Ceres in Aquarius: Excellent aspect to go shopping or moving the body with friends, research a travel or educational adventure. Or you might want to take a couple hours and do a thorough cleaning and reorganizing of your home. Make it a team effort if possible.
Fri January 22
Mercury retrograde conjunct Pluto in Sagittarius: As if our mind-field hasn’t experienced enough intensity, obsession, probing or paranoia this past week. Now it gets more fierce as these two planets align, bringing well-deserved clarity of thought, or amping up the volume on the above challenges. There is an explosiveness to this alignment in regards to vehicles, appliances, communication networks. Even though Mercury is still retrograde till January 25, today might bring the realizations and clarity. This aspect is a gift to all who can find a way to channel their obsessions into focused creativity and enhances mental willfulness and determination to complete the tasks at hand.
