First Quarter Moon


Posted on March 29, 2012 by Henry Seltzer of ASTROGRAPH.COM
 
The First Quarter Moon that comes along Friday, March 30th, is a powerhouse for mainly one reason - that as the Sun and Moon come into their square aspect, they square and oppose, respectively, Pluto in Capricorn, thus bringing his energy for radical transformation into the picture once more just as Pluto's square with Uranus begins to draw closer. The First Quarter Moon in fact always represents a minor form of crisis when the rubber meets the road in terms of concepts that have arisen from the time of the New Moon and now must pass the test of real-world viability; this time even more so. Therefore this First Quarter Moon is an especially powerful juncture. The Uranus-Pluto square that astrologers have been writing about for months now will perfect on June 24th for the first of seven times throughout the decade. As of the end of this current month of March their difference from exact has narrowed to a mere 5 degrees, so that the revolutionary symbolism that they represent will kick up another notch. In fact, plans have recently been announced for further Occupy Wall Street protests in the spring in this county, not to mention developments in other hot spots around the world.

The New Moon that began this cycle last March 22nd highlighted Uranus, while the Full Moon that follows will closely aspect Neptune, so that all three outer planets are triggered in this early spring timeframe. Since Mercury and Mars are still retrograde it will be a good time to reevaluate our current arc of spiritual and evolutionary development. The outer planets were called by seminal astrologer Dane Rudhyar the "Ambassadors of the Galaxy" and in fact are just what the doctor ordered as we evolve as a culture beyond the constrictions of 20th century thinking. The sudden enlightenment represented by Uranus that can also be shocking is channeled by the other-worldly energy of Neptune into alignment with Spirit, something that has been culturally lacking. As our ideals are becoming realigned in this way along comes the energy of Pluto, the wrecking ball, utterly destroying the old to make way for the new - allowing a foundation point that that can be built upon by the emerging idea - rough as that might be to the dwellers within the old paradigm. Teamed with Uranus, and peripherally with Neptune in the early degrees of its own sign, Pluto is a force for change that is difficult to resist, or at least not for very long.

These cosmic energies apply to the surrounding collective but they apply in an even more poignant way to individuals. We all have places where we need to improve on the existing plan, and we all need that kick in the butt to get us started. These are indeed the times that try men's and women's souls, but for an ultimately good purpose. It helps to reflect upon this notion as we are contemplating the wreckage of a cherished piece of the past. We might or might not manage to rise to the occasion; no blame if we do not. We are all in some manner on the road to wisdom and our personal evolution, each on our own schedule. And if we ignore the problem, don't worry! It will get worse.