The First Quarter Square of the lunar cycle with the Sun at 8° Sagittarius and the Moon at 8° Pisces unfolded on November 30 at 6:36 am. This represents the “crisis of action” phase of the cycle where the seed ideas formulated at the New Moon are now clear enough to begin manifesting. The square alignment brings a sense of urgency to identify what is most important to be done and to commit to seeing it through. Unfolding concurrently with the First Quarter square is a Venus/Mercury conjunction in Sagittarius opposing retrograde Mars in Gemini. This combination of alignments indicates a tension between the desire for forceful communication and quick actions, and the need for insight, compassion, and realism.
The chart for this lunar event includes six planets in mutable signs, contributing to an increased desire for communication and information sharing. The Sagittarius style of communication tends to be bluntly honest, fiery and idealistic, and sometimes hyperbolic, pious, exaggerating or excessive. Coupled with the frustrations Mars retrograde can bring, this may cause a tendency toward argumentativeness and impatience. The Moon in Pisces correlates to increased sensitivity, which can stimulate our intuition and imagination, but can also lead to sentimentality, overwhelming feelings or intense emotions.
Neptune is the focal planet of a T-Square with the Venus/Mercury opposition to Mars, which could potentially correlate to confusion, deception or wanting to avoid painful situations. On the positive side, however, Neptune promotes sensitivity and unconditional love toward others. In some cases, it may soften the position of a person who holds a fixed position. Neptune is barely moving at 22° Pisces, the degree it will turn direct on December 3. This intensifies the tense four-planet configuration and also strengthens the Moon’s influence at this time as it is in the sign Neptune rules. Focusing on impartially observing our inner world as we participate in the outer will help us maintain our emotional equilibrium so we can flow through what needs to be done without becoming overly reactive to situations outside our control. The challenge for Pisces is to courageously show up to what needs to be handled but also recognize what is ours to handle and what is the responsibility of another.
Paradoxically, an exact trine between Mars at 19° Gemini and Saturn at 19° Aquarius, and Venus in a tight waxing sextile to Saturn, provides a sense of being grounded in our dealings with others. The best way forward out of the fog of confusion is to realistically focus on what we can do, what next step we can take that is within reach and only needs the resources at hand, especially our ability to communicate. Confusion is often brought about through misunderstanding, missing information or not sharing how we truly feel about something. Gemini and its ruler Mercury strongly activated at this time indicates the key to resolving issues is simply through engaging with others in thoughtful, candid conversation.
The Mars retrograde, nearing its half-way point, asks us to review our motivations and manner of asserting ourselves. If we are honest with ourselves, we may recognize that what is most important serves something greater than the selfish desires of our ego. When we follow the quiet inner voice of our higher Self, we experience greater inner peace and the knowingness we’re doing the right thing that will benefit ourselves as well as others.
This week ask yourself: How can I communicate in a grounded, compassionate way to clarify my intentions?
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