First Quarter Moon April 11, 2011 at 21 Cancer

THIS WEEK'S MOON PHASE: Monday April 11, 2011 at 8:05 AM.
First Quarter Moon at 21 Cancer 16 is an important moon phase. It occurs nine months after the solar eclipse from last July 11, 2010.

In the upper right corner of the above chart are the dates and zodiac positions of each member of four related Moon phases that form a group called a "Moon Family." A Moon Family is special because each of the four related Moon phases share a lineage with this weeks' First Quarter Moon. This Moon Family began at a New Moon - Solar Eclipse nine months ago. Notice all four Moon phases occur near the same zodiacal degree and are separated by a nine-month interval. A Moon family is a remarkable timing tool that links the dates of your story-lines in a pattern that develops over a two-and-a-quarter-year period. I have named the pattern the "Lunar Gestation Cycle" that links together a Moon Family. If you look back around the dates in this Moon Family you may find topics that are related to your current personal events.

What is the Meaning of a First Quarter Moon?

At a First Quarter Moon, there is a great burst of energy and growth. It is an active and courageous time with sharp and strong challenges. There is a lot of forward motion and drive toward progress. Often problems are present. The crisis that occurs at this time is likely to be a credit for the future, as even a painful experience can send you into a positive leap forward. Conflict between males and females are one of the traits of Moon square Sun. Most often, events happen right on the day of Quarter Moons.

The kinds of events that have a real First Quarter Moon quality go beyond the seed stage and on to the next level of activity. This is where one becomes actively involved with matters that had their beginnings nine months ago. There could be an air of ambition and enthusiasm in whatever you are doing. You are becoming enlightened and moving at an energetic, forward pace. It is a time of coming around the corner but not a time to cut corners. A particularly strong sense of purpose is evident with a First Quarter Moon that is related to a Solar Eclipse nine months prior. Things “take off.” Ideas that were only dreams back at the Solar Eclipse (or New Moon) are now developing a life of their own and pressing you to make them a reality. The light of the First Quarter Moon is still growing and suggests there are potentials that need more research and direction is still a question.

First Quarter Moon
The First Quarter Moon is a “turning point.” The Sun and Moon have grown beyond a place of oneness and into separate sets of experience. There are differences at the point of the first square, and this can be a time of clash and stress. Breaking through the ground the way a seedling must is no small feat because it must fight its way through the soil to reach the light of the Sun. This is an ambitious time. This is the first square represented by the Cancer portion of the zodiac. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and matters of a cyclical nature and is associated with the recurring cycles of the Moon.

The Headlines Tell Us the Meaning of the First Quarter Moon

People with the Sun in Aries and the Moon in Cancer people move quietly within their own groups.
In the New York Times this morning (April 11, 2011) there are two such stories on the front page. One story of Katie Couric, a Capricorn born on January 7, 1957, at the end of her five year contract with CBS. “They never let her learn the secret handshake there,” said one former NBC colleague. Ms Couric describes a chilly reception from some of the staff members.

Another top story on the front page of the New York Times features a Close-knit Group of GOP Freshmen Resists Blending In
You may be experiencing this in your life. Maybe you are left out of the loop and feel you must take action to get back in. Perhaps you will simply be an observer of behavior and it's not important for you to be inside. Groups that are closed are brought out into the open with the prodding of the Aries Sun. With Libra on the opposing wing, the question of fairness emerges. with Capricorn opposing Cancer, the question of career advancement is evident. People will keep an eye on closed groups and do what they can to infiltrate for various reasons. Some of which are simply busy bodies. Envy vs. need are examined.
A Cardinal Sign Moon Family

New Moon Solar Eclipse - July 11, 2010 - 19°Cancer 23
First Quarter Moon - Apr 11, 2011 - 21 Cancer 16
Full Moon - Jan 9, 2012 - 18°Cancer 25
Last Quarter Moon - Oct 8, 2012 15 Cancer 26


Try making your own projections with the dates in this Moon Family. Think about your current situation and project into the future with the dates found in this table. Once you realize your story is part of the "bigger picture" you may relate to each phase in the Moon Family as it carries your storyline along a path of a logical evolution. Expect related topics, either personal or public to resurface on the dates shown in the future. By following the symbolism of the four Moon phases as the evolution of the various stages of your story, you develop greater insights to the timing and meaning of the events in your life.

As the phases form at nine month intervals, watch your storyline emerge. There might be a new event or new beginning at the New Moon stage. Nine months later there is a progressive and enthusiastic growth stage of this new beginning near the time of the first quarter Moon. At this stage you may lack a clear direction as the topic is just beginning to take form. You need to make choices and selections such as when you apply for permits, licenses or perhaps travel tickets.
A Full Moon allows your storyline to bloom or come to a type of completion. This is a full awareness period with the pressures that accompany deadlines, full disclosure, case presentations, weddings and the like.

In another nine months a related last quarter Moon is filled with. At that time watch for the pay-off or reward for your efforts at the stage which brings matters to a close by the time that this Moon Family's Last Quarter Moon occurs. This is the pay up or get paid phase. At this time you will collect the productive pieces from your efforts. At the Last Quarter stage, your narrative has experiences that began two and a quarter years ago and you now are collecting anything of value to seed your future. It can be a period when you are motivated to clear out or let go of things that are no longer useful. At this stage people from the past may return as well as older matters, wanted or not, you once thought to be finished. You may return to places where you had once traveled. It may become clear that very little is gone forever, even if it's only a memory that keeps it alive.

The zodiac sign will often influence the type of event. Very briefly, a Moon phase in the sign of Aries or Libra; you may find events related greatly to the initiation of individual needs or important relationships.
A Taurus or Scorpio might produce the influence for money matters.
A Gemini or Sagittarius Moon phase would produce an influence for travel and education.
A Cancer or Capricorn Moon phase brings about topics of family and career.
A Leo or Aquarius Moon phase brings about topics of the performer or audience; the actions or direction related to ones creations with Leo; the impact on the audience or society when in Aquarius.
A Virgo or Pisces Moon sign bring issues of labor and sacrifice; health and mental health; service and spiritual development.

Cardinal Signs are Action Times

Moon Phases in cardinal signs; Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, are action Moons. Activity is initiated, and there is a considerable amount of hope and motion in the air. Plans are being fired into action, ideas move quickly off the drawing board into action. These are enterprising, fast-moving times, and they will push those who drag their heels.

With Moon Phases in Aries and Libra, the focus is on relationship versus individuality. Business mergers, marriages, and divorces are high on the agenda. For those who are slow to make long-term commitments, the Aries/Libra Moon Phase will help you along. On the other hand, it could facilitate an end of a hopeless relationship or filing for divorce. Legal matters are also high on the list, especially with Moon Phases in Libra.

When the Moon Phases are in Cancer and Capricorn, the topics are family versus career. Parents and authority figures are most frequently talked about. Family gatherings of significant size can occur with Moon Phases in Cancer or Capricorn. Real estate matters and moving and changing jobs are also hot topics with Moon Phases in Cancer and Capricorn. Matters of caretaking and nurturing, both of one’s aging parents or one’s children, are often the focus. Confidence levels of the individual are spoken of more at Cancer/Capricorn Moon Phases. An interesting historic event on a Cancer Moon phase was the first landing on the Moon.

Fixed Signs Are Cosmic Anchors

With the Moon Phases in fixed signs; Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, the tone is complex with embedded issues, not easily answered or solved. It is time to take care of business. Heavy life issues, major core process and survival skills are high on the agenda during these times. Stubborn problems are prevalent. Moon Phases in fixed signs can be the most serious of all the Moon Phases.

When the Moon Phases are in Taurus and Scorpio, the topic is usually money. Taurus rules money and Scorpio rules other peoples’ money - making money is the number one topic when the Moon Phase are in these signs. Matters around tradition and property disputes are evident, as are often found with estate settlements. Topics included are mortgages, investments, bounced checks, and the opening and closing of accounts of all sorts. The subjects of pregnancy, birth, death, great gains or losses also come with the Moon Phases in Taurus and Scorpio.

Even with the Moon in Leo and Aquarius, there are deliberate intentions concerning creative pursuits, entertainment, romance, and vacations. Children are a top priority. You are more likely to have parties instead of just talking about them. These can also be serious business signs. Leo Moons are times of delegated authority and money matters, as well. Speculation and money from parents and real estate are activated with Leo Moon Phases. With the Aquarius Moon Phases, partners or banks are engaged in speculation, along with concerns of money matters from business operations. This could also be a time for a greater focus on group activities. Aquarius Moons want to implement and innovate, to modernize and renovate. Individual needs are secondary to the good of all. This is not that different when gathering with friends. You do what the group likes to do.


Changeable Signs Keep Things Moving with Mutable Energy

Moon Phases in mutable signs; Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, are changeable times. Musical chairs come to mind with the Moon Phases in mutable signs. People are not where you expect them to be, or they seem to be everywhere at once. The need for chatter makes people more communicative, but the information exchanged should be checked for accuracy, since storytelling and gossip run high in these signs. With Moon Phases in mutable signs, information is in various stages of development, from thinking, writing, and discussing, to calling and decision making. People are more mobile and flexible, and they tend to visit others more freely. It is a social time.

Gemini and Sagittarius are Moon Phases of the greatest amount of travel energy. Travel agents are busier than usual and often people who never venture out take trips. Vehicles could be a topic, not only as a means of transportation, but also in terms of buying vehicles. It is a time for learning something new and expanding one’s awareness, or just exchanging stories. The use of computers to access the “information highway” is an example of the expansion of mutable energy.

During Virgo Moon phases, the focus is on a specific task, or on people at work. People become more detail-oriented and conscious of schedules. Household routines become the focus. Health maintenance and appointments at the doctor’s office are more likely. Services for others involving some level of sacrifice is common at these times. With a Pisces Moon phase, issues surrounding addictions and struggles with indulgences are often topics. You may be motivated to take on a spiritual practice or share an experience of enlightenment. There have been some of the strangest and unfortunate news events when eclipses have occurred in Pisces.