>[!planet] Curricula Vitae >**Position:** 1st from the Earth >**Type**: Rocky >**Synodic Period:** n/a >**Rate of transit:** 12º/day >**Rules:** Cancer >**Exalted:** Taurus >**Detriment:** Capricorn >**Fall:** Scorpio >**Body:** Breasts, digestive system ↑ [[Astrology#Planets|Planets]] ## Overview The moon is the second planet after [[the Sun]] and represents the [[Body]], emotions, and felt experience. It rules the night sect, forming sextiles between the signs it rules and exalts. At its point of exaltation at 3º [[Taurus]], ruled by [[Venus]] (another feminine sign), the Moon begins its cycle of illumination from the Sun's point of exaltation, thus beginning its rise to full expression. An initiatory phase evocative of the cardinal mode of its house of rulership in Cancer. The moon acted as a timekeeping device in primitive societies and early civilizations. Prior to the wide acceptance of the Gregorian calendar (a solar calendar), many cultures kept a lunisolar calendar tracking lunations between solstices. This led to the variety of full moon names collected by various farmer's almanacs. However, the moon has an elliptical orbit around the Earth, which creates fluctuations in the length of lunar phases. A new→full moon cycle takes between 13d 22.5h to 15d 14.5h. The concept of a month is based on lunar phases, but these are no longer consistent with each seasonal moon. Mythologically, the moon preceded the sun in terms of its importance and influence on life and culture. The changing phases and relationship to behavior informed the evolution of the triple goddess, of whom Aphrodite, Artemis, and Hecate are manifestations. In terms of gender, the moon is receptive and only finds strength in feminine signs; [[Cancer]], [[Virgo]], [[Libra]], [[Pisces]], and [[Taurus]]. ## Medicine The moon is an important mediator between celestial and terrestrial events. It receives the Sun’s vitality and directs it toward earth, softening and transmuting it in the process. This energy represents the shifting fluidity of *felt* experience, emotions, and instinct. It illuminates the tangible impressions derived from matter moving through cycles of birth and rebirth. Just as plants transform light into tissue and become food for animals, the moon transforms solar awareness into instinctive and emotional intelligence. The moon represents the shifting character of life experience over the course of the month and year. It reminds us of both paucity and abundance, providing the opportunity to reflect on how life might feel with or without certain people or privileges. [Happiness hides](https://overcast.fm/+AA1WhM7ZPPo/38:24) within these ebbs and flows. Annually the Moon moves between Cancer, its domicile, to its detriment in [[Capricorn]]. In Cancer she is full and abundant, actively nourishing the life that has emerged throughout spring toward maturity. In Capricorn her work becomes passive and humble, nurturing something small and invisible, unable to embrace life’s full lushness. #### Phases Working with lunar energy requires attention to moon phases, each representing a particular opportunity within a cycle of birth and death. This cycle occurs across the microcosm of the lunar month (29.5 days) and the macrocosm of the lunar year (354.4 days). A lunar month develops short-term awareness across all 12 dimensions of the individual as the new moon begins in one sign and waxes into full in another. A lunar year provides long-term integration of an intention as the moon waxes to full in the sign it began in 6 months prior. The moon's phases are dictated by its aspect to the Sun as it revolves around the Earth. Research [suggests](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7840136/) human sleep is synchronized with the moon cycle. ##### New The New Moon occurs during the first 48 hours following the exact time of conjunction with the Sun. It presents a subtle opportunity for setting intentions to direct one’s life in the days and month ahead. It is characterized by enthusiasm and an instinct for initiation. Following impulses is a good use of the new moon. ##### Crescent A Crescent Moon occurs between 45º and 90º aspect to the Sun. There is a slight slowing down of enthusiasm during this period, as a desire to produce tangible results emerges. The focus shifts to gaining more information and input from others. ##### First Quarter Between 90º and 125º is the First Quarter moon. Establishing personal security within the growth process is emphasized during this phase, as obstacles may emerge. Attending to one's gut instincts is the best course of action. ##### Gibbous The Gibbous Moon occurs from 125º to 180º. Distractions from the outside begin to intrude into the instinctual drive. Analysis is favored, allowing feelings to well up into the [[cognition|mind]] and be integrated into a mental model. It is a good time for organizing and synthesizing emotional awareness with practical short-term plans. ##### Full During the Full Moon, between 180º and -125º aspect, the subjective veil lifts and a momentary opportunity is available to see oneself and others objectively. The full moon illuminates the motivations and emotional tenor of others free from the distractions of complex [[psychology]]. It is a time for noticing and acknowledging without taking action. The full moon expresses the complementary relationship between instinct and intuition as each luminary faces the other in opposite signs. It is a time when the [[Creative Tension]] building from the square of the first quarter moon bursts forth to illuminate how the needs of the house and sign the moon is transiting can be met with the tools and awareness provided by the house and sign of the sun's transit. ##### Disseminating The Disseminating Moon, -125º to -90º, is a time of transmutation, where prior elements cohere into a new form or narrative. This is a moment of felt realization. The mental awareness synthesized as the moon waxed now becomes integrated into the physical self. One has a clear view of one's needs and the posture of significant others in relation to said needs. This is the moment of fruition, where the intention either transforms into reality or falters. Appealing to a higher form of [[Wisdom]] is recommended to ensure the transformation succeeds. ##### Last Quarter A Last Quarter Moon occurs between -90º and -45º aspect. It is a time of reaping, harvesting the fruit of one's intention, and distributing it according to the [[Wisdom]] of the moment. It is a reflective period marked by a feeling of completion and taking responsibility by actively tying up loose ends of projects already underway. ##### Balsamic The last phase, the Balsamic Moon, happens between -45º and 0º aspect. It is a time to rest and reevaluate the transformative process, and begin to regenerate inner sources of strength. It is not a time to initiate anything new. These few days are best passed spending time with friends and examining how the experience of the past 2-3 weeks fit into the larger context of one's life. It is a valuable opportunity to see life objectively and becoming aware of what is important. The Balsamic phase includes the "Old Moon," the brief period where the moon is not visible but not yet at full conjunction. This creates a liminal space where the experiences of the previous month are incorporated into the opportunities for the coming month. #### Void of Course A **void of course** moon is the period between a major aspect and the transition into the next sign. When we describe a moon phase we are defining an aspect to the Sun. However, we observe and talk about phases 15° on either side of the exact aspect. So a first quarter is really happening between 75° and 105° to the sun. This leaves a liminal period of 15° of arc for the moon to move through between phases. During this period it may aspect a planet and so take on those qualities, but the energy of planetary aspects is limited to 2° on either side. Void of course occurs during this period *AND* while it moves into the sign in which the next phase will occur. It **begins** when the Moon in transit finishes it’s last major aspect to the sun or planet, before it changes from one sign of the Zodiac to the next.  It ends when the Moon enters the next sign. - **Example:** If a new moon occurs at 2° Libra, but transiting 29° Virgo, it is ~3° from the sun, well into its conjunction. But it is still in Virgo, third decan where it is incorporating and distilling the qualities picked up from balsamic phase. So the manner in which it will manifest Libra qualities is unclear. It is between scenes to use the theater metaphor. As it enters Libra its qualities will be emphasized and the void of course will end. ## Thoughts If we think about the moon representing the [[body]] and emotions, there is an interesting allegory that can drawn from its physical orientation in the sky. The moon orbits in a tidal lock, meaning its orbital period and rotation period are roughly equivalent, such that it always presents the same face to the Earth's surface. This makes an interesting metaphor in that we can only visually perceive the same type of information, combined with the phasing of the moon, which means that information is only available in to us in its entirety for a short period during a full moon. However, during a new moon, the far side is illuminated. So this face we cannot see is gathering information as well. What does this represent? The information that is collected unconsciously by the body? Instinct? When working with the moon, consider how the personal dimensions of the house are affecting [[the Self]], before setting intentions that correspond to the sign qualities. The moon works in 6 and 12 month cycles, with the new moon as the point on intention and the full moon as the point of comprehension, the latter portion of its phasing integrating the new information into the schema. How might the schema model play in? What represents assimilation and what represents accommodation? While the phrase "dark side of the moon" has no scientific merit, as its far side is illuminated during a new moon, it does have its own form of darkness. The lunar poles host areas referred to as [permanently shadowed regions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanently_shadowed_crater#List) (PSRs), where sunlight never reaches. These areas contain ice that provide a [window](https://www.quantamagazine.org/secrets-of-the-moons-permanent-shadows-are-coming-to-light-20220428/) into the history of planetary formation. Measurements of lunar ice suggest cometary origin, which suggests that impacts are necessary to introduce water and thus the formation of life. While the moon is often attributed a positive, nurturing quality, PSRs provide a metaphor for the [insight that emerges from darkness](https://www.lionsroar.com/awakening-fueled-by-rage/) and the creative nature of destruction. %% ## Notes