First Quarter Moon in Cancer ☽ Mar 24, 2018

Saturday, Mar 24 at 8.35am PST

The Sun in Aries squares the moon in Cancer. The moon will rise at noon, peak at dusk and set at midnight. Quarter moons prompt definitive change. They represent a turning point or moment of truth. This year, the quarter moon coincides with a march in Washington called “March For Our Lives,” a rally meant to bring awareness to gun control in the wake of more unspeakable violence here in the US.

This quarter moon promotes emotional expression (Cancer) as a form of direct action (Aries). It represents conflict/resolution between what is done and what is felt. Aries emboldens the crab with raw drive and movement. From Aries we learn to be fearless, and from Cancer we learn compassion. Let’s be like Aries and put our ambitions in motion.

Cancer is our mother, Aries her firstborn son. The quarter moon in Cancer courageously infuses the ram’s active fire with medicine straight from the heart. Cancer is ruled by the moon, so she is “at home” for this phase, and as such we should expect to feel more emotional than usual.

Those in positions of power who claim to care – will they truly listen, or will we witness more crude attempts at humility and understanding? Cancer rejects such insincerity. Consider all of the messages floating into your synapses. Your actions and responses are crucial now as we are in a primordial period where thoughts and actions have real staying power. Choose love, choose safety, choose what is good and fair, even if this means upsetting your neighbor.

Aries is a creature of fire – reckless and temperamental one moment, spirited and excitable the next. He has a way of shutting Cancer down, transforming her with just a few flippant words from an empowered goddess to a vulnerable child. But even crabs can climb mountains, and if you have something to say, go ahead and say it. Cancer is your resilient ally. Allow the crab to reveal herself as a bright compass. Confining Cancer to the stereotype of a helpless female means fastening ourselves to a vivid lie of what it means to be sensitive.

Cancer’s origin myth also really needs revamping. The story is that Cancer the crab, known in ancient Greece as Karkinos, was sent to distract Hercules while he was in battle. Hercules smashed the crab with his foot and kept fighting, end of story.

Accepting such stories normalizes oppression. We are too beautiful for that. Let us honor Cancer, patron of crystal children, intuits, mystics, mermaids and water-loving light-workers. New version: Karkinos swam toward Hercules undetected, then leapt out of the water and pinced his nether regions. As he yelped and demanded her release, the crab calmly lectured the young warrior on the virtues of peace and non-violence. She extolled the values of cooperation and communication as first steps, and spoke of violence as a last resort.

If you’re more of a watery, emotional type, stand up for yourself, listen to your heart. Fiery, active humans – slow down. If you charge ahead blindly with your own agenda, you will undoubtedly encounter obstacles, and this is not the fault of others.

A fateful mood soaks the sky. Fortify your energetic walls, hold your head high, sieve through the disingenuous, surrender to the flow. Now rear your horns and ascend!

This phase is going to be difficult with the moon directly opposite Mars, who just happens to be the ruler of Aries. Hard angles to Mars bring unabashed life and passion, but there is also high potential for conflict. Beware temperamental, egotistical or emotionally reactive behavior. We will feel unusually restless and impatient. But it’s ok, earthlings, just feed your heart with cats, baking and Cancer Yoga. To find your personal moon sign, click here.

Mantra:  I feel