First Quarter Moon in Taurus ☽ Jan 20, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 20 at 1.03pm PDT

Aquarius Season begins Jan 19. The very next day, the sun squares the earthen moon in Taurus. At the first quarter, the moon rises at noon, peaks at dusk, and sets at midnight all over the world. The moon will stay in Taurus until late on Jan 22, then transition to Gemini for the next 60-hour round. The moon is waxing, gathering momentum for fullness. On Jan 27 the moon enters Leo for the full moon.

We’ll be feeling fresh and clear after the sturdy New Moon in Capricorn. The first quarter is when we decide what to carry forward in the new lunar cycle. Quarter phases help clarify our plans.

The first quarter moon in Taurus brings grounding and stability amidst the whirlwind of crazy Aquarian times. Taurus lives slowly and with real richness. From Taurus we learn the art of comfort. Taurus is an incredible hostess. This moon phase is all about good conversation, good food, or whatever makes you feel at home.

Aquarian influence makes us want to be social and chatty and adventurous, but the moon in Taurus keeps us low to the ground, sweet and sleepy.  If we ignore the call for rest and recovery, we may experience stress or headaches. Maybe I’m just saying that because I’m a Taurus and that’s what happens to me when I don’t have enough time to nap. All you need to know about Taurus is that we love eating and sleeping, and if we don’t have those things, we are crabby little nuggets.

At this quarter moon a couple years ago, my partner and I traveled to the private hot springs property where we used to live. The land is off-grid: no power lines, no wifi, no buzzing, no weird high-pitched noises. There is a small cabin with a wood stove. We bring only a few solar lights, so the glow remains low and relaxing. Outside is the soaking pool and tub. In the morning when the trees are powdered with snow, steam rises in a mighty column from behind the bathhouse nestled in the foothills. Deepest moss green; crystalline blue peeking through the clouds; silvery, opalescent rainbow flecks bouncing off the freshly fallen snow. We sit naked in the hot water piped straight out of the earth, breathing deeply, eyes closed. The sound of trickling water enters my spine, bubbles up my neck. Hot minerals cascade down slimy rocks into a dense patch of mint. From the tub, herbal aromas rise with the steam.

It is the sensuality of Taurus which I find most captivating, the sheer amount of pleasure we derive. A soft towel on hot skin; the squish of mud and grass on bare feet; the ache in your body after chopping wood; the smell of wood smoke between the trees; chocolate melting on your tongue; sprays of crimson and chartreuse dotting a wintry mountain.

There are two elements to this moon phase. The earth of Taurus says we need to get rooted. Yet the air of Aquarius demands that we look forward with sparkling visions for the future. Beneath the frosty ground, change rises like invisible waves of magma.

Speaking of lava, this moon phase coincides with a spicy conjunction between Mars and Uranus in Taurus. The strongest aspect to the moon herself is actually a hard square to Saturn in Aquarius – I’ll talk about that in a second. The Mars/Uranus conjunction will make the day very interesting and unpredictable. This aspect is explosive on its own, but it will be even more so with the sun, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn all in Aquarius (ruled by Uranus). Expect the unexpected on this quarter moon – which is also my advice for the New Moon in Capricorn.

As for moon square Saturn, this is a self-critical or self-deprecating influence. Saturn makes us feel like we have to censor ourselves. With the moon involved (ruling our emotions), this means we feel like we have to hide how we feel, or edit our feelings. This is a temporary influence – much more so than the Mars/Uranus conjunction – so don’t let it get to your head too much <3

In ancient Egypt, Taurus was known as Hathor, goddess of motherhood. Hathor is associated with music, turquoise, and a necklace called the menat. Wear a blue scarf or necklace to invoke Hathor’s gentle power and protect your throat (ruled by Taurus). Stay strong and rooted with Taurus Yoga. In meditation, focus on the heart chakra. To find your personal moon sign, click here.