By Len Wallick
Late last night or early this morning, depending on where you are, the Moon reached its last quarter phase. It is now on its way towards the Capricorn New Moon and solar eclipse of January 4. Mars is currently applying to form a cardinal square with Saturn tomorrow. Those aspects will be the subject of today’s blog.
 |
The last quarter of the Moon is a square aspect between the luminaries. In other words, in this phase of its orbit, Luna is at a longitudinal right angle to a line between the Earth and Sun. From this orientation it follows that the Moon would appear to be half-illuminated (on the side opposite that of the first quarter, rising in the middle of the night, and reaching its highest point in the sky at dawn.
Less evident is the fact that this phase of the Moon serves to orient us regarding our planet’s orbital motion around the Sun. If you saw the half-lit Moon just before sunrise this morning you were looking in the approximate direction of Earth’s motion at a speed of somewhat less than 65,000 miles per hour. Fortunately, Luna is also moving so it is well out of the way by the time we reach that spot.
When the Moon is in the last quarter phase, its physical orientation and dichotomous appearance from the Earth make it an appropriate time for discernment rather than decision. This is especially true when Luna is in Libra as it is now. Consider we are still under the influence of Sol’s conjunction with Pluto. Combine that with the appearance that Mars has returned strong or stronger in its application as it is in aspect. With these factors, we are fortunate that the Moon encourages contemplation and restraint. This perspective finds itself both enhanced and challenged by an Aries stellium of the centaur Pelion and two asteroids, Hebe and Amor, forming a cardinal T-square conjunct to the degree with the Sun and Moon.