IN CRAFTING this column, I was guided by Marie Jeanne Abadie’s words, “Cyclical and constantly changing, the Moon is called 'The Soul of Life', mediator between the planes of the Spiritual (Sun) and material (Earth), reflecting back to us the light of the Sun that it has received into itself.”

I wish to honour the Moon and provide the opportunity to draw inspiration and power from her through the stories I share. The Moon symbolizes our experience, positive or negative of being mothered (i.e. nurtured, supported, protected and loved, etc.,). As a metaphor for all that is instinctive and automatic, the Moon reacts. It governs feelings, moods, internal physical rhythms, bodily functions and processes. And, it represents what comforts us and makes us feel secure.

With this column, it is my intent to provide some entertaining and practical information that can be applied in your everyday life. To that end, I will explore the lunar cycle’s four major phases; New, First Quarter, Full and Third (Last) Quarter and the signs each occurs in.

December’s first three phases occur in mutable releasing energy, continuing the theme from November’s Full Moon, and then building towards the Full Moon, five days before the end of the year, which occurs in its home sign of Cancer, a cardinal, initiating energy.

THIRD (LAST) QUARTER MOON
The Third Quarter Moon occurring December 4 at 6:54 pm MST in Virgo can be a tense time with the Sun and the Moon ninety degrees apart and expressing themselves through typically incompatible energies. It is the time in the lunar cycle to put aside the past and concentrate on the future. This phase emphasizes using your charisma and talent to resolve situations that are getting out of control and bring back a state of equilibrium to all involved.

Home & Garden - This phase supports thorough clear-outs. December 5 is the most favourable day to harvest garden produce, to weed, to prune, to destroy pests, and for soil cultivation.

Mind, Body & Health –This is the optimal time to get rid of clutter, and to rest and recharge for the hectic holiday season.

Business/Financial – Slimming down operations and bringing matters to a close are Third Quarter themes. Recommended activities are restructuring and tying up loose ends.

MOON IN VIRGO
Virgo tends to tone down the Moon, bringing shyness, practicality and an orderly manner. The Virgo Moon’s detached, self-contained nature expresses emotions in a rational, mental fashion. It invites us to ponder: How can I choose a line of work that encourages emotional attunement to details.

During the Virgo Moon keep things practical, and try not to be too critical and judgmental. The Virgo Moon’s instinctive response is cool and offhand. Its best characteristics are practical know-how and attention to detail, whereas its least attractive face reveals fastidiousness and a tendency to worry. Virgo Moon needs to be analytical, modest, perfect, and helpful. It feels cared for when it is noticed for its effectiveness, is given healthy food, is kept to a routine, and is appreciated for its skill and insight. The Virgo Moon is most comfortable in neat and clean environments where things are in their proper place, and regular order prevails.

Moon in Virgo’s Spiritual tradition belongs to an ancient healing tradition encompassing the diagnostic and healing arts. It is known as the ‘Witches Moon’ for its practice of ritual magic. Associated with the Virgo Moon are jade, the buttercup, and the cat.

The Virgo Moon’s Affirmation: ‘There are many ways to accomplish a deed. Mine is only one way, and I have much to learn from the way others handle their lives.’

Home & Garden – The Virgo Moon’s barren and moist nature does not support planting or transplanting.

Mind, Body & Health –This Moon favours focusing on health. Healthy eating, joining a health club, seeking medical advice and cuddling your pet are recommended activities. Avoid any tendency to fuss over details, to be over-critical and to follow fads. The Virgo Moon brings an increased susceptibility to headaches, irritability, and gastric or dietary upsets.

Business/Financial – The Virgo Moon is conducive to reorganization, presenting detailed accounts and practical demonstrations. Now is a wonderful time to shop for personal organizers, organic food, vitamins, cleaning materials, and a treat for your employees. Avoid missing the overall picture, making judgmental errors, and anything that is not practical. Also beware other people’s fussiness. This is an excellent time to look into health insurance.

NEW MOON
The New Moon occurring December 11th at 7:30 pm MST in Sagittarius is a time for new opportunities as the Moon aligns itself between the Earth and the Sun. Planning ahead, devising creative solutions to problems and overcoming shortages define this phase. If you allow for shifts in time and seasonal variations, you’ll have what you need.

New Moon Visualizations: I want to see the world as a happy place to live in. I want my trust in humanity to be maintained. I want to achieve my independence and feel free to follow my star. I want to expand my understanding and horizons through greater knowledge. I want to understand the secrets of the universe.

Home & Garden – If you are planning to move house, try to do so before December 25th. The best days would be the 14th/15th and 21st/22nd. The best days for planting annuals are the 12th-14th and the 16th.

Mind, Body & Health – During this productive time efforts directed to new health projects are favoured.

Business/Financial – This is a good time to initiate deals, make new contacts and sue for damages.

MOON IN SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarius symbolizes the seeker after truth. It is concerned with all manifestations of the higher mind and universal values. With optimism, personal liberty and intellectual freedom as its most evident characteristics, Sagittarius tends to restrict the Moon’s emotionality.

Bringing optimism and lightheartedness to our life, the Sagittarius Moon invites us to consider: How have I discovered that home is everywhere? And, how have I created expansive spaces through light or spatial arrangements of furniture in my home? The Sagittarius Moon’s instinctive response is open and friendly, and its best characteristics are enthusiasm and far-sightedness. Its lower expressions are irresponsibility and tactlessness.

Sagittarius Moon needs freedom, adventure, laughter, optimism, and honesty. It feels cared for when it is allowed to roam free, is acknowledged for its wisdom, and is taken to new places. The most comfortable environments for the Sagittarius Moon are ones where there is fun and learning going on, and where no limits are placed upon it.

Moon in Sagittarius’ spiritual tradition constantly seeks to expand the perimeters of knowledge. It founded the schools, the libraries, the centers of philosophy and research, and is the keeper of the community’s stories, laws, codes, and principles.

Sagittarius Moon associations are: the sapphire, the carnation and the horse.

Sagittarius Moon Affirmation: My journey through life teaches me to be more philosophical and broadens my view of the world.

Home & Garden – The Sagittarius Moon’s semi-barren and dry nature favours planting pungent vegetables and fruit (e.g. cabbage, onions, cauliflower, celery, peppers, parsley, squash, tomatoes, melons, etc.), and garden maintenance – i.e., soil cultivation and mowing.

Mind, Body & Health - The Moon in Sagittarius is a good time to think about broadening your horizons by enrolling at a college, attending a philosophy lecture, riding a horse, setting off on holidays/travels, and contacting friends abroad.. Avoid boredom, taking unnecessary risks and over-indulgence. Susceptibility to weight gain increases during the Sagittarius Moon.

Business/Financial – The Sagittarius Moon is conducive to trade, travel, lending or borrowing money, and legal matters. You won’t mind parting with money while shopping now. And if you do go, casual clothes, travel books, maps and atlases, binoculars, hiking boots, camping equipment, presents for your in-laws, relics or religious items and anything secondhand are good buys. Avoid being blind to detail, restlessness, financial irresponsibility, slap-dash work and shopping in your own locality. Beware people’s carelessness. This is a brilliant time to book a holiday flight.

FIRST QUARTER MOON
The First Quarter Moon occurring December 18 at 9:41am MST in Pisces is a time of expansion, development and growth as the Moon and Sun are again ninety degrees apart and tension is building. This is a time of fertility and abundance and reaping the benefits of work that’s been done. It emphasizes taking time out to celebrate and connect with family and loved ones.

Home & Garden - Planting is favoured, with the 19th & 20th the best days for low growing plants, the 23rd best for planting pungent vegetables, and the 24th and 25th for supporting planting annuals, leafy vegetables and pastel-coloured flowers.

Body, Mind & Health – Have you have been trying to find a lost phone number or mislaid address? If you look for them now you are more likely to have success.

Business/Finance – This is an auspicious time to inform your workforce of pay rises or bonus schemes.

MOON IN PISCES
Pisces sensitizes the Moon, making it more empathetic and more receptive to the needs of others and bringing an increase in creativity and imaginative ability. Pisces exaggerates the Moon’s expression, weakening its sense of reality and increasing the likelihood of excessive emotional outbursts, negativity and depression. Moon in Pisces is a good time to keep things lighthearted, and be creative and positive. The Pisces Moon encourages us to ask ourselves: How does my happiness hinge directly upon my ability to follow my dreams? And, how does my emotional sensitivity inform me of where I really feel at home?

Its instinctive response is gentle and sympathetic. Its best characteristics are creative talent and the ability to empathize with others, while its least attractive face displays moodiness and a tendency to play the victim. The Pisces Moon needs sensitivity, devotion, inspiration, imagination, attunement, and compassion. It feels cared for when allowed to be dreamy, appreciated for its sensitivity, understood, treated gently and protected from negativity. The Pisces Moon is most at ease in environments where it can flow into whatever is happening and still feel safe.

Moon in Pisces’ spiritual tradition understands that dreams and poetry are what keep a community healthy. It has the task of building altars, temples and mentoring the imagination of children.

Pisces Moon associations are: amethyst, mosses, and fish.

The Pisces Moon Affirmation: Listening to my inner voice will show me the way.

Home & Garden – The Pisces Moon’s fertile,moist nature makes planting low growing plants with pastel-coloured flowers, and root crops a good bet now. Planting ivy or vines is not recommended.

Body, Mind & Health – This is a superb time to go swimming, write a romantic story, compose music, and paint a watercolour scene. Avoid all impulses to fall in love with the first person you meet, to change your mind, and to feel inadequate. Problems with the feet and physical/mental sensitivity increase during the Pisces Moon. Treat yourself to a reflexology session.

Business/Financial – The Pisces Moon is conducive to drawing up financial agreements, and equipment repair. The best things to buy now include cosmetics, tapes or CDs, shoes and hosiery, a book about dreams, artist’s materials, crystal, and swimwear. Avoid looking through rose-tinted spectacles, being too easily influenced, illogical reasoning, and major purchases. Also beware unrealistic expectations.

FULL MOON
The Full Moon occurring December 26th at 8:07 am MST in Cancer encourages us to be aware of the consequences of our actions, and to avoid pitting ourselves and our energies against society, as sooner or later we will lose.

During the Full Moon phase, the Sun and the Moon are opposing one another on either side of the Earth – a kind of cosmic tug of war. This is a time of completion and fulfillment and favours sharing with others.

Full Moon Focus: Property plans and negotiations reach completion. Beware of tensions in the family.

Home & Garden – If you are building a house, this is an ideal time to lay the foundations.

Mind, Body & Health – Feelings are heightened at the Full Moon, and matters can seem overwhelming. If you want to lose weight, quit smoking, etc, then December 31st to January 2nd is an excellent time to begin a health regime that emphasizes shedding.

Business/Financial – This is a good time to carry out maintenance work, to prepare budgets, and to evaluate and assess business plans.

MOON IN CANCER
The Moon rules Cancer, thus it finds easy and powerful expression here. Cancer symbolizes the sheer tenacity of the life force and represents emotional relatedness. Moon in Cancer amplifies the Cancerian nature, inviting us to ponder: How have I made my home and my food vitally important components of my happiness?

A Cancer Moon is a good time to spend with family, to help others and to avoid depressing situations. The Cancer Moon’s instinctive response is emotional and sensitive. Its best characteristics are good intentions and a nurturing instinct, whereas its lower expressions are a tendency toward defensiveness and a severe sense of insecurity. The Cancer Moon needs the security of a happy and settled home life. It feels cared for when fed the food it loves, is babied, and is made to feel safe. Cozy and quiet environments, with familiar things around, are most comfortable for the Cancer Moon.

Moon in Cancer’s spiritual tradition considers the home to be sacred. It is completely devoted to protecting all growing things and it fosters the arts of domesticity, with a special affinity for the culinary arts.

Associated with the Cancer Moon are the moonstone, the water lily, and the crab.

The Cancer Moon Affirmation: I am not afraid of change. New situations bring experiences that will enrich my life.

Home & Garden – The Cancer Moon is very fruitful and has a moist fertile nature. It supports planting, sowing and cultivating. Seek and/or buy your new house when the Moon is in the “home” sign of Cancer.

Mind, Body & Health – This is a good time to take a walk, go swimming, rearrange your furniture, and/or plant something to enhance your feelings of well-being. Avoid any tendency to be over-clingy. The Cancer Moon brings an increased susceptibility to worry; moodiness, stomach upsets and skin problems.

Business/Financial – The Cancer Moon is conducive to signing documents and ending any unsatisfactory conditions. Now is an excellent time to shop for monthly essentials, food, kitchen equipment, presents and greeting cards, china, linen and lace, antiques, and anything white or silver. Avoid being influenced by other people’s negative moods, and being reluctant to take risks. Beware people who think the world owes them a living. This is an excellent time to look for/or buy a house.

As we usher in 2005, the Moon will be in Virgo this year. This positioning creates a cosmic climate that supports typical New Year’s resolutions focused on shedding – weight, habits, etc. Using this last cycle to wrap up 2004 issues can increase our ability to attract new opportunities into our lives in 2005.

The most joyous of holiday seasons to you all. Peace, joy, love, and light now and always!

© Yvonne Hanson, 2004

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yvonne Hanson is a freelance writer from Edmonton, Alberta Canada. In creating this column, Yvonne draws on fifteen years of astrological study and a desire to empower people. If you would like to sign up for Yvonne’s free newsletter, which details the movement of the moon more closely, please contact her by email at starfire777_7@hotmail.com.