“Freed from the shell, the sprouting plant decides its future by sinking its moisture-seeking rootlets down into the earth. Spreading them out, it stakes out its territory and wholeheartedly climbs toward the air and the sky, affirming, “Here I will Be.” The Lunar Cycles ~ Philip Levine
Let’s Review
The First Quarter Moon – Taking Action Toward the Future
At the New Moon, a conception occurred – at the Crescent, the new life quickened in the womb. If you successfully overcome your self-doubt, you commit to gathering information and resources as you plan for the action of the First Quarter phase – where you’ll announce the upcoming birth to others.
The First Quarter phase represents one of the more critical phases of the cycle. You’ve reached a turning point, and you can feel squeezed between the old – what has become so familiar and secure – and the emerging new. And you experience outer resistance.
During the First Quarter, you must move through that resistance. You have reached a crisis in commitment – a time of choice when you can either align your life with the future or retreat. Critical decisions with long-term consequences are made during the First Quarter Moon phase.
It’s now you act on the new Moon’s energy, but you’re still in the dark – the way is only partially lit. Near the end of this phase, there will be some reconciliation (Moon waxing trine Sun – 120 degrees). If you’ve met the challenge of the First Quarter, you will do something to make positive and creative changes in your life and reap the rewards. If you don’t, things can quickly go downhill.
An affirmation for the First Quarter Moon: “This is who I am, and this is where I intend to go!”
New Job Example
Continuing with the new job example used in previous Moon phase articles, During the New Moon phase, your dream of a new job became a goal. During the Crescent phase, realizing what that could mean raised all your doubts about yourself and your abilities. If you successfully overcome those doubts during the First Quarter phase, you’re ready to let the cat out of the bag – so to speak.
It’s time to tell your friends, co-workers, and family. Sadly, their reactions are not all supportive, encouraging, or positive. You feel misunderstood, but you must move beyond the need for the approval of others. This outer resistance to your change of direction must be broken through, and you must move beyond the need for the approval of others and do what feels right to you. During the first Quarter phase, you must act confidently and make a commitment that will lead you into the Gibbous phase, where you’ll adjust and persevere.
Each of the 8 phases lasts just under four days. During its First Quarter, the Moon rises in the east around noon, sets in the west around midnight, and waxes 90 – 135 degrees ahead of the Sun.
Born During the First Quarter Phase
Those born during the First Quarter Phase love challenges and will act without the approval of others. As a matter of fact, they seldom worry about what others might think. But they also have a tendency to attract conflicts and disasters. They feel a great deal of inner drive and tension that seems to challenge them to do something, sometimes anything, to release the urge to act now or lose the opportunity. First Quarter types are in the business of change.
Example: LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984, at 4:04 pm EST – Sun 9 degrees Capricorn, Moon 16 degrees Aries
Secondary Progressed First Quarter Phase
The First Quarter symbolizes one of the more stressful SP phases of the cycle. You have reached a significant turning point that calls for will and intention, and it’s time to take independent action to ensure continued growth. This phase tests your level of commitment. Returning to the New Moon seed analogy, this is when the seed needs to put down deep roots.
SP First Quarter Solar/Lunar Phase Example
John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, United Kingdom, on October 9, 1940, at 6:30 pm (birthtime accuracy: excellent). On December 4, 1968, John’s SP Moon entered the First Quarter Phase at 14-15 degrees Aquarius. He divorced his first wife in November 1968 and married Yoko on March 20, 1969; then, on September 20, 1969, he divorced the Beatles. Then, in December 1969 came John Lennon’s first solo album after the Beatles breakup.
Note: During each of the eight phases, there is a definite possibility that you’ll become stuck. You must get past the self-doubts of the Crescent phase and the resistance from others during the First Quarter phase to maintain the opportunity of the entire cycle. This sort of thing happens when we vow to lose weight and, in only a few days, find we are back to our old ways. Overcoming past conditioning can take a lot of work.