Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn #2 🐐 Apr 19, 2017

Wednesday, Apr 19 at 3.00am PST

The moon will rise at midnight, peak at dawn and set at noon. If you view the moon at midnight, the Sun will be positioned directly beneath your feet. Staring at the moon during this time will align you so that you are looking right out (approximately) along the forward path of Earth’s orbit around the Sun ^__^

The Sun in Aries squares the moon in Capricorn once again, just as we had on the Vernal Equinox. Welcome to round II, coming just 12 hours before the Sun moves into Taurus. Squares prompt change and it’s all about new directions. Afloat the unknown, all on your own, just you and the fire on your breath…

The purpose of this quarter moon is structural shift (Capricorn) overlaying a period of acting, doing, being (Aries). Aries rules the musculature and blood-flow in our bodies. He is spring’s lusty lamb, #1 in the zodiac. Aries demonstrates to Capricorn that sometimes the best structure is a brand new one. He teaches Capricorn to break away from existing structures and fly solo.

The quarter moon in Cap is a fire-iron melting the steel frame of our lives. When we’re talking about Capricorn, changes are often linked to career, but sometimes they indicate a relationship to male figures. In any case, whatever structural reconfigurations take place are inherently supportive.

Capricorn is the “mountain sea-goat.” His mountain, or yang essence, lives in his ambition, stubbornness, cerebral qualities and hardiness. His fish tail, or yin/soul essence, lives in intuition, spirituality and passion.

Capricorn comes from a Sumerian god called Enki (Sumer is in present-day Iraq, or southern Mesopotamia, and eventually became ancient Babylonia). Enki is most commonly translated as “Lord of the Earth.” The main temple dedicated to Enki was called the “house of subterranean waters” and at its entrance stood a pool of fresh water which, after archeological survey, was found to contain thousands of carp bones from massive feasts. Enki is primarily associated with basket-weaving/craftwork; mischief (capriciousness!); water; replenishment; Mercurial intelligence and magic; the constellation Pegasus; creation; saving humanity from a flood, as did Noah; justice; and the power of civilization. He is often depicted wearing a horned crown and robed in the skin of a carp. Enki represents a time before patriarchy, a time when gender equality was reality. As half earth and half water, or half goat with a fish tail, he embodies male and female nature. His femininity shines in his non-confrontational, heart-centered disposition. Friends of Enki include the Galaturra, androgynous beings created from dirt. Enki shapes the physical world and makes his home within the earth, fertilizing all waters flowing through the soil. Enki promotes moderation, conservation and responsiblity.

Around noon on the day before the quarter moon, Luna makes a conjunction to Pluto, God of Metamorphosis. Pluto has been in Capricorn for nearly nine years now, slowly yet fiercely rearranging our planet on a fundamental level with Capricorn’s help, the zodiac’s beloved architect and planner. A conjunction with Pluto so close to the quarter moon suggests immense inward and outward shift.

At the time of the quarter moon, Luna will square Mercury, Jupiter and Uranus. She will also form a harmonious trine to Mars.

Luna moves into Aquarius less than an hour after the quarter moon comes exact, then Pisces on the afternoon of April 21. One day later on April 22, Luna has her once-monthly conjunction to Neptune, ruler of Pisces. This is an auspicious day for creative projects, especially music and dance, as well as communication with females. It is, however, an emotionally erratic day, and watch the vices! Maudlin Pisces likes to drink. The moon is then conjunct Venus in Pisces on April 23, moving into Aries later that evening. Two more conjunctions with Uranus and Mercury Retrograde in Aries before Luna makes her bed in Taurus on the evening of April 25, just before the new moon.

My notes from exactly one year ago, at yoga school in India:

For proper asana (physical pose): broad base and erect spine; back, head and neck maintain natural curvature of vertebral column without straining or stiffness; whole body relaxed without pain, pressure or discomfort; maintain the pose for a long time without any movement.

Through meditation and asana, we merge with the infinite. No conflict can assault your mental state after mastery of asana and such merging with the infinite. Our inner illuminating potentiality is unveiled by pranayama (breathing exercises). Then the mind can enter into dharma (karmic duty or purpose). Happiness within overtakes the senses. Sense objects are only a matter of death and decay. We have to fix the chitta (fluctuating mind) in a particular place, or on a particular subject. After dharana (concentration) is achieved, dhyana (profound meditation) follows. Then, samadhi (union with the divine).

The moon is in her “detriment” in Capricorn, as this is the sign opposite the sign she rules, which would be Cancer. When a planet is in the sign of its detriment, the planet is at its weakest and life is generally more challenging. In Capricorn the moon is strained, so have compassion for yourself if you experience mood swings, unusually low energy or feel especially sensitive. Eat well, sleep well and do good work!

Lube your joints with Capricorn Yoga. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.

Mantra:  shift