The Moon
Understanding our Satellite and the Moon through the Houses
Understanding the Moon
When the sky feels dark, we turn our attention to the bright, comforting presence that shines a light through the shadows. The Moon is our satellite, a luminary that stays close to Earth. It is elusive, and yet ever-present; even when hidden from view, it is always there. It is through its relationship with the Sun that we see it change from Dark to Crescent to Full and back again. The Moon and Sun are parents in the sky that bring us the necessities that sustain all life on Earth-- each with their own set of rules.
The reflection of the Moon’s influence on our lives comes bubbling up in the water. The Moon controls the tides, the water within us, and our emotional well-being. In Astrology, it is our instinct and internal world. This is signified by the Moon being the shot in the dark, showing us the way when we feel lost. Like a nurturer, it remains available, constantly bringing us peace and reminding us that change is important.
Correspondences of the Moon
Instinct & Emotion
Element: Water
Astrological House: 4th Native, Exalted in 12th House
Home: Cancer
Detriment: Capricorn
Exalted: Taurus
Fall: Scorpio
Tarot: High Priestess, Chariot, Moon, Two of Swords, Seven of Swords, & Eight of Cups
Full Orbit: 28 - 29.5 days
Day: Monday
Herbs & Plants: Bergamot, Gardenia, Iris, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Lily, Poppy, Rosemary, Aloe, Lotus, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Saffron, & Sandalwood
Trees: Olive, Birch, Palm, Rowan, & Willow
Foods: Grape, Blackberry, Dairy, Cabbage, Cucumber, Coconut, Gourds, Peas, Peaches, Pears, Lemon, & Papaya
Deities: Artemis/Diana, Freya, Hecate, Ishtar, Isis, Juno, Luna, Selene, Persephone, Cerridwen, Aphrodite (evening star version), Horus, Thoth, Nanna, Sin, Cybele, Virgin Mary, Gabriel
Animals: Crabs, Crane, Crow, Heron, Nightingale, Owl, Cat, Wolf, Rabbit, Deer, Dolphin, Seal, Snake, Turtle, & Moth
Body: Digestion, Stomach, Breasts, Ovaries, Menstruation, & Pancreas
Crystals/Stones: Agate, Aquamarine, Calcite, Diamond, Pearl, Moonstone, Opal, Quartz, Sapphire, Selenite, & Turquoise
Metal: Silver, White Gold, & Platinum
Colors: Blue, Gray, Green, Silver, & White
The Moon’s Phases
The New Moon
This is when the seed is planted for your intentions or actions. The Sun and Moon align to bring attention to intention.
When born just at or right after the New Moon, it is thought that this person is at the beginning phase of a new incarnation. They are on the beginning of a journey. They are usually spontaneous and live in the moment. The past isn’t always as important to them. They often act on instinct and intuition, as they are born with no illumination - a sense of being in the dark. So, instead of seeing to believe, they feel to believe. They are very independent and have a lot of energy to begin tasks. This life is about learning about who they are and how to best convey that to the world around them.
The Waxing Crescent
This allows for the seed to sprout, using the early light of the Moon to illuminate the early stages of your intention. This may be when you start to spearhead or actually begin the idea that you first planted. After this phase, whatever you started will only strengthen throughout the lunation.
When born in the Waxing Crescent, you may find yourself tied to the past emotionally. You stay within your comfort zone and may not like to deviate from habits and patterns that have been established. You have a strong need for security - often needing to learn independence to move forward in life. Taking that first step toward what you want is the hardest, but it will be worth the risk. You must learn how to seize opportunities and act on them in this life.
The First Quarter Moon
This highlights the first obstacle, allowing the idea to survive and sink its roots. It stimulates the beginning of its next phase while giving it the ground it needs to stand.
Born at the First Quarter Moon, you are strong and able to rise to any occasion. You are a great responder and know how to react in any emergency. You can make split decisions, acting as a catalyst of change. You tear down structures and barriers in your way-- just to rebuild new ones that serve a better purpose. You may stir up commotion in your lifetime, caused by the unrest you feel and your calls to action. You have to understand that not everything needs to be changed all at once - and it may take longer for others to reach the clarity you have.
The Waxing Gibbous
The idea begins to bud - it has been anchored and sprouted. Now it is starting to show signs of growth and opening. The culmination of its entire past from its beginning is brought to the moment - reaching its current state and ready to bloom.
Born at the Waxing Gibbous, you are a born perfectionist with an analytical mind. These are truth-seekers, people who look at something from all angles - often delving deep into the matter to have a greater understanding. For you, it is not simply about the answer but also the how and why of those answers. You have the skill of learning to be masters in any industry here. There is a level of anxiety, as perfectionism may be overwhelming. Learning to relax and let go - or even redirecting that energy - can help with the anxiety.
The Full Moon
The release and completion of the work. You are letting go of the past, allowing for a better future. You have put in the time and effort, and now you can allow for your hard work to blossom and grow on its own. It’s time to assess your efforts.
Full Moon babies are very “others” oriented - idealists, communicators, and manifestors. You may spend a lot of time searching for belief systems that you can call your own. Relationships are important to you, and you need to be fully conscious of the impact of your words and actions on others. You seek to achieve a sense of enlightenment and may be more spiritual. You are wise, and often ready and willing to help others. Allow yourself to know when to set boundaries. You are very giving of your energy. You need not always illuminate others to the point of darkening yourself.
The Waning Gibbous
A time for nurturing. It is the harvest. You may now use what you’ve created to nourish yourself and others. It is time to give back to your original idea and allow for the fruitfulness to sustain.
Waning Gibbous babies are natural and skilled communicators. They have been enlightened and are ready to share. They are what they believe and their purpose is to spread it to the world. They share and communicate information acquired from their own experience. Many become teachers, as they love to help others grow. Understand that your actions are just as important as your words - that others should not just heed your advice without you having done the work yourself. You may know what is true and right, but actions speak louder than words.
The Last Quarter Moon
The beginning of the end. The idea and intention have been harvested. This is when we allow for the decomposition of what’s left and unused. It begins to act as a source of nourishment for the next chapter.
Born in the Last Quarter Moon, your life is about readjustment. It is hard for you to relate to the present. You often appear to be living in a world of your own at times, but you are actually going through an internal process of reorientation. There is a metamorphosis here - you will present to the world an acceptable face as you are quietly developing on the inside. When this has been completed, a new person emerges. You need time and space to figure things out. You have a world inside of you waiting to emerge.
The Balsamic Moon
This is a transitional phase. There is nothing left of the original intention and idea from the prior New Moon. The light of the Moon is dimming, leading us to the next New Moon phase - preparing us for what is to come.
Those born at the Balsamic Moon are the ones who finish the job. You are here to bridge the past and future - leading others to the next phase of their lives. This lifetime is very karmic. There is a pattern of very intense, all-consuming - although short term - relationships with people from the past, including other lifetimes. These karmic ties require resolution before continuing on into the next new cycle. You are visionary, but enjoy your alone time. You know how to take what is important, feed the information to others, and allow it to grow outside of you. You are a guide.
Degrees
New Moon - Moon is 0 to 45 degrees from the Sun
Waxing Crescent - Moon is 45 to 90 degrees from the Sun
First Quarter Moon - Moon is 90 to 135 degrees from the Sun
Waxing Gibbous - Moon is 135 to 180 degrees from the Sun
Full Moon - Moon is 180 to 225 degrees from the Sun
Waning Gibbous - Moon is 225 to 270 degrees from the Sun
Last Quarter Moon - Moon is 270 to 315 degrees from the Sun
Balsamic Moon - Moon is 315 to 360 degrees from the Sun
The Moon through the Houses
1st House
The emotional self is essential to your identity. You are receptive, sensitive, and intuitive. You take the world in subtly, and emotions remain close to the surface. No matter what sign it falls in, you embody some Cancerian qualities.
2nd House
What you own has an emotional influence on you. You hold onto memories with nostalgia. You seek emotional and material security, and are likely to build a nest egg.
3rd House
You absorb information easily and intuitively. Emotional communication is important to you, but you may not speak about your emotions personally. You are perceptive and good at reading others.
4th House
Home is important to you, and family may be as well. Your privacy is what you value, and you seek to build a sanctuary. You need time away to recharge your emotional batteries.
5th House
You have a creative and playful side. You are fun-loving and warm-- and you may place your emotions front and center. There is a need to engage in life fully and openly.
6th House
You are focused on being of service to others. You care deeply about being helpful and place importance on the details in life. Routine is important. Your health is dependent upon your emotional well-being.
7th House
Emotional connection is important in a partnership. You may easily absorb the feelings of others, but you are very responsive to their needs. Relationships can provide you with security.
8th House
You are sensitive and have a deep emotional intensity that often gets overlooked by others. You can read between the lines. You are good at crisis response and healing-- emotional intimacy is important to you.
9th House
Home is wherever you are. You have fantasized about living abroad or have actually done it. You learn through emotional experience and integrate culture into your private world. You have a vivid imagination.
10th House
You are an active leader but have done so softly. You are caring and project that image out into the world. You understand the value of cultivating meaningful connections at work. You desire validation for your emotional experiences.
11th House
You thrive on mutual connection and having an established emotional bond with others. Sharing is of the utmost importance to you-- you may be the mom of the group. Your role often is centered around nurturing others.
12th House
You are deeply compassionate and highly attuned. Your emotions may not always be so available to you, but they are powerful. You are not afraid of the liminal and need a lot of time away to replenish yourself.
