Tomorrow morning, we reach the Gibbous Moon. This phase opens with a sesquiquadrate, a square-and-a-half, between the Sun and Moon.
The Gibbous Moon brings a challenge, often unexpected, before the Full Moon’s illumination. The question this time is something like, “How does it feel when you rush?”
The Moon in late Gemini is way out of bounds, still in the same sign as Mars, also out of bounds. As the Moon passed Mars, it began to feel like she was pulling him, urging him on.
It’s totally understandable. With all the retrogrades in recent months, we do feel behind. There’s too much to do. We’ll never catch up. Gotta move.
The thing is, this Moon is not moving fast in the sky right now. And the final decan of Gemini holds within it a critical decision: We can’t keep juggling all the things. Which do we focus on? Which do we let go?
There’s another important reminder here about the importance of slowing down. February 1 is the calendar date for Imbolc, the Celtic fire festival that marks the subtle shift from winter into spring.
Astrologically, Imbolc falls on February 3 this year, when the Sun reaches 15º Aquarius. At this time, the Moon is in the final decan of Cancer, a decan ruled by the Moon, where she is strong.
At Imbolc, we enter the light half of the dark half of the year. In the northern hemisphere, the Sun is strengthening. New life is gestating in hidden places, as it does.
Also on February 3, the asteroid Ceres stations retrograde at 06º Libra. Ceres, the Roman name for the goddess Demeter, brings spring inviting plants to grow, creating abundance. This year, she too asks us to slow down.
That Gemini Moon and Mars, opening the Gibbous phase, may create irritation, impatience, a felt need to push harder and faster. If you feel that, ask yourself, does it feel good? Is it really going to get me where I want to be?
Maybe instead, we can embrace slow time. We can let life unfold according to its own calendar.
Title image is an original Midjourney render.