(Blog art is ‘Red Maple’ by Georgia O’Keeffe)

Oct 13 edit: my pregnancy brain…The Moon in Capricorn is in DETRIMENT, not fallen. These are two different planetary conditions. The Moon is fallen in Scorpio. The Moon still struggles in Capricorn though.

I write today’s blog in the spirit of a public service announcement because…it is intense out there!

Today features the first quarter moon of our current lunation. This occurs one week after a new moon every lunar cycle, when the Moon is 90 zodiacal degrees ahead of the Sun. Today, we see the Moon in mid-Capricorn 90 degrees ahead of the Libra Sun.

First quarter moons have a particular energy; Demetra George (emphasis mine) says it best:

“The life force …activates the [new moon intention] by taking direct action to anchor the vision and build a … structural foundation to support the larger purpose that is yet to be revealed. The flow of energy is forceful and direct, clearing away obstacles in order to build strong forms.”

First quarter moons bring turning points, decisions, and crises.

There is a need to respond to what is actually occurring, and respond swiftly and decisively.

Today’s first quarter Moon is unique and challenging for two other reasons.

The Sun and Moon, as they perfect their first turning point of their current cycle, both clash with Mars in mid-Cancer. Mars is in Cancer for a long time, and his square to the Sun marks the first quarter phase of Mars’ ~2 year cycle. Mars’ cycle is about how we activate and express our masculine purpose in the world.

Adam Gainsburg describes this phase of the Mars cycle as an identity challenge:

At this point in Mars’ cycle, our original Martial intention (that which urges us to press our will into the world, our desire, our sacred fire, our purposeful mission) builds into a personal crisis. This personal crisis begins to draw us into broader society: how does our personal crisis push us and motivate us to contribute socially?

At this point, we are called to meet challenges and face limitations. We must engage in a struggle and increase our vital force to do so.
So we have Sun, Mars, and Moon all connecting. Generally, when Mars aspects the lights of the sky, we can experience heightened energy, restlessness, and desire. Sometimes this can manifest as irritation, frustration, assertiveness, or aggressiveness. We might be feeling particularly reactionary or impatient. The high energy is excellent for driving change.

Today, these connections are especially challenging as all three of these bodies (Sun in Libra; Moon in Capricorn; Mars in Cancer) are in signs where they struggle.
Traditional astrologers call this state ‘fallen’ (which is opposite to exalted). Exalted planets are in signs where their best qualities can easily expressed and supported. Fallen planets are in signs where their nature struggles to express as there is a mismatch between the vibe of the sign and the mission of the planet.

The Sun in Libra is literally falling, rising to a lower point in the sky each subsequent autumn day. The strength of our singular, creative, coherent, and central light is weakening, shining our awareness upon the Other, the friend, the lover, the enemy, the partner.

In Libra, the Sun’s expression pauses to take stock of situations and relationships; how can we contribute harmoniously? Even if this means inhibiting our immediate reaction. Thus the strength of the Sun to shine brightly from one central pole shifts to softly shine on multiple aspects simultaneously.

The Moon in Capricorn is fallen in detriment, trying to find safety and nourishment in the coldness of a Saturnian sign. Here the Moon struggles to meet goals, perform, and achieve in the hopes of meeting its needs. The Capricorn Moon can be very practical but is more focused on the meeting of external goals than internal, shifting needs. Think of the ’Tiger mother” or a stern grandparent.

Finally, Mars in Cancer is also fallen. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and thus support flowing, shifting, nourishing experiences. Mars’ nature is to break away and separate, to complete missions and goals. The changing emotional waters of Cancer means that Mars placed here is prone to shifting course based on emotional intensity and valence.

A positive feature of Mars in Cancer is a focus on protecting women and children (think of the turning tide on ‘trans’ children as well as the Gisele Pelicot story) and defending the family.

To close, be aware that today and this whole lunar cycle really, urges us toward uncomfortable experiences and decision points. We may struggle with being reactionary, irritable, and angry.

How might these fallen planets, which tend to act unconventionally and creatively as they struggle to express their nature in ill-suited environments, guide you to act, react, and choose?