Last Quarter Moon in the Ecosystem of Hope
(Spoiler alert: Free calendar link within)
A month or so ago I did a very nerdy thing, even for me: I created a Seasons and Lunations Google Calendar for the 2023-24 astrological year. I included a list of these dates in my ebook— Wander: Venture Beyond the Hero’s Journey as a Pilgrim of the World— but I wanted to make it easier to notice core cyclical changes for anyone who relies on a digital calendar.
The calendar is simple on purpose. It includes four moon phases for each lunation (new, first quarter, full, last quarter), eclipses, and seasonal shifts, and the ecosystems associated with the astrological sign of each occurrence (using Golden Dawn correspondences for now, at least…).
My initial plan was to share the link with folks who purchased the book, but after using this in my own life I’ve decided I’d like to invite any curious pilgrims to join me in testing it out for funsies. It’s already helping me notice interesting things, and I’d love to know what other people experience.
One initial observation from following along:
This lunation’s new moon & solar eclipse were in The Ecosystem of Trust (Aries/The Emperor), and so were the full moon & lunar eclipse (Scorpio/Death).
This lunation’s first quarter moon was in The Ecosystem of Hope (Leo/Strength) and today’s last quarter moon is as well (Aquarius/The Star).
The new moon sets the stage for an entire lunation. This cycle we’ve been walking with The People of Faith who tend the Ecosystem of Trust, but we’ve also encountered The People of Mercy who tend the Ecosystem of Hope at two critical points along the way: the quarter moons.
So what do we make of Sun-Moon squares? Increasingly, I've found it more realistic, and valuable, to see the lunation cycle not as cause for events but as context for understanding them… It offers a perspective that can make otherwise inscrutable or seemingly random twists of fate more meaningful. Moon phases help us decide our wise next steps.
… Whatever occurs at the Quarter Moons, we're invited to see it as two forces in conflict. Something wants to move; something else resists. This tension seeks its release in change, involving struggle, or assertive and decisive action. Forces in square don't work together easily. One blocks or thwarts the other; the other must reorient its direction to get what it wants. Squares bring stress-and a potent thrust of energy that makes necessary changes possible.
What changes are favored is indicated by whether the square waxes or wanes. During the waxing square of the First Quarter we're motivated to build, to achieve a new structure. We're attuned to problems in the outer world, something that requires us to take new action. During the Last Quarter's waning square, we're prompted to find a new direction. The "something wrong" is generally inside, the change required a mental adjustment, some shift in our thinking, our intentions, or beliefs. Rudhyar called the waxing square a "crisis in action" and the waning square a "crisis in consciousness".
If we don't like the sound of the word "crisis," we might be soothed by what astrologer Sylvia Carroll says about squares: "The square does not feel unpleasant unless the energy backs up on you. Tension here can feel exhilarating as long as it is flowing in action and not dammed up. It is only frustrating when you have no outlets to apply the tension."
— Dana Gerhardt, The Last Quarter Moon (Moon Watching Series)
I’m really intrigued by the interplay of Tarot Ecosystems with astrology as it relates to these cycles. Perhaps whatever began with the new moon in The Ecosystem of Trust started to take shape around the first quarter moon in The Ecosystem of Hope, came to fullness upon returning to the Ecosystem of Trust, and then is causing some shift in consciousness as we revisit the Ecosystem of Hope?
This pattern will continue in different ecosystems for each new lunation, and I’m curious to see what noticing these connections adds to my life and practice. If you’re feeling curious too, feel free to view, download, and share the Seasons and Lunations Google Calendar (beta)*:
I’d love to know what you notice by following along!
Until next time,
sara
*P.S. Dates were compiled by a fallible human (me) who lives in the northern hemisphere. Please forgive any errors and adjust accordingly!
P.P.S. The calendar is in Coordinated Universal Time, but should display it in your local time zone once added… Should.