3rd Qtr Moon, 17 July 2017, Aries

Exact time & zodiac degree of this Moon | Understanding Quarter Moons |

This 3rd quarter moon in Aries is the closing square in the current month’s moon cycle, which started with the New Moon in Cancer, followed by the 1st quarter moon in Libra, and last week by the Full Moon in Capricorn, the four cardinal zodiac signs! The Latin root of ‘cardinal’ means ‘hinge’, and the cardinal signs are the ones all the other zodiac signs ‘hinge’ upon. They create the four compass points in the standard astrological wheel, north, south, east and west, which are known as the cardinal directions. Aries is the first of the cardinal signs, starting the entire astrological wheel of life. So here at this 3rd quarter moon we have the paradox of the beginning zodiac sign, Aries, happening at the end of this month’s cycle. This has the feeling, ‘hurry up (Aries) and finish (3rd qtr moon)!’

Is there something you keep putting in the too-hard-basket which is holding up the works? It could be an inner emotional task as much as an external worldly one. The 3rd qtr moon is next to Uranus, helping with liberation from the problems of past cycles, and also aligned positively to the destiny nodes to either break free or to enjoy the flowering of past connections and achievements. When already accomplished in life, you might feel frustrated to have to be like a beginner. You might be a top dressmaker but have never learnt how to embroider. A stunning black evening dress you’ve designed is sitting unfinished because it needs a lush embroidered red rose sparkling right on front. You wanted to learn how to do this yourself but now to meet your deadline you might have to consider finding another expert to do it. Or you might just pull off learning the skill this week and get to model your fully hand-crafted dress in this weekend’s fashion show.

Uranus, next to this Aries 3rd qtr moon, is a planet of fast evolution and innovation. Apply your focus and you might integrate a new skill at lightning-speed this week, whether an emotional skill (Cancer), a practical skill (Capricorn), an inspiration or pioneering skill (Aries) or a mind and or relationship skill (Libra). This cardinal month has been provocative about getting directions clear, and this week’s energies help us finish something we need to get done in order to capitalise on the big vibrations coming in next month under the Total Solar Eclipse in Leo.