Pole grows older, not married, leading to general moods (7)
I believe the answer is:
natures
'general moods' is the definition.
'natures' can be an answer for 'moods' (I've seen this in another clue). I am unsure of the 'general' bit.
'pole grows older not married' is the wordplay.
'pole' becomes 'n' (abbreviation for North, as in North Pole).
'grows older' becomes 'matures' ('mature' can be a synonym of 'grow older').
'not' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'married' becomes 'm'.
'matures' with 'm' taken out is 'atures'.
'n'+'atures'='NATURES'
'leading to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for natures that I've seen before include "Characters" , "Basic qualities or dispositions" .)