In the Stars October 11-18...shining light on the astrology of the week: New Moon

Once again, there is a great deal of tension and pressure from the planets this week and for several weeks to come, and there are plenty of highly charged political and social issues expressing this energy (yes, ongoing story). This week the Sun takes the stage, forming a T-square with Mars and Pluto, again creating a lot of fiery turmoil. In addition, Mercury turns retrograde on October 13th until November 3rd. California is recuperating from the latest wildfires, but more heat and windy conditions are forecast for the week ahead. The weather pattern is unnerving, especially with the fiery hot T-squares. Again the week ahead is powerful, explosive, and transformative. Let us hope that this dynamic, combustible energy can be used for good, and let’s do all in our own power to make it so. On a personal level we can move mindfully, carefully, and intentionally. We need to slow down and continue to work hard. We need to be diligent and deliberate—and patient. We need to exercise vigorously and eat nourishing food so that we feel strong and centered. We need to steer clear of potential disputes, as the energy is hot and volatile. The Libra Sun certainly helps to consider both sides of an issue. To subscribe to this blog, click here.

Sunday is a sunny, bold day with the Moon in Leo, signaling a day for play. The Sun squares Jupiter, and as a result we will feel expansive and energized, but perhaps overextended. The Moon makes unsettling squares to Uranus and Mercury, but those energies can also result in breakthroughs. We may feel jagged and off balance. Expect the unexpected. Monday the Moon is void of course all day from 7:30 a.m. through 9:56 p.m. PDT. This is a day for creative expression, as Jupiter makes a benefic sextile to visionary Neptune, and the Sun shines in Leo. Monday is not a day for meetings or decision making. If you can take the day off to pursuit your hobbies, do so. Tuesday is an industrious day framed for getting your life in order. However, Mercury stations retrograde, so there could be some confusion and mix-ups. The Moon’s benefic aspects to Uranus, Mercury, and Venus amplify the Virgo Moon’s love of cleanliness and order. A Sun-Mars opposition makes it a powerful today to act on what is in your heart—and on your list! We awake in a dreamy state, and may remember vivid dreams. Set strong goals for getting a lot accomplished, as the planets align to help you do so. The grounded Virgo Moon trines Pallas Athena, Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn in Capricorn, supporting work. The Moon’s aspect to Saturn at 3:47 p.m. PDT marks the beginning of a void Moon being period until 10:54 p.m. PDT. Still, you can work into the evening guided by the Moon-Saturn square, aiding you in completing tasks. The Sun aligns with Pluto in a perfect, hard-edged square on Thursday, a powerful configuration. And that’s not all…of course, Pluto is still close to Jupiter, Saturn, and Pallas Athena, and the quartet is tightly square to Mars, creating a formidable T-square. There may be a lot of unrest in the world. As the elections draw close, strong emotions are fueled with this explosive planetary energy. Extreme, fierce weather events may also occur. Chiron opposes the dark Moon, bringing us face to face with our wounds and deep feelings. The Moon is dark, the time of month to withdraw in preparation for a new lunar cycle. Go about this day with great attention and the best of intentions. While most of us have to stay home, doing so is good medicine for this dark, explosive day. Use the energy to get a lot accomplished. Thursday’s bold, explosive day was a warm-up to Friday’s New Moon at 12:30 p.m. PDT. This New Moon swells with heated, turbulent energy. The morning harbors hard lunar aspects to Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, and Mars. The Moon joins the T-square present yesterday. The New Moon occurs at 12:30 p.m. PDT at 23:53 Libra tropically. Normally Libra is a balanced, harmonious, graceful energy, but in hard aspect to the bold, fiery, dynamic planets, it will not keep its composure. The Moon is void of course from 3:11 p.m. until 10:05 p.m. when it goes into Scorpio. This is, again, a day to garner attention and awareness, and not a day for risk taking and confrontation. The Sun is thankfully pulling away from the intense T-square of the past two days. Now the Moon is in brooding Scorpio, and emotions that have turned up from the past two days’ events may be strong. The Moon opposes Uranus, which can stir up trouble and feelings of revolt. Moon and Mercury meet, taking us down into the deep waters of Scorpio to ponder issues. Take some solitude in this third of three intense days. Sunday is full of cosmic activity, mixed with challenges and gifts. The Scorpio Moon keeps emotions heightened. Major aspects include Sun square Saturn (contracting, and demanding attention to responsibility); Venus opposite Neptune (visioning and dreaming); and Mars square Jupiter (energizing, expanding, igniting). The Moon is void of course from 2:43 through 9:43 p.n. PDT, so during that time tend to routine tasks. Monday begins a new week with an optimistic bounce. In the midst of so many days of difficult planetary energy, and so much tension from the political and cultural climate, this day offers a welcome respite. We feel more hopeful. Our minds open to brilliant, innovative solutions.

The Week in Short:

Sunday: An energetic, unsettling day for play. Take time out and do something different.

Monday: Moon VoC all day 7:30 a.m. to 9:56 p.m. PDT. Take the day off if possible and pursuit your creative interests and hobbies or play with your children or grandchildren.

Tuesday: Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks. There may be mix-ups. It’s an industrious day to get your life in good order.

Wednesday: Excellent day for strong work; make the most of it.

Thursday: Extremely hot, explosive day. Moon is dark. Dive deep and work hard.

Friday: Another fiery, bold day. Stay aware and centered in the midst of hazardous conditions.

Saturday: Strong feelings from the last two days may be stirred up. Take some solitude.

Sunday: Extremely active day. Honor limitations and meet responsibilities. Lean into goals.

Monday: Optimistic, hopeful day. Open to brilliant ideas.

Ten Things to Do with Venus in Virgo (October 2-27)

1. Make your life shipshape.

2. Organize your work space.

3. Deep clean your home.

4. Take a self-improvement course.

5. Clean up your make-up drawer and wash your cosmetic brushes.

6. Do a 3-day cleanse.

7. Eat a pure diet during this time.

8. Adjust your health regime.

9. Attend to the details in your job that call for attention.

10. File your financial papers and balance your checkbook.

Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work. Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time: October 12: 7:30 a.m. - 9:56 p.m. (Moon into Virgo) October 14: 3:47 p.m. – 10:54 p.m. (Moon into Libra) October 16: 3:11 p.m. – 10:05 p.m. (Moon into Scorpio) October 18: 2:43 p.m. – 9:43 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius) October 20: 8:38 p.m. – 11:44 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn) October 22 at 9:35 p.m. through October 23rd at 5:17 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius) October 24 at 2:53 p.m. through October 25 at 2:18 p.m. (Moon into Pisces) October 27 at 5:46 p.m. through October 28 at 1:45 a.m. (Moon into Aries) October 30: 9:13 a.m. – 2:19 p.m. (Moon into Taurus) November 1 at 6:29 p.m. through November 2 at 2:00 a.m. (Moon into Gemini) November 4: 5:49 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (Moon into Cancer) November 6: 5:27 p.m. – 11:18 p.m. (Moon into Leo) GMT (Greenwich Mean Time): October 12 at 15:30 through October 13 at 5:56 (Moon into Virgo) October 14 at 23:47 through October 15 at 6:54 (Moon into Libra) October 16 at 23:11 through October 17 at 6:05 (Moon into Scorpio) October 18 at 22:43 through October 19 at 5:43 (Moon into Sagittarius) October 21: 4:38 – 7:44 (Moon into Capricorn) October 23: 5:35 – 13:17 (Moon into Aquarius) October 24 at 22:53 through October 25 at 22:18 (Moon into Pisces) October 28: 3:46 - 9:45 (Moon into Aries) October 30: 17:13 – 22:19 (Moon into Taurus) November 2: 2:29 - 10:00 (Moon into Gemini) November 4: 13:49 – 21:45 (Moon into Cancer) November 7: 1:27 – 7:18 (Moon into Leo)