Waning Moon in Leo Moving into Virgo

Today's date tells us this is Halloween, also known as Hallows, All Soul's Eve and Samhain. Modern society marks holidays at the most convenient time: trick or treating here for little kids was Thursday evening, and last night this college town blasted really loud music for the annual take-the-streets party until 3:00 am. (Living only a few blocks from party central, I'm working on far less sleep than usual as I write.)

The Four Evangelists, Book of Kells

Calendars change over the centuries, and sometimes take centuries to finish changing. The shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar began in the late 1500's, yet Great Britain didn't change until 1752 and China made the switch in 1949. Official dates are only loosely linked to the celestial events and Earth changes they originally marked.

So, when is Samhain?

In the ancient Celtic calendar, the four great fire festivals took place in the fixed signs of Scorpio, Aquarius, Taurus and Leo. These signs appear as the four beings in the corners of the World card in the Rider-Waite Tarot, and as the symbols of the four evangelists, showing how deeply this thread is woven through our culture.

Astrologically, there are two ways to mark Samhain. Solar Samhain occurs when the Sun reaches the middle of Scorpio, 15 degrees, which is November 7 this year. Lunar Samhain is often celebrated at the New Moon in Scorpio, November 5. This week is the season of Samhain.

The waning Moon continues in Leo, sustaining our hearts and fueling our creative passion. The Moon steps into the late degrees of Leo, looking to the powerful outer planets as she makes her last entrance in this theatrical sign for this cycle. This Moon supports us as we connect with our heart's desire, pouring Leo's fire into the creative expression of who are we at our core. At this waning time in the lunar cycle, we draw on everything we've learned and create something beautiful.

Officially, the Moon's void-of-course time begins at 5:01pm EDT when she reaches her opposition with Neptune in Aquarius. Yet this leaves too much out: the Moon will also oppose Chiron in Aquarius (exact at 8:16 pm), and inconjunct Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces (10:06pm).

The dialogue between Leo and the visionary signs of Aquarius and Pisces centers around finding the balance between personal creative expression (Leo) and the needs and visions of the cosmos (Aquarius and Pisces). The Leo Moon receives inspiration from the cosmic messengers, while reminding them that through the words, actions, and creations of individuals speaking from the heart, messages are heard.

Today, our creative work may be touched with genius, those spirits of place and time who speak to us if we open our hearts to listen.

At 11:51pm, the Moon enters practical Virgo, ready to take wonderful creative visions and apply them to meeting our very real needs. First, inspiration ... then, solution.

Waning Moon in Leo

As we approach Samhain, fire festival of Scorpio and the turning of the year, the Moon in Leo strengthens our hearts. The ancient Celtic festivals happen in each of the fixed signs: Samhain in Scorpio, Imbolc in Aquarius, Beltane in Taurus, and Lughnasadh in Leo. Today's Leo Moon reminds us of Lughnasadh's abundance. We carry within an inner glow, our heart's fire, as we walk into the dark.

The Moon challenges the Scorpio planets in square today, beginning with Venus (exact at 4:49am EDT), moving to the Sun (exact at 8:46am) and ending with Mercury (1:12am Sunday). A flowing sextile with Saturn in Libra gathers grounding, clarity, and balance. The Moon is also inconjunct Pluto, Ceres, and the North Node in Capricorn, seeking adjustment with these strong planets and points.

Bonfire Night in Lewes, Sussex

Hekate is the Goddess of the Scorpio Moon, keeper of the crossroads, the one who knows what's really going on and fears nothing. One of her emblems is a flaming torch, one of her titles is Phosphoros, Light Bringer. The Moon in Leo holds Hekate's torch high, illuminating our journey into shadow.

Venus retrograde in Scorpio beckons us to look deeply at our relationships, finances and the deepest wellsprings of our creative lives. The Sun brings illumination of his own, strengthened with the Moon in the Sun's sign. Mercury allows us to articulate what we see and feel. Hermes is a psychopomp, one who can safely travel between the realms of the living and the dead. He is our guide as we bring treasures from the depths of the psyche into the light of consciousness.

The square with the Sun marks the Last Quarter Moon, the turning toward the coming New Moon in Scorpio. If we have kept faith with our New Moon intentions for this cycle, today's Sun-Moon square may mark a time of insight and understanding, when we begin to see the wider meaning of our efforts.

What we learn in the shadowy depths of Scorpio will fuel our transformation, which requires adjustment. The deeper we go, the more uncomfortable it can be to integrate our new understanding. Pluto and Ceres standing with the North Node point to the path we're meant to be walking. Today's Leo Moon offers the courage and passion to step onto that path.

Waning Moon in Cancer Moving in Leo

The Cancer Moon reaches the late degrees where she communes with outer planets bringing intuitive guidance: Flowing trines with expansive Jupiter and innovative Uranus, and inconjunct angles-of-adjustment with visionary Neptune and healing Chiron create space this morning for mediation, freewriting, dreaming, and journeys.

streambed at Kinder Downfall

The sign of Cancer, the Moon's home sign, holds the energy of our tribe, our tradition, and our history. As we enter the time of Samhain, the hallowed days when we shift into the dark time of year, the ancestors approach. Perhaps the inconjunct with Neptune and Chiron signals a healing message for us, or an opening through which we can bring healing to our lineage.

The idea of karma is a difficult one to translate well in Western culture, since we tend to think of sin and retribution: Someone does a bad thing, and karma comes later and gets him back. But karma is not about punishment, it's about patterning.

Over time, our thoughts, feelings and actions create patterns like water cutting a new channel in a streambed. Our actions have consequences, not because there's a karmic review board passing sentence on us, but because what we think, feel, and do creates patterns of energy that naturally influence our experience.

We are influenced by patterns within our families and tribes. We have, in that sense, family karma. At this time of year, when the ancestors are close, we can explore family patterns, to honor and strengthen ones that are loving and life producing, and release and heal ones that are damaging. Healing energy we send to ancestors, or focus on difficult family patterns, can echo through the generations, releasing karmic debt and creating more peace and harmony.

The waning Moon in Cancer, in aspect to Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter and Uranus, will support any such work we do this morning.

The Moon enters her time-between-times at 3:48pm EDT. This is a time to avoid beginning new ventures if possible, as the Moon rests. At 8:38pm, she blazes brilliantly into Leo, passionate, playful, and ready to shine.

Each sign of the zodiac prepares the way for the one that follows. The nurturing we receive in Cancer prepares us to shine our light into the world in Leo. Work we do healing family patterns, frees us to share our unique creative gifts with joy. When we honor our ancestors, acknowledging their place in our lives, they offer their support, helping to guide us as we assume Leo's mantle and become leaders.

Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit

The Moon's first aspect in Leo is a trine to Mars, now embarking on his Sagittarian quest. Shamanic teacher Tom Cowen named his book on Celtic shamanic traditions Fire in the Head, invoking the ancient words of Amergin, and the more recent words of the great poet Yeats:

I went out to a hazel wood,
because a fire was in my head ...

Tonight's flowing energy between the Moon and Mars, Leo and Sagittarius, can ignite our creative, oracular, shamanic fires. The Celts recognized the links among creative inspiration, intuitive insight, and spiritual power, classing poets, seers and druids together. Deep creative work will be possible tonight, especially if we have our ancestors' blessing.

Waning Moon in Gemini Moving into Cancer

This note covers the Moon's transit through Cancer on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Gemini Moon makes plenty of connections this morning, as she moves into the late degrees where so many other planets are clustered. The Moon will square Jupiter and Uranus, and trine Neptune and Chiron, before leaving Gemini. These morning aspects will link the Moon at her most receptive to the outer planets best known for offering intuitive guidance, so pay attention to dreams and intuition this morning.

Devonshire tea

The Moon's final aspect in Gemini is her square to Uranus at 10:19am EDT, after which she enters her time-between-times. If you receive an intuitive flash, it's probably best to wait until the Moon enters her home sign of Cancer at 3:14pm before acting on it.

Then, it will be a great time for muffins and a pot of tea in front of the fire. If it's a tough day at work, take a few moments to find inner peace in the midst of whatever life is throwing at you. This is the Moon at her most nurturing.

The Moon opposes Pluto at 9:11pm, trines the Sun in Scorpio at 11:35pm, and trines Venus in Scorpio at 2:05am Thursday. Since Pluto rules Scorpio, this puts us right back into the energy of deep insight and transformation, familiar territory these last weeks.

The Scorpio emphasis continues through Thursday as the Cancer Moon trines Mercury in Scorpio, and the Sun and Venus reach a conjunction in Scorpio. The Moon's other aspect is a square to Saturn in Libra, a reminder to stay balanced amidst potentially intense emotions.

As the Cancer Moon touches each of the transformative Scorpio planets, she reminds them (and us) that change takes a lot of energy. We need to take care of ourselves, give ourselves kindness and compassion as we face our deep, shadowy journey. The Moon in Cancer helps us get in touch with what helps us feel nurtured––it's up to us to make sure we receive it.

Waning Moon in Gemini

This note covers today and tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday.

Overnight, the Taurus Moon reached her opposition to Mars in Scorpio and entered her void-of-course period. She emerged into bright Gemini at 7:47am. Gemini is mutable Air, all about networking, communicating, generating ideas (lots of ideas), making connections, talking, flirting, flitting from thing to thing and person to person like an enchanting butterfly.

These next days are likely to be filled with messages and connections of all kinds.

Hildegard von Bingen's Liber Divinorum Operum

Gemini has been accused of being easily distracted and superficial. Yet we're in a deep time, with Mars, Venus, Mercury (Gemini's ruler) and the Sun all in Scorpio. Today, Mercury and Venus meet in conjunction. Tomorrow, the Sun trines Pluto, Scorpio's ruler.

Scorpio's depth, incisiveness, and transformative quality remind us that Gemini is more than a talkative airhead. Gemini understands the power of mind and language to form, and transform. Lateral thinking, creating unique and unexpected connections, is the essence of creativity and a characteristic of dreams. Agility of mind, the ability to think quickly and creatively, keeps us young, sharp ... and alive.

Mercury, Gemini's ruler, is an inventor, a trickster, and an alchemist. This Gemini Moon will be stirring Scorpio's pot, seeing what might pop up to be articulated and understood. These are days for journaling, collaging, mapping, or any other technique that brings the unconscious into the light to be played with. We've been exploring Scorpio's depths for weeks; this Moon helps us connect it all together.

The Moon in Gemini wants to communicate about feelings, about intuition, about the deep past ... about all lunar things. Gemini is language as well as thought, and the Gemini Moon speaks in incantations and invocations––the power of magical words.

Tomorrow, the Moon trines Saturn in Libra, connecting Gemini's active mind with Libra's calm balance. Mercury and Saturn together give form to thought, taking ideas and making them real. Personal exploration is about doing as well as thinking, making changes in how we live based on new insights into patterns in our lives.

Today and tomorrow, make space for creative thinking, bright new ideas, all forms of networking and connecting, deep discussions, magical language, and alchemical change.

Waning Moon in Taurus

The still-close-to-full Moon glowed in the sky this morning, surrounded by banks of dark gray clouds. A morning breeze stirred falling leaves as flocks of sparrows chittered in the bushes. The Taurus Moon deeply appreciates life as it is, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, watching the day unfold, preparing to work in the garden a bit or maybe get out the woodworking tools or a favorite recipe.

Taurus is opposite Scorpio on the wheel of the zodiac, and today's Taurus Moon offers respite from the intensity of the Scorpio stellium in the sky: Mars in the late degrees, Venus retrograde, and Mercury and the Sun, all in this sign of intensity, depth, and probing research. Scorpio wants to dig deep and figure out exactly what's going on under the surface. Taurus is content to let things unfold naturally and trust that everything will be ok. Take time today to be still with Taurus.

Autumn Flowers and Moon by Sakai Hōitsu

The Moon in Taurus is grounded and practical, yet today she's in contact with both of the intuitive messengers. Squaring Neptune and Chiron, and sextiling Uranus and Jupiter, messages from the cosmos are flowing to the Moon. As we approach October 31––Halloween, Hallows, All Saint's Eve, or Samhain, depending on your tradition––remember that this is a time for the ancestors.

At this time of year, we remember family ties, and those who have passed. They also remember us, and can offer guidance and comfort. The Moon in Taurus loves tradition, so today can also be a day for pulling out old photos and tracing family history.

Early tomorrow, the Moon moves into bright, networking Gemini, when messages of all kinds flow freely. Taking time to remember the ancestors today may open doors for communication tomorrow.

Aries Moon Moving into Taurus

This note begins with the Full Moon and continues through Saturday, October 23.

The Full Moon happens at 9:36pm EDT Friday in the very last degree of Aries, making this Full Moon the beginning of a void of course time! One more indication of the intensity of this fiery Full Moon: at the moment of opposition to the Sun and full illumination, the Aries Moon releases every bit of the energy she concentrated during the waxing phase, then she rests.

Falling Leaves by Olga Wisinger-Florian

Having blazed up in full glory, the Moon goes to earth, retiring first into a reflective time-between-times before emerging calmly into Taurus at 10:29pm Friday.

Now the Moon wanes, sharing openly what was sown at the New Moon and nurtured during the waxing cycle. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's autumn, time of harvest. The Moon in Taurus loves the scent of woodsmoke and mulled cider, the feel of tree bark, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot and geese overhead, bright sky and sparkling water.

We have not forgotten our transformative journey, although its pace has slowed. Overnight, the Taurus Moon trines Pluto and Ceres in Capricorn (4:40am Saturday), Earth communicating with Earth about the change of seasons and wheel of time.

The Moon in Taurus opposes Mercury (6:36am) and Venus (3:07pm) in Scorpio, and the Sun enters Scorpio (8:35am), more signs of ongoing transformation. The patient, practical Taurus Moon checks in with Mercury and Venus as they transit through Scorpio's deep waters, making sure they stay grounded as they explore the shadowy depths.

The days leading up to the Aries Full Moon have been filled with intensity. The shift into rest and reflection at the moment the Moon is full may seem abrupt, and yet perfectly timed. At the last degree of Aries, we answer the call to adventure and take that leap. In Taurus, we land in a pile of leaves on a bed of moss. It's a new world, perhaps not quite as dangerous as we'd feared (or hoped?). We take a deep breath. We have time.

Full Moon in Aries of October 22

Tomorrow's Full Moon catches the Moon in the last degree of Aries, and the Sun in the last degree of Libra; the second Aries Full Moon this year. Themes of balancing self and other, masculine and feminine, action and thought, abound.

The chart for the Full Moon shows the powerful container created by its interwoven aspects. The only planet not directly connected to the Moon is Saturn, and he squares the Nodes of the Moon, bringing his influence into the mix.

The placements of individual planets, as well as the aspects, reinforce themes of balance and integration, highlighting the need for a new synthesis.

The Moon, most yin of planets, is in Aries, most yang of signs. The bright and active Sun is in fall in calm and measured Libra. The Aries Moon is inconjunct Mars, ruler of Aries, in Scorpio, where Mars is nighttime ruler. Each contains and mirrors the other.

Pluto, dark underworld father, is conjunct Ceres, da mater, the Earth mother. Neptune and Uranus continue in mutual reception, each in the other's sign. Mercury and Venus in Scorpio, widely conjunct the Sun and in flowing aspect to the Moon's Nodes, call for deep exploration of what lies hidden.

Do we hang on for the ride and hope everything comes out ok? Or align with the fiery Aries Moon, and find out what we can do?

Each Full Moon turns on the lights to see if we're fulfilled. Looking to where Aries falls in our birth charts, we ask, how are things going? Is this part of my life on fire? Am I moving toward what I most want to achieve? We also ask, how am I with Aries? What's my energy level? Am I motivated? Is life juicy and exciting? Each planet around the wheel can offer a piece of the answer, as well as ways to move from "no" or "sometimes" to "yes!"

In the current issue of The Mountain Astrologer, Stephanie Austin says this Full Moon "reveals where women must reclaim their power and men must reclaim their hearts." The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon is the rather tame image of "A duck pond and its brood," which Austin links to the need to nurture and protect all life. I see the Moon in Aries as Artemis, fierce protector of the wild and the young.

Ted Andrews, who passed just a year ago, linked ducks with feminine energy because of their connection with water, emotions, and the astral plane. Because of their presence in many cultures throughout history, he also connected the duck with past lives. In Celtic tradition, water birds are considered magical because of their mastery of the three realms of air, land and sea.

With the strong links woven among the planets at this Full Moon, we're invited to integrate the elements of Fire, Air, Water and Earth, heeding messages from within and without, past, present and future. Perhaps as we look at the Full Moon chart, we see a starry duck pond, with her brood of planets lined up to fly, dive, or swim, according to their natures. The Aries Moon calls to us ... Jump in!

Waxing Moon in Aries

As the Aries Moon blazes her way toward tomorrow's Full Moon, she is inconjunct Venus in Scorpio and opposing Saturn. With each aspect, the Moon focuses feeling leading to action.

The Ram, emblem of the Faroe Islands

We've been experiencing Venus in Scorpio for several weeks now. Since she's retrograde, she'll be in this sign of depth and shadow until late December. The waxing Aries Moon ignites feelings about what we're learning from Venus in relationships, finances, and creativity. Venus in Scorpio helps us face difficult issues and stuck patterns but can leave us ... still stuck.

Aries bright fire offers the chance to shift, possibly dramatically. We close our eyes, reach into Scorpio's grab bag, pull out something we've been carrying around forever, and do something about it. Let it go, act on it, strike out in a new direction ... Something!

The Moon in Aries can be impulsive and sometimes angry, so today's opposition with Saturn in Libra offers stability and balance to ensure our actions are moving us forward in positive ways. The Aries Moon is ready to take the ram by the horns and act. Saturn in Libra insists we consider the consequences, for ourselves and others, before jumping in.

The Moon-Saturn opposition previews tomorrow's powerful Full Moon in Aries. The Sun, like Saturn, is in Libra, balancing Aries call to action with Libra's thoughtful calm. Look for a full post later today exploring the complex patterns of this year's second Full Moon in Aries!

Waxing Moon in Pisces Moves into Aries

A day of dramatic transitions! The Pisces Moon's last aspect early this morning was a conjunction with Uranus the Trickster. She entered her time-between-times then, at 6:25am, which I suppose explains why I was handing out strawberry-colored wafer cookies in my dream this morning

The Moon bursts into fiery Aries at 11:23am EDT, so we have a few more hours for reflecting with gentle Pisces, while Uranus pops in with unique messages of his own. If you get an intuitive flash, make a note! A void-of-course Moon is not the time to act on it, but this particular void time is awash with intuitive energy.

Aries is the warrior, the pioneer, the initiator. The Aries Moon wants to step in new territory and just do it. Welcome the new wind, igniting the flame of desire, fueling our drive to reach for the stars. Aries propels us forward, whether we're ready or not.

hiking boots

The Aries Moon steps into transformative territory today, so pull on the big boots. Mercury enters Scorpio at 5:19pm, as thought and communication reach new depths of insight, facing the Shadow. The Moon squares Pluto at 5:39pm, starkly focusing attention on where we're challenged to transform.

The Sun is inconjunct Uranus at 8:17pm, requiring adjustment between balanced Libran thought and cosmic revolutionary change. At 9:42, Mars in Scorpio trines Jupiter in Pisces, connecting our deepest and most transformative desires with the planet of expansion, philosophy and grace.

We are heading now towards Friday's Full Moon in Aries, the second Aries Full Moon this year, and one more in this year's parade of powerful Moons. At the Full Moon, we step out on stage ready to share what we've grown during this lunar cycle.

Today we shift from a time of reflection and preparation to the possibly shocking realization that this ship is about to launch. We feel the momentum building. Caught up in swirling Aries impulses, we're already moving. So take that time this morning, while the Moon rests between signs, to check in. Are you ready for this ride? Make sure you've got what you need. And don't forget the cookies!

Waxing Moon in Pisces

The Moon continues in oceanic Pisces today, suffusing the day with the energy of Water. Our choices will be to flow with intuitive guidance, cosmic connection, healing, and wise mentorship ... or lose ourselves in wounding and illusion.

Mercury in Libra, creative thinking and communication, formed an inconjunct with revolutionary Uranus early this morning. Uranus is in Pisces, offering radical insights and unexpected perspectives. The inconjunct aspect requires adjustment; can balanced Mercury dance with the Trickster? We may get flashes of intuition that shake up our world view.

ocean waves

The Sun in Libra trines Neptune, Pisces ruler, and Chiron the wounded healer. An easy flow of energy connects the bright star that powers our world with planets offering connection and healing, if we can see through veils of illusion. Working with Mercury and Uranus helps us see to the heart of the matter, recognize authenticity, and look beyond what is merely comfortable to find deep healing.

Tonight, the Pisces Moon trines Mars in Scorpio, a flowing connection between cosmic ocean and shadowy depths. This trine presents once again a choice between connection and healing, or wounding and illusion. Mars in Scorpio is powerful, deeply insightful, and intense. He offers us a chance to look deeply within and face our inner demons, accepting them and integrating their power. The alternative is projection and blame: Mars here can also be angry and vengeful. The Pisces Moon could make it easy to see ourselves as victims; the choice to embrace understanding and healing is ours.

In this week's podcast, astrologer Benjamin Bernstein shares his technique of consciously expanding our aura to contain the energies we need to accomplish a task. He applies this with Jupiter, planet of expansion and enthusiasm, and we can use this approach with today's Pisces and Neptune energies. Late tonight, the Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Pisces.

Floating in the vast cosmic ocean, surrounded with visions of insight, illusion, wounding and healing, we can experience ourselves as small, lost and unprepared to choose well ... or we can open our inner vision, connect with wise guidance, and expand our hearts to embrace all of who we are with love and understanding.

Waxing Moon in Pisces

The Moon swims the Pisces Ocean today. She flowed energy in sextile with transformative Pluto early this morning, which could bring up feels of loss and sacrifice. Pisces, ruled by Neptune and most at home in the 12th House, is flowing intuition, psychic sensitivity, deep empathy, and our connection with the cosmos. This Water sign also connects with the end of cycles, and so with what we let go of as we continue through life.

This sense of separation is emphasized as the Moon reaches apogee at 2:21pm, the time when she is farthest away from the Earth, and the connection between Earth and Moon is lessened.

Vénus au bain (fresco detail)

Mercury and the Sun, in balanced Libra, flow energy in trine with Pisces' ruler Neptune and with Chiron the wounded healer, both in Aquarius. If the Moon touches on feelings of loss today, this trine in clear-thinking Air can help us see what is triggering these feelings, and provide a fresh perspective, perhaps even a hidden gift, related to the situation.

The Moon reaches an inconjunct with Saturn in Libra at 7:00pm EDT, suggesting an adjustment will be needed to hold Pisces emotions and Libran thought together. Saturn asks us to look objectively at what is, while the Moon focuses on how it feels. There is a balance to be found here.

At 9:02pm, the Moon flows energy in sextile with Venus, retrograde in Scorpio. With Venus, we continue reviewing key relationships, as well as our relations with finances and our creative work. Dana Gerhardt calls these the high holy days for Venus, a deep time of renewal.

Today's connection with the Pisces Moon could highlight feelings about what Venus is showing us, while reminding us we're not alone. Even when we feel most isolated, a rock, an island, we are surrounded by the oceans that connect us all. The waters of Pisces offer support and healing.

Waxing Moon in Aquarius Moving into Pisces

The Aquarian Moon has reached the late-degree planetary congress, making today full of Moon aspects. She officially goes void of course with a conjunction to Neptune at 2:49pm EDT. On the way, the Moon will trine the Sun and Mercury in Libra, semisextile Jupiter and Uranus, and conjunct Chiron as well as Neptune. This is a lot for one morning!

Mandelbrot set (fractal)

The relationship among the personal planets (Moon, Sun and Mercury) is harmonious and balanced. Libra and Aquarius in trine have the ability to think clearly and speak diplomatically. The combination of Libran creativity and Aquarian innovative can lead to insights that are fair and beautiful, rather than traumatic or disruptive.

The powerful outer planets involved––Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, and Uranus––offer intuitive guidance and healing, deep understanding and new pathways. Getting there could involve taking a look at difficult emotions or old patterns, which becomes possible if we work with the Libra-Aquarius trine.

Perhaps you woke with an intense or meaningful dream this morning. Perhaps there are recent experiences that need unpacking. Whatever you've been working on, this morning offers a time of clear insight and support from intuitive guidance.

Opening the Moon's time-between-times with a Neptune tells us we can release conscious processing for a while, and rest. The Moon will enter Pisces at 10:52pm. The hours between 3pm and 11pm offer time for meditation that is open and calm. Neptune and Pisces invite us to connect with something larger than our individual selves. If these last days have stirred up difficult issues, the Moon's move toward Pisces is a reminder we're not alone. Just breathe.

Waxing Moon in Aquarius

The Moon is in Aquarius has the ability to step back from emotions, consider them objectively, think about the bigger picture, and look at situations in a new way. Early this morning, the Moon trined Saturn is balanced Libra, reinforcing this calm, practical approach to emotions.

The Moon's only other aspect today is a challenging square with Venus in Scorpio, exact at 10:09 am. Venus is retrograde, and over the past weeks has taken us beneath the surface of our relationships, our creativity, and our finances (Venus being one of the money planets). We're surfacing old feelings, looking at patterns, diving into messy situations, and wondering what to do with it all.

Today's Moon-Venus square can help, if we engage the energies in a positive way. Aquarius and Scorpio are both fixed signs, tending to stand their ground in the face of challenge and refuse to budge. So one way we could experience this square is a surge of resistance, seeing all the ways we were right and other people (and circumstances) were wrong.

got new glasses

A more productive way might be to engage the objectivity and innovation of Aquarius to look at ourselves and our lives in radically new ways. To avoid getting stuck in any one view, generate as many alternatives as you can, including ridiculous ones, to get yourself thinking outside the box.

This technique of generating alternatives is helpful in working our way out of depression, one of Scorpio's quagmires. When we're depressed, we go automatically and always to the worst possible interpretation of whatever we're down about. Coming up with other scenarios helps us shift into a more positive, active place.

Generative thinking is also a hallmark of innovators, and Aquarius loves innovation. People who find creative solutions to problems come up with lots of ideas. They don't magically find the one right solution, they think of lots of possibilities and try them out.

So wherever we've been feeling stuck, we can work with today's Aquarius Moon to innovate and revolutionize. Try on new glasses. Look at things sideways. Stand on our heads. Listen for flashes of intuition. Question authority, especially our own.

Waxing Moon in Capricorn Moving into Aquarius

The Capricorn Moon completes her steady progress through Capricorn this morning, and reached her final aspect, as sextile with Uranus, at 5:49am EDT. Uranus the Trickster sets the tone for this morning's void of course time, which is only fitting, since the Moon moves next into Uranus' home sign of Aquarius, arriving at 10:24am.

wind turbines in Oregon

The Moon's only aspects today are semisextiles (30 degree angles) back to Ceres, Pluto and the North Node in Capricorn, happening this afternoon.

Some astrologers see semisextiles as minor, often irritating angles because the signs involved, being adjacent, are in different elements as well as different modes. Yet the zodiac is a progression around the wheel of the year, so adjacent signs have something to say to each other. Donna Cunningham wrote about the importance of semisextiles in a blog post last year.

The Moon in revolutionary Aquarius wants to push Capricorn out of his traditional rut. Pluto, Ceres, and the North Node in Capricorn want the Aquarius Moon to stay grounded, and not build castles too high in the sky. The idea of anyone pushing Pluto is a bit laughable, but perhaps a touch of Aquarius Moon energy today will bring a new idea, a spark of innovation to the hard-working Capricorn planets.

The other key sky aspects in today's sky are quintiles, one fifth of the circle, that spark creativity. Libra and Mercury in creative, harmonious Libra will quintile Pluto today. With the Master of Deep Transformation receiving energy from two Air signs, perhaps fresh air and a new perspective will waft their way into the deep places.

Meanwhile, the Moon is ready to look at the world from a fresh perspective. Having weathered the first quarter square, she's heading for next week's Full Moon in Aries, full speed ahead. We lift our eyes from the task at hand, and look ahead. Where are we going? Today, we reconnect with our brighest visions of the future.

Waxing Moon in Capricorn

The lovely crescent Moon, glowing as she sets in the early evening, as been growing a little each day. Today, she reaches her square with the Sun, initiating the first quarter phase. This square challenges whatever we're growing in our lives. Are we steadfast in supporting this new goal? Have we made the adjustments needed to create space for the new by releasing what has been completed?

step by step

Today's Capricorn Moon supports us through this challenge. As the Sun continues in the Cardinal Air sign of Libra, this square echoes the theme of the last few days, pressing the question of whether we're planning our work (Libra) and working our plan (Capricorn). The square with the Sun comes exact at 5:27pm EDT, with other Moon aspects supporting this theme.

The first aspect today is a square with Mercury in Libra (exact at 1:57pm), asking whether our thoughts and communications aligned with our goals. Sextiles with Mars (3:32pm) and Jupiter (1:21 am Friday) offer the determination (Mars in Scorpio) and vision (Jupiter in Pisces) to carry on.

The miners in Chile have all safely returned to the surface of the Earth. The world celebrates with them and their families, and stands in awe of the skill, technology, determination, and cooperation that led to the successful rescue. And yet today's Capricorn Moon reminds us their journey is not over. Now the process of figuring out what went wrong and what needs to be done to fix it, begins. Now the miners and their families begin rebuilding their lives.

The challenges in our own lives can feel at times like our version of this global story: We can feel trapped, with the weight of the world pressing down on us, and no international rescue team coming to our aid. Today's half-Moon square could remind us just how large some of the obstacles in our path are. Yet the Moon in Capricorn has grit, the sheer determination to stay the course. With a clear plan for the next steps, we don't need to contemplate the big picture every day. We just need to accomplish the task before us, and trust that a way out will be found.

Waxing Moon in Capricorn

Today's Capricorn Moon wants us up and moving, working our plan. Emerging into this sign of Cardinal Earth overnight, the Moon joined the asteroid Ceres at 1 degree of Capricorn, and then Pluto, lord of the underworld, at 3 degrees.

Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is hard working, determined, and steadfast, prepared to stay the course no matter what to achieve the goal. Those characteristics are reinforced by Ceres, the Roman Demeter, who never gave up until her beloved daughter was recovered, and Pluto the inexorable.

Later today, the Moon squares Saturn in Libra (exact at 5:58pm EDT). This square, with balanced Saturn challenging the Moon in his own sign, asks us to stand firm, stay grounded, and get going. A sextile with Mercury in Libra just after midnight (12:09am), clarifies our ability to think, plan, and communicate what we need and want.

There could be no better image of the rewards of hard work, steady progress, and balance than the images of the Chilean miners reunited with their families and communities after months trapped in Pluto's depths. In the midst of conflicts between peoples and nations, this rescue offers another image of what is possible when we pool our resources and talents.

Everywhere on Earth, people watch as the miners emerge one by one from their confinement. The rescue capsule is called Phoenix, and each man rescued is reborn after great trials. This is what we can achieve together. May the rescue efforts continue as successfully as they've begun, and all the men return safely.

Waxing Moon in Sagittarius Moving into Capricorn

crescent Moon setting

The crescent Moon reached her sextile with the Sun very early this morning. In this part of the lunar cycle, as the Moon once again becomes visible in the sky, we begin to see the shape of what is growing. Check your wish list and look around ... are you seeing signs of change?

A square between the Moon and Jupiter at 4:15pm EDT today reminds us that our wishes may not appear exactly as we envisioned them, yet appear they will! As squares go, this one is more like a gentle nudge: The Sagittarius Moon is in Jupiter's home sign, and the Moon swims comfortably in Jupiter's current sign of Pisces.

A sextile with Neptune in Aquarius at 4:59pm echoes this message. Neptune, bringer of dreams, in the sign of the intuitive flash, sends a message to the Sagittarian Moon: Pay attention, change is in the air! At 5:28pm, the Moon reaches her sextile with Chiron, who adds, this change can bring healing.

At 8:08pm, the Moon reaches her square with Uranus in Pisces. Uranus the change-bringer may send a clearer vision of what is ahead for us, if we're paying attention. This aspect initiates the Moon's time-between-times, when we can reflect on whatever we received from the outer planets.

Just after midnight, at 12:17am, the Moon enters determined Capricorn. Tomorrow we'll be ready to work, taking concrete, practical steps toward our goals. Today is our day for checking maps, watching the weather, and listening to wise guides for what to expect along the way.

Waxing Moon in Sagittarius

Autumn leaves

The Moon continues her Sagittarian journey today, enjoying the autumn weather, finding the perfect new book to read, signing up for a class on folk art, and meeting friends for dinner at the latest ethnic restaurant. Her aspects today are flowing sextiles to Saturn (exact at 10:01am EDT) and Mercury (8:31pm) in Libra.

Today's optimistic, open-hearted energy provides a context for the ongoing Mars and Venus in Scorpio transits. The Sun is semisextile Mars today, 30 degrees away, illuminating whatever Mars is bringing up for us, tempering potential anger and resentment with Libran balance. Mars for his part will make sure Libra doesn't just gloss over problems, as he continues to dredge up stuff from the depths we need to review. Venus has just moved past her semisextile with Mercury, heading for one with Saturn later on.

The transit of these two personal planets in Scorpio continues offering opportunities for insight, especially with Venus retrograde through early November. Bracketed by Libran harmony and Sagittarian enthusiasm, looking at some of our Shadow issues might not seem so hard right now. If we think of this time of reflection as a kind of personal archeological expedition, the Sagittarius Moon will dive right in.

Waxing Moon in Scorpio Moving into Sagittarius

walking the labyrinth

The Moon in late Scorpio reaches her aspects with the late-degree outer planets, trining Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces, while squaring Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius. This brings our focus to the outer planets once again, as the Scorpio Moon emphasizes the Water element, and challenges Air.

We've been through an emotional time. I don't know about you, but I had some fairly intense dreams last night! This morning's aspects with the outer planets offer emotional realizations (Jupiter and Uranus in Scorpio) and the chance to place what we've learned into a wider context (Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius).

If yesterday felt like a dense cloud of feeling, today is the time for practices that support insight and understanding: dreamwork, mediation, journeywork, or whatever path you choose to explore your experiences and connect with guidance.

The trine with Uranus is exact at 2:27pm EDT, and begins the Moon's time-between-times, continuing the energy of reflection and insight. The Moon steps into bright, enthusiastic Sagittarius at 6:09pm.

many candles

As the Moon moves into the warmth and hospitality of Sagittarius, we might find ourselves seeking the company of friends, relaxing with a good meal and spirited conversation. If all that Scorpio energy has left you feeling a bit claustrophobic, your view of life may open up now, and possibilities for the future look brighter.

Take a moment to breathe deeply and realize that the good faith effort you put into exploring Scorpio's depths contributes directly to the sense of well being and expansiveness you feel now. Each sign of the zodiac leads into its following sign, and while the shift from Scorpio to Sagittarius can feel more abrupt than some, there is an important relationship here: Facing and integrating our shadow issues brings more power and light into our lives.

Waxing Moon in Scorpio

The Moon today focuses feeling and memory on Mars and Venus in Scorpio. She reaches conjunction with Venus at 1:35pm EDT, and with Mars at 8:06pm. The influence of Libra is still present, as the Moon is now semisextile with Mercury and the Sun maintain a semisextile with Mars.

Think of this as a time to examine the soil in which your New Moon wishes will grow. How do our beliefs and expectations, often hidden, affect our relationships and our creativity? Where do we hold on to anger and resentments that wind up poisoning us, rather than leading to productive change?

Ancestors Altar

Astrologer Linda Hill felt the Venus retrograde was so important, she wrote about it instead of the New Moon. Although, she writes, a Venus retrograde time can leave us feeling lost in the wilderness, the Sabian symbol offers a clue to what we can gain: Telephone lineman at work installing new connections. We can dive deeply into our past and our patterns, figure out how things have been for us, and create new ways of thinking and acting that serve us better.

Venus will remain retrograde through Samhain, also a time of connection. What we begin today can prepare the ground for the time of the ancestors, the time when the veil between the worlds is thin. Personal work with Venus and Mars in Scorpio now, supported by today's Moon, can help us step into Samhain's mysteries and connect with our power in new ways. Our New Moon wishes have been entrusted to the cosmos. In this waxing cycle, we prepare ourselves to receive her gifts.

Waxing Moon in Libra

Today's sky patterns offer paradoxes to ponder. We're in the New Moon phase, a time for planting seeds, setting intentions, and making wishes with the Moon. This New Moon connects us with potent energies for new beginnings, in the Cardinal (initiating, beginning) Air sign of lovely Venus.

Yet this morning, the Moon reaches her time-between-times in Libra. She's moving now into flowing trines with Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius, and inconjuncts with Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces. This void of course officially begins at 9:38am with the trine to Neptune; I look to the inconjunct with Uranus at 12:38pm for a more complete view of the Moon's path today ... which makes the void very brief, as she enters Scorpio at 12:52pm.

At the lake

The Moon enters shadowy Scorpio as Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio, another signal the waxing cycle we're entering is a little different. We are offered the chance over the next few weeks to look deeply at our relationships, our creativity, and our values, as Venus retraces the steps she took with Mars. And, if we need another signal, the Scorpio Moon's first aspect is a sextile to transformative Pluto, Scorpio's ruler, at 8:40pm.

So today's energy is one of depth, introspection, and insight. To plant a seed, we must dig a hole in rich soil, set the seed inside, cover it up, water it. We let go of the seed; we can't see it or touch it. Germination happens within the dark womb of Earth and Water. This is how the world works, but it's not easy. We want to know, did I plant the right seed? Is the hole too deep? Did I add enough water? Is it sprouting yet? But if we dig up the seed to look, we cause harm.

This paradox is reflected in the Moon's movement from bright, airy Libra to shadowy Scorpio. Moving into the time-between-times, the Moon trines Neptune and Chiron while forming inconjuncts to Jupiter and Uranus, which raises the question, why Libra is easy and comfortable with Aquarius, and needing to adjust to Pisces ... especially when Neptune and Uranus are in each other's signs? Can't they call just be happy and spiritual together?

Well, yes and no. In the intuitive, visionary, spiritual, healing, and creative aspects of our lives (Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter), we need Libra's refined sense of balance. Strong personal boundaries aid our discernment and keep us safe, as we connect with others empathically. Sometimes we need to stand firm, sometimes we need to let go. Sometimes we need grace, sometimes we channel grace to others.

Now we are planting seeds. The Moon's patterns today remind us that planting a seed is an act of faith. We have made our preparations. We place our seeds in the dark earth, and hold ourselves in stillness.

New Moon in Libra • Walking the Labyrinth

Today at 2:44pm EDT, the Moon reaches the Sun to form the New Moon in Libra. This New Moon at 14 degrees of Libra falls right in the middle of this sign of balance, poised between two Full Moons in Aries. Another indicator of the times of great change we live in, we pause in Cardinal Air, inclining our thoughts to our intentions during this seed time.

Wishes at this New Moon focus on Libran qualities, ideals far deeper than red carpet images of beauty and keeping the peace at all costs. Libran beauty and harmony are soul qualities, speaking to balance within as well as without, invoking the Navajo Beauty Way chant: Beauty before me, beauty behind me, beauty above me, beauty all around me, I walk in beauty.

This New Moon in a special time of new beginnings. Its Sabian symbol is "a circular path," a rich image that conjures up returning, spiraling to new heights, and the mysteries of the labyrinth and the rose. If we stay with the most superficial view of Libra, as a sign focused solely on others and unable to know her own mind, the circular path might become a trap. Now is the time to embrace the understanding that our psyches include many "others" and we deserve the same consideration and compassion we offer to those around us.

The chart for this New Moon is amazing. Each planet paired, and all linked, the aspect patterns resemble a labyrinth at the center of which we find the North Node and Pluto. In the midst of deep insights offered by the powerful outer planets, and by Mars and Venus transiting through Scorpio, our feet are directed to our own karmic path.

Now is the time for intentions to gain clarity on what we are meant to do and be in this lifetime. Now's the time to wish for the courage to take the steps we must take to reach our goals.

The proximity of Saturn and Mercury to the New Moon speak to the need to think and communicate clearly, act with deliberation and responsibility, and take concrete steps to manifest our desires.

Neptune and Uranus in mutual reception 30 degrees apart bring messages from the cosmos, supported by Chiron and Jupiter, angels of the healing journey. These times can feel chaotic, challenging, overwhelming. Many of us face serious challenges at work and at home. And yet in the energies swirling around us, we sense deeper meaning. This New Moon is a time to ask for clear guidance and a strong connection with the still voice within.

This New Moon stirs us to our depths. These last weeks of Mars and Venus in Scorpio have brought us face to face with issues we perhaps would rather avoid. Not long after the New Moon, Venus turns retrograde, offering more time to plumb the Scorpionic depths of our relationships, our creativity and our values. This time brings the insight and energy to transform old patterns, releasing what no longer works and stepping into new ways of being.

The Moon is dark now. We step into her labyrinth, tracing the path of many seekers before us. We feel the energies in the shadows, and know we are supported even as we are tested. The light we need is within us. The only way out is through. We are ready to find the center.

Waning Moon in Virgo Moving into Libra

During this last day of the lunar cycle, the Virgo Moon diligently prepares the ground for the seeds to be planted at the coming New Moon. Now in the last degrees of Virgo, she checks in with the outer planets clustered here, reporting on what she's learned and asking for any final instructions.

image from dreamstime.com

The Moon's combination of inconjuncts and oppositions signifies Virgo's willingness to learn, and then do what is needful. Her inconjuncts with Neptune (exact at 9:48am EDT) and Chiron (exact at 10:20am) in Aquarius ask: What intuitive guidance is offered to us? What adjustments must we make to complete this process of healing?

Her opposition with Jupiter in Pisces (exact at 10:12am) asks for benediction ... words of blessing from the Great Benefic in the sign of our connection to the cosmos. Her opposition to Uranus (exact 12:43pm) is a bow to the great trickster, acknowledging we are on a path of change, seeking to fully embody our unique selves.

The Moon enters her time-between-times with the opposition to Uranus, although there is one more aspect of note: At 2:54pm, she squares Ceres, the Grain Mother. Ceres, in late Sagittarius very close to Pluto, will ask for an accounting. Does this harvest reflect our best work? Are we well prepared and supplied for the next stage of our journey? This is a good time to finish whatever is still undone.

At 3:51pm, the Moon enters balanced and beautiful Libra, the Air sign ruled by Venus that opens us to relationship. The lineup of planets waiting to greet the Libra Moon reminds us that relationships transform us: Her first aspect is a square to Pluto at 8:30pm.

A conjunction with Mercury at 2:08am Thursday gives voice to our thoughts and feelings. As we move toward the New Moon, what do we want to say? What last things can we release? What wishes will we make when the New Moon arrives?

Waning Moon in Virgo

Today's Moon aspects are simple yet significant: She flows energy with Mars and Venus in Scorpio. These sextiles come exact at 1:01pm (Venus) and 2:42pm (Mars) this afternoon. The Moon in Virgo is detailed and analytical. Mars and Venus in Scorpio are deep and incisive. This powerful combination offers alternatives.

As Mars and Venus in Scorpio continue to uncover what's really going on in our relationships, creative lives, and actions, we've possibly been brought face to face with some less than lovely truths, or issues we'd stuffed way back in the drawer, and had our buttons pushed a few times. Adding Virgo's devastating talent for critique to that mix could take us to a place where we see exactly where things went wrong and are ready to point that out in excrutiating and excoriating detail to the person or persons we hold responsible, which could be us.

Let's agree to step back from that one, if possible.

Moray eel

A fascinating alternative presents itself in an AP story picked up this morning on Yahoo! News: A worldwide census of the deep oceans reveals that marine life is far more interconnected that previously thought. Key species have a much wider distribution than we knew, and the DNA overlap among species is tremendous, despite their apparent diversity.

Imagine the Moon in Virgo as a careful scientist diving deep into Scorpionic oceans, studying each species in detail, analyzing data step by step. Her work is an act of service that she hopes will bring healing through a greater understanding of the ocean world. Yet as she works on one piece of the data, she can't see the whole picture.

Now, as Mars and Venus combine action and values, desire and relationship, into a creative whole, the gifts of Virgo are illuminated. We see the overall pattern of dark and light, predators and prey, the beautiful and the grotesque, and yet everything within these vast depths is intricately and intimately connected. Just like us.

The Sun in balanced and harmonious Libra sits right between the Virgo Moon, and Mars and Venus in Scorpio, creating semisextiles to each. The additional solar light helps us appreciate the marvelous wonders of Scorpio's depths, revealed by the detailed research of the Virgo Moon.

Waning Moon in Leo Moving into Virgo

Today we transition, spending (as we did last Monday) a chunk of the day in a void-of-course time. Here in Ohio, it rained in the night and thick gray clouds blanket the sky. The Leo Moon has, perhaps, a closing song for us, one last speech to declaim or poem to share, as she opposes Neptune and Chiron at 9:52am EDT.

Ceiling, Maccabees Chapel, Geneva

The Moon's face-to-face dialogue with Neptune and Chiron may bring messages from the cosmos, as it ushers in the official beginning of the void-of-course time. If we recognize the inconjunct, that angle of active adjustment, as worthy of note (and I do include the inconjunct as important), then we wait until the Moon reaches her inconjunct with Jupiter (10:36am) and then Uranus the trickster (12:54pm) before saying the time-between-times has begun.

However we recognize these aspects, we feel the Leo Moon enter a more reflective, visionary time as she touches three outer planets bearing messages (Neptune the visionary, Chiron the wounded healer, and Uranus the revolutionary), plus Jupiter the philosopher and bringer of quests. This morning is a time for holding large ideas and feelings in our hearts, allowing them to take shape slowly.

The Moon enters practical Virgo at 4:00pm, ready to buckle down and take care of details. Virgo is the sign of service and healing, of research and organizing. If you need something, ask a Virgo; she'll know where it is or how to find it!

to Adadi Mariam, Ethiopia

And yet, don't overlook the importance of Virgo. At 8:41pm, the Virgo Moon trines Pluto, sharing an easy flow of information with the great transformer. These two planets in Earth signs work together, Pluto with the grand design for how the world (and we) will be reforged, and the Virgo Moon with her felt sense of what the next steps need to be. A Mercury-Pluto square at 2:08am Tuesday brings Cardinal Air and Cardinal Earth into focus: Time to plan our work and work our plan.

Today's energy begins with strong connections with planets bringing visions and insights, and a time to absorb and reflect on them. This afternoon, we move into a time of doing, where we take the next practical, specific steps on our path.

Waning Moon in Cancer Moving into Leo

Loutra Thermes Xanthi

Today's notes cover the Moon's transit through Cancer and Leo today, Saturday, and Sunday.

Today's Cancer Moon swims in deep waters as she trines Mars and Venus in Scorpio. For the last week or two, Mars and Venus have been traveling close together through Pluto's sign of Shadow and transformation. Since Mars is the ancient ruler of Scorpio, this transit has been inviting us––and at times the invitation may feel fairly insistent––to look beneath the surface of our relationships, our values, our actions, and our anger.

Early this morning, the Moon reached her exact trine with Mars (5:39am EDT), bringing intense dreams that may reference old patterns, perhaps ancestral ones. The trine with Venus is exact at 7:50am. A series of challenging aspects between Mercury (thought, communication, messages) and Neptune, Chiron, and Jupiter today reinforce our sense of needing to reexamine and perhaps release old ways of thinking, acting and relating that no longer serve us.

The Moon in Cancer has a strong connection with the past, so change may not feel easy. Yet if we accept the guidance of loving ancestors, they can show us paths to healing that honor our traditions.

Tomorrow morning may open the gateway to whatever change is needed. The Moon trines expansive, philosophical Jupiter at 9:07am EDT Saturday. Jupiter, in visionary Pisces, has the power and grace to bring us big dreams.

Meanwhile, Mercury is opposite Uranus, asking for the practical details we need to bring new visions into our world in healing and service. The Cancer Moon trines revolutionary Uranus at 11:14am, then reaches a sextile with Mercury at 11:21am, touching each side of this dialogue between the cosmic and the everyday, the big picture and the work needed to make it real.

The sextile with Mercury is the Moon's last aspect in Cancer, ushering in her time-between-times. At 2:21pm EDT, she steps onto the stage in blazing Leo, ready to share her vision with the world.

Saturday afternoon becomes a time for creative play, passionate expression, and connecting with our heart's desire. This is a time to give form to visions and dreams, a form that reflects our own unique light. The Leo Moon reaches an unconjunct angle-of-adjustment with transformative Pluto at 7:13pm, when the brilliant passionate heart faces an immovable force.

Malek

In the hero's journey (and Leo is all about the hero), Pluto can play many roles: threshold guardian, monster, trap, final challenger, wise elder and giver of boons. How we meet him depends on where we are in this particular journey, and how well we've prepared. The Leo Moon will help keep our courage high, and our hearts strong.

Sunday's aspects suggest opportunities for insight. The Leo Moon trines Saturn in balanced Libra at 3:53am, grounding and enhancing the creativity of this fiery Moon. The Moon reaches her waning sextile with the Sun at 7:26am, a time of deep understanding as the Moon approaches the end of this lunar cycle.

At 11:04am, Mercury enters Libra, lending balance and harmony to our thoughts and communications. We may wish to call on Mercury as the Leo Moon challenges Mars (square at 11:40am) and then Venus (square at 11:53am), both in Scorpio. For added intensity (if any were needed), Mars and Venus reach their conjunction in Scorpio at 5:58pm.

If Mars and Venus in Scorpio have brought unwelcome revelations, or stirred feelings of anger, the challenges in square from the Leo Moon could trigger fiery expressions of hurt. The presence of Saturn, the Sun, and now Mercury in creative, harmonious Libra offer another path: we can channel the Leo Moon's bright courage into strong, beautiful, passionate expressions of the heart.