Moon into Virgo: Carefully Attending to Details

Monday morning through Wednesday morning

In the early hours of Monday morning, the Moon steps precisely into Virgo, ready to be of service.

First encountering Neptune (an opposition) and Ceres (an inconjunct), the Moon needs to stay focused to balance the messages coming in from these two outer messengers. Soon afterward, a conjunction with Mercury might help get everything sorted out and organized ...  which is good, because meetings with Chiron (an opposition) and Uranus (an inconjunct) are soon to follow.

... paying attention

With Monday morning filled with outer planet connections, the Moon and Mercury can work together, emotions and thoughts, to sort out the intuitive guidance and outer influences flowing from multiple directions. Virgo's attention to detail will come in handy here.

Late morning, the square between Jupiter and the Sun, in the fixed signs of Taurus and Leo, could offer a sense of stability, like two corners of a building, or might offer a sense of resistance to whatever the Moon and Mercury learn. Taurus and Leo both share a creative drive, so if stubborn feelings arise, try channeling them in new, creative directions.

Monday afternoon brings a flowing trine between the Virgo Moon and Pluto the alchemist, a chance for the Moon to check in on next steps in Pluto's transformative agenda. In the evening, the Moon reaches a trine with Jupiter, ready to flow energy into new, expansive growth in these early days of the waxing cycle.

The Jupiter trine is also the Moon's last classical aspect in Virgo, initiating a long void-of-course period that lasts until Wednesday morning. During this time-between-times, Mercury stations retrograde, ready to revisit the Leo territory of Saturday's New Moon.

It might seem as though Mercury retrograde will put a brake on Leo's momentum. Yet, this time of reflection can help us as we begin working our way into the transformative energies of the Leo New Moon. As if to emphasize this possibility, Mercury will be conjunct the Sun at August's Full Moon.

So, as we enter this Mercury retrograde, back up computers, make extra copies of important papers, and allow extra time for travel ... but also make space for mediation and reflection, connecting with the heart, and exploring creativity and joy.

The Moon enters balanced, graceful Libra Wednesday morning at 6:08am.

Moon into Leo: Sailing to the New Moon

Friday night through Sunday night

Overnight, the Moon roars into Leo, ready for anything. Because Saturday's New Moon occurs early in Leo, at 7 degrees, aspect patterns for the New Moon begin falling into place.

The Moon begins with an inconjunct to Neptune and a trine to Ceres, easily understanding the fierce maternal energy of Demeter, but having a harder time connecting with Neptune's easy, cosmic flow. The Leo Moon is very much in the bright Sun of the Now, not the forever waters of Neptune's oceans.

Then comes the conjunction with Venus that is one of the hallmarks of this New Moon. Venus brings added creativity and good fortune, as well as relationships. 

A trine to Uranus in Aries is the signal that this Moon is thinking outside the box, innovative as well as creative and not bound by convention. At the same time, and inconjunct to Chiron in Pisces reminds us that the deepest forms of creative expression are also healing.

The New Moon is exact at 2:40pm Saturday. Once we reach this moment, we can make wishes and send our intentions out to the universe with all the passion and joy Leo can muster (and that's quite a bit!). Leo's qualities point the way to wishes that will be strongly supported now. Where do we need more passion and joy in our lives? What creative gifts are ready to shine? Where is it time to step into the spotlight, claim our power, and become king, or queen? Where do we need more fun, more play?

This New Moon is the focal point of a yod, that fateful aspect that says "this is important!" Pluto on one side, and Neptune and Chiron on the other, challenge the Leo New Moon to transform, heal and connect, to shine our heart light not only on a limited human stage, but out into the cosmos.

After the New Moon, the Moon and Jupiter reach their exact square, a reminder that while desire flies on swift wings, manifestation takes a bit more time, and care. Jupiter brings good fortune, expansiveness, and generosity, which Leo loves. The Moon brings nurturing and a love for tradition that Taurus feels comfortable with. There is room in this square for much balancing.

A nighttime sextile with Saturn in Libra continues the theme of manifesting creativity. Saturn, the planet of form, can help our New Moon intentions become real.

Sunday, Venus in Leo begins to move through the same aspects. She forms an inconjunct to Chiron and trines Uranus, looking healing in matters of creativity, finances, and relationship by thinking outside the box and staying true to her core self.

Overnight Sunday, the Moon reaches her last classical aspect in Leo, sextiling Mars in Gemini. This connection channels Leo's creative fire into new communications, seeking innovative ways to spread the word.

The Moon steps into the carefully organized territory of Virgo in the early hours of Monday, preparing to create the detailed plans that will make Leo's wild creativity into something a bit more practical, perhaps, but also real.

Moon into Cancer: A Path with Heart

Wednesday night through Friday night

The Moon slipped into her home sign of Cancer last night, to join Neptune and then Chiron. If you woke with rich dreams this morning, images filled with mystery, and a sense of revisiting the past, know that the Moon, Neptune and Chiron were there.

A Path with Heart is a book written by Jack Kornfield, in which he teaches that connection with the heart is essential to living a calm, meaningful life. An earlier work of his was titled, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry ... these are Cancerian ideas.

Cancer is cardinal Water, the sign that reaches out to others, offering the nurturing warmth of home. The Moon in Cancer feels the importance of things like laundry, and the path of heart. During this transit, the Moon will stand up for the values of home, family, and living from the heart

Challenges began early this morning, as the Moon squared Uranus in Aries, and then opposed Pluto in Capricorn. The Moon triggers each of these powerful energies, which are squaring each other, with reminders of the importance of feelings, of family, of tradition.

hearts at sunset

As the Cancer Moon stands for tradition, this is a day of change. As Venus moves into Leo, a yod forms, pointing at the Sun and Venus both, from Neptune and Chiron on one side and Pluto on the other, opening the yod that will remain in place for the coming New Moon.

The Sun and Venus are at the point of this yod, the focus of Pluto and Neptune's transformations. Who are we, now? What are we meant to shine into the world?

This afternoon, the Cancer Moon squares Saturn in Libra, two forces of tradition looking for a balance between heart and mind. This is the Moon's last classical aspect in Cancer, beginning a long void-of-course time that continues until she enters Leo in the early hours of Saturday (2:16am EDT). During this void, Mercury and Neptune reach their opposition, our thought in touch with cosmic thought.

This Moon transit through Cancer brings us near the end of this waning lunar cycle, when we release what we've completed to prepare the way for the new. This Cancer Moon asks us to look carefully, to consider what our hearts need, as we move into this time of transition and transformation.

An Extra Jolt of Gemini

Tuesday :)

Yes, I already posted on the Gemini Moon, and yes, here I am again.

This morning, Michael showed up in my dreams again. The last time he appeared, the Moon was in Gemini and he showed up to reconfigure my internet connections. Exploring the dream, I realized this Michael was an angel, a messenger, an avatar of Mercury.

(Traditionally, Michael the Archangel is a warrior and dragon slayer. Personally, I'm not in favor of slaying dragons, so I'd like to state here that this particular Michael has a rather different style.)

Michael Mercury

I woke from an dream of two Michaels running parallel to each other in somewhat different dimensions. One was an ordinary man, running down a city street.

A voice said, "this is Michael the mundane." Then I looked to my right, and saw another Michael, also running, wearing a leather helmet with small wings on either side. The voice said, "and this is Michael ... "

Did the voice mean, Michael the magical? The cap looked like the one worn by Captain America, but those wings ... this was Captain Mercury, come back to visit, graduated from cable guy to superhero.

So, I'm cruising around the 'net this morning, and find this entry on the Burning Man blog called Laughing our way to Tomorrow. It's about the saving grace of play, about how whimsy is not only innovative but redemptive.

something silly ...

These are serious times, heavy times, with much work to be done. How can we not be weighed down by it all? And yet ... there are balloons, 3-D glasses, caterpillars that grow exponentially, people who go out into bleak desert every summer and create astonishing things, and skies that look different every single day.

Today the Gemini Moon trines Saturn in Libra. The faster moving planet gets to be the trigger, and the Moon never seems to move faster (or more erratically) than when in Gemini. Saturn is the heavy, but in Libra also graceful and creative. Saturn is marvelous at manifesting. Today, manifest at least one silly thing :)

Moon into Gemini: Creative Connections, Innovative Ideas

Monday afternoon through Wednesday night

kinetic sculpture race :)

The Moon jumps into Gemini just after noon (12:34pm EDT) for a time of connection and communication. Gemini is mutable, flexible Air, a curious, active mind ready to explore and share ... with a tendency to be easily distracted. In this waning half of the cycle, we look at what we've learned and prepare the way for the new cycle to come.

Right away, the Moon opens conversations with Ceres in Aries (sextile) and Neptune in Pisces (square). Aries' straight-to-the-point approach flows more easily with Gemini than Pisces' go-with-the-flow, but Gemini is undaunted by differences and finds a way to connect all three. Intuition related to the sacred feminine is one link, but there are sure to be more.

Later, the Moon sextiles the Leo Sun, a time when we may feel fully justified in speaking our minds forthrightly and with passion. While Ceres' messages may support the need to take and stand and speak out, Neptune can remind us to maintain compassionate connection. This Sun-Moon combination also supports innovation and creativity, so have notepaper and sketchpads nearby.

This evening, the Moon communes with Uranus in Aries (sextile) and Chiron in Pisces (square). This combination could open up new ways of thinking about our unique path (Uranus in Aries) and how sharing what we've learned can benefit our communities (Chiron in Pisces). Or our ideas about what needs to be healed (Chiron) could be turned completely upside down (Uranus). When the Moon's in Gemini, look for innovative twists and both/and solutions.

Tuesday opens with a flowing trine between the Gemini Moon and Saturn in Libra. If Saturn has been creating some stuckness for you, communication with today's Moon can lighten the mood and open doors and windows, letting in fresh air and new ideas.

Wednesday afternoon brings a conjunction between the Moon and Mars, energizing communications and networking of all kinds. This could help the Sun, currently inconjunt Neptune and Chiron in Pisces. These three are looking for a way to honor the need for both individual creative expression and the call for cosmic balance and communion. Innovation is needed, and Gemini will have ideas.

Later in the afternoon, the Leo Sun reaches a trine with Uranus in Aries, a combined energy surge that will make us grateful we paid attention to all the messages of connection and innovation the Moon's been facilitating for us. With the right networks in place, the blazing creativity of this Sun-Uranus trine can flow into something amazing.

Early evening, the Gemini Moon connects with Mercury in Leo in sextile, again energizing new thoughts, connections, and communications that are creative and passionate. This is the Moon's last classical aspect in Gemini, though, and so leads into a time of reflection.

Less than an hour later, the Moon steps into her home sign of Cancer, ready to relax and be nourished, safely at home.

Moon into Taurus: Slow Down, You Move Too Fast ...

Friday night through Monday morning

heirloom tomatoes

After several days spent surging through Aries, the Moon slooooooooows down in patient, sensuous Taurus. Just after entering Taurus, the Moon squares the Sun, newly in Leo, as if to say, savor this present moment.

This is the Last Quarter Moon, when she turns from Mars toward Venus, moving closer to the Earth again. If we pay attention, there are things to be learned now about this lunar cycle and about how our lives are unfolding. We prepare for the next New Moon, arriving next week, in Leo.

Just after the Last Quarter Moon is exact, the Moon sextiles Neptune and semisextiles Ceres overnight. Connecting with the planet of dreams and visions, and with the asteroid of the powerful Grain Mother, this is a strong, manifesting, Earth Moon. Set intentions tonight for dreams you wish to come true.

Since the Moon will also sextile Chiron and semisextile Uranus overnight, look for unexpected images that offer healing, and move us toward becoming who we truly are.

Saturday brings an inconjunct between the Leo Sun and Neptune in Pisces. How can we flow with a cosmic vision and still sing our own song? The Moon counsels patience and self love, as she trines alchemical Pluto and joins Jupiter in Taurus.

Sunday night, we'll see an inconjunct between the Taurus Moon and Saturn in Libra. Although inconjunct angles usually point to difficult adjustments, Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, building a bridge between these two. This aspect focuses our attention on what steps are needed to make our dreams real.

In the early hours of Monday, the Moon sextiles Venus in Cancer, an aspect of mutual reception (each planet rules the sign the other is in) that promises a flow of intuition for our morning dreams.

A late morning square between the Moon and Mercury begins the Moon's void of course period, which ends just after noon when the Moon enters Gemini. Mercury says, don't forget what you learn during the Moon's transit through Taurus, you'll want to share in Gemini!

Moon into Aries: What is Ready to Emerge?

Wednesday morning through Friday night

The Moon moves into Aries just after noon today (EDT), having completed a cycle through the zodiac and ready to emerge reborn. In this waning half of the lunar cycle, we share what we've learned and achieved, and release what no longer serves us. The Aries Moon eagerly sheds the old, the completed, the worn out, and strides into new territory.

French 15th century image of Demeter

The Moon's first aspect is a conjunction with Ceres, newly arrived herself in Aries. Ceres (Demeter in the Greek pantheon) is a goddess older than Zeus. His sister in the myths of Olympian gods, she is thought to predate this time, an ancient Earth Mother brought forward into the newer system.

Goddess of agriculture, she was the mother of both Persephone and Dionysus. Often portrayed as maternal and nurturing, Demeter has her fierce side. She was ready to let everything die, and would not yield, until her daughter was returned to her.

Demeter is also patroness of the Eleusian Mysteries, secret ecstatic rites held each year that celebrated the cycle of ascent and descent and ascent again, sacred to the fertility of all things. Ceres in Aries, brought to our attention today by the presence of the Moon, shows us the face of the fierce mother who understands the deep mysteries of life, and of death, and will fight to protect what she loves.

Tonight, the Moon joins revolutionary Uranus, and squares Pluto. This draws attention to one of the most powerful aspects in the sky right now, the Uranus-Pluto square, a true clash of titans. Ellen Longo offers an excellent discussion of these two energies in this post in her Astro4Business blog.

Thursday morning brings an opposition between the Aries Moon and Saturn in Libra, a time when we might feel pulled between the strong desire to pursue our own goals, and our awareness of the needs of others. The opposition is a time of maximum light, when each side fully illuminates the other, so use this aspect to see clearly what each side wants and needs, and look for a creative, balanced solution.

Friday morning, the Moon aspects the personal planets, sextiling Mars in Gemini, squaring Venus in Cancer, and trining Mercury in Leo. Like Saturn in Libra, Venus today is the voice of relationship. What so others need and want from us? Mercury in Leo strongly supports our most creative, joyful, passionate voice. Gemini Mars says, let's find the connections here and move toward a new synthesis.

The Mercury trine is the Moon's last classical aspect in Aries, leading into a void-of-course time. Just before the Moon enters Taurus, at midnight Friday, the Sun enters Leo, creating a square between them. This square is the Waning Half Moon, a time when we're challenged to let go of whatever no longer serves as, as we move toward the next New Moon, in the sign of Leo.

These are two fixed signs, which can dig in their heels, so our dreams tonight might reflect any tensions in our psyches between our desire to sign our own song, and our commitments and responsibilities. Both Taurus and Leo are passionate and creative, so look for a solution that honors those qualities. Soon after the Sun-Moon square, the Taurus Moon sextiles Chiron and Neptune in Pisces, so that later dreams might offer visions of how this can be accomplished.

Moon into Pisces: Going with the Flow

Sunday night through Wednesday morning

In my last post, I mentioned the Moon would swim into Pisces tonight, creating a wonderful space for intuitive dreams and visions. So much energy has been swirling and crackling around us, a time of peaceful flowing with Pisces might feel most welcome. Of course, if we're looking for clear, precise answers, or we've been strenuously resisting change, this Pisces Moon might feel foggy and confusing.

waterlily

This is a time to let go of tension and align with the always-flowing powers of the world. Monday's aspects are sextiles; first between the Moon and Pluto the alchemist, then between the Moon and Jupiter the sage. This Pisces Moon supports transformation with enthusiasm, entering joyfully into the alembic, ready to emerge in a few form.

Early Tuesday afternoon, the Moon trines Venus in Cancer, creating an easy flow of emotional energy for relating and creating. Later in the day, the Moon squares Mars in Gemini. These two mutable signs, Water and Air, need to find a space to connect, forming a matrix that supports ongoing communication.

Wednesday morning (7:15am EDT), the Moon trines the Sun in Cancer. This waning trine is a time of insight, when the illuminations of the Full Moon are perhaps more easily understood, or seen in a wider context. This is the Moon's last aspect in Pisces, opening a time-between-times until the Moon strides into Aries just after noon (12:25pm EDT).

This Moon transit through Pisces is a time to open our peripheral vision, using soft focus to become aware of what is flowing around us. If we align with the currents, our passage will be easier.

Moon into Aquarius: Moving Forward

Friday afternoon through Sunday night

The Capricorn Moon has been void of course since last night's brilliant Full Moon. Reflecting on the illuminations the Full Moon brought, we're waiting until the Moon steps into forward-thinking Aquarius before committing to a course of action. At 4:30pm EDT, just as the traditional workweek ends, the Moon enters the outside-the-box sign of Fixed Air.

shock waves forming new stars

Friday night, the Moon reaches her first aspects in Aquarius: sextiles to Ceres and Uranus in Aries, and semisextiles to Neptune and Chiron in Pisces. Energy is flowing in revolutionary ways. This is a great night for dream intentions focused on intuitive guidance, healing, and revolutionary connection.

Early Saturday morning, the Moon squares Jupiter in Taurus, a chance to adjust and bring glorious visions into ordinary reality. A trine between the Moon and Saturn in Libra on Saturday afternoon adds energy to this work. Overnight, another trine to Mars in Gemini gives yet another boost, making Saturday a good day for taking positive, practical, forward-thinking steps toward our goals.

Early Sunday morning, the Aquarius Moon reaches an opposition to Mercury in Leo at the same moment as she trines the South Node and sextiles the North, reminding us to include our own passionate, creative, voice from the heart in whatever grand plans we make to benefit the world. This is the Moon's last classical aspect in Aquarius.

The last important aspect come shortly afterward, however, as the Moon reaches an inconjunct angle-of-adjustment to the Sun in Cancer. This intriguing connection nudges us to step back from our emotional attachments to home, family and tradition, and feel outside the box. What new emotional perspective do we need now?

Sunday night, the Moon swims into Pisces, right into the arms of Neptune and Chiron. We're seeing wonderful aspects for dreaming these days, and tonight is another. Have pens and dream journals ready.

Moon into Capricorn: Making it Real

Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon

The Moon marches through Capricorn now, putting one boot down, then the other. My guided journey for tomorrow night's Full Capricorn Moon is available now, offering one path for connecting with the energy of this Moon.

The paired themes of this Full Moon are the challenges of making our goals real, and the generosity of the universe in sending messages on how that can happen.

Today, messages come thick and fast, as the Moon touches each of the outer planets: a sextile to Neptune this morning, followed by a sextile to Chiron, square to Uranus, conjunction with Pluto, and trine to Jupiter this afternoon and evening.

This is an Earth Moon, grounded, practical, wanting to know what's real. Uranian Fire might feel like nothing more than blowing smoke today, while the connections with Pluto and Jupiter in Earth, and Neptune and Chiron in Water, are things we can really get our hands on.

But wait ... overnight, the Capricorn Moon squares Saturn in Libra. What's this Saturn-Saturn connection (Saturn as ruler of Capricorn) trying to tell us? Maybe we need balance, careful thought, a touch of beauty, and the warmth of emotion too, and not just hard work. As the old song has it, "yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too."

Thursday morning, the Moon reaches an opposition with Venus in Cancer, the only aspect today on the way to the Full Moon. This Moon-Venus, Capricorn-Cancer connection says again, the work we do is vitally important, but equally vital are the reasons, the feelings, the values, the relationships that provide the context for our actions in the world. We need the color; we need the love.

The Full Moon arrives at 2:40am EDT, the culmination of the Moon's transit through Capricorn, as her last classical aspect in this sign. After this, the Moon is void of course until she enters Aquarius at 4:30pm EDT Friday, a long time to reflect on whatever the Full Moon illuminates for us.

Moon into Sagittarius: Mapping Our Course

Monday morning through Wednesday morning

Early Monday (5:47am EDT), the Moon enters Sagittarius, that expansive, generous, gregarious energy bringing us to the doorstep of the this week's Full Moon. Monday's aspects point to lots of messages, followed by a readiness for action, so dig out your Sagittarian explorer's hat and prepare to listen to the sages you'll meet on this journey.

Ptolemy

Over the course of the day, the Moon will square Neptune in Pisces, trine Uranus in Aries, square Chiron in Pisces, form a semisextile with Pluto in Capricorn, and form an inconjunct with Jupiter in Taurus. Yes, that's all the outer planets plus Sagittarius' ruler, Jupiter, weighing in with something for the Moon.

Remember, faster-moving planets act as triggers; if significant transits are happening from any of these outer planets to something in your birth chart, the Moon could heighten your awareness, bring up emotions, or create an opening for intuition related to the longer-term transit.

Monday night, Mercury in Leo sextiles Mars in Gemini, moving the messages (which are still flowing) in the direction of action. A few hours later, the Moon sextiles Saturn, touching the same theme: We've been inspired, now how do we make it real?

Tuesday morning's aspects make sure we're with the program of information-into-action, as the Sagittarian Moon opposes Mars in Gemini. With all the connections being made, it's time to decide which direction we're headed. Then, the Moon trines Mercury in Leo, firing us with enthusiasm. And yet, we're asked to wait a bit, as the Moon-Mercury trine is the last classical aspect in this Moon transit, opening a void-of-course period until the Moon steps into Capricorn Wednesday morning (at 10:13am EDT).

This Moon transit through Sagittarius offers many opportunities for gathering information and choosing a path. We begin with connections to the powerful outer planets and end with passionate commitment to our next steps. As we move toward the Full Moon, we look for the light we need to move forward.

Moon into Scorpio: What Is Hidden?

Friday night through Monday morning

Overnight, the Moon slips into shadowy Scorpio, diving from the airy heights of Libran thought into the depths of intensity hidden within the sign of Fixed Water. This Moon transit will provide a counterpoint to aspects of good fortune, reminding us to look beneath the surface and be aware of hidden currents.

Right now, a trine between Jupiter and Pluto, both in Earth signs, brings the possibility of solid foundations being laid for future success. With Venus also involved, good things can happen. At Astro4Business, Ellen Longo lays out the positive opportunities here.

hidden currents

And yet ... and yet ... says the Scorpio Moon, whose first aspect, a trine with Neptune in Pisces, calls us to listen to intuitive guidance. A trine with Chiron opens opportunities for healing that, perhaps, we didn't see before.

Early Saturday afternoon, the Moon sextiles Pluto, flowing energy to his transformative agenda, and opposes fortunate Jupiter. Where do we need to balance what is obvious, with what is hidden? A bit later, the Scorpio Moon trines Venus in Cancer, bringing our attention to the shadowy side of key relationships and financial dealings.

Saturday evening, Uranus turns retrograde, ready to revisit the early degrees of Aries while aspecting the early degrees of all Cardinal signs. If you thought you were done with quick changes, look again. Do not leave your seat until the ride has come to a complete stop!

Saturday night, the Scorpio Moon squares Mercury in Leo, again offering a cautionary message. In Leo, Mercury wants to speak out creatively, joyfully, passionately, boldly. The Scorpio Moon warns us to be aware of hidden consequences and unintended results.

Early Sunday morning, the Moon reaches her waxing trine with the Sun, a time when we feel all our energies flowing in the same direction, if we are committed to reaching our New Moon goals. With the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Scorpio, this could be a time of intense feeling, and is also the Moon's last classical aspect in this sign, beginning a long void of course period that lasts until the early hours of Monday.

This Moon transit through Scorpio draws our emotional attention again and again to the hidden, the shadow, what is not obvious, what others (perhaps) don't want us to see, or what we ourselves might prefer to avoid. Over the next few days, we're called to look, and learn.

Moon into Libra: Keeping Our Balance

Wednesday night through Friday night

Just before midnight, the Moon steps into harmonious, creative Libra. On Thursday, the Moon may need all of Libra's diplomatic charm as she negotiates a series of tricky aspects that culminates in the Half Moon square.

Lebenslauf by Adi Holzer

Thursday begins with an intruguing Moon-Venus square at 6:37am EDT. Squares can be challenging, yet this is one of mutual reception, with Venus in Moon-ruled Cancer and the Moon in Venus-ruled Libra. This brings an ease of communication as feelings, creative inspiration, relationships, nurturing, and finances look for a new balance point.

An hour later, the Moon faces off with Uranus in Aries, in an opposition focused on personal goals and the drive to reach them (Uranus) and the needs of important others, as well as our own emotional needs (Moon).

Late morning, we'll see a square between the Libra Moon and Pluto in Capricorn, as the Moon seeks to soften Pluto's inexorable transformations. This could be a time when deep changes seem easier to contemplate, as a trine between fortunate Jupiter in sensuous Taurus, and alchemical Pluto, comes exact. With the Moon and Jupiter communicating with Pluto, we might feel the benefits of embracing soul-level change.

A flowing sextile in the afternoon between the Moon and Mercury, now in Leo, might create openings for inspired, creative, passionate communication. A few hours later, Cancerian Venus squares Uranus in Aries, as again, needs for nurturing and relationship vie with drives to go after what we want for ourselves. The Libran Moon can help us find both/and solutions, avoiding the frustration of either/or.

Late afternoon and evening, we might find ourselves ready to take action, as the Moon joins Saturn and then trines Mars in Gemini. Mental activity and communications could go especially well in the presence of these air signs.

The Half Moon square arrives overnight, at 2:29am EDT Friday. As our New Moon intentions begin to take visible form, we come face to face with the question, is this really what I want? We're given time to reflect on this, as the Half Moon is the last classical aspect in Libra, leaving the Moon void of course until she enters Scorpio overnight Friday.

Over the course of Friday, Venus is active. She will trine Chiron in Pisces, oppose Pluto, and sextile Jupiter, a set of aspects that may bring creative inspiration, important insights into relationships and where they are weak or strong, or information about financial matters. The Venus-Jupiter sextile is considered a "good luck" aspect, arriving at 2:05am EDT Saturday, half an hour before the Moon enters Scorpio. Saturday could be a lucky day!

During this Moon transit, we can connect with Libra's creativity and charm to find new balance points on our journey.

Moon into Virgo: Connecting the Dots

Monday evening through Wednesday night

The Moon stepped into careful, practical Virgo territory tonight at 9:16pm EDT. After the heady rush of Leo's passion, the Moon shifts focus to the details. We've had the rush of creative inspiration, now, what's the first step to making something real happen? Then what's the next step after that?

dots

During this transit through Virgo, the Moon consults many other planets, gathering the information she needs to make a detailed plan. The moment she steps into Virgo, the Moon finds herself opposite Neptune in Pisces, a reminder to each that service to others (a value Virgo and Pisces share) includes both the practicalities of daily life (Virgo's specialty) and a sense of our connection to wider communities (Pisces' territory).

Tonight would be a good night for recording dreams, as the Moon sextiles Venus in sensitive Cancer just after midnight, then continues on to form an inconjunct to Uranus, a trine to Jupiter, and an opposition to Chiron overnight.

Opening a conversation with the planet of harmony, creativity and relationships, plus finances and luck (Venus), then adjusting to the revolutionary call of Uranus, flowing with expansive, fortunate Jupiter, and reaching a healing accord with Chiron could bring amazing dreams of inspiration, transformation, abundance, and healing.

Tomorrow opens with a flowing trine between the Virgo Moon and Pluto in Capricorn. Having gathered the information from many sources, the alchemical work is now ready to begin. Tuesday afternoon brings a square between the Moon and Mars in Gemini, while Mars trines Saturn in Libra. The Mars-Saturn combination continues the these of getting things done, while the Moon keeps practical details in the forefront.

Tuesday evening brings a flowing sextile between the Sun and Moon, the first clear look at what our New Moon wishes might become. This is the last classical aspect for the Moon in Virgo, initiating a long void-of-course time that lasts until Wednesday night.

To remind us that our New Moon intentions are still developing, the Virgo Moon squares the Nodes Wednesday morning, offering a reminder to keep our eyes on the goal, even during this reflective period. Just before midnight, the Moon enters harmonious Libra.

This Moon transit through Virgo is a time to attend to details, nurturing New Moon wishes with practical wisdom.

Moon in Leo: Light Up the Sky!

Saturday afternoon through Monday evening

Having rocked the New Moon Eclipse, the Moon strides into Leo this afternoon. Here in the U.S., it's the Fourth of July weekend, a celebration of independence, a time to light up the sky with the brilliance of who we are. Leo is ready!

fireworks!

The Moon's first aspect is a meeting with Mercury, now in Leo. These two combine depth of emotion with mental strength and the ability to speak truth. What truths do you hold to be self evident? What declarations of independence are you ready to make today?

The Moon and Mercury will be inconjunct Neptune and Chiron in Pisces at this time, calling for an active adjustment between the desire to make a stand, and the call to connect with what is deeper, wider, broader, bigger than any individual. Chiron's presence reminds us that healing can be found through understanding, creating a place where we can share our unique story in a way that benefits others.

Soon after, the Cancer Sun squares off with Saturn in Libra. Fine words butter no parsnips, these two say; so make good on your words and get working, while taking care of home and family.

Overnight, the Leo Moon trines Uranus in Aries, a revolutionary combination that could bring unexpectedly bright dreams full of creative power. Soon after, the Moon squares Jupiter in Taurus, two fixed signs looking for common ground. With the Moon moving into a sextile with Mars in Gemini on Sunday morning, prepare for big dreams.

Just after noon on Sunday, the Leo Moon flows into a sextile with Saturn in Libra, a very creative, expressive combination. This is the Moon's last classical aspect in Leo before reaching Virgo on Monday evening, so allow your muse free rein to inspire you without committing yourself to a particular form.

Sunday evening, Venus steps into nurturing Cancer, focusing our attention on relationships with home, family and tribe. Late Monday morning brings a flowing trine between Venus and Neptune, a reminder that ultimately, our tribe includes all beings.

Monday evening, Leonine Mercury trines Uranus in Aries, a time when messages of evolution, revolution, and personal freedom might be heard in many places. As the Moon steps into Virgo, our focus shifts to the practicals steps needed to achieve our goals. During this Leo transit, speak your truth and express what's in your heart with creativity and passion!