New Moon in Sagittarius: On the Road Again

light in winter

New Moon in Sagittarius
December 2, 2013 7:22 pm EST
December 3, 2013 12:22 am GMT

A New Moon  day––this afternoon on the West Coast, this evening on the East, overnight in Europe. So much has been happening in this Balsamic time of release, I can't quite believe it's upon us, but so it it!

The Moon in Sagittarius is optimistic, generous, and open-hearted. As we enter the winter holidays (in the Northern hemisphere), hearts lift even as the longest night approaches. We light candles, hang tinsel, find the brightest berries, light the warmest fires. Songs are sung and tales told.

Yet this is not a happy-go-lucky time, no lighthearted romp. Sagittarius arrives with his Fire at the turning toward winter, when hard times are arriving. Food might be scare, and the cold bites deep. No, this is a time when we see what lies ahead, while celebrating all we have.

This New Moon at 10 Sagittarius invites us into celebration of abundance, both the abundance we have before us and the abundant potential of life itself. And yet, this optimism is fearless rather than naive, tempered by all that has happened and a knowledge of what may come.

This New Moon squares Chiron in Pisces, acknowledging that healing is needed and knowing it comes in song and dance and good fellowship.

The New Moon squares Pallas Athena in Virgo; all the details of what must be done are here before us, and yet we are strengthened by joy.

Of vital importance, the New Moon trines Uranus, the revolutionary, and is in a tight 30 degrees away from Pluto the alchemist. Yes, change is in the air, bright all around us. That, too, this New Moon celebrates.

Look to your chart. Which house does this New Moon fall in? Find what you have in and around 10 degrees, especially in the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. These points are ready for renewal.

As the turning happens and the New Moon arrives, make wishes and set intentions for where you wish to bring joy in your life, for where you are ready to journey farther and dive deeper. Wish for optimism. Set the intention to be of good heart.

In these last hours of the Balsamic Moon, let go of whatever holds you back. Let go of fear, resentment, and old pain.

We are all travelers on the road. We are heading into more adventures, no doubt about that. With this New Moon, we can know ourselves as troubadours, warriors of heart and spirit, intrepid explorers in distant lands. We look around us at the Inn, see who else might be going our way. Good company is always welcome.
    

Full Moon in Sagittarius: BIG Dreams, BIG Ideas, BIG Moon!

A Dreamer's Moon

Full Moon in Sagittarius
Lunar Eclipse and Lunar Perigee
May 25, 2013 12:25 am EDT

Full Moons bring illumination, something we sorely need after the intensity and challenge of recent weeks. It hasn't been all bad––we've celebrated beautiful births as well as grieved deaths, seen miracles in the midst of tragedies––but it's definitely been intense.

So looking ahead to a Sagittarius Full Moon should be a jolly time. Sag is the party sign, right? Sag never met a stranger, the eternal optimist. And all those Gemini planets! With all those ideas floating around, and connections being made, it's got to be good,

It is good. In fact, a Full Moon in Sagittarius looks at the world and thinks, it's all good!

The intensity, though ... that's going to continue. This isn't the whew-it's-all-behind-us-let's-let-our-hair-down party. This is the wow-we-made-it-this-far-what-comes-next? party.

Plan for BIG DREAMS at this Full Moon. The Full Moon arrives just after midnight in my time zone (EDT), meaning she'll arrive during the night of May 24 on the West Coast, and in the early morning hours of May 25 in Europe. (Farther away time zones boogle my mind, I'm afraid.)

Neptune, planet of dreams and visions, squares this Full Moon from her home sign, Pisces. Saturn is also in the frame, trining Neptune from Scorpio and inconjunct the Gemini Sun––he adds depth and shadow.

If you work with dreams, don't miss this opportunity for deep dream travels and exploration. Even if you don't pay much attention to your nigthtime adventures, put a notebook and pen next to your bed tonight––big dreams, vivid dreams, amazing dreams will be happening.

Watch for BIG IDEAS at this Full Moon. Both Sag and Gemini are idea signs, ready to offer solutions, plans, advice, whatever, at the drop of a hat.

In addition to the Gemini Sun, Mercury, Venus and asteroid Lilith are tightly conjunct in Gemini, with Jupiter nearby. There's either serious brainstorming or major league flirting going on here, maybe both.

Need to generate creative solutions to intractable problems? This Full Moon could turn on the lights big time ... except ... we need to be alert for the Shadow side.

Neptune's square means things could get confusing and foggy, and the rose-colored glasses might be on. The Gemini party could generate so many ideas, it's impossible to sort out which are worth pursuing.

Another downside is the possibility of staking out a position and insisting we are right, we have the answer, we know the way. Sagittarius is prone to certainty, even when it's not warranted. And take a peek at Mars––he's in late Taurus, conjunct cerebral Pallas Athena, and also conjunct the Sun, so he's right close in, opposing this Full Moon.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by circumstances, options, new, people, it could be tempting to put your foot down and declare, this is where I take my stand! I'm right, forget about everyone else! An understandable response, but do try to resist going there. Not, I might add, by resisting the thoughts. Instead, notice where your mind wants to go, and use that as a springboard for reflection.

Because one thing this Full Moon could illuminate for us is where we're ready to be sure, where we've decided we have it all figured out. While I'm not advocating tossing all our values and convictions out the window and starting over, it's good to be aware of those areas where we think we're done. Because, you know, we're not. Just sayin'.

... light the lights ...

This is a BIG MOON. Sagittarius is a supersized energy, expansive, inclusive and, yes, optimistic. This Full Moon falls the day before a lunar perigee, one of the times the Moon is closest to Earth. So, while this Moon won't be quite as super as next month's Full Moon, it is a supermoon, larger than usual.

This Full Moon also comes with a lunar eclipse, emphasizing her power. Eclipses add oomph, influencing events for six months or so, and also punctuating the long-term saros cycles.

This Full Moon also draws in the Uranus–Pluto square, with Uranus widely trining the Moon. We're linked in to the major movements of our time, and could feel that connection strongly.

So, if skies are clear, we'll see a big, bright, gorgeous Moon sailing overhead tomorrow (Friday) night. Even if she's hiding behind clouds, of the physical or the Neptunian kind, her presence will be felt. It's a night for celebrating life in all its blooming, buzzing confusion.
    

Balsamic Moon: What's in the Way?

on the way

Balsamic Moon in Sagittarius
January 8, 2013

OK, this Balsamic Moon time is going to feel edgy. This is a good thing. Really, it is. This is the lunar phase for cleaning out what no longer works, and this time the cleansing could be very thorough indeed, if we're willing to go with the energy.

Of course, the cleansing could be pretty thorough if we don't go with the flow, too, which is a good reason to work with what shows up, as best we can.

The Moon will be in optimistic, adventurous Sagittarius, offering a can-do attitude for busting through challenges. The Sun is in down-to-earth Capricorn. These two are in semisquare, which isn't the easiest aspect we could have, but comes with Balsamic territory.

This Sun and Moon share a commitment to moving ahead and getting stuff taken care of. The Moon's optimism offset by the Sun's Capricornian realism, saying things like "get real!" and "let me tell you how is really is." How much of this kind of realism is helpful to you, is your call.

On to the edgy part: The square between Saturn and Mars is really tight at this Balsamic Moon, and since both are in fixed signs, this signals strong feelings of stuckness. Mars in Aquarius is certain he's got the answers and ready to implement his Big Plan. Now. Saturn in Scorpio is holding out for more study, because we don't actually have the full picture yet, and what's missing is important.

Mars and Saturn is this aspect bring the experience of seeing the way clearly and so wanting to go there, but something behind us, something we can't see, grabs our jacket and we can't move. Just swatting at that hand without looking will not work––this is Saturn, and he wants our attention.

So, what's holding us back? At this Balsamic Moon, we need to know. It's time to take a hard look in the dark corners and see what's there.

Maybe it's something we can acknowledge and release. Maybe we've left something out of the Big Plan. Whatever ... Saturn will not let go until we look.

Meanwhile, Aquarian Mars is tantalizing us with beautiful visions of what could be if only we act, which we can experience as frustration or promise––up to us.

Whatever Saturn is insisting we look at relates to our healing, mentorship, creativity and visioning. The Moon is part of a T-square as she opposes Jupiter and both square Chiron, who's still hanging out with Neptune. This T-square adds more edge, while forcing us to consider how healing and creativity are also held back by whatever Saturn wants us to take care of.

If we need a clearer set of pointers, Jupiter the philsopher, who remains retrograde in Gemini for just a bit longer, sits at the apex of that same Finger of Fate he's been under––Saturn and Pluto are pointing at him, insisting we re-examine our certainties, and now Mercury stands with Pluto so the messages are actually getting through to our brains.

"Oh, that!" we might find ourselves saying, "That's the issue??" Yes, that's the one.

The asteroid goddesses are also part of this conference: Vesta, keeper of home, hearth and tradition, stands with Jupiter, perhaps to remind us not to toss babies out with bathwater. Ceres, also retrograde in Gemini, sits at the apex of her own Finger of Fate, with the North Node and the Sun pointing at her––we forget the fierce face of the mother at our own peril. Athena forms creative quintiles to Ceres and the Sun, saying, look for unexpected solutions.

Change is (still) in the air. The Moon trines Uranus the revolutionary, ready to move and move quickly when the time is right. In fact, the message is, the time is right now. 

The phrase "in the way" is a curious one. What exactly is "the way"? Folklorist Ari Berk links the phrase to ancient beliefs in fairies who lived in the same places people did, and had their own paths which needed to be respected. When a new road or barn was built, or a field plowed, it was vital to check that the new structure wasn't "in the way"––blocking the flow of Fae energy.

The Moon in Sagittarius loves stories like these... but are they stories? Whether real or metaphoric, when we put something in the way of natural flows of energy, bad stuff happens. At this Balsamic Moon, look around to see what's in the way for you, and get those energies flowing again.
    

New Moon: Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!

meteors! (the Geminids)

New Moon in Sagittarius
December 13, 2012

Oh, Sagittarius ... expansive, generous, hospitable, liberal-minded, open-handed, open-hearted. This is a New Moon to align with the lottery winner within, the energy of good luck, grace, and good will.

Sagittarius lives large, knows it all, has a system sure to work, bites off more than he can chew and swallows it anyway.

Where Sagittarius lives in our charts, we experience good luck and grace, and look out for inflation and smugness. Set your intentions accordingly!

This particular, special, one-of-a-kind Sagittarian New Moon is all about what we know: information, messages, intuition. Why do I say that?

Mercury is also in Sagittarius, just about to emerge from his retrograde shadow. In other words, he's almost at the point when he turned back, in November, and revisited Scorpio. So, he's gaining clarity and surging forward.

Mercury is trining Uranus, the Awakener, in fiery Aries. Just that alone points to big messages heading our way ... but wait, Uranus is stationing, and turns direct just a few hours after the New Moon. Take about forward momentum!

So, Mercury, the energy of our human minds and communications, is moving into new territory while signalling a major revolutionary Uranian shift.

Mercury is a busy lad at this New Moon––he also squares Neptune and Chiron, who have their own messages to impart.

Neptune can be misty, diffuse, hard to get a handle on, especially in Pisces. Think of the Mercury square, accompanied by a semisextile from Uranus, as a bright flashlight shining through the Neptunian fog, offering moments of clarity.

All this information is offered in support of our transformation, and our world's. Saturn and Pluto are sextile, pushing, pushing, pushing us to fix what we know is broke.

The tree-topper is a yod, a finger of fate. As Saturn and Pluto sextile each other, they form awkward inconjuncts to Jupiter, still retrograde in Gemini. What is this? The ruler of the New Moon remains reflective and thoughtful, still exploring inner structures and philosophies to be certain sure they're right––for us, for our times, for our needs.

The answer to a yod lies between the sextile corners and there we find ... Sagittarius. 

We're reminded that the New Moon is a seed time, a dark time. We can feel the surges of energy, we're tantalizingly close to a new place of clarity, and we're not quite there yet. We're invited to trust, to welcome grace, and to celebrate what will come, without knowing exactly what it looks like.

The Geminid meteor shower for 2012 peaks on the night of this New Moon. In the darkness, we see bright light showering down on us. Nice metaphor? Maybe... Nice message!
    

Soon, the New Moon

planting with the Moon!

Preparing for the New Moon in Sagittarius
Arriving December 13, 2012

We're in the Scorpio Balsamic, let's clean out the gunk, time now ... a great time to peek ahead, imagine the blaze of light to come (soon, very soon) and align with the best in all of that.

Which is a fancy way of saying, we've got something to look forward to!

First, some background on New Moons: Each lunar month, the Sun and Moon meet at the same position in the zodiac. Astrologically, they're conjunct. At this point, the energies of the two luminaries, the lights in our sky, join up, energizing the same point. This merging of energies happens in the dark. The Moon and Sun rise and set at the same time, leaving the night sky empty.

The burst of energy happening in darkness makes each New Moon a seed time, a moment when the cosmos starts something new. Seeds germinate in the dark, so what will emerge is a mystery. We get clues about this mystery by looking at the sign and degree of the New Moon, and the aspect patterns that surround it. This can tell us a lot about what each New Moon will bring.

Of course, our interest tends to focus on our own lives––what will the New Moon bring to me? This is where your birth chart comes in. Knowing how each New Moon will touch your chart, by sign, degree, and house, tells you what might emerge for you.

If you need a copy of your birth chart, go here: Astro-com Birth Data Entry It's free.

Then compare your chart with the New Moon chart. Where does 21 degrees of Sagittarius fall in your chart? What else in this New Moon chart is touching your chart?

Once you have some ideas about that, the New Moon becomes a time for wishing. We set intentions, listen to dreams, explore oracles, and plant seeds.

For me, this is a lunar, magical, co-creative process. I partner with what's already happening. I avoid asserting willfully what I want, and instead explore what is being offered, and how I can best align with that.

WAIT for the New Moon to make wishes. Remember that until the New Moon arrives, the Moon is waning, releasing, letting go. You want to plant your seeds when the Moon begins growing again. The first three days after the New Moon are best, and your own process will be strongest for you.

What about the Galactic Alignment? You may have heard that the world is about to end, described in a variety of scenarios, one of which is a galactic alignment happening on or around the Solstice. So, wishing for stuff might feel a bit ... superfluous.

It turns out that the galactic alignment concept––the apocalyptic one, anyway––doesn't hold up either astronomically or astrologically.

Our Milky Way galaxy has a massively huge black hole in its center. This black hole is named Sagittarius A and, astrologically speaking, falls at about 26 Sagittarius, give or take, since it's really, really, really, really big.

the Milky Way

So, one way of thinking about galactic alignment is to say, when does the Sun (or Moon or any other body or point) reach 26 Sag? This kind of alignment happens once a year for the Sun, once a month for the Moon, and so on for everything else relative to its orbit.

If we look at "alignment" this way, which in astrology is a conjunction, then the Dec 13 New Moon conjuncts the galactic center, being only 5 degrees away, and therefore well placed to transit not radiation to destroy us, but information to enlighten us. This is way cool.

The dire end-of-world predictions are mostly talking about a different kind of alignment, either actually crossing the real galactic plan, or crossing the galactic equator. (Sometimes it's hard to tell.)

Our solar system is way far from the actual galactic plane and will not cross it any time soon. The Earth crosses the galactic equator twice every year, and will continue to do so. If the Earth comes to an end any time soon, it won't be due to this event. Here's the science on that.

What's happening seems to be a confusion between science and symbol. One aspect of this muddle is the idea that this year, crossing the galactic equator coincides with the Winter Solstice––which it doesn't, precisely, as the closest lineup of crossing and solstice happened back in 1998.

We do live in an era when the solstice and crossing the galactic equator are closer than at other times in history. And, given some of the other amazing transits we've got (notably the Pluto–Uranus square), we're living in an incredibly transformative time.

I just don't see any evidence the Earth is going to be zapped out of existence while crossing the galactic equator near the Winter Solstice.

Back to the New Moon. This Sagittarian New Moon will be offering amazing, optimistic, philosophical, adventurous, liberating energy. The biggest challenge will be staying within our limits, since this is a no-boundaries kind of Moon ... we'll look to Saturn for help with that one.

More on the special qualities of the New Moon, tomorrow!
     

Crescent Moon: Breasting the Waves

Sunset surfing

Crescent Moon in Sagittarius
October 18, 2012

The Grand Trine in Water still swirls underneath all we do, and some are feeling the undertow.

Scorpionic Saturn can be fierce in holding up mirrors to what we prefer not to see. Neptune and Chiron in Pisces turn and look, then turn away, floating between truth and illusion.

Ceres in Cancer keeps the home fires burning, reminding us of what we hold dear––which doesn't always help when we're swimming in Neptunian, Chironic, Saturnian oceans.

The lovely Libran New Moon tantalized us with creative visions, hopes of love, and an invitation to rededicate to core values. Today we reach the Crescent Moon, and the first illumination of what may grow from our longings.

This Crescent Moon sails in optimistic, generous and philosophical Sagittarius, joining determined Mars in the seas of possibility. The Moon and Mars together are ready to dive into the deepest waters, certain they will rise again, pearls in hand, triumphant.

The Moon and Mars still feel energized by their contact with revolutionary Uranus, and head into opposition with Jupiter retrograde in Gemini. There are several courses here, and good navigation is a must:

The Moon and Mars in Sag might leave Uranus all fired up, sure they have everything they need to surge ahead, full steam, damn the torpedoes ... and run aground on Jupiter's uncharacteristic indecision. Suddenly, the course is not so clear. Where were those charts again? Oh, forget the fog, just open the throttle and let's go!

Or, Moon and Mars can celebrate the energy of Uranus by taking action to confirm the details of intuitive guidance, checking where the rocks and shoals are before leaving port. In this scenario, the reflective mood of Jupiter retro in Gemini alerts us to possibilities lurking at the edge of vision, things we might miss if we don't double-check.

The semisquare from the Sun in clear-sighted Libra offers just the check Moon–Mars needs, so pay attention if something looks off balance, not quite right, or out of true. A small correction now could avoid a major oh-no-we're-completely-off-course later.

Venus moves out of her square to Jupiter, and as she's in Virgo, sign of the careful planner, this is another reminder to pay attention to details during this Crescent Moon. She sextiles Mercury in deep Scorpio, so the details we need to watch for might be the hidden ones. Mercury in Scorpio sees in the dark, and is never fooled by Neptunian sleight of hand. Pay attention to where your attention goes; watch for tricks.

With the native caution supplied by Virgoan Venus and Scorpionic Mercury, the Moon and Mars can enjoy this Crescent Moon. These are not armchair travelers, content to read about other people's adventures ... these two are ready to hit the road and see where it takes them.

Despite the strong tides around us, we can embrace the challenges of wind, rain and currents, glorying in the feel of wind in our face and the taste of salt on our tongue. Where will the journey take us? Let's find out!
    

First Quarter Moon: Lost in the Woods

...following the appointed path...

First Quarter Moon in Sagittarius: August 24, 2012

We are on the journey. The beginning feels far back, though if we count the days, it's not that long ago. We've tried to stay on the path, but a fog's come up. Suddenly we can't see anything. We're not sure which direction we came from, or which way we're headed.

It's the First Quarter Moon, testing our commitment to the New Moon journey. Will we turn back or forge ahead? Will we give up where we are? What are the options?

Ahhh, options! Now, there's a word to conjure with. What, indeed, are the options?

The Moon is in Sagittarius, conjunct the destiny point that is the North Node. This is us on the journey, optimistic and ready for adventure.

Mysterious Neptune squares the Moon and the Nodes. This is the fog, which doesn't seem quite like a normal fog, does it? There's something otherworldly about this; we feel the hairs on the back of our neck rise. What was it the old woman at the crossroads said, and where's the talisman that gruff captain pressed into our hand as we left the ship?

The Sun has just moved into practical Virgo––that way help lies. The Sun in Virgo also squares the Moon and the Nodes, and opposes Neptune. This Virgo Sun can shine a light through the Neptunian fog. Virgo is great at remembering advice, making plans, and finding handy solutions to seemingly intractable problems.

...As long as we don't lose heart. Virgo can become fearful, jumping at odd sounds, convinced we're not up to the challenges ahead. Faced with Neptune's confusions, Virgo can lose her grip on practicality and descend into chaos, or find false comfort in rearranging deck chairs.

How can we hold on to our goals and move forward?

Here's Mars, new in shadowy Scorpio, the sign he ruled of old. Mars is sextile the Sun, semisextile the Moon, and trining Neptune––clearly, he has a role in this tale.

Mars in Scorpio is the master tactician, able to pierce any mist and find the right path. This Mars is also a wizard with arcane lore at his fingertips and surprises up his sleeve.

Mars is the dark stranger, and we need discernment to know whether to follow or avoid him.

Meanwhile, Venus in Cancer finds herself at the apex of a Finger of the World, sesquiquadrate to the Moon/ North Node, and to Neptune, as they square each other. She might look like a damsel in distress, and all the while she carries a reminder to listen to our hearts, listen to the wisdom of the past.

Venus is the grace-filled guide. Through compassion, a way will be found. Always share your bread with birds and animals.

Mercury in Leo forms a semisextile with Venus, the faithful page who turns our trials into poetry. There are reserves of courage here, finding the song to sing in the darkness that will lighten our hearts and renew hope.

Meanwhile, Pluto and Uranus still square each other, creating depth and intensity to bring the most mundane happenings into realms of high drama. Saturn in Libra, a worthy sage, forms a creative quintile to Pluto. This is a sign that magical action is possible and alchemical change is underway.

At this First Quarter Moon, we are challenged, but our strength is growing. If we keep our spirits high and take practical action, we are quite likely to find we're surrounded by magical helpers who wish us well.

We are the heroes of our own lives.
    

Gibbous Moon: The Final Draft Dress Rehearsal

"All the real work is done in rehearsal" Donald Pleasence

Gibbous Moon in Sagittarius: July 29, 2012

Last night's Moon was beautiful here. An intense late afternoon storm moved through, dumping rain, upending umbrellas, dropping temperatures, and blowing the sky clear. Later, the growing, glowing Moon rose while the twilight sky glowed deep azure.

These were the last hours of the mysterious Scorpio Moon, moody and intense. She moved into optimistic, adventurous Sagittarius overnight, shifting us into a more upbeat mood. The struggles haven't gone away, but there's an easing of tension, a glimmer of hope, a bend in the road.

Tomorrow, the Moon reaches her Gibbous phase, the square-and-a-half with the Sun that marks the last stage before the Full Moon. It's a fiery point in this lunar cycle, as the Sag Moon pushes against the Sun holding strong in Leo.

The Sun is conjunct Mercury, trining Uranus in Aries, and trining the North Node in early Sagittarius. So this Gibbous Moon is actually bumping against a almost-Grand Trine in Fire that links the revolutionary trickster, the karmic signpost, how we think and communicate, and our heart's core. (Uranus and the North Node are too far to be trining each other, but the Sun and Mercury link them both.) Heady stuff, this.

Yet Uranus and Mercury remain retrograde, and we're not at the Full Moon yet. The intense emotions, the private and some very public challenges, the ongoing polarizations unfolding within this lunar cycle are still in process. Not quite ready for prime time.

The Leo Sun and Sagittarian Moon look outward, ready to share. Mercury and Uranus retrograde keep the focus inward. Messages are taking shape here. Insights gained, perhaps some conclusions drawn. But we're still working on it. Things are still in process, under construction.

This is a very creative time. Venus in Gemini trines Saturn in Libra, flowing energy from creative vision into form, finding the right container for what we see, feel and wish to say.

This lunar phase moves us beyond introspection into creation. It's time for active processing, for getting words on paper, paint on brushes, hands into clay. It's time to find the right key, the best chords, the melody and lyrics to express who we are and what we know.

The thing is, Mercury and Uranus will still be retrograde through the Full Moon. There's something about the coming illumination that will call on the inner work we're been doing to bring forward something we haven't felt ready to share yet.

With that in mind, it's time to get the show on the road. Those trial performances, the late drafts we bring to our best readers––the Gibbous Moon says it's time.
    

Full Moon Eclipse: Foolish Wisdom and Wise Fools

Lunar Eclipse

Full Moon in Sagittarius with Partial Lunar Eclipse: June 4, 2012

The Full Moon is on her way, visible tonight (where skies are clear) and including a partial lunar eclipse. EarthSky describes the science of what's happening and where the eclipse will be visible.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lines up between the Sun and Moon, so, during the eclipse we pass between the two luminaries, the lights in our sky, lining up directly with those energies.

This alignment gives an extra boost to the energies flowing at this time, strengthening the natural polarity of any Full Moon.

This is the Full Moon in Sagittarius, sign of the journey. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is the traveling sage, the benevolent philosopher, the exuberant explorer of many lands, the delver into great mysteries. With Sagittarius, we go farther than we have before, stepping outside the familiar to extend our knowledge and experience in many directions and dimensions.

This particular Sagittarean Full Moon points directly at the Great Attractor, the powerful and not-fully-known place in the cosmos toward which our galaxy, and the galaxies around us, inexorably moves.

Which means, since Moon, Earth and Sun are aligned at this Full Moon, we're all pointing like a Sagittarean arrow at the Great Attractor.

One question illuminated for us at this Moon, then, might be: What is the Great Attractor in our lives? What are we drawn to, always, steadily, almost without our realizing we're pointing that way? What mysteries and questions do we come back to again and again, bringing more understanding each time without ever quite working it all out?

The answer is likely related to where this Full Moon falls in our birth charts, and what is touched. Look to where the midpoint of Sagittarius and Gemini fall, and to any planets and points you have in the middle degrees of any sign.

With the Moon in Sagittarius, this places the Sun in Gemini, its polar opposite.

Where Sagittarius is old and wise, Gemini is young and foolish. Where Sagittarius loves deep exploration of the faraway, Gemini scintillates with connecting many aspects of what is right at hand. Where Sagittarius respects ancient traditions and seeks to understand their systems, Gemini spills everything out on the floor of the now to see how this and that might fit together in new ways.

These opposite archetypes potentiate each other. Like yin and yang, the more we have of one, the more the other pushes in. With an eclipse Full Moon at hand, we're placed right between––an excellent opportunity to explore this balance in ourselves.

We're in a strong Gemini time. The last New Moon came with an eclipse of its own, and a powerful jolt of Gemini trickster power. Gemini rules communications, among other things, and some folks are still struggling to get their computer systems back in working order!

Because the last New Moon happened at 0 Gemini, the next New Moon will also fall in Gemini, surrounding this Full Moon.

Gemini is the young student ready to question everything; the crafter, maker of handy, clever, usable things; the innovative problem solver; the irreverent trickster who sees the Emperor clearly and can't stop himself from asking why he's parading around naked.

Sagittarius can find Gemini exasperating, disrespectful, exhausting, and shallow. Gemini can find Sagittarius slow, stodgy, narrow minded, heavy handed, and too ready to accept traditional authority.

Another question illuminated for us at this Moon is where we find the balance between these archetypes in our own lives. Imagine yourself on a line between Sagittarius and Gemini. Are you at the thumb-your-nose-at-all-authority, let's-party, end? Or are you at the life-is-serious, tradition-is-important, end? How comfortable are you with where you are?

Of course we need both archetypes in our lives. We can't avoid it, really, as they call each other out. If we've become too entrenched at one end of this spectrum, chances are we're meeting the other end in people and situations coming into our lives.

The strongest way to work with this, as with other polarities, is recognizing the strengths and weakness of each end and finding our way to integrate them within us. Both are present, both need to be honored, and each of us can find a unique path.

Finding this path is, perhaps, the true illumination of this Full Moon. Venus, retrograde in Gemini, is conjunct the Sun at this Full Moon as she prepares to transit across the Sun's face. Venus draws our attention to our relationships, which includes relationships within ourselves.

Neptune is poised to turn retrograde a few hours after the Full Moon, so her energy is strong as she slows and turns. What is the big picture here? How can we integrate Sagittarius and Gemini, and then take things to a new level, transcending our old understanding and bringing in something new?

This Full Moon is in a wide T-square with Chiron, the wounded healer. Chiron, as a centaur, is also associated with Sagittarius and certainly partakes of the "wise elder" archetype. He challenges us to heal any splits we have along this particular divide, releasing old, wounding ideas and seeking integration.

The Full Moon is in a tight T-square with Mars in Virgo, a sign also associated with healing, and also with analysis and organization. Mars pushes us to act, and to do so in an informed and careful way.

And so we come to the archetype of the Wise Fool, in all its complexities. Sometimes the Wise Fool is seen as an oblivious, inadvertent carrier of wisdom––the "out of the mouths of babes" phenomenon.

There is a deeper aspect to the Wise Fool, though, that stays in touch with the roots of wisdom. The Fool in King Lear, the only one who speaks truth to this deeply disturbed elder, is one. Another is Nasreddin, the tricksterish figure found throughout the Middle East and Central Asia, about whom many stories are told.

At this Full Moon, we're invited to embrace the Wise Fool, holding on to youth and laughter and irreverence, and at the same time, respect for learning and tradition. Each of us will find our own best way, as Nasreddin says:

Nasreddin was walking in the bazaar with a large group of followers. Whatever Nasreddin did, his followers immediately copied. Every few steps Nasreddin would stop and shake his hands in the air, touch his feet and jump up yelling "Hu Hu Hu!" So his followers would also stop and do exactly the same thing.

One of the merchants, who knew Nasreddin, quietly asked him: "What are you doing my old friend? Why are these people imitating you?"

"I have become a Sufi Sheikh," replied Nasreddin. "These are my spiritual seekers; I am helping them reach enlightenment!"

"How do you know when they reach enlightenment?"

"That’s the easy part! Every morning I count them. The ones who have left – have reached enlightenment!"

         

Moon into Sagittarius: Come On, We Can Do This!

Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon
Eastern Daylight Time

Monday, April 9

time to shine!

Moon enters Sagittarius 11:13am
Venus (Gemini) sextile Uranus (Aries) 12:51pm
Moon square Neptune (Pisces) 2:58pm
Moon square Mars (Virgo) 5:22pm
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 8:02pm
Moon opposition Venus (Gemini) 8:28pm
Moon conjunct the North Node (Sagittarius) 11:42pm

Tuesday, April 10
Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 12:12am
Moon semisextile Pluto (Capricorn) 2:48am
Pluto turns direct in Capricorn 12:23pm
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 12:35pm
Moon trine Sun (Aries) 10:50pm

Wednesday, April 11
Moon square Mercury (Pisces) 6:05am
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 7:06am
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Capricorn 1:02pm

The Moon enters open-hearted Sagittarius today, pointing us gently but inexorably toward change. With the Moon in this Fire sign of generosity and good luck, and Venus in bright and cheery Gemini, we're invited, coaxed, and maybe tricked into shifting our perspective. "Come on, guys," Moon and Venus call, "it's be fun!"

Venus flows with Uranus today in an energetic sextile, ready to jump on the revolutionary rocket for a ride. The Moon trines Uranus this evening, another easy flow of energy. Roller coasters are fun, right?

Meanwhile, the Moon touches the four corners of the Grand Cross in the mutable signs. These are flexible energies that unlike, for example, the fixed signs, are ready to adjust and accommodate. The Sagittarian Moon explores each point, ready to discuss and debate with an open mind.

Square to Neptune: Where can we be more clear about our dreams and visions? Where have our beliefs become too separate from our experience?

moving the energy ...

Square to Mars: Where are we focusing on the trees and missing the forest? How can focused attention keep us on our path?

Opposition to Venus: Where are we so entranced with new opportunities we're missing the deeper meaning? Where are we so sure we're right, we can't hear other voices?

Just before midnight, the Moon joins the North Node and we have a chance to check in with ourselves. What have we learned today?

Tuesday, the Moon completes her tour of the Grand Cross with a square to Chiron: Where are we stuck in feeling wounded, when a generous spirit would move us out of that? Or, where are we letting pride stand in the way of healing?

This is the day Pluto turns direct, which while not quite as noticeable with the outer planets who spend about half of each year retrograde, still frees up energy to flow forward. And there's the Moon pushing Pluto just a wee bit, with a semisextile.

Over the course of the afternoon, the Moon feels impatient with Jupiter's slow pace in Taurus, feeling far more comfortable with the Aries Sun. Energy is flowing, it's time for growth and expansion!

Wednesday, the Moon checks in with Mercury in Pisces, another chance to align philosophies, goals, and dreams. An easy sextile with Saturn allows for some of that Sagittarian energy to flow into form––but since this opens the Moon's void of course time, it's best to wait until she steps into Saturn's home sign of Capricorn. If bright ideas arrive Wednesday morning, don't act on them until Wednesday afternoon.

While the Moon's in Sagittarius, we allow ourselves to feel expansive, abundant, and optimistic, appreciating life's gifts. From that positive place, it's easy to make whatever adjustments present themselves on the next steps in our journey.
         

Moon into Sagittarius: Finding Our Center

Tuesday morning through Thursday morning
Eastern Daylight Time

Tuesday, March 13
Moon semisextile Saturn (Libra) 12:23am

slow and steady ...

Jupiter (Taurus) trine Pluto (Capricorn) 12:43am
Moon enters Sagittarius 1:53am
Moon square Neptune (Pisces) 5:18am
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 9:25am
Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 1:38pm
Moon trine Mercury (Aries) 2:10pm
Moon conjunct the North Node (Sagittarius) 6:18pm
Moon inconjunct Venus (Taurus) 6:30pm
Moon semisextile Pluto (Capricorn) 6:44pm
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 6:58pm
Moon square Mars (Virgo) 7:24pm
Venus (Taurus) trine Pluto (Capricorn) 9:27pm

Wednesday, March 14
Venus (Taurus) conjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 1:54am
Venus (Taurus) trine Mars (Virgo) 3:27am
Mars (Virgo) trine Jupiter (Taurus) 5:50am
Mercury (Aries) semisextile Chiron (Pisces) 12:52pm
Mars (Virgo) trine Pluto (Capricorn) 8:23pm
Last Quarter Moon:
Moon square Sun (Pisces) 9:25pm

Thursday, March 15
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 3:35am
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Capricorn 6:24am

The Moon enters welcoming, optimistic Sagittarius early Tuesday, inviting us to relax into an abundant, benevolent time. Sagittarius is mutable Fire, Jupiter's sign, a place of learning, of journeys, of embracing the world as a place of wonder and adventure, and of wanting to know life deeply. The Sag Moon opens the doors of our perceptions and feelings, as we look at what else is happening in the sky.

There's a long list of Moon aspects for Tuesday, but look first at the trine for Jupiter and Pluto that opens the day, and the trine for Venus and Pluto that closes it. Very early Wednesday, Venus and Jupiter reach their exact conjunction, and trines with Mars will follow. This is a Grand Trine in Earth, and an especially lovely one.

The trine is an easy, flowing aspect, one third of the circle, that typically connects planets in the same element––in this case, Earth. Things unfold easily with trines, so easily we can take them for granted. This is where the Sagittarius Moon helps us, bringing our attention to what is going well, where things are deeply right, where we feel confident, where we experience abundance and well being.

an Earth's-eye view

This Grand Trine in Earth joins powerful planets. Venus and Jupiter in Taurus, which Venus rules, are the two "good luck" planets, the ancient benefics, the bringers of all good things.

Pluto in Capricorn is the alchemist who has great wealth within his gift. And Mars is the actor, the one who gets things done. What more could we ask for?

And yet ... and yet ... Mercury just turned retrograde in Aries, Saturn continues retrograde in Libra, and Mars himself is retrograde in Virgo. Isn't this a bad time to start new projects? Aren't we being asked to wait?

Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps this Grand Trine is cueing us in to what is already happening in our lives and our world. Perhaps this is a time when we can sense that underneath the turmoil, the challenge, the violence, the injustice, the grief––underneath all that, life is still vibrant, powerful, and full of magic.

Mercury, Mars and Saturn, all retrograde, ask us to reflect, find clarity, and move slowly. The Earth element is no speed demon anyway. This is the race when the tortoise wins. This is a time to find our center and act from that place.

On Tuesday, the Sagittarius Moon contacts almost all the planets. Sagittarius is tireless in the quest for knowledge, although having a tendency to believe he already has all the answers. Within the series of easy and edgy aspects, we see the Moon asking questions, debating the responses, having to recalibrate understandings, and learning––always learning.

Heading into Wednesday, when the Grand Trine comes into crisp focus, the Sag Moon may catch a glimpse of something fundamental. This is a waning Moon, heading toward the new beginning of the New Moon in Aries and the Spring Equinox. The day closes with the Sun–Moon square of the Last Quarter Moon, a time of letting go. One gift of the Grand Trine might be a sense of peace, easing our transition from the old astrological year into the new.

In the late 1300's, the Englishwoman we know as Julian of Norwich had a series of visions during a serious illness. Later, she wrote about her visions, and became an anchorite, dedicating her life to contemplation and prayer. Her experiences showed her that while we are all challenged, we are also supported.

Underneath it all, she said "all will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well."

Early Thursday, the Moon gets down to work in Capricorn. During this transit through Sagittarius, we breathe, we look, we walk, we learn, we experience peace.
    

Moon into Sagittarius: The Half-Full Glass

Tuesday evening through Friday morning
Eastern Standard Time

Tuesday, February 14

Ace of Swords, Ma'at Tarot by Julie Cuccia-Watts

Moon enters Sagittarius 7:57pm
Jupiter (Taurus) sextile Chiron (Pisces) 8:39pm
Moon square Neptune (Pisces) 8:39pm
Moon square Mercury (Pisces) 11:28pm

Wednesday, February 15
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 12:06am
Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 3:47am
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 3:50am
Mercury (Pisces) semisextile Uranus (Aries) 4:24am
Moon trine Venus (Aries) 10:53am
Moon semisextile Pluto (Capricorn) 11:06am
Venus (Aries) square Pluto (Capricorn) 1:32pm
Moon conjunct the North Node (Sagittarius) 2:07pm

Thursday, February 16
Moon square Mars (Virgo) 5:46am
Mercury (Pisces) conjunct Chiron (Pisces) 9:13am
Mercury (Pisces) sextile Jupiter (Taurus) 11:06am
Moon sextile Sun (Aquarius) 8:07pm
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 11:02pm
(begin void of course)

Friday, February 17
Moon enters Capricorn 12:04am
Moon sextile Neptune (Pisces) 12:57am
Moon square Uranus (Aries) 4:30am
Moon sextile Chiron (Pisces) 8:21am
Moon trine Jupiter (Taurus) 8:43am
Moon sextile Mercury (Pisces) 11:51am
Moon conjunct Pluto (Capricorn) 3:41pm
Moon square Venus (Aries) 8:17pm

What an intriguing set of aspects we have for Valentine's Day... the Moon began the day in intense, sexually charged, and also wary Scorpio and ends in sociable, optimistic Sagittarius. This morning's conjunction between Mercury and Neptune scatters stardust over our thinking and lends poetry to our words, and yet the Moon squares off against both tonight. What's going on?

Today we might see two faces of romance: The intensity of Scorpio that can border on obsession while offering deeply transformative connections. The generosity of Sagittarius who welcomes everyone and takes a philosophical approach to life and love. Both are present.

The challenge of both/and!

One gift of Mercury and Neptune together in Pisces could be the ability to hold space for paradox.

Can we see the both/and in all our relationships, and the idea we can grow in depth and love whether our lives follow a traditional script or branch out in unusual directions? The Jupiter-Chiron connection offers healing wisdom and invites patience.

There's a lot going on in Pisces these days, and since the Sagittarius Moon will square all of it, let's look at the "challenges." These are mutable signs, whose hallmarks are transition and flexibility. So when Pisces and Sag square each other, the outcome is as likely to be supportive as difficult.

For example, Pisces is cosmically connected while being a bit oblivious to ordinary reality. Sagittarius grabs Pisces by the hand and invites her back into the circle of real world friends, with real world talk, warmth, and hugs. Sagittarius can be overbearing, certain he knows it all already. Pisces offers gentle reminders to listen deeply and let go of assumptions. All helpful stuff.

Wednesday is energized as Mercury connects with Uranus, and Venus in fiery Aries challenges Pluto in rock-steady Capricorn. The Moon opens the day by lighting fires with Uranus of her own, connecting with Jupiter and Chiron, and then connecting with Venus and Pluto just before their exact square.

Wednesday's last aspect is the Moon's conjunction with the North Node, so this could feel like a make-or-break day. Hold on to the Sagitarrian Moon's optimism and generous spirit; stay present with whatever comes up. Venus and Pluto together can transform relationships, yet with all the Piscean energy around, there's a strong creative vibe in the air. This day could bring a breakup, but is just as likely to offer a breakthrough. 

The Moon squares Mars early Thursday morning, another connection of mutable energies. After the heady energetics of Wednesday, Mars may simply ask the Moon to slow down. Mercury connects with both Jupiter and Chiron, offering sage wisdom and healing.

Thursday brings the waning sextile between the Moon and Sun that signals we're nearing the end of this lunar cycle. The Moon sextiles Saturn a few hours later, reminding us there's work to be done. What can we release before the next New Moon? Mercury is very active right now, so perhaps outmoded thoughts and outworn ideas are ready to go.

The Moon will step into hard working Capricorn just after midnight on Friday (Eastern time), preparing to accept Saturn's advice. While she travels through Sagittarius, we can keep our glass half full, welcome experiences that expand our horizons, and jump into life.
    

Moon into Sagittarius: Festina Lente

Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening
Eastern Standard Time

Wednesday, January 18
Moon enters Sagittarius 2:29pm
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 4:41pm
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 4:45pm

brighter lights

Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 7:18pm

Thursday, January 19
Moon square Venus (Pisces) 12:48am
Moon semisextile Pluto (Capricorn) 4:02am
Moon conjunct the North Node (Sagittarius) 10:52am
Sun (Capricorn) square Saturn (Libra) 4:18pm
Moon semisextile Mercury (Capricorn) 8:41pm
Sun (Capricorn) semisextile Neptune (Aquarius) 10:54pm

Friday, January 20
Moon square Mars (Virgo) 5:41am
Sun enters Aquarius 11:09am
Venus (Pisces) sextile Pluto (Capricorn) 3:31pm
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 4:20pm
Moon sextile Neptune (Aquarius) 4:50pm
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Capricorn 5:41pm
Moon semisextile Sun (Aquarius) 6:10pm
Moon square Uranus (Aries) 8:02pm
Moon trine Jupiter (Taurus) 8:18pm
Moon sextile Chiron (Pisces) 10:47pm

One more thing about Scorpio: Before the Moon leaves Scorpio, as we navigate our online communities, let's recognize the anti-SOPA blackouts and what a Scorpionic response this is. We're asked to take a look at what's going on under the surface of a proposed bill, and consider what it feels like to be left in the dark.

If you haven't yet, look up something in Wikipedia (English language version) today. The switch to the blackout page is powerful. Very Scorpio! Artists deserve the rights to their creative work. SOPA is not the way to create it.

And now, back to Sagittarius:

The Moon steps into the bright, convivial warmth of Sagittarius this afternoon, ready to shake off Scorpio's sometimes gloomy outlook. And yet, a sense of edginess lingers. A strong, flowing connection with Uranus in Aries stokes our fires––we feel ready to fly––but an awkward connection with Jupiter, Sagittarius' ruler, warns us not to become unbalanced.

the road ahead

Meanwhile, Chiron the wounded healer challenges the Moon to remember. Remember what??

As the Moon enters optimistic, benevolent Sagittarius, we retain the lessons we learned in the Shadow lands. Awakening into the Fire, we don't turn our backs on the darkness we carry within.

Thursday continues the pattern of Sagittarian happiness and grace, coupled with reminders of important work to be done. Any tendencies toward it'll-all-work-out grasshopper-ish-ness are counterbalanced by reminders that serious business is at hand and requires careful attention.

The Moon joins the North Node on Thursday, adding juicy energy to our movement forward on our life path––think of Bilbo Baggins ready to step onto the path and let it take him where it will. Yet the Moon also challenges Venus, and makes edgy connections with Pluto and Mercury. Meanwhile, the Sun squares Saturn and gets edgy with Neptune. So, sure, start your journey, but do make sure you've packed carefully, take extra cash, and have good maps.

on the path

Friday opens with a Moon–Mars square. Again, we see the theme festina lente, make haste slowly. There are great things to be done and done now, but proceed with your eyes open. A few hours later, we see why, as the mood shifts into transformational territory: The Sun enters revolutionary Aquarius.

I mentioned the transformative energy of creative work the other day, and we see more of if now. The Sun steps into the sign of innovation as Venus the artist flows energy with Pluto the alchemist. Friday afternoon, the Moon flows energy with both Saturn the manifester and Neptune the visionary, a great time for art.

After a short (less than an hour) void of course, the Moon enters Capricorn Friday evening, lending a serious tone to the weekend. While the Moon's in Sagittarius, we happily embrace the journey without losing sight of its challenges.
    

Moon into Sagittarius: Both/And!

Thursday morning through Saturday morning
Eastern Standard Time

Thursday, December 22
Astrological Solstice:
Sun enters Capricorn 12:29am

holiday lights

Moon semisextile Saturn (Libra) 3:07am
Moon square Neptune (Aquarius) 4:48am
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Sagittarius 7:02am
Moon semisextile the Sun (Capricorn) 7:32am
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 7:41am
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 8:13am
Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 9:30am
Sun (Capricorn) trine Jupiter (Taurus) 9:32am
Moon sextile Venus (Aquarius) 10:54am

Friday, December 23
Moon conjunct the North Node (Sagittarius) 5:12am
Moon square Mars (Virgo) 12:30pm
Sun (Capricorn) sextile Chiron (Pisces) 12:48pm

Saturday, December 24
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 5:03am
Moon sextile Neptune (Aquarius) 6:35am
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Capricorn 8:46am
Moon trine Jupiter (Taurus) 9:23am
Moon square Uranus (Aries) 10:01am
Moon sextile Chiron (Pisces) 11:25am
New Moon in Capricorn:
Moon conjunct the Sun (Capricorn) 1:07pm
Moon semisextile Venus (Aquarius) 5:26pm
Moon conjunct Pluto (Capricorn) 8:43pm

The Moon steps into generous, benevolent Sagittarius today on the Winter Soltice, a showering of grace in the longest night. This shift in energy heralds many changes to come, as the Moon trines Uranus the trickster redeemer, while challenging Jupiter and Chiron. Today's aspects invite us to embrace "both/and" as we rest within the strong circle of Sun in Capricorn and Jupiter in Taurus, expanding into the excitement of a Sagittarian journey into the unknown. This is the day we begin.

The Sun's move into Capricorn and trine with Jupiter in Taurus allows us to feel grounded, strong legs striding through winter snow, warm boots stamping on a stone floor as a Yule fire blazes. Within the cold of winter, abundance is available and begins in the warmth of our own hearts.

candles

Meanwhile, the Moon sparks our interest in far-flung journeys of body, mind and spirit. Challenging the wise sages Jupiter and Chiron, the Moon allies herself with revolutionary Uranus and Venus in innovative Aquarius. Within the steady realms of Earth, Fire is igniting.

On Friday, the Moon allies herself with the North Node of the Moon in the middle of Sagittarius. The Moon, closest body to us here on Earth and the gateway of manifestation, is aligned today with the arrow pointing to our life path as both aim at the Great Attractor, the strange and mysterious force (possibly quasar, possibly black hole) that draws our galaxies and all our neighboring galaxies toward it at amazing speed. This is some kind of Sagittarian journey we're on!

Also on Friday, the Moon squares Mars in careful Virgo as the Sun sextiles Chiron the wounded healer. The Moon is eager to explore, travel, GO. Mars and the Sun again provide some grounding. It's more both/and––we are stardust, and we are members of the Earth community.

Remember these are the last days of the last waning cycle of 2011. We enter the dark of the Moon on the longest night of the year. This is our last change in this cycle to let go of what is completed, what is no longer needed, and what is holding us back. The fire of the Sagittarian Moon illuminates this process.

Saturday opens with the final Moon aspects in Sagittarius: sextiles to Saturn and Neptune, who are trining each other in late Libra and Aquarius. Saturn and Neptune together are another both/and pair, reminding us dreams can have limits, while offering us the power to manifest our visions. With the support of these two, we empty ourselves for the New Moon to come.

While the Moon travels through bright Sagittarius, we light candles, holding our lanterns aloft to celebrate these times of change.
    

Moon into Sagittarius: The Start of Something Big

Thursday evening through Saturday evening
Eastern Standard Time

The Archer takes aim

Thursday, November 24
Moon enters Sagittarius 8:58pm
Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 10:09pm
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 10:09pm

Friday, November 25
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 12:05am
New Moon: Moon conjunct Sun (Sagittarius) 1:10am
Partial Solar Eclipse (Sagittarius) 1:20am
Moon semisextile Pluto (Capricorn) 6:45am
Moon square Mars (Virgo) 8:06am
Moon conjunct the North Node (Sagittarius) 9:02pm 

Saturday, November 26
Moon conjunct Mercury (Sagittarius) 5:03am
Venus enters Capricorn 7:35am
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 2:13pm
Moon sextile Neptune (Aquarius) 7:06pm
(begin void of course)
Venus (Sagittarius) square Uranus (Aries) 9:26pm
Moon enters Capricorn 10:05pm
Venus (Sagittarius) sextile Chiron (Pisces) 10:34pm
Moon square Uranus (Aries) 11:16pm
Moon sextile Chiron (Pisces) 11:22pm
Moon conjunct Venus (Capricorn) 11:26pm

The Moon unfurls all her sails to surge into Sagittarius on Thursday evening, pennants flying in a stiff cosmic wind as we head into a New Moon and Solar Eclipse.

If you've been feeling stuck, this could be the New Moon that cuts everything loose, boosting all of us into new orbits that might feel like whole new galaxies. If that sounds like too many mixed metaphors, well, it's that kind of Moon.

Astrologer Benjamin Bernstein calls eclipses "a New Moon on steroids," while Gary Caton refers to this New Moon as "a rip in the fabric of time." Where to begin pointing out the exuberant energies surrounding this New Moon? There are plenty ...

First, a glance at the chart shows this New Moon is part of a Sagittarian stellium that includes Mercury, Venus and the North Node, creating a strong focus of grace, generosity, expansiveness and plain old good luck.

Next, notice that Uranus the Trickster Revolutionary as retrograded back to the powerful Aries point to trine this New Moon. While we're looking at trines, take note of the powerful Grand Trine in Earth (Pluto, Mars, and Jupiter, who also rules this New Moon).

This Grand Trine creates a steady drumbeat underneath the New Moon energy, supporting deep transformative growth. A series of sextiles weave a network of intuition, vision and manifestation around the wheel.

Turning to the oppositions and squares, we see the New Moon at the apex of a T-Square, helping Chiron and Mars find the right balance between practical action and visionary healing. All the archetypes are in on this one.

Sagittarian themes include adventurous journeys of mind, body and spirit; new ways of seeing, thinking and experiencing the world; grace, generosity and good fortune. All of these can be part of our New Moon wishes and intentions, especially in relation to where the New Moon falls in our birth charts and which of our birth planets and points are touched by the New Moon aspects.

Sagittarius also holds the energy of "too much of a good thing," of overconfidence and overinflation. This time around, we can look to Mercury retrograde with gratitude, embracing the opportunities he creates to slow down, check the details, and think before we speak.

New Moon wishes can also include the intention to question our assumptions, avoid thinking we have all the answers, and extend generosity of mind to those whose ways seem opposed to our own.

The Moon's transit through Sagittarius following the New Moon echo all of these themes. Friday morning, she forms an inconjunct angle-of-adjustment with Pluto and a challenging square to Mars––this Moon wants to move fast, and these two planets in Earth feel too slow to the Moon in this mood.

The Moon's first aspect on Saturday offers another check with a conjunction with retrograde Mercury. Again, we can feel thankful for this––a New Moon careening wildly out of control is not what we truly want. We have the most to gain from this exhilarating ride if we can shape the path to fit our goals.

Opportunities for careful shaping arrive alter on Saturday as the Moon sextiles Saturn and Neptune, as these two approach their trine. When Saturn and Neptune work together, our visions become manifest, and the touch of the Sagittarian New Moon could bring the grace we need to bring it all together. After all, Venus now moves into Capricorn and the Moon will soon join her, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

This New Moon is a time to welcome the new with high hopes and glad hearts. All the challenges are still out there––and with a new perspective, a little luck, and retrograde Mercury's restraining hand, we can surmount them all!
    

Moon into Sagittarius: Adventures on the Road

Friday morning through Sunday afternoon
Eastern Daylight Time

Friday, October 28

Halloween weekend

Moon enters Sagittarius 10:44am
Mercury (Scorpio) square Mars (Leo) 11:07am
Moon square Chiron (Pisces) 11:56am
Jupiter (Taurus) trine Pluto (Capricorn) 12:29pm
Moon trine Uranus (Aries) 12:56pm
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 7:21pm
Sun (Scorpio) opposite Jupiter (Taurus) 9:41pm
Sun (Scorpio) sextile Pluto (Capricorn) 11:10pm

Saturday, October 29
Moon conjunct North Node (Sagittarius) 1:29pm
Moon square Ceres (Pisces) 1:57pm
Moon sextile Saturn (Libra) 11:18pm

Sunday, October 30
Moon trine Mars (Leo) 2:03am
Moon sextile Neptune (Aquarius) 9:30am
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Capricorn 12:38pm

The Moon enters convivial Sagittarius this morning,  shifting the mood out of shadowy Scorpio and into something much more outgoing, adventurous and sociable. This change arrive in good time, as many cities, towns, and of course college campuses will be celebrating Halloween this weekend.

Although the Sagittarius Moon is generally warm, openhearted, and generous, this particular transit  (following as it does the powerful New Moon in Scorpio) carries a more challenging energy. Sagittarius is also the sign of the journey, the place where we venture out into territory new to us. We move away from what we know, into something more expansive.

The flip side, the tendency for Sagittarius to believe it has THE ANSWER, is also challenged in the next few days. The Moon's first aspect in Sagittarius is a square with Chiron in Pisces. The wounded healer and mentor to warriors warns us not to be too cocky. Sure, we've made it through a few battles unscathed (or maybe just a little scathed), but are we ready for the next one, and the next one after that?

adventurous journeys

Not long after the Moon–Chiron challenge, Jupiter (ruler of Sagittarius) trines Pluto. Jupiter the expansive bringer of luck and grace is flowing easily with the powers of deep transformation. Ways open up. Someone hands us the seven-league boots and says, OK, go. Are we ready to make a leap forward?

Very soon after Jupiter and Pluto join forces, the Sagittarius Moon trines Uranus in Aries. Yes! we answer, yes, we're ready to make a quantum leap. With these energies around us, we know the net will appear. Here's hoping we laid some serious groundwork at that Scorpio New Moon––if not, there's still time. We're in the first days of the waxing Moon and seeds of intention planted now will grow quickly. Watch for giant beanstalks.

Moving quickly with big outer planet energy at our backs does not guarantee smooth sailing. Tonight, the Moon and Jupiter are inconjunct, as Jupiter's Taurean calm warns the possibly overinflated Moon to slow down and pay attention.

The Scorpio Sun opposes Jupiter and trines Pluto tonight, reminding us we're in Scorpio time, when alchemical reactions bubble beneath the surface. Those forces are vital, powerful, and intense.

Alchemy continues through Saturday afternoon, when the Moon joins the North Node. The North Node is the sign post to where we need to be heading in this lifetime, and the Moon brings all she's learned so far to help us stay on track.

Around this time, the Moon squares Ceres in Pisces. This challenge from a fierce maternal goddess reminds us to maintain our connection to intuition, messages from the forces around us that wish us well and want to protect us. The Sagittarius Moon sees everyone as a friend; not everyone we meet has our best interests at heart.

Saturday night we enter a time of taking action and manifesting, as the Moon sextiles Saturn in Libra. What are the realistic next steps? The early hours of Sunday brings a flowing trine with creative, passionate Mars in Leo, so our dreams might well bring us some answers. Be sure to record any messages from the muses.

Sunday morning, the Moon sextiles Neptune in Aqaurius, a time for visioning what comes next. This connection opens a void of course time that continues until the Moon enters hard working Capricorn just after noon. After the heady adventures of Sagittarius, we prepare for steady effort. Until then, explore the exciting paths ahead and embrace the journey.