The week opens Monday with a waning Quarter Moon in sensitive Cancer (The Cancer Moon is always a waning Moon at this time of year. Do you know why? Studying the cycles of the Moon can bring a lot of insight).  Mid-morning (all times EDT), the Sun and Venus move into tense relationship with Neptune and Uranus, respectively. Moodiness, over-sensitivity, tension in relationships are all real possibilities, as are unexpected expenses, issues around self-image, and a general lack of clarity. 

But Moon in Cancer in the time of the Ancestors is a great opportunity to not only honor them, but to turn to them for help and advice. Our ancestors are not sitting around waiting to be worshiped. They take an active, conscious interest in our lives, and will help us from the world of Spirit — if they are invited, and we do the work to build a bridge to them. What some people see as "ancestor worship" — ancestor altars and offerings, for instance — are simply invitations and energetic bridges that connect us to the Ancestors. If you don’t have an Ancestor altar, a waning Cancer Moon in October would be a great time to build one! Then, as you begin to work with them, -- tending the altar, letting them know what's going on in your life, meditating, leaving offerings -- watch for the synchronicities that bring the help and advice you requested.

 

Very early in the morning on Tuesday, the Sun trines Jupiter, an aspect I discussed as part of this post on Jupiter retrograde. Not long after, Venus trines Pluto, bringing some emotional depth to the day, as well as a focus on art and beauty. Use these aspects to consider all the possibilities available to you in any given situation, and to deepen relationships.   The Moon moves into Leo around 8:00 a.m., and then squares Saturn not long after. You may find that people are taking themselves and their egos very seriously. The morning may feature a lot of  “me first” behavior (drive with care!). There is a potpourri of energetic aspects during the rest of the day — summing them up, my advice would be to stop and think before acting on any impulsive ideas, and try to be particularly clear in your communications — tact is welcome, but subtlety may go right over people’s heads. 

Wednesday starts out with a sextile from Mercury to Pluto, and Saturn is moving into a trine with Neptune that will be exact later in the evening (this is a slow-moving aspect, so it will be in effect for a couple of days before and after it is exact). Saturn working in harmony with Neptune blends the practical with the spiritual. Later in the day, we have a sextile of the Moon to Jupiter, and then the Sun. This is an optimistic series of aspects that encourages taking a broader viewpoint. It’s a good night for ritual, working to bring dreams into manifestation. 

Thursday, the Moon squares its nodal axis (the North Node and the South Node) before moving into VIrgo. The square to the Nodes can tend to stir the cauldron, so try to find healthy — or, at least, non-destructive — ways of releasing any pent-up energy today. The Moon moves on to oppose Neptune, sextile Saturn, square Mars. Stay grounded in the practicalities of life, and watch out for sales pitches and other manipulative communications. Know when the wise move is to back down, and don’t nitpick. 

Friday, the Moon continues through Virgo, with its emphasis on service, making a series of flowing aspects during the day, the most important one being its conjunction with Venus. Keep the emotional grounded in the practical today, and take the opportunity to act from the heart, by understanding and empathizing with the needs of others. In the evening, the Moon makes tense aspects with Jupiter and Saturn — take a look at how you can bring the practical aspects of your life more in line with your ideals and values. 

Saturday morning, the Sun challenges Chiron, offering an opportunity to bring balance and healing where it is needed. Mars is lining up to square Chiron tomorrow, so pay lots of attention to what needs healing in your life. With all the emphasis on Chiron, and the Moon waning in Virgo, this may be a good time to organize a routine for yourself in your daily life that honors your health — physical, mental and spiritual — and to do any necessary magickal work of cleansing and purification. Saturday, evening, the Moon moves into Libra bringing our focus to relationships, balance, and considerations of what is fair and equitable. The aspects she makes — to Neptune and Saturn — suggest that you look closely at the emotional realities of your life, and how they may need to be adjusted. 

Now, did you remember, when I said that the Moon is moving into Libra, that Libra is a Cardinal sign? And that the Uranus-Pluto square is happening in Cardinal signs as well? Yes? Good. So you won’t be surprised to hear that the U-P square is being triggered by the Moon Sunday morning. Remember, this square is about radical re-structuring, which means there will be shifts, surprises, and the need to think on your feet. It is certainly possible to get through this long-running aspect with grace, even if it is directly hitting your natal chart, but that outcome demands awareness, flexibility and self-discipline. So…a suggestion for today’s menu — building awareness, flexibility, and self-discipline. The Moon’s trine to Jupiter later in the day brings rewards for the day’s work, as Mars moves towards a trine with Uranus, which can bring a spark to any situation, even in the time of the Dark Moon. 

Until next week!