A short update this week, as I’ve been traveling.

Monday brings a Dark Moon with a fiery trine of Mars to Uranus. As I mentioned in last week’s post, this is an aspect that will be in effect for a couple of days. Mars is a planet that frequently triggers longer-term transits, and it will also be approaching a semi-sextile to Pluto on Wednesday. So expect an influx of energy right through the middle of the week. These aspects will help you take something in your life to a deeper level, but be careful not to get obsessive about your enthusiasms, especially once the Moon moves into the sign that defines obsession —  Scorpio — around 8:00 pm (all times EDT).

About twelve hours before that, though, the Moon joins the Sun for the New Moon in Libra, bringing our attention to the need for balance and relationship. Use this shift of energy to tend your altar, and refocus and renew your intent around any spells you have working, and consider what you might want to change in your life. If you are familiar with your own chart, check which house this New Moon falls in (23 degrees Libra), and consider what areas will be emphasized for you this month, adjusting your magickal goals accordingly. You may not want to do actual workings right at the New Moon, however — many magicians prefer to wait for her to gain some light first, and do their workings at the crescent, or even the first quarter.

The Moon trines Neptune soon after entering Scorpio, then joins up with Saturn. This is not a bad aspect for spiritual work, but it also can trigger some kind of emotional restriction or repression. Watch your own moods, and try to be understanding of others’.

Tuesday, Mercury in Scorpio aspects Venus and Jupiter, and Venus squares Jupiter. The Moon catches up with the Trickster later in the day, adding to the Scorpionic and Mercurial mood. The Moon can be very protective and possessive in this sign, and Mercury can be sharp-tongued, even cruel. With Venus in Virgo and Jupiter in Gemini involved, you’ll want to be careful of your relationships. Try to stay aware of how others are responding to your words and actions. If you are careful and considerate, this series of aspects can help you uncover hidden beliefs and motivations in yourself or in a relationship, but nitpicking, deliberate button-pushing, and cold, cutting speech should not be mistaken for identifying the problem, then discussing it rationally and with compassion.

Wednesday offers some minor, but rather irritable aspects. In the evening, the Moon moves into Sagittarius, then squares Neptune soon after. People’s practical judgement will be questionable, and you’ll definitely want to look carefully before taking any leaps of faith, but you may also find yourself in touch with something bigger than yourself. Maybe even your Self. Try to use this energy to inspire and be inspired.

Thursday’s major aspects are a conjunction of the Moon and Mars in Sagittarius in the morning, and the Moon’s opposition to Jupiter in the evening. It’s one of those days when people defend their opinions with vigor — particularly religious and philosophical ones. There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the air — just make sure to channel it in appropriate directions, and do watch your temper!

Friday, there is a nice sextile of the Moon to the Sun in the afternoon, which presages a sociable start to the evening, and then she moves into practical, grounded Capricorn later in the evening, quickly making a sextile to Saturn and Neptune. It’s a good time for rituals of manifestation. Set limits, and then create within them, using imagination and transcendent awareness. 

Saturday, the Moon in Capricorn once again triggers the Uranus-Pluto square in the morning, first squaring Uranus, then conjuncting Pluto. This time around, Mercury is also getting into the game, forming a sesqui-quadrate to Uranus at the same time. Issues with travel, communications, and just plain nerves are on the menu, but you may also see sudden breakthroughs and innovative ideas.

Sunday, the Moon makes pleasant aspects to Venus and Mercury, while Mercury moves into a tense semi-square with Pluto. There’s likely to be a bit of fanaticism and sharp criticism mixed with idealism and emotional expressiveness. Choose your words carefully, and make stress management a goal of the day. The Quarter Moon late in the evening, in the last degree of Capricorn and Libra, suggests that honoring both relationships and duties may be a challenge.

Until next week!