Urania's Well: Astrology for Changing Times
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The Moons of October
There are two interesting lunations (New or Full Moon) coming up in October that can give us some insight on the month ahead — the New Moon on October 4 — and on the upcoming 6 months or so in the case of the Full Moon on October 18, which is an eclipse.
Let’s start with the New Moon. These are some of the configurations astrologers will want to take note of (here is the chart): Cluster of planets in the sixth house, 3 planets in Scorpio including a Mercury-North Node-Saturn conjunction. Venus rules the chart from her throne on the Descendant in a house she rules, but in detriment and tensely aspected. It’s a Libra New Moon, so we are looking for balance, and there is little to be found, with the Moon/Sun tightly configured with the Uranus-Pluto square. Mars is square the AS/DS axis and Venus, and in tight aspect (SSQ) to both Uranus and Pluto.
What to make of all this? From the point of view of mundane astrology, things look a bit tense. (I should note here that individual humans can use the energy of the planetary patterns to change themselves and their lives. Hence, individual reactions to a lunation are more likely to be positive and less “fated” than events in the nations and large groups that are the subject of mundane astrology. My fellow blogger here at Pagan Square, Kate Cartwright, has written about how best to use the personal aspects of this lunation here) This chart is cast for Washington, DC, so it is predictive for the entire country.
First, of course, we’ll look at the Sun and Moon, which are activating the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square (UPS). This means that surprises, transformations, explosive (physically or emotionally) events, and powerful breakthroughs are all likely. It’s probable that many of these manifestations will be in the realm of relationship, particularly, from a national point of view, the relationship of the people of the country to its leaders.
Mars is also in tense aspect to the UPS, and in opposition to the USA’s Moon. Whenever you find Mars strongly configured in a chart, you’ll find conflict, and while the sixth house emphasis, Saturn and Venus’ placement, and Saturn’s rulership of the ninth could indicate a military response to a foreign policy crisis, I am more inclined to predict a considerable amount of internal strife for the country, focused on civil servants, resources and agriculture. Of course, both are possible, and an extraordinary level of internal conflict is pretty much a way of life in the halls of government these days. Note that the 6th house emphasis also indicates a focus on health and health care.
With Venus on the Descendant of a Libra New Moon, you might think that everyone is going to be trying to get along, but Venus does not wear her power well in this chart. I expect that conflict will rule the month, though it may be well-papered over with fake smiles and pretensions of civility. This chart does not instill a great deal of hope for an easy resolution of the upcoming debt ceiling negotiations (if we can even call what’s going on in the government these days “negotiating”).
There are also some insights to be gained from putting this chart in a bi-wheel with the chart of the USA. Neptune, strong in its own sign of Pisces, has settled in for a long stay in the communications/transportation third house of the USA’s natal chart, and while this bodes well for the arts and spiritual life of the nation, it is a bit more challenging for journalism, clear communications, and even our national state of mental health. In the lunation chart, it is in a tense aspect with Jupiter, which suggests a whiff of scandal — likely political — but it is also trine Mercury, and trine the USA’s natal Venus, so I am hopeful that we will all be reading/seeing some profound, thoughtful, and powerful communications on the state of the nation and the world, as well as art that engages our souls and opens our hearts. If you feel moved to do something highly creative this month, consider this chart an invitation.
What was a sixth house emphasis in the event chart turns into an eleventh house emphasis when it’s put against the USA chart. So Saturn, Mercury and the North Node, all in Scorpio, are transiting the 11th house of the legislative branch of the government, with Venus, also in Scorpio, in the subversive, hidden twelfth. Given current events, I think it not unlikely that there will be some upheavals and crises in our government in the upcoming month, and also a growing unrest and anger on the part of the people. There may be some attempts at conciliation and “working together”, but most of that will be PR. There’s a lot going on under the surface right now, and the only government transparency we’re likely to see is the transparency of our lives to the NSA.
Now let’s take a look at the eclipse coming up on October 18. (Warning! Astrology ahead! Chart is here.) The exact same degree of Taurus is on the Ascendant as was ascending in the New Moon chart, and so we have almost the same cluster of planets in the sixth house, minus the Moon this time. Venus still rules the chart from the seventh house but has moved into Sagittarius, where she is trine Uranus, but in tense aspect with both Sun and Moon. The Uranus-Pluto square is almost exact, and being triggered by a quindecile aspect (165 degrees) from the Sun. Mars has moved into Virgo, and is in almost exact opposition to Neptune — a critical aspect in this chart — and also quincunx the MC. Saturn is in tense aspect to the Moon, and Uranus to the Sun. Mercury is (blessedly) trining Jupiter in the third (might we see some reasonable communications within the government?), and about to go retrograde (oh, well…maybe that will work like a nap or a time-out for kindergarteners).
(OK, you non-astrologers can start reading again now). This chart indicates conflict between the old ways and the new, and issues of freedom and repression will be front and center in many people’s lives. The areas in which an individual will feel these conflicts depends on the natal chart, but overall the emphasis will be on the rebalancing that is required after substantial, permanent change. That Mars-Neptune opposition urges us to take concrete action based on spiritual values. It also suggests that the requirements to take action will be pressing.
On a national level, the sixth house emphasis suggests an ongoing focus on health, civil service, and/or the military. The stock markets may also be in for a shock — if you are invested, pay close attention to what is going on this fall. The chart also indicates building feelings of victimization and resentment over the distribution of resources in the country on the part of the American people.
On October 21, Mercury stations retrograde in Scorpio. Mercury’s impulse to communicate is harnessed by Scorpio’s need to dive into the Mystery, and communications are likely to be convoluted and dense. Make sure you have all the facts before reacting, and try to understand what the underlying issue is in any given situation — we are going to see a lot of hidden motivations, sub-texts and eruptions from the subconscious in the world around us. Make sure you are at least clear with yourself about your own motivations, and give your subconscious some room to roam, so it doesn’t suddenly jump the fence. It’s a good time to do some shadow work, or any deep inner work. Finally, as usual with Mercury Rx, double-check communications, keep your computer backed up, and listen carefully.
And yes, I’ll tell you about the November eclipse in my next post…
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