The Aries full moon will be exact in the morning hours of October 17th, but we are already feeling it, and it will be especially potent tomorrow, October 16th. This moon is forming squares with Mars, the planet of action and aggression, and Pluto, the planet associated with power and compulsion. And when it’s in Aries, the moon is ruled by Mars, so the Martian energy is extra heavy.
What does this mean? Intensity! Even though this moon marks the end of eclipse season, this will still be intensely felt and give off eclipse-type vibes. Aries has many great qualities (leadership, pioneering, joie de vivre, spontaneity), but it is not known for restraint. You may already feel more punchy than normal. Have you had trouble sleeping? I woke up at 3:30am last night and didn’t fall back asleep until 5ish, and the whole time I was awake I was agitated. If you have sleep issues regularly or if you find yourself easily influenced by the moon cycles, tonight and tomorrow night you should try to wind down early and do whatever you can do to help you rest.
The Aries moon is opposite the sun in Libra. Mars is in Cancer, and Pluto is at the very last degree of Capricorn. These four planets are forming a grand cross in the four signs known as the cardinal signs. Cardinal signs are the initiating signs of the zodiac. Each one ushers in a new season and represents beginnings.
She’s startin’.
Dorinda, like yours truly, has an Aries moon. People with Aries moons can be impulsive, can be eruptive when pushed, and have an emotional need to be #1. Of course, the entire birth chart of a person influences how they react and respond to conflict, but Dorinda’s iconic explosiveness is a pretty good representation of the potential intensity of an Aries moon. Can’t wait to see her on Traitors!
Full moons are about culminations and releases, so you may find yourself with the impulse to release some pent up anger or resentment this week. This is especially possible because of the friction with Mars and Pluto. At the same time, Venus, the planet of diplomacy and relationships, is in a tense opposition to Uranus, the planet of disruption, which unfortunately doesn’t make things easier. This is divorce energy.
It’ll be tough, but whenever you can over the next few days, try to ground yourself. If you can feel yourself boiling into a rage, take a couple steps back. Walk away from your laptop. Put your phone on the charger and leave the room. Take a walk if you feel yourself about to throw your plate across the dinner table.
You’ll feel this more acutely if you have any personal planets or luminaries (the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars) or angles (ascendant/rising, descendant, midheaven, or IC) at or around 24 degrees of any of the cardinal signs mentioned above. And if you ever want a complex look at how the transits could affect you based on your birth chart, book a reading with me!
As we go into Scorpio season, things won’t be less intense, but the mood will be a little less fiery, which I’m looking forward to. More on that in a couple weeks.
The astrology of July was mostly smooth, except for one major transit, and that one major transit has pretty much just blown everything up. I’m talking about the Mars-Uranus conjunction that was exact on Monday, July 15th.
What a doozy, huh?
I had drafted a post that I ultimately didn’t publish, but the gist was this: Mars, the planet of action and aggression, was going to be aligned with Uranus, the planet of disruption and upheaval, and that was occurring in Taurus in alignment with a particular star (Algol) that is associated with beheaded Medusa and referred to as the “demon star.” So on the world stage, the news was likely going to be wild and tumultuous at best, violent and scary at worst. And on a personal level, some of us may feel particularly anxious, paranoid, and under threat.
I was definitely feeling the vibes of the Mars-Uranus conjunction a few days leading up to it and a few days after. The crackling energy has been palpable everywhere. As far back as last Friday, the 12th, it felt like tempers were short and people, men especially, were acting out. I mean, obviously. Besides the T***p rally, which was a very literal manifestation of the Mars-Uranus-Algol combination (he almost actually lost his head), there was also the scary, chaotic situation at the Copa America final.
Mercury is approaching a square to Uranus, meaning that on top of the Mars-Uranus effects, there are also communication disruptions. Cue Friday’s global technology outage. And Mercury is in fire sign Leo to boot, making our interpersonal communications more self-focused and more incendiary.
On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, there’s a full blue moon in Capricorn. A blue moon occurs when there’s a second full moon in the same sign within the month. The Capricorn full moon a few weeks ago was at 1 degree, and now we will get the second, this time at the last degree of Capricorn. In whatever story has been unfolding in your life since June 21st, the other shoe is now dropping. This full moon is conjunct Pluto, which signifies intensity and hidden things. Secrets will be illuminated, and there will likely be some high-profile denouements.
The full moon is also in a helpful relationship with Mars, so on a personal level, it’s a good time for taking actions to let go of unhealthy and unwelcome compulsions and to take a break from anything that’s been driving you crazy. If you are curious to know what topics this may touch on in your own life, look for 29 degrees of Capricorn in your birth chart and see what house it falls into and whether you have any personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive angles (ascendant, MC, IC, or descendant) at or close to 29 degrees of a cardinal sign (Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Libra).
There are more intense moments to come in a few weeks. Mars and Jupiter come together, signifying the expansion of action, on August 14th. On August 15th/16th, Mars makes a tense aspect with Saturn; then on August 19th, Jupiter follows and makes the same tense aspect with Saturn, and we have a full moon in Aquarius (which is answering to Saturn). Saturn is like a stop sign. It represents structure and order, so it looks like we can expect to see conflict between proliferations of assertiveness and heightened emotions, and structures and systems.
Between the events this week and mid-August, Mercury goes into Virgo on July 25th. We don’t get much downtime, but look at this period as a little bit of a break. While in Virgo, Mercury will station and then go retrograde overnight on August 5th/6th. It gets to 4 degrees of Virgo before it starts to go back.
Virgo is an earth sign that is associated with pragmatism, discernment, and efficiency. Mercury retrograde is treated with fear and dread in the zeitgeist, but when Mercury goes retrograde, it’s a chance to reflect, reassess, and reconsider.
Last week, I attended an excellent webinar from Kepler College on the Solar Return of the United States, and the astrologer who presented, Dorothy Oja, pointed out that Mercury’s transit through practical, critical Virgo marks an auspicious time to reflect because this transit will aspect the moon (in Gemini) and Neptune (in Pisces) in the U.S.’s solar return chart. She referred to it as an “antidote to confusion,” which I loved. And while it’s particularly useful in that context, I think it’s also useful for us on a personal level as well. Our anxiety and emotions may be clouding our perspective, but Mercury going into Virgo and then the Mercury retrograde offer us the chance to re-see things in the world, in politics, and in our own lives, with more discernment and ultimately clarity.
There’s so much to unpack right now. We’re living through truly wild times, so we have to look for opportunities for calm reflection. More to come as we gear up for the August planetary alignments…stay tuned.
“All the other girls here are stars, you are the Northern Lights” – Josh Ritter, “Kathleen”
The aurora borealis was visible for a wide swath of the US last weekend. At least where I was, it was cool-looking to the naked eye, but captured through a cell phone camera, it was pretty spectacular. The geomagnetic storm that allowed the lights to be visible farther south than usual was a very rare event. Did you feel like you were buzzing? It felt very Uranian, which is appropriate given all the Uranus conjunctions we’ve had lately.
Slow-moving Uranus, the planet of disruption, surprises, revolution, and yes, electricity, has been hanging out in Taurus since May 2018, and in the last month, we’ve had several faster-moving planets meeting up with the big U. First, there was the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in April, which coincided with the proliferation of the student protests against the war in Gaza, and to which we will likely be able to trace other major movements and innovations that have yet to unfold. Then, on May 13th, there was a Sun-Uranus conjunction, which means that individually, we have felt some nervousness or anxiety, got some jarring news, or had some emotional or mental revelations. Now, on May 18th, we get the Venus-Uranus conjunction, which could mean that personally, you learn something you didn’t know about your partner, or you may get some unexpected news about your finances, or something you thought you valued may suddenly shift.
Right on the heels of the Venus-Uranus conjunction, also on May 18th, there is a Sun-Jupiter conjunction. This happens once a year, when the sun gets to the same place in the sky as Jupiter. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, growth, and success. For those of us with day charts, this is especially auspicious, because the sun is our sect light and Jupiter is our primary benefic. (For those with night charts, the moon is your sect light and Venus your primary benefic. And if you want to learn more about your individual chart, book a consultation with me!)
The Sun represents our identity, our calling, our life force. The Sun is what gives us purpose. The Sun meeting up with Jupiter marks a time for us to think about how we want to expand our sense of purpose over the next year. If you have been horrified by what is happening in Gaza, for example, this is a great time to get active, call your reps, and join a movement. If you feel moved to do something else–writing, going back to school, planting a garden (Taurus always lends itself to the literal planting of seeds)–go for it. This weekend is a ripe time to listen and pay attention to inspiration that crops up.
Jupiter has been in Taurus since May of last year. You can read my thoughts on Jupiter in Taurus here and check out what this would have potentially meant for you depending on where Taurus is in your chart. However, since Jupiter moved into Taurus after the Sun had already arrived there, and the Sun moves a lot faster than Jupiter, this is the first and only Sun-Jupiter conjunction we’ll get in the sign of Taurus for a while. So, again, really have your feelers attuned to what is moving you and inspiring you, especially as it relates to the part of your chart with Taurus, because the seeds you plant now (it’s Taurus, all the metaphors are gardening metaphors), may blossom into events and outcomes that are especially fruitful for you.
With the electricity in the air, many of us have felt in our bones that big or new things were on the horizon, and this weekend is when whatever it is that is next for us may become clear. And in a couple days, Gemini season begins! Less planting, more talking.
As always, take all astrological-based advice with a grain of salt. Astrology isn’t fortune telling, and this post is based on my own interpretations of the planetary movements and what they represent.
On the morning of January 11th, at 6:57 am EST, there is a new moon at 20 degrees of Capricorn. This is the first new moon of 2024. When a moon is “new,” it’s aligned with the sun, and this represents the beginning of a new cycle.
Given that this is the first lunation of 2024 and it’s in cardinal earth sign Capricorn, which is about practical initiation, this is an excellent opportunity for setting intentions or making your New Year’s resolutions. And because of its positioning in relation to the nodes, currently in Aries and Libra, these intentions may not be just for the year ahead, but more aligned with your soul’s purpose or ultimate destiny. Dream big.
Not only is the new moon in a sign that’s about taking charge and setting plans in motion AND in relationship with the nodes, but there are other aspects at play that make it auspicious for laying the groundwork for what we hope to achieve.
First, both the sun and moon trine Uranus, the planet of disruption, revolution, and change. This means the moon, sun, and Uranus are all lending one another big time support. The intentions you set now could lead to major changes ahead. Or you may get some surprises around this new moon that contribute to your self-reflection and the goals you want to set. All of these guys are in earth signs, which grounds the big shifts and disruptions that come from Uranus. And with Uranus in Taurus, all topics financial would be especially relevant for this new moon.
Concurrent to the new moon, Mars, the planet of action and drive, is also in Capricorn, a sign it loves. And it’s in a supportive trine with Jupiter, the planet of expansion and growth, which is also in Taurus. This is helpful for taking practical action on big plans. And with both in friendly aspects to Saturn, the planet of structure and longevity, concrete plans made now have a good chance of sticking.
I was going to write up horoscopes for this new moon, but then I thought best not to lead you to focus on one particular area of your life and chart where the new moon occurs over others. This new moon is a good time for setting your intentions to align with your big-picture plans and soul’s desires, so why limit it to one area of your life?
The astro forecast gets more tumultuous from here on out, especially in the months to come (ahem, April), so this marks a good time for getting your ducks in a row and ensuring your structures are solid for any bumpy weather to come.
In the early morning hours (4:27 am EST) of Monday, November 13th, there is a new moon in Scorpio. New moons, occurring when the sun and moon are aligned, kick off new lunar cycles. We’re experiencing this new moon in Scorpio on the heels of the conclusion of the Scorpio-Taurus eclipses that began in late 2021. So it’s a chance to plant new seeds in the same areas of our lives that were undergoing cycles of beginnings and endings over the last couple years.
This particular new moon has a volatile energy. It’s in Scorpio, a sign of deep intensity and transformation, which is ruled by Mars. Mars is also in Scorpio now and it’s sitting right next to this sun and moon combo. Mars in Scorpio can utilize its strengths, which is a good placement for concerted action. However, Uranus is currently in Taurus, opposite the moon, the sun, and Mars. Uranus, the planet that signifies disruption and revolt (among other more specific things, such as electricity and earthquakes), creates tension with our plans of actions. I noted in my Scorpio season post that even though this is the first lunation post-eclipses, it still has a very eclipse feel to it because of the Mars-Uranus presence.
If we are deliberate about what we want to achieve this new moon, this Uranus placement is likely going to throw us some curveballs. Uranus is an outer planet, so its transits generally affect the collective more than the individual. While you are encouraged to plant new seeds and set intentions for this new moon, it’s against the backdrop of the wildness out in the world.
With Mars and Uranus in the mix, you may be feeling anxious, like you can’t sit still. Practice mindfulness and breathwork, and as much as you can, try to just go with the flow. The universe may show you the new beginnings coming with this cycle instead of you carefully charting them out yourself.
To see which area of your life this new moon is highlighting, read below, first for your rising sign if you know it, then for your sun sign. And if you have any of the personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive points (the ascendant a.k.a, your rising, the midheaven, the IC, or descendant) on or around 20-22 degrees of a fixed sign (Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius, or Leo), you’ll be feeling this new moon more acutely than most. (And if you want a reading, hit me up!)
Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: New moon, new you. The eclipses of the last couple years have likely been felt pretty majorly by you. Have you seen changes and evolution to your sense of self and your closest relationships over that period? This new moon, you can reflect on what has changed and the growth that you want to experience going forward. This new moon in your sign gives you the opportunity to set intentions for further evolution of self, whatever that means for you–getting more grounded, becoming more active through exercise, using your voice more to speak out for the issues you’re passionate about, etc. Now’s the time to set those goals.
Sagittarius & Sag Rising: New moons can sap our energy, and this one is particularly exhausting. You’re often on the go, exploring, traveling, and wanting to embark on the next adventure, but this new moon is an opportunity for resting. You may feel isolated, but embrace alone time during this new moon. You don’t always have to be on the move. It’s a great time to newly commit to or reinvigorate a meditation practice and journaling routine. Sleep and write about the dreams you remember to get more insight into your deepest needs and fears.
Capricorn & Cap Rising: This new moon is occurring in your house of friendships and community. You may have a new experience that leads to meeting new friends or building new relationships within a collective. This is also a time when you may feel a spark of motivation to more openly voice your concerns and raise awareness about the causes important to you. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines with regard to issues you feel strongly about up to now, this new moon may usher in the desire to take action.
Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: During this time, you may be planting the seeds of a new career opportunity or starting a project that will ultimately bring you some public recognition. With new moons in the 10th house, at the top of your chart, it’s a opportunity to lay the groundwork for whatever it is you’re hoping to achieve in the public realm. You may have seen some changes in your career coincide with the eclipses over the last two years. With Scorpio in the 10th, you bring an intensity to your career and can do whatever you set your mind to. This new moon is a good time for setting intentions to help you get what you want.
Pisces & Pisces Rising: If a class or a new intellectual or spiritual pursuit piques your interest, explore it. With Saturn traveling through your sign for the next few years, if you do sign up for classes or a certification of some kind or an apprenticeship, your ability to master whatever you are learning is bolstered. Or maybe you’re already an expert in a topic, and it’s time for you to look for teaching gigs or ways you can share what you know. You may be asked to take on a mentoring or a tutoring role this new moon.
Aries & Aries Rising: Aries is rarely passive, but this new moon is about what comes your way from others. This can be in financial form; you may see some money paid out to you, or you may get a bill for something you didn’t know you owed. This can also be in the form of the emotional baggage we get from others, so people may be venting to you a little bit more or those you know may seem to expect more emotional labor from you than normal. If you start to feel out of control of situations and are experiencing a lot of nervous energy, focus inward and do whatever you need to do (exercise, furious journaling, lighting candles) to get zen.
Taurus & Taurus Rising: If you aren’t in a relationship but want to be, this is a great time for trying to meet someone. With Venus, your chart ruler, in Libra, you’ve got its benevolence on your side. People want to get a little deeper and find commitment, so get yourself out there. If you’re already in a committed relationship, this is a good time for deepening your bond with your partner. You may make a new discovery about yourself or have an aha moment that will impact your current relationship and inspire some new emotional connection between you.
Gemini & Gemini Rising: Gemini is not a sign that is associated with deep, long-lasting commitment, but during this new moon in Scorpio, this is a time to get to work and set intentions for the everyday that can be sustained long-term. If you can deepen your concentration in the area of your work life, you may reap the rewards in the long run through process improvements or new ideas you implement now. If you’ve been having some health issues pull into focus recently, this is also a good time to commit to routines that address those, which could mean changing your diet, sleep patterns, or wellness practices.
Cancer & Cancer Rising: For Cancers, Scorpio rules your house of creativity, fun, and children. This new moon may initiate a spark of inspiration for a new creative project. This could be the time when you start writing your novel, in the dark early mornings in front of your SAD lamp. Dive deeply into your passions with this new moon. Explore your artistic side and your sensuality. This time could also represent the start of a new cycle involving your children, or you could find that you are welcoming children into your life in some way.
Leo & Leo Rising: This new moon brings new routines at home. They may be due to something that arises unexpectedly or it could be the result of planning you have done, but there’s a new phase in how you are dealing with your home and possibly your family. You could be setting new boundaries with your loved ones or taking on a home improvement project. Don’t let the Uranus-Mars tension and nervousness get the best of you. Your home life should be the grounding source of comfort for you, so with any changes that are happening now, try to take them in stride and relish the time you’re home and find strength in it.
Virgo & Virgo Rising: The new moon in Scorpio is in your 3rd house. Your siblings, if you have any, may be experiencing new beginnings or life changes, or there may be a particular focus on your communication and/or relationship with them at this time. You may also be kindling some new relationships in your neighborhood. This new moon offers you the opportunity to deepen your communication with your neighbors, your networks, your friends, and your sister(s). It’s also a good time to plan for a quick getaway locally if you’re feeling taxed or drained and need a break.
Libra & Libra Rising: With this new moon in Scorpio, the focus is on what you value, your resources, and how you make your living. It’s a time for looking at your multi-year plan for your finances, your job, and how you can build your savings. Venus is in Libra right now, so you’ve got your chart ruler in its domicile, which gives you an extra boost in this area. Venus rules that which we value, and Venus’s current placement is emboldening its strengths. This new moon, if you start to lay out how you want to make money and how you’re going to use those resources to achieve your goals, you’ve got Venus on your side for success that is sustainable.
For all: drink lots of water and get lots of rest! And take these horoscopes with a grain of salt; astrology is not fortune-telling, and these are just my interpretation of what’s going on in the current sky.
On Thursday, September 14th, at 9:40 pm ET, there is a new moon in Virgo. A new moon, which occurs when the moon meets up with the sun, marks the beginning of the monthly lunar cycle. With the moon in Mercury-ruled Virgo, a sign that’s all about service and taking care, it’s encouraging us to think about fresh ways to serve and take care of ourselves.
Mercury itself is still in Virgo, its home base, but has been retrograde since August 23rd, so circumstances these past few weeks have made it ripe for us to reexamine and reevaluate our processes, the ways we think, and the ways we work. An example from my own life: I was sick for a couple weeks, and I felt like it was a personal failing. After being annoyed by myself and my body, which I felt betrayed me, I tried to channel the “re” rule of Mercury retrograde and reevaluate why I would feel this way. It helped me accept that I can’t control everything, and I shouldn’t beat myself up. The universe made me rest.
The new moon on Thursday offers a new beginning, and Mercury stations direct the next day on September 15th (huzzah!). This new moon, think about what has come up during this Mercury retrograde for you. What flaws in your systems have been made visible? What fallacies in your thinking have been laid bare? How can you create new routines that will better allow you to fulfill the Virgoan activities of working hard, analyzing, iteratively improving, and nurturing yourself and your goals? For me, I’m going to try to ride the sense of acceptance I learned from my bout of illness into the new moon.
The moon, which will be at 21 degrees of Virgo, is making a helpful aspect with Uranus, which is currently retrograde in Taurus. Uranus is the planet of disruption but also innovation, which can give new beginnings under this new moon an element of surprise or uniqueness. Virgo is a sign for getting things done; the new moon bolstered by Uranus can lend some innovation to the things we are trying to accomplish or the intentions we set during this phase. It’s a great opportunity for manifesting, if that’s your thing. Write your list of goals down, but also write down some steps you can take to try to accomplish those things. There’s a good chance ingenuity will strike, but with the sun, moon, and Uranus in earth signs, it helpfully will be grounded and practical.
The only potential downside of the new moon is that it’s within 5 degrees of being opposite Neptune in Pisces. Neptune casts a fog. We may find that our emotions and our feelings create some illusion or delusion around the goals that are set at this time, which is also why thinking through the tactical steps to achieving your goals will be useful. It’s important to lean into the Virgoan qualities of discerning and critical thinking to counteract any emotional overwhelm you may feel.
To see the areas of your life where this new moon will potentially bring about a fresh start or a new way to thinking, reference your Virgo season horoscope.
The full moon in Leo occurs on Sunday, February 5th, at 1:28 pm EST, which means that the moon, which will be at 16 degrees Leo, will be exactly opposite the sun at 16 degrees Aquarius.
Leo and Aquarius, on opposite sides of the zodiac, have similarities in that they are both fixed signs (along with Taurus and Scorpio), so they are steady, focused, and are able to power through to get things done, but it can also mean they tend to be stuck in their ways. When the sun is in the signs that are fixed, it’s the middle of a season. Aquarius season is smack in the middle part of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and Leo season reigns over the middle of the summer.
For the most part, though, Leo and Aquarius are quite different. Leos, ruled by the sun, are light sources. Leo is about incandescence; it shines brightly and wants others to see and admire its light. Leo is about the self, but Leos are social creatures and like to be around people. Aquarius, ruled by Saturn, is about the collective. Aquarius cares about humanity but prefers to not engage. Aquarians are often misanthropes who want the world to be a better place. As an Aquarius myself, I feel this.
With a full moon in Leo, the question that emerges is, how can I use MY talents, MY best self (me me me), to light up the collective and put it to use to make things better for others? So that’s an overarching theme to guide your thinking around this lunation. Full moons are also always about release and shedding the stuff that doesn’t work for us.
This particular full moon is especially volatile because not only is it in a fire sign, but the moon and sun are making a T-square to Uranus, the planet of disruption and surprises, which is still hanging out in the middle degrees of Taurus. Expect the unexpected.
Here is how the full moon may impact you based on your chart:
Leo & Leo Rising: This is taking place in your first house of self, so you may be shedding some skin, literally or figuratively. It’s a great time for looking both inward and outward and asking yourself, what do you want to release? Let it go. It could be a few inches of hair or some self-destructive behaviors. This is your opportunity for navel gazing. With the sun heading toward a conjunction with Saturn later this month, the more methodical or structured you can be about any self-care routines, the better they will work for you in the long run.
Virgo & Virgo Rising: You may be feeling an emotional surge around the full moon. If tension has been building up for you lately, this full moon could bring about an eruption. You may need a good cry. It’s OK, and even recommended, to cancel your plans and be alone if you feel like you need to. It’s a good time to cut the stuff out of your routine that makes you feel unwell. Use this moon to try to rest and recuperate, physically and mentally, from whatever has been troubling you.
Libra & Libra Rising: This is a good moon for putting yourself out there in your groups and/or your community. Plan a party or gather disparate groups of your friends for a dinner. Venus, your chart ruler, is in Pisces, the sign of its exaltation, so your natural predilection for connecting people and building relationships is especially potent at this time and could lead to some really great things for you, both materially and on a more fulfilling, deeper level.
Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: The last few months probably felt like a true slog for you, with your chart ruler, Mars, retrograde for a long time, but now all systems are go. This full moon in Leo is happening in your house of career and legacy, and it’s very public-oriented. Leo is all about putting itself on display, so you may find yourself taking some action in your career that thrusts you into the spotlight, or you may have the spotlight thrust upon you.
Sag & Sagittarius Rising: As a mutable sign, you are no stranger to shifting gears, but you may be feeling extra in flux around this full moon. Have you taken on too much lately? You have so many interests, but you can’t commit to them all, or you would be completely exhausted and fragmented, even though you’re a Sag and flying free-range is your normal M.O. This is a time for whittling down what you’re studying, reading, and writing, to the one or two things that light you up the most.
Cap & Capricorn Rising: This full moon is taking place in your eighth house of shared resources. You may get an unexpected payment of some sort, or you may be faced with an unexpected bill, or with this occurring in your eighth house, it may be your partner experiencing the financial surprises, good or bad. If you have not been totally organized and on top of your finances, this could mean some potential tax issues. However, as a Cap/Cap rising, you’re usually pretty good with that stuff or you at least hire someone or rely on someone who is good at it, so I hope this means a windfall for you.
Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: You’ll be feeling this lunation in your close personal relationships. This full moon is also coming in the aftermath of a square, or 90-degree angle, between Venus and Mars, meaning that there’s a lot of general relationship tension in the air, but you are going to be hit harder with it. Take a break and take a walk if you need some time away from your partner, or let go of the need to return texts and calls immediately.
Pisces & Pisces Rising: You may be thinking about all the drudgery you have to endure. Working, answering emails, washing dishes, brushing your teeth, working out. Sometimes the prosaicness of daily life can be soul crushing, and you may be feeling this acutely during this full moon. It’s a great time to mix it up. Take action and disrupt your workday patterns. Change the way you work out. Jupiter, your ruler, is in Aries, so kickboxing would be a good option, or something else to get your aggression out. Continue to brush your teeth but maybe get a better toothpaste or better yet, in honor of Aquarius season, an electric toothbrush.
Aries & Aries Rising: If you have someone in your life you want to have sex with, this is a good full moon for doing it, and doing it in a way that’s a little different from your usual. The Venus-Mars square that was causing tension this week, plus the fiery moon, will make for some sexually combustible energy, especially given where it lands in your chart. If you prefer the safest sex, making self love a priority would be a good use of the energy. You may even find that it stimulates your creativity.
Taurus & Taurus Rising: The full moon in Leo is taking place at the bottom of your chart, in the area of your roots. This could mean the culmination of some home-related projects/processes or conversations with family coming full circle. Your chart ruler, Venus, is in Pisces, where it’s exalted, but it recently squared Mars, meaning that you may have been having some tense or fraught conversations with family lately. However, now that Venus is moving past that and through the sign it loves, you should be feeling better in that area and experiencing some replenishing comfort and pleasure in your home and the people around you.
Gemini & Gemini Rising: This full moon is occurring in your third house of communication and the stuff that is local to you, like your neighborhood. It’s hitting upon the things that usually make you thrive, so take it in stride and use its power to have the conversations you feel compelled to have and to try the new restaurant you’ve been wanting to go to. You may want to take or book a quick getaway trip. You also may get some expected news during this time, though, particularly from or related to a sibling.
Cancer & Cancer Rising: The focus of this full moon is on your money, your resources, and what you value. You may be thinking about the aspects of your job/method of earning money that you don’t love, and it’s a good time to work to get away from those things, even if it’s through incremental changes. Or given Uranus’s interplay with this full moon, you may find big changes in this area naturally coming to you. I’m a believer that you get back what you give, so it doesn’t hurt to give charitably to the causes you care about during this full moon.
As usual, this is my interpretation of the planetary transits during this time, and I am no psychic, so take this all with a grain of salt! Happy full moon!
The sun moves into Aquarius on January 20th, and Aquarius season begins. As an Aquarius myself, with both my Sun and Mercury there, I am partial to Aquarius season even though it’s pretty much objectively the worst time of the year, at least in the Northern Hemisphere.
Aquarius is the rarest sign, which is appropriate because uniqueness is one of the Aquarian signatures. Aquarius is a sign that is associated with being non-conformist, eccentric, rebellious, and anti-authoritarian, despite its traditional ruler of Saturn. The modern ruler of Aquarius is Uranus. I use both interchangeably. Both are fitting. I think of Aquarius as leaning into the Saturnian values of hard work, responsibility, and thriving through structure and systems. But whereas Capricorn, also ruled by Saturn, is about enforcing the rules, Aquarius, with the Uranian rulership, is about rewriting the rules. And the responsibility felt by Aquarius is on a macro, rather than a micro level; it is a responsibility to what’s right and what is the best for the most people. So if the structures are unjust, those need to be overthrown.
Aquarius, as an air sign, is also associated with intelligence, but the intelligence manifests itself differently than it does with Gemini and Libra. Gemini and Libra are much more likely to engage. Aquarius hangs back and marvels at how dumb people can be. But those same people deserve more! Judging the individuals but advocating for the group is an Aquarian thing.
There’s a coldness, or at least a coolness, associated with Aquarians. Many come off as detached. Personally, as a Cancer rising with an Aries moon, I don’t really embody this trait so much, but I have noticed it in others with Aquarius placements. For Bravo watchers, think of Ariana from Vanderpump Rules, who is an Aquarius rising. In the early seasons, she confounded Stassi and others because she seemingly didn’t care about being friends with them and kept them at arm’s length. Big Aquarian energy.
Technology is another primary association with Aquarius, and again, another one that I don’t really relate to that much, but definitely see it when it comes to others. I feel like an analog woman living in a digital world. I’m still using an iPhone 7. But many Aquarians or those with Aquarius placements are tech enthusiasts. Technology can serve as a democratizer and as a progress accelerator, so it makes sense that many Aquarians are early adopters of new technology.
Taking it back to VPR (always), on the flip side of Ariana, there’s Kristen, who is an Aquarius sun and has some major Aquarian energy too but in a totally different way. I think of Kristen’s pursuit of truth to an unhinged level, literally flying out Miami Girl to prove that Tom Sandoval had committed wrongdoings. Flying someone out is big time Aquarius energy; Kristen literally used air technology to prove someone wrong in a quest for justice and vindication.
This Aquarius season starts off with a New Moon at 1 degree Aquarius, which also marks the Lunar New Year. More to come on that in a few days.
