In the Pacific Time Zone, the Moon will be full at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, October 5. With this Full Moon, the Sun in Libra will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Aries. To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 13° of Libra and 13° of Aries in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with those two houses are going to be most impacted by this Full Moon’s presence.
Before we even get into the Full Moon, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the living room. The last few weeks have been rough! Between the hurricanes, earthquakes, fires in the USA, and various national and international social/political issues, many of us feel that our nerves have been stretched to their limits. On an individual level, so many people have told me about major issues occurring in their lives right now. And as I’m writing this, there has been a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, killing over 50 and wounding over 400 concert-goers.
Many of us in the metaphysical and astrological fields feel events such as the hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes are, at a larger level, related to shifts in the Earth’s energy after the August eclipse season. We need to remember that Mother Earth is also alive and has a level of consciousness. She, too, has needed to shift and adjust.
I encourage all of us to send prayers and healing energy to everyone impacted by all of these events, including Mother Earth. It’s especially important now to remember that astrology is all about choice. Although we can’t alter the need for humans and Mother Earth to adjust to all of this new energy, we can make conscious choices about how we react to events. For example, we need to make a choice to be as objective and detached as possible. We also need to trust in the Divine Order and Divine Timing of all that is happening.
Now mind you, I am not saying I’m perfect at this! I’ve struggled recently with several obstacles in my own path, and I’ve rebelled mightily at times about the felt unfairness of it all. But once I catch my breath, I remember to trust and do my best to get back to my own center, because that’s the only power I have in the face of so much change. I do this by breathing, meditating, journaling, asking my angels and guides for comfort/guidance, and seeking out the company of like-minded people who can bolster my resolve when it is wavering.
I mention all of this now partly, as I said, to acknowledge the elephant in the living room. I want to let you know you are not alone if you are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and/or depleted. I’m also bringing it up also because October is bringing in lots of energy, especially around the time of this Aries Full Moon (October 5) and, again, around the time of the Libra New Moon (October 19). We need to consciously use this energy in productive ways.
With this Full Moon, the Sun is in Libra and the Moon is in Aries. Aries is a fire sign, and when the Moon is in this energized place in the sky, our emotional worlds will be amped up. We need to carefully watch our words and actions so they aren’t coming from the lower expression of Aries energy, which can be impulsive, aggressive, and competitive. Having the Sun in diplomatic Libra would normally help us stay more objective. However, the Sun is conjunct (0°) Mercury, which means it is in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Aries. This may pull words out of our mouths that normally we wouldn’t consider saying out loud, by both us and others. However, on the plus side, this configuration does provide us with the courage to speak our truth. This means that if we can tap into the diplomatic Libra energy, we can speak honestly with sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact. But overall, our usual efforts to balance the needs of the two signs involved in this Aries Full Moon may be sorely tested because emotions will likely be running high.
As mentioned above, Aries is a fire sign, and fire is often thought to destroy. However, fire isn’t always a bad thing. For example, there are some seeds that will only germinate when they reach a very high temperature. For this reason, botanists love to go into areas after a fire because they see plants that may not have been seen in that location for 40, 50, or more years (i.e., since the last fire in that area). Another outcome of a fire is that once the taller trees are burned away, it allows the sun to reach the forest floor where lower-lying plants have a better chance of surviving because they aren’t competing for the available sunlight. So sometimes in our lives, something needs to be burned off in order to lead the way for new growth. This type of fiery energy is not an easy way to do it, but it can be highly effective.
Another positive aspect of this fiery Aries Full Moon is energy. If you have recently been feeling stuck, listless, or even depressed, we are being given a strong jolt of emotional Aries energy that will likely get many of us to take action. This is an excellent time to move toward whatever ignites our excitement and passion, and this is a theme that will continue to influence us for the entire month of October and into November.
Additionally, this Aries Full Moon is squaring (90°) Pluto, forming a t-square (i.e., right triangle) in cardinal signs. The cardinal modality says, “Start something new and take action . . . NOW!” The planet in the t-square that is being squared often indicates what is needed. Pluto is about transformation and how we use power. It also signifies healing our core wounds or issues stored in our subsconscious . . . issues that need to be brought into the Light for healing. Once again, we need to use our power of choice to avoid the lower expression of Pluto’s energy, which can include blaming, aggression, anger, or explosive expressions of power and emotions. Remember, Mercury is conjunct the Sun and opposing the Moon, which means that emotional expression is already emphasized. If we feel a need to express ourselves right now in a way that might be detrimental (or we already have), it would be helpful to ask ourselves if it might be a projection of our wounded self onto another. With the powerful presence of Pluto involved in this Full Moon, we need to claim our own power over how we are feeling and take responsibility for our own healing and happiness.
But it is important that we not deny the presence of any strong emotions. They are often telling us where our boundaries are being violated or where change is needed in our lives. As much as possible, we need to feel our feelings and let them work through us without expressing them externally. Having the Moon in Aries provides us with emotional courage, so it is a good time to look inward at what needs to be healed. The only caution is that we should wait a few days after the Full Moon before we speak our minds, especially if we need some time to cool off. Yes, we have every right to expect that our needs will be met, but we want to approach this topic in a way that doesn’t chase off our loved ones or leave a path of carnage that will need to be cleaned up later. Yes, Pluto’s power can be that strong when not controlled at a conscious level!
Given that this Full Moon is happening on the Aries/Libra axis, whatever triggers us might have to do with the balance between self and others. Good questions to ask ourselves now include, “Am I imposing my needs on another and, instead, need to assume responsibility for myself?” and/or “Am I being overly accommodating and denying my own needs in order to keep the peace?” Any felt need to lash out may be our inner world trying to tell us that a re-balancing is needed between these two polarities.
As we discussed in the last New Moon Update, we are still under the influence of the final of three oppositions (180°) between Jupiter and Uranus, which is a pattern that started back in December 2016. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, and Uranus is often described as the planet of change, revolution, and revelations. It’s very likely that the last 10 months have seen a great deal of change in our lives. But if change hasn’t happened yet, now is the time! And if we’ve been resisting them, sometimes radical and unexpected changes will occur. Something in our lives may need to fall apart in order for us to continue our spiritual development and see things in a new way.
On a positive note, Mars and Venus are conjunct (0°) in Virgo at the time of the Full Moon. This will help us all integrate our male and female energies. Both planets are squaring (90°) Saturn, which will hopefully provide us with maturity, patience, and determination. Saturn sometimes tells us that slowing down (as opposed to speeding up) will lead to success. Given Venus and Mars are both in Virgo, Saturn may also cause us to become too perfectionistic in our relationships, if we aren’t careful. But it could also help us see how we can best be of service to humanity (Virgo is about service). Luckily, Venus and Mars are in a supportive trine (120°) to Pluto. Mars is about energy and Pluto is about power, so this combination will give us the energy we need to face any obstacles, challenges, or issues with courage (Mars), especially those related to relationships and money (Venus).
Adding fuel to October’s fire is the fact that Jupiter is moving out of Libra and into Scorpio on Tuesday, October 10, where it will remain until November 9, 2018. While in Libra, Jupiter asked us to focus on relationships and expanding our diplomatic efforts. Over the next year, Jupiter in Scorpio will test those relationships. Some will survive and some will not. Jupiter in Scorpio tends to “tell it like it is,” so this is a year-long reminder to think before we speak. This placement of Scorpio is all about expanding things we are passionate about. We may also find ourselves drawn to learning something that requires deep understanding and/or that involves healing ourselves and/or others, especially if it involves psychological issues. We may see secrets being revealed and taboo subjects coming to the foreground (individually and as a society) in order to be healed. Scorpio is associated with shared resources and money; but Jupiter can go too far sometimes. Therefore, it’s probably best to keep speculations and spending within reasonable limits and, instead, focus on saving for our future, which could be very lucrative. Overall, the year in which Jupiter is in Scorpio can be a very transformative year.
Then on Saturday, October 14, Venus moves into its home sign of Libra, where it will remain until November 8. This month-long placement of Venus means that we will have an increased desire for peace, harmony, and beauty in our lives. It supports relationships of all kinds (e.g., romantic, friendships, business). Using charm and diplomacy is highlighted, although there is also a detached feeling when Venus is in airy Libra. We are willing to compromise, as long as the other side behaves in a way that is respectful and appropriate. We want peace and balance in all areas of our life, but especially in our relationships and finances. But we do need to avoid “keeping the peace” by suppressing our needs and feelings. This could result in the build-up of resentments that could come to the surface when Venus moves into Scorpio next month.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that between the time of this Aries Full Moon and Wednesday, October 25, we will be influenced by a t-square (i.e., right triangle) in which Mars will be in opposition (180°) to Chiron, and both Mars and Chiron will square (90°) Saturn. Mars in Virgo wants to take action that is exact and precise; but as mentioned above, Saturn often tells us that slowing down is the best course of action, especially if it involves the healing of our inner wounds (Chiron). Virgo is also about healing, so having Mars in this sign can support us in seeking solutions. And given Saturn is involved, we may find solutions to long-standing issues. We may feel like our warrior (Mars) is wounded (Chiron), so this configuration supports the importance of addressing any health or psychological issues because it will make us stronger in the long-run.
Overall, this Aries Full Moon is very likely going to bring to the surface some issues that need to be healed. We need to find a healthy balance within our relationships between being independent and interdependent. If this dichotomy is out of balance, we may receive a wake-up call around the time of this Full Moon. We need to remember to remain objective, detached, centered, and grounded when events around us are calling us to react. Our overarching goal is to continue to be a beacon of Light that shows others that there is another way . . . the way of trusting in Divine Order and Divine Timing and believing in the importance of moving in the direction of Oneness and spiritual connection. There will be lots of energy available to us around the time of the Aries Full Moon, and our minds will be very busy. If we can’t find adequate ways to siphon off some of our mental energy, then we should be physically active. The best use of this energy is to consciously make decisions about where we want to direct our energy. We have the opportunity to accomplish a great deal, and it is best to prioritize our goals and then break down each goal into manageable steps so the energy is not wasted. It’s a powerful call to action, but it has to be used in a practical way given the involvement of Pluto in earthly Capricorn. So it may be helpful to remember this simple but powerful phase: “Action expresses priorities” (Mohandas Gandhi).
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE NEW & FULL MOON REPORTS?
If you are not already on our email list, please be sure to join so you are guaranteed to receive her New & Full Moon Reports.
THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
- For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable ebooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store
SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM
- The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
- Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)
REMINDER
- New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
FULL MOON
Full Moon at 13° of Aries
- Thursday, October 5, 2017, 11:40 a.m. PDT
- Thursday, October 5, 2017, 2:40 p.m. EDT
- Thursday, October 5, 2017, 6:40 p.m. GMT