In the Pacific Time Zone, the Moon will be full at 1:23 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. With this Full Moon, the Sun in Scorpio will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Taurus. To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 5°09’ of Scorpio and 5°09’ of Taurus in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with those two houses are going to be most impacted by this Full Moon’s presence. (NOTE: Click here to learn how to find the transiting Moon in your chart.)
Before we discuss why this Moon Update is particularly important, let’s talk generally about this Taurus Full Moon. All Full Moons invite us to find a better balance between the qualities of the 2 signs involved. This time, those signs are Scorpio and Taurus:
- Scorpio: The best qualities of Scorpio include intensity, depth, passion, determination, transformation, and healing. The lower expression can involve being secretive, over-bearing, and intolerant.
- Taurus: The higher expression of this sign includes being down-to-earth, responsible, resourceful, reliable, patient, and loyal. The lower expression may mean being strong-willed, overly cautious, and resistant to change.
Scorpio tends to ferret out whatever needs to be brought out of the darkness and into the light. This is done in order to facilitate deep healing and transformation. It can range from (a) having delightful “a-ha moments” that are akin to sunshine breaking through the rain clouds to (b) being blindsided by totally unexpected issues being revealed that one or more parties would have rather kept hidden.
Taurus, on the other hand, prefers a world filled with predictability, peace, calm, and serenity. Enjoying the moment is a major priority. Smelling the roses or feeling the sun on their back makes a bull very happy. Unlike Scorpio, it believes that in order to attain this peace, sometimes uncomfortable truths are best ignored or avoided.
Neither of these approaches are “wrong.” In fact, both are needed at certain times in our lives. However, this Taurus Full Moon is reminding us that we need to find a balance between them for a happy, healthy life. For example, true healing sometimes requires that we “dig deep” (Scorpio) and face some uncomfortable truths. But once that deep dive has been taken, Taurus reminds us that we need to come back up to the surface and take a break, breathe, meditate, or do whatever will lead to enjoyment of our earthly experience. Eventually, once we’ve recovered a bit, then we will be ready to dive into the depths again. It’s all about finding a healthy balance.
This Taurus Full Moon is also a partial lunar eclipse. (NOTE: Click here to see my blog post Solar and Lunar Eclipses – What Are They and How to Interpret Them Astrologically.) Eclipses typically occur twice a year, and the time around the actual eclipse often coincides with an event(s) that serves as a catalyst for what unfolds for the following six months . . . a type of “wake-up call.” A partial eclipse isn’t as powerful as a full eclipse, but it still amps up the energy associated with the lunar event. And given we had a full solar eclipse 2 weeks ago (i.e., October 14), this means that most of October and the early part of November have been under the influence of the current eclipse season.
During an eclipse season, many of us become aware that something needs to change in order for our soul to learn its next lesson. (NOTE: If you have your natal chart, the houses involved may give you a sneak peek at which issues might be involved.) Solar eclipses usually coincide with new beginnings or when decisions are made. Lunar eclipses often coincide with endings or culmination points, so it is understandable that they are often emotional times.
Luckily, having the Moon located in grounded Taurus may help soften any emotional reactions. It also provides determination, and many of us will need that in order to tap into that softer energy. This is because at the time of the Full Moon, Pluto is squaring (90°) both the Sun and the Moon. Because this is a Full Moon, that means the Sun and Moon are in an opposition (180°), so the Sun-Moon-Pluto grouping forms one of those pesky, highly motivating t-squares (i.e., right triangles), with Pluto as the focal planet.
The Sun-Pluto square (90°) is known for eliciting power struggles and impatience. However, it can also help us discover that using our personal power is much more effective than using force to get what we want. The Moon-Pluto square (90°), though, could mean that previously hidden emotional issues are revealed. It could also be that we are emotionally unwilling to let something go, even though it has met its proverbial expiration date. Because Pluto is the focal planet of this t-square, many of us will benefit from exploring issues related to power versus force and/or focusing on deep healing that leads to transformation.
Unfortunately, unexpected conflicts and a corresponding need for balance and moderation are reinforced by a large number of oppositions (180°).
- The Sun is conjunct (0°) both Mercury and Mars (all are in the fixed sign of Scorpio).
- The Moon is conjunct (0°) Jupiter (both are in the fixed sign of Taurus).
- The Sun-Mercury-Mars conjunction (0°) are all in opposition (180°) to the conjunction (0°) between Moon and Jupiter.
In sum, that’s 5 different oppositions in fixed signs (i.e., Taurus, Scorpio), and fixed signs often mean that we want to dig in our heels and hold firm to our beliefs or approaches, even when evidence may be pointing to a better option. To make matters more challenging, as we have discussed before, the closer an aspect is to being “exact” (0°00’), the more powerful it becomes. The Mercury-Mars conjunction (0°) is considered exact (orb of 0°42’), and the oppositions (180°) are also exact between Mars-Jupiter (orb of 0°03’) and between Mercury-Jupiter (orb of 0°31’).
In a nutshell, this is a whole lot of powerful and potentially stubborn energy! The higher expression could include having the determination and mental focus to find compromises that lead to the best course of action. We also have support for bravely, self-confidently, and actively (Mars) thinking about and/or communicating (Mercury) something that we’ve been avoiding for a while (Mercury & Mars are both in Scorpio). We may feel ready to “stand up” and express ourselves, and Jupiter could help things turn out for the best because it brings wisdom, maturity, optimism, and even a bit of luck.
However, we all would do well to consciously avoid the lower expression of these aspects. With the exact Mercury-Mars conjunction (0°), words can elicit strong reactions and could even be used as weapons. And given both are in exact opposition (180°) to Jupiter, those words could be taken to an extreme/excess, particularly if we feel our beliefs are being challenged. Mars in Scorpio can also get rather testy when feeling threatened (e.g., remember that the scorpion’s tail can sting!). Add to all of that (a) the Full Moon’s emotionality, (b) the impulsivity that is sometimes present with an opposition (180°) between Mars and Jupiter, (c) the rigid belief systems that can be present when Jupiter is in Taurus, and (d) the Scorpio/Pluto penchant for revealing what has previously been hidden, and this could be a volatile combination.
I think everyone knows that I never get political in my Moon Updates. These Updates are judgment free zones! However, there are many current astrological indicators that can be applied to recent national and global events. In addition to those mentioned above:
- Through much of September and into early October, Mars (warrior) was in a square (90°) to Pluto (power).
- On Tuesday, October 11, Pluto began moving direct again, which intensified its energy.
- Mars entered passionate Scorpio on Thursday the 12th.
- Soon thereafter, we all experienced the very potent total solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14.
All of this conflictual and polarizing energy has been impacting many people, groups, and nations. It is clear that the same event can elicit very differing opinions. Unfortunately, recently people have been feeling the impact of all of this conflictual energy and choosing the lower expression of these astrological events in the form of violent rhetoric and even acts of violence. Additionally, it is important to point out that Pluto also brings to the surface hidden issues or secrets, which is a theme that has also been prominent in the news.
However, we can choose to tap into the higher expression of Taurus at the time of the Full Moon, which is calling on us to move toward stability, practicality, and security. The sign of the bull also provides a perseverance that can help us move through obstacles by focusing on what is truly important. Although it may take conscious effort on our part, we are all being given an opportunity to access this grounded Taurean energy, and this can lead to a deep, nourishing well of calm and peace.
Yes, I acknowledge that this may not be easy. Taurus is a fixed sign, and the lower expression can result in being inflexible and resistant to needed change. This often is due to a felt need to be in control, and Pluto can exacerbate that need by using force to regain a sense of control over the uncontrollable.
Why is this Moon Update so important? Our job as Lightworkers is to use our knowledge of astrology to understand that we all have choices to make regarding how we express the energies involved, both on a personal level and when it comes to societal issues/events.
Here ae some suggested “tools” we can use during the time of this Full Moon?
- Observe what is happened from a heart-centered perspective.
- Understand that many events that are occurring now are spiritually designed to bring to the surface what needs to heal in order for humanity to move forward.
- Do our best to avoid reacting and, instead, try to move toward true loving connections and open-minded discussions.
- Be cautious and take thoughtful actions right now.
- Accept that this is a good time to agree to disagree rather than engage in heated debates.
- Consciously choose actions that help us stay grounded and peaceful (e.g., meditating, going for a walk, seeing a movie, or getting a massage).
If conflict cannot be avoided, we should do our best to carefully choose how we word things and remember that our ideas and beliefs aren’t “right” for everyone. Luckily, Saturn is in a trine (120°) to the Sun and a sextile (60°) to the Moon. If we are willing to accept its help, the ringed planet can provide all of us with increased patience, practicality, and emotional maturity.
Additional support is provided by trines (120°) between (a) Venus-Jupiter and (b) Venus-Uranus. We may be presented with opportunities that allow for growth and expansion, some of which could help us be more tolerant of differences. These aspects could also bring some unexpected events that are positive for relationships and/or finances. However, an opposition (180°) between Venus-Neptune means that we may not be seeing every issue clearly. This is likely a good time to gather information, but we are well-advised to delay any major decisions until we are sure any Neptunian fog has lifted.
Over the last few weeks of October and into early November several planets either changed signs or direction:
- On Saturday, October 21, Mercury joined Mars in Scorpio, where it will remain until November 11. When Mercury is in Scorpio, it’s a time when our thoughts and even our words became more intense. We seek the truth, even if this means that we have to turn over a couple of rocks that we’ve purposely left “as is” for a long time. Our conversations with others may also take on a passionate or investigative quality. Mentally, we are interested in proving, analyzing, investigating, studying, and observing.
- Two days later (Monday, October 23), the Sun joined Mercury (and Mars) in Scorpio for its annual 4-week passage. With all 3 of these planets in Scorpio, much of what we experience has an intensity to it. Scorpio can be an emotional sign, and there can be a felt need to be protective or even secretive at times. But this can also be a very transformative time of year, but only if we are willing to do the healing work required.
- On Saturday, November 4, Saturn ends its annual retrograde phase and begins moving direct again. During the weeks immediately preceding and following this change of direction, we may feel as if the energy on Earth is a bit heavier and more serious. As Saturn picks up speed through the month of November, it’s likely that many of us will feel ready to make decisions or changes that we’ve been contemplating during the 4 months when Saturn was moving in retrograde. These may have something to do with our responsibilities, commitments, or structures in our lives.
- Then on Wednesday, November 8, Venus begins a 4-week transit of its home sign of Libra (ending on December 5). This makes us much more focused on creating harmony and peace in our relationships. Being cooperative and working as part of a team is often preferred over working alone. However, we need to be careful not to sacrifice our needs in order to maintain the peace.
Overall, this Full Moon in Taurus and partial lunar eclipse is likely bringing to our attention an issue(s) that needs to change in order to have more peace in our lives. An awareness of what needs to change may already be present or we may experience some type of catalyst that brings clarity. The latter is more likely if we’ve been resisting the “truth” about something that needs to move out of our lives. Life does tend to bring us what we need in order to grow, and this may not always be what we think we want. For some of us, this change could involve doing more; while for others, it could mean cutting back. If we can tap into the wisdom and perspective provided by Jupiter and the maturity of Saturn, then we have a better chance of making wise decisions that lead to increased peace, security, and stability in the long run. I heard a saying today that fits this Taurus Full Moon perfectly: “Sometimes the simplest things will deliver your deepest needs.” Keep it simple!
WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D.©
THIS FULL MOON
Full Moon at 5°09’ of Taurus
- Saturday, October 28, 2023, 1:23 p.m. PDT
- Saturday, October 28, 2023, 4:23 p.m. EDT
- Saturday, October 28, 2023, 8:23 p.m. GMT
IMPACT OF ANY MOON EVENT
- All New Moons and Full Moons influence us for the 3 days before, the day of, and 3 days after the actual event.
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By Anne Reith, Ph.D.