The Full Moon at 9 degrees Aries arrives on October 1st 5.05 pm ET / 11.05 pm CET. The Full Moon is under the ruling of Mars, with Mars present at 25 degrees in his home Aries while retrograde. Mars has been setting things on fire lately. Literally burning forests down. Mars has poured down some frustration and aggression on Earth. Mars is known to inflict pain. When Mars is retrograde, the pain comes unexpectedly. Mars his motives are hidden. Moving retrograde deep into Aries he needs to retrace his steps, he needs to do a thing or two over and/or try to set something straight or change something from his past. Since Mars stationed retrograde, about three weeks ago, he has caught some speed again. Now moving faster and deeper into Aries. Mars is burning down everything he meets on his path.
When fire burns through all the gas, it eventually burns out. Bursts of energy are accompanied by immense tiredness. Who else feels like there is not enough energy or time? There’s never enough time. But in September and October, time just seems to dissolve. Doesn’t it? Wanting to go at something, but moving so slow. Wanting to speed, but the breaks are constantly hit. Make sure to not burn through all your gas. Go slow when you can. It’s okay to go slow.
Full Moons are about culmination and illumination. This Full Moon lights up the zodiacal sign Aries. The big theme in Aries is: Mars retrograde. Whatever Mars retrograde is about for you, expect to see some illumination on it during the Full Moon. This Full Moon is all about Mars and his desires and actions. This Full Moon shines the spotlight on the God of aggression and war, passion and sex. The Full Moon doesn’t bring complete culmination to Mars retrograde topics. Those topics will get some culmination when Mars stations direct on November 13th and definitive culmination when Mars gets back at 28 degrees Aries at January 2nd 2021. This Full Moon will however bring some insights, pleasantly or unpleasantly. Or, this Full Moon will amplify whatever Mars retrograde is about for you. I’m praying for insight over amplification.
Chiron, the wounded healer
One last interesting thing to note on this Full Moon is that she’s conjunct Chiron. Chiron is one of the centaurs in Greek mythology. The most well-known and most honored centaur. Chiron is at 7 degrees Aries and retrograde. Chiron stationed retrograde at 9 degrees Aries on July 11th. I find it noteworthy that the Full Moon takes place on the place where Chiron stationed retrograde. The New Moon in Aries that took place on the 24th of March earlier this year, was also almost exactly conjunct Chiron. This Full Moon is a culmination of something that started on that New Moon. We can’t ignore the archetype of Chiron in talking about this Full Moon.
This is what I wrote on Chiron when the New Moon was in Aries on March 24th:
“One last interesting notion. The New Moon takes place almost conjunct Chiron. Chiron in Greek mythology is known as the wounded healer. The one that traveled all the world looking for the cure to heal his own wound. During his travels he learned all about medicine and healing crafts; he became the most gifted healer ever known (however not able to heal his own wound). Our Earth is wounded now. We humankind are wounded now. The Moon is exactly conjunct Chiron some point on this New Moon day. The Sun x Moon x Chiron conjunction is almost exact. So, this new Moon also draws our attention to our wounds. Well, honestly, we can’t ignore them now. We are, just like Chiron, desperately looking for cures. In astrology, Chiron in our charts points to where we can become the wounded healer. Often Chiron points to our pains. If we are willing to endure and if we are willing to do the work needed, if we are willing to learn, we can become skilled at helping others heal from the wounds that were once our own. This New Moon draws attention to our wounds. But she also tells us that, if we are motivated and courageous, we can become healers too.”
This is what I wrote on Chiron when he stationed retrograde on July 11th:
“Chiron is the wounded healer. The one that became an expert in healing crafts while searching for the medicine that would heal himself (which he never found). So often we become great counsellors on the topics we’ve had to battle ourselves. Chiron in Aries supports us to express the voices that haven’t been expressed before or that have been kept hidden. I think the growing power of the anti-racism work is one of the several ways Chiron in Aries expresses itself. With Chiron stationing retrograde we are reminded that this work or fight isn’t a linear process. Two steps forward, one step back. It might be discouraging, but it is unfortunately how these things go. And with taking a step back, there is the chance to do something over and to make sure it doesn’t have to be done over another time. Like we shouldn’t forget about Breonna Taylor: that’s a Chiron retrograde in Aries statement. The voices of black women are the voices that are most silenced in this world. We cannot allow that. We must fight against that. The fact that no one is held accountable for Breonna’s death, shows the worth patriarchal societies give to the voices and lives of black women.”
It’s safe to say that we are not done attending to our wounds. It’s safe to say that so far we’ve failed in many different ways. Chiron, one of the most gifted healers, wasn’t able to heal his own wound. We as humankind are gifted in many different ways. We are also wounded in many different ways. And we, so often, seem not to be able to heal are own wounds. Does that mean we should stop trying? Never! If Chiron teaches us anything, it’s to keep going and keep trying and to never ever quit giving up on humankind and to never give up on compassion. No matter how much pain Chiron had to suffer, he kept providing care and healing. He’s one of the most compassionate mythological beings. Not just because of his healing works. Chiron showed compassion and self-sacrifice at different moments during his lifetime in different ways. He’s an example of courage, love and healing. Chiron might not be one of the big planets. But his presence in the lunation cycle through Aries this year can’t be ignored. Being both conjunct the New Moon and the Full Moon in Aries (ruled by the God that inflicts pain and suffering), Chiron shows his presence in the year 2020 that will go into the history books as a year with one of the greatest pandemics ever and with tremendous suffering. We need to call upon Chiron, in all of us. Chiron is not just an example as a healer. Chiron is also a symbol of hope.
#Mood
The rest of October is all about Mars and him squaring Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter by sign. Mars squares Saturn by degree before the Full Moon on the 28 th / 29th of September when Saturn stations direct. He will square Pluto by degree on October 9th and he will square Jupiter by degree on October 18th / 19th. The Sun enters Scorpio on October 22nd and will be under the ruling of Mars. Mercury stations retrograde in October and will be under the ruling of Mars while he’s in Scorpio and in a square with Mars while he’s with Libra. All of this on top of Mars being retrograde in his domicile Aries and having a Full Moon in Aries: October is all about Mars.
About the image on this article. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. It’s a mood. Those of you with personal planets (especially the Sun, Moon and/or ascendant’s ruler) and points (specifically the ascendant and midheaven) at the late degrees of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) know what I’m talking about. About three weeks ago Mars stationed retrograde at 28 degrees Aries. Anyone with the above placements close to 28 degrees Aries, probably are going through some intense times. Know that you are not alone. Know that this is not forever. You can say fuck as often as you want.
Upcoming transits
October 2nd 4.48 pm ET / 10.48 pm CET Venus enters Virgo
Venus swiftly moved through Leo and enters Virgo on October 2nd. Venus in Leo was all about big gestures of love, self-adornment, luxury and extravaganza, sex in front of mirrors and dancing on tables. Other planetary movements may have spoiled the mood; Mars square Saturn for example, anyone feeling that one? I do however hope that Venus in Leo brought you some fun. When Venus moves into Virgo the Goddess of Love becomes less loud and more reserved. Venus in Leo expects her lover to adore her and to focus on her pleasure (in return she has plenty to give too). Venus in Virgo is much more focused on providing love and care, on being of service. Venus in Leo gives blowjobs while wearing a silk kimono and finds her pleasure in the moans of her lover (or victim) expecting him to give her plenty of orgasms in return. Venus in Virgo, however, is less passionate and self-centered and more focused on care and nurture. She provides a healthy organic vegan dinner and gives massages. Venus in Virgo relates to others by being a nurturer. Through the material and the practical she cares in thoughtful ways. She doesn’t need that much in return. A beautiful tasteful and nourishing meal is a joy in itself. Venus in Virgo reminds us to take care of our bodies and our health. She teaches us that love is found in small but meaningful gestures. Though Venus in Virgo may have a tendency to be more of service to others than to ourselves, she does have the ability to remind us of the importance of self-care. Not just because we can’t fully show up in the world and care of others if our own needs aren’t met. Also because, in the end, we are all one. Love for others and love for the self are actually not so different as we make them to be. Venus in the earth sign Virgo reminds us to take care of ourselves with nourishing meals and walks in the forest. Which might be especially good in times of a global pandemic, political changes and with colder weather on our doorsteps (at least in the northern hemisphere).
October 4th 9.33 am ET / 3.15 pm CET Pluto stations direct at 22 degrees Capricorn
Pluto stationed retrograde earlier this year in April at 24 degrees Capricorn. Now Pluto stations direct at 22 degrees Capricorn. In January 2020, when the Saturn x Pluto conjunction took place, Pluto was at 23 degrees Capricorn. Between then and his stationing, the pandemic rapidly spread the world. The movements of Pluto aren’t so much just or only about pandemics. Pluto in Capricorn asks us to transform our societal and financial structures (think capitalism and patriarchy); mostly by ways of purging that what is death and toxic. During his stay in Capricorn Pluto brings his work about in different ways while he’s influenced by and influences different planets. In 2020 he’s in close contact with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. As above so below: what happens in the heavens mirrors what happens on Earth. Covid-19 in many ways has made the toxicities in our modern lifestyles visible and felt. While Pluto was retrograde he revisited his earlier works in the range of 22-24 degrees of Capricorn. Now, when he’s moving direct again, he’ll once again hit these degrees. When planets move retrograde their actions often are about redoing, revisiting, rethinking, reflecting, etc. When planets station direct, they have newfound insights, energy and intentions. Pluto will hit the same degrees again. Which means a revisiting of earlier themes, but with the aim of forward movement. Now it won’t be about redoing. Pluto has something new to bring about. We’re not done purging. The poison is not our of our systems yet. Pluto has a few more years in Capricorn left. As the human collective we can use this Plutonian energy best to bring toxic systems like patriarchy to death, for something new to be born. This is work for generations. Pluto is a generational planet. We owe it to future generations to transform our societies.
October 9th Mars retrograde square Pluto 9.09 am ET / 3.09 pm CET
Mars at 22 degrees Aries squares Pluto at 22 degrees Capricorn. When Mars squares Pluto we can expect power struggles. Internal hidden power struggles, battles of the unconscious. Visible power struggles between people, intense relationship dynamics. We can also expect to see power struggles on the world stage around this time. (Elections?) This transit isn’t an easy one! After all, it’s the God of War and the Lord of the Underworld who are meeting each other.
October 13th 9.05 pm ET / October 14th 3.05 am CET Mercury stations retrograde at 11 degrees Scorpio
Mercury is about to experience a hell of a ride. On October 13th / 14th the Messenger stations retrograde at 11 degrees Scorpio. Mercury stations retrograde three times a year. Not every retrograde is a bad one. Mercury retrograde is on Instagram often projected as something to be feared. Often it’s really not that bad. This Mercury retrograde, however, is.
When Mercury stations retrograde he’s in Scorpio under the ruling of Mars. I assume I’ve written enough about Mars by now for every reader to get that this isn’t a good thing at this moment in time. When Mercury is far enough into his retrograde period he’ll transit back into Libra at the end of October. There he’ll be opposite Mars; also not pleasurable. Mercury rules the intellect, communication and transportation. We can expect to see these things get heated, like talks and political debates. We can expect to see issues with transportation, like cars catching fire. We might experience frustration and an overheated mind.
This Mercury retrograde will also come with unexpected twists and turns. Just before Mercury stations retrograde, on October 7th, he’ll oppose Uranus exactly at 10 degrees. While Mercury stations retrograde he’s almost exactly opposing Uranus. And just after he stations retrograde he’ll be exactly conjunct Uranus again. During his retrograde period, Mercury will travel all the way back into Libra and away from Uranus. After his retrograde period, Mercury will move into Scorpio again and meet Uranus again. Uranus is the planet of sudden changes, chaos and plot twists. This Mercury retrograde not only has Mars his stamp on it, but also Uranus his stamp. We can expect to see sudden changes of the mind, chaos in transportation, plot twists in politics and such. Uranus isn’t a malefic planet, like Mars. However, chaos is often experienced as disturbing. Uranus aims to revolutionize and wants to bring freedom. He does so by breaking the status quo.
If you have any personal planets or points near 11 degrees of a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), this transit is one to watch. This transit is also one to watch for those with Mercury as there ascendant’s or chart’s ruler.
The New Moon arrives on October 16th 3.31 pm ET / 9.31 pm CET at 23 degrees Libra
I’ll back with you soon with info on the New Moon in Libra. Love, Maud