Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: October 5, 2015 through October 11, 2015

Contemplation for the week:
“…feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.” ~Pema Chodron

One thing that surprised me when I looked at this week is that suddenly we are having very long Void of Course (VOC*) Moon times. This is caused by the majority of planets being in early degree of their signs. Remember, that the VOC* Moon is the period of time following the final major degree the Moon forms in one sign until it enters the following sign.
Each week below the daily forecasts I list the exact times when the Moon is VOC* and a bit of an explanation about what that means. During these periods, it is best to keep your attention on routine tasks. The way to think about it is that anything you begin during the VOC* Moon is not going to amount to very much. Keeping that simple thought in mind should keep you on track.
Another thing I’d like to bring to your attention is the upcoming square between Saturn and Neptune. The dates of the exact square aspects between them are November 26, 2015; June 17, 2016; and September 10, 2016. This quickly approaching aspect is going to profoundly color the coming year.
Think about the way these two planets function; consider how they will challenge each other, our personal lives, and the world. Saturn represents structure, controls, and containment while Neptune represents the dissolving of barriers. This aspect will occur between 7° and 12° of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces).
For now, I want you to simply think about how these planets will work together in your own life and in the world at large. We will be having more conversation about this aspect in the coming weeks.
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KEEP NOSTALGIA AT BAY
Monday, October 5, 2015:
If only we could all take the day off on Monday.
The Cancer Moon focuses our attention on domestic and emotional issues. How nice would it be to stay home today, make a pot of soup and sort through old love letters or photo albums? There is likely to be a soft internal spot within you that likes that idea.
However, nostalgia, as easy as it would be to engage in, is not the place to put your energy. The Cancer Moon likes to pull us deep into the heart of the past; the ghosts of the past easily call to us. Keep in mind that nostalgia tends to have a poor memory and a deeply active imagination.
When we are in the grip of nostalgia, there is little room for reality. Our rose-colored glasses are firmly in place. When that sense of nostalgia tries to worm its way into your thinking, take some steps to move into the present time. Use that warm internal soft space to make contact with love exactly where you are at this point in time.
Create a day that you can look back on with gratitude. Allow the vulnerability of your own heart to be open in all your encounters.
The Cancer Moon is VOC* following a square to Uranus at 7:05 AM EDT. Whatever activities you engage in will not ultimately have a huge impact. Practice kindness and simplicity.
“What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful.” ~Brene Brown
 
DREAMS AND TRANSFORMATION
Tuesday, October 6, 2015:
The Moon has entered Leo by the time we begin Tuesday, leaving behind the emotional turmoil of Monday.
Tuesday is an active day with the Sun square Pluto, Mercury sextile Saturn, and Mars opposing Neptune.
On January 3, 2015, the Sun and Pluto began their annual cycle of inner transformation. During the same month, Mars and Neptune came together. What grand transformation began last January and what dream was intimately connected with that transformation?
What actions were taken on that issue in early April and late May? By early July, it was probably crystal clear how successful this transformation had been in bringing your life where you were hoping to go.
Now, you are at a point of clarity regarding that transformation. Now, it is time to assimilate what you have learned. A new cycle of intense transformation will begin in early January 2016.
You will be powerfully called to look back and explore what you began in January. How have you managed these powerful life shifts? How can you adjust where you now find yourself? The powerful transformation along with the passionate dream that began in January 2015 has brought you along a particular path. It may feel that it was the wrong path, or you may better understand that it was the only path truly available to you given all the considerations. Everyone’s experience will differ.
Many of us began a process of major transformation without enough clarity to support our direction. It may feel very clear that you took the wrong path. At this time, it is clear if we made a mistake. Did we begin to walk the path better left untrodden? It may feel that way.
Please remember the story continues and we get to choose how we write that story. Regret has no worthwhile purpose; it only weakens our ability to move forward. No matter what mistake you may think you made, there are lessons that you are learning and gifts that you have given along the way. Hold your head up and understand that in order to live a wholehearted life, mistakes are a very necessary part of the ride.
Saturn sextile Mercury offers us an opportunity to see these larger cycles from a more practical perspective. We are able to see and utilize the growth and deepening of our own understanding that these intense energies have brought us.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.” ~ C. S. Lewis
 

PLAY OR REST; SIMPLY INDULGE
Wednesday, October 7, 2015:
Tuesday’s intense need to look back will certainly still be in the air on Wednesday, but remember, the Moon is in Leo. Put all that intensity aside and find time to play!
Yes, it is a work day for most of you but it will do your soul good to find friends to play with after work or simply head home for an evening of indulgence.
Remember, Leo brings us the energy of the big cats. Big cats are powerful in the hunt, playful in their interactions with their friends and family, but they also spend large amounts of time simply resting, indulging themselves lounging in the warm sun, sleeping and pruning.
Take a lesson from those cats; indulge in pleasure, warmth, and rest.
“Choose your thoughts carefully. Keep what brings you peace, release what brings you suffering, and know that happiness is just a thought away.” ~ Nishan Panwar
 
CONTEMPLATE SERVICE AND LOVE
Thursday, October 8, 2015:
The most significant news on Thursday is the movement of Venus into Virgo where she will remain until November 8th. Venus represents our personal values and speaks to us of intimate relationships, money, and things that we deeply value.
While Venus was in Leo (since June 5, 2015) you were probably less cautious in these areas and more dramatic. Now, while Venus is in Virgo you are more interested in expressing your love in more practical terms. You are likely to be more cautious and discriminating with your money and expressions of love.
Your expressions are practical, yet sensual, with less self-indulgence and more of an eye toward the service of others.
The Leo Moon is VOC until she enters Virgo at 3:51 PM EDT; a great contemplation for Thursday would revolve around practicality and seeking to be of service to those you love.
“What you do today is important, because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.” ~ Unknown
 
MERCURY DIRECT – MOVE FORWARD
Friday, October 9, 2015:
Clearly, the most significant thing about Friday is the fact that Mercury finally turns direct at 0° Libra. Yes, we are ready to move forward!
Have you completed what you intended to complete during this Mercury retrograde? How have you managed the issues of communication time? Are you ready to move forward?
Over the coming weeks, you can anticipate like moving at a somewhat smoother pace. Our projects and communications have very likely felt stuck in challenging over the past three weeks. Mercury will be in forward motion until the next retrograde in January of 2016.
The Moon will be in Virgo throughout Friday offering you the opportunity of a productive day. Leave your desk tidy and your tasks complete when you leave work for the weekend.
“Appreciation is an excellent thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us, as well. ” ~ Voltaire
 

TAKE SPACE FOR TIME ALONE
Saturday, October 10, 2015:
This weekend will probably not be one of light fun and games! The good news is that you may benefit through developing maturity or a deeper security within your own skin; to reach this benefit there is internal work to be done.
Today, Venus square Saturn. You may notice yourself feeling more inhibited that usual and a bit uncomfortable in your own skin. You may be unusually concerned with what is proper or you may be with others who are judging you by these standards.
You may feel misunderstood. Others may seem unkind or even cold. Creativity is probably not flowing easily. However, solitary work and the contemplation of what your changing values are teaching you will bring the most gain.
The cycle between Venus and Saturn may manifest as a stabilizing of your values, becoming responsible for your finances, or even learning to comfortably embrace your aging body or lower your financial expectations.
To understand how this is working in your life look back to the beginning of the cycle in mid-November 2014. I wish we all kept a journal! It would make this process so much clearer. At any rate, the cycle began in November 2014, a major step was taken forward at the end of January 2015, the cycle reached its peak in mid-April 2015, and now it becomes clear that in order to move forward you must make a major adjustment.
If you pay attention, the discomfort of this weekend will show you the steps that must now be taken to lead you to the ending of this cycle (and the beginning of a new one) in early January 2016.
Spend time alone, give each other space! Go for a walk. Meditate.
“In solitude, the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.” ~ Laurence Sterne
 
ANXIETY OR EXCITEMENT
Sunday, October 11, 2015:
Wow. What a weekend. The heaviness of Venus square Saturn must be managed on Saturday and then by the end of Sunday, the Sun opposes Uranus.
For some of you, this aspect will shift you quite quickly from hard inner work into a state of excitement. For others, this may show up as a great deal of anxiety and stress. It depends on each individual’s relationship with the energy of Uranus. If possible, choose excitement!
The Moon is in Libra and we are more likely to want to be with others on Sunday. However, if you notice yourself heading into a state of anxiety, try to find a physical activity to release and dispel that energy. Spend a bit of time in meditation to release whatever thoughts are driving the anxiety and then move into a physical activity for excitement and fun.
It could be as simple as going apple picking or as complex as skydiving. If you want to look at the bigger picture, the cycle of the Sun and Uranus began in early April. Did something exciting or anxiety producing begin at that time? However, you have managed the time since, now brings you to the release of that energy.
You can expect restlessness and an expanded need for personal freedom. You do not want to be limited in any way nor have any restrictions placed on you by another.
Become aware of the uniqueness of yourself and every other individual; respect the differences you see in others and show your unique authentic self.
“You’ll never know who you are unless you shed who you pretend to be” ~ Vironika Tugaleva
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This week: The VOC* Moon!
VOC* (void of course) refers to the period of time between the final aspect that the Moon makes while in one sign until she enters the next sign. This can consist of several minutes or many hours. These periods are best handled with little expectation of accomplishment. These times are ideally suited for rest and contemplation.
Block off these times in your schedule and avoid making significant decisions or working on important projects during these times. During VOC* Moon, focus on routine tasks. You will be surprised at how this one change will smooth the edges of your life!
Do you have questions about what is appropriate to do or not do during the VOC* moon? A simple way to think about it is to ask a simple question: Do I hope that this activity will amount to something? If the activity does not need to amount to anything, go ahead with it!
If you have an expectation or desire that this action is going to amount to something, do not do it while the Moon is VOC*. Think about the time you bought a book you were certain you were going to love and you never could finish it! Think about the time you bought the perfect article of clothing that you ended up never wearing. That is the Moon VOC*!
Monday, October 5, 2015, the Moon is VOC* (in Cancer) following a square to Uranus at 7:05 AM EDT until she enters Leo on Tuesday, October 6 at 4:31 AM EDT.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015, the Moon is VOC* (in Leo) following a trine to Uranus at 5:11 PM EDT until she enters Virgo on October 8 at 3:51 PM EDT.
Friday, October 9, 2015, the Moon is VOC* (in Virgo) following a trine to Pluto at 6:13 PM EDT until she enters Libra on October 11 at 4:46 AM EDT.
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* In these weekly reports, I am exploring the major aspects formed by transit between the planets. I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and are often fleeting moods. I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to its VOC* time, as that aspect holds its influence throughout the VOC*.
The aspects under consideration: conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
The planets I work with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.