Black Moon rising: A different perspective

A New Moon rises October 30, at 1:38 PM, EST, falling at 8 degrees of Scorpio. This is considered a 'black moon', which means this is the second new moon to fall within a month. There is a great deal of hoopla over the 'black moon,' part of this moon, but astrologically it means very little, and factually it means nothing.


Lunar events like this not that rare, and can be compared to a 'blue moon' which the second full moon of a month would be considered. New Moons are considered new beginnings or they can represent a type of beginning or starting over in some way.

This moon makes a pleasant trine to Neptune and there are no hard aspects, which makes it less stressful. This Moon falls in Scorpio, the sign ruling the eighth house of change and transformation. It also rules death (literal and figuratively speaking), taxes, debt and other people's money. This Moon has the power to transform in some way. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and Mars and on October 29, Mars squares Uranus, and this becomes part of the New Moon energy. This is an unpredictable and volatile combination and it's hard to know exactly what to expect, but its affects will play out in our lives and in the news as well. Uranus rules electricity, aircraft, earthquakes and explosions. As Venus is conjunct Saturn (in Sagittarius) ideas and philosophies can be formed and honed, but this is a better transit for business than love as Saturn can turn cold (or practical). I'm sure we will see surprising and volatile situations in the news before this moon completes.

Looking at this moon from another perspective, as Black Moon Lilith re-entered Scorpio on October 26, this Moon is conjunct Lilith and this amps up the powerful and primal transformative or destructive energy. This will lend to the collective undertones an aura of danger, passion and sexuality, deep or dark secrets.

Black Moon Lilith is in her sign of exaltation in Scorpio. Her domicile is Capricorn, the opposite of the Moon's natural sign. Where Lilith is found in our personal charts is considered the place we hold we can hold vengeance, and ultimately be done in by our own desires left to run amuck. It is important to know on a psychological level where he darkness comes from and where it can take us in a positive sense. In this sign (scorpio) Lilith's scorpionic archetype is called to look for that which is off limits or typically considered taboo and will plumb the depths to do so. Lilith here can bring up unconscious memories, mistrust, control, and compulsion.

Our job is to access this inner intensity and direct it into positive channels rather than negative ones. If we can do this, we can achieve transformation of the highest order. It seems the perfect moon for Halloween and for those who wish to connect to the veil between the worlds of the living and the spirit. Or its equally good for those who just wish to enjoy the evening.

Mars squares Uranus: unexpected situations

Mars is approaching its square to Uranus, which becomes exact in the early morning hours of October 29. On the same day Venus conjuncts Saturn and this precedes the new moon in Scorpio on October 30, by only hours. The energy of this transit will build throughout this week.

Mars-Uranus transits are unpredictable in nature, and we can expect the unexpected. On a personal level we can expect to experience changeability and the day may not go as planned. If this transit aspects your personal chart you will feel its affect to a greater degree depending on what it is hitting in your chart. It will aspect your chart if you have Cardinal planets-Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn- at 22-24 degrees.

Uranus transits often have to do with freedom, a desire for freedom and change at any cost, along with unexpected events. You may feel a strong urge to try something different. Caution should be exercised on this day and the few days before and after as these transits can have to do with unexpected accidents.

This is an angry transit. You may feel the anger yourself or in your surroundings and those you associate with. Some people may seem egotistical and there could be explosive outbursts of temper. This is not the day to push an issue that is volatile, and unless you are prepared for consequences.

There may be disruptions to your day in unexpected ways and changeability.

Venus and Saturn typically do not blend well. Emotions will be tempered with this transit, which with Mars square Uranus, is not especially a bad thing. As Neptune has been square Saturn for months, this can bring a needed reality check.

Then again, some may feel their emotional needs aren't being met, as this is the typical manifestation of Saturn-Venus. Venus and Saturn can seal a relationship or end it.

Emotions and love will be tempered with practical concerns but if your relationship is healthy this transit will not destroy it. 

Unhealthy, brand new, or negative relationships may well end at this time though.

These transits will play out in the world as well. Venus rules women and money, and in Sagittarius, this transit represents ideals, ideas, and philosophies.

  

Mars-Uranus shows the potential for violence, and Uranus rules aircraft and explosions as well as communication and the internet. Business could be disrupted in some way.

I think we can depend on more unexpected political news and further revelations.

Saturn transits-Life's toughest times

We all have times in life that are more difficult than others, and so many people who call me are facing difficult questions and choices. More often than not, they are dealing with a Saturn transit.

Saturn will affect us all, throughout life. The positive Saturn transits bring stability, success and achievement, as Saturn creates our structure in life. The 'hard' Saturn transits often bring challenges, disappointments, delays, endings, and in rare cases even sickness and death of those closest to us.

Every two and a half years Saturn changes signs, and moves through a different house in our personal chart. By knowing this we can see where our gains and challenges are going to be over the next several years.

Of course there are other planets that are creating aspects and making transits at the same time, but Saturn transits can be some of the most difficult.

Alternatively in positive aspect, Saturn can bring our greatest success, achievements and stability and these are always the times we remember, good or bad. Positive aspects build up stability for the future when the harsher transits come, which will occur throughout life. The key is in understanding and learning to deal with them so the worst possible scenario does not play out. There will never be a time Saturn is not active in our charts, good or bad.

Saturn has been called the 'God of Time', the 'taskmaster, the 'Lord of Hell,' to name a few.

Saturn takes thirty years to go through each house in the natal chart and through each sign in the zodiac. By the time it has traveled through each house of your chart you have experienced what Saturn will do over each two and a half year cycle.

When Saturn returns to its own natal placement in your personal chart this is called a 'Saturn return.' This transit occurs at age 28-29, 59, and again in the late 80's. A Saturn return always coincides with change, and moving on toward the next phase of life. it typically brings or ushers in important changes.

Generally, when you approach your late forties or fifties you have seen Saturn through each house in your personal chart. At this time, as Saturn moves through each sign again, you have a clear idea what to expect based on past history. Of course, it is never exactly the same as many parts of your chart are always changing.

If you are experiencing a difficult Saturn transit the thing to remember is that all transits are temporary. While you may experience frustration or disappointment there may be some more positive energy in another part of your chart. An experienced astrologer can tell you exactly how long this period will last and what you can expect.

Harsh Saturn transits bring growth and in some cases we change direction in many different areas. In my experience while we may not have anticipated a change of direction, in the long run it may be the best possible alternative. With growth comes wisdom and stability and knowledge.

When Saturn aspects any planet in your personal chart, another aspect from Saturn to the same planet will re-occur in 7 years. It is important to learn the lessons of Saturn as to not have to repeat them in the future.

Volumes have been written about Saturn and this article barely scratches the surface, but let's take a quick look at what Saturn can do in terms of the aspect it makes to other planets.

Sun-Saturn transits-In positive aspect stability and growth depending on where the Sun lies in your chart. Sometimes relationships stabilize. Harsh transits-delays, health issues, breakups, issues concerning the Father or other males.

Moon-Saturn transits-Issues with women, emotional issues and breakups, sadness and depression in harsh aspect. Positive aspects bring emotional stability, growth through women and personal growth.

Mercury-Saturn transits-Harsh aspects bring negative thinking, harsh communication, depression, issues with vehicles or wrecks, issues around immediate family members or young people, lack of communication. Positive transits bring deep thinking, mental work, interaction among immediate family members.

Venus-Saturn transits-Harsh transits bring loss, money problems, breakups and negative change in social matters. Positive transits can bring stability in relationships, business opportunities and financial gain, marriage.

Saturn-Mars transits-Harsh transits bring breakups, issues with work or health, frustration and anger, slowdowns and stoppages of many types, endings. Positive transits bring success in business and a even and successful flow of activities, relationships.

Saturn-Jupiter transits-Harsh transits bring lack of money and opportunity, legal issues, issues with younger or foreign people, lack of inspiration or a moral crises of some type. Positive transits bring success in legal matters, growth and stability.

Saturn-Saturn transits-Saturn square or opposing Saturn often bring a crisis of some type or a turning point. Positive transits bring stability.

Saturn-Uranus transits-Harsh transits bring unexpected change and upheaval, positive transits bring growth and sometimes a return to situations from the past in some way and growth.

Saturn-Pluto transits-Harsh transits bring worry, power struggles and frustration or change. Positive aspects bring deep insight, achievement and success.

Saturn-Neptune transits-Harsh transits bring lack of clarity and inspiration, depression and sometimes lies and deception or a fall from grace in worldly terms. Positive transits bring spiritual insight and clear thinking.

Where is Saturn currently in your personal chart?

Mars conjunct Pluto: Anger, war or transform!

Mars squares Pluto this week, becoming exact Wednesday, October 19, but the effects of this transit will stretch through the week.

This transit is prone to anger, and as I wrote before violence in the world, along with extreme viewpoints. Pluto rules bullies and those who wish to force their will on others.

This is what I call an extreme transit, and it will bring about extreme and angry viewpoints among many people, especially if this aspects your personal chart.

I would use caution in all ways this week in terms of personal movements and interaction with others.

This is not the time to force issues, issue ultimatums, and act on feels of anger as things, situations and even people can break, and situations can end.

The other side of this energy is transformation. My advice is always to go with the more positive side of the energy which is to act in some way that will ultimately transform yourself, your business, or some other situation.

As I wrote last week, we will see war, violence and military action under this transit, and that is exactly what is happening as the US led coalition attempts to re-take Mousal, in Iraq. With the volatility of this transit we can see more. You can bet that it will involve Russia and Putin, among other things.