Friday morning we enter the Last Quarter with the Moon in mid Cancer. In this phase we turn the corner toward the New Moon to come, which in this case is an eclipse.
It’s time to complete our tasks for this lunar cycle and be productive.
Yet this Moon in Cancer will focus on feelings. Astrologer Tony Howard uses the word “subjective” for Cancer, which captures the emotional point of view. Sure, we can look at the facts, but how do I feel about it? How do you feel about it?
Modern culture tends to dismiss feelings, holding logical, rational thought as the highest good. But science itself has shown that we remember what we have feelings about. In fact, it’s impossible to remember something that has no emotional valence for us.
We’re in the realm of feelings. In the middle decan of Cancer, we’re looking for safe space, a sense of being protected, and finding a place that is safe for those we care about.
The Moon is also out of bounds increasing the level of all our emotions. A planet is out of bounds when it has moved farther north or south of the equator than the Sun ever goes. Outside the boundary of our star, planets get more intense, less predictable. This Moon is off the map.
The Moon squares the Sun at 13º02’ Cancer and Libra, a square that defines the Last Quarter. The Sun in Libra wants peace and harmony, but as an Air sign seeks this through thoughtful discussion and striking a balance.
An out of bounds Moon in Cancer doesn’t care about balance, only about feeling safe, feeling good, and protecting family.
The Moon also squares Chiron the wounded healer at 17º54’ Aries. Both Sun and Moon apply to oppose and square Chiron, making these aspects stronger. This is a T-square, with the Sun, Moon and Chiron in an intense discussion.
Chiron points to patterns of wounding. In Aries, this can be a tendency to be too combative when we feel attacked, or give in too easily, not standing up for ourselves in the face of pressure. In childhood, most of us lack agency. Adults tell us what to do and how to do it, leaving us confused and possibly conflicted about going after what we, personally, want.
The polarity between Libra and Aries is activated by the Moon in Cancer. Do we give up too much of ourselves to keep the peace? Do we stand our ground whatever the cost? Do we become skillful negotiators on behalf of others but leave our own needs off the table? Do we become hyper independent, striking off on our own rather than compromise anything?
These are relevant questions to explore as we head into the New Moon eclipse in Libra. The next few days will offer more insights.
October 8, Mars reaches his exact square to Pluto at 27º53’ Libra and Capricorn. This square will highlight conflict in the world and in our lives. That conflict might be hidden rather than right up front, so notice where you feel conflicted.
At about the same time, Venus leaves Leo to enter Virgo. Venus has been in Leo since early June, so this is a big shift. Venus has completed her retrograde journey by exiting her post retrograde shadow. In Virgo, she is quieter, less flamboyant, more focused on details.
Also on October 8, Mercury has their morning set. Disappearing from the sky, the planet of thought and communication moves toward their cazimi, the illuminative conjunction with the Sun on October 20. For the next weeks, Mercury will be in hiding.
October 10, just before we enter the Balsamic phase, Venus reaches her exact opposition to Saturn. She opposed Saturn in Pisces as soon as she entered Virgo. The exact aspect simply brings things into sharper focus.
Venus in Leo was explosive, passionate, creative, and bright. We’re now tasked with picking up the pieces and creating a new pattern. This isn’t a bad thing. The Venus retrograde pushed us to make changes. How do we integrate them into the structure of our lives?
The next few days invite us to be in our feelings. Do we feel safe? When? Where? Why? Why not? What do we want to do about it? Notice emotions without being reactive. We’re preparing for two eclipses ahead. It’s a good time to check in.
