October’s Full Moon: Contextualizing Change and Relativizing Relationships

The Uranus/Jupiter Opposition

A couple weeks ago I talked about the Uranus/Jupiter opposition in depth. The Uranus/Jupiter cycle is associated with leaps of innovation: scientific breakthroughs, political rebellions and social awakenings, quantum leaps and peak experiences. With astounding consistency, some of the quickest paradigm shifts in history have aligned with strong interactions between these two planets. Every 14 years they make a precise conjunction, and in between, we experience a strong check in—an opposition wherein these two forces get a good look at each other.

In a sense, this opposition is the dialectic process before synthesis, separating the parts before they recombine. It seems wise to not try to rush any premature integration but to breathe with the tension of opposites, to allow each to explore their unique expressions. In this case, we have Uranus, a planet of electricity, rebellion, sharp insight and individuated expression, as well as Jupiter, a planet of expansion, wisdom, high ideals and culture, and the enthusiastic, moral or adventurous spirit that gives meaning to life.

In pondering the interaction between these two, we might think back to whatever exciting leaps and new trajectories were happening seven years ago, during the summer and fall of 2010. Were there any breakthroughs or senses of possibility unfolding? Were there any figures who represented to you a state of wise and liberated individuation? You might think of that moment as a seed, and this opposition (which was also present last December through February) to be bringing a strong feeling of the yearning towards that ideal. It might help to view the difficult, albeit captivating dance between these two energies on a long-term time-frame, recognizing that it might be seven more years before their full, probably spontaneous and collectively supported synthesis.

This opposition is now waning. In the middle of October, Mercury and the Sun will swing through their neighborhood to reactivate it once more, but for the moment, we might have a sense that each of these planets will be continuing on their journey, leaving what might feel like a harsh internal or external standoff between opposing principles. Uranus will continue to retrace its steps, coming to a clearer understanding of what the electric, trickster energy brings, as opposed to a frizzy, fuzzy, or rebellious distortion of it. Jupiter will continue journeying forward, confidently exploring, making sense of new experiences and deeper sources of wisdom.

The Mars/Venus and Pluto/Juno conjunctions

The relationship between the energies of gender, sexuality, and partnership have been prevalent throughout this year. In February, Venus and Mars were close to meeting in the evening sky, before Venus halted and turned retrograde, re-evaluating her own values, needs, and desires. Months later, Mars was eaten up by the sun, which might have felt like a weakening, defeat, or trial by fire of the masculine spirit, followed by a sense of a fresh birth and possibility for vigorous engagement with life.

In May, Pluto and Juno were also very close to a precise conjunction, simmering with each other before each of them turned retrograde and Juno sped away. As the Queen of Heaven and consort to Jupiter, Juno represents the sort of regal power that comes with committed partnership. I like the characterization of her archetype as representing ‘soul contracts’—karmic connections (which may or may not be romantic) with individuals that spur depth, clarity, and evolution. As Pluto represents a chthonic, underworld energy of intensity and transformation, we can imagine a moment of serious heat and change within partnerships. A friend aptly put that she was feeling ‘many of her contracts were up for renewal.’ Pluto transits are also thought to be good for coming to a deep, resonant truth—there, we might consider what sort of partnerships feel most empowering to us.

There might be a lot of (justified) hype around the Mars and Venus conjunction on this Thursday’s full moon, it might be worthwhile to consider it to be a precursor to the Pluto/Juno conjunction on November 11th. The Mars/Venus conjunction provides us with a romantic image of union, and it seems wise to lean into whatever juicy feelings arise. At the same time, recognizing that this is an archetypal play, occurring in internal and external worlds, should help us take it a little more lightly. What internal union between our feminine and masculine selves is also occurring? Do you see them coming together, loving each other, or blending into the other?

Likewise, discerning the difference between this Mars/Venus conjunction and the Pluto/Juno conjunction can direct our attention to the sometimes difficult questions about who we partner with and how. If there’s some sense that some deep cleaning could occur in fundamental relationship or identity patterns (think back to mommy and daddy issues, which oftentimes play themselves out on other levels), November will be a good time to flush them out.

Venus and Mars, crossing the threshold:
Lovers, twins, reflections laced in gold.
This is a dream. Lucidity comes like fresh air,
forgetting forms, focusing, a fragrant stare.
Seeing a dragon, spinning in a spiral flight.
Following through the cloudy night
and swooping down into sunlit caverns.
Cook with simple brilliance. Burn
all that does not serve. The vine that fruits
crawls up your naked frame: a suit
to repel shame, fear, and blame.
Untarnished nature, unaffected by games.
Truth protects, soothes, and makes you groove.
Soaking in space, breathing into you.

As always, if you are interested in a reading to discern how all this or something else is unfolding in your life, you can explore more here: astrologyally.com/readings

Art by @MichaelGarfield, ‘Violet Inflorescence’ and ‘Venture to the Stars’ (It’s for sale here:http://bit.ly/paintingsforsale).