Full Moon [24 Aries 35]
October 17, 2024 (12:26 GMT +1)
Moon Lore
October’s a big month in the astrological calendar, so do read your monthly horoscopes to help you navigate well. On October 17th, there’s a Full Moon, a time when emotions are heightened and sleep patterns can be disrupted. It’s a Super Full Moon which means it’s closer to earth than usual and will be beautiful to behold.
The Moon’s pull affects the tides and a woman’s menstrual cycle is in sync with the monthly phase of the Moon. Menses, another term for the menstrual cycle is derived from the word ‘month’ which in turn is derived from the word ‘moon’. The lunar deity is as prevalent in our world today as she ever was.
Moon Goddesses were honoured in ancient times, before the dominance of the patriarchal Sun Gods took hold. The astrological qualities associated with the Moon are kind, caring, protective, feminine energies, nurturing the people and the earth. These are excellent qualities for leadership, although not always admired in our current climate.
Moon Goddesses were often huntresses, at home and active in the dark of night. This was their world, witchy and intuitive. You can often hear better in the silence of the night than the noise of the day.
In the northern hemisphere, the dark of the night world is starting to take precedence over the day. Early morning walks are becoming autumnal, the shapes of the trees eerie and life-like. Dusk falls earlier, enveloping us in its protective, yet spooky embrace.
During October, Scorpio season begins, a time that brings us Halloween, Day of the Dead, Samhain and Diwali. The veil between worlds is at its thinnest, a liminal place where spirits dance and we seek the light in the dark.
Aries Energy
This week’s powerful Full Moon is in the sign of individuality, Aries. Aries can be an explosive and passionate energy, strident and brave. The Full Moon in Aries packs a punch.
The role of the individual grows more important and the Full Moon in Aries brings you back to yourself. Full Moons are traditionally about completion and events culminating. Yet, during this Full Moon, the Aries spark flicks the switch and wants action, something new.
When the world feels out of control, this is when it’s important to take responsibility for your own actions, to return to yourself.
The Moon in Aries opposes the Sun in Libra during the Full Moon, the sign of relationships. How you are in the world impacts the people around you. Other people’s actions may impact you, but you can still choose how to respond, how to be.
Each one of us can make a choice every day on how to be around other people, out in the world and, most importantly, with ourselves.
Power Play
There are two powerful planets pulled into October’s Full Moon picture. Action planet Mars represents drive speed, courage, God of war. During the Full Moon, Mars is at 23° Cancer and in a close square aspect to the Sun at 24° Libra and the Moon at 24° Aries. Plus, Mars is the planet which rules this Aries Full Moon, a dominant force.
There’s another planet in the mix, Pluto, the planet of power, loss and corruption. Pluto is at 29° Capricorn on the day of the Full Moon and square to both the Sun and Moon. Pluto opposes Mars and their opposition will perfect at 29° Capricorn on November 3rd.
Mars opposite Pluto is a ruthless, ambitious combination when people will go to extreme lengths to get what they want. You might be the one up against unstoppable power. Or perhaps, you’re ready to embody these qualities within yourself. If you have a huge challenge you’re committed to achieving, this planetary duo can add turbo power to your gear box.
Yet, it’s important that wherever you wield your power, you ensure it’s for good rather than evil. Mars and Pluto are co-rulers of Scorpio, so there’s a lot of power and intensity in the heavens during this period.
Grand Cross
This whole combination creates what’s called a Grand Cross with the Moon, Mars, the Sun and Pluto in the four cardinal star sign, Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. The cardinal star signs are the leaders and motivators of the zodiac.
Imagine standing at the centre of the cross as you feel demands upon you from all four directions, not knowing which way to turn or how to deal with clashing energies.
This is the challenge of the cardinal Grand Cross which can feel like overwhelm or overdrive. You may want to charge off in different directions, craving action. Alternatively, you have too much to do and too little time which leaves you feeling paralysed and unsure which way to turn.
Astrology helps to assign meaning to what’s happening in the world and the planets’ movements mirror life on earth. There’s a personal resonance too, so think of the stars as living and twinkling inside of you as they reflect down upon you.
Now, imagine sitting at the centre of the cross as you breathe in the powerful energy around you. Can you harness the four points of the cross and what they represent or stay centred if you sense the chaos around you?
Consider what you want to release or get rid of in your own life so you can use the power of this Full Moon to good effect. Will you dare to implement big plans, even if you might fail?
Jupiter The Protector
The supporting planet in the mix of the Full Moon pattern is protective, benevolent Jupiter at 21° Gemini and trine to the Sun and sextile the Moon. Will you trust in life or have faith that when events move fast and foundations fall away, you can find the inner strength to rebuild or reshape your future?
Consider who or what Jupiter might represent in your own life. This is where there’s possibility and opportunity, a chance for negotiation and for truth, justice and wisdom to emerge.
The ruler of October’s powerful Full Moon is Mars in Cancer, a reminder to honour the past and hold on to what’s of value or worth in your life. These are crazy times we’re living in. Therefore, it’s even more important to focus on what’s possible and what you’re able to achieve or do. This is the power inherent within the Aries Full Moon.
What It Means For You
Here are the areas highlighted by this week’s Full Moon. Read both your Sun sign and your Ascendant sign:
- Aries: Personal goals, image and profile, the body – relationships, partnerships and contracts
- Taurus: Retreat and self-care, a spiritual connection – work, service to others, health and fitness
- Gemini: Friends, groups and social networks – self-expression, creativity, children and love affairs
- Cancer: Career and vocation – home and family
- Leo: Travel, study and religion – communication and community, neighbours and siblings
- Virgo: Joint finances and taboo issues – money, possessions and self-worth
- Libra: Relationships, partnerships and contracts – personal goals, image and profile, the body
- Scorpio: Work, service to others, health and fitness – retreat and self-care, a spiritual connection
- Sagittarius: Self-expression, creativity, children and love affairs – friends, groups and social networks
- Capricorn: Home and family – career and vocation
- Aquarius: Communication and community, neighbours and siblings – travel, study and religion
- Pisces: Money, possessions and self-worth – joint finances and taboo issues
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