Aries Full Moon Newsletter🌕

Happy October!

It’s the Season of the Witch — the most magickal time of the year — and the leaves in my area are full-on turning! Unfortunately, I have a pretty severe case of the sniffles — as I’m writing this, I’m burning my version of Thieves oil, sipping decaf tea, warming up some shrimp and sweet corn ramen and watching the second installment of Disney’s Halloweentown — but no upper respiratory infection can stop me from celebrating and enjoying this special time of year as much as I can! As we slurp noodles and watch Debbie Reynolds once again battle evil warlocks, navigate family tensions and school her grandchildren in her uniquely charming and irreverent way, I hope you’re as excited to embrace the October vibes as Cassie and I (although we’d like to think we look our witchy best every time of year — with her silky black fur, she doesn’t need to put it in a whole lot of effort.)

Two-Week Astrology Report:

Sunday, October 9th: Today’s Full Moon in Aries is forceful, regenerative and ambitious; work with it to conjure superhuman levels of energy, for unapologetic self-backing or confident self-promotion, and for revitalizing — if not abruptly realizing — previously-set ideas or goals. The Full Moon’s proximity to Jupiter makes it extra magickal for prayer, synchronicity and wish-making, and a burst of forward movement is very possible with regard to any projects or intentions conceived within the last six months. But while this full moon fuels passion and leadership, it could also activate dormant rage, anger or competitiveness within the psyche, stoking a subliminally-compulsive desire to not only claim center-stage but to place a full-scale monopoly on the spotlight’s radius. Aries energy doesn’t favor the humble or reward a play-it-safe mentality — bold moves and authentic attempts to self-actualize are most definitely preferred during this Full Moon, even if doing so irritates others or challenges nearby fragile egos — but without a clear cause or outlet, the moment’s heightened polarity can become disruptive and conflict-oriented if we find ourselves distracted from the proverbial finish line by petty annoyances, adversarial factors or ego-driven power-plays. For the best results, allow any emerging obstacles or opposition of the moment to energize rather than deter you from your mission — after all, no good tale of self-actualization is without a series of challenges for the hero to overcome — and welcome any emerging naysayers as an opportunity to show off. Also, note the Full Moon’s Opposition to Venus which intensifies these Aries-Libra polarity themes: it’s the classic question of whether to protect your autonomy and self-assert with regard to a particular situation or compromise and embrace diplomacy. Your situation will of course be more nuanced than this but ideally, state your preferences with confidence while also hearing other perspectives and taking into consideration the needs of others (and if in doubt, Oppositions reward us for erring on the side we don’t usually — if you're normally quick to embrace rugged warrior mode, lead with diplomacy this Full Moon while if you constantly battle people-pleasing tendencies, have the courage not to budge on something that’s important to you or feels essential to who you are.)

Monday, October 10th: Mercury (now direct as of October 2nd) joins Venus in balanced Libra until the end of October, his second jaunt of the year through this peace-keeping and relationship-oriented sign. Even with regard to the wider astrology in play (of greatest frustration is probably the ongoing Uranus/Saturn phenomenon, relevant since 2021 and peaked again through October) it’s essentially harmonious, pairing especially well with Mars’ historically long trip through Gemini to conjure innovative solutions and the formation of ideas which then lead directly to inspired action and confident self-expression. Mercury in Libra is fantastic for opening (or re-opening) dialogue with others of opposing points of view or seemingly conflicting perspectives — it’s fantastic for compromise, co-operation, mediation and attentive listening, the perfect salve to any miscommunication or relationship blunders we might have encountered over the last few weeks of Mercury Retrograde or this weekend’s Aries Full Moon. Of course we will need to do some of the energetic work to generate a productive exchange — entering the conversation receptively, with the intention to listen and not just convince or assert the validity of our POV — but know that it’s an astrologically supportive time to smooth over relationship hiccups or mend fractured alliances (especially around October 17th, which is when any significant conversations or diplomatic reach-outs are ideally initiated.)

Tuesday, October 11th: Saturnine vulnerabilities are never fun — think joint pain, parking tickets, financial woes, nagging insecurities or infinite items on a never-ending to-do lists — but today, something cool happens. With the sun trine Saturn, we’re either more easily able to defy whatever morose annoyance is currently in play or it simply seems less formidable under the sun’s optimistic rays. It’s also possible — and this is best case scenario — that we have an opportunity to master a Saturnine malady with optimism and grace, surprised at how easeful the process really was. Whether a looming dental visit or an unexpected bill, or an internalized insecurity or made-up limitation, we face it and depart feeling great about ourselves, having overcome an obstacle and learned a new skill (and possibly even made friends with the debt-collector in the process!)

Wednesday, October 12th: Mars and Neptune Square for the first time in what will be a series of three (due to the former planet’s impending retrograde, beginning the day before Halloween.) The major downside of this aspect is that it stokes the vibe of impulsive and ill-informed decision-making; especially with Mars in tricky Gemini and Neptune in ethereal Pisces, it can be very difficult to discern a genuinely good opportunity from a well-orchestrated con (particularly if lust, pheromones, fantastical thinking, pseudo-spirituality or victim/savior dynamics are involved.) It’s chaotic but creative — to minimize the former and maximize the latter, avoid anything that even remotely smacks of a get-rich-quick scheme, spiritual fanaticism or a toxic romance, and just because someone is smooth-talking and well-dressed (and may even genuinely mean well), don’t hop on board with their cause without doing your own research. It’s also advisable to avoid over-promising or agreeing to anything requiring a long-term personal investment while under the spell of this astrology — it’s a momentary high that we can utilize for creativity and artistic inspiration, but it’s temporary and won’t carry us through more long-term engagements. Enjoy it as an opportunity to reclaim pleasure as leisure, to make bold fashion choices and dabble in new creative genius or forms of artistic expression with a visceral component (like journaling, yoga or dance), but don’t outsource your power to cheap or synthetic highs (and the people and substances who seem to propagate them) or place too much stock in the promises of others. Mercury and Jupiter also Oppose today for the last time of what was a series of three — it’s good for expansive dialogue and bold ideas but, whether helpful or not, it amplifies existing feedback loops, either affirming buzzy rapport or stirring gossip and hyperbolic overreactions.

Friday, October 14th: Venus and Saturn Trine, a thrice-yearly event and an opportunity to solidify existing romantic connections and clarify whether or not they hold the potential for long-term fulfillment, sustainability and substance. If a dynamic has you dancing on the edge of friendship and flirtation, it’s an opportunity to initiate dialogue or make a bold move, and if you’ve been thrusted into a pheromone-fueled fling by the moment’s current Mars/Neptune stand-off, we’re now inspired to see whether any physical connections could go on to offer more depth or a wider range of versatility and real-life compatibility. If dating with the intention to partner, it’s a good time to firm up or let go of any ambiguous situationships by articulating your intentions and verbalizing your boundaries, and if not currently dating, use this time to re-examine your existing romantic protocol and clarify or adjust the standards or deal-breakers which guide your swiping (especially with the Venus/Pluto square imminent!) Otherwise, sudden financial insight which leads to long-term gain is the pleasant side effect of Venus and Saturn harmonizing; it’s also a good time to adjust your daily Venusian routines and beauty regimens to better suit the changing weather.

Monday, October 17th: The Sun Trines Mars, an energizing boost of optimism and spontaneity. Great luck comes today from harnessing our personal Mars vibe; embody the qualities of your natal Mars sign and anticipate a surge of confidence with regard to creative self-expression, diplomatic self-assertion and authentic individuation.

Tuesday, October 18th: Venus in Libra and Mars Trine, one of the most conducive transits for dating intentionally and practicing love magick. While some angles between the Goddess of Love and her mythological lover are lust-fueled to the point of crazy and chaotic, this one is much more gentle: if you’re not into the idea of a soft invitation into romance, think of it as an opportunity to create art or supercharge your personal magnetism.

Wednesday, October 19th: The Sun squares Pluto and while it can set the stage for control drama theatrics and activate underlying power dynamics, it’s extremely beneficial to those aware of it’s sneaky and truth-revealing influence. Pay attention to subtle cues today, as other people can’t help but subliminally hint at their underlying intentions regardless of whether or not doing so favors them. With regard to your own behavior, don’t assume that you’re being obvious or that other people can read into your psyche. When it comes to intimate relationships or alliances, be open and transparent for optimal results — even if your instinct is to self-protect and border up — but conversely, shield yourself from those you sense aren’t in your corner.

Thursday, October 20th: Venus Squares Pluto — it happens several times a year and it’s the most intense aspect the Goddess of Love and the Lord of the Underworld can form. Especially with Venus’s proximity to the Sun, it’s a catalyst for sexual healing, romantic chemistry, money mindset shifts and cosmetic transformations, but any of the aforementioned of course contain the spooky Plutonian undertones, chthonic elements and sudden catharsis we totally expect from the Lord of Death — think karmic crushes, fated-love scenarios, creativity/libido reboots, wealth regeneration and psychological transformation via sex, love, and aesthetic makeovers. The kinds of relationships magnetized now or romances formed usually contain a distinctly intense or unforgettable element and for those in relationships, it’s a good time to deepen the intimacy threshold (but watch out for jealousy, paranoia or shadowy neuroses which, if handled well, will only deepen a connection!) It’s also an amazing time to rework your aesthetic to more accurately transmit the vibe of your psyche or revisit creative projects for which you’ve started to lose enthusiasm (Pluto contacts invite us to re-meet ourselves so either your passion will re-ignite or you’ll realize you’ve outgrown the project and it’s no longer you.) But it’s not all romance, makeovers, cash and art — Venus/Pluto squares can conjure crushes so intoxicating and attractions so intense and Otherwordly that we abandon our usual common sense dating rules (which, yes, still apply to connections which seem fated or karmic.) This aspect reminds us that just because chemistry is strong or magnetic pull fierce doesn’t mean the relationship is healthy or advisable to pursue, so recommended protocol is to avoid invitations into toxic romances, messy love triangles or weird power dynamics and to avoid obsessing over crushes or infatuations, particularly with emotionally unavailable people. Otherwise, embrace this astrology as an opportunity to heal and transform via sex, crushes, relationships, art and beauty morphs (but without hyper-focusing on the catalyst itself!)

Saturday, October 22nd: Venus conjuncts the sun, the perfect antidote to the shadowy intensity of the love planet’s square to Pluto. Venus conjunct the sun is awesome for dating intentionally, but it also illuminates intel regarding other Venusian themes (finances, beauty, art) making it a good time for bold money moves and game-changing creative breakthroughs. Mercury also trines Saturn which matures and refines the communicative vibe on the street, enhancing our intuition around word-choice, timing and delivery — it’s a good time to request a raise, deliver a presentation or carry out any communication endeavor requiring an element of rehearsed preparation and quick-thinking fluidity.

Sunday, October 23rd: It’s Scorpio Season! The Sun and Venus cozy up and enter the sign of the Scorpion, officially marking the more shadowy half of fall. Scorpio Season is fab for personal regeneration and rebirth, bold comebacks or rise-from-the-ashes scenarios — use it to swift reclaim lost or depleted personal power, to covertly gather useful information or resources and to pull off superhuman feats around money, sex, and power. We all feel a little more intense, broody and vulnerable than usual — if you find yourself suddenly uncomfortable with superficial conversation or flaky inauthenticity, know that this is how Scorpios feel all the time — and particularly with Venus in this sensual sign, unflinching self-awareness and honesty are rewarded (while flaky flings and shallow connections will suddenly seem not only insufficient but absolutely intolerable.) Venus in Scorpio is awesome for magnetizing connections which honor every aspect of your being, but if you’re hitting the dating scene looking for casual fun, you might be surprised to find that you’re met with extreme depth, intensity, emotion and passion — relationships born now don’t necessarily last long long but are often life-changing and deeply moving. With Venus currently square Pluto — the ruling planet of Scorpio — the moment’s Scorpionic themes are especially applicable to the Venusian realms of romance, beauty and fashion. With regard to relationships, embrace the vibe of suddenly-intensified intimacy but beware looming feelings of obsession or paranoia and if dating, avoid situations that are sticky and complicated (even if the individual involved is mesmerizing) or relationships with weird rules, secrets or power structures.

Tarot Cards for the Aries Full Moon: The Two of Cups and The Eight of Pentacles

Our Tarot Cards for the Full Moon in Aries (pulled from A Jane Austen Tarot by Jacqui Oakley) are The Two of Cups (The Two of Hearts in this deck) and the Eight of Pentacles (or in this deck, Eight of Diamonds.) It feels important to note that the last time we pulled The Two of Cups was for the Leo New Moon the week of July 26th — if you keep a journal, look back on the plot-points that were occupying your psyche around that time or if you don’t, try to think back on the relevant themes or emotional experiences in play (and to help your memory, try reading the newsletter for that week!) — it’s very possible that there will be a resurgence of those themes this Full Moon and more likely, things may come to a point of closure or culmination with regard to the situation. As we discussed previously, The Two of Cups is often incorrectly interpreted as an omen that love is coming, but as you can imagine (or may know from firsthand experience), this is a gross oversimplification of this card’s energy and simply not the case. To put it more broadly and accurately, the Two of Cups represents the point in a story where the emotional landscape of the protagonist is harmonious, and therefore so is the tone of their external relationships (chronologically, it should be noted that we’re only at a two so it doesn’t offer the same sense of closure and finality we experience with the Ten — it’s the moment of peace, tranquility and relational harmony which would usually occur before the central conflict is introduced, and this strong emotional foundation will support and anchor the protagonist as they navigate whatever challenges comprise the story.) To me, the Two of Cups always feels like an affirmation that we’re on the right track emotionally — in fact, the quality of our emotional self-care and self-love practice is usually so solid when this card arises that our external landscape is now starting to reflect that in the form of enhanced personal magnetism, clean and positive feedback loops and eventually, relationships which feel strong, nourishing, joyful and authentic. We don’t ever really “graduate” from The Two of Cups— plain and simply, there’s always more emotional growth to be unearthed and a deeper level of self-love explored — but pulling the Two of Cups marks an important transformation and up-level that will continue to serve us, by which I mean that this is not a temporary high from a day spent in blissful self-care. It’s an ongoing way of life which will infiltrate everything from our inner dialogue to the quality of the relationships we magnetize, and the permanence and repetition aspect of this card is actually enforced here with the presence of The Eight of Pentacles. The Eight of Pentacles is a beautiful card, an affirmation that we’re doing everything right, but we can sometimes be a little cranky about it’s arrival because it does imply that something about our behavior or mindset is going to require repetition before tangible change can really take root (the creator of this deck cleverly depicted that with two 18th century women carrying on their housework.) Just as a clean, warm and well-kept home is the result of daily maintenance, care and attention, the emotional fulfillment depicted in the Two of Cups is the result of an ongoing, embodied (and sometimes messy!) practice of self-love, acceptance and integration, of showing ourselves compassion in the difficult moments, of knowing how to come back to center when something derails us, and embodying such authenticity and comfort within ourselves that we easily cultivate authentic relational synergy and disregard those who don’t match our vibration. This is your omen to tend your vibration this Aries Full Moon, to nurture your emotional health, wealth and intelligence and to cultivate systems and routines that keep you in a state of emotional clarity and abundance. Pour love and energy into yourself today — for no other reason than that it feels wonderful to do so — and find a way to embrace an ongoing practice of joy, gratitude and presence, whatever that looks like for you. The Aries Full Moon reminds us that everything outside of us is the direct result of our inner emotional landscape — if you don’t like what you see, change the reflection by shifting your vibe. It may take time, but it’s really that simple!

Tarot Spread for the Aries Full Moon

Card 1: What aspect of myself should I integrate this Shadow Season to enter into a deeper love of self-love?

Card 2: The card I should embody to nourish my relationships and improve the feedback loop that’s returned to me.

Card 3: How can I show myself more love and acceptance this Shadow Season?

Card 4: What habits and mental patterns will support me in improving my emotional self-care?

Happy Full Moon!

-Ali

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