TRANSCRIPT Ep. 261 | Scorpio Season and Pushing Back at Pluto!

Hello Invisible Friend, April here, and the date today is October 21st, 2024. Welcome to Episode 261 of the Big Sky Astrology Podcast. This week, there’s a focus on the Sun, with a Last Quarter Moon in Leo and the Sun squaring Pluto right before it enters the deep, still waters of Scorpio. Venus trines the North Node, and Mercury makes an aspect with Saturn. Unexpected opportunities could arise when Mars meets up with Uranus, and I offer a mini-lesson about finding money in your chart.

Mercury trine Saturn (Oct. 21, 2024, 11:35 pm PDT)

Mercury in Scorpio trines Saturn in Pisces on October 21st at 11:35 pm Pacific Time. Mercury symbolizes thought processes, learning, and communication, and when it meets with organized, serious Saturn in a good aspect, like the trine, it’s a good time to organize our thoughts, streamline communication or technology systems, and delve into research or just tackling difficult parts of a big project.

So, if there’s anything that you’ve been putting off starting because it just seemed too daunting to work out the details or gather information about it, put it off no longer. This aspect can really help.

Mercury’s Sabian symbol at this trine is 14 Scorpio, Telephone linemen at work. Getting in touch with somebody you haven’t spoken to in a while could have a good outcome. And because Saturn rules authorities, this could be an appropriate time to have a sensitive conversation with your boss, or parents, or anybody else in your life who is in a position of authority. We might also see issues related to the aftermath of those two big hurricanes, Hurricane Helene and Milton. That could be very much in the headlines, and especially reconnecting services in those really hard-hit areas.

Sun square Pluto (Oct. 22, 2024, 7:15 am PDT)

On October 22nd at 7:15 am Pacific Time the Sun, at 29 degrees 40 minutes Libra, makes a square aspect to Pluto in Capricorn. This is one of two squares the Sun makes each year to Pluto, and this is the very last one that the Sun will make to Pluto while it’s in Capricorn.

Pluto, when it’s in aspect with the Sun, can have a way of making us feel unimportant. Anything that we very much want to do might also suddenly, during this aspect of Pluto, feel as if it isn’t really worth doing. But when the Sun connects with Pluto, we need to take the opportunity to claim the attitude that each of us is vitally important – and the things we want to do are important – and that includes you.

If you’ve been putting everyone else first while the Sun has been in Libra for the last month, now is the time for a little course correction. Because if you don’t stand up for yourself against the seeming indifference of Pluto, then no one will.

Sun enters Scorpio (Oct. 22, 2024, 3:14 pm PDT)

Later the same afternoon, on October 22 at 3:14 pm Pacific Time, the Sun enters Scorpio. The Sun in Scorpio shines most brightly on us when we are being 100 percent authentically ourselves. This is a time of year when we acknowledge that nothing lasts forever, that inevitably in the course of our lives we will lose people that we love and that one day we won’t be around either.

We celebrate Halloween during this season, taking a playful approach to contemplating things that are very disturbing and scary. In the Mexican culture, Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is celebrated. It’s actually two days, on November 1st and 2nd, during the Scorpio season, and this is deeply rooted to pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals, tied to the Lady of the Dead, who allowed spirits to travel back to Earth to commune with family members.

So, on this holiday, you will see altars that are constructed to those who have passed, consisting of offerings, of photos of the deceased, candles, bottles of mezcal and tequila, food, sugar skulls, and vibrant marigolds. You will see people actually take lunches out to the cemetery on these days to spend time with their loved ones who have passed.

The Sun will be in Scorpio until November 21st, 2024, and it is a really lovely time of year to contemplate the gravity of life. That because none of us is here forever, it’s important to appreciate and celebrate the things that are important to us while we can. It might be a time to go to the cemetery where your relatives are buried and make a little altar or a little offering and take some flowers and think of them.

Venus trine North Node (Oct. 22, 2024, 7:37 pm PDT)

Venus in Sagittarius makes a trine to the Moon’s North Node on October 22nd at 7:37 pm Pacific Time. The Sabian symbol for Venus is 7 Sagittarius, Cupid knocking at the door. And I love that Venus is inspired by beauty or love, and the North Node symbolizes the goals for achievement and evolution that we set for ourselves that might seem completely unattainable, but if we reach out in a spirit of love, Cupid knocking at the door, offering our artistic selves, offering love and beauty, then we might actually find that the goals symbolized by that North Node in Aries are not so unattainable after all.

And interestingly enough, the Aries North Node symbolizes going out on our own, following our own individual path. Well, the South Node is still moving through Libra and suggests that we need to put behind habits of putting other people first constantly. So, Venus does represent relationship and that’s important, but it also celebrates just pure love and enjoyment of the world and beauty. And as we reach out to those things, and Venus in Sagittarius really loves the outdoors and animals, any opportunity that you get around the 22nd of this month to enjoy those things, to enjoy that part of your environment, the closer it brings you to the North Node in Aries.

If we feel nourished by beauty and our enjoyment of the physical world, then we stand on a much stronger foundation to move forward in the direction of personal growth.

Leo Last Quarter Moon (Oct. 24, 2024, 1:03 am PDT)

And now the Moon Report, and it begins with the Last Quarter Moon in Leo on October 24th at 1:03 am Pacific Time, at 1 degree, 24 minutes Leo and Scorpio. The Last Quarter Moon is the time to take final action on goals that we’ve initiated during the previous New Moon – in this case, the New Moon solar eclipse in Libra on October 2nd.

Goals that are set during an eclipse can turn out to be successful, sometimes spectacularly so, but usually don’t play out in exactly the way that we had planned. The Sun and Moon at this Last Quarter, the Moon in Leo and the Sun in Scorpio, are also connected with Mars in very late Cancer, which is close to the Moon, and Pluto at the very end of Capricorn.

Like the recent Aries Full Moon, this is a high tension, volatile Last Quarter Moon chart. The friction that we see in a chart like this can be motivating, but with this configuration playing out, we will really have to be conscious to keep our cool and to restrain our emotions from getting the best of us.

Lunar Phase Family Cycle

This is the Last Quarter phase in a lunar phase family cycle that began with the New Moon on July 28th, 2022 at 5 degrees, 38 minutes Leo. Look to that area of your chart to try to refresh your memory about what might have been important to you at that time and what you were trying to initiate.

The First Quarter Moon in this cycle was on April 27th, 2023. That would have been a time for taking an initial action in the direction of those important New Moon plans. The Full Moon in the cycle was on January 25th, 2024, and revealed in great clarity what it was that we planted at the New Moon – we don’t always know – or we plant seeds hoping that they will turn into something in particular, but until the Full Moon, we don’t really see how they are developing, how those ideas and plans are taking shape.

Now, at the Last Quarter in this cycle, it’s time to make the last action. And this is action that is based on what we know, what we have experienced and seen throughout this lunar phase family cycle that began back at that New Moon in July 2022. This cycle has been about the spirit of Leo. About creativity, about asserting your true personality and trying to inspire others and bring joy to the world and to the people around you. So, this is time to assess, are you doing everything you can in that regard?

Void-of-Course Moon periods

Let’s look at the Void-of-Course Moon periods for this week.

On October 21st, the Moon in Gemini trines the Sun in Libra at 2 pm Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for 1 hour 50 minutes, and then it enters Cancer at 3:50 pm. A Void-of-Course Moon period that begins with the Moons trine to another planet brings a gift. And the gift here is the ability to communicate and socialize in a meaningful way with people close to you.

Gemini and Libra are both air signs. And they are signs that like to get together with the other people in our lives and just talk things over. Have you been staying in contact with the people in your life who are important to you? That is one question to ask at this Void-of-Course Moon period. And if the answer is no, maybe this is the Void-of-Course period to interrupt that habit, if you’ve gotten into a habit of not being quite as social or reaching out to people. Now is the time to reach out, and it will probably be warmly received. And you can look at it as the beginning of a new habit.

On October 23rd, the Moon in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn at 9:47 pm Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course then for 37 minutes, and then enters Leo at 10:24 pm. The Moon in an opposition to another planet as it begins a Void-of-Course Moon usually says there will be an opportunity to get awareness of an existing pattern and often it comes through our observance of another or other people in our lives and seeing something that they do that suddenly makes something go off in our own heads and we think, oh, maybe that’s something I’ve been doing as well.

The Moon in Cancer wants to nourish and cultivate, but it’s not always good at letting go. And we see that in particular as it’s connecting with Pluto, which gives a similar message. Moon in Cancer has trouble letting go because Pluto wants to retain the sense of power that it has. So, at this opposition, if that has been a pattern for you, even to a small extent, set the intention in your mind to pay attention and to notice when you’re showing those qualities, when you’re holding on a little too tight like the Cancer crab with its claws, recognize it, ask yourself why, and consciously try to make the decision to let go of the need for power. Realizing we aren’t in control of very much, and the best we can do often is to be in control of our own minds and our own hearts.

And on October 26th, the Moon in Leo squares Uranus in Taurus at 1:04 am Pacific Time. It’s a nice long Void-of-Course Moon, for 7 hours and 43 minutes, before it enters Virgo at 8:47 am. This is a pretty long Void-of-Course Moon period. It’s happening when most of us here in the United States are sleeping for at least part of this. And what I think about these kind of Void-of-Course Moon periods is it’s important to put this into the vault of our unconscious minds and set ourselves off to sleep with the idea of breaking a pattern and initiating a new habit.

You know, you might imagine that Leo is always the life of the party. But there are plenty of really shy Leos, and none of us needs to feel obligated to be the star of the show all the time. When the Moon in Leo is connecting with unpredictable Uranus, we get the permission to let somebody else shine for a while with the energy of the life affirming Sun.

So, if you are in a habit of trying to stand out all the time, or pushing yourself to be sociable when you’re not particularly in the mood for it, here is an opportunity to break that pattern in favor of one that’s a little more organic, where you participate in things when you really feel strongly drawn to do so, and when you don’t, you kind of let yourself off the hook.

Mars sextile Uranus (Oct. 24, 2024, 5:13 pm PDT)

Mars in Cancer makes a sextile to Uranus in Taurus on October 24th at 5:13pm Pacific Time. Mars is on the Sabian symbol 27 Cancer, A storm in a canyon. So, we always know when there’s an interaction between two such combustible planets as Mars and Uranus. Even if the aspect is a positive one, like this is, the sextile, we know that we can see sudden, unexpected, in this case emotional, outbursts because Mars is in Cancer.

So, we have to be aware and conscious going into an aspect like this in order to use the invitations and opportunities that a sextile suggests. Here we have an opportunity to use the friction and volatility of Mars and Uranus in a productive way. You might want to tackle a project around your home or some kind of crafts. Bake a pie. But be very careful and conscious during this time frame, because accidents are a little more likely to happen when Mars and Uranus are interacting, because people are moving. They’re often moving a little too quickly, and maybe not completely paying attention to their surroundings.

This is an aspect though that does lend itself to great inspiration in the work that you do. In anything where maybe you’ve been feeling a little bit stale and needing some inspiration, you might very well see it coming your way during this aspect.

Mini-Lesson: Finding Money in the Birth Chart

In this week’s mini lesson, I’ll be giving you a quick overview of how to find money in your birth chart.

Oh, money. I would say that after career and relationship, money is probably the most popular topic that my clients ask about. And it’s closely related to the other two topics. Like every dimension of astrology, you can really get into the weeds on this one. Entire lectures, books, and readings are devoted to this topic. But what I want to offer today are just real basics.

The number one planet that is related to money is Venus. And the two houses of the chart that are fundamentally tied to money are the 2nd and 8th houses. The house that Venus is in and any planets that are in the 2nd or 8th houses are also a big part of your money story. And the planets that rule the signs on those two houses are really important as well.

Let’s break these tools down and give you a strategy for considering the important topic of money in your birth chart.

Venus and money

First, Venus. What does it show us? Its placement in the birth chart by sign, house, and aspect to other planets tell us about your disposition toward money, the way that money comes to you, and whether that process tends to be easy or difficult, pleasant or unpleasant. If Venus is in one of the signs in which she’s very strong, Taurus, Libra, or Pisces, you have a special advantage when it comes to money. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will earn more, or manage money better. You might take money a little bit for granted, and not work as hard to get it.

Surprisingly, people with Venus in her traditionally difficult signs, Scorpio, Aries, Virgo can often do very well financially simply because they focus on it more and work harder to develop Venus’s qualities.

Your Venus sign shows how you approach the subject of money, what you value, and what you’ll be apt to spend money on. For example, Venus in the sign of Gemini might favor having multiple streams of income. It probably wants the latest iPhone. Might loan money to siblings. Venus in Cancer would spend money on their home and family, or family patterns can be closely connected to money. Venus in Sagittarius is likely to spend money on travel education or outdoor activities and is often far less interested in money itself than the freedom that money can buy.

Now, the house that Venus is in signifies areas where you attract money. If Venus is in the first house, that could be your personality, your looks, your personal magnetism. In the 8th house, financial support could come from a partner to a great degree. In the 6th house, you might magnetize a good job where you’re well liked and earn good money.

In the 5th house, maybe the arts, gaming, investment, jobs related to children. In the 3rd, maybe tech or communication work.

The Second House

Beyond money itself, the 2nd house Signifies security, and a regular source of income is a big part of that. The sign on that house cusp shows how you behave about money, your outlook about it.

And planets in the house show what you have, that people are willing to pay you for. With the Sun in the second house, maybe it’s your leadership ability and creativity. If you have Saturn there, it’s your executive ability and hard work. Uranus in that house, it would be your ingenuity.

The sign on the cusp of each house is like an ascendant for that house – how you come across in this area of life and your general approach. With Sagittarius on the cusp of the second, for example, the emphasis is on optimism, the big picture, and the ability to finance adventures and freedom. Aries on that cusp, there is an entrepreneurial spirit, a competitive edge, and a little bit of impatience. Virgo on that cusp would be interested in money, enjoy analyzing it, and probably be quite prudent with it, but might also tend to get a little bit stressed out about it.

The fun comes when the sign on the cusp of the house is at odds with planets in the house. Sagittarius on the cusp of the second might be freewheeling and generous, but then Saturn in the second house, prone to fear about money.

Cancer on the cusp would be safety and savings oriented, but Jupiter then in the second would love to take financial risks.

The planet that rules the sign on the cusp of the second house tells more about the messages we listen to about money. With Pisces on the second house cusp, the traditional ruler of that sign, Jupiter, becomes very important, bringing a little extra luck in this area of life. If Jupiter were to be, say, in Libra, that good luck probably comes through partnership or social contacts in general. If that Jupiter were in the ninth house, you might do really well earning money in publishing, travel, or academia.

The Eighth House

Next, the 8th house, which symbolizes other people’s money, specifically your partner’s money.

If your Venus, or the planet that rules the sign on your second house cusp, are in the 8th house, your partner plays a big role in your financial security. And as to whether or not that’s helpful or comfortable, look to the aspects Venus, or the second house planetary ruler, make too other planets. Easy aspects tend to make this a satisfactory arrangement, while hard aspects can mean there are conflicts about this dynamic in your relationship.

Apart from partners, the 8th house rules particular professions, like accountancy, estate planning, or banking, as well as government programs of support, like unemployment, disability, or welfare. Planets in this house could show a propensity for getting money, attracting money, in these ways.

Generally, what I hear from clients who have very difficult planets like Mars, Saturn or Pluto in the second house is that they face particular challenges in earning money, saving money and feeling secure about their finances.

Those with difficult planets in the 8th house often report feeling that they don’t get enough help or support from the other people in their lives.

Now, ideally, we love to see a good aspect between the planets that rule the signs on the second and eighth houses because that indicates a good flow between your assets and other people’s assets or money.

A conjunction sextile or trine between these planets can be great. And I’ve even seen people do pretty well with those two planets in opposition. Although this can sometimes indicate dramatic shifts between good financial times and more challenging ones. There are other interesting ways to explore money in the birth chart, but most of them come back to these important symbols and parts of the chart.

I’ll include a cheat sheet in the show notes that you can download that will give you a few key concepts about Venus, at least, in the chart, to help you begin to untangle the money messages in your chart.

If you would like to submit a question to be answered on a future episode, please feel leave a voicemail of one minute or less at SpeakPipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast, or email me at April (at) BigSkyAstrology (dot) com and be sure to put “Podcast Question” in the subject line.

Donor Thanks

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That’s it for this episode. Join me again bright and early next Monday. And until then, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the stars!