This week: Mercury puts on its X-ray specs as it enters Scorpio and squares Pluto. The Aries Full Moon highlights the balance between caring for ourselves and being present for partners and friends. Venus meets Jupiter and Saturn, bringing both opportunity and responsibility. And a listener question about the chart ruler—what it is, how to find it, and what it reveals about your chart. Plus: Blunter than we need to be, tea with the dames, and a conversation April would be terrifiiieeed™ to have!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

It’s eclipse season! Order your copy of my “Followed by a Moonshadow” eclipse report!

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Timestamps

[1:13] Mercury enters Scorpio (Mon., Oct. 6, 9:41 am PDT until Wed., Oct. 29): Deep perception, inner reflection, and creative potential.

[2:59] Moon report! The Aries Full Moon at 14°08’ Aries-Libra (Mon. Oct. 6, 8:47 pm PDT) is the midpoint of the New Moon cycle that began at the Sep. 21 Solar Eclipse at 29º Virgo. Seeing what’s working and what isn’t. Finding balance in relationships (Sun in Libra), family dynamics (Jupiter in Cancer), and honoring your own needs (Moon in Aries).

[4:51] Lunar Phase Family Cycle: Awareness and insights related to the April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse at 19º24 Aries. First Quarter (first action point): Jan. 6, 2025. Last Quarter (final action point): July 7, 2026.

[7:35] Void-of-Course Moon periods: On Tues. Oct. 7, Moon in Aries squares Jupiter in Cancer (11:24 am PDT), is VOC for 10 hours, 48 minutes, enters Taurus at 10:12 pm PDT). Practicing compromise, talking things through.

[9:25] On Thu. Oct. 9, Moon in Taurus sextiles Saturn in Pisces (5:31 pm PDT), is VOC for 4 hours 41 minutes, enters Gemini (10:12 pm PDT). Moon in Taurus brings grounding and confidence to defining Saturn in Pisces goals.

[10:26] On Sat. Oct. 11, Moon in Gemini squares Venus in Virgo (7:56 pm), is VOC for 3 hours 41 minutes, enters Cancer (11:37 pm PDT). Be mindful of the effect of your words, especially with Mercury in Scorpio; feelings could get hurt, and grudges will last.

[11:35] Mercury square Pluto (Tues. Oct. 7, 7:40 am PDT) at 1°22’ Scorpio- Aquarius: Intense, revealing conversations; speak with kindness. Sabian symbols: Mercury, 2 Scorpio, A broken bottle and spilled perfume. Pluto, 2 Aquarius: An unexpected thunderstorm.

[13:20] Venus sextile Jupiter (Wed. Oct. 8, 4:41 am PDT) at 23°18’ Virgo- Cancer: Joy, attraction, and finding balance between desire and excess.

[14:40] Venus opposite Saturn (Sat. Oct. 11, 4:10 am PDT) at 26°59’ Virgo- Pisces: Serious relationship and financial considerations, clarity about what you need versus want. Sabian symbols: Venus 27 Virgo, Grand Dames at Tea. Saturn 27 Pisces, A harvest Moon.

[16:42] Listener Question: Listener Dani asks: What is my chart ruler, and what does it mean?

[16:50] The chart ruler is the planet that rules the sign on your Ascendant. Its placement by sign, house, and aspects reveals how you approach life, your motivation, and your experiences.

[19:11] Examples: John Cleese (Mercury in Scorpio, sharp and satirical) and Tom Hanks (Mercury in Cancer, warm and relatable). Birth data: Cleese, b. Oct. 27, 1939, 3:15 am, Weston-super-Mare, England. Hanks: b. July 9, 1956, 11:17 am, Concord, California. Examples from Solar Fire database, based on Placidus houses.

[23:04] To have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[24:25] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.

Episode 314 | Capricorn First Quarter Moon: A Plan and a Checklist!

In this lighter-than-normal week, it's time to get to work on those recent Virgo New Moon goals with a surprisingly upbeat Capricorn First Quarter Moon. Jupiter comes up with a lot more ideas than Mercury can put into words. Venus's rendezvous with the Moon's South Node is a declutterer's paradise. And a listener question about the distinction in the chart between work and career. Plus: A preliminary plan, rounding third, and don’t let yourself off the hook!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

It's eclipse season! Order your copy of my "Followed by a Moonshadow" eclipse report!

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Timestamps

[1:16] Moon Report! The Capricorn First Quarter Moon is on Mon. Sep. 29 (4:54 pm PDT, 7º05’ Capricorn-Libra). Take action toward making your Virgo New Moon (Sep. 21) goals a reality, armed with a plan and a checklist. The Sabian symbol for the Moon is 8 Capricorn, Birds in the house singing happily. The Sun is on Libra, A blazing fireplace in a deserted home.

[5:59] Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC). This is the First Quarter Moon (first action point) in a LPFC that began at the Dec. 30, 2024 New Moon at 9º43’ Capricorn. The Full Moon (awareness point) in this LPFC is on June 29, 2026, at 8º14’ Capricorn, and the Last Quarter (last action point) is on Mar. 29, 2027, at 9º6’ Capricorn.

[9:11] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On Sun. Sep. 28, the Moon squares Saturn in Sagittarius-Pisces (10:44 pm PDT). It's VOC for 4 hours 12 minutes and enters Capricorn on Mon. Sep. 29 (2:55 am PDT). If you're starting something important now, it can turn out well thanks for Jupiter’s rulership of these signs.

[11:36] On Wed. Oct. 1 (8:33 am PDT), the Moon in Capricorn sextiles Saturn. It's VOC for 4 hours 18 minutes, then enters Aquarius (12:51 pm). Focus on creating a plan for a long-term goal.

[13:00] On Fri. Oct. 3 (11:15 am PDT), the Moon trines Mercury in Aquarius-Libra. It's VOC for 7 hours 52 minutes, then enters Pisces (7:07 pm PDT). Do your best to say what you think and how you feel, and respond empathetically and thoughtfully to others.

[14:30] On Sun. Oct. 5 (5:30 pm PDT), the Moon conjuncts Saturn in Pisces. It's VOC for 4 hours 18 minutes, then enters Aries (9:48 pm PDT). Hold yourself to account and meet your commitments and your promises.

[16:03] Mercury squares Jupiter on Wed. Oct. 1 (1:59 pm PDT) at 22º34’ Libra-Cancer. Mercury's Sabian symbol is 23 Libra, A Chanticleer, and Jupiter is on 23 Cancer, The meeting of a literary society. Travel delays are possible, and have all of your documents in place.

[18:36] Venus conjuncts the South Node on Sat. Oct. 4 (2:20 am PDT) at 18°14’ Virgo. Consider which outgrown possessions and even relationships you can let go.

[20:11] Listener Paul asks about the difference between work and career in a birth chart.

[26:34] To have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[27:03] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.

This week: The Moon is quiet (no major lunation), but the Sun and Mars are busy! Mars enters Scorpio, one of the signs of his rulership, and is strengthened for his hard interaction with Pluto in Aquarius. The Sun enters the Libra, and its equinox initiates autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun opposes sensitive Neptune and combines forces with Uranus and Pluto. And a listener question about self-care and your birth chart. Plus: Sweater weather, spilled perfume, and the battle between will and won’t!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

It's eclipse season! Order your copy of my "Followed by a Moonshadow" eclipse report!

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Timestamps

[1:31] Mars enters Scorpio (Sep. 22, 12:55 am PDT, through Nov. 4). Scorpio is one of the strongest signs for Mars, fierce on behalf of those in need, and good for work, especially research projects and resolving conflicts.

[3:26] The Sun enters Libra (Sep. 22, 11:19 am PDT, until Oct. 22). This marks the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, vernal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. Focus on cooperating with others, avoid excess, and get your life in balance.

[5:53] The Sun opposes Neptune (Sep. 23, 5:53 am PDT, 0°45’ Libra-Aries). When the Sun is in aspect to Neptune, sensitivity is high, clarity low. Safeguard your health. Good for artistic expression and spirituality exploration.

[7:21] Moon Report! There is no major lunation this week, but let’s look at the Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On Tues. Sep. 23 (9:02 am PDT), the Moon squares Jupiter in Libra-Cancer. It's VOC for 16 hours, 58 minutes, then enters Scorpio on Wed. Sep. 24 (2 am PDT). There could be a conflict concerning your family and how they get along with your significant other.

[8:35] On Fri., Sep. 26, the Moon trines Saturn in Scorpio-Pisces (10:44 am PDT). It's VOC for 3 hours 53 minutes before it enters Sagittarius (2:37 pm PDT). Enjoy getting important things done and trusting others to help out.

[10:11] The Sun trines Uranus (Sep. 23, 7:55 pm PDT, 1°19' Libra-Gemini), an aspect of personal change and reinvention. New possibilities coming our way via those who make us feel included and appreciate us for exactly who we are, but allow us to try something different.

[12:00] The Sun trines Pluto on Tues, Sep. 23 (11:05 pm PDT) at 1°27’ Libra-Aquarius. Everything is intensified, and we don't feel neutral about anything. This can be an interesting day for powerful opportunities.

[13:56] Mars squares Pluto (Sep. 24, 4:51 am PDT) at 1°27' Scorpio-Aquarius. Mars is on the Sabian symbol 2 Scorpio, A broken bottle and spilled perfume. Pluto is on 2 Aquarius, An unexpected thunderstorm. Mars is our will and Pluto represents the “won’t”: forces that stand in our way of getting what we want. Resist the unexpected thunderstorm of emotions that can erupt when you feel denied and frustrated.

[16:24] Listener Ann asks about astrology and self-care. Check out Dana Gerhart’s website, Mooncircles.com, for the current lunar phase.

[24:55] To have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[25:28] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.