The Gibbous phase, the last before the Full Moon, often brings a challenge, something unexpected to be confronted and worked through.
We’re in difficult territory astrologically, which reflects the state of the world. It would help if we had a clear challenge in front of us, something we could do to make things better.
Yet this Gibbous Moon doesn’t have clear directions. She’s pulled by strong influences surrounding her. To find our way, we’ll need to be flexible and pay attention.
This Moon is in mid Pisces, so, flexibility is fine. Paying attention becomes part of the challenge. This is a very intuitive Moon, picking up signals from all over. She’s easily influenced and aspecting some strong energies.
The Sun–Moon aspect is a sesquiquadrate, a square and a half. This is a tense angle.
The Sun is in the final, anaretic degree of Libra, holding strong Libra qualities like insight and charm. In the final degree, though, this Sun is about to move into Scorpio, with happens October 23 while we’re still in this phase. So the Sun’s focus shifts from the balance of Libra to dissolve into Scorpionic intensity.
That intensity is enhanced by Venus retrograde right there, close to the Sun, in early Scorpio. The cazimi, the meeting between the Sun and Venus, also happens October 23, in this phase, at 0º Scorpio.
The cazimi, important in itself, may represent part of the Gibbous challenge. The Sun-Venus conjunction marks an important point in Venus’ retrograde. Both Sun and Venus opposes Chiron: What healing are we meant to face before the Full Moon?
Naturally, the Sun and Venus square Pluto. Also intense.
This Moon is quincunx Mars in mid Leo. Another awkward connection, which could lead this sensitive Moon to be swayed by whatever Mars in Leo wants. Stay aware of strong forces trying to influence us. Don’t sign on to something without reading the fine print.
The Moon sits within a Grand Trine in Water with Mercury in Scorpio and Ceres in Cancer. Mercury has shifted into the third, final decan of Scorpio, where the intensity amps up. (I know I’m using “intensity” a lot in this post. It fits.) Mercury stations retrograde October 24, also within this phase.
Ceres, in the final decan of Cancer, feels protective. She knows choices needs to be made and not everyone can have what they want, or need. She’ll do her best to protect the Moon, but can’t guarantee a good outcome.
Jupiter continues to move toward a conjunction with the South Node at the end of Leo. I am staying with my sense that these two reflect our need to let go of grandiosity and find a true, balanced kind of leadership.
As happens with Pisces, we may feel like we’re in a fog, which is fair. The intensities of Venus, the Sun, Mars, Pluto, and Jupiter-South Node, are all present and pulling us in different directions.
These days are not the best for boldly heading off in new directions. It’s entirely possible we won’t see things in their true form, or understand the implications of an emerging situation.
Pisces’ strength lies using intuition to steer carefully through confusing spaces. We take a few steps in one direction. Does it feel good? Yes? Try a few more. No? Step back, or at least pause to see what emerges.
Title adapted from an image by Hesam Sameni on Unsplash
Leave a Reply