The New Moon for October arrives at 11:43 AM PDT at 14 Libra 23. If we keep our usual strict 2 degree orb, an interesting pattern emerges, with asteroid Zeus conjunct the Sun and Moon, the Earth quincunx both Venus and Mars, and sesquiquadrate Pallas, and the Vertex of the New Moon chart square the New Moon in Cancer. Our New Moon is in Libra, sign of partnership and pleasantries, promising gracious interaction, co-operative ventures, and civilized interludes of action or romance, but that isn’t the picture provided by the aspects, suggesting that these Libran veneers will overlay something much more dynamic and passionate. The inclusion of Zeus suggests the New Moon as a birth point for strong ambitions and desires in matters of the natal House where this occurs, and/ or in matters of mating/ partners, co-operative efforts, the Arts, diplomacy, and in any area where one is trying to achieve a balance, internal or external. We should expect our wants to make themselves known, and our ambitions for ourselves or others (through the mechanism of partnership) to be very very clear. This inception point brings forward the inclination to realize (in a material form) our wants (Cardinal influence) and to desire/ require the partner’s support, or the general co-operation of others (Libra), and there may be a relatively unreasonable requirement to do it all politely, with big smiles on our faces and songs in our hearts–at least, that may be what the individual requires all others to do, as they push one-pointedly  toward goals–others are expected to co-operate! Some will become ambitious in relationship, making the big play to win the heart (or at least the surface co-operation) of the potential partner. All well and good, with a bout of ambitious boosterism and a strong push forward in making desires realities on the agenda for October, though we must be aware of what we might have to do (Earth aspect to Mars) and what it all might cost (Earth aspect to Venus)–Zeus can place want (and especially our lust for something) way above everything else.

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But there’s more: Earth quincunxes Mars and Venus and sesquiquadrates Pallas, suggesting that in terms of the material, the vibe may be specifically balance/ imbalance oriented, with efforts to work it out between male and female, active and passive, outgoing and receptive, or energy may center in the matters of the Houses ruled by Mars and Venus in the natal chart. These may be the areas where a balancing act is required, with no real hope of resolution, as the middling ground must be sought and maintained, despite those Zeusian desires that would push results strongly in one direction or the other (see all about the meaning of Zeus here http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com/eclipse-in-depth-astrology-for-the-21st-century/ and also see more about this New Moon, ‘What You Won’t See on the Blog’ in the Summer issue of ECLIPSE http://dogandsunflower.wordpress.com/new-summer-2010-eclipse/) The aspect to Pallas says that we may have to tinker with, or make allowances to, what we know to be wise in working this out–our traditional wisdom viewpoint may need some modification in the face of what’s presented.

Lastly we have the Vertex of the New Moon chart drawing a T-square with the Sun/ Moon/ Earth axis of the moment; this implies that fated matters may draw us off the course set by the New Moon axis, and this means that some will struggle to find balance and realize desires and ambitions, as something will inevitably interfere. One may reach out to make ‘it’ happen, only to find someone or something coming between the Self and the goals. In this instance my thought is that one must accept the hand of fate as a pronouncement of sorts, a statement that what one is striving for is not meant to be, at least not at this point. If we accept this, we take the struggle out of much of the period, and replace it with acceptance that lets us get a clear look at what we’re working with, and perhaps brings to light a new path–perhaps freeing us from the Sabian symbol for this New Moon.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon degree is both simple and infinitely complex: ‘Circular Paths’ This may emphasize the way our actions lead back repeatedly to the same spot (implying we must do something differently, to break the cycle, or that we need to accept that this is in some way is our destiny, inevitable), or may suggest the ‘All this has happened before, all this will happen again’ nature of the Universe, or may emphasize the completeness of any and all choice, as choices without doubt feed back upon themselves–a matter of realizing that choices don’t have consequences so much as keep us enclosed in a circuitous loop of reasoning, a way of making the world manageable and coherent–and that this isn’t negative, but may be limiting, and result in too narrow an experience (or too narrow desires, making us set our sights either too low or inappropriately, wasting our Zeusian rocket fuel!)

I must say that my ‘vacation’ has been anything but; many thanks to all of you, though, as your kind messages and heartfelt wishes helped so much to lighten the darker hours, and especially helped to make my birthday a special one!