Can't Fight the Feelings: October 2020's Full Moon in Aries

On Thursday, October 1st, at approximately 5:05 PM EST, we will have a Full Moon at 9'08 degrees of the fierce and fiery sign of Aries. Here's what to expect.

What is a Full Moon?

A Full Moon occurs when the sun is opposite the moon, representing the peak, or climax of the lunar cycle. Throughout history, Full Moons have been known to cause unexpected events, and strange behavior. Because the two luminaries are in opposition to one another, Full Moons are known to highlight any opposing forces or polarities in your life, such as the balance between self and the other, the balance between the masculine and feminine, and the balance between work and home.

Full Moons are also good times to reflect on where you are in life, and where you are headed. While the period between the New Moon and the Full Moon is a time for setting (and achieving) goals, the period between the Full Moon and the next new moon is a time for letting go. Full Moons can also bring about climactic events, and awaken us to powerful truths and realizations. The effects of a Full Moon usually last about two weeks, until the new moon comes along and starts a new cycle.

The Full Moon in Aries (opposite the Sun in Libra) highlights the balance between the self, independence & passion, and our duty & obligation to others.

It may help to think back to whatever intentions you set around the New Moon in Virgo for they should be coming into fruition at this time, as well as six months back to the New Moon in Aries. Certain themes may be repeating themselves. Whatever thoughts or intentions you plant now should come into fruition by the New Moon in Libra on October 16th.

Check your natal chart to see which houses Aries & Libra fall into. This will tell you more about how the Full Moon will affect you personally.

Those with personal planets or angles 4 and 14 degrees of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) will most especially be affected by this Full Moon.

October 2020's Full Moon in Aries

Aries is a cardinal fire sign ruled by Mars, planet of war, and depicted by the symbol of a ram, the animal famous for butting heads to settle inter-species conflicts. The Moon represents our emotional nature & our subconscious needs, and with the Moon in Aries, our feelings may take on a more fiery nature than usual. The first decan of Aries is especially fierce and prone to outbursts of anger and impulsive decisions. The Aries Moon doesn't mean harm. Like a child, it just wants what it wants and has a hard time seeing outside of it's own feelings. In a weird way, this is admirable. Over time, as adults, many of us have learned to neglect our own feelings in favor of social niceties, and often this leads us to feeling suppressed or like we're missing something in life. But this Full Moon will shake us out of our complacency, reminding us that if we really feel strongly about something, we can't sit back idly by and watch without doing something.

The Moon is opposite the Sun in the sign of Libra, a sign often marked by its civility and awareness of other people, as well as its deep focus on relationships. The Sun in Libra reminds us to stop and consider whether we really want something before we act on it. It helps us to consider the consequences: will saying how we feel really benefit us in the long run? The Sun in Libra also helps us to remain aware of the feelings or needs of other people and not become too lost in our own selfishness. However, the Moon is making an exact conjunction to the fixed star, Algenib, in the Pegasus constellation. It is of the nature of Mars & Mercury and can indicate a penetrating mind or love of learning as well as a gift for speaking or oratory, and a fighting spirit. Connected with the Moon it is said to have some negative influence like dishonor, exile, and ill health. But the main thing, I see, is the motivation to speak on our feelings and say what we think, regardless of the consequences, especially regarding our most treasured relationships.

While the Full Moon itself is making no major aspects, the Sun is making a close inconjunction to Uranus at 9'50 degrees Taurus. When two planets are inconjunct, it means they have nothing in common, as they share neither element nor modality. While Libra and Taurus are characterized as very similar signs in pop astrology due to the shared Venus rulership, in all actuality, cardinal air and fixed earth are very very different. Essentially we're finding it hard to persist (Taurus) in our rebellion (Uranus) while at the same time expressing ourselves (the Sun) in a diplomatic manner (Libra). We may find it hard to maintain harmony in our most treasured relationships due to our revolutionary aims & ambitions. Either that or we may find it hard to access that side of our nature. As other aspects between Mars and Saturn show, we may feel limited by authority or hopeless in the face of oppression.

Interestingly, Uranus in Taurus is opposite Mercury at 4'48 degrees of the other Mars-ruled sign, Scorpio. This can show a change of mind or a radical transformation in our thought patterns. However, the theme of emotional honesty is repeated here as well. This aspect may point to an unexpected (Uranus) secret (Scorpio) being revealed (Mercury). A surprising but revelatory new piece of information may change the path we're on. Considering Mercury is about to go retrograde soon, it's possible this could be revealed to us from an old friend or someone from our past, perhaps someone who we didn't think we'd be hearing from.

It's also worth noting that the Aries Moon's ruling planet, Mars, is also retrograde at 24'48 degrees Aries and making a trine to Venus, the Libra Sun's ruler, at 28'50 degrees Leo (in mutual reception with the Sun). This is a good aspect to see as far as relationships are concerned. With the two cosmic lovers aligned in fire signs, there is bound to be an explosion of passions. Sparks are flying in the air. Its a good night to get together with someone and have a good time. It's not just a good aspect for romance, however, but an excellent aspect for peace-making, as well as any matter requiring cooperation. Especially with Mars in retrograde, this is a good aspect for conflict resolution, and a good time to make up with someone who you've had any sort of falling out with.

We have to be honest: things aren't all good. As stated before, Mars in retrograde is making some hard aspects to the planets in Capricorn. Saturn is now direct at 25'20 degrees Capricorn and reality checks are coming in full-force. We may find it harder to achieve the things we want. This doesn't mean we can't achieve them of course, but we're more aware now of our limitations. The key is to not give up hope. However, we can't be too impulsive either. Mars square to Jupiter, also direct now at 17'48 degrees Capricorn, can indicate danger as a result of foolhardy risks. In either case, the square to Pluto at 22'29 degrees shows danger as a result of passion and obsession. On a collective level, this can indicate violence, particularly violence perpetuated and carried out by authority figures. The threat of war, for example, may be looming heavily in the air and incidents of fire may make the news.

But on the bright side, I suppose, Mars & Venus are making a Grand Trine to the South Node at 22'55 degrees Sagittarius and a Grand Kite to the North Node in Gemini. This shows that whatever happens now was meant to be. There may be karmic events regarding love & relationships in particular, but I'd say this is likely a result of good karma, especially now that May's Retrogrades are finally over. There is a feeling of destiny and love in the air, with the power and potential to cancel out any negative influences that may also be there.

Conclusion

Essentially, the Full Moon in Aries will trigger fiery emotions & passions within us. Bold and blunt confessions of feelings are likely. At the same time, the Sun in Libra helps us to remain aware of the consequences and might cause some of us to reconsider our impulses. There are some hazardous influences in the air. Specifically, the Sun's inconjunction to Uranus, as well as Mars square to Saturn, Pluto & Jupiter in Capricorn, indicate blockages & repression as a result of authoritarian overreach and potentially even violence. However the Sun and Moon's respective rulers, Venus in Leo & Mars in Retrograde, are trine, which brings a positive influence indicating both conflict resolution and an exciting romantic life. The Uranus-Mercury opposition can indicate surprise confessions and the revelation of secrets, while Venus & Mars make a Grand Trine or Kite to the North & South Node, indicating fated and karmic events in our relationships, events that are destined for the positive.