Haunted: October 2020's Full Moon in Taurus

On Saturday, October 31st, there will be a Full Moon at 8'38 degrees Taurus and exactly conjunct the unpredictable planet Uranus, making this year's Halloween night extra spooky. 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 Taurus (opposite the Sun in Scorpio) highlights the balance between self-preservation and intimacy, the comfort of the status quo verses the urge to dive into what's taboo and explore our own dark side.

It may help to think back to whatever intentions you set around the New Moon in Libra for they should be coming into fruition at this time, as well as six months back to the New Moon in Taurus. Certain themes may be repeating themselves. Whatever thoughts or intentions you plant now should come into fruition by the New Moon in Scorpio on November 15th.

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

Those with personal planets or angles 3 and 13 of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) will most especially be affected by this Full Moon.

October 2020's New Moon in Taurus

Halloween takes place when the Sun is at roughly 9 degrees Scorpio, and has its origins in a Celtic Festival known as Samhain. Marking the halfway point between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice, Samhain was considered to be a limited time when the boundaries between this world and the next could be more easily crossed. Fairies could more easily come into our world, and so were the souls of the dead. Food and drink were left outside to appease them, and people would go door-to-door in exchange for food as a way to disguise themselves from the spirits.. Since the 9th century, the Catholic Church adapted this festival into All Saints & All Souls Day, leading to the Halloween traditions we now practice today.

This year, the children will be dressed up in their spookiest costumes in the hopes of getting some candy, underneath the light of a Full Moon, making this year's Halloween an especially spooky one, where the vampires & werewolves & souls of the dead will most definitely come out to haunt us. Luckily, for those who of us who are so inclined, this makes this year's Halloween a great day for magic and divination as well.

While the Sun in Scorpio is transformative and a tad frightening, Taurus is stable and constant. The Bull is the sign of the Moon's exaltation, seeking out security and comfort. However, ruled by the planet Venus, Taurus is also known for being a bit of a hedonist, shamelessly indulging in the pleasures of the senses no matter how "taboo." The sign's first decan is especially sensual, and with the Moon conjunct Hamal, a fixed star of the nature of Mars & Saturn, this sensuality may reach extreme proportions, causing us to be headstrong in pursuit of what we want and even leading to cruelty or violence in some. Overall, the Full Moon here helps to shed light on our most basic needs and desires including those we've repressed.

While this can be illuminating (and empowering) it can also bring out some behaviors we weren't expecting to see and emotions we weren't prepared to experience. The Moon will be exactly conjunct the unruly and rebellious planet, Uranus, at 8'41 degrees Taurus. So, no confession, no outburst, no outpouring of emotion, and no otherworldly haunting is off-limits. We are more inclined to follow our instincts, listen to our bodies and express our authentic feelings, for better or for worse. Feelings, relationships, plans and whole entire paradigms may change suddenly, causing some shock but ultimately bringing us clarity.

Meanwhile, Mercury Retrograde at 26'50 degrees of Libra will be square Saturn at 26'11 degree Capricorn. Ruled by Venus and exalted by Saturn, Libra is already known for its slow and methodical decision-making processes. Mercury in Libra's tendency to consider every single factor or possibility before moving forward with a situation has garnered it a reputation for being indecisive. Well, it's retrograde motion and square to Saturn slows things down even more. We may find that our plans are halted and we may not know what to do next. If not outside forces, it may be our own thoughts that are limiting us. Communication may be cut off as well. Misunderstandings may lead some of us to literally be blocked. Its best we take this time for ourselves to reflect rather than rush into any important decisions.

Conclusion

With the Full Moon at 8'38 degrees Taurus coinciding with Halloween, the boundaries between this world and the next are at their thinnest, making it a night as much filled with magic as it is spooky occurrences. The Moon's exact conjunction to Uranus urges us to expect the unexpected. Be prepared for shocking outbursts of emotion as people become more aware of their true sensual desires (Taurus) no matter how taboo (Scorpio). With Mercury Retrograde in Libra square Saturn, we may also be haunted by memories of people or things from our past as well as our own insecurities, but the Full Moon in Taurus urges us to transform and overcome them.