In this very busy week, Mercury finishes its Scorpio journey with a flurry of planetary aspects before it enters adventurous Sagittarius. Feisty Mars trines altruistic Neptune and opposes Pluto for some tug-of-war, before entering Leo for a long visit. The spooky Scorpio New Moon encourages deep conversations over a fellowship supper. Venus’ aspect to Saturn tests our desires, and its aspect to Jupiter brings more of them. And a listener question about your birth chart and your ideal career. Plus: Demanding treats, lobbying for Thai food, and dining with the dead!

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Timestamps (full show notes at website)

[1:20] Mars trines Neptune (Oct. 28, 5:31 am PDT) 27°34’ Cancer-Pisces. Stick up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Create art that evokes emotion, empathy and compassion.

[2:45] Venus squares Saturn (Oct. 28, 6:35 am PDT) at 12°58’ Sagittarius-Pisces, on the Sabian symbols 13 Sagittarius, A widow's past is brought to light and 13 Pisces, A sword in a museum.  Do you want something badly enough to overcome obstacles to get it and to pay what it will cost?

[5:07] Mercury opposes Uranus (Oct. 30, 3:15 pm PDT) at 25°56’ Scorpio-Taurus. Listen to other perspectives, take a different approach, and growth is possible. Engage with rebellious, freedom-loving individuals.

[7:05] Happy Halloween! Mercury trines Neptune (Oct. 31, 5:33 pm PDT) at 27°30’ Scorpio-Pisces. Mercury's Sabian symbol is 28 Scorpio, The king of the fairies approaching his domain. A fanciful time to expressing creative ideas and enjoy Halloween.

[8:20] Moon Report! The Scorpio New Moon (Nov. 1, 5:47 am PDT, 09°35’ of Scorpio) is on Sabian symbol 10 Scorpio, A Fellowship Supper. In Mexico, this is Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, when one of the rituals is going to a loved one’s gravesite for a communal feast.

[9:26] Scorpio's ruling planet, Mars, is forming an opposition to Pluto, its modern ruler. This aspect represents power struggles and the quest to gain control. 

[10:44] At this New Moon, setting intentions should begin with the idea of listening over speaking. 

[12:12] Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC). The First Quarter action phase in this LPFC is on Aug. 1, 2025; the Full Moon revelation phase on May 1, 2026; and the Last Quarter final action phase on Jan. 29, 2027.

[13:31] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon Periods. On Oct. 28 (8:54 pm PDT), the Moon in Virgo trines Pluto. It's VOC for 36 minutes, then enters Libra (9:30 pm PDT).  Pay attention to the small things and persist with healthy habits.

[14:27] On Oct. 31 (9:57 am PDT), Halloween Day, the Moon squares Pluto. It's VOC for 32 minutes, then enters Scorpio (10:29 am PDT). Clarity in communication.

[16:11] On Nov. 2 (9:51 pm PDT), the Moon sextiles Pluto. It's VOC for just 28 minutes, then enters Sagittarius (10:19 pm PDT). An opportunity to dig deep and take control.

[17:20] Mercury trines Mars (Nov. 2, 1:21 am PDT) at 29°21’ Scorpio-Cancer. Mercury is on the Sabian symbol 30 Scorpio, The Halloween jester, with Mars on 30 Cancer, A daughter of the American Revolution. Follow up words with action. Be careful how words are used.

[18:42] Mercury sextiles Pluto (Nov. 2, 8:03 am PDT) at 29°45’ Scorpio-Capricorn. Confront ugly thought processes, and tackle projects that require intense focus.

[19:33] Mercury enters Sagittarius (on Nov. 2, 12:18 pm PDT) and is in this sign until Jan. 8, 2025, because of a retrograde period between Nov. 25 and Dec. 15, 2024. It’s not Mercury’s strongest sign, but it’s good for seeing the big picture.

[21:09] Mars opposes Pluto (Nov. 3, 3:37 am PST), 29°45’ Cancer-Capricorn. This is the first in a series of oppositions between Mars and Pluto. The other two are on Jan. 2 and April 26, 2025. 

[24:24] Venus opposes Jupiter (Nov. 3, 7:25 am PST), 20°16’ Sagittarius-Gemini. Luck and pleasure are in the air. Let pleasure broaden your horizons.

[25:44] Mars enters Leeeeeooooo on Nov. 3 (8:10 pm PST) and will be in this sign, on and off, until June 17, 2025. (Retrograde from Dec. 6, 2024-Feb. 23 2025, reenters Cancer between Jan. 6 and April 17, 2025.) 

[27:24] Listener Molly asks about how your birth chart describes your ideal career. Astrologer Jackie Slevin uses a technique called the ‘Principle Planet’ in her book Finding Success in the Horoscope. If you are going through a Saturn return, booking a consultation with an astrologer can be very helpful!

[32:10] If you’d like 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.

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