Up To Now ✩ Day-to-Day Transits

Sun trine Uranus

You are more open than usual to spontaneity, surprises and "flying by the seat of your pants!" Your sense of humour and fun are let loose during this transit, as is your ability to break out of old outworn habits. You may get a flash of insight, a burst of courage or a surge of inspiration under this transit. The spirit of who you are can become released now, possibly leading to you behaving a bit "out of character. " It's a great time to try new things and experiment with something that's out of character for you. In fact, it may be surprising how easy it is to break out of your usual routine... so much so, that it's good to be careful not to be too reckless under this transit. If your self-confidence, self-expression or self-esteem have been stifled or dampened lately, these could come flying out rather erratically, carelessly or chaotically. Strive to have fun pushing the envelope without ripping it. ;-)

Mars comes In-Bounds

Mars now comes back In-Bounds (InB) by declination after being Out-of-Bounds from Sep. 6 (00 CN 50) to Sep. 18, 2024 (08 CN 15).

Mars now returns within the bounds of the Sun. While OOB Mars qualities can be somewhat erratic and exaggerated: angry, hostile, hyper-reactive or hyper-sensitive, aggressive, quick to protest or take offence, feeling out of control, or (the flip side of these qualities) depression, lethargy or cynicism. Now that Mars is coming back within bounds, these qualities will likely become more manageable and "back to normal" (whatever that usually is for you).

Coming back in bounds can be a bit of a bumpy landing as that unrestricted energy becomes squeezed back into its usual potency. This is a good time to observe your passions and energy levels, as well as changes in Mars themes in society around you. For several days before and after this date, pay attention to the things that amplify or cool down your Mars energy. Realize that this is an adjustment period, and having some patience with yourself and others can help to smooth and soothe this time.

Alternatively, the re-entry can also be an eventful time when changes in Mars-related areas can occur. For example, you might feel this is the right time to start—or end—a project or make changes to a situation in your life. A shift in how you experience or handle anger, assertiveness, depression or high/low energy levels could inspire you to make positive changes in those areas. This might be due to a change in perspective as a result of your experiences while Mars was OOB.

Mercury opposite Saturn

The time has come to face facts. There may be a reality in your life that you've been avoiding, and you need to accept and deal with it. Or, you might have to conform to the expectations of others because there's no other way around it. Or, you could find that your ability to communicate, say what you want to say, or get your point across is harder for a few days. This will pass, but there may be concrete reasons why this might not be the best time to communicate whatever is on your mind. You might feel a bit as if you're being tested, and in some way this could be true. This transit may bring an opportunity to see how much you really know and how skilled you are at using that knowledge. On the other hand, this could be a time when hard work and preparation that you've done for several months could pay off. You may be able to progress to the next step in a project, or to make plans in an organised, concrete and responsible way. For a few days, taking a structured, methodical or factual approach to whatever you're doing may produce the best results.

FULL MOON IN PISCES

This Full Moon in Pisces marks the half-way turning point in the current 4-week lunar cycle. Ruled by visionary Jupiter and associated with mystical Neptune, your imagination and idealism can become quite vivid. It could amplify a longing for your dreams to come true, so do a reality check before committing yourself. Its energy is wonderful for creative projects, taking time out, or refreshing your spiritual connection. This Water sign can be extra sensitive, even psychic. As a Mutable sign, it invites you to stay versatile.

An in-depth article about this Full Moon will be posted in the Low-Down on the Far-Out.

LUNAR ECLIPSE: FULL MOON IN PISCES

This Full Moon is also a Lunar Eclipse! An eclipsed Full Moon is especially powerful, and its effects tend to unfold over the next few months rather than the next couple of weeks like a regular Full Moon. The day of the eclipse (give or take a few days) can be a bit intense, and usually indicates something deeper rising to the surface that relates to the Full Moon chart. Just as the Sun's light is blocked as the Moon moves through Earth's shadow (turning the Moon dark or a reddish-orange), you could think of a Lunar Eclipse being a time when you can see things in a "different light." You may be more sensitive to events and experiences for several days before and after the eclipse, and may be more sensitive to events and experiences than usual.

An in-depth article about this Lunar Eclipse will be posted in the Low-Down on the Far-Out.

Venus opposite Chiron

You may be extra sensitive to other people's suffering, struggles or dilemmas under this transit. Your own ongoing issues in relationships or finances may undergo a kind of "healing crisis" in which you endure increased problems and must use extra tolerance, compromise or negotiation to keep things from collapsing into a worse state. At the same time, you may be able to reach a new level of acceptance and peace – not necessarily by solving the problems, but by letting go of the struggles that are not as important as you thought and by making the best of the ones that are left. Other people or outside circumstances may give you a push in this direction, which might feel at first like old wounds are being opened up. But this is an opportunity to find new ways to bring healing and balance to old problems, especially using tolerance, compromise and acceptance.

Mars square North Lunar Node

This transit might feel a bit frustrating... or stimulating! The impulse to make change or take action might seem to be taking you in the wrong direction (or maybe just a different one), rather than where you feel your life should be going. One possible reason is that your own anger, or how you deal with anger, is yanking you off course. For example, there might be something unfinished and irksome that you need to face; and if you only keep trying to ignore it, soothe it or rise above it, this might actually make it worse until you take an honest look at your deeper feelings. On the other hand, this transit might require that you take a "detour" in a different direction for a short time. It might seem inconvenient or like a waste of time at first, but you will likely find that you gain something from this that wouldn't have come to you on your usual path. This could also be a good time to examine your motives for moving your life in the direction it's going. Are you acting in alignment with your true passion, or are you mostly just going through the motions because you think you "should"? How are you empowering yourself to pursue your passion? Or, perhaps you need to take a break from trying to live your passion and take some time to check in with what your passion actually is, right now. Is it the same as it was when you set out in your current direction?

Venus trine Jupiter

Your luck and opportunity to attract money, love, resources and self-esteem are high right now. The flow of attraction (whether that is magnetizing people, things or opportunities) is riding a strong current right now. You could find it easier than usual to get the resources and abundance for whatever you need right now. On the other hand, "your eyes may be bigger than your stomach" (as mother used to say), meaning your desire may magnify your sense of need beyond what is realistic or wise. You may be tempted to spend, flirt or bluff your way through situations, preferring to ignore or avoid hardship, boundaries or drudgery. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but be careful you don't get your hopes up so high that you set yourself up for disappointment or make promises you can't keep. It's probably wise to balance this easy flowing energy with some discretion and good judgement.

Moon comes In-Bounds

The Moon now comes back In-Bounds (InB) by declination after being Out-of-Bounds from Sep. 9 (27 SC 00) to Sep. 14, 2024 (05 AQ 17).

While the Moon was Out of Bounds (OOB) your emotional state may have been a bit disconnected, detached, isolated, or pushing you to go beyond your usual potential. This could have been either a welcome change or a difficult energy for you to deal with. So, when the Moon comes In-Bounds, you typically return to whatever your "normal" is. If your OOB journey was stressful or intense, you may find some relief now that the Moon is back In-B, or you're now in a position to integrate what you've learned from your experience. If your OOB journey felt like a welcome reprieve from the everyday stress or "noise" of the world around you, coming back In-B will hopefully give you a fresh start, like coming back from a brief vacation. The Moon will go OOB next in about 10 days, give or take.

Sun square Jupiter

You may be inspired to expand far beyond your usual boundaries during this time, although this may or may not work in the way you hope it will. It can be a time of challenge, when you decide that now is the time to move beyond your current horizons and make the ultimate push for something you believe will bring you happiness, fulfilment and prosperity. How successful you are will probably depend on how prepared you are for what comes next. Your judgment and your ability to see things objectively and realistically can be a little "off" during this transit, since your hopes and ideals might distort what is actually possible. It can be easy to overestimate the envisioned results, or you might underestimate the amount of work necessary to sustain your dream and prevent it from being just a flash in the pan. Try to avoid being overconfident and making promises you can't keep (including to yourself).

Mercury sextile Mars

There is a potential now to find the courage to speak your mind and say what needs to be said, if you focus consciously on doing so. In fact, your ideas and words may come so quickly and easily that it's hard to stop them from tumbling out of your mouth before you've had a chance to evaluate the best way to say them. Communication is probably easiest and most effective when it's direct, concise and quick, although it might also be a bit blunt or pointed. If you need to confront someone about a difficult situation, this transit can provide courage and clear words to help you do that – although perhaps a bit too forceful when a more delicate, sensitive touch is called for. It is a time when you might find the nerve to take risks, or to defend yourself if the need arises (especially verbally). This is a good transit for creative problem solving and trying on decisions to see if they fit.

Mercury leaves the Shadow

Mercury finally leaves the shadow—the part of the zodiac where it was retrograde. This means the confusion, delays and miscommunications of the last 2 months have mostly dissipated and things should be more or less back to normal (whatever that is). The difference is that you now have the benefit of seeing things from a different perspective after having reconsidered, rethought and rehashed information and perceptions over the past 2 months. This gives you more choices than you had before. In fact, you may find that although you thought something was a good idea a month or two ago, you now realize that a different approach, decision or way of understanding it is better. If you've been waiting until Mercury finished with the retrograde cycle before you made a final decision about something or taking action on something, this is the time to take another look at whatever that is. Just don't forget your common sense, and remember that Mercury is only one factor to take into consideration regarding the timing of a decision. Use your best judgment and wisdom.

Mercury makes the following aspects during this retrograde cycle (all dates in North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury conjunct Venus ~ June 17, 2024, Aug. 7, 2024
• Mercury sextile Mars ~ June 21, 2024, Aug. 24, 2024, Sep. 11, 2024
• Mercury square Mars ~ (orb 03:28 – July 26), Oct. 6, 2024
• Mercury sextile Jupiter ~ July 8, 2024 (orb02:42 – Aug. 28, 2024)
• Mercury square Uranus ~ July 21, 2024, Aug. 18, 2024, Sep. 7, 2024
• Mercury trine Chiron ~ July 18, 2024, Aug. 23, 2024, Sep. 2, 2024

Here are the key dates of this Mercury cycle (for North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury enters the Shadow: July 16, 2024 ~ 21:24 Leo
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: July 22, 2024 ~ 26:51 Leo
• Mercury stationary Retrograde: Aug. 5, 2024 ~ 04:06 Virgo
• Mercury Rx conjunct the Sun: Aug. 18, 2024 ~ 26:35 Leo
• Mercury stationary Direct: Aug. 28, 2024 ~ 21:24 Leo
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Sep. 5, 2024 ~ 24:59 Leo
• Mercury leaves the Shadow: Sep. 11, 2024 ~ 04:06 Virgo

Moon goes Out of Bounds

The Moon is Out-of-Bounds (OOB) by declination from Sep. 9 (27 SC 00) to Sep. 14, 2024 (05 AQ 17).

During this time, your feelings and emotions may move in a different kind of rhythm. One possible effect is that you might feel more disconnected from the world around you; perhaps a bit alone, lonely or isolated. Or, this could be a welcome change where you can let the stresses of the world roll off your back more easily. Or, your emotions could be a bit erratic, extreme or harder to contain. The common thread through these diverse experiences is that your feeling state may reach beyond your usual range of feelings. If you're an artist, musician, writer or other creative person, this can be a very inspiring time as your creativity and imagination could more easily flow into unusual ideas, whims and impulses. Watch to see how you respond during this time. You can work on finding ways to channel this energy into positive, productive, creative experiences, or use it as an opportunity to take another step in your emotional healing.

Mercury enters Virgo

Mercury moves into its own sign of Virgo, where it brings an awareness of health, healing, work and service. This is a good time to be analytical, methodical and focused on improvement. But be careful not to get so lost in details or perfectionism that you can't see the forest for the trees. This energy is well spent by finding ways to make your work and the pursuit of your goals more efficient and effective. Try organising your activities better and prioritizing them according to what works well and what needs improvement and how. This is especially true for any health issues that keep getting pushed to the back burner. Whatever your plans, this transit can help you organise an effective strategy to move you forward.

Sun opposite Saturn

You may be obligated to fulfil the expectations of others or of society under this transit. A situation or project (which may have begun around 6 months ago) might require that you start to implement the plans and preparation you've been building. Or you might find that problems you've been putting off must now be dealt with. Although you could experience this as stressful or heavy, it can also be a time when you are finally able to move ahead with a project or goal. All commitment requires some degree of limitation and pruning back, since we must choose one path and leave other options behind. This may therefore feel like a time when you are pressured by obligation, necessity or restraint... or it could feel like the rehearsals are finally over and it's time to launch the rocket. If it seems like you're only seeing blocks or obstacles in your way, this might be a reflection of not having done enough preparation (in which case you will need to draw on your experience to solve the problems or deal with the reality in front of you). This can be a time when you reap whatever you have sown in the past (especially the last 6 months), so if your current situation seems negative or punitive, it might be a time when you need to look back over your actions that lead to this and be accountable for past actions and decisions. Whether you are taking the final step to implement your plans or are facing the results of poor past judgment, this can be a time when you are called upon to move forward in your personal growth and maturation. Use it to strengthen your responsibility (response-ability), and don't let fears of inadequacy erode your self-esteem.

Mercury square Uranus

Flashes of insight can show you new clarity but you might not like the answers you get, since they could disturb your logical perception of what's what. You might get some news or learn come information that shakes you up in some way. This isn't necessarily bad, since this may be necessary to open your mind to something you've been resisting. There's a Higher Truth here that wants to be told (by you or to you), but the way it's phrased can make a big difference in the reaction. There is a risk of "shooting off your mouth before your brains are loaded," as the saying goes, and impulsive or reckless communication and ideas could create more problems than they solve. It will probably help to listen inside yourself first to discover what you really need to say, and then figure out how to say it in a way that doesn't cause unnecessary damage. Strive to shine a light of truth without blinding anyone with it.

Mars goes Out of Bounds

Mars is Out-of-Bounds (OOB) by declination from Sep. 6 (00 CN 50) to Sep. 18, 2024 (08 CN 15).

During this time, you have an opportunity to encounter new experiences that challenge your courage, aggression or taking action, as well as expressing passion, anger and forcefulness. For example, you might let yourself be inspired to champion a cause, or you might decide that now is the time to do something you've been hesitating about for a while and were just waiting for the right moment. Or, you may find your temper burns a bit hotter or on a shorter fuse than usual. Or, you might lack patience and try to force the issues that don't unfold smoothly in your favour.

There is a less constructive side of Mars to watch for, as well. For instance, bold action could become reckless if it's not balanced with wisdom, realistic expectations and awareness of the consequences that you might have to live with afterwards. Anger and frustration could flare up more easily or intensely than usual, which is probably best expressed in constructive ways that don't leave ashes and ruins behind you.

Your instincts could be finely tuned during this time, picking up on distant or subtle signals and relaying these to your impulses which result in doing things without a lot of conscious forethought. This can feel exciting or energizing, but remember that you will still have to live with the results, so if you find this is creating problems it might be best to slow things down a bit so you can consider your best course of action before actually doing it. It's also possible that during this time you won't notice much at all. Not everyone is attuned to the OOB Mars energy, although you still might observe it in others around you. Or, your experience of this Mars energy might be a quieter signal that you need to focus on more carefully to get a clear sense of it.