Up To Now ✩ Day-to-Day Transits

Mercury enters Libra

Mercury glides into Libra, bringing awareness and new ideas about your style of interaction and how you communicate with others. It may be easier to speak (and listen) with gentleness, fairness and diplomacy during this time. Thoughts, ideas, communication and negotiation could reach a state of increased balance and harmony, and you may be especially sensitive to other people and your environment. You could be more motivated to balance criticism or anger with gentleness and diplomacy. On the other hand, interaction could also become a carefully crafted game in which truth, honesty and facts are replaced by manipulative strategy and "white lies" designed to avoid hurt feelings. Indecision and "fence sitting" are possible under this transit, since you are able than usual to see many different sides of a situation. It might help to bounce your ideas and thoughts off someone who can be a good sounding board and give you feedback. It may be easier now to reach a win-win solution to conflicts, which is fair to all concerned – but be careful you don't make incorrect or self-serving assumptions about what the other side wants.

Mars opposite North Lunar Node

This transit's range of influence is roughly 2 weeks before and after this date, although it reaches its peak now. The South Lunar Node is where we let go of, move away from, express or release something. Although the South Node can involve loss of some kind, it can also signify that what had previously been actively in the "foreground" of your life is now moving into the "background" and becoming assimilated as simply one part among many, rather than being a specific focus. Often whatever is being released is something we took in, embraced or began to move toward when Mars passed over the North Lunar Node. The North Node is sometimes known as the Dragon's Head, which eats or consumes. The South Node is known as the Dragon's Tail, which... well you get the idea. ;-) Since this involves Mars, what is being embraced or released likely has to do with anger, aggression, assertiveness or forcefulness. This might also be about sex or physical energy or something being set into motion. Depending on your natal chart, this could also involve the houses Mars rules and resides in, as well as where the current transit is taking place.

Mercury trine Pluto

It is possible to dive deep below the surface now, in your perception of situations, other people and yourself. If you have been working on trying to understand the deeper motivations and dynamics of what is happening in your life, there could be a breakthrough now. The light may finally go on in the darker corners that have eluded you, and your penetrating insight. You could find a way to articulate these perceptions and speak your mind in a way that is unusually powerful or intense (so be careful you don't inadvertently blow your audience out of the water). This transit can bring an opportunity to shed and leave behind old worn out perceptions or ineffective forms of communication. Try writing down your thoughts and ideas to capture the energy of this transit. This is the only exact pass for this transit, since Pluto was out of range when Mercury came through this area two months ago.

Moon goes Out of Bounds

The Moon is Out-of-Bounds (OOB) by declination from Oct. 03 (01 GE 08) to Oct. 08, 2023 (07 LE 15).

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.

A planet goes OOB when its declination is greater than 23:26 (23 degrees and 26 minutes), which is the maximum declination of the Sun, and the Sun defines the "Bounds." The Moon goes OOB twice a month for about 8-9 years at a time (and remains In-Bounds for about 8-9 years in between). Currently the Moon's declination is able to go beyond 23:26 from March 2020 to January 2030, peaking at a maximum declination of 28:42 in September 2025 (called the Maximum Lunar Standstill).

So for now, as the maximum declination of the Moon increases from month to month, so will the strength of the OOB effects. Watch to see how you respond to these times. 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.

Venus trine North Lunar Node

Today, as well as up to a couple of days before and after, you may feel a bit more comfortable in your own skin and in the social world around you. In fact, interactions you have with others may prove fruitful to help you move further along your path toward whatever destination you're pointed in. You might be in a position to do this for someone else, as well. It may be a good time to spend or save money and other resources. However, it's still wise to do a reality check to make sure both side of the exchange are satisfied that you got as much as you gave.

Mercury opposite Neptune

Inspired thinking, mental fantasy, imaginative ideas and lucid dreams are likely during this transit. This can result in enormous creativity that sees inspiration and magical ideas in the world around you (be sure to write them down to develop later). Your communication may be unusually intuitive and inspiring now. However, it can also be a time when your perceptions about reality are a bit off and coloured by wishful thinking and irrational conclusions. Doing a reality check with a trusted friend or advisor is a good idea, especially if you are trying to make important decisions right now. But be sure to explore any non-rational or irrational thinking, since the veil between the conscious and unconscious mind is thin now and you can learn much by observing your thoughts and perceptions.

Mercury trine Uranus

Unusual ideas, flashes of insight and seeing unexpected possibilities are all part of this transit. You may find it easier to be open-minded right now, especially about insights that have eluded you. Your ability to see beyond your usual horizon of perception can bring visionary brainwaves, as well as a fun sense of humour. You might be inspired to experiment with something new or do something out of character. You might have an impulse to break free of old habits or constraints. This can be a very liberating transit that opens your mind to new possibilities and ideas. However, be careful that you don't become so liberated and spontaneous that you become erratic, hyper or reckless. Words may come tumbling out of your mouth before you've had a chance to consider their wisdom, or you might find yourself talking non-stop and interrupting, creating a bit of awkwardness in those around you. On the other hand, you might also find the clarity and vision that gives you the words to speak your truth with new conviction. It's a great time to do some writing or other form of self-expression, especially if it's spontaneous or involving technology.

Australia begins Daylight Saving Time

If you live in the Australia region of the South Pacific, and if your region observes Daylight Saving Time, it's time to move your clocks one hour FORWARD. If you're not sure if this applies to you, check the change dates for your location on DateAndTime.com.

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.

Read my article about this Mercury Retrograde in Virgo cycle!

Mercury makes multiple passes of the following transits during this retrograde cycle (all dates are in North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury trine Jupiter ~ Aug. 9, 2023, Sep. 4, 2023, Sep. 25, 2023
• Mercury trine Uranus ~ (Aug. 23, 01:12 orb), Sep 30, 2023
• Mercury conjunct Mars ~ (Aug. 15, 03:22 orb), October 29, 2023

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

• Mercury enters the Shadow: Aug. 3, 2023 ~ 08:00 Virgo
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Aug. 9, 2023 ~ 14:08 Virgo
• Mercury stationary Retrograde: Aug. 23, 2023 ~ 21:51 Virgo
• Mercury Rx conjunct the Sun: Sep. 6, 2023 ~ 13:35 Virgo
• Mercury stationary Direct: Sep. 15, 2023 ~ 08:00 Virgo
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Sep. 22, 2023 ~ 11:30 Virgo
• Mercury leaves the Shadow: Sep. 30, 2023 ~ 21:51 Virgo

Venus square Uranus

Under this transit, you may be tempted by impulse spending, or you might be somewhat erratic in your use of resources. This can result in unpredictable or unstable finances, so double check your bank accounts and credit cards before you draw on them. It is also a time when the way you relate to others (or they to you) could be somewhat inconsistent, fickle or impulsive. If your relationships or financial situation have been struggling with difficulties for a while, this transit could bring a lingering problem to the surface and require attention. On one hand, this could be a welcome breath of fresh air that cuts through the complexity of your problems and puts the cards on the table (despite the stress and conflict that likely triggered it). Or, you might feel resistance to making these changes and instead experience this as a time of unwelcome instability, upset and adjustment. However, this may be a good way to break free of excessive restraint, control or structure, which allows new possibilities to emerge that couldn't do so otherwise.

FULL MOON IN ARIES

This Full Moon in Aries marks the half-way turning point in the current 4-week lunar cycle. Ruled by forceful Mars, this can be a time of amplified energy, directness, passion and motivation. It can fire up your courage and ambition, as well as your anger and impulsiveness. Its energy can really get you moving, but be careful not to overextend yourself. This Fire sign can stimulate your excitement and desire for freedom. As a Cardinal sign, Aries aims to focus your will to take action and release you from inhibition.

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

Mercury Direct trine Jupiter

This transit can make you quite talkative and flooded with ideas, along with those around you. Your stream of consciousness can flow abundantly with optimism and visionary possibilities. Write down your best ideas for later development, since you may be having too much fun now playing with ideas to want to stop and make them manifest just yet. Your outlook is usually optimistic and open-minded under this transit, although it might simply neutralize an already pessimistic frame of mind. You are likely to be more open to spiritual or philosophical perspectives, being more able to see yourself as part of something greater than yourself. You might even find that luck comes your way because you are more receptive to opportunities and possibilities.

Read my article about this Mercury Retrograde in Virgo cycle!

Moon comes In-Bounds

The Moon now comes back In-Bounds (InB) by declination after being Out-of-Bounds from Sep. 20 (01 SG 14) to Sep. 25, 2023 (07 AQ 08).

When the Moon is Out of Bounds (OOB) your emotional state may be a bit erratic, detached or isolated. This could be either a welcome change or a difficult energy for you to deal with. 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 and/or you are in a position to integrate into your life whatever you 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 2 weeks, give or take a couple/few days.

Mars opposite Chiron

Your efforts and physical/emotional/mental energy may struggle with fundamental limitations and latent imperfections under this transit. Weakness or chronic problems in health may flare up now, especially if you are under a lot of stress. It will help to do whatever is necessary to support and take care of yourself. You may find it works better to minimize or prevent deterioration, rather than to attempt a complete cure of whatever ails you. Emotional health may also be affected, bringing out latent issues related to anger, sexuality, assertiveness or courage. This is a time when you can probably see all these problem areas more clearly, and as a result it can seem like they are getting worse. While this may or may not actually be true, you are in a position to respond to these issues in a different way now – precisely because you are able to see the nature of the problems more objectively and clearly. So don't allow yourself to just be intimidated by difficult experiences you might have now; use them to take steps toward a new well-being.

Venus trine Chiron

Healing and rebalancing are possible now, especially in the areas of relationships, finance, resources and values. Any problems that have persisted in these areas lately could benefit from an influx of helpful and healing resources now. Relationships and interactions of all kinds can benefit now, since it can be easier to see the beauty and value in others whom you might usually dislike or feel ill at ease with (or they with you). Negotiations and strategic efforts to resolve conflicts may go smoothly now, especially when you balance the results in everyone's interests. You may also be able to attract what you need to heal your wounds (physical, psychological, spiritual, etc. ). Like it says in the "Serenity Prayer," you may now find it a bit easier to accept that which you cannot change, while finding you make progress with the things you can.

Sun enters Libra

Happy Solar Return to all Libras! While the Sun is in Libra, it brings experiences into our lives that focus us in the areas of love, close relationships, one-on-one interaction, diplomacy, negotiation, strategy, fairness, equilibrium, balance, harmony and beauty. This time also marks the point of equal balance between day and night – the Autumnal Equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, the nights now become longer than the days, and in the Southern Hemisphere, the days become longer than the nights, until the December Solstice. Balance is the key concept here! What is out of balance in your life? How can you negotiate or strategize to bring that area of your life back into harmony? Libra encourages you to balance your life in diplomatic, discreet, "win-win" ways. But if that's not possible, it will do it aggressively (creating conflict in order to break the stalemate of the imbalance) or manipulatively (people-pleasing to co-dependently get its way). Thus, Libra is known as both the peace-maker and the war-maker. If you find yourself instinctively trying to smooth out conflict – or instigate it! – take a step back and ask yourself if that is your best choice in the situation. Just don't get stuck in Libran indecision! Make your choice and then see if it brings what you want.

Mercury Max Elongation from Sun
(Morning Star)

Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the Sun today, meaning it's as far away from the Sun as it's going to get (from Earth's perspective). Mercury is the Morning Star, meaning it is visible in the Eastern sky just before sunrise, which occurs after Mercury has turned Direct and a few days before it leaves the Retrograde Shadow.

Thoughts, awareness and decision-making tend to be clearer, and your path ahead may be easier to see. It can be a good time to reflect on the information and awareness you've gathered in the last couple of months and finalize plans for how best to act on these. If you were feeling confused or frustrated during the retrograde period, things can make more sense now. Let this be a time of fresh perspective and awareness.

Mercury makes multiple passes of the following transits during this retrograde cycle (all dates are in North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury trine Jupiter ~ Aug. 9, 2023, Sep. 4, 2023, Sep. 25, 2023
• Mercury trine Uranus ~ (Aug. 23, 01:12 orb), Sep 30, 2023
• Mercury conjunct Mars ~ (Aug. 15, 03:22 orb), October 29, 2023

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

• Mercury enters the Shadow: Aug. 3, 2023 ~ 08:00 Virgo
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Aug. 9, 2023 ~ 14:08 Virgo
• Mercury stationary Retrograde: Aug. 23, 2023 ~ 21:51 Virgo
• Mercury Rx conjunct the Sun: Sep. 6, 2023 ~ 13:35 Virgo
• Mercury stationary Direct: Sep. 15, 2023 ~ 08:00 Virgo
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Sep. 22, 2023 ~ 11:30 Virgo
• Mercury leaves the Shadow: Sep. 30, 2023 ~ 21:51 Virgo