The Full Moon in Aries on October 4 (late October 3 in western time zones) likely will have more of an effect on our personal lives rather than impacting the collective, as lunations over the past many months have done.

I, for one, am thankful for that.

The third exact opposition of Saturn and Uranus is behind us, and Mercury is now direct, picking up speed. Hopefully most of us will begin to see a lightening in the atmosphere and make better choices about where we need to go next. Just being able to get on with our daily lives with less drama would be very welcome.

At 11°10′ Libra and Aries, neither the Sun nor Moon forms close aspects to other planets. This will allow us to focus on the classic Venus-Mars relationship of Aries and Libra. It is much easier to see how the dynamic of “do it my own self” Mars-ruled Aries works with Libra, which is ruled by graceful Venus and focuses on the other.

I live with this every day, because I’m a Libra Sun-Moon woman married to an Aries Sun-Moon man. We have learned the fine art of compromise over the years – essential to any good relationship. The key is understanding what is important to us as individuals (Aries) while recognizing when to place the needs of the other first (Libra).

It is through their rulers, Mars and Venus, that the luminaries are connected to the outer planets and the big picture. Mars in Cancer forms an inconjunct (or quincunx) with Neptune in Aquarius, and Venus in Virgo is inconjunct Jupiter in Aquarius. Even though Jupiter is no longer close enough to be considered conjoined with Neptune, this is still a powerful point in the sky.

On one hand, Mars is just not a happy camper in watery, often insular Cancer, and being drawn into dialogue with Aquarius via the inconjunct makes him even unhappier. Cancer and Aquarius need a mediator to find common ground, because their immediate concerns are so different. Cancer is the sign most involved with home and family matters, while Aquarius represents the collective and what is best for the many. We may find ourselves wrangling over these very issues if either or both of these signs are prominent in our charts.

On the other hand, Venus is not all that comfortable in earthy Virgo, either, compromising her normal enthusiasm for getting together with Jupiter. Practical Virgos everywhere are going to be having long discussions with progressive Aquarians about the bottom line. Jupiter in Aquarius is often the author of the unfunded mandate, both personally and collectively. It can go like this: “Just how do you expect to pay for that??? Yes, I understand it will benefit the majority in the long run . . . but!”

Mercury in Virgo is opposing Uranus in Pisces on the Full Moon while gaining on Saturn for one last meeting before moving back into Libra on October 9. We may get another not-so-gentle reminder to take care of details we’ve been procrastinating about since the beginning of September. We’re not going to get away this time, so buckle down and do it!

Uranus in Pisces is tightly semi-sextile Neptune in Aquarius and for many people around the world, being connected to the Internet in one way or another is part of our daily lives – a clear demonstration of the mutual reception between Neptune and Uranus. Of course, the greatest challenge is often sorting fact from fiction, always an issue when Neptune is present.

Pallas just entered fair-minded Libra and promptly squares Pluto in Capricorn at the Full Moon. Take advantage of this moment of enforced clarity to look around for harbingers of what’s to come in the months and years ahead. The big eye-opener will come with Uranus moving into Aries at the end of May 2010.

I find it curious that the Sabian symbol for 12 Aries is “A flock of wild geese,” with the keyword COSMIC ORDER. I see this more as a reminder of the very Libran idea of everyone taking a turn being the leader. Aries can get so caught up in the notion that if they don’t take charge, nothing will get done. They can forget how different leadership styles can successfully motivate different individuals.

The image of “Miners emerging from a deep coal mine” for 12 Libra is equally powerful. We can use the meaning of the keyword, EXTRACTION, to understand the importance of bringing new realizations from the depths of our inner selves. This Sabian symbol can also mean we have earned a respite from striving.

Sitting down with our significant others, friends and partners of all kinds is a good way to take advantage of this particular Full Moon, because our differences as individuals are highlighted. Sometimes it takes recognition of those differences to see our commonalities in a new way and accept the idea we don’t always have to agree to get along. Here’s to gaining greater understanding of the importance of agreeing to disagree – a very Libra concept.

posted by Neith . . .

Image: Full Moon over Mount Baker, October 2007. Photo by James A. Weythman, reprint by permission only.