Monday 9/29 - The Moon is New in Libra in the early hours of Monday morning (2:12 AM). The Washington, DC chart for the New Moon looks like the big give-away will happen. Kiss that money good-by, folks. The bailout will do nothing but delay the inevitable a while longer. How will we deal when the big meltdown happens and the coffers are empty? (The Astrologess is cooking up an article on the very direct astrological relationship between the Great Depression and current conditions). Nobody wants to hear this but the idea behind astrology is that forewarned is forearmed.

There are many lovely things to enjoy this month if you can turn off the news and live in the beauty of the moment, the only true way to live anyway. What do we really have but each moment, each breath. When we get too far ahead of ourselves, that's when the fear starts. It's a gorgeous month. Indian summer is outdoing itself this year. Get out and enjoy it. Soak up some sunshine for the long winter ahead.

The Libra Moon squares Jupiter at 2:44 PM. The politicians will be telling us that everything is fine as they slather lipstick on this pig. Moon/Jupiter square is known for its overly optimistic approach and tendency to tell people what they want to hear.

Tuesday 9/30 - Spin, spin, spin. We awake to assurances that everything is going to be just fine. Comforting words of reassurance that have absolutely no basis in reality; how we long to believe them. (Moon conjunct Mercury at 4:30 AM and trine Neptune at 6:43 AM). Tune into that other dimension where it's all perfect and we are already living in paradise. There is something dreamlike about this spectacularly beautiful day.

The late afternoon is energized by a Moon/Mars conjunction (6:20 PM). Active and dynamic, Moon/Mars easily crosses the line into angry and aggressive, even when it falls in Libra. There are a lot of angry people out there right now.

The Moon moves into Scorpio tonight at 10:26 PM.

Wednesday 10/01 - It's another lovely day. The Moon conjuncts Venus in Scorpio this afternoon (4:54 PM). Look for a thin sliver of New Moon in the west at sunset, the bright "star" with it is Venus. People are passionate and intense under this influence, with a great longing for love and intimacy.

Mars sextiles Pluto at 9:58 PM. Determined and resourceful with deep reserves of energy, Mars/Pluto can power its way through just about anything. The sextile indicates a judicious use of power.

A late night Moon/Jupiter sextile (12:29 AM Thursday) sets a mellow and friendly tone for the end of the day.

Thursday 10/02 - It's a lively and interesting day. At 1:11 PM the Scorpio Moon trines Uranus, the planet of surprises (which should be pleasant since the connection is a trine). People are quick to follow a spontaneous urge to express themselves and do what their heart desires.

Things get spacey this afternoon when the Moon squares dreamy Neptune (4:47 PM). Work starts winding down by mid afternoon. Looks like everyone cut out early. Time to get mellow.

Friday 10/03 - The Moon enters Sagittarius at 9:14 AM but makes no major aspects today.

Mars moves into Scorpio tonight at 10:34 PM. Actions taken tend to be more secretive and behind the scenes during Mars' passage through Scorpio.

Saturday 10/04 - The morning starts out on a harmonious note as the Libra Sun sextiles the Moon in Sag (8:50 AM). People are in a sociable and adventurous mood, ready for some fun.

Things get rather ponderous this afternoon when the Moon moves into a square to gloomy Saturn (4:52 PM). Some responsibility or commitment puts a damper on our fun. The mood is critical and tends toward fault-finding and sermonizing. Around the same time the Moon sextiles Mercury (5:45 PM) emphasizing the urge to lecture others. Share your thoughts and opinions but be ready to listen to what others have to say.

The mood becomes more tender and sensitive as the evening progresses.

Sunday 10/05 - Venus in Scorpio sextiles Jupiter in Capricorn in the early hours of the morning (2:22 AM). I call this the shopping aspect. Whether they have the money or not, people are always ready to spend freely on good times and pretty things when Venus and Jupiter get together. People are more carefree and generous under this influence. This is also a rather sexy aspect, especially since both the signs involved are known for their strong libidos.

People are rather intense and ready for some privacy this evening as the Moon sextiles Pluto (7:08 PM).

The Moon enters Capricorn at 8:48 PM.

For you night owls, there's a surge of energy around midnight as the Moon moves into a sextile to Mars (12:40 AM). The later you stay up the more alert you get until around 1:30 AM or so.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 10/06 - This day is bursting with exuberance. There's a line up of four major aspects, essentially consisting of the Sun and Mercury in conjunction making a square to Jupiter and Venus sextiling Saturn.

Sun/Mercury square Jupiter is an extravagant energy, given to overestimation and careless abandon. This combination denotes the big spender who throws money around like water, the perfect day to give away $700 billion dollars of somebody else's money. Meanwhile sober Venus sextile Saturn is like the poor taxpayer holding his head in his hands.

For many this day provides a relief from tension as optimism prevails amid hopes that everything will turn out for the best. This is a day of high hopes so have fun, enjoy yourself but don't bet the farm on some risky venture.

Tuesday 10/07 - There was a lot going on early this morning. Some were up for a late night of partying as the Moon conjuncted Jupiter (1:04 AM) and squared Mercury (1:50 AM) triggering yesterday's Sun/Mercury/Jupiter aspects. Another way to look at it is a morning celebration in Europe as those billions hit the European banks left holding the bag on billions of dollars of bad US mortgages. The mood is euphoric.

Things are more sober here as we wake up to the Capricorn Moon trining Saturn (6:11 AM) and sextiling Venus in Scorpio (6:51 AM). Time to buckle down and get to work after yesterday's binge.

The day gets more interesting, even exciting, after noon (1:37 PM) when the Moon sextiles Uranus, the planet of surprises.

Wednesday 10/08 - The Moon moves into Aquarius at 10:03 AM and into square with moody Mars in Scorpio (4:22 PM). Aquarius wants to take the moral high ground and act on behalf of the greater good but Scorpio's self concern objects to this. Moon/Mars indicates an argument and some touchy tempers.

Thursday 10/09 - It's a lively day. People are mentally alert and social, wanting to talk and share ideas as the Aquarius Moon trines Mercury in Libra (7:32 AM) this morning and the Libra Sun this evening (7:17 PM). It's possible to discuss differences now without getting into a debate, as people are willing to listen to others as well as present their own ideas.

An unexpected appearance by some unusual and inspiring women, or woman, livens things up tonight when Venus trines Uranus (11:48 PM). This aspect colors the end of the week, encouraging us to believe in ourselves and present our own particular brand of uniqueness and style.

Friday 10/10 - Things are a bit groggy as the lingering effects of an early morning Moon/Neptune conjunction (3:50 AM) have people moving slowly. It's a great morning to linger in dreamland or putter quietly about the homestead.

The mood is more directed this afternoon (Moon sextile Pluto at 5:13 PM) but the desire for solitude still persists. This is a good day to work alone.

The Moon enters Pisces at 7:31 PM.

Saturday 10/11 - An early morning Moon/Mars trine (4:35 AM) makes it hard to stay in bed. People are up at dark-thirty and raring to go. Might as well get up and get going as this is going to be the most productive part of the day.

The mood is dreamy and delicate this afternoon as Venus squares Neptune (2:21 PM). People are more finely tuned to nuances of emotion, making them supersensitive. It's hard to get motivated but inspiration and fantasy flourish.

It's a jolly evening. The mood is sociable and generous as the Pisces Moon sextiles Jupiter (9:35 PM).

Sunday 10/12 - It's a wild morning, erratic and unpredictable (Moon conjunct Uranus at 6:54 AM). Once again something gets us up early, the phone rings, animals want to go out or maybe some crazy dreams wake us up. Tread lightly though, this mood can turn explosive. Give people time for that first cup of coffee before you start to chat. Moon/Uranus indicates a sudden change of plans.

Things sweeten up nicely as the day progresses and we move into a lovely Moon/Venus trine (12:27 PM). Take time to enjoy the day in the company of friends or that special someone.

The evening is a bit moody and temperamental as the Pisces Moon squares Pluto (11:02 PM). People are not open to reason now. They think what they think (actually its all based on belief and feeling) and you have to go along or go your own way. Going to bed early with a good book sounds like a good idea.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 10/13 - The Moon enters Aries at 1:07 AM.

The Moon opposes Mercury in Libra this afternoon (2:41 PM) so there's a flurry of activity. A scattered hecticness has people running in all directions, chasing their tails. Take a deep breath and quiet the mental chatter if you want to get anything accomplished today.

Tuesday 10/14 - The Sun trines Neptune (7:19 AM) this morning so events have an otherworldly, dreamlike feeling to them. This can be wonderful or surreal depending on your vantage point. Plan a quiet morning with minimum interaction to get the best out of this alignment.

Neptune can be very illusory, mirroring ourselves back to us as we project our fears and neuroses on to the outside world. Or the reflection we're getting from the world can be transcendently beautiful as inside is turned outside.

A Moon/Neptune sextile (1:35 PM) keeps that dreamlike energy going strong today. Those with a strong faith and sustaining belief system do best under Neptune's influence.

The Moon is Full in 21° Aries (2:02 PM) this afternoon. On the face of it, this is a lovely Harvest Moon. The underlying aspects are benign and expansive. What strikes me though is that in the Full Moon chart for Washington, DC, Neptune is spotlighted. Various astrologers have been writing about how strongly Neptune is affecting the charts of both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin right now and this Full Moon period brings this to a peak.

Neptune can be so illusive and deceptive, stealing the rug from under your feet before you even realize what's up. Certainly the real action now in DC is behind the scenes and it will be very hard to ascertain what is actually going on. Also, in the chart for the USA, Neptune's current position is very close to the USA's Moon (denoting the general population) so, even more than Barack and Sarah, we are the ones being fooled.

Wednesday 10/15 - The Moon moves into Taurus at 3:31 AM. A little solid, stable Taurian energy feels very welcome and grounding right now.

Mercury goes direct today (2:06 PM). Usually communication confusions and delays could be expected to clear up now, except the underlying Neptunian influence continues (Mercury will be finishing up the third of three trines to Neptune on 10/30).

A late afternoon Moon/Mars opposition has tempers flaring as people push too hard to get it done. Ease up or you may end up shooting yourself in the foot.

Thursday 10/16 - The Taurus Moon makes a grand trine with Jupiter (3:41 AM) and Saturn (7:21 AM) in the early morning hours so its effect may be largely subliminal here in the Rocky Mountains. Look for a new plan or strategy that just seems to pop into your mind this morning as you're waking up.

It's an interesting day. Events move quickly but smoothly and it's all rather exciting as the Moon sextiles Uranus (11:15 AM).

Things quiet down around mid afternoon when the Moon moves into a de-motivating square to Neptune (2:41 PM) and the energy tends to fizzle. Take it easy. It looks like its time for a nap.

Friday 10/17 - The Moon enters Gemini at 4:25 AM.

The Moon trines Mercury in Libra (5:25 PM) later today, bringing people out of hiding for a little socializing and enhancing communications of all kinds.

Saturday 10/18 - This day is quite a roller-coaster ride. It's a difficult morning. We wake up to a gloomy Moon/Saturn square (8:37 AM) followed by a square to Uranus (12:05 AM) so things just get more difficult and unpredictable. Seems like there's just too much being demanded of us now.

Things ease up this afternoon. There's a definite shift when Venus enters Sag (12:31 PM). Venus is more outgoing and adventurous in Sag than in intensely private and moody Scorpio.

The mood lifts as the Gemini Moon makes a grand trine with Neptune in Aquarius (3:39 PM) and the Libra Sun (11:21 PM) so Saturday turns out to be pretty good after all. Spend the evening with like-minded friends sharing thoughts and feelings. This is a very uplifting and nourishing alignment.

Sunday 10/19 - The Moon enters Cancer at 5:40 AM.

After a quiet day it's a busy evening. The Moon squares talkative Mercury (9:00 PM) so people have a lot to say tonight. The energy is going strong late into the evening. The Moon trines Mars at 12:02 AM so it's hard to get to bed until well after midnight.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 10/20 - There's an easy-going, homey mood as the Cancer Moon opposes Jupiter in Capricorn (7:20 AM). The pace is slow but steady. By late morning we've finally got some momentum going and it turns into a productive day (Moon sextile Saturn at 11:06 AM).

Things liven up and get more interesting around mid afternoon (2:12 PM) when the Moon trines Uranus, the planet of surprises.

Tuesday 10/21 - The Moon moves into Leo at 8:35 AM.

It's a lovely day. People are outgoing and friendly and the mood is cheerful as the Leo Moon trines Venus in Sag (3:08 PM). The great outdoors calls to us with that bittersweet, siren song of fall. Get out and enjoy it while it lasts. All types of social interactions go well today.

The Sun is sextile Pluto (6:21 PM) this evening. Sun/Pluto is determined and focused, tapping vast reserves of energy and resourcefulness to achieve its goals. If you set your mind to it you can make it happen.

Wednesday 10/22 - The day starts early and the mood is somewhat stressed as we wake up to a Moon/Mars square (6:30 AM). Moon/Mars tension means that we feel pressured to act against our own best interests or needs. Power down and make sure you're doing the right thing for yourself before you act in haste.

The Sun enters Scorpio (7:09 PM). Happy Birthday, Scorpio.

The evening is quiet and rather spacey as the Moon opposes Neptune (10:25 PM). How about an early bedtime tonight?

Thursday 10/23 - Focus and determination help us power through this day as the Leo Moon trines Pluto in Sag (11:53 AM). This is a great day to accomplish a goal or make headway towards achieving it.

The Moon enters Virgo at 1:40 PM.

The mood is harmonious, dedicated and industrious as the Virgo Moon makes a mid afternoon sextile to the Scorpio Sun (3:10 PM).

Friday 10/24 - It's a fun Friday, especially this afternoon. Abundant energy and high spirits calls us out to play and even work seems enjoyable now (Moon sextiles Mars at 3:29 PM and trines Jupiter at 6:33 PM. Find some entertaining diversion for the early evening though just about anything you do will turn out to be enjoyable and satisfying.

Things take a rapid downturn later on though as the Moon moves into conjunction with disappointing Saturn at 10:26 PM, so wrap things up early and head for home.

Saturday 10/25 - Over all, the weekend is easy-going and relaxed (mainly because of tomorrow's Mercury/Jupiter square).

People are a little cranky this evening when the Virgo Moon squares Pluto (7:02 PM). Virgo Moon tension really brings out our inner critic and it's easy to get carried away. A little quiet time alone will improve the mood.

The Moon enters Libra at 8:47 PM.

Sunday 10/26 - It's all sunshine this morning. People wake up in the mood to play. This is a great day to get out and have some fun as today's Mercury/Jupiter square (6:14 AM) brings out the optimist in us and worries get shoved aside for the time being.

There are bound to be financial pundits in Sunday Op-Ed pieces telling us that its all better now, as Mercury/Jupiter is noted for it's wildly over-optimistic assessments, but these are the same idiots who were telling us 6 weeks ago that the economy was fundamentally sound.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 10/27 - This high-energy day gets off to an early start. The Moon sextiles Mercury at 5:37 AM so people wake up with their brains buzzing with thoughts, plans and new ideas. Inspiration and optimism rule the day as the Moon makes a mid day trine to idealistic Neptune (1:25 PM).

The week begins on an energetic and enthusiastic note as Mars in Scorpio sextiles Jupiter (2:29 PM). You can get a lot accomplished with relative ease.

Tuesday 10/28 - The Moon enters Scorpio at 5:37 AM.

It's a relatively quiet day, as the period just before the New Moon usually is, though this month is a bit of an anomaly since we have Mars and Jupiter energizing things. The Moon is New in 5° Scorpio (5:14 PM).

Wednesday 10/29 - The Moon activates Mars and Jupiter this afternoon, ratcheting things up another notch so we're in 5th gear by now. All goes relatively smoothly and events may even deliver a lucky break. (Moon sextile Jupiter at 1:59 PM and conjunct Mars at 4:17 PM).

There's a bit of a stretch to get everything done by the end of the day but determination and perseverance help us toward the finish line as the Moon sextiles Saturn (5:45 PM).

Our spirits revive after sunset and the fast pace continues this evening as the Moon makes a trine to dynamic Uranus (7:01 PM).

Things finally slow down just before midnight as the Moon squares sleepy Neptune (11:45 PM). Most will sleep well tonight with the satisfaction of a job well done.

Thursday 10/30 - The wee hours of the morning are colored by Mercury's trine to Neptune (12:12 AM), a dreamy and restful aspect that brings vivid and memorable dreams.

This is also the third of three Mercury/Neptune trines that started back in mid September so this could mark the culmination of a dream come true or some behind the scenes plotting (given negative Neptune's association with dishonesty).

The Moon enters Sag at 4:41 PM.

Tonight's Mars/Saturn sextile (9:52 PM) is an aspect of endurance, discipline and the ability to deal with harsh circumstances.

Friday 10/31 - Happy Halloween.

There are no major lunar aspects today but this afternoon Mars trines Uranus (2:32 PM). This is another high-energy aspect that gives us the ability to tap deep reservoirs of strength and endurance. Mars/Uranus is dynamic, impatient and daring, a speed-demon with hair-trigger reactions, able to make split second decisions and willing to take chances.

The Scorpio Moon is approaching a conjunction with Venus (12:36 AM Saturday), flavoring the evening hours with a sultry, sexy energy.

Saturday 11/01 - By the morning the mood has changed. The Moon makes an early t-square to depressing Saturn (6:14 AM) and high-strung Uranus (6:56 AM). Maybe people are just exhausted and nerves are frayed from a busy week but many are experiencing that deep level of stress that makes it hard to slow down and relax.

On Monday, the day before the election, Venus occupies the same position that the Moon is in now, so something in the news this morning is an important key to imminent events.

As the day progresses, Neptune takes over. A lazy, dreamy mood prevails as the Moon sextiles Neptune (11:54 AM) and Mercury (8:56 PM). Maybe it's sleep deprivation or over-indulgence but something is giving things a slightly surreal, dreamlike quality.

Neptune goes direct late tonight (12:39 AM Sunday). Neptune has been in its annual retrograde phase since late May. Going direct, Neptune brings certain things that have been hidden from consciousness to the forefront of our awareness now.

Sunday 11/02 - The Moon makes its only major aspect of the day at 2:41 AM when it conjuncts Pluto, creating a taciturn and rather secretive mood. While most of us are asleep, someone is pulling an all-nighter, doing some last minute strategizing.

The Moon enters Capricorn at 4:13 AM.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.