Why the Moon?

Mooncast Week of November 13th, 2023 - new Moon in Scorpio, waxing crescent in Capricorn & first quarter in Aquarius

Welcome to Mooncast a weekly forecast of the Moon’s journey through the cosmos. Why the Moon? She’s our closest celestial neighbor and most influenceable sphere in planetary magic. She corresponds with cycles of life-death-rebirth, and her phase, zodiac sign, and aspects are essential in electional astrology. Most of all, the lunar realm is nourishing and enchanting. Let us wade in.

Mooncast Week of November 13th ☾

For two years I’ve cultivated a relationship with the Moon. She’s inspired my artwork, astrology readings, workshops, community gatherings, and this newsletter. Her influence is undeniable.

As the dust settles from the October 28th lunar eclipse, a lunation within 1° of my Sun, I’ve summoned the energy to write again. Executive dysfunction is my mortal enemy, and I’m in need of a practice to be accountable to. This offering is intended to strengthen my writing practice, deepen my relationship with the Moon, and invite you into Selene’s realm.

Each Moon day I’ll show up in your inbox with musings about the lunar transits of the week ahead. Let’s get to it.

New Moon in Scorpio

Monday, November 13th at 3:26 a.m. CST the Sun and Moon conjoined at 20° of Scorpio initiating a new cycle while marking the end of two years of eclipses on the Taurus-Scorpio axis. Since November 2021, there’s been course correction, upheaval, and transformation to the Taurus-Scorpio houses in our charts. Today a new chapter begins. New Moons are seeds germinating. We may have inklings of the future, but we’re feeling our way through the dark.

Scorpio is fixed water ruled by Mars, the place of the Moon’s fall. Scorpio is a swamp of emotional depth, death, and transformation. These intense waters overwhelm the Moon who finds home in the nourishing waters and soil of Cancer and Taurus. The Moon in Scorpio feels intensely and investigates the depths of the internal world to confront pain, suffering, and trauma. When facing such struggles a desire for control and reclamation of power may emerge.

Although we are out of eclipse season, this lunation is turbulent. The Sun and Moon are ruled and conjoined by Mars at 22° Scorpio while opposing retrograde Uranus, the great destabilizer, at 21° Taurus and trining Neptune at 25° Pisces.

Mars, god of war, in tense opposition to Uranus, primordial god of the sky, and trine Neptune, god of the sea, feels too representative of the horrors of war and struggle for liberation. May the demands for a ceasefire in Gaza overwhelm the halls of power. May all hostages be unharmed and freed. May all human life be valued. Let us say no to genocide, no to war machines, no to systems of violence and oppression. Let us fortify the strength of our solidarity.

If you able to act, please call your elected officials, join a protest, say a prayer, light a candle, and have conversations to uplift the struggles of the people of Gaza. Free Palestine!

Moon in Sagittarius

The Moon enters Sagittarius on November 13th at 8:23 p.m. CST making aspects to Saturn, Mercury, and Venus.

As the Moon enters the mutable fires of Sagittarius a spark of adventure, hope, and inspiration is ignited. The spark is not yet fully illuminated as the Moon is still new and dark. Sagittarius is the home of Jupiter abound with generosity, optimism, and wisdom sparking chants of, “I believe that we will win!”

November 13th 9:27 p.m. CST Moon 0° Sagittarius square Saturn 0° Pisces

The Moon in Sagittarius laughs at roadmaps and leaps into action based on instinct alone. The Moon’s optimism is quickly dampened by one of the harshest aspects she encounters on her journey through the cosmos, a square to Saturn. In a Skyscript article on electing by the Moon, Moon square Saturn is said to be bad for everything, especially medical treatment, travel, love affairs and dealing with saturnine people.

November 14th 8:03 a.m. CST Moon conjunct Mercury 6° Sagittarius

As the Moon separates from Saturn she forms a conjunction to Mercury in detriment. Mercury’s home of Gemini is a collection of details and interesting facts and figures while the opposite Sagittarian realm is the philosophical big picture. The Moon conjunct Mercury in Sagittarius connects us to our inner truth, urges us to speak truth to power, and is good for writing and correspondence. This is an opportune moment to uplift calls for ceasefire and other political issues we care about.

November 14th 8:45 a.m. CST Moon 6° Sagittarius sextile Venus 6° Libra

While the Moon conjoins Mercury she makes a sextile, a collaborative partnership, to Venus in Libra. As we speak truth to power, Venus reminds us to center values of peace, justice, and love.

Moon in Capricorn

The Moon enters Capricorn November 16th 1:42 a.m. CST, waxes to her crescent phase, and makes aspects to Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and the Sun.

The Moon is in detriment in Capricorn opposite her watery home of Cancer. Achieving comfort and security requires Saturnian discipline, labor, resources, and strategic visioning.

November 16th 2:48 a.m. CST Moon 0° Capricorn sextile Saturn 0° Pisces

The Moon sextile Saturn is favorable for building, excavation, and agriculture. Saturn in Pisces is softer, and the blueprints provided to the Moon are dreamy, mystical, and visionary.

November 16th 10:25 a.m. CST Waxing Crescent Moon

The Moon emerges as a sliver of light as she enters the second phase of her cycle. The waxing crescent corresponds with the first shoots breaking through soil. This phase is a struggle as the new cycle/plan/vision resists the comfort and familiarity of the past.

November 16th 4:48 p.m. CST Moon 8° Capricorn trine Jupiter rx 8° Taurus

The Moon in Capricorn equipped with hiking poles, water, and a trail map is ready to trek to the summit. Jupiter in Taurus blesses the journey with sunny skies and transforms the hike into a meaningful pilgrimage.

November 16th 6:16 p.m. CST Moon 9° Capricorn square Venus 9° Libra

Along the Moon’s trek through the mountains of Capricorn, a square to Venus in Libra fosters comradery and shared values with others met along the trail.

November 17th 9:48 p.m. CST Moon 25° Capricorn sextile Mars Cazimi 25° Scorpio

A Mars Cazimi is when Mars conjoins the Sun within 1° and is said to be in the heart of Sun where he is emboldened, strengthened, and renewed. The Mars Cazimi initiates a new synodic cycle and boosts our collective energy, drive, and motivation. The Moon sextile the Sun is good for short journeys, changes, new friendships, and advancement while the Moon sextile Mars is good for contests and fights.

Moon in Aquarius

The Moon enters Aquarius November 18th 5:28 a.m. CST, waxes to her first quarter phase, and makes aspects to Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury.

The waxing Moon is supportive of putting plans into action, building foundations, creating, socializing, and manifestation.

The Moon in Aquarius needs space and may detach from the emotional body prioritizing ration and logic over feelings. The Moon in Aquarius is nourished through analysis of systems, innovative ideas, and research rabbit holes.

November 18th 7:50 p.m. CST Moon 8° Aquarius square Jupiter rx 8° Taurus

The Moon square Jupiter is good for study and getting advice, and the Moon in Aquarius finds comfort in analysis, communication, and learning. This could be a day to catch up with a trusted friend, mentor, or teacher.

November 19th 2:11 a.m. CST Moon 12° Aquarius trine Venus 12° Libra

The Moon trine Venus in air signs feels like an intellectually stimulating date full of robust conversation and debate.

November 19th 4:39 a.m. CST Moon 13° Aquarius sextile Mercury 13° Sagittarius

The Moon sextile Mercury in Sagittarius is good for learning and studying philosophical, political, religious, and spiritual realms.

November 19th 3:32 p.m. CST First Quarter Moon

The Moon reaches the third phase of the cycle appearing as a half Moon with equal light and dark. The plant roots downward and grows a strong stem and leaves building a foundation for the flower and fruit to come. Energy gains and obstacles are cleared to build a strong foundation for the cycle/plan/vision.

Manifesting with the Lunar Cycle - Nov 18th & Dec 2nd

Mimi and I had to reschedule Manifesting with the Lunar Cycle, our in person workshop all about the Moon and how to build a personal praxis of lunar devotion and ritual. We are now offering two rescheduled dates. If you’re local to the Milwaukee area, I invite you to join us. The workshop is $40 and attendees receive a guidebook, herbs, and crystals to support their lunar practices. Register for November 18th here or December 2nd here. Both workshops are held 6-8pm at Luna Verde Beauty & Wellness in Bayview.

Astrology Readings

I’m available virtually and in person for one-on-one astrology readings throughout November and December. The price for my 90 minute readings are $75. In January, I’m raising them to $90 to reflect my growth and the increased energy and labor I pour into my services. I’d love to connect over your natal chart or a forecast into your year-ahead. Book a reading here.

That’s it for the first edition of Mooncast! Thanks for reading along. May this offering attune us to the magic of the lunar cycle. See you next Moon day!