The Moon is constantly moving through the twelve zodiac signs, each of which makes up one twelfth of the circle, or 30° out of 360°. It takes the Moon about two and a half days to pass through one sign. Each sign is like a new chapter in a book: as the Moon moves through the sign, it tells a story, and the main characters in that story are the planetary aspects it forms during its passage. When all the characters have left the stage, meaning the planetary aspects have been completed, the Moon begins its void-of-course movement, which lasts until a new story begins in the next sign.
Some people mistakenly think of the void-of-course Moon as the time of transition between signs, but it is well known that the Moon has no gaps or pauses: the next sign begins immediately after the previous one ends. To be more precise, the countdown of the “idle Moon” begins when it forms its final aspect with an orb of zero degrees, that is, an exact aspect: conjunction (0°), sextile (60°), trine (120°), square (90°), or opposition (180°), and continues until the Moon enters the next sign. For comparison, one foreign website that can be used for checking these dates is moontracks.com.
How Should the Void-of-Course Moon Be Treated?
The Moon is the ruler of emotions and instincts. It is the planet of moods and unconscious mental processes. All living things are subject to its cycles. The Moon’s influence on the human body is acknowledged even in scientific circles, including by hardened skeptics.
For greater objectivity, quotations from authoritative astrological publications and their recommendations are cited below.
During the void-of-course Moon, it is not recommended to: sign contracts, make plans, close deals, or start new projects. It is better not to begin any work that is expected to produce a concrete long-term result. If this rule is ignored, work begun during the void-of-course Moon may have to be redone many times because of various problems and setbacks.
During the void-of-course Moon, consciousness may experience confusion and emptiness. Emotional confusion and a low mood are also common. Many students complain that they cannot recall lectures during this period. From a psychological point of view, memory and learning are closely connected with emotions. For this reason, new information is poorly absorbed during a depressed period. Many astrologers describe this period as “lost time.”
During the void-of-course Moon, it is best to postpone important and new matters and devote time to rest and entertainment instead. This period is recommended for taking a pause and simply looking at the world calmly, without making plans or thinking about the future.
The Influence of the Moon’s Last Aspect with the Planets
The strength of the void-of-course Moon’s influence is also affected by its final aspect with a planet. If the separating aspect was unfavorable, such as an opposition or square, the influence of the void-of-course Moon will be intensified in an unfavorable way in the sphere governed by that planet. For example, the Moon’s final aspect as a square to Jupiter may create legal or financial problems during the void-of-course Moon. If, on the other hand, the separating aspect was favorable, this softens the unfavorable influence of the void-of-course period.
The famous astrologer William Lilly believed that the void-of-course Moon can be neutralized if it is in a good separating aspect with a planet, and if the Moon is in a sign of its domicile or exaltation. In the case of Venus or Jupiter in an exalted sign, the effect may even become favorable, and so favorable that this very moment could be the right time to begin the work of one’s life. To view the Moon’s final aspect, use the horoscope for today, which includes a table of current planetary aspects. To do this, enter the start date of the void-of-course Moon in the form below, and in the table find the major aspect with the Moon. The orb for this aspect should be 0° degrees, meaning that the exact aspect has occurred. ✓
Comments: