Glossary

When the Moon is Balsamic, it's best to finish up old projects, tie up loose ends, listen to our intuition, review, reflect, meditate, and contemplate. We might consider envisioning what we want or hope for our future during this phase. While it's a good time for endings, it's not a time for new beginnings.

  In 2026, Chiron is retrograde until January 2nd, and then later, from August 3rd forward. Chiron will end its retrograde period on January 6th, 2027. While Chiron is retrograde, we reassess our mental and physical health programs or efforts.

The Disseminating Moon phase begins at 225 degrees after the Sun (or 135 degrees behind the Sun). This is a time for sharing or disseminating what we've learned. We are more objective at this time. Appropriate activities during this phase are teaching, demonstrating, and sharing our knowledge. In business, spreading the word, promotion, and publicity are appropriate now.

The First Quarter Moon phase occurs when the Moon is 90 degrees after the Sun.

This is a time of action. We become aware of differences, and this can be a time of stress, clashing, and discord, but also of great energy, motivation, and growth. We may be feeling especially ambitious and competitive. Things are beginning to take off or to turn a corner. This is a time when we want to get something going, but we may not know the next step or the exact direction we want it/us to take. Most suitable activities now include taking action, pushing forward, making offers, researching more options, meeting new people, and gathering new/additional supplies you may need to further a project. Watch for overconfidence or overshooting the mark. Use the stress generated now to make changes.

The Full Moon phase begins when the Moon is at 180 degrees after the Sun.

This is an "eyes wide open" phase when we're made aware of something that has been previously hidden or not fully acknowledged. Something can come to fruition, culmination, or a turning point. Something finishes or ends now. Emotions are strong. Deadlines occur, imbalances are illuminated, and compromises need to be made. Epiphanies occur, feelings blossom. This is a strong time for expressing feelings, putting on a show, making an announcement, publishing, promoting, publicizing, uniting, making agreements, and finding missing links/objects/information/people.

This is an important time for new ideas, although they're very new and raw at this "birthing" stage. There is an awakening happening at this time as we release old patterns and begin anew. Technically, Mercury passes between the Earth and the Sun at its inferior conjunction. It marks the halfway point in Mercury's retrograde cycle.

  Jupiter is retrograde from November 11th, 2025, until March 10th, 2026. It's not unusual for Jupiter to be retrograde--in fact, this planet is retrograde approximately 32% of the time. Jupiter transits Cancer during this retrograde cycle. During the retrograde Jupiter period, we might explore different or unusual perspectives, belief systems, or sets of morals. Temporarily, we may not feel as lucky in an outward sense or optimistic. Our enthusiasm for current projects may wane a little as we slow down and re-examine things. This can naturally help us pace ourselves.

The Last Quarter Moon or Third Quarter Moon phase occurs when the Moon is 270 degrees after the Sun.

This is a time of action, but it's about reviewing, receiving, paying, planning, closing, sorting, storing, and reaping. Most suitable activities now include paying debts, asking for money owed to us, giving rewards, receiving rewards, making evaluations, taking inventory, tying up loose ends, dealing with people and matters from the past, contacting people from the past, dealing with endings, acting with wisdom and maturity, and letting go if necessary. This is an accountable time when following the rules is most appropriate.

When Mars is in its retrograde cycle, we are forced to re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Rather than directly assert our desires, we tend towards introspection. We can be hesitant about taking action, second-guessing our instincts or our natural impulses rather than acting upon them.

  While Mercury is retrograde, it is better to review, reflect, and revise than to begin new projects. There can be communication and transportation breakdowns, but also new insights into old matters.

  Aries is an infertile sign. An Aries Moon is fine for purchases of sharp or metal objects and items that speed things up, but it's better to avoid buying soft items; Hair cuts and styles: not ideal but not bad; Avoid procedures, including surgery, on head, teeth; Marriage: not ideal; Start of a relationship: impatience, self-centeredness but honesty and directness; Diet: better for protein consumption while reducing fat and carbs

  The Moon in Taurus is good for repairs and purchases of soft items, valuables, clothes for durability and longevity, cosmetics, jewelry, luxuries, decorations, and planets. Generally strong for investments. It's strong for love and good for massage, hair cuts with the goal of growth, dyes, creams, weddings, family, and business. It's a fertile sign. Food: salty foods preferable, within reason. Avoid surgery or procedures on neck, throat, thyroid, and teeth.

  A waning Moon occurs from after the Full Moon until the next New Moon, when the Moon is decreasing in light. Plans have culminated and we begin to let go, draw back, and process. It's more appropriate now to let things go than to start anew, with some exceptions.

  A waxing Moon occurs from after the New Moon until the Full Moon, when the Moon is increasing in light. When the Moon is waxing, new endeavors are favored, with some exceptions. This is the time for starting projects that we want to last.

  Neptune is often retrograde--approximately 43% of the time! In 2026, Neptune retrogrades from July 7th to December 12th.

  Pluto is retrograde approximately 45% of the time. In 2026, Pluto is retrograde from May 6th to October 15th in Aquarius.

  In 2026, Saturn is retrograde from July 26 to December 10. Note that Saturn is retrograde approximately 38% of the time. In 2026, Saturn is in Aries during its retrograde cycle. During this period..."slowing down makes sense. Expansion or additions to our existing responsibilities and projects can be stressful now. We need to reduce and simplify. Delays may occur now, but these give us the chance to correct our errors and refine our work."

  Uranus is retrograde approximately 40% of the time! Uranus is retrograde from September 6th, 2025, to February 3rd, 2026. During the retrograde Uranus cycle, we're less overt with our crusades, rebellions, or freedom-seeking. We might get in touch with has prevented us from living more spontaneously and authentically. Later in 2026, Uranus turns retrograde on September 10th, 2026, in the sign of Gemini. It will continue its retrograde until February 8th, 2027.

Usually when the Moon is "void" or "void of course," it's a time for reflection rather than taking new action. Initiatives begun now may not amount to much or they can be slow/hard going. Please note that there are different ways to calculate the void period.