Although a person may be aware of the differences existing within himself, he may not necessarily have as yet the degree of consciousness that is necessary to envision the harmony and celestial order that underlies all of humankind’s diversity. Peace can only come to mankind when each individual understands and accepts that outer diversity is but the illusion of a greater inner unity and can then relate that understanding to his everyday life.
—A.O.
The understanding of the nature and function of planetary cycles is absolutely essential to the comprehension of astrology. Once this tool is mastered, it then becomes a task of pure observation to see how the movements of the heavens are unfolding our earthly destiny. One of the major techniques towards obtaining this awareness is through the progressed horoscope. Of all the progressed planets, the Moon is the fastest and certainly one of the most important of such cycles of the unfolding of life.
The effect of the progressed Moon upon a specific position in the natal horoscope lasts approximately 45 days. As the Moon moves at the rate of one degree a month, its effects last for about four weeks in terms of its application to a particular natal position, and then another two weeks in terms of its effects while separating from that exact position. During that time, we can expect the nature of the particular natal planet to be emphasized in its ability to bring the form and function of its meaning out into one’s life. Thus the progressed Moon in aspect to Venus will emphasize that individual’s orientation to relationships and money while a progressed aspect from the Moon to Saturn, will definitely bring forth discipline, structure and definition to the house position wherein Saturn is placed.
In the companion article this month we examined the house placements of the progressed Moon. In order to further our comprehension of the progressed lunar cycle, it is important for us now to examine the meanings of the aspects that the Moon makes as she cycles through our natal chart during her 360-month progressed orbit.
Progressed Moon to the natal Sun:
The progressed Moon brings form and focus to the potential creativity of the solar force in our chart. Depending on the nature of the actual progressed aspect, this will be a time in which there can be harmony or discord in our primary urge to bring our sense of self out into the world around us. Thus the prog. Moon square or in opposition to the natal Sun, is likely to cause stress in terms of our urge to be the center and the master of our particular universe. Creative urges simply cannot find a “home territory” in which to land safely and frustration or wasted energy is bound to ensue. On the other hand, the sextile or trine from the prog. Moon to the natal Sun reveals a fine opportunity to match substance to function and we can expect it to be much easier to find a proper place in life for what we are seeking to create. The conjunction of the prog. Moon to the natal Sun speaks about “creative impregnation.” There is a strong urge to initiate a focus of self-expression that is very close to home. One seems to be saying, “I want to create an outer expression of who I am, something that is unmistakably a product of my most intimate creative urgings.” As this conjunction can only happen about once every 28 years, it is important for the astrological student to take note of this opportunity when it occurs and make the most out of it.
Progressed Moon to the natal Moon:
This is a period of increased sensitivity and emotional activity. Subconscious and instinctive urges come to the fore of one’s life. It is a very good time to be objective to our subjective life so that we can observe what is taking place at the deepest core inside of oneself. Family issues are likely to be important now as well as any situation involving our physical and/or psychological home. This is also a period in which a person is likely to be rather security oriented. If the natal Moon is in an air sign, this sense of security is likely to involve relationships; if in earth, then security issues are of a much more material nature; if in fire, the questions that come up will involve the focus of one’s personal creative urges; and if in water, the emotional life will be highly stirred up and “forms” will rise up out of the ocean of our dreams and desires. The nature of those relationship situations, financial considerations, creative orientations, or intimate feelings will depend on the nature of the actual progressed aspect. As in all cases, expect an intensification in the specific area of concern if the aspect is a conjunction; struggle if a square or opposition; and fluidity and ease if a sextile or trine.
Progressed Moon to natal Mercury:
This is an opportunity to bring form to one’s thoughts and communicative urges or talents. If the prog. Moon afflicts Mercury through a square or opposition, the individual can expect that he or she will be misunderstdood by the people in one’s environment. The specific house position of the Moon will help to locate where that exact environment may be. Thus the Moon progressing through your 10th house and square your natal Mercury will likely give rise to misunderstandings in your career or professional life. The trine or sextile from the prog. Moon to Mercury brings ease and success in the urge to communicate ideas or feelings. If the Moon is progressing through your 11th house and trine Mercury in your natal 3rd, you can expect some very pleasant communication possibilities between yourself and friends. Such intimates of yours will be open and receptive to your ideas and opinions during the 6 weeks of the Moon’s influence in this position. The conjunction of the prog. Moon to Mercury results in an intense urge to communicate one’s thoughts and sentiments in ways that are usually intimate and highly personal.
Progressed Moon to natal Venus:
The focus on activity will most likely be two-fold: love and money. If the lunar aspect is to natal Venus in an air or water sign, then the emotional life in terms of personal relationships is the more likely situation to manifest. If natal Venus is in earth, then the financial considerations of life and one’s personal values relative to the material content of one’s social position (and bank account!) should predominate. If in fire, the urge is to initiate some creative project that could have to do with either love or money or both! As I have pointed out, one of the Moon’s most important functions in the horoscope is to bring focus and form to whatever it touches. In the case of Venus, this progressed contact will give the urge to create greater emotional intimacy in relationship and/or to bring a more cohesive focus to the need for financial or social growth. The conjunction intensifies this orientation; the square and opposition bring about tension or resistance; and the trine or sextile augur ease and often success.
Progressed Moon to natal Mars: This is not the most relaxing of aspects, nor is it one that will tend to evoke emotional harmony. But this is not its intention. The combination of the progressed Moon and natal Mars leads to the ability to unite feelings with personal drive. At its worst, it can overly emphasize an individual’s sense of personal security so that one tends to act irrationally or rashly in order to protect oneself. This would be true of the square, the opposition, or the conjunction between these two planets. The urge to protect oneself is likely to become exaggerated as is the need is to dominate relationships based one’s own emotional needs regardless of the needs of others. If the sign Libra is prominent, this is likely to cause disruptions in marriage and partnership; if in Leo, then the problem is with lovers or children; if in Virgo, work becomes the area of contention, etc. A sextile or trine between prog. Moon and natal Mars adds to courage and fortitude in the face of any social or personal challenge. Any temporary glitch in one’s life or environment can be helped by the boost of adrenalin that a strong and positive prog. Moon/Mars aspect brings.
Progressed Moon to natal Jupiter:
When positive, this aspect is very fortuitous as the sense of personal security and well being is expanded and uplifted by this contact with Jupiter. As a rule, these aspects (sextile, trine and conjunction) bring a general sense of optimism and “luck” into any situation. If Jupiter is in the natal 2nd house and in an earth sign for example, and is receiving a trine from the prog. Moon in another earth sign, then finances are likely to be greatly aided and enhanced. But keep in mind, the influence of this aspect will last only for 45 days and as such, one should not believe that such a positive windfall will last forever! On the other hand, a square or opposition from the prog. Moon to natal Jupiter can give a sense of false optimism or even bring in an element of deceit. The prog. Moon going through the natal 2nd house and square a 5th house natal Jupiter for example, gives a clear warning: “Do not give or lend money to your children at this time. If you do, consider that the money may be wasted and that the loan will be treated as a gift. This is definitely not a good time for financial speculation of any kind.”
Progressed Moon to natal Saturn:
So much depends in this combination of planetary influences upon the native’s relationship with Saturn. If a person responds well to the “ringed-one” and is open to consolidation of creative direction, a positive way of dealing with life’s responsibilities, and has no problem with an ever increasing focus of definition and clarity of purpose, then this contact of the prog. Moon can be a good one. But should the individual fight the reality of the more practical side of life, revolt against an intensification of duties and obligations especially to family and emotional intimates, then Moon/Saturn will be a very oppressive time indeed. But even if this is the case, you can take heart—the influence of the aspect will pass in 45 days. This innate response to Saturn is in addition to the aspect that the prog. Moon is making. If a person has learned how to cope with the sense of responsibility and having to opt for the real over the ideal, then even a difficult progressed aspect between the Moon and Saturn can leave a person with little cause for lamenting. Progressed Moon and natal Saturn aspects are usually no fun, but they do not have to be tragic.
Progressed Moon to natal Uranus:
This planetary contact can be very exciting as it causes a distinct break from the status quo of life. Wherever Uranus is placed in the horoscope, it brings out a distinct sense of uniqueness and individuality. The Moon brings focus and formation to whatever it touches. Thus a progressed lunar aspect to Uranus will awaken the “Celestial Bohemian” and cause him to act up. Sometimes these actions will lead one to experiment with life in such a way that we uncover new and fascinating things about ourselves. Prog. Moon in the 11th house trine to natal Uranus in the 7th, indicates that during the 6 weeks of its passage, the native will have the opportunity to become socially involved with some very interesting groups of people. These interests may be very different from the norm of that person’s life and the trine indicates that such a variation may prove to be a most positive experience at that. On the other hand, the prog. Moon going through the native’s 4th house in square to natal Uranus in the 1st is bound to create some form of domestic chaos. The individual would tend to find that difficult family situations would come up that would further that individual’s urge to break away and “do his own thing”, tendencies that are quite natural to a person with Uranus in the 1st and exaggerated by the square of the prog. Moon.
Progressed Moon to natal Neptune:
Illumination or illusion—that is the question. Moon/Neptune contacts enhance one’s psychic sensitivity, making one very susceptible to influences of the astral kind. Although the lower astral nature is filled with shadows, ghosts and other illusionary phenomena, the higher astral nature is filled with inspiration, self-sacrifice and the urge to lift oneself up into the life supernal. Neptune/Moon contacts are very much in evidence in the lives of people who are particularly compassionate and who have no problem in making space within themselves for others. Compare this to Saturn/Moon contacts where emotional interchanges with others always have to have some focus of definition or limitation. Neptune is the ocean and thus relatively unlimited. A positive contact (trine or sextile) between the prog. Moon and Neptune, can be very uplifting and result in the type of spiritual epiphany that opens one’s heart to a much deeper understanding of love. The square or opposition can lead to deception, both coming from within a person or from some outside circumstance. The conjunction intensifies one’s psychic nature and depending on the individual life orientation, can be a source of great enlightenment or even greater disillusionment.
Progressed Moon to natal Pluto:
Pluto is the Lord of the Underground. To the Egyptians, he was Osiris, Master of the process of regeneration—he who raises the dead and is himself raised up again and again. The Moon has to do with the instinctual and subconscious aspects of life. When you bring these two planets together, there is always some hidden emotional ghost that reveals itself. This nebulous creature has to die and become reborn into something far more helpful to the individual’s growth. When there is a trine or sextile between the prog. Moon and natal Pluto, what rises out of the depths is a power of healing, restoration and regeneration. A force is released from Pluto that if correctly focused and channeled can be transformed into a power to do a great deal of good. Should this planetary contact be a conjunction, square or an opposition, then what comes out of the underworld is a phantasm that needs to be transformed from a shadow into a light. It must be transmuted from the individual’s instinctive and subconscious world into a more conscious and objective place. The benefit to having one of these three prog. Moon/natal Pluto contacts is that it gives the individual the opportunity to instigate a reorientation of just such a facet of him or herself.
| 
