a passionate full moon in aries ❤️‍🔥

and yes, I wrote horoscopes <3

my books are open for the rest of October: use code FULLMOON for 20% off :)
code is valid through end of day on October 20 <3

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Photo by Efe Kurnaz on Unsplash

as I sat down today to write a note for this full moon in Aries, I remembered that the first Solar Eclipse in Aries of this cycle, April 20, 2023, was when I announced I was done writing horoscopes for new and full moons.

most days I really do think that everyone is their own best astrologer and that looking to horoscopes and forecasts for answers can do more harm than good. But when I remember that astrology is music and horoscopes are songs, I feel different about it. I know my horoscopes are an opportunity to make you a little mixtape. I know my weekly forecast pod is like a sunday morning radio show. I have the sun and my ascendant ruler Venus in the sixth house. I really enjoy when I know I’m a comforting part of people’s daily and weekly routines. All of this is “for entertainment purposes only” but who says entertainment doesn’t heal?

This is all to say: despite my previous reservations, I wrote you some horoscopes for this full moon in Aries. I made you a mixtape. read yr own horoscope, read yr friend’s horoscope, read yr lover’s horoscope. and let me know what you love about receiving this newsletter and reading your horoscope in the comments?

but first I have more to say about today’s full moon:

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Today October 17th at 7:26 AM ET, there’s a Full Moon in Aries. Full moons are culminations and with this one, we come tumbling out of eclipse season. This is not a gentle moon. (Have you ever heard anyone describe Aries as gentle?) But it’s a tender moon. A passionate moon. A moving moon. Full moons represent a peak. It’s time to get outside. Before electricity, before we could all play god, villages planned activities around nature’s lamp lighting up the midnight sky. With this lunation, the moon is also at its perigee, or the point closest to the Earth. That’s why it’s a BIG OL’ MOON stunning as she ascends at sunset over the eastern horizon. Dogs howl at this moon. If your skin is crawling with anticipation, you’re not alone.

For many years now (since 2008 to be exact), every full moon in Aries has been corrupted by the presence of Pluto in Capricorn. On November 19, Pluto will move into Aquarius for good and for the next twenty years. But this final Aries full moon square Pluto in Capricorn in any of our lifetimes is dramatic. We’re going out with a bang. 

Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of movement and action and direction. Mars gets us out of bed in the morning. Mars grinds our coffee beans and motivates us to do our little jogs and stretches. Mars isn’t our desires but how we move towards them. Do we attack with a bow and arrow or with a sexy little dance?

Mars right now is in Cancer, the sign of the action planet’s fall, where objectives are met via what some might consider a backwards approach (crabs run sideways). Here there’s a fine line between aggression and protection. There’s no action or connection without an emotional bond here. The line between loved ones and enemies gets blurred as both are held to high standards. (I think Javert from Les Mis has to have Mars in Cancer). Mars is currently forming an opposition to Pluto in Capricorn. This is an aspect of regeneration on a deep cellular level. Mars opposite Pluto will go exact three times between now and April. The opposition forming now will be the final one with Mars in Cancer and Pluto in Capricorn All that has been crumbling for the last 16 years with Pluto in Capricorn gets one final emotional push into the abyss.

Since 2008 Pluto in Capricorn has been a symbol of an empire in decline. In the United States, we are having a Pluto return. Abuses (Pluto) of power (Capricorn) are no longer a surprise. The decay (Pluto) or of our systems and structures (Capricorn) is obvious. Corruption in plain sight. There are so many ways this transit shows up both personally and collectively, but after seeing Francis Ford Coppola’s maniacal passion project Megalopolis last week, all I could think was “this is Pluto in Capricorn.”

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008) / Adam Driver in Megalopolis (2024)

Megalopolis—a film that Coppola has wanted to make for decades, and mostly self funded through selling off large shares of his vineyard (all deep Plutonian extreme vibes)—is a disaster movie from content to concept to presentation. The troll in me kind of loved how ridiculous and self indulgent it was. Aubrey Plaza was an absolute delight. But, at the end of the day, it was just another rich guy making his version of an apocalyptic superhero movie. Story-wise, Megalopolis was dollar store Batman. That got me thinking about how we began Pluto in Capricorn with The Dark Knight (2008) and are ending it with Megalopolis. Christopher Nolan’s career building superhero opus vs. Francis Ford Coppola’s twilight clown show. Heath Ledger’s virtuosic portrayal of the Joker vs. Shia LaBeouf’s disturbing and underdeveloped “performance” of Clodio Pulcher. Back in 2008, there was a reverence, a (literal) HOPE that we could fix the system from within. Now in 2024, it’s clear that the system is a FLOP and it’s time to burn it all down.

It’s also clear that the system has been supporting a lot of bad actors (an intentional double entendre). Accomplishments in the classical sense are a sham. Your milestone checklist is a one way ticket to Megalopolis. It’s no longer valid. But moving toward those familiar goal posts feels good, no matter how embarrassing and cringe. Because it’s what we know. This full moon challenges us to take a brave leap out of mediocrity. What we’re moving toward is a lot messier than any previous pictures of success. Let true inspiration come out of the rubble.

Not only ruled by Mars, this Full Moon in Aries is also deeply tied to Mars’ synodic cycle, or Mars’ ongoing relationship with the Sun. This cycle describes how our life force and actions ebb and flow together. This week the Sun squares off with Mars marking the first quarter phase of the cycle. Think back to November 18, 2023, this is when Mars met the Sun, what astrologers call cazimi. Here intentions were set for how to move forward. Then on July 25, 2024 the Sun made a sextile to Mars and we reached the crescent phase. What was seeded in November became visible in July. The crescent phase is awkward and almost adolescent. It’s where we get to workshop. On October 14, the Sun squared off with Mars and ushered us into the first quarter phase. We’re still in process here, but we’re tasked with making our first big decisions.

There’s deep courage in this Aries Full Moon. Falling in the third decan of Aries, what the Golden Dawn called Completion, and what Austin Coppock calls The Burning Rose. I’ve always associated this part of Aries with the troubadour. Here we find intrepid artists who don’t do it for the accolades but because: what else is there to do but sing? 

This is the place of street poets. Of buskers. Of community theatre. Of live music at the bar.

The place where the heart comes first, even if the heart doesn’t fit a commercial idea of success.

Bold choices are rewarded with this Moon, but it’s also all part of a developing story. If there’s anything to be learned from these spiralic times, it’s that no outcome can be taken for granted. Nothing is ever certain. But still, do it with confidence.

In search of avatars, looking through all of the public figures with the Sun in Aries III, I was struck by Adrien Brody. Upon reading his name, I was transported back to the night of March 23, 2003. I was 14 and watching the 2003 Oscars from my living room couch. Adrien Brody won Best Actor that year for The Pianist. A film with a sickening resonance to our current reality. He was the youngest person ever to win the Oscar for Best Actor. I remember his name being called and his shocked ascent to the stage. I remember him kissing Halle Berry on the lips. I remember thinking that I’d never seen someone give such a raw acceptance speech. It low-key radicalized me.

Watching it back now, it doesn’t feel quite as powerful. Have I become desensitized to everything? Have we all? But it absolutely captures that Aries III unbridled joie de vivre. It also captures the moment in time: three days before this Oscars ceremony, on March 20, 2003, the U.S. launched its invasion of Iraq.

Speaking on the total whirlwind of his sudden career rise and his passionate performance achieving a commercial success, he says:

But, you know, there comes a time in life when everything seems to make sense and this is not one of those times. What I do know, though, is that I've never felt this much love and encouragement from my peers and from people I admire and from complete strangers. And it means a great deal to me. And if it weren't for the insomnia and those sudden panic attacks, this has been an amazing, amazing journey.

…

Then speaking to the political climate:

This is, you know, it fills me with great joy, but I am also filled with a lot of sadness tonight because I'm accepting an award at such a strange time. And, you know, my experiences in making this film made me very aware of the sadness and the dehumanization of people at times of war, and the repercussions of war. And whomever you believe in, if it's God or Allah, may He watch over you. And let's pray for a peaceful and swift resolution. Thank you. 

As I rewatched this, I also thought about how a speech like this would be received today. What would the discourse be? How would each statement be torn apart? Words mean so much in this economy that they end up meaning nothing. Is it even possible to express oneself under constant surveillance?

As I said at the very beginning of this note:

This is a tender moon. A passionate moon. A moving moon. 

Instead of being concerned with saying it the right way, try just saying it from the heart.

@therealadrienbrodythe embrace of change the soul thrives, beyond the physical it survives. Love each other and yourselves.#foryou #goodvibes #adrienbrodyedit #adrienbrody #v

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I know. So what?

Keep smiling.

Keep being you.

I’m gonna do the same.

God bless.

- Adrien Brody, Sun in Aries III, on TikTok in 2024

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Short horoscopes follow for each sign. Read for your rising sign. If you want a second opinion, read for your sun sign (if you’re born during the day) or your moon sign (if you’re born at night). these horoscopes were meant to be found.

Aries

Self expression has caused you so much pain in the past that of course you’ve been hiding from the light. What you have to say now is important, and even if no one listens, putting it out there is healing. What choice can you make this week to protect your energy? How can you wean off giving all that goodness away?

Taurus

It feels so selfish to take time and rest for yourself. But this full moon makes it clear that there’s no choice but to pause, take a deep breath, and scream into the void. Let this be catharsis for you. Get it all out so you don’t have any screams leftover later. Maybe this isn’t about choosing between “me” or “us,” maybe the choice is a compromise that lets you be better together.

Gemini

Community and friendships have grown so rapidly and abundantly for you this year, and this full moon reveals the myriad of characters who are willing to be your audience. Bask in the collective! It took a lot of courage to get everyone here. What decision can you make this week that will protect your energy on the daily? Do this so that you can show up for your friends.

Cancer

Claiming your share of the spotlight has been a pain point for the past several years. Maybe you’ve been ok on stage but having more difficulty coming into your own as a leader. This full moon might feel like a threat: stop hiding your power or else it says. How can you direct your energy toward your passions so that it feels worth being brave?

Leo

This full moon represents a terrifying leap out of your comfort zone. You’re on a mission to expand your mind. Some might think you’re a fool for giving up comfort and familiarity, the usual routines, but you can always return to what you know. Choices you’re making at home and with family this week both release tension and help you feel more confident. Commit to your foundations and fill in the rest later.

Virgo

Today’s full moon likely feels like a moment of grief or loss for you, Virgo. Even if this moon is less about therapy, and more about making a deal or signing a contract, you’re still giving up some of your own power. Such is the bittersweet nature of collaboration. What choice can you make that will both simplify and energize your daily routines? Transformation comes through repetition.

Libra

Close relationships and commitments have come with so much disappointment over the last few years. Sure every lost connection has led to so much healing, but you’re also probably sitting here wondering, When is it my turn to fall in love? Do I even have any more baggage? I’ve learned enough lessons! When you decide to put yourself out there yet again, do it because you love yourself.

Scorpio

This full moon in Aries is going to feel like a major chiropractic adjustment for you, Scorpio. Yes your life has certainly changed a lot from an external POV over the last year (hello grad school, hello new job, hello falling in love, hello moving abroad), but what’s really shifting is your larger goals and the little steps you take toward them everyday. The choices you make this week are meant to get you in better alignment with your authentic self (even if you’re not at the finish line yet).

Sagittarius

Creativity. Romance. Desire. Pleasure. All of these things have felt both abundant and painful over the past several years. You’ve given up a lot of adventure to “settle down” this year, and this full moon may bring up some major FOMO. The decisions you’re making this week should reflect your journey toward inner peace. Avoid getting tangled in someone else’s mess.

Capricorn

If you’re feeling majorly exposed during this full moon in Aries, well, you’re right on time. Home, family, foundations: these things have been both a pain and growing point for you over the past several years. You’re currently feeling both held and abandoned as you nurture fresh roots. The decisions you make this week about who and what is part of your dream world will inform where you eventually settle down.

Aquarius

This full moon in Aries reveals how far the edges of your little world have stretched since this time last year. You’re growing into a new everyday reality, but with that comes the growing pains of putting yourself out there. What was once familiar isn’t so familiar anymore. The choices you make this week inform what you’re becoming in a public sense. You are what you do. So do what you want.

Pisces

There’s a stickiness that comes with truly accepting what something is worth. Is it worth it? A question you’ve had to ask over and over and over again the past several years. The non negotiable in this is YOU. you’re always worth it. The choices you make this week around beliefs, travel, education and your values shouldn’t come at a burdensome cost. What untapped resources are waiting in the wings to support you?