October Moon Gazing: Best Dates for Planet Downloads

The moon is, among many things, a medium and a messenger. Through a celestial talent known as “translation of light,” Luna can carry news or waves of energy from one planet to another. Similarly, on nights when she’s aligned just so, she can pour messages from these same planets into all receptive crowns here on Earth.

Any time spent gazing at the moon—from 3 to 30 minutes—can bring benefits (greater peace and calm, improved sleep and dreams, increased awareness of intuition). But on nights when she’s “conjunct” another body in our solar system (in the same zodiacal vicinity), the downloads you can receive are even greater. Following are the best October nights for communing with planets through the moon. But first, a few words about moon gazing. For optimum receiving, it helps to put yourself into a gentle moon trance.

How to Conjure a Moon Trance

First find someplace nice with a good view of the moon.  Take a comfortable seat.

1. Draw an imaginary yet protective sphere around you, transforming this space and your body into a portable moon temple.
2. Begin by deepening and slowing your breath. Breathe in for two counts, breathe out for two counts. Continue, keeping your inhales and exhales even, while gradually lengthening them. Breathe in for three and out for three, and so on. Do this until you feel relaxed and settled.
3. Look at the moon. Imagine rays of moonlight are washing over you, then inside of  you, going through your cells. Visualize and feel this happening, your body, filling up with moonlight. Imagination is a skillful way to stimulate awareness of the subtle body. You’ll start to notice the energy exchange that’s already been happening. To increase your capacity to call in moonlight, make sure your feet are well-grounded. Imagine sandbags on top of them. After a while, you might notice two gentle lines of energy, one flowing up, another flowing down.
4. Observe what’s happening inside your head. Maybe your mind has gone silent. Or maybe it’s in a slow flow of thoughts, like gondolas going gently through the waters of your consciousness. Just be present, without expectations. The messages you receive may come now or later. Just enjoy the simple moon trance you’ve created. You might become interested in the nature of your immediate environment, which, like you, is aglow with moon particles.
5. Whenever you feel complete, bend and bring your hands to your feet. Spend some time massaging feet, ankles, calves, and knees. Pat around your abdomen and your rear. Rub chest, neck and shoulders. Shake out your hands. Smile. Notice how refreshed you feel.

October 2: Moon conjunct Sun (Ring of Fire eclipse)

 

Only if you’re in Patagonia or on the southern tips of Chile or Argentina can you technically “moon gaze.” You’ll see the blackened disk of the moon with a ring of fire around her. Everywhere else the eclipse is only partial, and as happens at every new moon, overwhelmed by sunlight, the moon is impossible to see.  Yet this is the one day of the month you can find the moon easily all day long.  It’s simple. She’s right there–moving with the Sun. Just skip the step of actual gazing (you want to protect your eyes from the solar rays). But sense and imagine the moon flowing through you all the same, prompting questions and messages from the Sun. The eclipse energy may lead you to profound self-discoveries, illuminating previously hidden truths.  It might inspire you to think of taking new risks, making significant life changes, a new career, a new city,  initiating or ending a relationship. You might feel an urge to investigate your shadow, release old energy and baggage, after which, you will likely feel rebooted and newly empowered.

 

October 5: Moon conjunct Venus

 

The sight of Venus and the waxing crescent moon has delighted human eyes for millennia. It’s long been a worldwide symbol for hope, fertility, and abundance. Venus is the Evening Star, but she’s still close to the Sun, so there’s just a small window for viewing this wonder. Look to the southwest just after sunset. This pair will slip under the western horizon around 8:00 pm local time, depending on your horizon line. Messages from Venus may bring new questions or realizations about your need for beauty, relationships, your artistic path, or financial matters. This is a seed-planting moon. Your heart is hoping you’ll tune into your deeper desires. Venus might send you a wave of peace and contentment. Love could fill your heart. You might be suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude. Or perhaps you’ve got questions about your creative talents or financial wellbeing. It’s still early in the moon cycle.  Ask for guidance. This moon is for meant for growing harmony and abundance.

 

October 14: Moon conjunct Saturn

 

The Old Wise One rises in the afternoon, with an almost full Gibbous moon.  The pair will be directly overhead around 10:30 pm, the best time for gazing.  Before that, look for them in the south eastern sky.The energy of the Gibbous moon is sometimes impatient or frazzled, but Saturn brings a more serious and contemplative tone, which might be particularly useful during this moon phase. It favors being realistic and solving problems.  Look for messages about respect, authority, perseverance, and accomplishment. You might think about taking on more responsibilities or reevaluating your ambitions and career goals. If Saturn has been testing you, know that he only wants to chisel you into your best. Go for greater maturity. Saturn guidance leads to lasting stability.

 

October 17: Moon opposite Sun

 

Rising at sunset and setting at dawn, it’s a full moon. This is peak illumination time. The moon is also at perigee, her closest reach toward Earth, making this a supermoon. This is  the third–and closest supermoon–in a string of full moons we’ve been enjoying from August through November. This is also the Hunter’s moon. If you’ve been entertaining a burning question in the days before this moon, listen closely. You may receive the answer you’re been seeking, but trumpets won’t announce it. This moon whispers more than shouts. So it’s important to settle your mind.  Sun messages may be about strengthening your ego, which is not always a dirty word. Without it it, we’d be puddles of sensitivity. The Sun will help you increase your magnetism, creativity, courage, shine, and healthy pride.

 

October 20/21: Moon conjunct Jupiter

 

Jupiter and the Disseminating moon will be rising in the east around 9:30 pm. They won’t be overhead until almost 5:00 am, so the best time for viewing depends on whether you’re a midnight owl or a lark (an early riser). Either way, it’s worth your time to visit this celestial pair!   Jupiter is a benevolent giant whispering in your ear, offering wisdom, optimism, and expansion. You may receive insights that will broaden your perspective, expand your luck or spirituality, and enhance your positivity. You might be suddenly inspired to travel, learn, and grow. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a more abundant path.

October 23: Moon conjunct Mars

 

 

Mars rises with the Disseminating moon after midnight, and is overhead just as the Sun is rising. So the best place to find him is in the wee hours of the morning, in the east well before sunrise. A moon date with this warrior can help to ignite your drive and determination. Mars might hand you a sword to cut through the fog of hesitation. Be ready for revelations that push you towards bold actions and decisions. Mars downstreams energy and courage, confidence and passion. No agent of subtlety, Mars will exhort  you to go for challenges and assert your will with the full backing of your heart.

 

Are you a moon lover without a practice?  I’d love to help you deepen your experience of the moon, as I’ve been doing for thousands of moon lovers over the past twenty years. The weeks you spend in my monthly workshop will anchor and inspire you. How much or little you do is up to you–but even small gestures can be life-changing. Enjoy the moon with me for one cycle, three cycles, or a year. You can enroll here.