The Sabian symbol for this Full Moon is: “A newly formed continent is seen, fresh and green within its setting of interminable ocean.” Something new is emerging — new ground to stand on and a fresh perspective. Yet it is surrounded by seemingly endless water, which can represent deep feelings, the unknown, or the infinite Divine (all of which can feel frightening to the ego).

Along with this Full Moon, both Neptune and Chiron turn direct after about 5 months of being retrograde. The retrograde period is a time of inner work — on the spiritual level with Neptune — and with Chiron, involves the healing of deep wounds. As both turn direct, we slowly see ways to integrate what we have been working on and move forward.  

To begin, look around the circle of your chart and find the glyph for Taurus, which looks like: ♉. The chart is divided into 12 sections, called “houses” and 12 signs of the zodiac. However, unless you are using an equal house system, the signs and houses do not correspond exactly with one another, but rather each sign is usually covering part of 2 houses or each house has part of 2 signs within it. And each sign takes up a space of 30 degrees. 

Returning to the example from my last blog, find the beginning of the section showing Taurus (♉) — that is 0º Taurus. There will be lines to count within that section until you get to 30º ♉, which then leads to the next section beginning at 0º ♊ (Gemini), and so forth. You are looking for 0º to 10º of ♉. Look to see in which numbered house (1-12) those degrees of ♉ fall. If you happen to be using a chart that does not number the houses, look for the horizontal line dividing the chart, referred to as the horizon. House 1 is the first section on the left side of the chart, below the horizon line. Then count the sections all the way around the chart. House 12 is the last section on the left side above the horizon line. For the client who asked, those degrees fall within her 11th house — of friends, community, hopes, long-term goals, etc. As Jupiter retrogrades back from 10º to 0º it will pass over her Chiron, the Wounded Healer archetype, at 3º of Taurus (for the second pass on Nov 11, 2011. The first pass when Jupiter was direct was on Jun 22, 2011, and the 3rd pass after Jupiter turns forwards again will be on 2/7/2012). Jupiter’s contact with Chiron may involve some kind of reminder of a primal wound for this woman, but more importantly an opportunity for further healing of and learning about this sensitive place within herself. Though the aspect happens on exact dates, the influence may be felt generally over the course of the several months that Jupiter travels back and forth over her Chiron... 

Jupiter will not be making any other major aspects (Ptolemaic aspects) to other planets in her chart. The way one can tell if important aspects will be made from Jupiter’s retrograde travel from 10º back to 0º Taurus is by looking at the degrees of all the planets in the chart. If any are from 0º-10º Taurus, Jupiter will conjunct them (as in the case above with Jupiter passing over Chiron at 3º of Taurus). If any are from 0º-10º in other signs, specifically ¼ way around the chart on either side from Taurus, in other fixed signs of Aquarius (♒) and Leo (♌) — that planet would be squared by Jupiter. ⅓ way around the chart from Taurus, in the other earth signs of Capricorn (♑) and Virgo (♍) — that planet would be trined. ½ way around the chart from Taurus in the opposite fixed sign of Scorpio (♏) — that planet would be opposed. If you look at an ephemeris (a calendar of the calculated positions of celestial bodies), you can discover exactly when these aspects will occur...