Void-of-Course Moon: Using the Energy in Your Life

What a void-of-course Moon means

By Misty Kuceris

In horary and electional astrology, the Moon is very important. It is the “mover” of events. It represents what emotions and actions can occur throughout the day. When it makes an aspect to a planet that means that something is going to happen.

When the Moon makes a conjunction to a planet, it means that things come together. So, if you’re in a meeting with another person, you usually reach some sort of conclusion.

When the Moon makes a trine to a planet, it can either be good or bad. You may feel good about the meeting, thinking that a conclusion was made. However, after a few hours, you may feel that no real resolution occurred: just an agreement to be nice to each other.

When the Moon makes a sextile to a planet, you see the opportunities that are available to you. Whether or not you utilize those opportunities is up to you. It’s like someone gave you a check. You can either cash that check and get the money or, you can hold on to that check and never see any cash from it.

When the Moon makes a square, there is tension in the air. You don’t know if things can work out. You have some personal hesitations. Those feelings aren’t really coming from the other person, they’re coming from you. But, the positive aspect of this tension is that your awareness is heightened and you may actually be in a better position to get your point across.

When the Moon makes an opposition, things are going to come to an end. There’s tension between you and the other person. Both of you may feel you have too much to lose and can’t afford a compromise. This is a time of separation. Whether or not that separation is a good thing depends on the situation. Sometimes you want to have this tension so you can finally make a decision and be done with it.

A void-of-course Moon creates inertia, that’s why it seems that nothing can come of a void-of-course Moon. There is no aspect occurring that stimulates the need for action. Instead, you either feel tired or out of harmony with your environment. But, there are ways to use that void-of-course Moon.

How to benefit from a void-of-course Moon

If you accept that you may feel out of harmony with the day, perhaps you may want to pull back and just take the day off. Go to a day spa. Take a walk. Meditate on other events. Or, just rest. You may need it because you over did things earlier.

If you sense inertia in your life and you don’t want to do anything, accept it. Don’t try to force things to happen. The more you try and force things, the more you’ll feel frustrated. It’s not worth it.

But, life doesn’t just stop because the Moon is void-of-course. You may not have the luxury of taking off from work or your family obligations. You may need to attend meetings or take your children to special events or various appointments. So, consider the ways that the void-of-course Moon does operate in your favor.

First of all, try to forget some of the old tales about the Moon void-of-course. It’s not totally true that nothing may come of that event. Even some void-of-course time periods can hold a special significance for you. Understanding this may require a more advanced knowledge of astrology, especially your own chart, but it’s worth understanding.

If the Moon makes an aspect to one of your planets, Ascendant, or Midheaven when the Moon goes void-of-course, this may be a karmic time period for you. You may need to take action in order to move forward spiritually. This means that you need to know your chart as well as the degree in which the Moon goes void-of-course for that time period. Usually these karmic time periods are good for making decisions regarding major changes in your life. You don’t want to make those changes at this time. But, you want to prepare for those changes.

If you need to have a meeting during a void-of-course time period and the Ascendant or Midheaven of that void-of-course chart makes an aspect to your own chart, this is another indication of a karmic time period. In many ways, the decision has already been made and you’re just meeting to confirm the outcome. So, suddenly when you think nothing is going to happen, it does.

Even if you don’t have this advanced knowledge of astrology, there are some things to keep in mind when the Moon is void-of-course and you must have meetings or conduct various activities. A void-of-course period is a great time to plant seeds for future outcomes. It’s a wonderful time to pull back and listen to other people. While you may not hear everything another person is saying at this time, it will sink into your subconscious and surface when you need it later.

So, when the Moon is void-of-course, know what sign it’s in and use that energy. Some examples are listed below:

• When the Moon is in Aries, there is often a sense of frustration because things aren’t happening as quickly as you’d like. Decisions during meetings can’t really be made because too many people are busy promoting their point of view and not listening to what others are saying. If you have to have a meeting, let it be one for brainstorming where everyone can introduce their point of view without having the pressure of needing an immediate solution.

•  When the Moon is in Taurus, try and understand financial matters. Look at how you’re spending your money. Think about budgeting things. Meet with others regarding financial matters and budgetary planning. You won’t come to a final decision but you’ll be able to get other people’s point of view.

•  When the Moon is in Gemini, try to get as much information as possible from other sources. Let this be a period of fact finding. Don’t get into arguments with other people. Rather listen to their point of view without debate. Later you’ll be able to make some important decisions because you’re gathered facts.

•  When the Moon is in Cancer, try and spend time with family and friends. Do be careful in the work environment, however. People may try to get you to nurture them when what they need is either discipline or cold, hard facts. Also, you may suddenly become aware of how much people in your work environment remind you of family members and conflicts. In the long run this could help your relationships at work. You may be reacting to these acquaintances as family members when in actuality there are strangers to you.

•  When the Moon is in Leo you really need to understand that you want to be appreciated. This can be a great time to determine which individuals, either personal or professional, are willing to provide you with support. It’s also a great time to let other people know how much you appreciate them. You’ll find rewards coming from letting other people know they are doing well.

•  When the Moon is in Virgo, focus on the little things in life. You may not feel like maintaining your typical routine. You may find it boring. Or, you may be frustrated by it. That’s a good thing. The real purpose for having a routine in life is to be more efficient and work less. It’s not about being bored. If you are bored, consider what needs to be changed so that you can move on with your life.

•  When the Moon is in Libra, relationships can be very frustrating. You may feel like other people aren’t treating you with respect or as a peer. This is a wonderful time to find out if other people are so stuck with their agendas that they aren’t willing to compromise in order to find a solution. If that’s the case, you can make some decisions later about various situations that involve them.

•  When the Moon is in Scorpio, you may find that it’s time to keep silent about certain matters. You’ll definitely find it more difficult to get information out of other people. They may be trying to use information as a manipulative tool. Or, they may not have all the information that you need. Either way, you’ll know that you have to get facts from different sources.

•  When the Moon is in Sagittarius you really need to reflect on some of your long-term goals. In any meetings where long-term goals are to be discussed, you’ll find that people are just moving in all sorts of directions and nothing seems to be coming together. But, that’s all right. What you’re really getting is a wide array of possibilities. Later you’ll be able to think back on those possibilities and return with a more focused approach.

•  When the Moon is in Capricorn, you need to think about goals. But again the goals may seem difficult to achieve. Why? You’re creating so many goals that you feel overwhelmed. Back down a bit. List the goals and start prioritizing them. Realize that you can’t achieve them all. In a few days you’ll know which, if any, of the goals are worth striving for.

•  When the Moon is in Aquarius you may want to focus on your friends and social connections. In some cases, you’ll wonder what you ever had in common with some of these people. In other instances, you’ll understand why you value some of these relationships. After a while, you may feel that you need to let go of some of your social obligations. If you do, it’ll be because those obligations no longer are of value to you.

•  When the Moon is in Pisces you may feel listless and tired. Either you’ve been overdoing things in your life or you’re agreed to too many external obligations. This can be one of the most difficult void-of-course Moon signs for any meetings. There’s no focus. People aren’t listening to one another. This is really a time period for reflection not interaction.

Enjoy the void-of-course time period

There are many benefits when the Moon is void-of-course. True, you really don’t want to start a new enterprise or project at this time. But, you can use this energy to plan as well as understand what it takes to have success when you do start the new project.

Void of Course Moon

Unexpected Results are Expected

http://www.turntothestars.com/void-of-course-moon.htm

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Void-of-course motion

Void-of-course motion is when the Moon reaches near the end degrees of the zodiac sign that it has been traveling through. From the time it makes its last aspect or energy connection with another planet is when the void-of-course motion begins. This period of time today is when you may feel confused or not sure of what direction to go. This void-of-course period can create unexpected results. You may experience delays and frustrations. During this period of time it is best to avoid making decisions. It will be much easier to just go with the flow of what is around you. If you can avoid shopping, signing contracts or making important decisions during this time, you will avoid difficulties later on. You will save yourself wasted time, money and effort by paying attention to the do's and don'ts of this period of time. Try looking at the list below and experiment for yourself. You will discover that this time period is best for subjective, non-materialistic avenues of involvement and you may feel much more at ease after having this time to ponder and reflect on important decisions that you may need to make.

Recommended Moon Void-Of- Course Do's
1. read
2. meditate
3. exercise
4. organize, file & clean (don't throw anything away, as that would involve a decision)
5. watch a movie
6. take a nap
7. routine chores and duties

Recommended Moon Void-Of- Course Don'ts (stay away from starting anything that you want to get a result from such as )
1. medical/health appointments
2. making a large purchase
3. a sales meeting or a job interview
4. a first date or getting married
5. repairs to automobiles or appliances
6. signing a contract
6. traveling, if you have to..it might help to have the mind set that there is the possibility of lost luggage, detours, delays in schedules

The actual meaning of "Void- Of- Course" is "nothing will come of it." It really is a "time- out" period. Try it!

A very good way to describe the Moon void of course is that the Moon is on a "break". As the Moon does rule daily routine, if you pay close attention to this period of time you may notice how the flow of the energy shifts and changes as the Moon moves from one zodiac sign to another. People have described the shift from one zodiac sign to another as feeling like an actual shifting of gears. Much like a car, there is a period of time when the gears must move through neutral in the transition. This is very similar to what the Moon does. She has a "special time" in which she takes a nap or a lunch break before she moves on to her next job. You could also say that this is her time of nourishment or revitalizing.

Here is something you might find interesting: "If you have to date someone and don't really want anything to come of it, start the date while the Moon is void of course. And if you break up from a personal relationship on a void of course Moon, you will probably get back together very soon. So, if you want something that you are doing to have a solid and stable outcome do not start it when the Moon is void of course. If you want to meditate or expand your mind or want to play, rest or relax, well then the void Moon is the best time for this.

There is the tendency to get "lost" during a void of course Moon. The energy is not as grounded and centered. If you are a person who is normally not as grounded and spacey, you may easily loose track of time and space.

If you pay close attention to Moon void of course times, you can be much more effective in your life. But remember, the things that you want to matter should be done when the Moon is NOT void of course. Relaxation and fun can be maximized when the Moon is void of course. Just remember these rules for planning and you may be able to avoid difficult outcomes. 

Understanding the Void-of-Course Moon

by Jenni Stone

The Moon makes a complete circle through the twelve signs every 28.5 days and spends approximately 2.5 days in each sign.

Some Moon signs are felt more acutely than others: In the sign of Aries, for instance, the energy is physical and sometimes angry, a dynamic force that can be used to tackle tasks and start projects; the Moon in Taurus is a more laid-back and sensual urge to enjoy fine dining and good music. As the Moon arrives in the sign of Gemini, the telephone starts ringing and the messages begin to pour in. There are, of course, other influences at work in the solar system, but the Moon is always playing "background music" that keeps us connected to the Earth and the stars.

There is a time, however, when this connection is interrupted and we "float" between signs. This is the time we call the void-of-course Moon. It starts after the Moon has made its last major aspect (1) to the Sun or planets and is still within the sign, and the Moon is considered void of course until it enters the next sign.

The Moon goes void of course every two days or so, and this can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Sometimes, the Moon is void of course for two consecutive days; in August 2002, it lasted for almost three days when the Moon failed to make any aspects while in the sign of Cancer.

There is a distinctive quality to the energy during a void-of-course Moon: Stores and restaurants are unusually quiet, judgment is impaired, and many people have a hard time making decisions. Business meetings can take a strange turn, and people find it difficult to work together as a group.

Few astrology books mention this phenomenon, and there seems to be a lack of published information in this area. In an article about interpreting the void-of-course Moon in natal charts, Robert Hand quotes Julius Firmicus Maternus, a 4th-century Roman astrologer. "If however the Moon is so positioned that she is carried toward nothing, nor is she joining herself to any star by a proper ray, and no benevolent star occupies the angles, it will make degraded paupers, and those who are destitute of all things that are necessary, and those for whom the things which are an aid to daily living are denied, and those who always require the support of strangers in order to sustain life." (2)

These grim consequences appear to have been combined with the horary interpretation of a chart with a void-of-course Moon, which says that "nothing will come of this." The conclusion is that action is unproductive during this time. Llewellyn’s astrological calendar says that people are "fuzzy – or vague – scattered even" and that "action initiated during this time is often wasted, irrelevant, or incorrect."

However, this is not always so. Over the past two years, I have conducted research (3) with a group of friends who know nothing of astrology beyond their Sun-sign column in the local newspaper and are therefore not interested in either confirming or denying our current pet astrological theories.

This is what we found, plus some suggested ways to plan ahead and use the void-of-course Moon in positive ways.

1. Routine goes well, but take care when starting new projects.

2. Organize and throw out the clutter: This is an opportunity to get rid of the piles of papers and junk that have been accumulating. Files may be reorganized, desks and closets cleaned out; it is easy during a void-of-course Moon to see what is needed and what should be discarded. With blockages cleared, the natural flow of harmony and balance is restored. When the Moon enters into the next sign, there is a noticeable "sweetness" to the space that is created.

3. Spiritual disciplines like yoga or meditation take on a new dimension. Problems can be put on hold, and a state of inner peace is possible at these times. A luxurious timelessness pervades the senses. Music can be felt more deeply, and nuances of emotions are distinct.

4. Edit and correct: Writers use this time to revise their work. New ways of expressing ideas can be found during this time.

5. Take stock of your surroundings: Shortages, mistakes, and missing items are more noticeable during the void.

6. Sleep: Lazy morning and afternoon naps are especially tranquil when the Moon is void of course, and the line between sleeping and waking is deliciously blurred. Lucid dreaming can be encouraged by instructing the mind to find answers through dreams.

7. Relax and "hang loose": Take time off to restore and replenish your internal batteries.

8. Look ahead and be prepared: This can be a most productive time for making "to do" lists and reviewing the status of projects. It is easy to see what needs to be brought up to date during the void-of-course Moon. Much can be accomplished, and a profound sense of clarity and satisfaction is often experienced.

9. Social events with friends can be giddy and intoxicatingly fun. Throw an impromptu party or a potluck dinner. Then add an element of surprise with games like charades or Scrabble where you make up the words and the rules. Do not serve food that takes too much preparation: Pick up some Kentucky Fried Chicken, and ask guests to bring cookies or a pint of their favorite ice cream for a taste test.

10. Travel: The void-of-course Moon can be a good time to take a trip, if someone else is doing the driving. A journey by air, train, boat, or bus can be relaxing, and the time will pass easily. This is because the trip is routine to the bus driver or pilot and airline attendants.
During the three-day void in August 2002, I traveled via Virgin Atlantic to England. The plane was only half full, and the trip was trouble-free. The only challenge was the car ride to the airport. My driver did not speak English, and I didn’t happen to speak his native language (Russian).

11. Try something you’ve never done before. It’s not sensible to try rock climbing for the first time or to make a demo tape to launch your singing career, but it can be liberating to try a new activity when the Moon is void of course. A pioneering attitude in artistic pursuits brings results that range from groundbreaking to bizarre; intellectual and philosophical brainstorming can yield innovative ideas.

12. The inner voice can be heard keenly now: Intuition is strong during this time. Inner reflection can be more profound, and inner conflicts can be resolved.

What not to do during this time.

1. Do not start important or life-changing projects during the void-of-course Moon: The outcome will not be what you want or expect. We all have undertakings that remain unfinished; this is just one of the causes. In Africa, I understand there is a tribe that buries women with all of their unfinished projects – and they would have to dig a mighty big hole for my grave.

2. Try to avoid meeting new people: A first date or job interview should not be scheduled during the void. People you first meet while the Moon is void of course will not be who they appear to be; you tend to see them through rose-colored glasses, and this kind of euphoria doesn’t last. Disappointment and frustration result when they (or you) don’t live up to the image.

I have personally tested this tenet many times. My own rule is this: If the other person suggests a time that is void for a first meeting, I will counter with a time of my choice, but if this person insists, then I will go ahead – while staying alert for setbacks and hindrances to a long-term relationship.

One man (a prospective boyfriend) insisted on meeting for lunch when the Moon was void of course. He told me of his foot and shoe fetish, and I assumed that would be the extent of his weirdness. But on the third date, I learned that he was a "recovering" alcoholic. This became obvious when he soaked up three double scotches and peed on the floor.

I have noticed that relationships started when the Moon is void of course usually end with telephones being slammed down.

3. Do not start a new job when the Moon is void of course. My friend Rebecca called to tell me that she had no choice but to start her civil service position on a day when the Moon was void of course all day.

"What will happen?" she questioned. "I can’t put it off, but I feel superstitious."

I told her that her job would either turn out to be something other than what she expected, or she would leave in an unforeseen way. She called a couple of months later to say that she’d be leaving her job before the year was out because, after three years of trying, she was finally pregnant!

For the sake of research, I asked: "Were you pregnant when you started the job?"

"No," she said.

(This is not suggested as a means of getting pregnant!)

4. Plans made during the void-of-course Moon do not turn out as expected: This can be used in a constructive way. Say, for example, that there is a luncheon you don’t want to attend, a relative you don’t want to meet, or an astrology reading you don’t want to give. By making plans during a void-of-course Moon, it is sometimes possible to steer clear of these events.

The only times this doesn’t seem to work are during Mercury or Venus retrograde. Plans made during Mercury retrograde usually have to be revised anyway, and since Venus retrograde is a test of ethics and integrity, the truth is likely to be exposed and the outcome will not be to your advantage.

5. Items bought during a void Moon do not fulfill their intended purpose. For more than 20 years, since first learning this rule, I’ve avoided purchasing high-ticket items during this time. However, on one occasion when I needed a watch, I knew that the Moon was void of course, but I decided to make the purchase anyway. It was a $10 watch and, I told myself, what the hell if it fell apart after a couple of months? That cheap watch, however, kept perfect time for seven years! The band was replaced three times. Only when I dropped the watch and the glass cracked did I decide to throw it – still ticking – in the garbage.

The void is a perfect time to go to the dollar store. Sometimes, the bargain-basement item proves indispensable, and the inexpensive gift intended for someone else is something you’ll want to keep and treasure forever.

Knowledge Is Power

Knowing ahead of time is empowerment. In a perfect world, we would all embrace the natural rhythm of the Moon and stars – and we’d instinctively know the right moment for action – but in the real world, business meetings are scheduled in advance, and jobs have to be completed by a deadline.

However, friends who were involved in my research over the past two years reported success by starting projects when the energy is there to move forward easily and by using the void-of-course Moon productively – to organize, plan, or just relax.

Some friends found considerable business and financial success, while still taking time off to spend with family and friends. Others felt spiritually satisfied, and all seemed to achieve better balance by living in harmony with the energy of the cosmos.

"Knowing ahead helps people to focus," said my friend David, "not on business, but on the business of life. Being successful takes talent, tenacity, and drive, but good timing can make a significant impact and broadens the net. Busy people … hard-driving and successful people want to see things through to the end, and they think that this is the most productive way to get the job done. But knowing ahead and taking time off during the ‘void’ helps me to take a step back and then to finish the project at a time of my own choosing."

References and Notes

1. The major aspects are the conjunction, trine, square, opposition, and sextile.

2. Robert Hand, "Ancient Astrology and the Void-of-Course Moon," in The Mountain Astrologer, Oct./Nov. 1997, p. 42.

3. These two years of research helped me put together a Web site with a calendar that clearly shows, by using a gray shaded area, when the Moon is void of course. Check out the free forecasts at: www.Practical-Astrology.com

© 2003 Jenni Stone — all rights reserved

Jenni Stone has studied, researched, and written about astrology for more than 20 years. She has a Web site (www.Practical-Astrology.com) that shows void-of-course Moon times and Power Days, with advice about how to use these, and other astrological events, in positive ways. Readers can contact the author via e-mail atJenniSD914@aol.com; any comments, success stories, research results, or suggestions are welcome.