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Miracles — Let us discover what is happening in the heavens so that we might be fully rooted here in this gorgeous earth.
In this post we will go through the various phases of the moon, briefly look at what each of the planets will be up to in 2018, and of course I will give you pertinent retrograde dates and eclipse dates as well.
As always for every single point I will give you at least one question to consider. Why?
Because although the popular way of teaching astrology (and most other things) is by telling you dear reader what I think they mean, I have found that a much better way of approaching anything in the sacred arts is to give you the tools to think about it, feel into it, and figure it out for yourself.
Questions, the right questions, can help you do just that. I teach magic, tarot and astrology in this manner and from the reports I have received and my own experience I know that it works.
So get those pens and notebooks ready!
Or better yet, hop over here and purchase the 2018 Sacred Arts Book of Hours – it contains ALL of the essential astro dates, gorgeous art by Cassandra, and beautiful lines for you to write your notes in. If you are looking for a planner and calendar to keep your Sacred Arts mojo straight then this is IT! Best part? It is $24 – for real.
And now, the dance of planets:
The Many Faces of the Moon
La Luna is the most visible and easily trackable celestial body in the sky besides the sun. And so it makes complete sense that the earliest calendars were lunar to say nothing of the many ceremonies, rites, and feast days that honored Luna in her various phases.
Within the sacred arts there are four lunar phases to pay especial attention to: First Quarter, Full, Balsamic and/or Dark, and New.
New Moons are the best time to start any project or breathe new energy into any situation or area of your life. At this point the Moon is at the very beginning of her next 28 day phase – luna is starting fresh and so can we.
First Quarter Moons are best for looking at relationships and bringing harmony, balance, and intuitive insight to any given situation. Traditionally this phase of the moon was considered the best time to divine and the very famous Oracle at Delphi only gave out her divinations during this phase of the moon.
Full Moons illuminate the land and the sky, allowing us to “see in the dark” and making this the best time to look at and uncover the aspects of a situation that usually remain in the shadows; revelations occur during Full Moons.
Balsamic or Dark Moons are traditionally times to rest, fast, dream deeply, and banish anything that is no longer relevant and/or of use to you.
It is important to note that everyone has a very different relationship with the phases of the moon. While the above descriptions are tried and true in my life and the lives of many of my students and clients, I also know a hefty number of folks who feel (for instance) very depleted energetically during new moons and much more alive and full of energy during the Balsamic phase. Use the information as a springboard but then pay attention to your own experiences.
Below are the lunar phases for 2018 in central time. If you need help with timezone conversation go here.
And, if you want a specialized report on how each of these moons will affect you and play out in your personal natal chart and star-scape, you might want to check out my latest Astro RX Special Report: I See the Moon.
January 2018 – Blue Moon Month!
1/1: Full Moon at 11 degrees Cancer, 8:24 PM
Ask: What are my dreams telling me?
1/8: Waning Quarter Moon at 18 degrees Libra, 4:25 PM
Ask: Where do I need to return balance?
1/16: New Moon at 26 degrees Capricorn, 8:17 PM
Ask: What mastery am I ready to begin?
1/24: Waxing Quarter at 4 degrees Taurus, 4:20 PM
Ask: What does right relationship to ease and abundance look and feel like?
1/31: Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse at 11 degrees, Leo 7:27 AM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to expressing my feelings and how can I reverse it today?
February
2/7: Waning Quarter at 18 degrees Scorpio, 9:54 AM
Ask: What stories about my wounds no longer serve me?
2/15: New Moon + Partial Solar Eclipse at 27 degrees Aquarius, 3:05 PM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to broadcasting my message and how can I reverse it today?
2/23: Waxing Quarter at 4 degrees Gemini, 2:09 AM
Ask: What does right relationship to ideas and learning look and feel like?
March – Blue Moon Month!
3/1: Full Moon at 11 degrees Virgo, 6:51 PM
Ask: Where am I sovereign?
3/9: Waning Quarter at 18 degrees Sagittarius, 5:20 AM
Ask: What chains need to be broken?
3/17: New Moon at 26 degrees Pisces, 8:12 AM
Ask: What new Sacred Arts practice am I ready to implement?
3/24: Waxing Quarter at 3 degrees Cancer, 10:35 AM
Ask: What does right relationship to nourishment look and feel like?
3/31: Full Moon at 10 degrees Libra, 7:37 AM
Ask: What marriages and partnerships need to be celebrated at this time?
April
4/8: Waning Quarter Moon at 18 degrees Capricorn, 2:18 AM
Ask: What can I stop pretending to be/do?
4/15: New Moon at 26 degrees Aries, 8:57 PM – Mercury Rx ends
Ask: What am I ready to risk?
4/22: Waxing Quarter at 2 degrees Leo, 4:46 PM – Pluto Rx begins
Ask: What does right relationship to luxury look and feel like?
4/29: Full Moon at 9 degrees Scorpio, 7:58 PM
Ask: What relationships with the Unseen World need to be honored?
May
5/7: Waning Quarter Moon at 17 degrees Aquarius, 9:09 PM
Ask: What connections are no longer relevant?
5/15: New Moon at 24 degrees Taurus, 6:48 AM
Ask: What is one thing that I can do that helps me feel really good?
5/21: Waxing Quarter at 1 degree Virgo, 10:49 PM
Ask: What does right relationship to devotion look and feel like?
5/29: Full Moon at 8 degrees Sagittarius, 9:20 AM
Ask: What is my aim?
June
6/6: Waning Quarter Moon at 16 degrees Pisces, 1:32 PM
Ask: What addictive thoughts, behaviors, and/or attitudes do I need to banish?
6/13: New Moon at 22 degrees Gemini, 2:43 PM
Ask: What am I ready to learn?
6/20: Waxing Quarter at 29 degrees Virgo, 5:51 AM
Ask: What does right relationship to cleanliness and order look and feel like?
6/27: Full Moon at 6 degrees Capricorn, 11:53 PM
Ask: What award do I wish to give to myself?
July
7/6: Waning Quarter Moon at 14 degrees Aries, 2:51 AM
Ask: Where do I need to be less impatient?
7/12: New Moon + Partial Solar Eclipse at 20 degrees Cancer, 9:48 PM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to home and tribe and how can I reverse it today?
7/19: Waxing Quarter at 27 degrees Libra, 2:52 PM
Ask: Where is it easy for me to have right relationships and where is it harder?
7/27: Full Moon + Total Lunar Eclipse at 4 degrees Aquarius, 3:20 PM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to creating and/or participating in community and how can I reverse it today?
August
8/4: Waning Quarter Moon at 12 degrees Taurus, 1:18 PM
Ask: Where do I need to banish laziness or sloth?
8/11: New Moon + Partial Solar Eclipse at 18 degrees Leo, 4:58 AM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief around being seen and beloved that I no longer wish to be influenced by and how can I reversed it today?
8/18: Waxing Quarter at 25 degrees Scorpio, 2:49 AM
Ask: What does right relationship to mystery look and feel like?
8/26: Full Moon at 3 degrees Pisces, 6:56 AM
Ask: What dream am I ready to celebrate?
September
9/2: Waning Quarter Moon at XX degrees Gemini, 9:37 PM
Ask: Where do I need to be less scattered and unfocused?
9/9: New Moon at 17 degrees Virgo, 1:01 PM
Ask: What do I want to plan for?
9/16: Waxing Quarter at 24 degrees Sagittarius, 6:15 PM
Ask: What does right relationship with religion/spirituality look and feel like?
9/24: Full Moon at 2 degrees Aries, 9:52 PM
Ask: What rewards have emerged from my risks?
October
10/2: Waning Quarter Moon at 9 degrees Cancer, 4:45 AM
Ask: Where do I need harmony and balance?
10/8: New Moon 15 degrees Libra, 7:47 PM
Ask: What new relationship am I ready to form?
10/16: Waxing First Quarter at 23 degrees Capricorn, 1:02 PM
Ask: Where am I ready to build mastery and expertise?
10/24: Full Moon at 1 degree Taurus, 11:45 AM
Ask: What pleasure am I ready to indulge in?
10/31: Waning Quarter Moon at 8 degrees Leo, 11:40am
Ask: What does false pride keep me from doing?
November
11/7: New Moon at 15 degrees Scorpio, 10:02 AM
Ask: What shadow am I ready to explore?
11/15: Waxing Quarter at 23 degrees Aquarius, 8:54 AM
Ask: What does right relationship with my community look and feel like?
11/22: Full Moon at 0 degrees Gemini, 11:39 PM
Ask: What friendships do I want to celebrate and honor?
11/29: Waning Quarter Moon at 7 degrees Virgo, 6:19 PM
Ask: Where in my life has the perfect become the enemy of the good?
December
12/7: New Moon at 15 degrees Sagittarius, 1:20 AM
Ask: What am I ready to set free?
12/15: Waxing Quarter at 23 degrees Pisces, 5:49 AM
Ask: What does right relationship with my intuition look and feel like?
12/22: Full Moon at 0 degrees Cancer, 11:49 AM
Ask: What hungers have I successfully sated?
12/29: Waning Quarter Moon at 7 degrees Libra, 3:34 AM
Ask: Where do I need to banish dependency?
Sun
The sun moves through the zodiacal belt just as the moon does. Your astrological sign is determined by the Sun’s position at the time of your birth. As everyone has ALL of the zodiac signs in their own charts, it is very useful for you to know when the sun moves into a new sign.
1/19: Sun enters Aquarius 9:09 PM
Ask: What am I ready to share with my community?
2/18: Sun enters Pisces 11:18 PM
Ask: What dream am I ready to hold?
3/20: Sun enters Aries (Spring Equinox) 11:15 AM
Ask: What fire am I ready to light?
4/19: Sun enters Taurus 10:13 PM
Ask: What pleasures am I ready to entertain?
5/20: Sun enters Gemini 9:15 PM
Ask: What connections am I ready to make?
6/21: Sun enters Cancer (Summer Solstice) 5:07 AM
Ask: What home am I ready to build?
7/22: Sun enters Leo 4:00 PM
Ask: What creative work am I ready to express?
8/22: Sun enters Virgo 8:09 PM
Ask: What vision of health am I ready to commit to?
9/22: Sun enters Libra (Fall Equinox) 8:54 PM
Ask: What partnership am I ready to nourish?
10/23: Sun enters Scorpio 6:22 AM
Ask: What depths am I ready to ponder?
11/22: Sun enters Sagittarius 3:02 AM
Ask: What freedom am I ready to cultivate?
12/21: Sun enters Capricorn 4:23 PM
Ask: What work am I ready to take on?
Lunar and Solar Eclipses in 2018
There are five eclipses in 2018. You can learn more about eclipses and how to work with them here. In short, I have found that eclipses are very useful for breaking long-held patterns of thought, behavior, attitude, and action that no longer serve. Many astrologers talk about eclipses in negative terms but don’t let that keep you from noting eclipse times and trying your hand at working with them in an intentional manner.
1/31: Total Lunar Eclipse at 11 degrees Leo at 7:27am
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to expressing my feelings and how can I reverse it today?
2/15: Partial Solar Eclipse at 27 degrees Aquarius at 3:05 PM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to broadcasting my message and how can I reverse it today?
7/12: Partial Solar Eclipse at 20 degrees Cancer at 9:48 PM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to home and tribe and how can I reverse it today?
7/27: Total Lunar Eclipse at 4 degrees Aquarius at 3:20 PM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief I no longer wish to follow when it comes to creating and/or participating in community and how can I reverse it today?
8/11: Partial Solar Eclipse at 18 degrees Leo at 4:58 AM
Ask: What is one pattern, attitude, and/or belief around being seen and beloved that I no longer wish to be influenced by and how can I reversed it today?
Planets
Just like the stars, planets move throughout the sky all of the time. The inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars) all move relatively quickly through signs and sections of the chart. The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) all move at a much slower rate through the various constellations and houses of the chart.
Inner planets traditionally are understood to deal with every day, practical, real-life issues while outer planets are understood to work with big cycles, realizations, and patterns in our lives. First we will spend some time with some of the inner planet happenings in 2017, starting with the ever dreaded Mercury retrogrades.
Mercury Retrogrades for 2018
Every planet has retrograde periods but most people are only familiar with Mercury in Retrograde – mostly because many astrologers and non-astrologers alike make this period out to be terrible, full of bad luck, and extremely frustrating. It can be, but I prefer to practice with Mercury retrograde instead of in resistance to it.
You can learn more about Mercury retrograde in my Mercury rx archives here and check out this article to start to get a sense of how you might deepen your retrograde experience. If you are what I call Mercury-sensitive you will want to make a note of the things to do BEFORE Mercury goes retrograde and join up with the Mercury RX Survival Kit.
Here are the dates for the 2018 Mercury Retrogrades:
March 22, 2018 – April 15, 2018: Retrograde starts at 7:19pm in Aries, ending on 4/15 at 4:21am.
Ask: What risks need to be re-assessed? What is my current relationship to health and fitness?
How many projects have I started without finishing and can I finish them or remove them completely?
July 26, 2018 – August 18, 2018: Retrograde starts at 12:02am in Leo, ending on 8/18 at 11:25pm.
Ask: Where are things too high-maintenance? What is my current relationship to voice and expression? Where do I need a performance evaluation?
November 16, 2018 – December 6, 2018: Retrograde starts at 7:33pm in Sagittarius and moves into Scorpio on 12/1, ending on 12/6 at 6:29am.
Ask: Where have I become too rigid in my personal philosophy and/or spiritual outlook? What relationships to Mystery and the Unseen need to be tended at this time?
Mercury, Venus, and Mars
These three inner planets move through the sky and around the zodiac relatively quickly. In 2016 we saw Mars spend an inordinate amount of time in Scorpio and Sagittarius, due to a lengthy Mars retrograde.
We have already gone over the Mercury retrograde dates so now we have to turn our attention to another long retrograde period we will experience in 2018 – Venus retrograde. Here is the info on that:
October 5, 2018 – November 16, 2018: Retrograde starts at 2:04pm in Scorpio, moving into Libra on 10/31, ending on 11/16 at 4:51am.
Ask: What is the role that love plays in my life? What do I love? Who do I love? Where can I love more and can I accept love from others? What has sex taught me about love and what has love taught me about sex?
Then we have the fiery planet Mars who also retrogrades this year:
June 26, 2018 – August 27, 2018: Retrograde starts at 6:26pm in Aquarius, moving into Capricorn on 8/12, ending on 8/27 at 9:05am.
Ask: Where have I allowed my passion and my convictions to get in the way of accomplishing my goals? Where has anger taken me off message and off point? Where have I become too indolent and lazy? What would happen if I applied more discipline to the areas of work and community?
Jupiter in Scorpio + Sagittarius
For most of 2018 Jupiter is in the sign of Scorpio and then in November it will move into its home turf of Sagittarius. Jupiter in Scorpio encourages us to find treasure in the hidden, dark, mysterious places of our psychic soul soils. The planet in this sign is great for all Sacred Arts endeavors, magic-making, deepening of intimacy and relationships, and amazing sex. This is also a great time to do estate planning, financial investments, and deal with any legal issues that might crop up.
October 10, 2017 – November 8, 2018: Jupiter is in the sign of Scorpio.
Ask: Where do I find treasure in the Unseen? What do my dreams and intuitions tell me about real prosperity? What spiritual beliefs and practices support my sovereignty? What are the blessings pouring out from my broken places? What has been my curse and what will be the cure?
During its course through Scorpio, Jupiter will trine with Neptune (in Pisces) three times over the next year. The first trine is in December, the second in April, and the final trine in September. Remember that the aspect of trine is astro-speak for “open for business” and Jupiter and Neptune are two kingly rulers – one’s domain is the good, green, earth, and the other’s is the depths of ocean and sea. This entire relationship is governed by the element of Water so Scorpios and Pisces or those with Scorpio and/or Pisces prevalent in their chart should expect an especially auspicious year.
There is a Jupiter Retrograde in 2018 as well.
March 8, 2018 – July 10, 2018 Retrograde starts at 10:45pm in Scorpio and ends on 7/10 at 12:02pm.
Ask: Where am I too invested in a relationship, partnership, or romantic experience? Where do I need to exercise more self-control? Where have I let past decisions determine too much of my present and future experiences?
Jupiter moves into the sign of Sagittarius. Jupiter loves to be in Sagittarius. During this period expect your sense of self to radically expand as new options and possibilities present themselves. With this alignment there is a sense of freedom and possibility that is pretty spectacular. Travel, higher education and learning, and the development of your own personal philosophy are energized at this time.
November 8, 2018 – December 2, 2019: Jupiter moves into its happy place with the celestial Archer.
Ask: What makes me feel free? Where do freedom and abundance show up in my life? How do they relate to each other? What uncharted territory am I ready to explore?
Saturn in Capricorn
For all of 2018 Saturn continues a long and slow transit through its favored sign of Capricorn. Saturn moves into Cappy on December 19, 2017 and will be in Capricorn for about 2.5 years. If you have been paying attention you know that Pluto is also in Capricorn throughout 2018. Either planet by itself packs an incredible punch but both of them together is something fierce.
Globally we should continue to see a shaking of the foundations of some of the most apparently timeless institutions as well as an infusion of discipline, conservatism, and possible asceticism too.
Personally this is a time when all of us are focused on career and career opportunities as well as getting clear on the areas where want to gain mastery, and navigating what reputations we want to cultivate and share publicly.
Ask: Where am I ready to gain mastery, experience, and cultivate true excellence?
There is a Saturn Retrograde in 2018 in the sign of Capricorn.
April 17, 2018 – September 6, 2018: Retrograde starts at 8:47pm in Capricorn, ending on 9/6 at 6:09am.
Ask: Where does my public presence and image need to be reviewed, re-assessed, and re-fined?
Neptune in Pisces
Neptune continues moving through the sign of Pisces, giving us plenty of deep ocean to swim around in and go diving for treasure. With the intensity of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, and the unbridled excitement of Uranus in Aries for most of 2018, it is so nice to have Neptune hanging out in its most favorite sign. However, there will be a Neptune Retrograde in 2017 too.
June 18, 2018 – November 24, 2018: Neptune Retrograde in Pisces. Retrograde starts at 6:26pm and concludes on 11/24 at 7:08pm
Ask: What unfinished creative/dream work do I need to turn my attention to now? What unhelpful fantasy needs to be revised and made relevant?
Uranus in Aries, Taurus, and Aries
In May of 2018 Uranus will change signs, leaving the fiery Ram of Aries and moving into the stable territory of Taurus the Bull. This is a seven year cycle that is going to shake up our most solid institutions and assumptions in both the personal and global spheres. To give you an idea of what Uranus in Taurus can look like, the last time it occurred was between the years of 1935-1942 – that was the Great Depression and beginning of WWII. While this transit may not be easy, it will absolutely re-orient some of the fundamental assumptions we make and basic ways we engage with life. Expect to see tech on all fronts including AI and Robotics gain ground and importance in both global economies and everyday life.
There will be a Uranus retrograde in 2018. The ground will be shifting but remember, you still have the capacity to ride those waves and ripples and call forth your capacity for visionary brilliance.
May 15th: Uranus leaves Aries and enters Taurus at 10:16am
Ask: How do I best navigate shifting ground?
August 7, 2018 – January 6, 2019: Uranus Retrograde in Taurus and Aries. Retrograde begins at 11:48am in Taurus, moving into Aries on 11/6 and ending on 1/6/19 at 2:27pm.
Ask: What needs to be shaken up in my life and what needs to be settled back down?
Pluto in Capricorn
Capricorn works hard and Pluto goes deep so this pairing cannot help but leave an impact wherever it happens in your chart. Capricorn is often thought of as the career sector of the chart but I think of it more as craftsmanship. The difference is that for many of us career is a notion tied distinctly to our jobs, while craftsmanship is a virtue that we can apply to many areas of our lives. Pluto relentlessly tears down whatever is not working and Capricorn has the good sense to continue moving forward and refining all needed skill sets.
Ask: Why do I do the kind of work that I do?
There is a Pluto Retrograde in 2018.
April 22, 2018 – September 30, 2018: Pluto is retrograde in Capricorn. Retrograde begins at 10:26am and ends on 9/30 at 9:03pm.
Ask: Where have I given up and given over my power and what do I need to do in order to get it back?
Sync up with the stars
We’ve created digital calendars with all the important dates, times and events for your convenience:
download the google Calendar
download the iCalendar
download the Sacred Arts Book of Hours – a planner for Soulful Seekers for $24 here.