Out of Bounds ( OOB ) Moon

OOB is when a planet ( or luminary ) moves far enough from the ecliptic ( the circle of orbit ), it begins to produce some very curious effects. Of all the planets, it is said the Moon is most dramatic when OOB. And, of all the astronomical notations basically ignored in modern astrological practice, an OOB Moon is one of the most astonishing in its repercussions.

OOB planets can go one of two ways: firstly, they can produce exceptional creativity exceeding the potential of expectations; secondly, they can be erratically unpredictable and go to extremes that can detrimentally affect others, including themselves.  An OOB Moon is a luminary of emotions and instincts which will provoke intrigue of the unknown while transiting this house. We should guard against becoming too indistinct or far-fetched.  We may feel somewhat disconnected, as though we are on the periphery of whatever is occurring around us. We may even feel separated from ourselves and experience an ungrounded sense of stability. Awareness that the Moon is OOB will help with this energy.  

OOB planets and those who have them in their natal charts can be unpredictable; however, the energy does not necessarily manifest in a negative way. Some of the most gifted individuals have one or more OOB natal positions. Albert Einstein is just one example. Elvis Pressly and Judy Garland were also examples that showed positive aspects that excelled in acting and singing, and negative, leading them to early deaths from addiction.

It's important to know if we have any OOB planets, and in what sign/house they reside to avoid any negative tendencies that can easily suck us into lower-vibrational energy. 

According to Stephen Forrester, Forrester Evolutionary Astrology:

"The Out of Bounds Moon is spontaneous, emancipated, liberated, released in its own recognizance, and utterly on its own. It has loudly proclaimed, 'You can take this job (. . . marriage, church, obligation, moral principle, town, duty . . .) and shove it.' 

"The Moon has claimed its genius, its passion, and its right to be itself. No need to obfuscate, to be diplomatic, or to lie to anyone anymore—unless you feel like it. No more coprophagous grin. No need to worry about staying in anyone’s good graces. Out of Bounds, the Moon no longer plays the game. It rejects all rules that are not of its own making.

“'Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are finally free at last!' said Martin Luther King, Jr. "

"The words stir the blood. But we need to let them stir the mind as well.

"Structure, discipline, and a world in which our actions have consequences—these are not purely negative things. Society and its values can have a steadying effect on us, even when we feel frustrated by them. The Out of Bounds Moon, like everything else in astrology, has an unpleasant, dangerous side as well as a divine purpose. Its dark side is sociopathic, even criminal—or merely selfish and insensitive to others. It can be cold, even inhuman.

"You may detect some of the underlying spirits of the planet Uranus and the sign Aquarius in these words. That is quite accurate. In my experience, an Out of Bounds Moon has distinctly Aquarian quality. We see the familiar Uranian “holy trinity” at work—the Genius, the Revolutionary, and the Criminal. All three of them stand outside the normal structure of society, applying leverage to it—and meeting resistance, condemnation, and consequences for it.

"As with Aquarian or Uranian influences, the Out of Bounds Moon often thrusts alienating circumstances upon a person from outside. This is of course the classic working of synchronicity—what we meet (or fail to face) in our inner world is encountered in the “random” realities of our outer lives.

"Inwardly, the Out of Bounds Moon often correlates with feelings of being an outsider, of not fitting in, of not having a place in this world. This can be painful—and it can also lead to an attitude of not giving a damn. Or to passivity. Or to resentment. And to radical forms of existential creativity."

“When a planet’s declination exceeds 23°28′ North or South, it is described as being Out of Bounds. There are no shades of gray here, nothing gradual or subtle. Right at that point, something clicks.

"OOB allows you to, as Stevie Nix so eloquently sang, to 'Go Your Own Way"' And when you look at Nix's natal chart, it becomes apparent why she lived a very eclectic life. Her Moon, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Pluto, are ALL out of bounds." 

"When the Moon’s declination exceeds 23°28′ North or 23°28′ South, it has escaped the physical space dominated by the gravitational “boss” of the solar system, the Sun.

"Let the metaphors free-associate.

"The Moon is then, in other words, out of the King’s sight. No longer under Daddy’s thumb. We might say that has moved beyond the Pale. Gone out of control. Or gone wild. It has broken the rules. It has shattered the boundaries, broken the mold, and crossed the Rubicon. Bravely, or drunkenly, the Moon has said, 'Roll the dice'."

On July 12, @ 12:53 PM, the Moon’s Mean North Node will back into Aries while the South Node crosses into Libra at the same exact time until January 28, 2025. The Moon's True Nodes will ingress July 17th @ 3:59 PM. So what's the difference between Mean and True Nodes. It's really quite easy. 

Before the wonderful world of computer calculations, the Mean Nodes were calculated by hand due to variations over a period of time. It's old school and many astrologers still adhere to the practice as a basic foundation of delineation. True Nodes are the actual exact spot, measurement, and location of the node at an exact moment in time calculated by a computer in a few seconds, and the tool many modern astrologers prefer. 

So why even bother with the Mean Nodes at all when the computer can generate True Nodes?  

In evolutionary astrology ( which is what I am studying ), the Moon's Nodes are considered the heart of the system. The South Node represents the karma we have brought with us not just from past lives but have accumulated during this life as well. We only have karma that is not ripe ( completed ) in this life with us into the next so that we may eventually resolve it. 

The South Node provides ample time to deal with our ripe karma in this life, so long as our pride and/or obstinance don't interfere. This is where the nodes come into play, and why they are considered the heart of the system. The challenging news: When karma is ripe it's coming for us; the positive news: We are ready.

If the Universe brings us to it, it will bring us through it should we choose to do the work. The only thing that can stand in our way is, well, us. 

The North Node, on the other hand, provides not only a powerful antidote to our South Node patterns but also outlines a detailed map of how to resolve our ripe karma. The only caveat is this: our old patterns of behavior rise naturally to situations while it takes serious effort to reach a resolution, aka the North Node.  

No pain no gain, except mentally vs physically. Or should I say spiritually awakening vs sleepwalking? Regardless, we've had roughly 18 months to reconcile our Scorpionic-ripened karma, and now we are all on the cusp of karma changing her tune completely, individually, and collectively. 

While each sign of the zodiac represents possibilities, it also represents a challenge of potential stumbling blocks for us to transform into steppingstones. One can view the changing of the nodes, or even the current position, as an opposition. It's essential to reconcile two polarities to achieve personal ( and collective ) balance. 

Cardinal Libra represents harmonious cooperation; however, every coin has a backside: Peace-loving Libra will often pay way too high a price for peace. This price can include at the expense of our own voice: "I want to say something, but peace is more important." 

Is it though? 

This is where discernment is critical. We've all heard the saying, "Sometimes it's better to agree than be right." So, which is it? Agreeing for the sake of peace because it's more important? Or, releasing our own personal truth?  

Libra is judicial but can lack discernment. It can also be indecisive and easily deterred. Rather than be pressed by the inner conflict designed to resolve our ripened karma ( repetitive patterns ), we will be tempted to forgo our own best interests for the sake of peace. 

But I can guarantee you the peace we paid so high a price for will not reside within us peacefully. When that happens, we will know we sacrificed too much for the very thing we desired. Sometimes there's a second chance, but most often there's not, and we are left to witness the consequences. And no matter how much we say, "It wouldn't have mattered anyway." One thing is for certain, two for sure—we'll never know now. 

Because you see, Justice and Peace only make a beautiful union when Truth is honored by both. And just as a painter, we must undergo study of ourselves before the canvas is made right. 

Image: Study for Justice, Peace, and Truth by Giovanni Battista Gaulli

Recap: On July 12, @ 12:53 PM, the Moon’s Mean North Node will back-peddle into Aries while the South Node crosses into Libra at the same exact time until January 28, 2025. The Moon's True Nodes will ingress July 17th @ 3:59 PM. So what's the difference between Mean and True Nodes. Read Part I below to answer that.  Part II is going to dig a little deeper. 

The Nodes in general are also known as the Head and Tail of the Dragon. You can compare it to a roller coaster: the head is focused and leads the way, while the tail is whipping you in every direction following the head. As ancient mythology dictates, the tail is equally as dangerous as the teeth on a dragon—oftentimes, more so.  We pay such close attention to avoid being bitten that we get backslapped by the tail, namely the "Ripe Karma" discussed in yesterday's segment. 

On December 22, 2021, the south node crossed into Scorpio, my sun sign. This meant that the shadow of the South Node would be crossing over my sun until it finally backtracks into Libra this month. The majority of Scorpios will breathe a sigh of relief at the passing of the storm cloud, but not me. Why? Because My natal NN is in Libra, which means my SN is in Aries. 

I will be experiencing my reverse-nodal return ( more on nodal and reverse-nodal returns to come ) until January 2026!  I am halfway there! Come January 2026, if I've done the work as I have the last 18 months, that sigh of relief is going to be well-earned. 

Has it been difficult? Yes. I've experienced some pretty dark Scorpionic karma and witnessed it globally. I mean two months after the South Node moved into Scorpio, Putin invaded Ukraine. Even though the North Node entered Taurus simultaneously – peace, the eternal cure for war, seemed just too far away for certain global leaders to work toward. Maybe it was too much of a struggle—but it's a struggle that our lives depend on if we want to spiritually evolve as individuals and as a collective. 

Collectively speaking, Scorpio is the sign of penetrating passion and awareness; the SN in Scorpio gave us an opportunity to face and heal our deepest wounds. The NN in Taurus represented a domesticated stability that encompasses loyalty offering us a chance to attain security and peace through facing our deepest Scorpionic secrets and fears involving abandonment and betrayal. 

If we got the energy right and did the work, all's good. If we didn't, and we got the Scorpio energy all wrong, as Putin did, then our strategy needs to change with the changing of the Nodes this month. Beginning with Libra in the South.

The question becomes: How do we evolve from the SN to the NN during the next 18 months? The answer is twofold: firstly, learn what it is we need to evolve from; secondly, work that knowledge without giving up. If you give up, get back up and keep trying. We've got 18 months. We can do it. It doesn't matter if we just break one pattern holding us back during this time, we've evolved.

The NN in Aries is the realm of Mars, the pioneering God of War, activity, and action. However, the backside of its coin is also domineering, quick-tempered, and violent. Just as the tail has its positive side, the head of this dragon isn't without its own shadow aspect. It's important to learn and recognize all traits of Aries and Libra during this transit. Most importantly, it's equally important to learn to recognize the traits we are exhibiting. 

It's okay to praise ourselves and feel proud when we've accomplished something; however, it's also vital that we also assume responsibility for our choices that display negative attributes and course correct. It's a package deal. We can recognize our behavior as lower-vibrational energy, but if we don't assume responsibility ( pride, shame, etc. ) we've only recognized the stumbling block. We can't transform it into a stepping stone without accepting responsibility. 

Blaming others is a trap. Despite what they say or how they advise, no one holds a gun to our heads when we make personal choices regarding our own lives. 

This evolutional opportunity isn’t about dominating others. Nor is it about hurting or excluding them; however, we will be accused of those very things because we're altering our boundaries to exclude certain behaviors, such as people-pleasing—something Libra is notorious for to keep the peace. 

No, Aries represents strength, courage, and honor. It's there for our benefit and for the taking; how we use it is up to us. It’s about utilizing that strength and courage to stand up for your own truths or to defend those you love in an honorable and truthful manner. 

"Bushido" is the way of the Warrior. It's a moral code among Samurai which dictates their values, behavior, attitude, and lifestyle. When a Samurai breaks bushido and demonstrates unethical acts, they are dishonored, which often leads to seppuku. This practice, also known as hara-kiri, is a method to regain their honor by taking their own life.  Of course, for us, it entails owning our own behavior with a heartfelt admission, self-forgiveness, and genuine change. 

This is how we should view Mars, the God of War, through during this nodal transit. That, and a shining knight on a white horse.  

What?! 

Enter Libran Karma, whose flipside of the coin avoids conflict at all costs and is easily deterred until indecisive about how they should act, what they should choose, or who they should believe. Enter the knight in shining armor, Aries, whose intention is to provide Libra with the strength and courage to stand up for their truth by speaking it first, then acting on it by refusing to be deterred. 

What?!

There's not a woman ( or some men ) reading this who hasn't, at some point in her life, dreamed of a knight in shining armor riding a white horse and rescuing them from their own behavior.  Oh, he could be described as a "Tall dark, and handsome stranger", or a myriad of other descriptions—it's the same concept. 

"Ah! If I only had love!" ( personally I never cared about the color of the horse. )

Well, ladies ( and some gents ) here he comes. The question is, are we ready? Are we brave enough to accept his gifs? More importantly, are we willing to use them for our own benefit and that of the greater good? 

Final note: We'll all experience this individually. Delve into your chart and KNOW where your NN, SN, Aries/Mars, Libra/Venus, and their respective houses are located. Those placements and their cycle through the zodiac signs over the next 18 months become our personal roadmap. 

Yes, there is a part III coming up to help you with that. 

Image: The Accolade, Edmund Blair Leighton, 1901

Recap: Today, July 12 @ 12:53 PM, the Moon’s Mean North Node will back-peddle into Aries while the South Node crosses into Libra at the same exact time until January 28, 2025. The Moon's True Nodes will ingress July 17th @ 3:59 PM. 

So, what's the difference between Mean and True Nodes? Read Part I below to answer that.  Part II dug deeper into the realm of Taurus and Scorpio and the potential those nodal placements presented, as well as the upcoming switch to Aries and Libra and what to expect. Part III evaluates a cyclic process of the nodal switch through the zodiac signs. Part IV will delve into nodal returns. Lastly, Part V will delve into reverse-nodal returns ( such as I will be experiencing ). 

We will experience this energy individually; therefore, hopefully, you took my advice in Part II and delved into your chart to familiarize yourself with the placements of your NN, SN, Mars, Venus, and respective houses. 

In the delineation of astrology, it's the collection of these individual experiences, recorded for centuries, that provide common themes or patterns of aspects that enable astrologers to develop perspectives that apply to the general collective as a whole. It's a painstaking process filled with the reward of knowledge that can be passed on to new generations. 

Astrology is the most ancient language in the Universe. 

As the ruler of Libra, Venus will be a key planet to watch in regard to ripened karma as she transits the signs and houses throughout the next 18 months.  Conversely, Aries will be there to provide the clues, strength, and courage to move beyond each challenge and toward spiritual evolution.

Many misinterpret Venus, named after the Roman goddess, as only a planet of affection, love, and beauty; however, in Ancient Greece she was known as Pallas Athene, the Goddess of Wisdom and Warcraft; therefore, she also rules justice, law, and order. Just as with any other planet, she's a two-sided coin with both a light and shadow aspect. So, while Venus may be all about poetic love and aesthetic beauty, her ripened karma may not be all warm and fuzzy. On the contrary, she's out to balance the scales of justice from whatever imbalance we've sown. 

The planet Venus takes about 224.5 days to orbit the sun, which means she spends about 18.7 days in each of the 12 signs, sans any retrograde. The planet is currently in her pre-shade period and will enter retrograde 12°Leo12', 9:33 PM, EDT, Saturday, July 22—five days after the true nodes switch signs—and 20 minutes before the Sun enters Leo. She will remain in Rx until September 03, 12°Leo12' @ 9:21 PM, EDT, and will leave her post-shade period Oct 07 @ 11:22 PM EDT. 

It's a lot, I know; however, it's also pertinent information because the energy of a planet alters during each phase of its retrograde period. If we're going to be working with Venus, we need to become intimate with her energy so we can recognize whatever ripened karma is presenting itself to be reconciled. As Venus moves quickly through the signs, we need to be homed in on which sign she's transiting. And particularly the signs she visits twice during this 18-month nodal period. 

A revisit means something wasn't reconciled during the first transit, and we're being given a second chance. 

Below you can read the essence of each Venusian transit through the signs, and the Aries offerings that can assist us through the prosecution process of Libra's Karmic Courtroom. 

• South mean node enters Libra in Leo on July 12. Don't obsess over your appearance: inner or outer. Aries offers you the strength to forgo vanity by trusting that you're beautiful as you are. 

• Venus enters her Virgoan fall, October 8, 2023. Virgo strives for perfection but struggles with emotion; therefore, can come across as critical, nit-picky, and cold to others. Aries offers a pioneering alternative to present rational ideas without coming across as petty, self-centered, or detached. 

• Venus dignified in Libra, November 8, 2023. Libra is known to pay too high a price to keep the peace. Aries provides Libra the courage to stand up for their own truth and defend those they love. 

• Venus enters Scorpion detriment December 4, 2023. Scorpio often uses the intensity of physical or intellectual passion as a diversion from who they truly are. Aries provides the independent courage to remove the mask and exchange deep glances with others instead of redirecting their focus elsewhere. 

• Venus enters Sagittarius, December 29, 2023. Free-loving and generous, Sagittarius enjoys making everyone feel the same, using procrastination to belay important choices or decisions. Aries provides Sagittarius with the courage to live and choose love in the moment it presents itself. 

• Venus enters Capricorn, January 23, 2024. Capricorn often hides their insecurity behind a mask of hard work and serious perfectionism–Aries provides the confidence to make mistakes and stand naked in the truth without fear of abandonment. 

• Venus enters Aquarius, February 16, 2024. Aquarius can be so independent they hide their true emotions behind a cool exterior.  Aries promotes a kind and loving nature without an overwhelming sense of emotion or detachment. 

• Venus exalted in Pisces, March 11, 2024. Pisces is the known escapist of the zodiac, particularly during any conflicts. They have a penchant for intuitively selecting the wrong kind of lover without balancing it with logic.  Aries provides strength and intellectual insight to release what no longer serves. 

• Venus enters her detriment in Aries, April 4, 2024. This is an explosive aspect and where Venus is most likely to hold their tongue for the sake of peace until their tongue bites back, verbally initiating a war. Aries is ruled by the God of War, Mars; however, also provides the courage to speak from the heart without the need for a sword and shield. The strongest warriors aren't those who have killed the most enemies. But won them over. 

• Venus dignified in Taurus, April 29, 2024. Venus in Taurus is so kicked back that routine will cement long before the realization. Unpredictability should be added to the calendar on a regular basis to avoid stagnant creativity. The more exciting the better, and passionate Aries is the perfect supplier for ideas. 

• Venus into Gemini, May 23, 2024. Ruled by Mercury, Gemini has the power to build or burn bridges with their words. This is especially true in the face of intellectual snobbery based on first impressions. Aries tempers that lofty air with enough passion to ground Gemini into looking behind the outer facade and deeper into others before passing judgment. 

• Venus enters Cancer, June 16, 2024. Sensitive Cancer often misperceives suggestions or advice as a personal affront. Aries can provide the insight to stop taking things personally, and exhibit compassion that what others say is a reflection of them, and no one else. 

I've said it before but will repeat it now: Awareness is a shield against ignorance. It allows us to scale the walls of an energetic maze and observe the energies from a higher perspective that makes sense. Especially from the standpoint of our own patterns and karmic returns. 

When this is all over, may we each find ourselves liberated from the Venusian courtroom. May we leave it just how Lady Justice prefers: in peaceful balance.  Peace be upon your journey.

Image: Graphic design created through Canva

Recap: July 12 @ 12:53 PM, the Moon’s Mean North Node back-peddled into Aries while the South Node crossed into Libra at the same exact time until January 28, 2025. The Moon's True Nodes will follow in the steps of the Mean Node and cross over Monday, July 17th @ 3:59 PM. 

Part I explained the difference between Mean and True Nodes. Part II dug deeper into the realm of Taurus and Scorpio and the potential those nodal placements presented, as well as the upcoming switch to Aries and Libra and what to expect. Part III evaluates a cyclic process of the nodal switch through the zodiac signs. Part IV will delve into nodal returns. Lastly, Part V will delve into reverse-nodal returns ( such as I will be experiencing ).

So, just what ARE nodal returns? 

If you've read the first three parts in this nodal series, you've learned that the North and South Nodes ( NN/SN ), also referred to as the head and tail of the dragon, symbolize a path of development and evolution. The SN represents our past lifetimes and reflects how we see the world through that historical lens. It represents our karma and the challenges that need to be reconciled in our lives.  The NN represents our goal in each particular phase of our life. It's the counteroffer to the SN's conditioning which, if integrated into our lives, will reflect personal and spiritual growth. 

The SN comes so easy it appears as a natural part of our nature. It's where fear is triggered, and our comfort zones are defined. Our choices determine whether or not we continue to face the same habitual patterns, or if we choose to break them in this lifetime. These triggers are very real and can manifest as physical conditions such as heightened fear and/or panic attacks which can lead to retreating into our shells rather than fighting through to overcome the issue. 

After all, we're being beckoned to step out in faith into the unknown where uncertainty resides. Despite how energetically stagnant staying in the same position becomes, we seem to fear the undefined more. We are comfortable in our patterns because they are as familiar as comfort food that isn't necessarily healthy; however, feel comfortingly safe.  

This pattern can be compared to our physicians warning us against certain foods because our cholesterol levels are high.  Or smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, or a myriad of dangerous lifestyle choices.  Yet we persist in partaking in unhealthy habits because we detest or fear the change we must make—until our body shuts down as a major warning that we need to listen or else! 

That's the beautiful thing about the Universe. Per our own innate desire, it will gently attempt to evict us from our complacency with caution lights along the way. Health reports. Sprained muscles. Fatigue. Mental burnout. All is good if we slow down while approaching the intersection to evaluate our chances. However, ignore these caution lights and we stand being t-boned in the middle of the intersection and will be forced to stop.

Throughout our lives, the lunar nodes engage in planetary aspects ( conjunctions, trines, etc. ) several times.  It takes about 18.6 years for one cycle to complete from the time of our birth, and then subsequently every 18.6 years thereafter. Therefore, our nodal returns will occur at the following ages in our lives: 18.5, 37, 56, 74.5. Divide this number by half and you will be able to calculate the ages of your reverse nodal returns ( which we will discuss in Part V of this series ). For this article, we're going to focus on nodal returns only. 

This period in our lives is typically one of inspiration and confidence in whatever we decide to partake in. We seem to flow barely unobstructed by the current of life. Whatever obstacles do present themselves appear minor, which enables us to retain hope that everything will work out while simultaneously evaluating an alternative route. Our natural gifts appear enhanced during this time, and there's a good chance they could transform into something personally satisfying or monetarily successful. 

However, this is also where discernment is vital to distinguish the difference between a natural gift meant to blossom and a pattern of the SN that we're comfortable with. Just because we're naturally talented at something doesn't mean it's what we're supposed to do. It's obviously something we've already done or it wouldn't come so naturally. As a matter of fact, whatever does come naturally is a sign of the SN's influence. 

The NN is the opposite and challenges us to take things further; it's an evolutionary process rather than staying in the same lane going the same direction. If a trigger or fear arises surrounding our comfort zones, you can guarantee it's the NN presenting its calling card. 

While many pieces of the puzzle seem to form the big picture during this time, there are also surprises in the scenery that should intrigue us enough to desire to expand our horizons through investigation. These mysteries, whose outcome is disconcertingly unknown, might reveal a hidden valley of talent that we had no idea we were good at! 

Whatever we discover during our nodal returns, we are guaranteed to have the guidance and support we need to further our expansion. These nuggets of support and encouragement will drop like a stone through the water to remind us of who we are or who we were told we could be when we were young. We should take advantage of this auspicious time to evaluate our hearts by asking: What is it that I truly desire to spend my time and energy on? 

The answer to this will always require us to leave something behind. We will innately know what that something is when we weigh the balance to ascertain what has served us in our past but determine that it can no longer. The question then becomes, are we brave enough to release the familiar in order to grow toward our full potential? 

That answer lies within each individual. 

I wish you many blessings and much success on your nodal return. 🙏💙

Image: The Return by Thomas Cole

Recap: July 12 @ 12:53 PM, the Moon’s Mean North Node ( NN ) backpeddled into Aries while the South Node ( SN ) crossed into Libra at the same exact time until January 28, 2025. The Moon's True Nodes will follow in the steps of the Mean Node and cross over tomorrow, Monday, July 17th @ 3:59 PM. 

Part I explained the difference between Mean and True Nodes. Part II dug deeper into the realm of Taurus and Scorpio and the potential those nodal placements presented, as well as the upcoming switch to Aries and Libra and what to expect. Part III evaluated a cyclic process of the nodal switch through the zodiac signs. Part IV delved into Nodal Returns ( NR ). Lastly, this part will take a look at RNRs, something I will be experiencing first-hand.

Our reverse nodal return occurs when the transiting SN aligns with our natal NN. For example, my NN is in Libra and the SN will move into Libra tomorrow. Conversely, my SN is in Aries, and the NN will move into Aries tomorrow. 

This RNR will represent a significant point of karmic culmination and evolution in our life. As discussed in part IV of this series, nodal returns are focused on growth and new beginnings. RNRs are focused on the completion of karma and integration of the lessons we've learned. This is nothing to be afraid of. On the contrary, it provides us an opportunity to revisit the qualities of our SN patterns and transform them into something more positive. 

Because the SN harbors the culmination of our past lives, it's something to be revered and recognized as the gatekeeper holding the keys to doors of our spirit's evolution. Think of the SN as a textbook that holds all the answers we seek to the questions we hold. It's a lesson of opposites and the powerful force of reconciliation. When two opposites come together for the greater good, we have created the most powerful force in the Universe: Love.  

RNRs occur every 18.6 years; however, our first RNR occurs when we are only 9 or 10, then at ages 27-29, 46-47, 63-64, and so on. RNRs coincide with our first Saturn Return, which happens between the ages of 27-30 ( but not our second or third ). 

Whenever there's polar opposite energy involved, the atmosphere can appear turbulent and unclear. After all, we have two opposites in need of reconciliation pulling against one another, creating quite the muddy waters or dusty landscape. We may even feel conflicted and second-guess ourselves about what we've learned up to this point, or how to even proceed. 

Just a planetary retrograde provides an opportunity to slow down and evaluate everything within the current moment, so too does a RNR; therefore, it's important to remember that throughout this phase, which will last until January 2025, we must proceed slowly yet diligently, even taking a step backward to re-evaluate what we thought we knew or was working.

This may seem like falling back into the SN, something we've worked so hard to overcome, and to a degree it is. If we've lived this long, which many have not, it's a wonderful opportunity to evolve even more. When we view it from that perspective, the RNR is revealed as the true blessing it is: an opportunity to complete and integrate a karmic lesson in THIS lifetime! That spells spiritual evolution for the next. 

The RNR is a time of light and dark integration; there are those two polar opposites again! Neither can exist without the other. When we delve into the light and shadow aspects of Libra and Aries to familiarize ourselves with those energies, we can then manipulate them in a positive manner to manifest our destiny. 

Also, as I've previously written, Aries can be our Knight in Shining Armor through this period by providing us with courage and strength to withstand the storm without succumbing to fear or doubt. He doesn't have to be our enemy just because he's the polar opposite. On the contrary, even Aries' ruler, Mars, the God of War, will submit to the power of Love. And Love is what Venus, the ruler of Libra, is all about. 

It's time to push slowly through this RNR into some serious spiritual growth through reconciliation and integration. If we're lucky enough to live to see another NR, we'll be more than ready to evolve into our destiny at a remarkable rate. We'll leap at the chance. 

I wish you many blessings upon this transit and over the course of the next 18 months! Remember it's a blessing to have lived for this experience and can be compared to receiving a scholarship to the college of one's choice. It's not going to be easy, but it will be oh-so-worth it, and always what we wanted! 

Image: Girl in Blue Holding a Rose, Pierre Bonnard