Void-of-Course

Llewellyn’s 2023 Daily Planetary Guide shares the following about the Moon’s 'void-of-course' : “The Moon orbits Earth in about twenty-eight days, moving through each of the [astrological] signs in about two days. As she passes through the thirty degrees of each sign, she visits…the other planets…Because she moves one degree in just two to two and a half hours, her influence on each planet lasts only a few hours. As she approaches the late degrees of the sign she’s passing through, she eventually forms what will be her final aspect [ In astrology, an aspect is an angle that planets make to each other.] to another planet before leaving the sign. From this point until she actually enters the new sign, she is referred to as being ‘void-of-course.’ …The traditional definition of the void-of-course Moon is that ‘nothing will come of this,’ and it seems to be true. Actions initiated under a void-of-course Moon are often wasted, irrelevant, or incorrect - usually because information needed to make a sound decision is hidden or missing or has been overlooked” (qtd. in https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738763910, 24-25). The Moon is infused with God-given patterns and intelligence; we can learn a pivotal lesson from the Moon’s void-of-course.

How often do we get up in the morning and push our way through life without enough rest and time for reflection? The symptoms of doing this day after day show up as feeling foggy, baffled, scattered, angry, physically and emotionally sick, and melancholy: “Plans and decisions do not pan out. Without the instinctual knowing the Moon provides as she touches each planet, we tend to be unrealistic or exercise poor judgment” (qtd. in https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738763910, 24). We can benefit from watching how the Moon goes into hiding for a time.

When the responsibilities, conflicts, and stresses of life weigh heavily on us, some people double-down and try to force their way through life. Some people become depleted, depressed, or sick. Some people take a break; they choose to take a ‘void-of course’ off their path for a time to replenish themselves. During a time of renewal, we can do some planning or schedule things to address later; we can get out in nature or simply put down the ‘balls we are juggling,’ for a time.

Yesterday, some conflict came up with a family member who has dementia and that person spewed some horrible thoughts and words on me. As I felt my blood pressure rise, I realized it’s time for me to have a ‘void-of-course.’ So, today, I stepped off of the conveyor belt of life; I went to the gym and worked out hard; afterwards, I took myself out for leisurely breakfast, and then, I went to our local aquarium. Communing with marine life, touching the delicate sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea stars, and sting rays, and listening to ocean waves through my earbuds washed peace over me. While I watched small sharks, lion fish, jellies, and sea horses glide in their watery world, I was in ‘void-of-course.’ It was wonderfully healing for my mind, body, and spirit. My break from routine only lasted four hours, and soon, I’ll be ready to engage again.

What do you or will you do when you choose a ‘void-of-course’ time for yourself? I would enjoy hearing your thoughts, ideas, inspirations, and suggestions.

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