Photo by Angelo Juan Ramos (cc)
What does “void of course” mean?
Void of course is a term astrologers use to describe certain periods of time as the moon travels through the different signs of the zodiac.
The moon takes about 27 days to make a full trip through all twelve zodiac signs. As the moon travels through the various signs, it makes certain angles—aspects—to the other planets in the sky: Mercury, the sun, Neptune, all of them in turn. During the period of time after the moon has made its last aspect in a sign, until it enters the next sign, the moon is said to be void of course.
Example: Right now the moon is in the sign of Pisces. Tomorrow at 10:05pm Pacific, the moon will conjoin (be in the same place in the sky as) Jupiter. At 10:52pm, the moon will conjoin Uranus. After that, the moon won’t aspect any planets until 2:17 the next day, when the moon will be conjunct the sun, marking the new moon, in the sign of Aries. So the last aspect the moon makes in Pisces is the conjunction with Uranus at 10:52. Here’s a timeline:
- 10:05pm Wednesday – moon conjunct Jupiter
- 10:52pm Wednesday – moon conjunct Uranus
- 1:47am Thursday – moon enters Aries
- 2:17am Thursday – moon conjunct sun
So from 10:52pm on Wednesday until 1:47am the next morning, when the moon enters the new sign, the moon is void of course. This period can be as short as a few minutes, or as long as a day or two, depending on where all the planets are at the time.
When the moon is void of course, it’s a good idea to postpone important decisions or actions until the moon enters the next sign. There will tend to be a lot of unknown factors that affect projects you start during this time, and of course “unknown factors” tend to be things that are a pain in the rear: delays, outside events, and other frustrations. This is because during this time, the moon is wandering through the end of the sign it is in, without purpose (aspects), until it reaches the next sign. Because our habits and actions are connected to the moon, we also all feel a bit disconnected, off course, and directionless until the void of course period ends. So save yourself the headache, if you can, by beginning new things or making important contacts (phone calls, emails, contracts) with people when the moon is not void of course.
A good rule of thumb for evaluating whether an activity will be productive at this time is to ask will this action restore me? Will it help me center myself or grow spiritually? The void of course moon is a good time for looking inward and taking care of yourself, because you are more naturally disconnected from your everyday concerns. This is a good time for a massage, a nap, daydreaming, meditation or yoga, and other relaxing and centering activities.
How can you track when the moon goes void of course? You can carry a guide like the Pocket Astrologer, or you may find the bite-sized transit stream more convenient. This little astrological tweak will help make your days less bumpy, by helping you line up your daily activities with the natural flow of time. Try paying attention to it for several days, and observe how the rhythm of your work changes.
