We all know that the transient void-of-course Moon is not the time to start new things, force issues or carry out important negotiations. Neither should we go on a shopping spree, unless we like having "useless" unused or unusable items just taking up space. It is a time to kick back, relax, meditate, and to tend to unfinished tasks. Excellent time to polish off creative projects and the like requiring imagination.

Before looking at the natal void-of-course Moon, let's think about the Moon's role first. It is the heavenly body, which reflects the rays of the Sun. The Sun is vitality, ego and the most prominent planet in the natal chart - the Moon shows its reflection. Reflection is an interesting phenomenon, pick up a photograph of yourself then stand in front of the mirror. Does one of your eyebrow sit higher or is there a birthmark on one side of your face? Fascinating isn't it? You see the opposite of that photo's reflection in the mirror. This might be the simple explanation to why you may not think your photograph is a good one i.e. really looks like you. Others see you that way, but you are used to your mirror image instead.

How accurate is the Moon's reflection, that mirror image, in your life? Is it no wonder that the Moon is such a subjective planet? The Moon is about emotions, reactions and instinctive behaviour. When that Moon is making aspects to planets in your chart, you get feedback, but when the aspects aren't there, you receive less feedback. Out-of-orb and minor aspects do count but a semi-sextile doesn't talk to you as loudly as a sextile. Parallels are weaker than conjunctions, etc.

Before I go further, I want to emphatically state that there are no right or wrong reactions, responses or emotions. These are simply different. My own Aries Moon reacts instantaneously, and I do something about it. My husband's Gemini Moon wants to talk about it first. Imagine what happens when our void-of-course Moon sons (we have two) are at the receiving end. We get no reaction from them, at the very least it is not an apparent, visual response. They have a different perspective than we do, us on-course-Moon parents. There is incredible depth to their perceptions and immense control over their reactions. It is, as if they know something that us on-course-Moon people cannot fathom.

Let's go back to people's reactions during times when the Moon up in the sky is void-of-course. People are non-committal, almost indecisive, less focused on the practical issues of life and temporarily without a focused direction. If you want a loan, a new job, or to avoid a tax audit, proceed with Moon thusly placed and you'll have nothing to worry about or nothing will come of it.

I personally believe that individuals born with the Moon void-of-course exhibit the traits the rest of us only experience briefly during Moon void-of-course periods. Emotional issues that throw Moon on-course individuals into a loop don't appear to have the same impact on Moon void-of-course individuals. Let's take a grave emotional issue, such as a death, Moon void-of-course individuals are more capable of rationalizing the issue, and making it more matter of fact. There are fewer ties to major emotional themes, the Moon is allowed to act and react without input from other heavenly bodies. Perhaps this void-of-course Moon could be classified more fatalistic or fated. On the flip-side let's look at a trivial matter, to a Moon-on-course individual, such as a pot plant that withered away while left unattended for a couple of days - I have observed many of void-of-course Moon get upset for days over this insignificant event.

I have also observed how void-of-course Moon individuals tend to fall into jobs, marriages, and other situations that form the basic story lines of human life, through fluke not by apparent design. These void-of-course Moon individuals are not in the least materialistic; pursuing riches is not on their agenda. They go with the flow unless we are talking about moral issues and ethics; they do not take injustice lightly. Void-of-course Moon people, in my opinion, take a very strong stand on what is right and what is wrong, no shades of gray here. Mind you I do not think they are judgmental, but strong ethics appear to be a very inherent, natural trait.

Hilary Clinton is a Pisces Moon void-of-course in the 10th house First Lady. It is apparent that her emotional reactions are very much under control. We could further speculate that she got where she is by fluke in as much as she is not the one who ran for office. She may have known all her life that this was her destiny, and because of it she went with the flow. Maybe the social issues she could right from that position were her motivating force. Perhaps Bill's doings are totally irrelevant as long as Hilary is allowed to complete those goals.

It is important to note that when an individual has a Moon void-of-course that Moon is placed late in the sign. Late degree planets are indicative of qualities, characteristics and traits that are well developed, honed almost to perfection. Maybe the fatalistic categorization isn't that far fetched after all. The emotional responses of a void-of-course Moon individual are almost those of a Buddhist monk or similar religious person learning the art of detachment in order to find enlightenment. With less attachment it is easier to navigate through life and to form fewer bonds requiring a return trip in a new body. It is more difficult to create new karma because by staying detached you are evoking less reactions from others.

© Anne Massey 1988-2002