Show Notes
It’s the final day of the 7th Annual Big Sky Astrology Podathon, and we’re wrapping up five days of special fundraising episodes with an in-depth conversation with relationship astrology expert Dorothy Oja! Dorothy shares her approach to understanding relationships through the birth chart — covering the three stages of relationship astrology (natal capacity, synastry, and combined charts), the importance of Saturn as the "glue" that holds relationships together, why Venus and Jupiter are the "liking" planets, and how Mars provides the spark. Plus, April covers the week's planetary news (Mercury trine Pluto, opposite Neptune, and trine Uranus) and makes her annual fundraising appeal - with a chance to win prizes including eclipse reports and personal readings!
0:00 — Podathon week intro & welcome 0:28 — Host introduction — April Elliott Kent 0:56 — What is Podathon? Five daily episodes & fundraising 1:22 — Thank you to listeners and supporters 2:16 — Why April keeps the show ad-free 2:42 — How to donate & prize drawings ($25+) 4:15 — $10 donor bonus: private Zoom calls & videos 5:13 — Free ways to support the show 6:08 — Today's episode overview 6:40 — Planetary news: Mercury trine Pluto, opposite Neptune, trine Uranus 8:22 — Interview intro: Dorothy Oja on relationships in the birth chart 9:25 — Dorothy's background & credentials 10:35 — Interview begins 11:48 — Starting with the natal chart: your capacity for relationship 13:18 — The Moon: emotional responsiveness in relationships 14:30 — Three stages of relationship astrology 15:12 — Synastry: comparing two charts planet by planet 16:05 — Composite & Davison charts explained 18:13 — The Davison chart's power and midpoint resonance 18:41 — Why challenging aspects aren't always bad 20:31 — Saturn's role: the glue, trust, and commitment 23:08 — Venus & Jupiter: the "liking" aspects that bring harmony 23:58 — When to use composite vs. Davison charts 25:00 — Oppositions in relationship charts & finding balance 27:13 — Difficult natal aspects and how partners trigger them 29:37 — Readiness, inner work, and the "marriage myth" (Sun & Moon) 31:58 — Mars: the unsung relationship planet 33:14 — The Moon's daily emotional rhythm & compatibility 34:37 — Teamwork, choosing well, and when to walk away 36:27 — Dorothy's upcoming Kepler College course & where to find her 38:33 — Podathon wrap-up, donor thanks, and final fundraising appeal
Links mentioned:
Donate: bigskyastropod.com Dorothy Oja on Substack: dorothyoja.substack.com Dorothy's Kepler College course: Illuminating Relationships: Natal Promise and Synastry (begins Sept 24)
More from Big Sky Astrology Podcast
This week, relationships, desires, and money are put to the test as Venus squares Pluto and then meets the Sun in a cazimi at the dawn of Scorpio season. Venus retrograde retreats back into Libra just ahead of a Venus-ruled Taurus Full Moon, while Mercury stations for its final retrograde of the year. And a listener question about the progressed Sun versus the progressed Moon. Plus: Guitars and takeout, the last 10%, and old friends make a cameo. Read a full transcript of this episode. Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here! Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon! Love the show? Make a donation! Timestamps: [1:31] Venus squares Pluto (Oct. 19, 11:56 PM Pacific) at 3°04′ Scorpio–Aquarius, revisiting themes from their previous square on September 15: digging deep into relationship and financial challenges. The last square in the series comes December 9. [4:43] Sun enters Scorpio (Oct. 23, 2:38 AM Pacific). In Scorpio’s season, themes of mortality and transformation contrast with life's joys. [6:57] Venus-Sun cazimi (Oct. 23, 8:44 PM Pacific) at 0°45′ Scorpio, is Venus "in the heart of the Sun." It’s a moment of incandescent pleasure and celebration amid the intensity of Scorpio season. [9:35] Mercury stations retrograde (Oct. 24, 12:13 AM Pacific) at 20°58′ Scorpio, and here is permission to neglect the fussy stuff. Use the retrograde for "re-" activities (review, research, redo). Mercury stations direct November 13 at 5°02′ Scorpio; shadow period began Oct. 4 and ends November 29. [12:42] Venus retrograde reenters Libra (Oct. 25, 2:10 AM Pacific) at 29°59′ Libra. People from the past may resurface; a time for reflection on old relationships and patterns. Venus stations direct November 13 at 22°51′ Libra and returns to Scorpio December 4. [15:07] Moon Report: Taurus Full Moon (Oct. 25, 9:12 PM Pacific) at 2°45′ Taurus. Sun and Moon both square Pluto, highlighting the beauty and the shadow of being in a body. The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon is 3 Taurus, "Steps up to a lawn blooming with clover." [17:17] Lunar Phase Family Cycle (began with the New Moon at 7°46′ Taurus on April 27, 2025. First Quarter in the cycle: January 25, 2026, Full Moon: Oct. 25, 2026, Last Quarter Moon: July 26, 2027. [19:25] Void-of-Course Moon periods for the week: Oct 21 (Wed): Moon in Aquarius trine Sun, 1:42 AM Pacific, VOC 3 hrs 53 min, enters Pisces at 5:35 AM. Good for group activities and networking. Oct 22 (Thu): Moon in Pisces trine Mercury, 8:31 PM, VOC 16 hrs 23 min, enters Aries Oct 23 at 12:54 PM. Ideal for intuitive work, readings, and tarot. Oct 25 (Sun): Moon in Aries opposes Venus, 3:59 PM, VOC 36 min, enters Taurus at 4:35 PM. Passions may run high on the anaretic degrees; choose your battles wisely. [16:50] A Question from Listener Wade: Progressed Sun vs. Progressed Moon — which is more useful for understanding what's happening now? [28:17] Got a question? Leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/ bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend! [29:31] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to our special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.
This week, Pluto stations direct to reveal what you've discovered about yourself over the past five months, and the Sun’s sextile to Jupiter offers an invitation to show the world what you’re made of. A Mars-Saturn trine helps you guide your passion to get things done, a driven Capricorn First Quarter Moon demands ambition, and a listener asks about ordering a special piece of jewelry while Venus is retrograde. Plus: Generation, regeneration, and degeneration; a brouhaha; and dogged determination (and possibly blood). Read a full transcript of this episode. Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here! Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon! Love the show? Make a donation! Timestamps [1:19] — The Sun sextiles Jupiter on Thu. Oct. 15 at 1:22 AM Pacific Time (22°00′ Libra–Leo); the Sun in Libra gets a bold push from Jupiter in Leo to ask for what it wants and show the world what it has. [3:04] — Pluto stations direct on Thu. Oct. 15 at 7:40 PM Pacific Time (3°04′ Aquarius), ending a retrograde that began May 6; what you've been working on internally about power, control, and personal agency now surfaces for all to see. [4:56] — Mars trines Saturn on Fri. Oct. 16 at 1:32 AM Pacific Time (10°22′ Leo–Aries); the two malefics cooperate in fiery signs, channeling enthusiasm and discipline into getting something done with focused, constructive energy. [8:03] — Moon Report: Capricorn First Quarter Moon on Sun. Oct. 18 at 9:13 AM Pacific Time (25°18′ Capricorn–Libra), the first action point in Oct. 10 Libra New Moon Cycle. Expect to feel completely absorbed in something you love to do with a keen ambition to do it the very best you can. [10:00] Lunar phase family cycle (LPFC). This is the First Quarter in the LPFC that began with the New Moon on Jan. 18, 2026 (28°43′ Capricorn), with a Full Moon revelation point on July 18, 2027 (25°48′ Capricorn) and a final action point, Last Quarter Moon, on April 16, 2028 (27°12′ Capricorn). [12:50] — Void-of-Course Moon (VOC) periods: Tue. Oct. 13, Moon in Scorpio squares Jupiter in Leo at 1:46 AM Pacific Time. It’s VOC for 16h 13m and enters Sagittarius at 5:59 PM. Practice being authentic and honest with yourself when new opportunities come knocking. [14:19] —Thu. Oct. 15, Moon in Sagittarius sextiles the Sun at 2:55 PM Pacific Time. It’s VOC for 15h 2m and enters Capricorn Fri. Oct. 16 at 5:57 AM. Cut loose, enjoy life, and spend time with people who make you laugh. [15:36] — Sun. Oct. 18, Moon in Capricorn squares the Sun at 9:12 AM Pacific Time. It’s VOC for 9h 28m and enters Aquarius at 6:40 PM. Balance pursuing your goals with consideration for how your actions affect others. [16:50] — Listener Beverly asks about ordering a new medical ID bracelet during Venus retrograde. [22:39] Got a question? Leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/ bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend! [23:57] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to our special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.
This week: Mercury and Venus come together in Scorpio for honest, healing conversations, while Mars and Uranus form a supportive sextile for creative action. The Libra New Moon offers a fresh start for relationships, with a Jupiter sextile for opportunities and a Saturn opposition adding a note of caution. Venus retrograde squares Mars, stirring up old grudges and passionate disputes. And a listener question about how to work with transits you’d really rather avoid. Plus: Under arrest, the nitty-gritty, and a wrecking ball! Read a full transcript of this episode. Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here! Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon! Love the show? Make a donation! Timestamps [1:27] — Mercury conjuncts Venus in Scorpio (Oct 6, 5:10 PM PDT, 8°13'). A time for straight talk and healing conversations, especially around taboo topics in relationships. Sabian symbol: "Dental work." [3:26] — Mars sextiles Uranus (Oct 7, 3:41 AM PDT, 5°24' Leo/Gemini). Great for creative projects needing originality—but guard against saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. [5:38] — Libra New Moon (Oct 10, 8:50 AM PDT, 17°21' Libra). Set intentions for all relationships. Saturn opposition calls for boundaries; Jupiter sextile brings opportunity. Sabian symbol: "Two men placed under arrest." [8:24] — Lunar Phase Family Cycle: First Quarter — July 10, 2027, 18°17' Libra. Full Moon — April 9, 2028, 20°5' Libra. Last Quarter — January 7, 2029, 17°32' Libra. [10:15] — Tue. Oct 6th — Moon conjunct Jupiter - VOC begins at 3:22 AM, ends at 7:53 PM when the Moon enters Virgo (16 hours, 31 minutes). Host a gathering. Wed. Oct 7th — Moon sextile Mercury - VOC begins at 11:57 AM, ends at 1:10 AM on Friday, Oct 9, when the Moon enters Libra (1 day, 13 hours, 13 minutes). Dig deep, heal and transform. Sat. Oct 10th — Moon sextiles Jupiter - VOC begins at 4:07 PM, ends at 8:21 AM on Sunday, Oct 11, when the Moon enters Scorpio (16 hours, 14 minutes). Practice kindness. [14:11] — Venus squares Mars (Oct 10, 2:31 PM PDT, 7°21' Scorpio/Leo). Old grudges and familiar fights resurface with Venus retrograde in Scorpio. Previous square July 29, last square Jan 16, 2027. [16:00] — Listener question about how to work with transits you’re really not looking forward to. [21:04] Got a question? Leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/ bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend! [21:04] Got a question? Leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/ bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend! [21:41] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to our special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.
This week brings an action-packed sky: a Sun-Uranus trine sparks clarity, Mercury enters Scorpio and squares both Mars and Pluto, Venus stations retrograde for deep relationship and financial repair work, and a Mars-Pluto opposition ignites power struggles between the individual and the collective. A Cancer Last Quarter Moon pushes toward July 2024's New Moon intentions, while a Sun-Saturn opposition demands decisiveness to close out the week. Plus: Pointiness, breaking a bone, and which indulgences to choose? Read a full transcript of this episode. Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here! Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon! Love the show? Make a donation! Timestamps: [1:42] Sun trines Uranus (Mon. Sept. 28, 9:22 am PDT, 5°33' Libra-Gemini). This trine opens a window for Libra to be its authentic self without constantly checking what others are doing. Uranus in Gemini offers a clarifying idea that cuts through Libra's people-pleasing tendencies. [3:32] Mercury enters Scorpio (Wed. Sept. 30, 4:44 am PDT). The planet of communication steps into a tense T-square with Mars in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius. This is a ruthless, penetrating Mercury with no patience for small talk or diplomacy. [4:11] Mercury squares Mars (Fri. Oct. 2, 2:14 am PDT). An aspect that speaks its mind and doesn't suffer fools gladly. April explores the Sabian symbols for both planets, including "a woman having her hair bobbed" at Mars's degree — a radical act of independence that echoes Amelia Earhart, who was born with the Sun at this degree. [6:41] Mercury squares Pluto (Fri. Oct. 2, 1:43 pm PDT). Pluto ups the ante beyond impulsive anger into particularly ugly territory: jealousy, contempt, trolls, and cold collective judgment. On the upside, this aspect sharpens Mercury's ability to see beneath the surface and discover what we've believed about ourselves that is flat-out wrong. [7:52] Mars trines Neptune (Fri. Oct. 2, 3:18 pm PDT, 2°48' Leo-Aries). After the Mercury squares and before the Pluto opposition, this trine offers a softening moment. Neptune says "I care" and Mars says "I'm going to do something about it" — a helpful day for volunteering, donating, or resetting Mars's strident Leo energy. [9:07] Venus stations retrograde in Scorpio (Sat. Oct. 3, 12:16 am PDT, 8°29' Scorpio, "dental work"). Venus urges deep repair in relationships, money, and self-worth — even if it hurts. April walks through the full retrograde timeline (back into Libra Oct. 25, stationing direct Nov. 13 at 22°51' Libra, reentering Scorpio Dec. 4) and suggests looking back to October–November 2018 for echoes of this cycle. [12:55] Mars opposes Pluto (Sat. Oct. 3, 3:39 am PDT, 3°06' Leo-Aquarius). The week's pointiest aspect: the irresistible force meets the immovable object. April traces the Mars-Pluto story from their January 27 conjunction, through the May 25 square, to this opposition — and asks what proud Mars in Leo is trying to accomplish that Pluto in Aquarius doesn't appreciate. Expect power struggles for a few days either side. [16:07] Moon Report: Cancer Last Quarter Moon (Sat. Oct. 3, 6:25 am PDT, 10°21' Libra-Cancer). This Last Quarter carries the Mars-Pluto opposition, making it a powerful but not gentle push toward Virgo New Moon plans from September 10. April unpacks the Sabian symbols ("a clown making grimaces" vs. "a professor peering over his glasses") and traces the full lunar phase family cycle back to the July 5, 2024 Cancer New Moon; First Quarter (first action point) Apr. 4, 2025; Full Moon (awareness point) Jan. 3, 2026. [21:50] Void-of-Course Moon periods. Four VOC periods this week: Mon. Sept. 28, 2:50 am PDT (Aries Moon opposing Mercury — indecision vs. impulsiveness); Tue. Sept. 29, 4:36 pm PDT (Taurus Moon squaring Jupiter — overindulgence warnings); Thu. Oct. 1, 7:42 pm PDT (Gemini Moon sextile Jupiter — social fun and happy hours); Sat. Oct. 3, 8:08 am P
This week: A creative boost from a Mercury-Jupiter sextile, the Sun's entry into Libra at the equinox, and a reflective Sun–Neptune opposition paired with an empowering Sun–Pluto trine. The Aries Full Moon carries forward eclipse themes from spring 2025, and Mars begins a long transit through Leo. And a listener question about what it means when a progressed planet turns retrograde for decades. Plus: Chemistry teachers in jail, lonely in a group, and invisibility as a superpower! Read a full transcript of this episode. Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here! Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon! Love the show? Make a donation!