There are a number of astrological “rules” for scheduling surgery and although I am not a professional astrologer, I know enough to seek out this knowledge and try to incorporate it into my treatment. Rules is in quotes because we don’t always get to choose the time or date, and because the most important factor is not related to astrology, but to the surgeon’s competence. That said, if you have the luxury to participate in the scheduling of your surgery, there are several things to look for, or plan around.

Avoid surgery during:

• During Mercury retrograde (ideally, avoid 7 days pre- and post-). This makes sense: why invite the possibility of missed communications or technological breakdowns? Not to mention the increased risk of having to REvisit the surgery at some date in the future.
• On a day when the moon is void of course (or, schedule it for more than 3 hours pre- or post). Moon VoC is closely akin to a Mercury retrograde — there is a specific kind of energy that is temporarily awry. Why invite problems?
• Five days pre- or post- a Full Moon. This is based on the idea that since our bodies are 75% water, our fluids are affected by the moon’s orbit as much as tides are. During a full moon, the fluids are increased, producing post-surgery problems like swelling and poor wound drainage.
• When the moon is transiting the sign that rules the body part being operated on, or its opposite sign. During this time, the moon’s passage makes that body part more vulnerable, weaker. A similar effect occurs when it is moving through its opposite. (A list of signs the parts they rule is at the end of this article.)
• Eclipses (at least five days pre- or post-). Eclipse energy frequently makes things run amok. Need I say more?
• Mars retrograde (and 15 days pre- and post-). Mars rules physical energy, its effects, and powerful emotions. During a retrograde time, we see irrationality, depression, and physical debility.
• Moon in the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces – unless the surgery is exploratory, in which case you want the mutable energy of creativity to be available.
• Square or opposite natal Sun or Mars. These are ‘hard’ or difficult aspects that indicate energies you don’t want around during your surgery.

yes, that is a lot of ‘thou shalt nots’.

Try to schedule your surgery:

• Five days pre- or post- a New (dark) Moon. If the fluids in the body are at their highest atteh full moon, they are at their ebb at the new moon.
• When the moon is in the fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius – UNLESS the surgery is exploratory. The fixed energy provides stability, steadiness, and a reliance on knowledge. If you can’t get these fixed signs, choose the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn).
• Aspects that indicate a sextile or trine natal Venus, Mars, or Jupiter. These aspects indicate harmony, peace, and calm.
• Sextile or trine aspects relating to the natal 6^th house (health) and its ruler. These positive aspects indicate a faster, easier, healing process.

For me, this has meant a complicated little bit of calendering.

Overall

• Mercury is in Virgo: 10/1-10, then in Libra until 10/29, 10/29-11/16 in Scorpio
• Moon VoC:
• 10/2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30,
• 11/1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18
• Full Moon: avoid Oct 1 through 10/8; 10/28 through 11/7
• Dark Moon:
• 10/17 (10:30pm): 10/13 through 10/22 is best
• 11/16 (11am): 11/11 through 11/21 is best
• Moon can’t be in Cancer, ideally not in Capricorn
• No eclipses
• Mars is direct
• Moon not in mutable, but in fixed

Specific Dates During New Moon ‘Shadow’

10/14  00:44  Virgo

10/16  03:30  Libra

10/18  07:20  Scorpio – GOOD

10/20  13:45  Sagittarius – NO

10/22  23:30  Capricorn – NO

11/12  9:20    Libra

11/14  14:20  Scorpio – GOOD

11/16  21:20  Sagittarius – NO

11/19  07:00  Capricorn – NO

Alternatives Dates (outside New Moon Shadow)

10/11  22:00  Leo – GOOD

10/25  10:00  Aquarius – GOOD

10/28  01:00  Pisces – NO

11/8    02:20  Leo – GOOD

11/10  05:30  Virgo

There are not a whole lot of GOOD dates for me in the coming months, and a whole lot of BAD dates. Likely, my surgery will be on an OK day.

Signs & Their Body Parts

Aries: head, brain

Taurus: throat, neck

Gemini: arms, shoulders, nervous system

Cancer: chest, breasts, lungs

Leo: heart and cardiovascular system, spine

Virgo: stomach, intestines

Libra: kidneys

Scorpio: reproductive system

Sagittarius: thighs, hips

Capricorn: knees, joints, skeleton

Aquarius: ankles, circulatory system (lymph)

Pisces: feet, immune system