It’s a rare day that’s perfect for anything. As we who live them know well, most days and periods have their downsides as well as their upsides. To choose a "good" travel day, I make a judgment based on balancing a number of conditions. Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars have a strong connection with travel, and I especially look at their conditions.
Full moons and new moons are not the greatest time to travel, because emotions are at a peak then, and people are not very objective. Crises and irritations most often arise then, which can lead to accidents. This is especially true just before the moon change.
In making a close call, I look at the moon’s final aspect, just before it goes void of course. This shows how the situation will end up.
Mercury has to do with connections and movement, and it’s important in regard to the details of trips. Will you make your connections? Will there be delays? Will you remember the necessities? What will be the mood of your fellow travelers? I look for harmonious Mercury aspects, which aid in smoothness of the trip.
Some people say not to travel during Mercury retrograde. I disagree. True, there may be minor glitches in your trip, but to me the advantage of traveling when you’re seeing things more deeply, as you do during Mercury retrograde, is worth it. However, I don’t recommend travel on the day when Mercury is making its turn retrograde. Indecisiveness and uncertain results can manifest more easily then.
General Principles
Listed below are the main travel planets. Look to their condition when planning a trip.
Mercury is the ubiquitous planet involved in everything to do with travel, from packing your bags to getting to your destination. Movement and connection are its domains. It is especially involved in short trips, even walking to your mailbox.
Mars also governs movement, particularly fast movement, such as automobiles.
Jupiter, which is where we broaden our horizons, relates to travel in general. People with a strong Jupiter in their charts are travelers. They have a yen to see the world, and they do.
Neptune roams the universe, and is involved with long distance travel and long journeys, especially through the seas or skies.
Uranus is especially connected with air travel.
Moon keeps us in the moment, and its daily aspects bear on travel.
Any challenging celestial condition can induce stress in any area of life, including travel. And the course of the Moon through a sign tells about the course of all events while Moon is traveling in that sign, including travel.
These are just a sample of the things involved in choosing a good travel day. There is also the traveler’s situation—e.g., the purpose of the trip, the destination, the type of travel, and the personal chart.
Travelers, may you fare well!
