Holidays and other occasions often inspire us to spruce up our living space for guests and celebrations. House cleaning and kitchen witchery can be astrologically timed for reasons other than the holidays too. So next time you feel the urge to purge, rearrange, cook up a storm, organize, or redecorate, check your astrological calendar to gain some insight into exactly what your domestic instincts are really telling you.

Moon in Cancer/Pisces/Scorpio
Moon in Cancer is the ultimate time for creating a warm, inviting home. During a Cancer Moon, cooking and cleaning are done with love! A son or daughter coming home from college or the birth of a grandchild may inspire this kind of house work as we try to make others in our lives as happy and comfortable as possible. Cancer is a nesting sign, so cleaning done now is preparation for the arrival of something or someone. Cancer also represents the mother and the nurturer, inspiring us to fill our kitchens with inviting aromas and flavorful foods. Purifying the house after a family member has been sick is also a good idea when the Moon is in this sign.

Pisces and Scorpio Moon times may not have the mothering touch of a Cancer Moon, but they do put us in sentimental moods. Creating family photo albums or scrapbooks is an excellent idea when the Moon is in any of the three water signs. Pisces and Scorpio Moons also find us at our creative best for room redesign or choosing new color schemes. The water signs strongly correlate with color magic, but save painting for when the Moon is in a drier sign. A Scorpio Moon is particularly favorable for finding items you misplaced or accidentally hid from yourself! If you brew beer, wine or cider, plan to concoct your seasonal favorite during a water sign Moon.

Moon in Capricorn/Taurus/Virgo
An earth sign Moon will have an organizing influence on us. At a Capricorn or Virgo Moon time we'll sort out all those papers, bank statements, bills and receipts. These Moons are also good for alphabetizing books; emptying and restocking kitchen cabinets; and making simple repairs. While Virgo is thrifty and may help us focus on eliminating the unnecessary, the Capricorn and Taurus Moons make us want to add new items from plants and coffee makers to comforters and soft pillows that provide comfort and pleasure. Making your desk or office a more workable space is also favored during an earth sign Moon time.

Moon in Aquarius/Libra/Gemini
Tasks that require thought and vision are most successful when the Moon visits the air signs, emphasizing the intellect. When the Moon is in visionary Aquarius, draw up plans for your dream house or an addition or remodeling of the home you own. Think of Moon in Aquarius as your architect for the future! Gemini is also a sign of preparation, and under a Gemini Moon contact people to help you with the household tasks you can't perform yourself. Aquarius and Gemini Moons will also inspire us to organize the bookshelves, but a Libra Moon takes a more aesthetic approach in the household. This is when we bake fancy cakes, make slipcovers, and create handmade decorations. All of the air signs are favorable for party preparations, stringing lights, and painting furniture or walls, though for painting Libra is best.

Moon in Aries/Leo/Sagittarius
The fire signs may not be the most domestic of the zodiac, but certain actions are strongly favored when the Moon tours these signs. An Aries Moon is also the time to start new projects while a Leo Moon is the right time to make permanent changes. In your home, the recreation room is the center of energy for the playful fire signs. Make children's spaces more functional and get rid of unused toys and games when the Moon is here. Set up a puppet theater or dress-up box so kids can express creativity at home. Sporting equipment is also ruled by the same signs, so clean the garage and hang a basketball net, dartboard, or archery target. All three signs love a party so plan and prepare for festive occasions under Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius Moons.