October Forecast

Venus in Scorpio Oct. 2nd - Oct. 30th

Venus breaks away from the turbulent influence of Rahu (the north node), Saturn and Jupiter, and moves into the sign Scorpio on October 2nd.  Though Venus has been strong in its own sign Libra until now, it has had to deal with the intensity of the Rahu/Saturn conjunction, even though it has had the benevolent influence of Jupiter.  This has led to intense negotiations on the world stage and in our own personal lives, as well as a more philosophical approach to these negotiations.  September has seen many things of true value being solidified, as those things which keep us distracted blown up like a hot air balloon, resulting in the inevitable come down.  This may have been the financial situation, a relationship or agreement.  September has been quite a tug of war as a result of these transits. 

Now that Venus is free from these influences it channels its energy through the sign Scorpio and with the influence of a strong Mars after the 5th.  In September Venus had the influence of a frustrated Mars calling the shots, leading to all kinds of cruel, vulgar behavior.  In October Mars will influence from a place of strength in Leo, directing its energy into its own sign Scorpio.  Scorpio is Mars' feminine sign which relates to inner strength, often obtained through painful experiences.  Though this is usually how strength is achieved in Scorpio, it is not the only way.  Trans-formative experiences which strengthen us can be achieved though stilling the awareness on that which is beyond the everyday worries and fears.  Sometimes, however, we have to delve into those fears to reach beyond them.  Venus in Scorpio represents a need to delve into the darker areas of our relationships i.e. fears, jealousies, possessiveness and obsessions.         
                            
Our values around relationships go through a testing time when Venus is placed in Scorpio because often our fragile human affairs do not hold up to the intensity of the sign.  We may try to avoid the inevitable feelings of vulnerability through sexual release or power games, putting up an impenetrable shield to prevent these feelings.  Loyalty comes from the fixed watery sign Scorpio, but at a price to some.  'If you commit to me I will be there for you, but if I feel you have betrayed me you will feel my vengeance', is what Venus would say in Scorpio.  It is not sufficient for Scorpio to just hear the words 'I love you' to feel loved.  As a water-dominant sign, Scorpio needs to feel your love and will test your commitment at every turn.  This will be a testing time for relationships and all kinds of negotiations in general, as action takes precedence over debate, and power games are played to test loyalty.  This is pronounced when Mars's aspect from Leo comes into play after October 5th.  Mars has a stronger position than Venus and takes care of its own interests in Scorpio while placed in Leo.  This represents a stronger time for self-expression and exploration, than it does for co-operate endeavors. 

This results in more action than in the previous weeks.  This action is taken from a place of true strength of being (Leo) and directed at eliminating fear from our lives (Scorpio).  There are many ways in which we will achieve this goal.  It may be through cutting out people or things in our lives which do not serve a higher purpose, or by taking on new a new discipline for this purpose. 

Scorpio is one of the more inert signs, which means it is more interested in protecting the organism, doing whatever needs to be done to achieve its goals.  This is not conducive to happy relationships, where we must suit someone's needs.  This is further complicated by Mercury's retrograde period in Venus' sign Libra by the 21st. 

We may be able to help our relationships in the long run if we can say and do what we need to at this juncture, before backtracking to find out where we may have gone wrong. 

New Moon in Virgo Oct. 5th

The Moon reaches the Sun's degree at 17 degrees of the sign Virgo.  This occurs  at 00.34 UTC on October 5th.  The new Moon is in the lunar sign Hasta, meaning 'hand'.  This lunar sign is ruled by the Moon itself and represents skills with the hand and our ability to craft something in our lives.  Contained entirely within Mercury's sign Virgo, it represents a need to control the details of our lives. 

Mercury is currently placed in Libra and our minds are somewhat out of control, as it transits alongside Rahu and Saturn.  Mercury is preparing for its next retrograde phase, beginning just after the full Moon and lunar eclipse of October 18/19th, which is within this new Moon cycle.  The two weeks after this new Moon are ones to watch as our minds are forced back in on themselves in order to reflect on this time in our lives.  Though the new Moon day itself is not conducive to taking action, which is accentuated by Mars moving signs, it is a good time to contemplate what that action may be, once Mars has safely moved into Leo during the second week of October. 

The new Moon day is the day Mars moves out of the Moon's sign Cancer and into the Sun's sign Leo.  We may find the day itself a challenging one to negotiate, as we are drawn into ourselves.  By the next cycle of the new Moon in Libra, we experience the solar eclipse in Libra and the issues that may have been left unseen become more apparent during this time. 

Mars in Leo Oct. 5th - Nov. 26th

Mars leaves it place of debilitation on the new Moon day on October 5th and moves into a place of strength for the coming weeks.  As always there is a period of a few days in which a planet must gather its strength as it moves signs.  This is certainly no less relevant for Mars because of its weakened state for the last few weeks.  The juncture between Cancer and Leo is also a highly sensitive point for any planet to move through, so it will benefit those who are feeling a lack of strength, to hold on a few more days until the energy returns by the second week of October.  Those with Aries or Scorpio as their rising sign will benefit hugely from the strength of their ruler once it moves past this sensitive juncture.  We will all benefit from a return to purpose in one way or another.  

Be mindful of not overdoing it when the energy and drive does come back!  Action, self-will and courage have been held back because of its recent debilitation and due to Saturn's constrictive influence, but now all of these strengths of Mars are most welcome back in our lives.  Though the energy will be kept in check somewhat due to the Sun's transit into debilitation  from October 17th until November 16th,  this period is more conducive to taking action on purpose.  We will all feel better by having more energy and discipline in our lives.  The areas you experience the signs Aries and Scorpio will feel like they are back on track and ready to take on new challenges. 

Mars casts its fiery eyes on the sign Scorpio and Venus contained therein, insuring we will place our needs and desires above anyone else.  This is not a bad thing but a very necessary step in being able to stand alone and offer anyone else something in return at a more appropriate time.  We may have to cut things out and takes things on board if we are to do the right thing by ourselves, and eventually for everyone else in our lives.  The fixed signs of Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius find the energy and will to change what needs to be changed, a task which is all too often a struggle for these more inert signs. 

Talk is certainly cheap for a strong Mars and now the intense negotiations have come to an end we must act on what we have deemed necessary.  This is a period to take the necessary actions. 

Sun in Libra Oct. 17th - Nov. 16th

The Sun moves into its sign of debilitation on October 17th, as it does at this time every year.  This year, however, we have an exalted Saturn and an eclipse in Libra to experience alongside a weakened Sun.  The Sun is seen as debilitated in Libra because Libra is concerned with the other and the Sun represents the Self.  Finding a sense of Self can of course be possible when looking out for others.  However, all too often there is a lack of connection to ones Self if we are more concerned about others.  This is true when observed in an individual's natal chart i.e. anyone born between October 17th and November 16th. 
When we look to the transit for everyone as a whole, it is time of year to head into the darkness and bring your light to comfort others. 

When we are more concerned about others in our lives, our sense of Self can be seen to be weak, but we can just as easily look to helping others and stop thinking about ourselves for a while!  Certainly this period will express itself as a lack of confidence and can be challenging for us as we head into the darkness on many levels with Saturn alongside the Sun and the eclipses.  October 27th sees the Sun at its exact debilitation degree, at the same time we have Saturn almost reaching its exact exaltation degree.

Considering others is certainly a possibility with Saturn at its strongest at this time, even though Mars in the Sun's sign is asking us to be more selfish.  Saturn's strength represents our ability to feel comfortable with our doubts, while helping others with theirs.  Mars' strength will help us to eliminate these doubts and do what we deem to be necessary. 

Saturn is exalted in Libra because this is where we experience the depths of darkness in relation to our own journey.  The colour of Libra is black and shows our entanglements in relationships and worldly affairs, leading to a loss of a power we gain from a sense of Self.  Even when we physically get some Sun we feel better, but this year as we head into winter we are deprived of, not only the Sun's powerful rays, but our sense of connection to the power and majesty of our Higher Self.  We light candles which signify this because we do not have as much access to it naturally.  We do not feel as vital at this time of year. 

What complicates this process this year (last year we also experienced this Sun/Saturn dynamic) is that we have the presence of Rahu and the resulting eclipses.  Rahu is humble Saturn's alter ego and shows our ego's need for self-aggrandizement.  Saturn represents restraint, while Rahu represents insatiable desires.  Rahu and Saturn's impulses together with the Sun can lead to all kinds of power plays this year, especially when we take Mars position in Leo into account.  Saturn is asking us to be humble and think of others, while Rahu is asking us to fulfill our ego's desires - and the Sun is too weakly placed to be sure of the environment, though Mars is pushing us onward regardless.   Darkness and shadows lead to doubts and fears of all kinds.  We may not be able to trust this process but we must learn the lessons nonetheless.   Fortunately we have Jupiter's influence on the sign Libra all of this time, allowing us all to remain somewhat philosophical about what transpires. 

Those with the sign Leo as their rising sign will feel the weakness of the Sun this year.  Saturn's presence will slow them down in some way or another, while Rahu's presence will bring a need to keep the progress up.  The tricky thing about the Sun's position at this time and for anyone born between October 17th and November 16th, is that there is a need to achieve power because of Rahu's influence, but Saturn is holding the Sun energy back at the same time.  This tension may lead to all kinds of frustrations and inner turmoil.  Remain steadfast and trust that this turmoil will lead to breakthroughs, just as parting clouds reveals the glory of the sunshine.  The eclipses and these transits will bring to light things that have remained hidden and once we are aware of all of the facts we can make the required changes.  The imagined fears (Rahu) can then come to light and the very real consequences of our past (Saturn) and future course of actions (Rahu) can be dealt with in time.  We then realize that our fears were often worse than the actual outcome. 

All of this begins a process which we may not initially be able to articulate.  The Sun will be calling back Mercury over the next few weeks during Mercury's retrograde period, so our minds can re-examine our lives and leave us with more an understanding of our path and of one another in the process.

Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse in Aries Oct. 18th

The lunar eclipse in October occurs at a sensitive juncture in the zodiac, between the watery Pisces and the fiery Aries.  This juncture is known as Gandanta and is referred to as a 'knot in time'.  The Moon is eclipsed just as it enters the sign Aries at 1 degree.  This places a stress on our mental-emotional bodies, whether we acknowledge it or not.  Many simply indulge the full Moon with activities of pleasure or avoidance, but with the eclipse point Ketu casting its shadow, we cannot hide from what needs to change.  Like bringing something to a head, we have to deal with what has been lurking beneath until now. 

The full Moon attaches us to this worldly experience and all of its delights, but Ketu is asking for something more profound and enlightening.  Ketu can cut through things which do not serve a deeper connection to our true source.  This full Moon and eclipse occurs in Ketu's own lunar sign, known as Aswhini, intensifying its ability to remove our illusions.  With the Sun weak during the eclipse we may have to work on trusting that everything that comes up to be dealt with now, has cosmic intelligence, not necessarily in line with what we thought we wanted. 

Those with the Sun, Moon, ascendant or any planets around this section of the zodiac, or opposite i.e. 1 degree of Aries or Libra, would benefit from paying particular attention to this eclipse and the changes it brings about. 

Lunar Eclipse Timing UTC

Start of Penumbral Phase: 21.53 October 18th
Maximum Eclipse:                23.50 October 18th
End of Penumbral phase:   01.48 October 19th

Astronomical Data Courtesy of Timeanddate.com
http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2013-october-18

Mercury Retrograde in Libra Oct. 21st - Nov. 10th

Mercury begins to sift its way through the chaos in Libra, as we try and make sense of the events of the recent past.  This period of time is conducive to some reflection on our relationship dynamics and on the revolutions which are occurring around the world and in our own personal lives.  It is not necessarily a time to make any final decisions based on these reflections, but more suitable to intense research.  We have to remain child-like and open to new possibilities during this transit, especially as we experience the solar eclipse a couple of days after a 'new Mercury'.  This is when Mercury reaches the same degree as the Sun during its retrograde phase, bringing insights and revelations on November 1st.

The shadow phase of Mercury begins at the very beginning of the month of October, as our minds get too far ahead of our actual life experience in relation to the sign Libra, as well as the signs Gemini and Virgo and what they represent for each of us individually.  This is the general theme of Mercury as it moves back and forth in relation to the Sun and earth.  In the body we can see this as the head (Mercury=intellect) being thrust forward in relation to the rest of the body, as our heads become misaligned with the spine (Sun=Self-esteem).  The Sun represents our ability to stand tall as it were.  We can only thrust forward for so long before we experience a pain in our backs.  This is a physical representation of a deeper malaise which needs to be addressed.  We then have to lie down oftentimes to bring our heads back into alignment.  Mercury's retrograde period is a time to retreat, relax, lay down and reflect on life, giving the spine ample opportunity to reposition itself.  We can then reposition our minds in relation to our actual circumstances and rethink things if necessary. 

This retrograde period is a tricky one because of the presence of Saturn and Rahu, causing stress and confusion.  We may not feel at ease with our minds running wild but we must learn to steady the fluctuations of the mind and the air element if we are to navigate this retrograde period calmly.  A better use of this transit would be to take the time to rework or review something in your life .  This can lead to all kinds of messy interactions which ultimately brings us back to our center, and from there we can be more clear about who we are. 

Once the retrograde period ends in November we can then move on with the areas of our lives Mercury represents and with the insights gained.  This is the first of the retrograde periods we will experience between now and summer 2014, as Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn all begin their own retrograde periods in the coming months.  In one way or another our lives will need reworking on many levels of our being during this time. 

Saturn Breaking New Ground in Libra

Saturn moves past its shadow phase in October, meaning it has moved beyond the point it has previously transited back to due to its retrograde motion earlier this year.  This leads us into a new stage of structure and actualization in our lives.  The building blocks of Saturn are slowly put in place and need to be placed carefully once previous structures have been cleared, leading to a strong structural base for our lives.  

Saturn moves past 17 degrees of Libra, a point which it stationed at during the beginning of this year and a point at which we experience the solar eclipse on November 3rd.  This activates this degree in the zodiac and can lead to changes in our lives if we have the Sun, Moon, ascendant degree or any planets around this degree, or opposite at 17 degrees of Aries.  This trigger is a release of pressure if we can learn to let go of those things which no longer serve us.  If we try to hold onto those things we may find ourselves being pulled down with the pressure of Saturn.  Let go.  Move on. 

Saturn and Rahu move past each other in October, Saturn moving on in a direct motion and Rahu moving backwards as always, to the beginning of the sign Libra.  They do not separate completely until July of next year, when Rahu moves into Virgo, however, they are separating and releasing tension as they do so.  Mars no longer influences them which is also a welcome release of pressure and frustration.  The revolutionary activity throughout the world and in our lives continue while they both are placed together, but it becomes less frantic as new structures are put in place around the world and in our lives. 

Those who are currently experiencing either a Saturn or Rahu period in life will be glad of this separation.  Rahu individual's will feel the release of pressure as Saturn moves away and they can get on with the excitement of living on the edge once more.  Saturn's restrictive influence has not been easy for Mr. Ambition aka Rahu.  Those who are in a Saturn period and have the need to withdraw and find peace within, can settle down and deal with the aftermath of the storm, as the clean up process begins. 

Saturn then moves on to 22 degrees of Libra by the end of November, which it then retrogrades back to in the summer of 2014.  It will make it all the way to the end of Libra (29 degrees) and station there during the beginning of 2014, before moving back to 22 degrees.  If you have any planets between 22 and 29 degrees of the sidereal sign Libra (particularly at these exact degrees) they will experience the pressure of Saturn; initially 29 degrees in February/March of 2014 and then 22 degrees in July of 2014.  This solidifies or crumbles the significations of any planets placed at these degrees in your life.  Those people or things which are not meant to be with you for the long haul may be taken away in some form or another, and those things which are meant to stay with you become part of a more solid foundation for your future. 

OM TAT SAT