October 2015 Astrology Forecast

So eclipse season was a blast wasn’t it! Literally in my case as a man was shot at the end of my road – thankfully not killed but some Lunar Eclipse madness seems to have erupted there. Meanwhile, four days into Mercury retrograde, my old PC started turning itself off and on again continuously and then finally blue screened in a storm of Mercury mania. After a minor nervous breakdown, I managed to get it to play ball long enough to back up some very important material! Then my mobile phone went on the blink, refusing to clear notifications. Yep…retro Mercury transiting my 3rd house and stationing close to my South Node has been a challenge!

October is the quietest astrological month of the year but we still have some major movements going on.

The month begins with the Last Quarter Moon in Cancer on the 3rd October on the Sabian symbol :-

A Chinese Woman Nursing A Baby Whose Aura Reveals Him To Be The Reincarnation Of A Great Teacher

We are reminded to nurture our potential. What we are truly capable of is far greater than we could ever imagine. Looks can be deceiving. See with your heart, not with your eyes.

The opposition between Mars and Neptune on the 7th October however could have the baby dissolving into tears. We might descend into feelings of defeat and wails of ‘I can’t do anything’. Maybe it’s just tiredness or perhaps it’s because we’re so utterly overwhelmed we don’t know where to start. The trick is to listen to our intuitive responses which will help us to identify which is the right action to take first.

Venus also enters Virgo on the 8th October where she loves to help. Our own comfort tends to be less important than the comfort of those around us. Under this influence, a feather duster and a pair of marigolds are the new sexy. Its the perfect time to throw yourself into beautifying your home or office. And when it comes to love, it’s the little things that count. It’s what you do that matters. Love for Venus in Virgo is a verb. Show your appreciation.

The 9th October sees Venus exit the shadow zone from her previous retrograde period and Mercury station direct (and the moment he does, I have a bunch of people behind me who are waiting to smack him on the nose after his antics this time round – get in line). So this date should see some sense of release from the slow down that we’ve been experiencing recently. Whilst we may be counting the cost of the last few weeks, ultimately our experiences should have put us in a better to position now that we are clearer about what we value and have had time for a personal review.

It’s possible we could be feeling a little hard done by on the 11th October when Venus is square to Saturn. We may be feeling not good enough, too old, unattractive or just unappreciated. ‘Everything’s a mess’ mutters Venus in Virgo. It’s easy to get caught up in the doldrums and easier still to turn those negative feelings into harsh self criticism. Don’t get caught up in the cycle. Sometimes Venus in aspect to Saturn can translate into poverty consciousness. Money issues may be tying you up in knots. Do what you can. Consult an expert if you need to but don’t let money define what you are worth.

Thankfully a powerful trine between Jupiter and Pluto on this date offers us an alternative approach. This ‘wealth’ aspect reminds us to have faith that things can change. Small steps can lead to very big results. The better your understanding of what works and what’s in your control, the more power you have.

The New Moon in Libra on the 13th October continues the same theme as this lunation is also opposite to Uranus. Along with a tricky quincunx to Chiron we may be feeling awkward about expressing our need for freedom or feeling hurt because someone else seems distant. A wide Pluto square may make it hard not to take this personally. Whilst there are some tensions present, we can use the New Moon energies to start afresh allowing each other the freedom we all need. A little space and room for individual expression may be just the change needed to bridge the divide.

A strong trine between Mars and Pluto on the 16th October may give us a driving need to complete projects, work hard or initiate change. This powerful duo is perfect for just getting it done, whatever your objective.

We are now moving towards a triple conjunction of Venus, Mars and Jupiter. If we can keep our feet on Terra Firma and not be seduced by the idea of a ‘sure thing’, our investments of time, energy, love and money could see some very positive returns that could lead to major transformation later down the line.

The only down side is that Mars conjunct Jupiter (17th October) has a habit of escalating events and trines can move very quickly as there is nothing to slow down the energy. Selfless acts of heroic proportions, winning streaks, passionate encounters, intense desires motivating great change – all these are possible but so are greedy grabs at money, power or desired objects if the influence isn’t held in check. If we can stay on the high side though, there is some thrilling potential here. This powerful pattern will be in play until the end of the month so make the most of it.

The First Quarter Moon in Capricorn on the 20th October is on the Sabian symbol :-

A Large Aviary

So this Moon may highlight where we trap ourselves for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Capricorn is very traditional, very conservative. The Libra Sun is concerned with social graces. With the two at odds it’s almost like not knowing quite how to act in polite company but somehow, we all have to learn to get along.

The triple conjunction is brought back into focus with a Venus trine to Pluto on the 23rd October reminding us of the power of love. We need to hold that thought as Mars also opposes Chiron on the same day which may make us aware of a chink in our armour. It may be difficult to assert ourselves or we do so, painfully aware of how easy it is to get knocked down again. Learning how to express anger in healthy ways whilst remaining in a place of love is a constructive way of using this combination of transits.

The Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd October bringing a darker and more intense tone. As we roll towards winter in the northern hemisphere and Samhain/Hallowe’en/Day of the Dead celebrations, it is natural to begin to consider questions of life and death. Consequently the polite nature of Libra that wouldn’t dream of talking about sex, death and taxes in company gives way to a desire to have profound connections that embrace all those taboos and more. In the face of death we want to LIVE, passionately.

Mercury exits the shadow zone on the 24th October – don’t let the door hit you in the backside on your way out Mercury 😀 So, finally life begins to move forwards again and mentally we are likely to feel clear and more in control, especially with the Sun now in purposeful Scorpio.

Venus’s last conjunction to Jupiter occurs on the 25th October bringing an expanse of loving feelings. Charitable events may do well around this time and we may feel more charitable too. Whether it’s giving money to the dogs home or helping out a friend, generosity makes our hearts swell. However it’s worth bearing in mind that Mercury is opposite Uranus today so be prepared for the unexpected. Hopefully, with the Venus-Jupiter influence, any surprises will be good ones.

The Full Moon in Taurus on the 27th October is quincunx to Saturn which may play on the Taurus inclination to stick its hooves in the ground and not budge. There’s being cautions and then there’s being utterly paralysed by fear. However a sweet sextile to Neptune shows that all we need to do is use our imagination to bring our seed ideas to fruition. The Moon is on the Sabian symbol :-

The Pot Of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow

This gently reminds us to stay within the realms of reality. Chasing fantasies and promises of easy riches will not bring us the security we need. The gold is found within. With Venus opposite Chiron on this date too, neither love nor money can buy happiness. Acknowledge your true worth.

A note to watch here is that Mars also conjuncts the September solar eclipse point at Full Moon. Mars hitting an eclipse point can be like a trigger that activates the message of the eclipse. If you have something around 20 degrees Virgo, stay alert for events.

The month ends on a sweet note with a trine between the Sun and Neptune on the 30th October bringing an imaginative, mystical tone which puts us in the mood for the ghostly happenings of Hallowe’en on the 31st October. Time to remember those who have passed, acknowledge the role that death has in life and perhaps practice a little divination of your own.

Samhain blessings to all those celebrating.

October Astrology Forecast Aspects

3rd Oct Last Quarter Moon in Cancer
6th Oct Sun square Pluto
6th Oct Mercury sextile Saturn
7th Oct Mars opposite Neptune
8th Oct Mercury retrograde conjunct the North Node
8th Oct Venus enters Virgo
9th Oct Mercury stations direct
9th Oct Venus exits shadow zone
10th Oct Mercury conjunct the North Node
11th Oct Venus square Saturn
11th Oct Jupiter trine Pluto
12th Oct Sun opposite Uranus
13th Oct New Moon in Libra
13th Oct Mercury sextile Saturn
16th Oct Mars trine Pluto
17th Oct Venus opposite Neptune
17th Oct Mars conjunct Jupiter
20th Oct First Quarter Moon in Capricorn
22nd Oct Mercury square Pluto
23rd Oct Venus trine Pluto
23rd Oct Mars opposite Chiron
23rd Oct Sun enters Scorpio
24th Oct Mercury exits the shadow zone
25th Oct Venus conjunct Jupiter
25th Oct Mercury opposite Uranus
27th Oct Full Moon in Taurus
27th Oct Venus opposite Chiron
27th Oct Mars triggers the solar eclipse point
30th Oct Sun trine Neptune

Painting – ‘Squash Blossoms’ by Georgia O’Keeffe