We begin October with Mercury stationing direct in the sign of practical Virgo. Falling opposite to watery Neptune, we may not feel as crystal clear as we’d like. However, we now have the chance to resolve any misunderstandings or confusion that have arisen over the last few weeks, with increased gentleness and compassion.

Meanwhile, the Saturn-Uranus square forms its tightest orb of the year during the first half of October. This two-year transit has caused enormous challenges and frustration as we’ve attempted to break free from the past and catapult into the future. Internal and external obstacles have been holding us back from much-needed reinvention, both as individuals and as a society. Luckily, this will be the last hurrah of this square for a long time. We could find that from here, we are finally able to step into our visions of what life could be, without unnecessary blockages.

If that wasn’t enough, Mars stations retrograde this month in Gemini, helping us recalibrate our anger, speedy minds, and mental aggression. We can make best use of this period by slowing down and considering what we truly want, as we shift away from destructive thoughts and communication.

By the end of October, a Scorpio Solar Eclipse arrives, opening the eclipse vortex. We’re ready for karmic events to release us from unhealthy habits, heal our wounds, and spark carefully-footed new beginnings. If we can harness our deliberation and care, we have the opportunity to balance our minds, assert our needs, and establish deeper, healthier relational patterns. During this particularly charged Scorpio season, we’re ultimately learning to surrender and become more honest and intimate with ourselves and others.

OCTOBER Transits 

MERCURY STATIONS DIRECT

On October 2, Mercury stations direct at 24º Virgo, which may not feel like the relief we were hoping for. This is because as Mercury turns direct, he falls opposite to foggy Neptune. We are still in the land of confusion, but we can start to resolve misunderstandings and snafus by calling on the sweetness and forgiveness of Neptune. Mercury enters Libra on October 11, and leaves his shadow on October 17. By then, we’ll be out of Neptune’s haze, and the clarity and insights of Mercury direct will become easier to access.

ARIES FULL MOON

A Full Moon arrives on October 9 at 16° Aries, falling conjunct Chiron and opposite Venus. Old wounds may rise to the surface, especially those pertaining to self-confidence and how we show up in our relationships. The key is to find balance. We can gently assert our needs, accepting ourselves with grace and love, while honoring the perspective of those we hold close at the same time.

How will our relationships improve when we feel stronger as individuals?

We can deeply acknowledge our feelings and honor them, and do the same for others. We can also be aware of who we keep close, making sure that we experience reciprocity and mutual kindness. The next lunation is a Solar Eclipse, so we are now opening the eclipse portal, starting a six-week period of karmic compression when our fate speeds up and truth rises to the surface.

SUN CONJUNCT VENUS

Venus crosses the Sun on October 22, forming a Venus star point in Libra, which hasn’t happened for 143 years. Venus rules Libra, and she is particularly dynamic here as the Sun magnifies her powers. We may experience significant relational occurrences, since love and harmony are stronger and more abundant. We can tune into events and feelings that are arising, paying extra attention to whatever our hearts reveal under the Sun’s beaming light. We are beginning a whole new cycle in romance, culture, values, the arts, and law that will last for 100 years.

SCORPIO SOLAR ECLIPSE

A Solar Eclipse arrives on October 25 at 2° Scorpio—a partial Solar Eclipse visible from Europe and Asia. This is a South Node eclipse, which involves a release that will facilitate a fresh start. Falling exactly conjunct Venus, this Solar Eclipse triggers transformation of our values and creativity, while setting us on an entirely new relational path. We can turn our focus toward how we show up in our relationship dynamics.

How is our understanding of love and intimacy evolving? Are we more interested in genuine connections rather than meaningless, superficial, or hollow ones?

With Mars retrograding in Gemini, we can slow down and concentrate on those we hold most dear, eliminating the noise. We can apply greater discernment to the bonds we form and how we show up for them. These themes and quandaries are essential for us to consider to during this very potent eclipse season.

JUPITER RETURNS TO PISCES

On October 28, Jupiter retrograde returns to Pisces, where he first visited in May to July 2021, then again from January to May 2022. On this third and final stint, which lasts until December 20, 2022, Jupiter will bring his work in Pisces to completion. Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces and very strong in this sign, helping us open our hearts, relish in human connection, and feel more peaceful, spiritual, empathetic, and forgiving. On this final round, we can make a point to be social and joyous, appreciating our capacities for love and creating opportunities to feel them more.

MARS RETROGRADE

On October 30, Mars stations retrograde at 25° Gemini and will turn direct again on January 12, 2023. This is one of the most important transits of the year, during which we can recalibrate our anger, aggression, frustrations, desires, and inner masculine. Falling in Gemini, we may notice more gossip, arguments with friends, and mental turmoil. We can pause and take extra care in how we speak and act. With so much intellectual energy ramping up, we might consciously attune to our bodies and senses. This is a good time to focus on our breath (Gemini rules the lungs), practice yoga, qigong, and meditation, purposely limit our exposure to news, social media, and TV, and take the time to cook our own meals or learn a new craft. Speediness will not serve us, but what will is making the extra effort to be thoughtful, studious, and intentional. By the end of this transit, we will have more patience and a better mastery of our thoughts and words. We can acquire skills that will inform new trajectories, which will be ready to launch in 2023.

OCTOBER Summary

October is filled with significant transits—some of the most important of the year. The Saturn-Uranus square falls within a 1º orb, eliciting frustration while further delaying our long-awaited breakthroughs. Meanwhile, clarity and transformation become abundant as Mercury stations direct and the Eclipse Portal opens. Relationships are undergoing alchemy as we begin to honor and accept ourselves more and extend that to loved ones. Mars will station retrograde on October 31 until January 12, 2023, beginning a period of reflection and review around all of Mars’ domains: anger, sexuality, passion, and desire. Falling in Gemini, we’re recalibrating our minds and learning to slow down and become more conscious of our reactions. One foot in front of the other, we can determine our next steps forward and cultivate healthier approaches to our bodies, lives, thoughts, friendships, and communication. By early 2023, we will enjoy the fruits of this rectification process, feeling clearer and more certain in where we’re going next and how we’re going to get there. In the meantime, we can release our resistance to any challenges that arise, trusting that they're important karmic lessons leading us to liberation. With Mars in Gemini until March 2023, humor and adaptability can operate as our guides.

OCTOBER ASPIRATION

In the midst of colorful leaves and cooling weather, may we pause to decide what we truly care for, love, and desire. May we find the courage to shed old patterns like falling leaves, and with branches exposed, begin an entirely new cycle of love and intimacy.

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