October 1, 2023 — October begins in the wake of an intense Aries Full Moon, officially beginning eclipse season. Two eclipses arrive this month, which means we can prepare for potent change, surreality, and karmic compression. Mercury left his shadow on September 29 and gains momentum this month, forming significant aspects with the outer planets. Venus also forms a beautiful grand trine in October—a reward for our hard work during her arduous retrograde cycle.

Lurking in the background, transformative Pluto is still squaring the lunar nodes. He stations direct on October 10, then slowly begins to pull away, helping us emerge from the underworld. For the past few months the planets have been plunging us into crisis, fear, intensity, and heaviness. To move through this, we can now focus on mastering the Aries-Libra axis—our resilience and peace. By taking good care of ourselves, first and foremost, we can connect with unflappable stillness. Feeling the strength of our spines and softness of our hearts, we can relax into each moment as it is.

Worrying about the past, the future, or the state of the world leads to cyclical and afflicted thoughts. Sometimes the only way to make it through is to connect with our senses, giving ourselves over to reality as it unfurls—the beauty of light as it hits our bed, the leaves changing on our favorite tree, the taste of food, the warmth of a hug. The sensual Taurus lunar eclipse on the childlike Aries north node will help us sink into all of this. We can appreciate the phenomenal world with directness and excitement, without spinning our wheels in anxiety or panic.

By the end of the month, many planets move into Scorpio. By then, we will have surrendered to ourselves and the world so much that we may even enjoy being seen as we are, as our most vulnerable, truest selves. As long as we don’t resist whatever happens, we’ll become stronger. We just have to keep our hearts open, healing and caring for ourselves and each other with greater vigilance. This way, more of us can operate from love and true confidence as we melt into the simple splendors of each day, no matter our grief or struggle.

October 2023 TRANSITS

MERCURY OPPOSITE NEPTUNE, TRINE PLUTO

After leaving his shadow at the end of September, Mercury opposes Neptune then trines Pluto on October 2 and 3, respectively. Portals are opening to spiritual connection and visions of other realms. On the other hand, we may also experience brain fog and confusing communication. Pluto is moving very slowly all month since he’s stationing direct, so the power of Mercury’s trine to Pluto is exaggerated. We’re ready to experience deep clarity and wisdom if we relax, relinquishing our impulse to control. We might consider meditating, which we could now find especially potent and fruitful.

MARS SQUARE PLUTO

On October 8, Mars squares Pluto in an explosive transit. We may observe power struggles erupting on the world stage or in our personal lives. This is a day we might consider staying in and taking it easy if possible, avoiding conflict, potential accidents, and exaggerated anger.

VENUS ENTERS VIRGO

Venus finally moves into Virgo on October 9 after an extra long four-month stay in Leo due to her retrograde. As Venus enters subdued Virgo, she forms an opposition to constrictive Saturn. We’re becoming more discerning around love, resources, and values. We may feel held back, blocked, or restrained, especially around our relationships and finances. But we are planting seeds so that we can build momentum later on. Our feelings of lack are helping us see what’s most important to us and what we need to build into our lives with greater intention. Natural, quiet simplicity is taking precedence over flamboyance and the urge to be seen. Later this month, Venus will trine Jupiter, then form a grand trine with Uranus and Pluto. Whatever we work on now with diligence and humility will soon blossom exponentially.  

SUN OPPOSITE CHIRON

The Sun opposes Chiron on October 10, and we may feel extra raw and vulnerable, our oldest wounds triggered. We have the chance for deep healing, so we can make time to look within and employ healing modalities. We are ready to become healthier and more whole, especially in how we see ourselves.

LIBRA NEW MOON SOLAR ECLIPSE

On October 14, a New Moon solar eclipse forms at 21° Libra. This is a south node eclipse, and it’s forming a conjunction with Mercury while squaring Pluto and quincunxing Uranus in Taurus. This is a powerful moment to reset since solar eclipses offer fresh starts and clean slates. Falling in Libra, this is especially true within our relationships. In the face of crisis, we can establish greater harmony in our communication. We’re smoothing out friction and disagreements by generating more love and acceptance. We can tune into our inner peace, establishing greater harmony even within ourselves. In a sense, this is a graduation moment from Pluto squaring the nodes. We can feel finality and regeneration as we cross the portal into the eclipse vortex.

MERCURY + THE SUN ENTER SCORPIO

On October 22, Mercury enters Scorpio, and on October 23, the Sun follows suit. Scorpio season pulls us into deep transformation and intimacy. It’s the time of year when the leaves have fallen, their branches laid bare. We have x-ray vision and can see to the heart of matters, going much deeper than Libra’s charm. Unlike Libra, Scorpio is not afraid of confrontation, which means more closeness can occur. This is a great time for therapy and spiritual work that can help us transmute old patterns and embrace our shadows. We can make peace with all that is, recognizing that pain is not punishment—it’s an opportunity to integrate and embrace scarier aspects of ourselves and this life.

TAURUS FULL MOON LUNAR ECLIPSE

On October 28, a Full Moon lunar eclipse forms at 5° Taurus, falling on the Aries north node. This eclipse is conjunct Jupiter in Taurus while opposing Mercury and Mars in Scorpio. We now have the chance to better align with our soul’s highest potential. With Jupiter joining in, we may feel extra joyful and optimistic. However, the oppositions from Mercury and Mars remind us to consider the depths of our truth. We can acknowledge our fear, anger, and shadows in order to feel truly secure and at peace with ourselves. With Venus, Taurus’ ruler, forming a gorgeous and harmonious grand trine, we may experience a culmination of energies that began brewing over the summer. We are stepping into greater awakening, authenticity, and healing. Our relationships are beginning to make more sense as we cross the threshold into fresh dynamics and priorities. Our renewed values and self-love have crystalized as we’ve relinquished control and embodied the peace of surrender.

OCTOBER 2023 Aspiration

Like the trees losing their leaves, may we surrender to impermanence, allowing ourselves to be seen, stripped bare. May we find beauty in the world no matter our hardships, understanding that pain and pleasure alike awaken our hearts and lend to the richness of human experience.

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