October 2-9 Mars squares Pluto, Jupiter, and Chiron Mars in Virgo is in challenging relationship with Pluto in Sagittarius October 2-5, Jupiter in Gemini October 2-6, and Chiron in Sagittarius October 6-9. With Jupiter also opposing Pluto (see next section), a giant T-square will be created in the sky. A T-square with four powerful planets such as Mars, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto is like having four kids all screaming for your attention at the same time. To resolve the tension, you have to be sure to listen to the needs of everyone involved. With all planets in the mutable or changeable signs (Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius) there is an incredible collective demand for change and transformation. It's interesting, too, that this configuration shows up just one month before the elections. The winning candidates in this year's election will have to show how committed they are to implementing broad social changes that will positively affect the masses. Those who resist this collective urge to change will most probably be defeated. October 13 Full moon in Aries On October 13, the moon is full in Aries. Moon in Aries asks us to speak out boldly about what we need for emotional fulfillment. The full moon in Aries is calling us to bring full awareness to our needs so that we can be totally present and authentic with others. Only when we can truly nurture ourselves and honor our own needs for independence, autonomy, and freedom can we truly be in relationship with others. October 13-23 Jupiter opposes Pluto Jupiter in Gemini is in challenging relationship to Pluto in Sagittarius from October 13-23. Jupiter/Pluto transits are the fuel for changes in mass consciousness. With the opposition between Jupiter and Pluto, we are becoming aware of the need to balance knowledge (Gemini) with wisdom (Sagittarius). Use this transit to reexamine and reevaluate your fundamental beliefs. Jupiter/Pluto asks us to transform our beliefs by stepping back to gain a larger perspective. October 15 Neptune direct Neptune completes its five-month retrograde on October 15 as it goes direct again at 3 degrees Aquarius. During the retrograde period, we had an opportunity to see how deeply connected we are to being guided by spirit. Do you now feel more connected to some form of guidance that informs and gives direction and meaning to your life, or do you still feel you are drifting on the current of the tides of your life, rudderless, without a direction? The Neptune retrograde period called us to open ourselves up to receive guidance. Through meditation, imagery work, visualization, journalizing, and breath work, we can now awaken the sixth chakra between the eyes, the center of intuition. As this center opens, we can become more aware of the subtle energy of Neptune that can give us guidance on our journey. October 18 Mercury retrograde Mercury will move in retrograde motion from October 18 through November 7. Mercury retrograde is a call for greater impeccability in our lives in the areas of speaking, writing, self-expression, and following through on our word. For example, many people experience Mercury going retrograde as a time when communication breaks down to the point that they won’t do or sign anything. The superstition is that Mercury retrograde is a time to "lie low" and hold any business or communications that have to be done until Mercury goes direct again. In other words, for many people, there is ample evidence to substantiate that Mercury retrogrades foul things up! I, too, could tell you stories of phone calls not returned, mail not delivered, etc. It can begin to look like Mercury retrogrades do happen to us! The point of Mercury retrogrades, however, is to teach us that adversity often challenges us to internalize our experience; to deepen our understanding of our own nature so that we can achieve mastery in our lives. Mercury retrogrades help us to see, through external events, at what level our Mercury function (or throat chakra) is operating. If our communication skills are lacking in any area, this will be more than apparent when Mercury goes retrograde. With Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, the challenge is to learn to speak the microscopic truth. October 18 Venus enters Sagittarius With Venus in Sagittarius from October 18 through November 11, the focus is on sharing our joy and enthusiasm with others. The root word of enthusiasm is "en Theo" or "in God," and it is this attribute of divine inspiration represented by the sign of Sagittarius that wants to flow from our hearts at this time of year. Again, the focus is not so much on what we say or believe or even give to each other in the form of gifts that counts. What really counts with Venus in Sagittarius is our ability to share our presence — our love, energy, and receptivity — with others. October 22 Sun enters Scorpio The sun moves into Scorpio on October 23 at 7:47 p.m. The Scorpio process corresponds to the beginning of an inward-turning period in nature, when outer things gradually decay and life returns to the earth. The external forms have died back to leave nothing but bare trees and bushes above the exhausted earth, from which life can flourish anew. The Scorpio principle involves the descent into darkness to transform the ego and to emerge as a powerful bearer of light. Our job in Scorpio is to be role models for others in the highest use of passion and power. October 26 Uranus direct in Aquarius Uranus, which has been retrograde since May 25, also goes direct this month on October 26 at 16 degrees Aquarius. Uranus’ retrograde has been a time for each of us to deepen our attunement to the subtle and not-so-subtle energy that is constantly flowing through our bodies. Uranus speaks, in particular, of electromagnetic energy that in different traditions is described as prana, chi, ki, kundalini, shakti, or life force. As Uranus progresses through its seven-year transit of the sign Aquarius, we are being awakened to the realization that we are truly energetic beings who are constantly enveloped by a universal energy field that is always available to us. Our job during Uranus’ five-month retrograde has been to see how open we are to receiving this energy. Breathing and bodywork, in particular, help open up the body so it can handle increased energy without being over-amped. Any of the energetic approaches to the body, such as Reiki, polarity, SHEN, Barbara Brennan’s "Hands of Light" work, craniosacral work, pranayama, kundalini, or kriya yoga would all be appropriate methods of exploration at this time. October 26-November 1 Venus opposite Jupiter, conjunct Pluto and Chiron Venus in Sagittarius opposes Jupiter in Gemini October 26-27, and is at the same degree as Pluto October 27-29 and Chiron October 30-November 1. This is a period of passionate idealism. The downside is that these transits could lead to exaggerated claims, particularly by our politicians right before the general election. On the other hand, there could be refreshingly candid statements where the candidates really step up to the plate and speak their truth. Either way, you can expect a lively and spirited debate right up to Election Day. Personally, we can use these transits to clarify where we stand on the issues before and to decide who will be the best steward for our brand of idealism. October 27 New moon in Scorpio A new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in the same sign and signifies the joining of solar and lunar energies. With each new moon, we have an opportunity for a new quality to emerge into our consciousness. With the new moon in Scorpio, the focus this month is on letting go; trusting that it is safe to let go of old ways of being that may have prevented us from deeply sharing ourselves, our vision, and our wisdom more fully with others. With the new moon in Scorpio, we have an opportunity to learn how to speak our truth more fully and to learn how to truly honor the deep passion and intensity of our emotions. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer, professional life coach, and transpersonal counselor. For those who want support in discovering, clarifying, and manifesting their vision, James is available for astrological consultations and life coaching sessions by phone. For a brochure of his services or to schedule phone or mail order consultations, call (831) 688-0574, e-mail <jjarvis@lifeqwest.com>, or visit James’ Web site at <http://www.lifeqwest.com/>. If you would like to receive James' e-mail newsletter, send your e-mail address to <newsletter@lifeqwest.com>. |
By adding the universal year 2000 (2+0+0+0=2) to the 10th month of October, we come up with the vibration of 12/3. The 3 month is a time for tapping into joy through creative self-expression. What aspect of your creativity wants to come out this month? Are you a closet painter, writer, dancer, or musician? Is there something that you are really passionate about that you would like to share with others but have been holding back? Use this month to discover your own form of creative expression. Let yourself be like a child and really get down and play this month!