October 1 Mercury retrograde Mercury will move in retrograde motion from October 1-22. 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 "lay low" and hold any business or communications that have to be done until Mercury goes direct again. 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 Libra, the challenge is to learn to speak the truth without the need for approval. October 1-5 Mars opposite Jupiter Mars in Capricorn is in challenging relationship with Jupiter in Cancer October 1-5. Having two powerful planets such as Mars and Jupiter in aspect is like having two kids 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 both planets in cardinal signs (Capricorn and Cancer), there is an incredible collective demand for change and transformation. This could show up as militant (Mars) idealism (Jupiter) or outright conflict. Mars/Jupiter together is like a crusading warrior, so be aware that you and others around you might be feeling a little feisty right now. You can use the energy of Mars and Jupiter to accomplish a great deal, particularly if it involves a cause you feel is worth fighting for. October 1-11 Venus square Pluto, Chiron Venus in Virgo squares Pluto in Sagittarius October 1-2, and Chiron in Sagittarius October 9-11. This is a period of passionate idealism. The downside is that these transits could lead to exaggerated claims, particularly by our politicians and leaders. Personally, we can use these transits to clarify where we stand on important issues and how we can best express our brand of idealism. October 2 Full moon in Aries On October 2, the moon is full in Aries, asking us to speak out boldly about what we need for emotional fulfillment. The full moon in Aries calls us to bring full awareness to our needs so that we then 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 15 Venus enters Libra Venus, known as Aphrodite in the Greek tradition, is very much at home in the sign representing balance, harmony, and beauty. Venus is the goddess who brings the power of the Divine Mother (the moon) into physical manifestation. She is one of the primary archetypes of the creative feminine energy. When Venus occupies Libra, we have an opportunity to express our creativity and passion through manifesting beauty and harmony in our world. This is a wonderful time to reconnect to the feminine through art, music, dance, or design. It is also a time for communing with the harmonious vibrations of the natural world. October 16 New moon in Libra On October 16 at 12:23 a.m., we begin a new moon cycle at 23 degrees Libra. With the new moon in Libra, the focus this month is on nurturing yourself by finding ways in which you can come into harmony with your inner self. We have an opportunity to learn how we can come into balance through diet, through creating balance between work and play, and through balancing our needs for independence and autonomy with our need for intimate relationships with others. October 17 Neptune direct Neptune completes its five-month retrograde on October 17 as it goes direct again at 5 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 that you are drifting on the current of the tides of your life, rudderless, without direction? The Neptune retrograde period called us to open ourselves up to receive guidance. Through meditation, imagery work, visualization, journalizing, and breath work, you can now awaken the sixth chakra between the eyes, the center of intuition. As this center opens, you can become more aware of the subtle energy of Neptune that can give you guidance on your journey. October 20-November 13 Saturn opposition Pluto Saturn in Gemini is in challenging relationship to Pluto in Sagittarius for almost a month. Saturn represents contraction and Pluto represents collective power, so you can imagine that these two create a powerful energetic field. The problem is that this aspect, which happens every 35 years, has historically been associated with economic depression and conflict. Thirty-five years ago was the war in Vietnam and civil protests, and seventy years ago was the Great Depression. "Depression" is actually a good metaphor for this combination, as Saturn depresses, or contracts, whatever planet it is in aspect with. The conflict usually revolves around issues of suppressed power or revolt (Pluto) against authoritarian structures (Saturn). One of the ways that we can make this transit smoother is to access how we may be controlling or "depressing" our own energy. As we deal with our own issues of suppression of power, we help relieve some of the struggle that is "out-pictured" externally. October 23 Sun enters Scorpio The sun moves into Scorpio on October 23 at 1:26 a.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 27 Mars enters Aquarius With Mars in Aquarius from October 27-December 8, the challenge is to focus our will toward greater self-actualization. This may mean looking at any ways that we have been stuck in expressing our willpower or asserting ourselves with others. Mars in Aquarius calls us to break free of any restrictions that keep us from manifesting greater authenticity in our lives. Use the time that Mars is in Aquarius to break through old patterns of making yourself small so that no one will notice. October 30 Uranus direct in Aquarius Uranus, which has been retrograde since May 29, also goes direct this month on October 30 at 20 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 that 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, pranayama, kundalini, or kriya yoga would all be appropriate methods of exploration at this time. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer, professional life coach, and intuitive counselor. James' new book, Inner Planets, Outer Guidance, is now available at East West Bookshop, (206) 523-3726. 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 <http://www.lifeqwest.com/>. To receive James' free e-mail newsletter, send your e-mail address to <newsletter@lifeqwest.com>. |
By adding the universal year 2001 (2+0+0+1= 3) to the 10th month of October, we come up with the vibration of 13/4. The 13/4 month is a time for grounding and manifesting on the physical plane. The number four is all about producing tangible results in material form. By harnessing your creative energy (3) with a solid plan of action (1), you can make great strides toward manifesting your goals this month. Don’t forget that the number three is about having fun, so let yourself enjoy the process and create tangible, measurable progress.