October is full of activity. The planetary alignments this month can bring heated talks, reversals in plans, and unexpected changes, leading to anxiety. There may be shifts in the direction that you have been moving toward these past few months.
Venus Transits Scorpio from Oct 2nd till Oct 30th
For this transit, Venus is caught in the nodal axis and will form a conjunction with Ketu around the time that Saturn moves direct on Oct 11. This does not bode well for relationships. You may be questioning yourself about the person that you are with, especially if this is an intimate relationship. It could result in fears and obsessions leading to breaks in intimate relationships.
Venus’ main impulse is to connect in a balanced way, in the context of relationships, contracts, and use of material resources. This is the reason why the passionate, intense, and obsessive atmosphere of Scorpio throws the Venusian principle off balance. This is further compounded by Venus being caught in the nodal axis, and forming a conjunction with Ketu.
Mercury returns to Virgo on October 1st till November 1st
Mercury in Virgo is still retrograde and starts to move toward Mars and Sun in Virgo. It remains retrograde till October 18th.
On Oct 9th, there is a Sun, Mars, Mercury conjunction in Virgo. Mercury is in its own sign, where it reaches an exalted state, a place where it performs well, with awareness, akin to its own nature so normally this would mean all activities connected to writing, speaking, communication, travel, making money, get a boost. But due to its connection with the Sun and Mars you could be facing frustrations, disagreements, and unpleasant surprises in these matters as well as all significations of Mercury depending on where Virgo sits in your chart.
With Rahu aspecting Virgo, it can agitate things further due to the fiery conjuction with Sun and Mars. Both Mercury and Mars are combust and Sun is afflicted with Mars so close by. Because it is Virgo, flaws in others, and in your activities, could be glaringly obvious to you now – this would be the time to re-think, re-vise, and re-do matters connected to Virgo. See if you have a planet there, it could get adversely impacted. You could also see some setbacks to your plans and goals.
Things start to shape up and improve during the last week of October when Mars leaves Virgo and Mercury goes direct. Mars and Mercury do not get along, Mercury is analytical, calculating whereas Mars is action-orientated, direct, and impulsive. So here again, Mars joins Mercury leading to too much analysis and action can be stunted.
Mars Transits Libra from October 21st till December 5th
Mars has been traveling very close to the Sun, and will continue to do so till the end of November. This results in a combust state for Mars, again pointing to action being stunted. With a combust Mars, you can feel overly competitive and irritated at the possibility of things not going your way. It can bring low self-confidence at this time.
But, nonetheless, during this time period, with Libra so energised, could be an amazing time for re-connecting with old friends and relationships, any social activities could also bring some benefits at this time. By the time Mars moves to Scorpio, it will be caught in the nodal cycle pointing to some unfinished business re-surfacing pertaining to where Scoprio falls in your chart.
New Moon in Virgo in the nakshatra of Hasta on Oct 6th
The Moon will join the Sun at 19º Virgo, at approximately 12 pm UTC. This is a difficult new moon, as Mars is within less than one degree of the Sun and Moon here. The ruling planet of Virgo, Mercury is also approaching the moon, and it is retrograde. As well as the controlling planet of Hasta is the Moon itself, which is very dark, devoid of any light at this time.
We have an aspect of Jupiter as well as one from Rahu, both are retrograde. Jupiter is in debility as well so not very helpful here. At this time, you may be re-visiting a matter in your life that has been unresolved for quite some time. Due to Mars’ close presence this can also result in flare ups with people as there may be disagreements and setbacks.
At this time, Saturn is about to go direct so is very strong as it is in the stationary mode. You may be re-thinking and re-assessing your life but feel frustrated with the lack of answers. This is especially the case for all the Earth signs or if you have major planets in Earth trikona in your birthchart.
If you are going through the dasha of Rahu, Mars, Mercury or Sun, you will feel this more directly. For all the fire signs, Virgo, Taurus, Cap, this new moon can bring up some unpleasant events but you get clarity once Saturn turns direct.
Saturn turns direct on Oct 11th
Saturn turns direct on Oct 11th at 12 degrees of Capricorn. At this point, Saturn is no longer square Uranus as it was when it went retrograde, but it is still being aspected by Rahu from Taurus.
And while Venus was in trine when Saturn went retrograde, it is now in Scorpio with Ketu. This implies separation or distancing from relationships. Saturn retrograde would have been a good time to reflect on a significant new love relationship that had begun earlier this year. Or if you were already in a long-term relationship, you may have had to face some ugly truths that were deeply buried and now have come to the surface, giving the relationship a final jolt or break. The fear of losing a relationship will be very pronounced at this time due to the Venus conjunct Ketu aspect here.
Jupiter turns direct on Oct 18th
Jupiter turns direct on Oct 18th at 28 degrees of Capricorn. At this point, Jupiter is in Dhanishta, whose controlling planet is Mars, situated in 28 degrees of Virgo, making a 5/9 aspect with Jupiter.
When Jupiter had gone retrograde, it was connecting harmoniously with the Sun, and again whilst going direct, it is making harmonious connections with Mars and the Sun, and aspecting an exalted Mercury. This represents a turning point, and can lead to forward momentum with compromises in contentious matters that were impacted by Virgo, as well as Mars and Sun in the recent months.
Sun transits Libra from Oct 17 till Nov 16
Sun enters its debilitated place, Libra, from Oct 17 till Nov 16. Again, we see the Sun joining Mars, producing excessive fire energy leading to combustion. Again, we see the Sun joining Mars, excessive fire energy leading to combustion of Mars. Next month there will another exact conjunction of Mars and Mercury, in Libra. This is difficult if you are Aries, or have many planets in Aries/Libra axis. Libra also receives the aspect of Saturn so this compounds the situation.
Whenever there is excessive fire energy, it is best to release it through physical activity. This could be vigorous exercise – most people are now able to come out of their shell and move around, so getting back into your exercise routine would be a great way to use this energy.
With Libra being highlighted you could also be going out more and socialising and this momentum will pick up toward the third week of October. See where Libra falls in your chart, and if you are going through the Mars or Mercury dasha – some challenges could come up now.
This Sun transit can be difficult for Leos and Aries/Libra. This is difficult if you are Aries because it is happening in your seventh house of committed relationships. By the middle of Nov, the difficult Sun and Mars transit will start to subside as the Sun moves further away and so does Mercury into Scorpio.
Full Moon in Aries in the nakshatra of Ashwini on Oct 20th
There is a Full Moon in Aries in the nakshatra of Ashwini on Oct 20th around 2 pm UTC. This full moon is being aspected by Mars, which is the ruler of Aries and here we have Ketu, controlling planet of Ashwini in Scorpio with Venus.
Similar themes could come up as we saw on the new moon, however, now the difficult energy has dissolved and we are probably closing this chapter with final resolutions, especially regarding relationships. It is a good time for any healing activities as that is the essence of Ashwini.
You may consider going to a therapist or getting a massage or going on a relaxing retreat. If so, you will see immense benefits straight away. It is also a good time to connect with others around the full moon.
This can be a difficult month for many people and the changes will continue as we have two eclipses coming up next month, and in December. From mid-November to the end of the year, we can look forward to more positive planetary energies.
