October Astrology Highlights – “Dancing with the Stars”

By Janis Page   c2010

Welcome to October!   It’s amazing how fast the days are getting noticeably shorter, tho warm temperatures are lingering later in the year than usual.    This month is simpler astrologically  than the last few have been, tho begins with a curious layering planet-wise, with four close pairings…  Jupiter and Uranus stay tightly aligned where they have backed into the late degrees of Pisces, still harkening to more intuition and compassion, which may be far easier to find on personal levels than the collective level lately.   Mercury in Virgo adds discerning scrutiny as it opposes these two till the little messenger planet enters Libra on the 2^nd.   Chiron and Neptune also continue their retrograde movement in tandem in late Aquarius, with a visionary eye to future possibilities and healing breakthroughs.   What can you do now to set your path toward healing and forward movement?   

Then along with those pairings which have been with us for a while, the month begins with an exact Sun-Saturn conjunction in Libra.   What is fair and altruistic?  How can a new foundation be built with proper neutrality and grace?   There may be delays, or challenging questions to answer about logistics, priorities and process, but they are intended to provide grounding and clarify the way, not obstruct it.   Have patience… Libra is the only sign represented by a man-made object – the scales – where all other signs are represented by animals or people living and breathing.   Thus, Libra has the capacity for such neutrality, while coupled with a need for relatedness.     

In contrast to these conjunctions, the remaining one gets very personal – the very personal, sexual and creative planets Venus and Mars align closely in intense and passionate Scorpio – wow!   Those who are prone to being run by their sexual energy are going to find that energy flooding… there may be secrets, obsessions, compulsive unconscious desires and fears rising, leaving more than a few blindsided along the way.   Others will fly with the juice of passionate loving and creativity, and deepen in their relationships or focus in intent.  It’s good to remember that creative energy, sexual energy, and lifeforce energy are all inherently the same energy, and use this well!   There are a few asteroids riding with Venus and Mars in Scorpio…  Eros, adding to the sexual energy component; Siva, which can relate to Asian influence, sound, surge-withdrawal cycle, or attack; Nostalgia, so old memories will arise; and Ornamenta, decoration, gifts given and received.   These Scorpio planets and asteroids are reinforced in the element of water with a flowing trine to the Moon in her own sign of Cancer, also aligned with her south node and uranian transneptunians Hades and Kronos (challenges for those in leadership with those involved) and then in grand trine to Black Moon Lilith in Pisces – shadow work! so the month will definitely start with emotions flowing… maybe we should say white-water rafting in both the depths and high rapids?

The new Moon on October 7^th has the Sun and Moon in Libra at the top of the chart at the midheaven for Denver, conjunct the uranian TNP Zeus – discipline, organize!  Explode!  Ok, please try to not explode.   And very near are Saturn, now conjunct Mercury, calling for structure and discipline of thought and communication – however, these qualities are needed as they are also conjunct the asteroid Bacchus, which relates to addictions, emotional dishonesty, and trees.  Yes, trees.  Also conjunct Atropos, so some things will come to completion or just be ended at this time.    We still have that Scorpio Venus-Mars, so perhaps something will come to light related to power, money or sex addiction?    Now this is all further complicated by Venus turning retrograde on this same day – Venus is Rx the least of all the planets who do have a retrograde phase (the Sun and Moon do not)   Some relationships will come up for review and changes, and it’s possible that some people from the past may reappear, welcome or not.  Layers….  Venus Rx is also a bad time to have cosmetic surgery, so please hold off on that facelift or boob job till after mid-November, or you’re not likely to be happy with the results!  

Mercury joins Venus and Mars in Scorpio on Oct 20^th, just before the full Moon on October 22^nd at 29 degrees of Aries - the 2^nd full Aries Moon, after the zero degree Aries full Moon hours after the fall equinox.    This is ever so much more rare – and more interesting – than a blue Moon, which is just a coincidence based on the calendar, and which may be different months in different areas according to time zone.   I wonder if two full Moons in one sign is a more significant form of blue Moon?   Anyway, the Moon wants our attention here, and the 29^th  last degree of any sign is always significant and pivotal.  Here, the Moon makes a close 60 degree sextile, good for opportunity, to Chiron and Neptune with Jupiter and Uranus at the midpoint.  Take the initiative to move to higher ground in consciousness.   Then, inevitably, the Sun enters Scorpio the next day giving us now four planets in this intense sign, while the Moon opposes in grounded but equally stubborn Taurus.   Perhaps this describes the political climate for mid-term campaigning, which may reach new lows in candidates throwing dirt at their opponents.   Let’s hope not.   

Regardless, we can use these powerful energies to continue our good work in releasing and transforming the old, and growing in the light in our essence evolution in these dynamic and magical, if sometimes challenging, times!    Onward! 

Peace and blessings to all.