Relationships. As tempting as it is to stop right there… October is a month where we need to show up for ourselves and for the other in our relationships, prepared to hold our center, but also to renegotiate balance of power within them – and sometimes that is calling for completion. Some are grasping at others to do or be what they need to do or be for themselves. What is real? What is a mirror of projection, or shadowdancing? Can you be conscious enough to recall your projections and expectations of the other, to be all that you are and nothing that you are not, and fully allow that for the other as well? Can you truly Listen, consider, and respond?

At the extreme end, some are finding that with the still increasing intensification of energies that has so many slammed into fast forward on their soul’s path, that their relationship, including some of many years duration, are coming to completion of soul agreement, and that it is time to begin the tender process of expressing gratitude, and gently releasing the other for both of you to move forward in your lives to What Is Next.

October gets a running start on relationships with all but the Moon still in Libra, from the new Moon on September 27th, with half of the traditional planets in the relationship sign of Libra: Sun, Moon, Mercury (all still in the ongoing cardinal grand cross with Pluto, Uranus, Hades and Kronos) and also Venus and Saturn. Then we can add the uranian transneptunians Zeus (explosive) and Apollon (multiples), the new ‘dwarf planet’ Haumea, and one of the primary asteroids, Juno, which relates to issues of equity exchange within relationships. Ah, there we have it… Is there appropriate balance in your relationships? Is your old agreement now obsolete and needing renegotiation and updating to fit current needs? Are you still moving together in a compatible way, or are you coming unzipped? I’m seeing many whose relationships reached their ‘use-by date’ some time ago finally coming to have to acknowledge that. Some are connecting in a profound way with new people, startled and feeling torn about what to do about a prior, possibly tired commitment. Stay or move on? Sometimes the answer is clear, often it is not at all clear. May that which is for the highest good for all come to pass.

Along with that massive stellium in Libra, October kicks off with a grand trine in fire calling for full freedom and independence with Mars in Leo, the Moon in Sagittarius, and Uranus retrograde (Rx) in Aries. Pow! How can you dance with that juxtaposed to the heavy emphasis on The Other?

On October 6th Mercury joins Saturn to get serious, and possibly worry, while the following day in contrast, Venus makes a lovely, idealistic trine to Neptune. Get serious, or float?? Just before midnight on October 8th, Venus is the first of three planets this month to leave Libra and enter intense, passionate, possessive Scorpio. Powers of attraction intensify. Avoid jealousies and manipulation, and instead, explore deeper intimacy and understanding. That is the setup to the full Moon in Aries on October 11th. While the Sun is locked down closely conjunct Saturn in Libra demanding accountability, Mercury at the end of Libra takes its turn in an idealistic and dreamy trine to Neptune (‘why can’t we all just be in absolute truth, where all is perfect??’). At the same time the Moon is tightly conjunct Eris, the goddess of chaos and discord, and shadowdancing Black Moon Lilith in feisty, me-first! Aries demand things on their own terms, and now. Do you see how the screws tighten on relationship issues? But we are not done yet.

Mercury then enters Scorpio on October 13, which is good for focus, meditaton and research, but can also be suspicious. This is the same day Venus makes an intense sextile to Pluto, and the Sun locks down in conjunction to Saturn. This is a time to know and state your values, your needs, and your boundaries - what you can accommodate and what you will not abide – but also listen to the needs and respect the boundaries of the other.

The Sun then enters Scorpio on October 23rd, just before the new Moon at 3 degrees of Scorpio on October 26th. The only planet remaining in Libra is Saturn, and now we have the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Juno, and the spiritual uranian transneptunian Poseidon in willful, passionate Scorpio. The Sun and Moon oppose Jupiter in Taurus, bringing some expansiveness but also possible indulgence and excess, while Mercury conjunct Venus in later degrees of the sign oppose far distant Sedna conjunct slow, penetrating Admetos in Taurus. The opportunity here is for incredible depth of insight and awareness from a deep feeling, knowing level. The risk is suspicion, possible abuse of power, being demanding, potential betrayal. No need to go there, ok? At the same time, Mars makes a potentially effective, practical sextile to responsible Saturn, but also makes a compulsive, passionate square to Venus. Those impacted by degree may feel very driven – hopefully not to attempt to control others, but by commitment to deeper values and awareness. Essentially, the energies through the month spiral in from an Other-based ‘who is this person, and what are we doing?’ exploration and reassessment down into a tighter, inner and inter-relational focus on core values. The more you can dance with the wonder and magic of it all, evolving, allowing and loving, and stay above attempts at fear-based control, the more beautifully the month, and your life, will unfold. There is purpose and direction to it all – trust the process, resist the urge to resist and control… the old ways fall away, and again we are called to align our energies in resonance with the emerging unity consciousness. We are the Other – we are not separate. Continue to deepen in fearlessness, love and joy, grounded in compassion and gratitude. Heartful, radiant warrior blessings to all!