Astrology for October

When the cool evenings settle in, and the Big Dipper swings beneath the North Star right after sunset, we experience the Libra time of year. The wheel of the zodiac turns. Now we must find our balance once again, as life speeds up and change rearranges our landscape. Mercury retrograde has played its trickster games, flinging the financial markets up and down, as well as causing miscommunications to abound. It ends its trickster phase on October 9th. The New Moon in Libra takes place on the 12th opposing Uranus, the planet of liberation, revolution, radical change, and unpredictable outcomes.
The mystery and beauty of the planetary dance is now in the predawn hours as brilliant Venus greets the new day before the birds begin to sing. Chaos, uncertainty, and challenge confront us as the old paradigm continues its breakdown, meanwhile we can attune to the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, (in the East on the 24th, 25th, 26th). This is an indicator of well-being, protection, love, and under Virgo, service to others, and the higher good. We can consciously choose to focus on gratitude and openness to each other during this time, as we ride these erratic waves of change.
While Mars opposes Neptune on the 6th, its difficult to see our way clearly. We may find ourselves moving ahead, then question our movements. Spin is thick in the political world, though fact checking picks up as three planets gather in Virgo. With Mars conjuncting Jupiter on the 17th, problem solving, and down to earth analysis takes place.
The Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd, as we feel the darkening of the length of day. Scorpio time of year arrives with the sense of descent, and a movement toward the winter months, deeper feelings, more intimate, and often intense encounters. The Full Moon takes place in Taurus on the 27th, a crown of nightly light to mark Samhein eve, on the 31st, ancient Celtic celebration of the new year, and midway mark between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, when the veils are the thinnest between the worlds.
(Above painting by artist Susan Boulet)
Twelve opportunities for October 2015: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): This month focuses on relationships, finding your balance between yourself and others, between your independence, and consideration for others. In major ways there is a shift taking place for you, a letting go, and a regeneration. The challenge is that you have to let go before you know what will replace an old behavior. Allow yourself to slow down and analyze your habits of thinking, bringing you understanding what needs to change.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): To take advantage of this time, put things in order, organize yourself, and clear your space. This can be a rewarding time of creativity and general enjoyment of what you love doing. The full Moon accentuates the Taurus/Scorpio polarity at the end of the month. Deep feelings shake the usual calm of Taurus. You may at this time feel both your strength and your vulnerability.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): In the usual Gemini way, you feel a polarity of feelings this month, confident, expressive, playful, but also serious and responsible. This is an excellent time to be completely honest with yourself in your relations with others, what is working, and what isn’t working. You can now balance discipline with creativity. Taking time to retreat and reflect, clearing and cleaning your living space, will support more enjoyment.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Your home is a place of activity now. This is the time to you honor your deep inner wellspring, a time to plant a seed, a wish, something to grow into manifestation. Rearrange your living space. Bring in something new, something that inspires you. A new perspective is breaking through. You can be especially helpful this month with your clear communications to others.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): This month you are struck with new insights. Or perhaps you have a sudden change in perspective that helps you to breakthrough. This shift in perspective brings about change in your health and daily routine. You may find that you feel more grounded and excited about what you are involved in and what you want to accomplish. You feel yourself at an important turning point.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): This is a sweet time for you. You feel motivated and interested in following a path that is before you. Your analytical qualities are strong as well as your artistic sensibilities. It may not be clear what others are wanting of you. It is important to get very clear communication from others so that you can decide if that is something you can do or want to do. Defining and discerning your interactions with others is essential this month.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): This month, focus on yourself! Writing is highlighted as well as your creative abilities. Unexpected situations may arise in relationship, so be flexible. An issue may come up that needs to be discussed. When you recognize what it is take your time with it. For the next couple of months your artistic abilities are heightened and you enjoy spending time on your own with a project that inspires you or you are bringing to completion.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Something comes up at work or in the day-to-day routine that calls for decisiveness. This shifts the situation and allows you more space for your own reflections and enjoyment. It is a good time to step back, reevaluate where you are, review your goals, and decide what you would like to create. Making the time to put things in order, and just slowing down to really taste and experience the beauty in your life supports your outlook. Time with friends is especially rewarding now.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Enjoyment and abundance is highlighted for you this month. You are enjoying what you are doing and your heart feels full. While at the same time you feel your responsibilities, the goals that you have set for yourself. You can experience more focus and discipline in your life now, especially as you balance it with enjoyment with those you love. This is a good time to share your knowledge, a good time for editing, research, and refining whatever you are working on.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): This is a good time for you to be in the public! Is there something you want to learn or to bring into your work to enhance what you do? Restating your goals seeds this cycle toward success. Your creative, imaginative nature is stimulated, and it is a good timing to move forward with that project you have been thinking about. Let go of any expectations around it. Instead schedule time when you can let your mind go, and immerse yourself into the doing.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): This is an excellent month to take up a study, to teach, or to travel to a conference. You are now able to penetrate into the nuances of the subject matter, and to assist others to transform and change. It is an especially sweet time to be with the one you love. You experience something new together that is beautiful and heart warming. It brings change into your life.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): This has been and is a time of enjoying your friends and those you love. People appreciate you, your sensitivity, your humor, your good spirits. You are on the edge of something new, something dawning in your awareness. Pay attention to this new idea, new perspective. You return to your daily life with renewed energies, and deeper insight.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 33 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and or, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.