October looks to be - dare I say it? - a fairly harmonious month in the heavens. Most of the planetary aspects this month fall into the "helpful" category, creating a general sense of cosmic cooperation among the astrological players.
The early part of the month is very active, with Venus and Pluto making a nice trine on the 3rd, the day of the Last Quarter Moon. This energy can go two ways, on the one hand opening our romantic relationships to their sexual potential, while on the other hand helping us to leave behind relationships which are no longer serving our emotional needs.
On the 8th and 9th, a couple of aspects between Mars and Saturn and the Sun and Jupiter help us to direct our energy in a positive way, maintaining optimism and faith while working to make changes. Use this time to channel energy into something that needs to get done, especially something that needs to be completed.
Also on the 9th, Jupiter is square to Uranus, the third and last in a series of aspects which began in January of this year. While this isn’t the kind of aspect that usually produces a big splash on "the day of," it is about the most powerful aspect this month, with significant long-term vibrations that we’ll all be feeling. Jupiter is a progressive, outgoing planet, while Uranus rules technology and mass communication and is associated with revolutions of all kinds. When these two planets get together, they tend to produce technological breakthroughs, but as this aspect marks the last phase of their fourteen year cycle, the focus will likely be on what happens to technology which is already in place.
One of the hot issues this year is that of Net Neutrality, or the effort to save the internet from those who would bias it in favor of higher-paying websites. Losing Net Neutrality would mean that the internet would essentially be as controlled as network television. Look for events this month to give a clear idea where this is heading, along with how things go for You-Tube and other sites which share free content.
Jupiter-Uranus is also usually quite significant in politics, where it tends to give a boost to more progressive ideas. This month we could see one of the Democratic candidates really moving into the front of the primary race, and it’s a very good bet that the Party’s platform for 2008 will become more clear, at least in terms of which social issues they will be focusing on.
We might have to wait a bit for the message to get out, however. In fact, we might have to wait a bit for anything much to become clear. October 11th is the day of the New Moon, always a time to move inward as opposed to moving forward. However, with Mercury stationing to retrograde at exactly midnight (00:00 a.m. Friday) on the 12th, it certainly isn’t a day to try accomplishing much in the world of business, or communication, or just about anything. For those of you who don’t know the drill, for the next three weeks, emails will get lost, phone calls will be dropped, and mix-ups of all types will become common. Don’t buy electronics, or a car, and don’t sign any contracts, if you can help it. Most of all, try to use the time to tune out the chatter which surrounds us. Yes, you can walk down 6th Avenue or drive on the Expressway without being on the phone. Try talking to yourself... you might really hear something interesting.
On the 12th, the Sun makes an easy aspect to dreamy Neptune. This might make for a nice Friday night, whether you're heading out for a few drinks with friends, staying in and watching a movie, or doing something more creative. Express your creativity and bring your imagination and inspiration into your life more fully!
Goddess of Love Venus meets up with Saturn on the 14th, the third time since the beginning of July. This is a serious aspect, where we measure what we’re getting and giving in relationships, with an eye on the emotional bottom line. If your down about your love life, think of this as a test. If you pass, the 16th and 17th have some aspects between Venus, Mars and Mercury which should get things moving again. If your relationship doesn’t pass muster, these same aspects will help you focus on the new.
The Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd. There’s no mistaking that we’re in autumn now, as the leaves fall off the trees and we start to get those days with bone-chilling rain. Take this time to meditate on some of the "shadow" things we usually keep out of our consciousness. Remember that getting in touch with the things that spook you is the best way to be free of them.
On the 25th and 26th, the energy is running pretty high, as Venus opposes Uranus the day before the Full Moon. While Venus-Saturn tends to put us into a serious mood about relationships, Venus-Uranus opens us up to the new, exciting, and different. It’s a good time to experiment with someone or something new, and generally to break out of your old patterns in relationships. Venus will aspect Jupiter on the 29th, keeping the party going for a few days.
The last event of the month is the station of Neptune to start moving direct (forward in the zodiac) on the 31st. This has the potential to make for some really creative costumes and Halloween parties, and it’s also a great day for meditation and spiritual activities. For anyone trying to get things done on a more earthly level, the combination of this station with Mercury retrograde should make things... interesting.
The skies are more or less harmonious this October. Whether we can mirror the heavens here on Earth is, as always, up to us.
Armand M. Diaz, M.A., C.A., is certified as a Consulting Astrologer by the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR). His approach to astrology readings is to create a supportive context for self-exploration, to help clients make decisions which are in harmony with their greatest potential. Armand has studied divination and oracles for more than twenty years, working primarily with the I Ching in addition to astrology. He has published articles on the astrology of politics and social phenomena in Geocosmic Journal , The Astrological Journal, and The Mountain Astrologer. He can be reached at 917-216-1541 or armand@ bluemoonastrology.info