Timeline Astrology

This New Moon in Virgo closes the "eclipse window" that began major changes in the Virgo-Pisces axis this year—changes that have been developing for many years. Ketu brings these issues to the surface once more.

If you have planets in Virgo or Pisces, you may have already noticed changes, as Ketu activated the eclipse degree in July. In October, Mercury and Mars continue this activation. When Mars influences an eclipse, it often brings something into our awareness forcefully.

With the Sun, representing leadership, eclipsed by Ketu, the signifier of loss, we may see a leader facing challenges or stepping down. New York's mayor is one example of how Ketu can highlight past mistakes, and we may see more instances like this.

New Moons, especially during eclipses, are not ideal for starting new projects. They are better for introspection and resetting before making practical decisions. The alignment of the Sun, Moon, Earth, and Lunar Nodes uncovers hidden aspects of life, especially in the areas of your chart related to Virgo.

The eclipse occurs in the Hasta lunar mansion, which symbolizes skill, practicality, and manifestation, as well as manipulation in both positive and negative ways. A Ketu eclipse tends to reveal the negative side. Hasta provides resources to achieve goals, but the eclipse suggests that some important details may be missing. Insights are possible, but take your time to process the information before acting.

The month begins with Mercury at its exaltation degree in Virgo, conjunct Ketu, during an annular solar eclipse. This is a time of purification, on many levels. This is followed by the nine nights of the goddess, or Navaratri, where worship of goddess Durgā can help us transform our darker impulses into light.

As nature begins to slip into its slumber, we can go within to awaken. As the saying goes, “The only way out is in”, which is apt for a Ketu eclipse, a comet, and an asteroid, all due to come into view in October. We must look within for the significance of these sky events in our own lives, even when dramatic world events are likely to grab our attention.  
Mercury’s strength and the combined eclipse can bring a practical approach to any challenges. A Virgo eclipse changes something in our daily lives. Ketu can remove problems but also remove too much in the process, leaving feeling ungrounded.

Venus in Libra for the first couple of weeks may make it easier to find balance in the process. Jupiter stations retrograde on Oct 9, holding in place before shifting our awareness inward, so we can tap into the next appropriate step. Whatever has been presented thus far, we must look within for guidance. Jupiter’s retrograde in Taurus asks us to question whether sensual comforts are enough. 
Venus enters Scorpio by Oct 13, presenting further challenges to peace, especially as Mars is about to enter Cancer. Venus looks to Taurus and Jupiter placed therein, reflecting our desire for peace and harmony, but perhaps because of their apparent lack.

By Oct 20, Mars enters its sign of debilitation in Cancer while the Sun moves into its debilitation in Libra. This creates a tense and frustrated configuration, with a weakened Mars influencing a weakened Sun. Leaders around the world are likely challenged and we may even see one step down for some reason.

Mars opposes Pluto in Capricorn as it slows down in Cancer, signalling a crucial phase between these two planets over many months. This is likely to manifest as internal conflicts and more obvious power struggles on the world stage. Whatever happens in early October is likely a big theme we return to in 2025.
Finally, if you were to get up before sunrise between Sep 27 and Oct 2, you may be able to view Comet A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in the east (northern hemisphere) just before sunrise, and again in the west just after sunset between Oct 12 and Oct 30. The comet will be positioned below Regulus (Maghā), the brightest star in the constellation Leo. This is yet another indication of the downfall of a leader. The recent indictment of New York's mayor and Sean "Diddy" Combs' arrest are just two examples of Leonian figures. 
To top off some dramatic skies in October, a newly discovered asteroid is due for a fly-by from Sep 29 to Nov 25, although it may not be visible to the naked eye. 
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Eclipses and comets were referred to as Ketus in ancient India. Ketu, the significator of loss, is the main story in October, it seems, where some losses are almost certainly par for the course, as things are dredged up from the past to be removed. 

During this Full Moon and eclipse, Mercury opposes Saturn, and the Sun obscures the Moon, which is conjoined with Neptune and the north node, Raahu. This alignment suggests that our minds may be clouded, obscuring facts, yet it also offers opportunities for deeper insights that serve a greater purpose.

A significant mental fog will likely descend during this Full Moon in Pisces. The eclipse occurs in Pūrva Bhādrapada—a time usually favourable for seeking truth—but eclipses can bring distortions. This emphasizes the need for purification, prompting a purging of untruths. We may see many untruths we'll need to sort through in the coming weeks.

Pūrva means 'former', and bhādrapada means 'auspicious steps'. This lunar mansion is ruled by a fierce form of Śiva, symbolized by a lightning bolt representing visionary insight. Its symbols—a man with two faces, a sword, and the front legs of a funeral cot—signify cutting away, themes of life and death, and distinguishing between reality and falsehood.

It's best to use this day for quiet contemplation and seeking deeper spiritual truths rather than fact-finding. The ruler of this eclipse, Jupiter, is slowing down before it retrogrades on October 9, after a solar eclipse on October 2 that encourages us to look within to bring clarity to the surface and remove all that is no longer useful.

The New Moon in Virgo on October 2 closes the "eclipse window" that introduced significant changes in our lives. If you have planets in sidereal Virgo or Pisces, you may experience bigger changes than most. Ketu has been triggering this eclipse since July, so changes may have already occurred. Venus, Mercury, and Mars trigger the eclipses into October also.

I discuss why astrologers must use both Tropical and Sidereal calculations to get the full picture, yet how many 'Tropicalists' are completely blind to the Sidereal.

I give three examples of how and why this happens.

As the 'two zodiacs' drift further and further apart for coming generations, it's time astrologers of today develop more of a relationship between both to help future generations of astrologers.

On the New Moon, Mercury crosses from Cancer into Leo, Saturn opposes the Sun and Moon, Venus aligns with the eclipse in Virgo, and Mars in Gemini grows impatient with them all. These alignments may stir up concerns about endings. Yet this is a new beginning. However, it is an uncertain new start as Venus conjoins the southern eclipse, signalling potential economic and relationship issues, which the Sun-Saturn opposition compounds.

The New Moon falls in Pūrva Phālgunī, a creatively inclined lunar mansion. Despite the potential problems, this encourages creative solutions—perhaps more out of necessity than sheer joy.

Pūrva Phālgunī is governed by Bhaga, the god of good luck and pleasure, akin to Dionysus in Greek mythology. The sign embodies the regenerative power of sexual energy when harnessed for spiritual growth. Pure pleasure-seeking without something more meaningful is unlikely to satisfy. Yet this New Moon serves as a reminder to find joy in life's little pleasures.

This month presents challenges related to Mercury and Venus, such as business, finances, and diplomatic relations. Although Mercury is moving direct, it’s traversing the Cancer-Leo cusp again, which complicates matters, especially as it does so on the same day Venus aligns with Ketu in Virgo. This occurs on Sep 4, around which we are likely to see some significant fallout.

The trines between Jupiter in Taurus, Venus in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn suggest a need for significant changes, particularly in business, banking, food distribution, and healthcare systems. This may be due to outages, storms, health scares, or all the above.

​Meanwhile, Saturn’s ongoing transit through Aquarius highlights the importance of addressing humanitarian crises on an ongoing basis.

Venus will move out of debilitation and away from a square aspect with Mars in Gemini by Sep 18, before which the mood is likely to drop significantly. There may be many more Venus-related issues to address all month, including women-related challenges, health issues, and a general sense of discord.

Mercury will enter Virgo, its exalted sign, by Sep 23. If there is to be a financial or health issue, it may be dealt with more appropriately at this stage. We cannot ignore the role of the Jupiter-Saturn square which trends towards tightening measures.

By the time Mercury makes it to Virgo by the end of the month, we should see better communications develop. Although Mercury faces challenges from Mars' argumentative stance in Gemini, we can handle the issues more rationally.

We have the first of two eclipses on Sep 18, beginning with a partial lunar eclipse at the first degree of sidereal Pisces, just as Venus moves into Libra. When lunar eclipses come before a solar eclipse, something more immediate is brought to our attention that needs resolving, before we can start again after the revelations have stirred things up.

Things won’t settle down until after the annular solar eclipse on Oct 2 in Virgo conjunct Ketu. This is likely to bring something to an end. We may see Sun-type things, such as leaders, end their reigns, for example. We may lose confidence in leadership, perhaps around an economic or health issue, before the Sun then makes its way towards its sign of debilitation by mid-October and confidence is at a low point in the year.

As September concludes, the Sun meets Ketu in the middle of Virgo by exact degree, with Mercury moving towards its exaltation, but also towards Ketu. Despite the potential losses, we are more likely to be able to address the issues and cut them out.

The Full Moon is in sidereal and tropical Aquarius, conjoined a retrograde Saturn, opposite the Sun, Venus, and retrograde Mercury in Leo, all of which square Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus in Taurus. This phase brings everything to a critical juncture in the fixed signs and calls for reconciliation while urging progress.

Saturn’s retrograde suggests the need to address past issues before moving forward. This phase emphasizes accepting what is (Capricorn) to embrace future possibilities (Aquarius).

The Moon is full in Dhaniṣṭhā, a lunar mansion bridging both Capricorn and Aquarius, symbolizing abundance in all aspects of life. Dhaniṣṭhā represents all the elements and alliances we must call on to see our goals through to completion.

While this Full Moon is favourable for music, dance, and ceremony (a drum and flute are symbols of Dhaniṣṭhā), Saturn’s influence may bring a sombre tone. It’s time to bid farewell to unfulfilled potential and realise enduring truths.

The New Moon in Sidereal Cancer is a time for self-care and introspection. Mercury's slow down and turnaround the next day heighten this need for reflection.

The New Moon in Āśleṣā, meaning 'embracing' and 'clinging', suggests potential emotional manipulation for good or ill. This lunar mansion encourages us to positively influence our minds by calming their fluctuations.

The Sarpas, the serpent deities of Āśleṣā, uncover secret knowledge, and healing potential, as we examine our attachments.

Mercury slows to start its retrograde in the first week of August, opposite Saturn, which is already retrograde in Aquarius. With Mars forming a square to Mercury, we will likely feel tension from these turnarounds. We may be turning a corner but not the one we expected. It may feel like we’re moving backwards through something we’d rather leave behind.

As Venus moves through Leo opposite Saturn, we might not feel good about what we must do, or because we’re prevented from doing what we want. Mars amplifies its influence on Venus in Leo, making us feel more passionate about what we do.

With Saturn’s strong presence and aspect to planets lining up in opposition, we must consider the consequences of any of our actions. The Sun’s entry into Leo by mid-month boosts our confidence despite Saturn. Yet such confidence is hard won, earned through a lot of hard work and initial self-doubt. We must adapt to the changing landscape and keep moving forward despite the retrogrades and oppositions.

Venus then slips uncomfortably into Virgo, where we’re likely to find ourselves complaining, possibly about what others are doing - or perhaps about what they’re not doing we think they should.

Mercury’s backtracking into Cancer complicates Venus’ transit through Virgo, especially as Venus is conjoined Ketu. Before the fall, there’s one last blowout in August as Venus transits Leo. This is likely enjoyable but frustrating, especially around travel plans and everyday life. The mood is likely to then drop by the end of the month as Venus enters Virgo.  

August is far from business as usual (Mercury retrograde and Venus debilitated) and may lead to economic challenges, especially as Venus and Ketu align.

I hesitate to predict financial catastrophe, as Saturn’s strength in Aquarius may keep things stable enough. Yet we might still see significant challenges ahead. Certainly, the mood begins to drop in line with the fall of Venus.  

Have a time-out with Mercury retrograde in August if you can, and enjoy Venus in Leo as it reappears in our evening skies and puts on an entertaining show.