Timeline Astrology

The month begins with a New Moon in Libra, coinciding with Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This is a dark time of the year, as the Sun is weak, the Moon is new (dark), and Mars is also weak and aspecting the New Moon.

Angry reactions are likely one expression adding to the dark mood. This is exacerbated by Mars’ opposition to Pluto, bringing with it power struggles, within and without. We’re likely to see this play out in more obvious ways on the world stage in November, but let’s not get too distracted from the inner clear-out that this could bring in our own lives.

Despite these volatile transits, there is still hope (Jupiter) and trust in the process (Venus), as Venus in Scorpio supports Jupiter in Taurus. During this time, we may find comfort in simple pleasures, especially if our energy is low (the Sun and Mars are debilitated).

Mid-month, Venus moves into Sagittarius after the Sun enters Scorpio, bringing a renewed sense of energy and optimism. The Sun’s opposition to Jupiter in Taurus highlights Jupiter’s mid-point in its retrograde journey. We, too, are likely to feel something turn a corner. However, just as things seem to be progressing into the end of the month, Mercury goes retrograde at the end of Scorpio. This shows a need to retrace our steps and assess what went wrong.

With Mars also slowing down ahead of its retrograde in Cancer, we might feel uncertain about how to move forward or what steps to take next. Mars in Cancer alone is unsure how to act. We may not act at all or overcompensate by overdoing it.

Adding Mercury’s retrograde in Scorpio into the mix requires even more patience, as our everyday lives are impacted by setbacks and delays.

Yet something is moving forward as Saturn stations direct in Aquarius by mid-month, that is, our long-term plans. Although it may feel as if this grinds to a halt, in a way, it also shows progress. It may not be the way we had envisioned but it’s a way forward, nonetheless.

The month ends again on a dark note, as the Moon joins the Sun in Scorpio for the New Moon phase. The New Moon is debilitated, just as it began the month, and the mood may be low, yet Jupiter’s opposition from Taurus, with Venus exchanging with it in Sagittarius, brings hope for a better situation. 

This New Moon, celebrated in India as Diwali, the 'festival of lights', arrives during a period of symbolic darkness: the Sun is in its weakest sign, and the Moon is dark and will enter Scorpio on November 3, with Mars and Pluto opposing each other.

This New Moon acts as a turning point, offering a chance for self-reflection in the shadowy parts of our collective and individual psyches. In Libra, where the Sun is figuratively at its weakest, we are encouraged to seek our inner light and spiritual essence during times of personal darkness.

Taking place in the lunar mansion Svātī, this New Moon highlights the need to distinguish ourselves from others and find inner balance. While Libra is known for compromise, it’s here that we confront the tension between selflessness and our true core Self.

Mars, also in debilitation, adds to this intensity, pushing us to react strongly to perceived threats. Remember, our essence remains whole and undiminished, regardless of external circumstances. Recognize any feelings of lack as an invitation to reconnect with your true power, which is not dependent on external validation but rooted within. This New Moon reminds us to return to what truly matters.

Vedic astrologer Darinka Maja joins me for a look at queerness in the Vedic chart. We discuss the 'queer' ones: Mercury and Saturn, as well as Raahu's role in subversion.

The Moon reaches fullness as it enters the first degree of the sidereal zodiac, marking a pivotal moment. With the Sun entering its debilitated state and the Full Moon in Aries, changes in global politics are possible. Mars is about to enter Cancer, which may ignite tensions.

The Moon is in the Aśvinī lunar mansion, symbolized by a swift horse, reflecting urgency and drive. This energy pushes us to resolve issues and take action. While Aśvinī favours new beginnings, it’s not an ideal time for major new endeavours due to the Sun’s weakness entering Libra. Watch for energy fluctuations over the coming weeks and be mindful of when to push forward and when to hold back.

As the Full Moon wanes and both the Sun and Mars weaken further, gather your physical, mental, and emotional resources. This Full Moon encourages us to maintain healthy boundaries, allowing us to build stronger ones for others.

In the latest podcast, I answer a question posed by a listener who follows the Sidereal and would like to know how to use the Tropical 'symbolically'.

I give two examples of big events that grabbed the world's attention and highlight both the Tropical and Sidereal but in different ways.

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.