Hello October – Hayrides, Halloween … and another planet going retrograde.
October has always been my favorite month of the year. Living on the east coast, I enjoy the change of seasons, fall foliage, crisp cool mornings and an occasional blast of Indian summer.
October 2022 has it all when it comes to major planetary energies: a Solar Eclipse, Mars retrograde and 4 planets changing direction.
Insight into upcoming energies will help you harness the best of what’s ahead and navigate around some of the “bumpy” periods.
READ TO THE END as one of the most significant events occurs at the end of the month. All of these energies are affecting the collective, yet will impact each of us in a different way based on our own birth chart placements.
More about what to expect this month…
On October 2nd, Mercury goes direct at 24° Virgo. We usually see social media posts expressing a sigh of relief…but not yet! We have a two-week shadow period to digest and integrate whatever surfaced during this retrograde period. Mercury stationing direct is opposite Neptune (planet of illusion and imagination) and square Mars (planet of action). Mercury square Mars gives us a strong push to move forward while opposite Neptune we may not see clearly where we are heading. The shadow period will help provide clarity.
Full moon prompts exposure and healing
We have a Full Moon at 16° Aries on October 9th. This Full Moon is conjunct Chiron (the wounded healer) which will expose our deepest wounds. Opposite Venus (in its home sign of Libra) should be there to help us in the healing process. Full Moons are a good time to release what no longer serves us.
What area of your life is Aries-ruled? Moon rituals based on house placement can help you hone in a bit more specifically.
Full Pluto invites us to remove what’s out of alignment
Pluto goes direct at 26° Capricorn on October 9th. Pluto (the planet of transformation) is a slow-moving outer planet. When it changes direction, its energy is stronger than usual. Plutonian energy can be felt up to 2 days prior and 2 days following its shift. You may have intense thoughts, feelings or events that may trigger you. This is meant to help remove anything that is out of alignment to make space for the new.
Scorpio season begins, ushering in transformation
Scorpio season – the season of transformation – begins on October 23rd. Both the Sun and Venus enter the sign of Scorpio. Scorpio, ruled by Mars and Pluto, brings intensity to this zodiac period. Sun, Moon and Rising sign placements typically feel this intensity more than most!
Saturn changes direction, prompting change
On October 23rd Saturn goes direct at 18° Aquarius but this one will be particularly intense! Saturn (the planet of limitations and restrictions) is now almost exactly squaring Uranus (the planet of sudden change and disruption). When Saturn changes direction, we may suddenly change our mind about a course of action.
Solar eclipse brings rebirth of the heart and a new path
On October 25th we have a partial Solar Eclipse at 2° Scorpio. This is also a South Node eclipse so it’s concerned with karmic, fated new beginnings. South Node Solar Eclipses often come with an ending followed by a new beginning. The Solar Eclipse is exactly conjunct to Venus, suggesting a rebirth of the heart that will set us on a completely new path. If your South Node is in Scorpio, this is part of the series of eclipses that began with the shift in the Nodes on the Taurus-Scorpio axis in January.
Jupiter retrograde helps us finish what we started
On October 28th, Jupiter retrograde re-enters Pisces. Jupiter (the planet of expansion and luck) was in Pisces during May through July 2021 and then again from January 2022 until May 2022. This time, Jupiter will be in Pisces until December 21st, 2022 and give us the opportunity to finish what we started in the Pisces-ruled sector of our life.
One of the most important transits of the year
Mars goes retrograde at 25° Gemini (October 31st, 2022 – January 12th, 2023) and is one of the most important transits of the year. It can be a tumultuous time, so follow your self-care, self-awareness and grounding routines diligently.
Your actions and emotions during this period can have long-term effects. As it stations retrograde in Gemini, you can notice a difference in your assertion, life force and desires. During the Mars retrograde in Gemini, your ability to express yourself clearly and calmly may be hindered. You may find that people and situations ignite your temper faster than usual, and arguments may be more common. You may also feel lethargic and easily distracted.
Curious to learn how these planetary alignments can help you?
Understanding how planetary alignments influence your personal, day-to-day life can be…well…life-changing. Get a natal chart reading with me to better understand your unique personal astrological insights. Book your reading.