With the turn of the year and the equinox behind us, we are heading into the final months of 2022. We can have mixed expectations now, as many of the themes speak of significant change and new potential. We can expect to end the month with a much stronger sense of what’s up ahead. It’s Eclipse season, which is a time of endings and beginnings and in addition, we have four major changes in planet direction. This fast-paced activity is not all bad and the disruption or redirects are not to be feared. The coming months will bring a few surprises but we have been prepared and now we can take a positive perspective as we tune in to the Libra balance and the affirmative Venus vibes over the next few weeks.
The first major turnaround comes as Mercury ends its retrograde on October 2 and will finally move out of its shadow phase by October 17. This means a full pass to get plans moving and sort out what has been frustrating and muddled since early September. As Mercury moves into Libra, its own sign, on October 11, we can really start reconnecting with others and allow the appropriate and necessary communications to flow. It will certainly be easier to speak out and be clear. Just remember that whilst Mars is in Gemini there could be some passion behind those words.
The heavyweight planet Pluto is the next to turn after being retrograde since late April. Pluto has been taking us into the depths of the darker side of life and those realities we cannot escape. Some shared human experiences touch into our personal lives and they can be a great leveller. With Pluto moving forward we can start to see where endings, losses and the threat of privation can bring unexpected gifts and an opportunity for new ways of responding. It turns direct just a day before the full-on Aries Full Moon on October 9.
October’s Full Moon is in the feisty sign of Aries which urges us to act on what comes to a head now. Processes that were initiated around the recent Libra New Moon in September have a Venus trend and this puts a focus on our relationships and how we connect to each other. Love can blow hot and cold but now the heat can get quite intense as Venus joins with the Sun in the coming days. Use this time to learn what really matters on a heart level. Opposites can clash but they can also make up the essential components to make things whole. Keep your focus on the benefits of difference and contrast and keep an open heart so more than one side can exist there.
The last week of October brings several shifts in energy and events unfolding now can be pivotal in showing us the way forwards for the remainder of the year.
On October 22, Venus joins with the Sun, which heralds her switch from morning star to evening star. In this role, lasting around nine months, she is more concerned with connection, an open expression of love and sharing her best self with others.
Our other heavyweight planet, Saturn also ends its retrograde phase this month on October 23 after more than five months of travelling back through Aquarius. On a personal level, we can see the hard work and careful planning starting to pay off. Now we can reap the rewards of lessons learned over the last months. The challenging energy of disruption, restriction versus freedom, symbolised by the square between Uranus and Saturn which has been a theme throughout 2022, finally begins to wane as a result of this change in Saturn’s direction. This clears the way for serious discussions, negotiations, and for making important business or long-reaching decisions. Aquarius loves to “future-proof” the system and thrives on ideology. This is the initiation phase of social trends that have been in the pipeline over the summer months. It brings us a step closer to a system of restriction, limitation and constraints as the ideals that claim to be for the greater good are now implemented.
To follow on the 25th, we have the New Moon and partial solar eclipse in Scorpio conjunct Venus. It’s one in a cycle of Eclipses starting in November 2021 followed by eclipses in April and May of 2022. In the current October and November Eclipse cycle, we can see a common thread re-emerge relating back to those previous dates. This is an intense combination of light and dark and the energies around this can be supportive of deep investigation and facing the truth around some of the typically “taboo” subjects involving money, desire and sex. An eclipse will bring some shifts in power or position, but this usually only comes to light about three to six months later. On a personal level, we may experience a more profound level of love and connection. It can mark a very liberating phase from a darker or less enlightened chapter of our life.
Another opportunity to resolve the past occurs with Jupiter in retrograde going back into Pisces on the 28th for a short dip back into the realms of mystery and intuition. For a brief time before Jupiter goes direct again in late November, we are urged to reconnect to last year’s themes when Jupiter journeyed through Pisces. Consider how well you are matching your spiritual values. More recent months have been a time of getting your own needs met and confronting either the issues or the people that hold you back from achieving your aims and ambitions. You may have neglected your inner connection and the quiet inner guidance that helps you know how to be and what to do. This month is a reminder of how to let go of the ego drives and goals to allow more flowing and less controlling energy to guide you.
The final event of significance for October is on October 30 when Mars starts its retrograde phase in Gemini, which goes through to January 12. This can be reflected by feeling tired and unmotivated whilst finding it hard to push on with the things you aim for. It may be frustrating if you can’t get to the basic things you need in life or your resources are restricted. There are likely to be obstacles to communication and being open or free in your speech during this period can be thwarted. Incidents, where you were outspoken in the past, may come back to haunt you. This is the time to confront inner issues motivations and reactions and be sure to hold back on initiating outward conflicts, arguments, litigation or war, as they will not go in your favour.
October has a Full Moon at 17 degrees Aries on October 9 at 9.54pm and a New Moon and partial Solar Eclipse eclipse at two degrees Scorpio on October 25 at 11.48am
Aries: The pressure is on to bring critical projects to a conclusion during this Full Moon. The emphasis is not so much on what you’ve done, but rather who you are. It’s the right time to let your true personality shine and show the world exactly what you’re all about. You understand how important your sincere personal expression is. You may be seen as over-emotional or sentimental but you can have a powerful impact on your surroundings through your moods. You instinctively know how to provide a truly nurturing environment for people to grow and you’re motivated to show how much concern and care you have for others.
Taurus: During this Full Moon, you are extremely sensitive to your environment. You have a strong need to withdraw from the world and commune with nature or your inner feelings. You might want to retreat to a very private emotional world and other people may have difficulty getting in contact with you. Ideally, create a place which is sacred to you where you can be alone. In this private space, you can become aware of your true dreams and longings. Try to work more consciously with the inner world of your imagination through creative work or meditative practice for a few days.
Gemini: You are extremely sensitive to how people treat you over this Full Moon. You’ll want to know if you have forged strong bonds with your friends. You are both caring and concerned as regards their well-being but easily hurt if they let you down in any way. Ensure that you spend time only with people that elevate and support you. Disconnect from the daily grind and indulge your personal happy side for a while. Good food, pleasant company, shared experiences and mutual understanding bring an inner peace that makes you realiSe that quality of life is not about money, status or possessions.
Cancer: Recently a strong sense of loyalty made you conform to family or social expectations. With this Full Moon, you realise that in your past a lot of your unconscious motivation has been aimed at living up to other people’s standards. Now is the time to reach out for what you want for yourself and stand in the spotlight whilst acting the part of your unique self in all your glory. Take time out during these few days to wave your own flag and get noticed for your current contribution before a new surge of personal creativity rolls in.
Leo: During this Full Moon phase, your interest in philosophical and spiritual areas is heightened. Use the time to expand your inner window on the world and break new ground. Convictions and values of those close to you will have unconsciously influenced you so discovering beliefs that are true for you personally now takes your whole attention. Travelling or studying will be a strong urge so seize the opportunity to take off in a new direction. It will bring a welcome relief from deeper concerns and you may realize that there is a lot less to worry about than you first thought.
Virgo: Experiences during this Full Moon will show you how other people have provided emotional security for you. Seeing clearly where you have been dependent in your relationships gives you a new sense of freedom and the release of energy will propel you into a fresh creative phase. You might unearth resources within yourself that you were previously unaware of. This new knowledge will be of great help to everyone you contact on an intimate level. You no longer need to rely on certain items or possessions as you move on, so clear off the cobwebs, throw out useless things you’ve been hoarding and enjoy the liberation.
Libra: You have difficulty distinguishing between what you feel and the feelings of those closest to you during this Full Moon. Tune in to yourself, and allow your intimate friends to have their moods without imagining they always have something to do with your own actions. You sense that you have all got a little too close and caught up with each other recently and soon you’ll need to stand back. Giving yourself time to recognise your true individuality will allow you to fully connect with others in your own unique way. The support and equality you sense as a result will produce welcome rewards later.
Scorpio: You may waste energy on menial tasks, thus getting distracted from the broader visions in your life during this Full Moon. You are likely to make yourself indispensable through being of service, tuning in to the physical needs of others, and generally happy to take on a lot of tasks. If you are not careful, however, other people will take advantage of you. This is the time you should be really getting things together for yourself whilst you can keep the focus on the details. Once you’ve put on the finishing touches, you’ll be able to stand back and take pride in your accomplishments.
Sagittarius: Enjoyment is the keyword for you this Full Moon and it’s time to loosen up and have some fun, especially with close friends and children. If you are socialising you can even risk going a little bit over the top as this is a general time of celebration for all. Passion and intensity, on any topic you choose, can run rampant and your enthusiasm overflows. You have a strong emotional need for some romantic encounters but you also know how to nurture and maintain the romance in an existing relationship too. So make the most of it and enjoy!
Capricorn: This Full Moon you may spend a lot of time at home, finding great pleasure in looking after your children or family, cooking, making home improvements and so on. You are especially sensitive to the moods of others who share your personal space. Although you will be strongly motivated to create a caring and secure environment around you, a crowd can be claustrophobic and you can get on each other’s nerves. This is a time to acknowledge how the comfortable and familiar support you. Draw on it as a source of strength as you prepare to achieve some great things out in the world.
Aquarius: Uncomfortable feelings you experience during this Full Moon phase could result from strong differences of opinion with someone. You can be easily swayed by irrational arguments and emotions if you have to state your case now. It can seem that everybody is trying to get their message through but no one is listening? Try not to be distracted whilst you tie up important loose ends and meet deadlines. You need to keep some time available for a new project or mental challenge. You could be making plans for travelling or starting a new class or training programme.
Pisces: Learning to adjust to economic fluctuations is part of the process of maturing and this Full Moon will find you focusing on personal resources. You can be a very kind and giving person but you also need to feel secure. Being concerned with your own financial status now is probably a good thing. Some people may view you as unusually materialistic and possessive but it’s time to cash in on some of your hard-earned investments and name your price for your efforts. Be confident in your skills and abilities and turn them to good use now as others will notice and reward you later.
