Cosmic Forecast October 2023
/
Illustration by Jess Stanley
The astrology of October brings a sense of stability and sureness. It’s a month when conviction and determination come easier, when acceptance and surrender feel more like strength and less like settling for less than we deserve. It’s a month for clarity and seeing things for what they are. With this realistic approach, our judgement gets sharper, and we’re empowered to make choices from a place of authenticity. If you let it, October will leave you feeling more secure in who you are and guide your healing around safety and belonging.
The month begins with a Grand Earth Trine between Uranus in Taurus, Mercury in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn which ends on the 4th. These three planets represent particularly chaotic, changeable energies that typically provoke transformation, change, and movement. But, travelling through Earth signs grounds the up-in-the-air energy of these planets. This gives us permission to infuse big decisions and radical actions with thoughtfulness and consideration. It invites us to take more time to do things so that we can let our nervous systems find a sense of balance and ease with changes we want to make. This is a time to prioritise what feels good to our bodies, what gives us a positive gut feeling. During the trine, we’ll be especially supported in making major changes towards a lifestyle or relationship dynamics that deeply nourish us.
On the 8th, Venus moves into Virgo, forming an exact opposition to Saturn, which will be in Pisces. The opposition lasts until the 20th. During this period, you might find yourself taking love very seriously. This may not be the right time for flings or frivolousness, and it’s certainly not a time to play with others’ hearts. Venus in Virgo is committed to reliability and interdependence. This transit brings with it the energy of a supportive, loving household and a strong community––bonds fortified through reciprocity. Saturn in Pisces wants to guard the heart and establish boundaries around our most romantic, sensitive parts. Take the time to invest in your most loving and supportive relationships during this time. If you’re looking for love, use this time to become clearer about the type of love you really need. You’ll be richly rewarded when Venus moves into Libra later in the year, and the energy moves into the realm of flirtation.
This is an eclipse month, with a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra on the 14th and a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Taurus on the 28th. Eclipses bring intensity. For some, they can be debilitating, causing feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm. They tend to bring what’s under the surface to light, which can leave us emotionally exhausted. But both of these eclipses happen in signs ruled by Venus, which (similar to the Grand Earth Trine earlier in the month) puts the focus on pleasure, luxury, self-care, eating well, and enjoying ourselves. While the Moon is in Libra, there’s a focus on partnership, romance, diplomacy, and discussion or dialogue with people you’re close to. As the Moon moves through Taurus, the energy shifts towards our relationship with the material: abundance, comfort, physical and financial safety, and the way we take care of our bodies.
Mars is the first of the planets to move into Scorpio on the 12th. The planet has been squaring (at a right angle to) Pluto in Capricorn since the end of September. There’s a combustible energy to this transit, as Mars and Pluto are energetically linked; before Pluto’s discovery, Mars was the ruler of Scorpio, so both share Scorpio’s themes of drive, passion, desire, and power. Until the 19th, when the square between Pluto and Mars wraps up, the themes of Scorpio will pressure us to act. It’s important not to let yourself be blinded by longing for recognition or superiority. The Earthy energy that underscores the entire month invites us to be measured, realistic, and boundaried––especially when it comes to going after our dreams and getting things done. Be discerning about your desire for status and success. It’s beautiful to want the best for yourself and to be appreciated by others. Just don’t let the prize loom bigger than the process; focus on how you feel and let that be the goal.
The Sun makes its move into Scorpio on the 23rd. Then, on Halloween–the Celtic celebration of Samhain–there’s a major opposition between Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus and the Sun, Mars, and Mercury in Scorpio. The Moon will be in its Waxing Gibbous phase, still bright in the night sky. Grounded in sensuous Taurus, Jupiter–the planet of good luck–paired with Uranus–planet of the strange and unknown– will cast a magic circle that’s perfect for manifesting and spellwork. With the Sun (illumination), Mars (intention), and Mercury (incantation) in Scorpio–the sign of sorcery and the occult–it’s a perfect moment for performing meaningful rituals.
As the month comes to a close, we’re invited to connect more deeply with the magic of the world, our ancestors, and our spiritual practices. Halloween is a day to stand on the other side of the veil, outside of human time and society’s structures. It’s a day to remember the old ways of knowing––intuition, psychic gifts, storytelling, ceremony––that have always been your inheritance.
Keagan (she/her) is a writer, tarot reader, and astrologer. Find her on Instagram @moonsingemini to book a reading. Subscribe to her monthly tarotscope newsletter here.
Jess (She/Her) is a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator based in Vancouver BC. Her main area of focus is the connection we share with the world around us, from environmental protection to the supernatural and spooky. She’s inspired by folklore and mythology and the way it weaves through our existence. One of her main goals is to make art accessible for all and to prove that anyone can be creative, regardless of skill level or age. She enjoys engaging with the community and bringing awareness to important issues such as the climate emergency and water protection. Follow her on Instagram @jessstanley.art and www.jessstanley.ca.
