Overview: Welcoming the Peduncle
October is a very powerful month, especially in the 2nd half as the energy builds. It’s a pivotal time & will set us up for 2022. The pace has been picking up, having surged at Libra equinox. Many are having difficulty sleeping, headaches & migraines, due to accelerated ascension. This is the beginning of 6 months of crescendo of energy & events. We’re at a huge fork in the road and the divergence of those tracks is getting wider by the day. We’ve always been in our own individual realities but they’re now more different than they have ever been. There are two broad trajectories – choose wisely and be aware of where are you’re putting your focus. It’s very easy to slip back into 3D & get caught up in anxieties – so important to walk our talk even more strictly than ever.
The new story is challenged this month and we get to see what we are made of, where our commitments are, who and what supports us, and whether we are on the right track or not. We get to go through the excruciating process of letting go of old beliefs, wounds, possessions, comfort, illusions, identities, dreams and attachments. We are releasing on a deep level whether we like it or not. This is the month where the new story has to go from an idea to actuality and we get to experience what it will take to manifest it.
This is the birth canal of our new story. It’s dark, uncomfortable, pressurized and scary, but there is no going back. The new story is in the unfamiliar landscape we are birthing ourselves into, highly creative and full of raw potential. If you can get out of the fear and negativity, judgment, blame and disappointment, you will feel highly energized, inspired and excited about what you can reinvent for yourself.
In some ways this is a pivotal month with such a powerful focus on transformation that it is impossible to avoid it. We are like snakes shedding the old skin. If you have ever had a pet snake, they get very, very grumpy while shedding, wanting to be left alone and not following their usual routines. You may find you need some quality alone time occasionally this month just to ground, regroup and process without a lot of opinions and input. Changing up your daily routine is helpful as it provides an opportunity to try something different.
Honor your baby steps and any small improvements you accomplish and experience. The enormity of what is taking place on a global level can be daunting and can throw us into a regressed state of despair. A disciplined focus and appreciation for the small accomplishments and a deep gratitude for what you have is a good antidote against the potential spiral into negativity. Never take anything personally, tell the truth about your own process, take responsibility for your own growth and try and have some humor about any #*! # show happening around you.
You can ease the discomfort by being proactive and disciplined about how you manage your release and reinvention. Divest yourself of excess, make room and space for something new, change a major habit or attitude that does not serve you, and look at your life creatively to see how much change you can embrace. Not everyone will undergo a physical location, job or relationship change. Some will reinvent themselves internally, allowing for more of their essence to come through, changing their whole outlook and experience of life.
We individually and collectively create crisis to push the edge to stimulate change. This can be very stressful and cause worry and anxiety about the future. Always look at a crisis situation as an opportunity for improvement. The friction in a crisis produces energy and power that can then be channeled into re-inventing and improving life. On the other side of a crisis and breakthrough is always relief, inspiration and sometimes even euphoria.
Once a decision is made about something and followed through with commitment and action, there is energy flowing again. The stagnation and constipation of the holding patterns we have all been in (one way or another), need a bit of a push to free them up. The strongest discomfort you will feel is before the decision, before the commitment and right before the release. This is where you either clear the path for the “new story” to emerge and gain some power, or you put it on a shelf to collect dust.
It takes courage to navigate this month with our eyes open and facing our truth and our tasks head on. Especially those who tend to shy away from discord and disharmony, will have to step up and stand up for themselves when their integrity is being challenged. There will definitely be people who will behave badly, acting out, projecting their fears onto others and posturing around beliefs they are so afraid to let go of. A great deal of compassion is required towards those that are acting out of that much fear. Never take a projection personally and make sure to stay in your own lane and deal with your own release and re-invention without comparing yourself to others or projecting your own discomfort on to others.
Not a great month for harmonious movement in any project or business. This area is loaded with uncertainty and subject to blame, mistrust and confusion. It is best to wait and observe what is easily coming onto your path and what is simply not moving. It is not a good time to make major decisions. Wait until next month when there is more clarity. It is, however, a good month to cut something loose you have been thinking of leaving behind for some time. Make sure any decision you make this month comes from the heart and a deep inner knowing of it being the right thing and not a negative reaction against something the personality does not like.
There is an opportunity this month to heal the deep discord between the masculine and the feminine but not before the discord escalates in outrage, feelings of injustice and greatly triggered emotional reactions. Remember that this is all leading to a revolution that will eventually end well. Much of the reactions are fear-based and could use some neutral compassion for the collectively created experience we all find ourselves in. The best way to navigate this is to be aware of what needs to change in the collective and then to look inward and see how you can work with your own masculine and feminine balance, making the necessary changes to your story in support of the healing process.
Self-care should be at the top of your list this month: diet, exercise, spiritual practice, improving your daily routines, scheduling personal time, decreasing what causes stress, and listening to your body.
Emotions can be high. Rejuvenation is a theme for this month as well. The liver processes and holds anger and irritation. Taking care of the liver can be helpful this month as we are processing collective anger around injustice, the imbalance of masculine and feminine, and years (maybe lifetimes) of repression.
As the global physical environment continues to surprise us with its radical and unpredictable patterns, see that as a reflection of our inner environments that are in the process of change. Think of your attitudes and beliefs as your inner environment. When there is an earthquake somewhere on the planet, you resonate by honoring some movement within yourself. When there is a flood or storm, you can match an emotional release. When there is a volcano going off, you can use the influence as a deep explosion of creativity. The destructive aspect of all of these phenomena should be seen as agents of change, reshaping the physical environment and your calcified patterns at the same time.
We are all in this together.
Weekly/Daily Breakdown
10/1 – 7: This may be by far the most challenging week we have experienced in a long time. WE HAVE REACHED a major shift point. At first, it may be difficult to see how we are going to navigate this very challenging section of the "final ascent" of 2021. The sides of the canyon are steep and the trail appears perilous. And yet throughout, if we shift our gaze, we notice that a light shines from above, illuminating the shadows and our path forward. Muster up your courage, don’t take things personally, and deal with news, annoyances, breakdowns, people behaving badly, projections, disappointments and emotional meltdowns with compassion, neutrality and practical action. Don’t judge the book by its cover and see this time as a temporary discomfort leading to necessary change.
Practice patience and understanding and keep your eye on the big picture as you navigate through delays, technical challenges, misunderstandings, and generally grumpy times. Nothing has to be perfect. Prioritize the most important so you can put off dealing with those issues that are not. Don’t let pressure from others affect your performance and watch your reactions so you don’t pressure others.
All week: Confused thinking, especially if we feel we need to make a decision and the timing is not yet right.
10/1: Mercury in Libra (wants fairness and relationship), conjunct Arcturus (3 hits of this). Edgar Cayce said Arcturus was the highest civilization in the galaxy. Nick Forenza says Arcturus helps to guide souls to their evolutionary fulfillment. Whenever planets are exactly aligned, it’s like a hotline providing downloads of knowledge. We’re plugging back into the galaxy, all becoming galactic citizens.
10/6: New Moon in Libra – set a new intention for manifestation. Every lunation has been powerful this year – this is no exception. A good day for a reset and realignment. Mars is the star planet of the month - not only does it play the lead role in both lunations (New Moon and Full Moon) but it ALSO starts its next 2-year cycle around the Sun.
When the Sun meets Mars for a new hero's journey, there is a recalibration of spirit (Sun) with the principle of action (Mars).
Sun is the divine purpose and Mars is how we operate this purpose in the 3D world, how we make things happen. Something new is lit inside of us. Since Mars is burned by the Sun, our renewed intentions may not be very clear just yet, however rest assured that the seed is being planted.
10/7: Venus leaves Scorpio and enters Sagittarius. This transition from Scorpio to Venus is the transition from digging a hole in the ground, to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. In Scorpio, it’s been an excellent opportunity to work with our feelings at a more subconscious level and do some uncomfortable, but necessary, shadow work. But as much as there is great value in understanding what’s in the empty part of the glass, acknowledging that the glass is never really empty comes to give a whole new meaning to our existence - Venus in Sagittarius will propel us to hope, dream big, and get us out there into the wild world.
October 8-15: This time frame can be one of confusion and uncertainty as we navigate sudden changes, either our own, or those of others. What was seemed to be clear last week is suddenly being challenged as the energies around situations are intensified. Face opposition with openness but stand your ground when you know you are in the right.
You may feel outraged by what you see as injustice on many levels. This can trigger your own feelings of injustice regarding something in your own past. Forgiveness of the past, gratitude for the present, and inspired hope for the future, should be your operative focus for this time frame. It will get you through the fits and starts, the opposition and the triggers, the discomfort and the confusion.
10/8: Mercury in Libra is in exact T-square to Eris and Pluto – the last of 5 long-running Eris/Pluto squares that we’ve had all through 2020, 2021. The power of the authority (Pluto in Capricorn) is in conflict with individual rights (Eris in Aries). There is a strong "us versus them" theme that can erupt between peoples and can manifest on a wider scale through social upheaval, civil unrest, and rebellion.
Eris was excluded to the wedding at Mt Olympus, which is why she always fights to be seen and heard. Eris is a feisty, street fighter … represents angry words on the street for fairness, everyone needs to be heard, against top down govt, orgs, rules, authorities, regulations, etc., but she’s also the Goddess of female awakening and chaotic creation – there is a purpose, not just mayhem for mayhem’s sake. The next 6 months will be increasingly gritty, loud and tougher BUT the good will also get better.
Mercury also brings angry words, especially regarding the law (Libra - scales of Justice) and Truth (Venus in Sag.) This is a big month for potential legalities – hundreds of cases all over the world may come to the fore in a bigger way this month. The intensity of this T-square has been great and will build to the 9th of Oct when the final square will happen. We’ll feel it over the entire period because Eris & Pluto are barely moving. It’s a peak in the struggle, not the final peak, but reaching their exactitude. Crunch time, the squeeze – vice-like activity but also awakening activity. Are we going to be squeezed under or popped out into something new?
On more personal levels, this square is also making us more aware of our own shadow traits and behaviors. Perhaps you consider yourself a very compassionate, loving person, but conditions over the past two years have brought out strong judgments and a deep anger toward others. As these discomforting responses come to the surface, we have the opportunity to use the powerful energy they represent in positive, life-affirming ways – or to waste our energies in complaining and blaming.
The 2 big squares (this and Saturn/Uranus on 12/24) have similar themes of control/freedom, new/old, both continue through 2022 but no longer exact – much looser. When planets are exact, they are the most potent. Big time until end of year.
10/9: Conjunct Mars/Sun/Moon – While it is not that rare to have 3 personal planets in the same sign, to have them all meet at the same degree is indeed significant. This is a very important alignment that not only marks the beginning of the upcoming 116 day Mercury-Sun cycle and 2-year Sun-Mars cycle, but the beginning of a special alignment between the Sun, Mercury, and Mars.
When these Sun cycles begin (Sun conjunct a 2nd planet, e.g. Sun conjunct Mercury) we get the opportunity to work with 1 area of our psyche - for example our thinking (Mercury), feelings (Venus), actions (Mars) etc.
But when our thoughts (Mercury) also align with our actions (Mars) a very potent manifesting energy is put into motion. We become intentional about what we want to create. We walk the talk.
Mars has to act and do but in Libra, it needs to fight for others, truth, justice. Mercury is also conjunct Mars: also fighting for justice. 4 planets in Libra! By Nov we’ll be in Scorpio – different energy.
Mercury is highlighted quincunx to Neptune – Media, disinformation, fog is clearing, truths?
Mars/Sun/Moon quincunx Uranus in Taurus: speedy, urgent planets (Mars & Merc). Uranus has to do with the unexpected and higher Truth – expect some surprises and revelations to get us to a higher level of being. This Uranus quincunx means we will need to be flexible and patient if we want to achieve our goals this lunar cycle. Impulsive actions will only lead to frustration as we hit roadblocks and end up feeling drained. Frustrations are especially strong when individual desires do not coincide with the expectations of others or of society. Throughout this time, despite the sense of urgency, remember that slow and steady actions will ultimately win the race.
Mars/Sun/Moon opposite Chiron in Aries – health, healing – legalities around issues around health. Last time Chiron was in Aries was April 1968 (51 yr orbit) – Aries is I AM, strong sense of needing to be heard. 1968 – lots of protests, revolution, sit ins, all cities, strikes, war civil rights – I MATTER, I Need to be heard, I need any woundedness to be acknowledged and dealt with. Feelings are especially sensitive with this opposition, and we can take things very personally. If this occurs, know that true healing comes when we take the time to lovingly hold the part of us that is feeling ignored or discounted, opening our hearts in love and understanding to the wounded aspect of our own inner self.
October 16-23: Unfortunately, this is more of the same but with the twist of hard resolutions to sticky problems. We get some help from our support if we trust it and at least the energy is moving. We may not like some of the methods, but we will be more than OK with the end result as it will get us to a new place. The thing to remember is that we have no choice this month but to get with the program of release and reinvent. You can help the process along by being proactive in your decisions, actions and commitments. This is a test to see what we are all made of. Unfortunately, there will be those that do not navigate this time well and we will all need a great deal of compassion and understanding towards them.
10/20: Full Moon will be major – wild white-water rafting! Continuing the theme of action initiated by the New Moon in Libra, this is as fiery and as cardinal as it can be. The Full Moon in Aries is opposite Mars and square Pluto, so it’s an explosive one for sure. Whatever has been brewing in the first 2 weeks of the lunar cycle will reach a climax. This Full Moon will shake us to the core - and (especially if you have planets in the last decan of cardinal signs) you want to be very mindful of what you do with what emerges from this.
10/23: Welcome to the Scorpio season! The Scorpio season is our yearly opportunity to get in touch with the powerful Scorpionic energy of renewal and transformation. We all have areas of life that need pruning or reinventing - and when the Sun is in Scorpio we can become intentional about what we want to change in our lives - and then take the necessary action.
October 24-31: The influences are more benign especially for those who have done their work and faced recent challenges proactively with integrity, trust and commitment. If you have been able to release, your reinventing stage will gain some support from more expansive energies.
Post full moon, there is a new optimism possible, as we see positive change beginning to manifest in ourselves and in others. It is a slow process. Think of this time as undergoing an intense, dangerous, life-threatening surgery that then needs a long and slow recovery time before we see the great improvement to the vitality of the organism. So, be patient, stay in your own lane, do your own work, be kind, be in humor, be creative, be inspired and face everything with hope.
10/30: Speaking about taking the necessary action. October saved us the best for last. On October 30th, Mars enters its domicile sign, Scorpio. Mars is the planet of action, and Scorpio gives it the depth and drive to conduct this Martian impulse to achieve whatever we set our sights on.
For much of October, it is vital to have your personal toolkit nearby, to support yourself on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Here are some tools from Pam Younghans:
It's very important to support the adrenal glands (ruled by Libra) at this time, due to the heightened stress. A favorite adaptogen supplement is ashwagandha and bacopa.
Vitamins and minerals to reach for now include the B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium/magnesium in proper balance, and vitamin E.
For crystals to work with, black tourmaline, pink kunzite and smoky quartz.
If you are able, a good night's sleep and daily, restful walks in nature.
Unplug from the world of electronics and the news for at least part of the day.
Drop into belly breath, softening & deepening, and within a minute all biomarkers are changing, rendering peace and bliss.
Planets Going Direct
Series of planets moving direct. WHEN PLANETS come to their "station," when they come to a standstill in preparation for either going retrograde or going direct, their influence is magnified in our experience. This heightened effect occurs not only for the day of the station, but for at least a week or two on either side of that date. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Mercury have all been retrograde - an introspective or assimilating/integrating process for what the previous few months in the year have meant to us. Now, 4 planets change direction, which will create pace change.
10/6: Pluto becomes stationary/direct – like a tanker moving slowly, so a week before & after it will be felt. Mythical Pluto was the god of the Underworld; as the powerful agent of Transformation and Regeneration, the planet takes us through a process of symbolic death and rebirth. Often with Pluto, we experience circumstances that we feel are beyond our control. Situations arise that test the very fiber of our beings, that can feel disempowering. But the higher purposes of Pluto include helping us find spiritual transformation and true empowerment – not based on whether we feel we can control outer events, but on how well we remain in charge of our inner emotional and mental landscape.
10/10: Saturn stations/goes direct: The Saturn effect is that of a reality check and contracting energy. The change in motion itself is very cathartic and will help us get unstuck in the areas of our lives ruled by Saturn. It asks us to consider what goals we are willing to work harder for, and which ones have outlived their usefulness in our lives. I like to use the analogy of pruning a tree for how to best use Saturn's influence. The visual is that of a tree that represents a certain area of effort and ambition in our lives. Under Saturn's tutelage, we are asked to look at that tree with new objectivity: Does it have any dead branches that need to be removed? Are there root suckers growing around the base of the tree that should be removed – and did they grow because the tree was damaged, and needs support? And what about "extra" branches that are not dead, but perhaps need to be removed? This might be either because those branches are pulling the tree off-balance, or simply because we want more of the tree's energy to go into growing tall or in a different direction.
10/17: Jupiter stations/goes direct: expansion magnified, future, visionary, galactic, freedom, human rights. Also, the Sun comes into T-square with Eris & Pluto.
10/18: Good news! Jupiter will be spending a few more months in Aquarius, before moving (for good) into Pisces. This is our chance to “get it right” and find the driving purpose behind the area of our life (house) where Aquarius sits in our chart. Mercury goes direct as well. Both Mercury and Jupiter rule our thinking processes so turning direct on the same day is quite something - so you can definitely expect clarity and answers. A veil will be lifted, and it will become clear where you stand.
Summary
We’re moving towards building new social structures – Saturn in Aquarius alone tells us all about this and Uranus/Saturn square emphasizes it even more. As the old is crumbing, let’s not extend the life support of what we’re leaving behind by giving it our thoughts and energy. Libra is all about choice – do this or that? – the scales want to balance. We’re in a strong yang energy and must choose definitively which way we’re going. Ascension is being accelerated – we’re becoming our light bodies. How much light can we hold in our bodies? What are some high frequency expressions? Excitement, yes, but also peace (Libra). Find your peace every day.
How can we help humanity? This is the theme. Right now, we’re getting together in communities, forming hubs of light in communication with others doing something similar – it’s the energetic architectural structure of the New Earth. (If you don’t have a community yet, you can set an intention: “I’m already easily finding my family of frequency.”)
Message from the Pleiadians: the frequency of humanity is expanding exponentially and very quickly.
Message from Zaccariah – our frequency is off the chart. Please say this: “Creation is fueled by magic, and I am a magical being of Creation.”
We’ve got to have this as our focus because that’s when the magic starts to happen. This is the toughest period we’ve ever lived through in our lives but the most exciting in evolutionary terms.
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Resources
Pam Gregory:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwt5n0rp6dlApiUcHJbO8Vg/videos
Lena Stevens:
https://thepowerpath.com/monthly-forecast/october-2021-monthly-forecast/
https://thepowerpath.com/moon-updates/new-moon-update-10-6-21/
Pam Younghans:
http://www.northpointastrology.com/northpoint-journal.html
Astrobutterfly:
https://astrobutterfly.com/2021/10/01/the-astrology-of-october-2021-time-for-action/