October 2023 Newsletter
Dearest Friends
Kindly note that the days and times given below are in PDT (Pacific Daylight Saving Time, including AZ). For Rocky Mountain Time add 1. For Central Time, add 2 hours. For Eastern Standard Time, add 3 hours. For Alaskan Time, subtract 1 hour. For Hawaii-Aleutian Time, subtract 2 hours. For Greenwich, add 8 hours. For Central European time (CET) add 9 hours, for Eastern European Time (EET), add 10 hours.
OCTOBER 2023
RUNE OF THE MONTH: Beorc “Birth, new growth”. A wonderful month to give birth to new ideas, launch a project, or start a relationship. Associated with the birch tree, the tree of regeneration, it symbolizes the Sacred, as well as beauty, and healing.
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October is an eclipse month! These are always turning point months ushering us dynamically into a different direction. The houses in which those eclipses fall in our natal chart indicate exactly where to expect major changes that will affect the next 19 years of our lives. If your birthday falls on an eclipse day, you are entering a destiny shifting year.
Solar Eclipse on October 14 at 10:55 AM in Libra (21º08’). This degree is symbolized by: “A child giving birds a drink at a fountain”. A strong need to rebalance our life and live in harmony with our surroundings mark this eclipse. Our sensitivity is enhanced, making us want to rise above pain and seek a new way of understanding the world we live in. We may have to learn to say “No” and establish clearer boundaries so that we can create more time for ourselves to start new projects. Establishing positive, constructive associations with others feels important. This may force us to revisit and transmute old wounds. A certain lack of confidence becomes a great source of personal understanding, leading to increased self-confidence and inner strength.
Lunar Eclipse on October 28 at 1:24 PM in Taurus (5º09’). The Sabian Symbols represent this degree with the following image: “A bridge being built across a gorge”. Emotional duress can lead us to psychological excesses. A deep need for stability, practicality and groundedness permeates our choices and helps us overcome habits that no longer serve us. Our preference for the safety of the known, may render us reluctant to change. Tempers could suddenly flare up. Arguments could abound. Our efforts to assert ourselves may end up in disputes, yet it is important that we demonstrate optimism, embrace a sense of adventure, and remain generous and expansive in our vision of life. This eclipse invites us to stop second guessing our decisions and find a balance between the dictates of our head and our heart.
Pluto turns direct on October 10 at 27º54’ Capricorn. Its shadow period ends on February 1st 2024. This degree is symbolized by: “A large aviary”. All the work we have done on ourselves in the past months, is now coming to fruition, allowing us to clearly face our deepest wishes, hopes and dreams, and giving us the power to do something about them.
Jupiter remains retrograde this whole month until December 30th. Its shadow period ends on March 24, 2024. The degrees covered in October (14º26’-10º57’ Taurus) are symbolized by: “A man with a rakish silk hat, muffled against the cold, braves the storm”, “On the beach, children play while shellfish grope at the edge of the water”, “A porter carrying heavy baggage”, “A young couple walk down main-street, window-shopping”, and “A woman sprinkling flowers”. Our values are being questioned, as are our integrity and most of all, our honesty with ourselves. This is a time to release what no longer serves us and focus on the people and interests that make us happy. The clearer we are in what we truly value, the easier this period will be.
Saturn remains retrograde this whole month until November 3rd. Its shadow period remains until February 8, 2024. The degrees covered in October (1º29’-0º32’ Pisces) are symbolized by: “A squirrel hiding from hunters” and “A crowded public marketplace”. We need to be clear on our boundaries and hone our self-preservation instincts. We are likely to prefer solitude to mingling with people and focus on our own interests that maybe separate us from the crowd but bring us peace and happiness.
Uranus is still retrograde this whole month until January 26, 2024. Its shadow period will last until May 14, 2024. The degrees traveled in October (22º38’-21º38’ Taurus) are symbolized by: “A jewelry shop filled with the most magnificent jewels” and “A white dove flying over troubled waters”. As the world is becoming crazier and crazier, it is important to rely on our individual gifts, tap in our inner resources, and find solace within. Only by focusing on our uniqueness and discovering our own sense of freedom within our present circumstances, can we find the peace we seek.
Neptune remains retrograde this whole month until December 5. Its shadow period remains until March 26, 2024. The degree traveled in October (25º57’-25º15’ Pisces) is associated with the following image: “A New Moon reveal that it’s time for people to go ahead with their different projects”. In these troubled times when what is said to be right is wrong, and what we are told is wrong, is right, the only reliable place is not in outside information which takes us up and down an exhausting roller-coaster, but in trusting our own instincts and following our intuition. The more we can rely on Nature and accurately read the signs She gives us, the more grounded and solid we shall be, resting in the eye of the storm.
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The Moon will be Void of Course (V/O –forming no major aspect with any planet before entering the following sign-):
On Monday 10/2 between 6:20 PM and 10:03 PM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
From Wednesday 10/4 at 11:34 PM till Thursday 10/5 at 5:32 AM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
On Saturday 10/7 between 12:12 PM and 4:24 PM: when the Moon enters Leo.
On Tuesday 10/10 between 2:37 AM and 5:02 AM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
On Thursday 10/12 between 1:10 PM and 5:22 PM: when the Moon enters Libra.
On Sunday 10/15 between 12:02 AM and 4:04 AM: when the Moon enters Scorpio.
On Tuesday 10/17 between 8:44 AM and 12:36 PM: when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
On Thursday 10/19 between 12:02 PM and 6:55 PM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
On Saturday 10/21 between 11:00 PM and 11:06 PM: when the Moon enters Aquarius.
From Monday 10/23 at 12:04 PM till Tuesday 10/24 at 1:33 AM: when the Moon enters Pisces.
From Wednesday 10/25 at 11:39 PM till Thursday 10/26 at 3:02 AM: when the Moon enters Aries.
On Saturday 10/28 between 1:20 AM and 4:44 AM: when the Moon enters Taurus.
On Monday 10/30 between 4:36 AM and 8:08 AM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
Mark these periods in red in your calendar and avoid scheduling anything of importance during these times as they would amount to… NO thing!
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Scheduling our activities using the zodiacal position of the Moon
Moon in Taurus until Monday 10/2 at 10:02 PM + between Saturday 10/28 at 4:44 AM and Monday 10/30 at 8:07 AM: Perfect for any financial matter: paying our bills/debts, asking for the money that is owed to us, opening a bank account, investing in real estate, buying, and selling. Perfect also for a stroll in the park, going to the countryside, connecting with our Mother the Earth… Good also for gardening, pottery, sculpting, as well as bodywork…
Moon in Gemini between Monday 10/2 at 10:03 PM and Thursday 10/5 at 5:31 AM + between Monday 10/30 at 8:08 AM and Wednesday 11/1 at 2:29 PM: Excellent for multi-tasking, curiosity, any form of communication, exchanging information, sending e-mails, calling friends and acquaintances. Great also for social activities, attending conferences, reading a book, watching a documentary, gathering data on various topics, connecting with new people….
Moon in Cancer between Thursday 10/5 at 5:32 AM and Saturday 10/7 at 4:23 PM: Perfect for family activities, especially those involving children. Good for spending more time at home, cooking, nurturing ourselves and those we love, inviting the people we cherish over for dinner. Excellent also for drawing, creative writing, humor, and anything requiring imagination and a touch of craziness….
Moon in Leo between Saturday 10/7 at 4:24 PM and Tuesday 10/10 at 5:01 AM: Excellent for anything glamorous, dramatic performances, being In the public’s eye, throwing or attending an elegant party, playing with children, romance, and creativity in general…
Moon in Virgo between Tuesday 10/10 at 5:02 AM and Thursday 10/12 at 5:21 PM: Excellent for starting a new fitness program, learning, healthy nutrition, fasting, clearing our closets, cleaning our home, reorganizing our drawers…. Perfect also for detailed work, the focused use of our intelligence, and taking care of small pets….
Moon in Libra between Thursday 10/12 at 5:22 PM and Sunday 10/15 at 4:03 AM: Great for relationships, associations, diplomatic exchanges with others, anything related to beauty (a haircut, buying new clothes, a make-over…), art (especially painting and decorating…), a pleasant social event (concert, art exhibition…).
Moon in Scorpio between Sunday 10/15 at 4:04 AM and Tuesday 10/17 at 12:35 PM: Perfect for scientific research, esoteric studies, self-transformation, shamanism, dealing with the mysteries of life, death, and sexuality, as well as insurances and issues involving personal power.
Moon in Sagittarius between Tuesday 10/17 at 12:36 PM and Thursday 10/19 at 6:54 PM: Perfect for traveling, religious and/or philosophical activities or matters related to higher education and the law. Excellent for lecturing, learning, perfecting a foreign language, exploring other cultures… Perfect also for athletic training and tending to large animals (horses….).
Moon in Capricorn between Thursday 10/19 at 6:55 PM and Saturday 10/21 at 11:05 PM: Good for furthering our ambitions, asking for a promotion, enlisting the support of people in positions of authority, making a good impression, re-structuring our business, and redefining our long-term goals…
Moon in Aquarius between Saturday 10/21 at 11:06 PM and Tuesday 10/24 at 1:32 AM: Perfect for philanthropic activities, charitable organizations, meeting with friends, making new acquaintances. Good also for inventions, far out, progressive ideas, inter-dimensional and time travel, anything related to UFOs, computers, and technology in general….
Moon in Pisces between Tuesday 10/24 at 1:33 AM and Thursday 10/26 at 3:01 AM: Great for meditating, sitting by the ocean, anything related to the sacred, dancing, painting, swimming, dreaming, music, photography, film, sleeping, channeling, connecting with the mystical, the magic and the oneness of all that is…
Moon in Aries between Thursday 10/26 at 3:02 AM and Saturday 10/28 at 4:43 AM: Perfect for intense physical activities, anything requiring forceful, direct action and self-assertion. Good also for leadership, spontaneity, good will, being a way shower, initiating new projects or bringing our car to the mechanic….
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This month’s intentional meditation started on September 29 when we took out as many blank sheets of paper as we had intentions and place them near a window, on a balcony or in a garden so that they basked in the light of the Full Moon in Aries at exactly 2:58 AM. Once that moment passed, we gathered our Full Moon charged blank sheets and placed them in a folder.
On October 14, take out your blank full moon charged papers and write on each a concise, positive intention. Place them on a balcony, in a garden or near a window so that they are out by exactly 10:56 AM for the New Moon (Solar Eclipse) in Libra. Once that moment has passed, staple them together and put them away in a folder expecting the manifestation of all your dreams….
Next month’s intentional meditation starts on October 28 with the Full Moon in Taurus (Lunar Eclipse) at exactly 1:24 PM.
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Monday 10/2: Mercury Opposition Neptune (8:34 AM)
We could feel rather dreamy today. Our communications could be vague, confused, and prone to misunderstandings. Not the day to sign legally binding documents as we could miss quite a lot of the fine print and find ourselves in a mess. Beware also of scammers and sweet talkers who may not be telling us the whole truth. Best to lay low. But our inspiration and imagination are greatly enhanced, which makes it a great day for artistic creation, visiting an art gallery, watching a feel-good movie, or reading a nice novel.
Tuesday 10/3: Mercury Trine Pluto (12:20 PM)
Not a day to sit back and hope for the best. Being forceful within reason in our communications, moves matters ahead. If in a project, someone falls through, another will immediately fill his/her shoes.
Wednesday 10/4: Mercury enters Libra until 10/21 (5:09 PM)
During the next 3 weeks, we are more diplomatic, mellow in our conversations, and able to see both sides of a situation. We may experience some difficulty in making up our mind, since choosing one option, means having to forego of another. We seek balance, peace, and equilibrium, are keen defenders of justice, and want everybody around us to get along. Art is attractive. We want pleasant conversations and kind encounters with others.
Sunday 10/8: Mars Square Pluto (6:05 PM), Venus enters Virgo (6:11 PM until November 8)
During the next 4 weeks, we express our feelings in a reserved, practical manner, preferring a useful gift to flowery declarations. We seek purity and order in our relationships and lean towards economy in our finances. Despite this transit favoring sensuality, we are more interested in a good mental rapport with our partner, than just physical intimacy. A great time to redecorate our home and increase our personal beauty by taking care of our health.
Monday 10/9: Venus Opposition Saturn (11:11 PM)
A sense of loneliness, isolation, and social frustration marks this day. We tend to be denied the emotional support of those who could help us. Our finances seem restricted. We may not feel as attractive as we’d like to be. A relationship could be limiting. A day best spent on our own, working on our budget, focusing on our relationship goals, and generally, taking responsibility for ourselves.
Wednesday 10/11: Mars enters Scorpio until 11/24 (9:04 PM)
During the next 6 weeks, we tolerate no block on our path. Our will to move forward has an intensity that could even surprise us. Our self-confidence is strong. We know what we want and are willing to make any sacrifice needed to reach our goals. Our sexual desires are likely to be intensified and if we are not in a relationship, are best channeled through a physically demanding athletic activity.
Friday 10/13: Mars Trine Saturn (5:29 AM)
A day when we demonstrate courage, self-control, and hard work. We are determined to get things done, are attentive to details and willing to put in long hours without being distracted by outside disruptions. We function well under pressure and further our ambitions with care and focus.
Saturday 10/14: Solar Eclipse in Libra (10:55 AM)
Kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Thursday 10/19: Sun Conjunct Mercury (10:38 PM)
A good day for clear communications. Our common sense, logical thinking, and organizational abilities are enhanced. Social encounters are simple and pleasant. Small trips are favored.
Friday 10/20: Mercury Square Pluto (5:51 PM)
Today, our ideas encounter obstacles. People are not particularly cooperative. It is important that we resist forcing our way through, as this would only lead to destruction. Keeping our opinions to ourselves is the best possible scenario.
Saturday 10/21: Sun Square Pluto (7:09 AM), Venus trine Jupiter (9:32 PM), Mercury enters Scorpio until 11/9 (11:49 PM)
Frustrations and manipulations are to be expected, which could push us over the edge. Best however to compromise and find a common ground that satisfies all parties involved. If we do, we shall find that social events are imbued with warmth and elegance. Artistic and financial activities are favored. During the next 3 weeks, our knowingness is enhanced. Our thoughts and words have the power for good or evil. We may be more solitary and silent than usual, preferring meaningful conversations to idle chatter. Great for scientific research, metaphysical studies, and working on any project requiring deep insight and concentration. Our loyalty to our siblings, neighbors, and cousins is greater than usual. Our integrity needs to be impeccable.
Sunday 10/22: Mercury Trine Saturn (9:12 AM)
A great day to tackle unfinished business. Our concentration, capacity for duty and respect of authority enable us to clear our desk of backlogged papers and fulfill our obligations and responsibilities with great maturity and seriousness. Our lack of imagination is compensated by our ability to work hard.
Monday 10/23: the Sun enters Scorpio until 11/22 (9:21 AM)
During the coming month, we X-ray situations and people. Our insights are strong. We seek deep answers to our questions. We are more passionate than usual. We thrive on intensity and are very black and white in our opinions. Fiercely loyal, we require absolute honesty in our dealings with others.
Tuesday 10/24: Sun Trine Saturn (12:14 AM)
An efficient and practical day. We assume our responsibilities with industriousness and reliability. We honor our commitments in an organized, focused, and structured manner. Our decisions are sound and strong.
Saturday 10/28: Mars Opposition Jupiter (9:03 AM), Lunar Eclipse in Taurus (1:24 PM), Mercury Opposition Jupiter (8:44 PM)
A certain restlessness marks this day. We may rebel against circumstances that are holding us back and seek wider horizons yet should be careful to remain tolerant towards people expressing different philosophical opinions. Not a good day for gambling or shopping on impulse. Regarding the Lunar Eclipse, kindly refer to the opening paragraph. Unrealistic expectations should be curbed. Legal or financial matters may end up being more costly than expected. Formalities should be respected even if they prove particularly boring.
Sunday 10/29: Mercury Conjunct Mars (7:22 AM)
A day to call a spade a spade. We are direct in our communications, even if a tad too impulsive. Tempers can flare up quickly. Unlikely to sit quietly on our couch, our exchanges lead to action. A great day to watch a thriller movie, make a phone call we were dreading, and write e-mails that clear the air. Our courage is tangible, our self-confidence strong, and our leadership abilities obvious.
Tuesday 10/31: Venus Trine Uranus (5:51 AM)
An affair begun today is different and exciting but not necessarily very long lived unless we are ready to respect each other’s individuality and grant each other much freedom. Our social life could be volatile yet filled with fun new people coming from varied horizons. Our esthetic tastes are more modern and eclectic. A great day to revamp our style. Money matters could be erratic. A sudden financial windfall could surprise us.
Wishing you a powerful month of October!
In Loving Light.
Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.
Astrologer, Shaman, International Conference Speaker
Author of Astrology for Enlightenment (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster)
Founder of the Online Llankay, Munay, Yachay School of Shamanic Studies
www.facebook.com/ michelleKaren8867
www.youtube.com/c/MichelleKarenAstrologerShaman
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