Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

Full Moon in Pisces October 3

The Moon reaches the culmination of the lunar cycle begun on September 18 on the evening of Saturday, October 3 in Jupiter's water sign, Pisces. Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac and carries the transitional and transformation energy associated with endings and the promise of new beginnings. The Pisces perspective offers us a 360° view of any situation, but also offers us the challenge of trying to relate all-encompassing understanding into the routine of earthly life. The Moon is full in the lunar mansion known as Revati (16°40-30°00' Pisces), the final nakshatra, even more so emphasizing the energy around endings and beginnings. With the rather noticeably erratic energy sponsored by Mercury's retrograde cycle finally calming down, we may feel a sense of calm as if after a storm, where we decide what is worth saving and what to discard while we look forward to re-creating. Revati is womb-like in nature, a fertile ground for growing new starts. Be creative and let your deepest understanding be your guide as you move forward.

Mars Enters Cancer October 5

Mars exits Gemini and enters Cancer, his sign of debilitation, where he will remain until May 2010, due to a retrograde period from December 21, 2009-March 10, 2010. When planets transit through their sign of debilitation, it is difficult for them to express their natural function. Mars represents an aggressive, power-oriented and forceful energy that allows us to make plans, gather resources and accomplish tasks. He specializes in perception, engineering and problem solving and these types of activities just aren't the focus in a sign like Cancer, ruled by the fickle and moody Moon, and known as the place where one seeks nurturance and security. Since Mars entering Cancer generally can cause the manifestation of something resembling "home wrecking" it may be wise to plan "controlled" home wrecking for this period, for example, remodeling or re-organizing within the household. Mars in Cancer is also another pressure on already debilitated Jupiter in Capricorn. Additionally, Mars enters Cancer and into a conjunction with Ketu, the Moon's south node. Ketu's energy is often compared with Mars, so this combination could serve to amplify the potentially destructive force of Mars while he transits through the sensitive sign of Cancer. While we may be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, we may experience a bit more turbulence at home before things hit an upward turn. It seems that additional deconstruction may be in order.

Mercury Transits Virgo October 5 - October 24

Mercury is awesome, because he's about to turn his act around, pretend like that whole crazy September thing didn't happen, and do what he does best during October. Mercury joins Saturn and Sun in his own earth sign, Virgo, on October 5, and will be joined there by Venus on October 10. This is when we're supposed to pull in the harvest, lay up stores, and plan our crops for next year. We can really get things done this month, riding on Mercury's rapid-fire energy, but Saturn's presence is going to encourage slowness and caution, as he reminds us that haste makes waste. Mercury, Venus and Saturn are natural friends, and they will occupy a friendly sign, so we may find pleasure this month in working methodically on projects that are both productive and creative (Venus' influence).

Venus Enters Virgo October 10

Traditionally speaking, Venus is considered to be debilitated in the sign of Virgo, where she enters on October 10 and quickly exits on November 2. This will make for a total of three planets operating in debility: Venus in Virgo, Mars in Cancer and Jupiter in Capricorn. Venus gains some support from Mercury and Saturn in Virgo, and doesn't promise to make too much trouble while she glides through Mercury's earth sign. The most that we may feel is a sense of urgency toward practical matters that edges out the ability to see the beauty and feel the love. So, make an extra effort to stop and smell the ripe apples as you address the pressing matters of day-to-day life. One positive aspect of the Mercury-Venus-Saturn conjunction in Virgo this month is that trio is not directly affected by the Jupiter/Rahu--Mars/Ketu opposition. We may feel a gap between our individual, practical lives, represented right now by Mercury/Venus/Saturn and this greater play that sets the stage, and over which we have little control (Jupiter/Rahu—Mars/Ketu.) We can concentrate on keeping our own corners clean and in order while Jupiter and Mars act as planetary gladiators in a larger battle.

Jupiter Resumes Direct Motion October 13

Jupiter's condition will begin to improve as he resumes direct motion mid-month and begins to head out of Capricorn and into Aquarius, which he will reach around winter solstice time. Jupiter's forward movement will likely yield a sense of hope for the long-term, but it will be difficult to feel the results of Jupiter's positivity and potential for growth until early in 2010, at which time Jupiter will become free of the various difficult influences of Rahu, Ketu, and Mars. The Jupiter-Mars opposition that will be in effect until the holiday season offers us the opportunity to explore both on an individual and a collective level the tension created between the tendency toward truth and positive collective growth (Jupiter) and the tendency toward the individual drive toward self-preservation and protection (Mars.) In the greater scheme of things, Mars and Jupiter are natural friends, and their energies can be harnessed for the end of common positive goals. The greatest pitfall for Jupiter is overspeculation and the greatest pitfall for Mars is selfishness. Watch out for these tendencies within yourself as you meet challenges during this next fiscal quarter, and notice how these energies manifest upon the world stage as we scramble to prove that there really is enough to go around.

Sun Enters Libra October 17

Make that four debilitated planets. The Sun travels into Libra for his annual dip into Venus' air sign, where his function is weakened due to debility. The Sun represents our essential self and manifests as ego. Traditionally in Vedic astrology, the Sun is considered a malefic force, as it is too strong, and has the ability to burn and destroy. Realistically, the Sun is the source of life on our planet, and undeniably a powerful force that has the ability to both help and harm, much in the same way that our personal egos can both harm and help us in our daily lives. While the Sun travels through Libra, it is a great time to tone down the ego and explore the halls of humility, as we push personal agendas aside and have the space to gain greater perspective. Quieting the ego, we have the ability to connect with deeper parts of ourselves that may have been pushed down, victims of our ego, whose job it is to define and provide for our personal agendas. The Sun will be aspected by debilitated Mars from Cancer, so we really may have the opportunity to explore the self and our inherent desires that drive our egos and personalities from the perspective of not getting what we want. It may feel that what we can't help reaching and striving toward remains out of our grasp. Rather than allowing the ego to flare up in an angry response, choose to surrender to that feeling of unfulfilled desire in order to dig deeply into a state of humbleness. There is a fine line between humbleness and low self-esteem, and we have the opportunity during the Sun's transit through Libra to fully explore this difference.

New Moon in Libra October 17

The Moon joins the Sun at 1° Libra during the evening of Saturday, October 17 in the lunar mansion called Chitra, which means "the bright" or the "beautiful." Mars is the ruling planet of Chitra, and will also be closely aspecting the Sun and Moon from his station in Cancer. Chitra is associated with passion, art, music and beauty and can grant flashes of inspiration which lead one toward self-realization. The nature of Chitra is soft and gentle and supports activities like learning and practicing music and dance as well as self-expression through art, fashion and social activities. The placement of this moon, combined with the other factors discussed above sets the stage for a collective art therapy workshop, wherein we can explore our inherent needs and wants and attempt to find expression for them in ways that do not inflate our egos and that do not harm or disenfranchise others. If times get tough this month, please contact your inner artist and express your pain, love, disappointment and hope through them.