Monthly Vedic Astrology Forecast

Retrograde Mercury Returns to Virgo October 1
Venus Transits Scorpio October 1 – 30
Rahu to Krittika Nakshatra October 5
New Moon in Virgo/Hasta October 6
Saturn Direct October 10
Sun Transits Libra October 16 – November 16
Jupiter Direct in Capricorn October 18
Mercury Direct in Virgo October 18
Full Moon in Aries/Ashwini October 20
Mars Transits Libra October 21 - December 4

Retrograde Mercury Returns to Virgo October 1

The story of October 2021 rides on the theme of reversals, changes that finally click into place and fine tuning required to adjust to updated paradigms. Our messenger, Mercury, reminds of this plan as his retrograde motion brings him back into his own sign of Virgo on October 1.

The sign of Libra, Venus' air sign, has been the site of a rendezvous between Mercury and Venus during September. This could have given some inspiration for creative or communication efforts, or made it possible to network with new faces. Until January 2023, Libra will receive the aspect of Saturn, which isn't necessarily a negative thing, as Saturn with his 10th aspect gives Libra and the planets moving through that sign the determination and structure to bring the ideals of Libra into concrete form.

On October 1, Venus and Mercury go their separate ways, with Venus moving forward to Scorpio for the entire month and retrograde Mercury returning to his earth sign, Virgo, joining the Sun and Mars. Mercury will resume direct motion on October 18 and retrace his steps across the latter degrees of Virgo, re-entering Libra on November 2.

Mercury in Virgo is considered strong, especially when retrograde. Virgo will hold the presence of the Sun until October 16 and Mars until October 21. The first half of October, in addition to featuring Mercury retrograde, will be fired up with the Sun overtaking Mars, which puts Mars into a state of combustion, which is when a planet gets close to the Sun in the zodiac for a spell, removing that planet from our view.

Upon entering Virgo, Mercury also enters into combustion with the Sun. On October 9, things may intensify as the Sun, Mars and retrograde Mercury form a conjunction at 22° Virgo, in the fourth pada of Hasta nakshatra. This intensity simmers for a couple of days and then begins to gently break up, as Sun moves ahead of Mars and Mercury continues to retreat deeper into Virgo.

With the background of this meeting as the sign of Virgo, we are seeing concentrated power that could easily move a substantial portion of earth, either literally or figuratively. When we learn about combustion of planets, it is easy to believe that it is a purely negative state, where the planet gets burned and destroyed by the Sun. However, with some deeper consideration, it makes sense to see that combustion could give varying results based on how the combusted planet relates to the Sun and where the conjunction is happening.

For example, let us take the story of the Ramayana, in which we learn of the devotion of Hanuman to Lord Rama. Hanuman's archetypal energy closely matches that of Mars and Lord Rama's energy is that like that of the Sun. The devotional energy of Hanuman leads him to complete merging with Lord Rama. Does this not remind us of Mars willingly combusting himself with the Sun?

Rather than seeing this current Mars combustion as a negative period that will destroy Mars' power, let us re-orient to understanding how to direct our power (Mars) in a devotional way that actually strengthens the fabric of our efforts. Let us remember that the Sun is exalted in Mars' sign; these two friendly planets could combine in an amazing way this month to power us through to the next steps of our plans and projects.

The power of Sun and Mars combined is great. With retrograde Mercury added to the equation, we have a chance to edit, repair and analyze before the real push to move forward begins mid-month.

Even though we consider Mercury and Mars to be in different camps by nature, the sign of Virgo is an invitation to "make it work." At the crossroads of accurate analysis and solid logic lies the solution to many problems. We have arrived at that intersection. Slow down consciously as you review the numbers and allow the engineering skills of Mars to inform the problem solving required to push efforts in a righteous and productive direction.

Venus Transits Scorpio October 1 – 30

On October 1, the sign of Libra is suddenly empty, as Mercury returns to Virgo and Venus, perhaps reluctantly, moves ahead to Scorpio. Venus is the planet that represents love, relationships, attachments, connections, creations, politics, business, entertainment and so many more similar things. In short, Venus holds all of the sweet, easy and beautiful things that we naturally desire while we act out our human lives.

Venus rules two signs of the zodiac: #2, Taurus and #7, Libra. When she transits through these signs, she is strong. Those numbers, 2 & 7, represent the houses in our horoscopes that indicate resources (2) and relationships (7).

With the principle of 7, we see Venus' role in relationships, politics, partnerships and connections. With this in mind, when we analyze astrological charts, we look to the 7th house for clues about these matters. The 7th house from any sign is its opposite, showing the type of "other" we may interact with generally.

Both of Venus' signs have the signs of Mars opposite. This alone gives us a hint about the very passionate attraction and repulsion that exists between both the signs of Mars and Venus as well as between Mars and Venus themselves.

With this perspective, we watch Venus move through Scorpio from October 1 – 30. Scorpio is currently a silently strong environment, as it is occupied by one of its co-lords, Ketu. The other lord of Scorpio is our friend, Mars.

In war, business, relationships and politics, Venus' first moves will always involve diplomacy and parley. In October, after the cheerful tryst with Mercury in Libra, Venus is forced to confront some deeply rooted matters, the type that often don't respond to diplomacy.

Venus' earth sign, Taurus, is currently occupied by the north node, Rahu, from October 2020 – April 2022, which implies that the south node, Ketu, is occupying the sign opposite, Scorpio, for the same date range. The nodal axis strongly stirs the two signs through which it transits, manifesting as chaotic external changes where Rahu sits and deeply transformational internal changes where Ketu sits.

Venus entering into the passionate and intense nodal axis, specifically joining Ketu in Scorpio, shows that Venus' parley may fall on deaf ears. Silent, deep and creative consideration of the roots of problems will be required to untie the knots that may be binding a situation. Ketu's energy is tricky and hard to read, offering us the pathway out if we can solve our puzzles and blocking our progress when we aren't yet ready. The exact conjunction of Venus with Ketu comes on October 10.

Venus' typical diplomatic approach, which relies on compromise and concession, with excessive care given to the benefits and comforts of all parties, may suddenly seem broken and ineffectual. Sometimes, we have to break the ties that bind. This harsh action is unnatural to Venus, who seeks to connect and hold.

Venus in Scorpio during October will amplify the chronic and inherent challenges that are threatening the health of our relationships. Remember, this is critical thinking, problem solving and deep inner transformation. In a relationship, we can only make changes within ourselves, without expectation of action on the others' part.

This relationship weather doesn't automatically imply that two parties go separate ways; it is simply taking those two parties into the depths of the connection, where the truth is revealed, painfully or otherwise. The reaction to this revealed truth is our choice, based on our own willingness to change when compromise has failed.

Rahu to Krittika Nakshatra October 5

The Rahu-Ketu axis spends about 1.5 years in each sign, while the Sun spends only one month in each of the signs. The slower moving planets: Saturn, Jupiter and the nodal axis (Rahu and Ketu) tend to make broader impacts during their transits. Focusing in on the lunar mansion, or nakshatra, where these outer planets are sitting can give us more information about how their transits may impact us individually and collectively.

The nakshatra wheel, like the sign wheel, is 360°, divided into equal segments. The nakshatras and signs are overlaid, with each sign containing 2.25 nakshatras. The Moon moves through one nakshatra per day, so we look to the nakshatras for the subtle indications of the Moon and to the rasis (Sun signs) for the obvious indications of the Sun.

Rahu will remain in the sign of Taurus, ruled by Venus, but on October 5 will shift from the nakshatra of Rohini to the nakshatra of Krittika, which spans the signs of Aries and Taurus. Remember that the nodal axis transits in reverse motion to the other planets, so the next sign shift comes in April 2022, when Rahu moves from Taurus to Aries.

Rohini nakshatra is ruled by the Moon and Taurus is ruled by Venus. Rahu's concentration in Rohini could have been rather disturbing in the realm of how we were mentally adjusting to chaotic and unexpected events that threatened our resources and families.

When Rahu moves to Krittika, that may assist us in orienting to forces beyond our control with strategy and preparedness. With Rahu in Rohini, we may have felt helpless and vulnerable in the face of changes that we didn't wish for or couldn't control. With Venus moving to Scorpio and Rahu moving to Krittika, we may finally compute what the writing on the wall has been telling us and find our direction once again, even with the windy energy of Rahu still blowing.

Krittika nakshatra brings with it the symbol of a sharpened edge, recalling our earlier discussion of the methods available for breaking through bonds. Sharp edges help us with clean cuts. When we know that a cut is needed, the most compassionate approach is with confident use of that sharp edge.

Krittika spans from 26°40' Aries to 10°00' Taurus. Rahu moves in reverse motion through Krittika from October 5, 2021 – June 13, 2022. A significant shift should be felt when Rahu moves from Taurus to Aries on April 12, 2022.

New Moon in Virgo/Hasta October 6

After Venus and Mercury settle into their respective new meeting spaces, the Moon joins the Sun at 20° Virgo, in the nakshatra of Hasta. Joining the Sun and Moon at the same degree is Mars, fully merging into the light of the Sun along with the Moon. These three planets are considered friendly with one another, while the ruler of the sign of Virgo, Mercury, sits just a few degrees away.

Virgo is Mercury's earth sign and Hasta nakshatra lies completely within Virgo, ruled by the Moon and indicating the hands. This is the nakshatra of hand-eye coordination that is created with attention from the mind. Here we can develop the skills that are supported by both our minds and our limbs.

The combustion of Mars, the new Moon, retrograde Mercury, retrograde Jupiter and Saturn, Rahu in Krittika, Venus with Ketu… all of these factors combined in this moment are an invitation to please stop for a moment of very deep reflection. This is the moment before the pivot, when we can slow down time to see all of the possibilities before we push off and take those next steps.

After this moment of the new Moon, with the waxing Moon in the next fortnight, we will be experiencing "the turn," which comes with our two outer planets, Saturn and Jupiter, regaining direct motion, followed by the messenger, Mercury, regaining direct motion.

This isn't the tacking of a small sailboat, which would be just Mercury in retrograde resuming direct motion. With Jupiter and Saturn, we are turning a cruise ship, which takes planning, coordination, good conditions and some time. All hands on deck. Coming about!

Saturn Direct October 10

Saturn has been strongly placed in his own sign of Capricorn since January 2020 and will remain in strength when he exits Capricorn for Aquarius, a territory where he is also lord. This transition of Saturn from Capricorn to Aquarius occurs in January 2023, but the strength of Saturn continues through the Aquarius transit until April 2025.

After the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in December of 2020, Jupiter took some steps forward into the sign of Aquarius, but has been brought back to Saturn's proximity as both of our slow moving planets have been in retrograde motion since May 23 (Saturn) and June 20 (Jupiter.)

With both of the outer planets reaching the end of the retrograde phase, it feels a bit as if the bow string has been pulled back and is being held ready, which takes an immense amount of strength to hold. Patience, perseverance and determination are the gifts of Saturn when we submit to his hard lessons, slow pace and unforgiving perspective.

Saturn in Capricorn is highlighting the need for firm foundations that are required for building the towers and monuments we erect. This recent retrograde phase may have further delayed building progress, but also gave us the opportunity to repair and shore up foundations. We may now be ready for the deliberate and steady forward pace that Saturn prefers.

Sun Transits Libra October 16 – November 16

Sun transits into Libra, Venus' air sign, from October 16 – November 16, which may create an interesting environment as we finally get ourselves pulled around and ready to move forward. While Libra isn't the optimal sign for the Sun, there may be some improvements but with some restrictions.

The earth signs at the moment are feeling the energy of both Rahu and Jupiter, who both have the ability to aspect all signs of the same element from where they sit. With Sun and Mars in Virgo, they were both receiving this combination of Rahu's instability and retrograde Jupiter's struggle to get things off the ground.

In Libra, the Sun escapes these influences, but struggles in the social environment of Libra, which begs for attention to the collective needs. The Sun tends to fare better in conversations about sovereignty and individuality, so each year when Sun moves through Libra, we have this opportunity to minimize personal agendas in order to explore what is needed to balance our relationships and social contracts.

Saturn is also aspecting Libra at this time, which further puts pressure on the Sun to lay down his crown and blend in with the masses. As Venus is navigating the murky waters of Scorpio in an effort to make deep, internal changes, all of the planets occupying her signs are participating in the play of politics which could force some external change, as well.

This month of Sun in Libra, with Mars joining on October 21, may be a significant period of consideration of what selfishness really means, what relationship provides, what union with another costs and other variations of this theme of self vs. other.

Jupiter Direct in Capricorn October 18

Jupiter and Saturn play important roles in creating a warp and weft of space and time that we strive to navigate as we experience life on Earth. Jupiter is expansive and growth-oriented, inspiring us toward wholesome activity that is aligned with the natural flow. Jupiter creates the sense of space that invites expansion and provides us with the understanding of our natural environments.

To balance this growth, Saturn is contractive and separative, reminding us of our temporary status, as he is the ruler of Time. Saturn balances Jupiter's faith with structure and practical action. When these two planets conjoin, as we have been experiencing in the past year, it is as if a new step forward in time and space is initiated, which creates both a new setting in which we collectively operate as well as triggers personal experiences in unique ways.

With Jupiter joining Saturn in direct motion, while they are still in the sign where the conjunction was exact last December, we may be resuming our positive actions in support of whatever was conceived during the end of 2020. The wrinkles in our plans that we may have fretted over during the past four months will actually prove to be instrumental facets of what we are creating. Smoothing out those bumps may have been costly, tedious or painful, but the work done now saves much in the future.

Jupiter regains direct motion at 29ºdeg; Capricorn, which means that once he regains his speed, he will be on his way to Aquarius before we know it, on November 20.

Jupiter is considered debilitated in Capricorn, so some would say that he can't be of much help. While in retrograde motion and debilitated, most planets react in a rebounding fashion that brings their best and strongest. This is in effect until October 18. When Jupiter resumes direct motion, he may be in his sign of debilitation, but also having experienced and integrated wisdom along the way. This is the time for cautious hope as we set the course for far away horizons.

Mercury Direct in Virgo October 18

Later that day, Mercury, Jupiter's earnest student, also resumes direct motion at 16° Virgo, which is very close to Mercury's exaltation degree at 15° Virgo.

Thus begins a short period where dear Mercury is free to do his best work without having to share his workspace, starting from when Mars exits Virgo, October 21 – November 2. With Virgo still receiving the dual aspect of now direct Jupiter from Capricorn and Rahu from Taurus, Mercury could really make some progress.

November 2 sees Mercury moving into Libra, joining the Sun and Mars. This could lead to some serious teamwork, furthering the project, but that will be a tale for November.

Full Moon in Aries/Ashwini October 20

Meanwhile, since October 6, the Moon has been waxing, moving through the pairing of Venus and Ketu in Scorpio from October 9-10 and through the pairing of Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn from October 13-14.

On October 20, the Moon at 4° Aries will oppose the Sun at 4° Libra for a dynamic full Moon moment. The Sun in Venus' sign and the Moon in Mars' sign brings us back around to our theme of the passionate attraction/repulsion that exists between our masculine Mars and feminine Venus.

We recall now that the reason for this Venus-Mars spotlight came from the fact that Venus transits Mars' sign from October 1 – 30. This full Moon may help to illuminate what is worth fighting for, exactly. Relationship imbalances are reflections of individual imbalances. Identifying how the individual can rectify imbalance is one step, which if taken can lead to restoring balance to a relationship or group dynamic.

This full Moon, with the Moon shining brightly from Ashwini nakshatra, could be illuminating in the sense of revealing what is needed to heal these personal and interpersonal imbalances, which then leads to strength and happiness through relationships.

The Sun in Libra experiences moments of humility, where the desires and needs of others rise above personal agenda. It is in these moments of personal sacrifice that our bonds with others are strengthened without getting us tangled or entrapped.

Mars Transits Libra October 21 - December 4

To complete the connection, Mars moves into Venus' sign on October 21, putting Mars and Venus into exchange of signs (parivartana) from October 21 – 30, when Venus moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius.

With Venus moving into Sagittarius on October 30, it could indicate some type of shift in relationship status after the soul searching, deep-rooted transformational work and careful consideration that we gave through the month of October.

Mars takes his time moving through Libra from October 21 – December 4. Again, this comes with some relief and some new restrictions. Mars, as our planet representing strength, protection and power, tends to think of those closest to his home and heart first. His transit through Libra could be instructive in the sense of learning about power imbalances and how they hamper connections that should be founded on trust and respect.

For this entire transit, Mars will feel the 10th aspect of Saturn on Libra, which can also create some frustration for Mars. After so long of waiting, planning, starting, backing off, editing and finally re-starting, Mars is impatient to implement the plans that he's been laying with the resources he's been procuring.

Saturn's influence tends to slow down processes, usually due to relevant practical considerations or shortages. In those moments of frustration due to obstruction or slowing of progress, one approach would be to dig into the reason for the difficulty and engineer a better way. Realize that even in a stream, blockages or constrictions can create useful features that foster a more diverse and robust environment.

Shuba Navaratri

To those who celebrate, may this Navratri be filled with joy, light and life!