Print article - The Astrology of October 2022

With October now swinging by we’re well on our way into the midst of Autumn and we’re beginning to get more used to the colder weather. With Halloween also looming, many of us are starting to plan our spooky costumes whilst looking forwards to seasonal festivities.

October begins with Mercury finally stationing direct on the 2nd of October, followed by Pluto also turning direct on the 8th. We then have a Full Moon in Aries on the 9th with Mercury entering into Libra on the 10th. We have two ingresses into Scorpio on the 23rd (the Sun and Venus) whilst Saturn turns direct on the very same day. Our partial solar eclipse happens in Scorpio on the 25th and then we have Jupiter’s entrance into Pisces via retrograde on the 28th. Finally, Mercury enters Scorpio on the 29th and Mars turns retrograde on the 30th.

The 2nd of October: Mercury turns Direct

Mercury finally turns direct on this day, so communications may become much easier. However, not all is so smooth as the planet is doing his stationing whilst in a partile opposition with Neptune and squaring Mars in Gemini. Don’t be too alarmed if you’re still having difficulties with technology, cars or software. I would still advise against making important agreements or buying large until the 10th of October, when Mercury will have moved on from this mayhem.

The 8th of October: Pluto turns Direct

Pluto is the second planet who will be stationing direct this month. Having been retrograde since the 29th of April, we may have been through many changes since then as our lives can often take on some upheavals during the retrograde periods. This can take its toll emotionally, but is really meant to clear out our closets and set us forwards on a journey towards greater genuity and higher purpose. Now Pluto is direct, we can expect to come into our power again with forward motion. It’s time to get back into the swing of things!

The 9th of October: The Full Moon in Aries

The Full Moon at 16°32’ Aries will sextile Saturn whilst opposing Venus, bringing this lunar cycle to a culmination with a theme of defining the carnal and physical pleasures in our lives through our responsibilities and with an awareness of material boundaries and moral standards. This may also become a time of reaping the benefits we have sown throughout this cycle, since our last quarter Moon on the 17th of September and our New Moon on the 25th of September. The Full Moon is about releasing, purging and creating further balance between ourselves and others.

The 10th of October: Mercury enters Libra

When Mercury enters Libra on the 10th of October, the planet will have moved on further from his opposition with Neptune and his square with Mars, which we had to deal with whilst he was stationing direct. Although no longer in his sign of domicile, Virgo, he will be in the air triplicity so will still be functioning with strength, only this time with balance, finesse and thought towards other people in our relationships, artistry and social grace. Money may also become a topic of interest at this time, especially in terms of research and planning for future circumstances.

The 23rd of October: The Sun and Venus enter Scorpio and Saturn turns Direct

With two ingresses on the same day and Saturn turning direct, the 23rd of October is quite a special day. It’s Scorpio season for both the Sun and Venus so romance will heat up with a little extra pepper, possession and passion and we may step into our contemplative yet vital modes of being. Scorpio is all about survival and with Saturn also turning direct, we should see some forwards motion in terms of essential sustainability and material growth.

The 25th of October: Partial Solar Eclipse in Scorpio

The partial solar eclipse at 02°00’ of Scorpio on the 25th of October will occur in an almost exact conjunction with Venus, who will be at 02°39’ of Scorpio. With no other aspects that are working so closely to the New Moon at this time, the theme of the coming 28 days should be quite socially stimulating with new things coming into our lives surrounding money, romantic relationships, love and material pleasures. With the sign being Scorpio, perhaps we will begin with these with a sense of greater introspection, analysis and deep regeneration. There may also be a certain heaviness with a desire for starting afresh and healing.

The 28th & 29th of October: Jupiter and Mercury Ingresses

On the 28th and the 29th, Jupiter and Mercury will both ingress into new signs. Whilst Jupiter re-enters Pisces, Mercury will follow the Sun and Venus into Scorpio, bringing yet another two transits through our water signs. At this stage only two planets will be in masculine signs so this could be a time when general activity decreases and we focus more on the things that are very close to our hearts.

The 30th of October: Mars turns Retrograde

After three planets turning direct this month, we have Mars turning retrograde on the 30th. We may meet with frustrations and tempers may flare so we need to be mindful of this. With Mars turning retrograde in Gemini, tensions could be examined or expressed more verbally or we may find we need to go over some of our written work again in order to compensate for mistakes or things we forgot to include. It’s a good idea to practice greater patience and empathy at this time.