This month I concentrated more on the aspect configurations than simple transits. The Pluto conjunctions in Capricorn have been at our throats since the beginning of the year, and now the Mars squares are just as problematic. I thought it would be more beneficial if I concentrated on those, rather than another simple transit that occurs every year anyway.
Oh, and of course the upcoming Mercury Retrograde. Yeah, there’s that, along with the continuing Retrograde of Mars.
So, here we go…
10/1-10/31 Mars remains Retrograde the entire month of October.
Please remember this is a part of a long transit and retrograde through the sign of Aries, the ruler of Mars. Pay particular attention to the following dates as they become important when it comes to beginning projects, planning birthdays, parties, outings, etc. My sincere advice is to stay home over the holidays. 2020 hasn’t been a year to press your luck, so don’t.
9/9/20 Mars goes Retrograde @ 28 degrees Aries
11/13/20 Mars goes Direct @ 15 degrees Aries
1/3/21 Mars leaves the post retrograde shadow @ 28 degrees Aries
1/7/21 Mars enters Taurus
10/3 Venus enters Virgo: And, finds herself critical of everybody and everything. Virgo is not the best placement for our fickle girl, and she prefers to not have to endure the constant criticism and eternal nagging that a transit through Virgo can bring.
10/5 Pluto goes Direct @ 22 degrees Capricorn: Usually we can expect a return to some of the passions we have neglected during the turbulent retro phases, but this year is not like any other. Pluto going Direct will bring it into aspects with Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars once again forming at times what is called a T-Square in Cardinal signs.
What does this really mean? Well, a lot of ‘more of the same” things we experienced earlier in the year. Usually, this is not a phase that has an immediate effect on us personally [Unless you have a prominent Pluto in your natal chart), but this year it is a planet that has dominated the year with its destruction and harshness. Hopefully the promise of Pluto will bring us changes that are for our betterment, and bring them sooner rather than later. In any event, Pluto going direct is more impactful this year than any other time in recent memory.
Additionally, we should all be on the lookout for intense feelings connected with personal responsibilities vs. personal desires. It always makes for interesting living.
10/14 Mercury goes Retrograde @ 11 degrees Scorpio:
This retro phase will look something like this:
9/28/20 Mercury enters Scorpio
10/14/20 Mercury goes retrograde @11 degrees Scorpio
10/28/20 Mercury re-enters Libra
11/4/20 Mercury goes direct
11/11/20 Mercury re-enters Scorpio
11/20/20 Mercury finally reaches11 degrees Scorpio and thus this retro cycle actually ends.
12/2/20 Mercury enters Sagittarius.
If possible during this retrograde cycle, avoid signing contracts just prior, during and just after a Mercury Retrograde. If that’s not possible, read the fine print!! If you are planning travel, make contingency plans for delayed flights and possible missed connections. Try not to begin any new projects on this particular Mercury Retrograde. What might have been completely settled in planning will be thrown out the window once the retro sign change occurs on the 28th.
Mercury Retrograde is actually good for catching up on unfinished business, getting reorganized, reviewing those things to be started in the future, and refining plans. It is also a good time for reflection, research, review, re-creation, and if you’re not careful, re-doing.
Additionally, please note that both Mercury and Mars will be retrograde on Election Day. Please do not let obstacles deter any of you from voting. Make contingency plans. Maybe make a few different ones so that you are able to vote.
10/28 Mercury re-enters Libra: Mercury is so often misunderstood as to influence and purpose. It represents more than mere communication, it also represents the neutrality of the messenger.
However this year Mercury is making an opposition to Mars in Aries, and harmonious communication might not be able to be achieved. Most people forget that Libra is the sign of justice and even war, and in opposition to Mars Retrograde, we will probably see more war-like behavior and communication than harmonious. Be prepared!!
10/23 Sun enters Scorpio: The ruler of Scorpio is Mars and Pluto. Prior to the discovery of the ninth planet, Scorpio was ruled by Mars only, which is still considered co-ruler. The sign of cosmic purpose, Scorpio is considered the success sign. Self-contained, self-centered, and concentrated, Scorpios usually succeed in what they set out to accomplish.
Scorpios are known for their intense and powerful natures. They are willful, proud, and calm, with an electrifying undercurrent of seething intensity. Purposeful and animated with force, they project a magnetic personality.
Their demeanor is dignified and reserved, affable and courteous, and many have a gaze that is both direct and penetrating. Their secretive natures make them natural detectives. Many Scorpios possess a suspicious outlook, and need to know the reasons behind everything everyone else is doing while refusing to divulge any information about what they are doing. It’s an interesting conundrum.
Scorpio does nothing in half measures. An all or nothing attitude permeates their entire life. When fixed on something or someone, the scorpion perseveres. Scorpio never settles. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest or not at all.
Scorpio will rarely be found in the center of activity, but will always know what is going on. Their tenacity and willpower are enviable, their depth of character and passionate conviction admirable, but it is their deep sensitivity that makes them the best and most loyal friend. This same quality makes them the most dangerous of enemies. There is no middle ground with a Scorpio.
Their sensitivity and pride allow them to be easily hurt, quick to feel insult or injury, even when none is intended, and easily roused to heights of anger. An angry Scorpio is a sight to see. Unlike Leo, who can have a temper tantrum and five minutes later be quite himself again, Scorpio seethes, and doesn’t give it up. It is a Scorpio that can harbor a resentment for an entire life. The saying, “revenge is a dish best served cold”, is a perfect example of the Scorpio nature. They can wait a lifetime to settle a score.
When they harness their abundant energy constructively, their self-confidence is tempered with shrewdness, their ambition is coupled with generosity toward others, and they excel at whatever they undertake. Scorpios are demanding of others, but never ask someone to do what they would not do themselves. They can be fanatically focused and work till they drop, and ask the same of those around them. Again, no middle ground for a Scorpio, it’s all or nothing. It is both admirable and frustrating for those around a Scorpio.
Scorpio imagination and intuition are excellent. They possess refined critical perception and strong analytical ability. In addition, they seem to demonstrate a natural healing power. These abundant gifts allow Scorpions to penetrate the most profound subjects. They are serious folk, but quite charming to people they like, and when social events call for it. Their tragic flaw is their immense pride. Once wronged, once Scorpio’s pride has been diminished, the game of courtesy is over.
Their inner intensity can result in the ice-cold restraint and detachment of the surgeon, the concentration of the research scientist, and the heroism of the soldier. Any profession in which analysis, investigation, research, or solving mysteries are present appeal to Scorpios.
10/29 Venus enters Libra: Watch out for conflicts in relationships or added pressure from partners on one another. Aspects from Pluto and Mars will increase stubbornness, frustration, and a kind of everybody to a corner where their feet are dug in, giving no sign of compromise.
Aspects: [I’m only looking at challenging Aspects here, as they are the ones likely to cause the problems this month.] I have listed only the dates when the aspect is exact. Please remember that some may experience these effects when the aspects is applying or separating, so the effects might be for a longer period of time, even as much as a week with slower moving planets. I use a 2-degree orb when looking at a range of dates, but some use a 3-degree orb. It’s easier for a non-astrology person to simply look at the date of the exact aspect and just be aware that the effects could be for a few days to a week surrounding that date.
The one Pluto square to Mars is part of a yearlong dominance of Pluto, and I’d expect for the effects to last to the end of the year for all intents and purposes. It’s just been a Pluto kind of year.
Additionally, I did not list the Moon signs when in Cardinal signs, but they remain important. Simply put, watch the New, first quarter, Full, and last quarter Moon cycles as well as the following aspects, and you will be ok. A Cardinal Moon sign will add an emotionalism to the aspect/transit and may cause uncontrollable emotional outbursts. It will pass.
Mars square Saturn 10/1-10/2: This transit usually makes people feel frustrated and/or inhibited, and both can be felt all at the same time. A sense of caution vs. the need to take action, or be aggressive and defend oneself.
While Mars is retrograde, a sense of caution should dominate, but it will be accompanied by a deep sense of frustration at encountering too many obstacles.
Remember that square aspects are usually manifested in a struggle, between the planets involved, to find expression. There is a definite feeling of one or the other dominating, and never a sense that the planets are working together in order to manifest. The struggle is what creates the frustration, and given that Mars is one of the planets involved here, the frustration is compounded by the Mars retrograde transit through Aries.
While I don’t think this square is as dangerous as the Mars square Pluto, I do think it is one of the most frustrating combinations. Both planets are placed strongly in their rulers, and both have the energy to dominate. Hence the struggle.
My advice is to take the best of both planets and try and deal with the negative manifestations that are bound to occur. Those being frustration, rage, impatience, excessive control, authorative behavior, and depression.
Mars Square Pluto 10/6-10/14: Mars square Pluto means power struggles and confrontations. This is primarily just a manifestation of a desire to control others, or control situations. Many may notice an intensified need to advance and achieve a more powerful position. Or you may find yourself having to deal with other people trying to dominate you or challenge your POV. You may find yourself having to make a choice—fight or submit.
In order to avoid being a victim at this time, and in the near future, it is better to strive for success but do so in a careful way. Think before you act. Avoid being overly assertive or making others feel threatened, but use the assertive energy to accomplish what you need. There is a difference between dominating others in a ruthless fashion and using intense energy to forge ahead. This time especially applies to superiors or those in a position of authority. People with more power than you or I will ever have, will definitely have the upper hand during this transit. This is not the time to be starting fights and making enemies in any area of life.
This aspect will re-occur December 20th of this year. Harkening back to the beginning of the year, Pluto aspects to Saturn have set the tone for this entire year. Now we have Mars making square aspects to the planet Pluto, and creating a kind of havoc that can be dangerous. I urge everyone to take the time to think before acting for the rest of this perilous year.
Sun Square Jupiter 10/12: Try to avoid taking on too much for a few days surrounding this date. Jupiter here can give a false sense of confidence, and a feeling of being unbeatable. But, square the Sun, people that do not exhibit restraint will soon find out that they are in over their heads.
Add in the Mars retrograde, and projects or promises made, might not be completed on time, causing there to be a backlash for the Sun and confidence in general.
This isn’t the worst square to occur this month, but as I’ve stated, no square is really good in any way other than to teach and learn hard lessons. In the end, if lessons are learned, then the square is worth it, but it is a lot like child-birth, it hurts giving birth to the wisdom learned from square aspects, especially a Sun Square to any other planet, the Moon, or an angle.
Sun opposite Mars 10/13-10/15: This isn’t altogether a bad aspect, it is a least far better than a square. In the positive, it can bring an enormous amount of energy to the Sun [which is in its fall position in Libra and therefore low in energy from Mars in Aries. Of course Mars is retrograde, so it’s not a full dose of Mars energy, but it should still bring a good amount of vitality and aggressive energy.
In this case, the aggressiveness can be either good or bad depending on how each of us uses the energy, but the energy will be there to utilize. It can devolve into impulsiveness, frustration, and anger issues if not careful though.
This is not the time to take on combative issues. In other words, don’t talk politics, religion, or sex. LOL
Mars Square Jupiter 10/17-10/21: This is a time of enormous enthusiasm and confidence, but like the Sun Square Jupiter, there can be a problem with over-confidence. There is a tendency to be overly optimistic in capabilities and potential. Take a step back and try to be realistic about your strengths. Don’t let your ego make these decisions, let reason make them whenever possible during this transit.
There is a great need to expand your goals and sphere of influence at this time in order to achieve future success, but also a need to be more attentive to cautious planning.
Once again, there is an incredible amount of energy present, but we should all exercise some caution in diving head-first into anything. Over-estimation of time, capabilities, and energy at this time can cause set-backs.
Sun Square Saturn 10/18-10/19: This transit usually presents challenges that can be impactful enough to cause pessimism, cynicism, and even depression. It is difficult to get what is wanted at this time, and that difficulty can ‘feel’ like it is forever rather than for a few short weeks or months. It just feels like it will always be this difficult to get what is wanted.
No one is going to feel like there is a ‘good time’ or any ‘fun’ to be had. This time takes on an all too serious overtone that is hard to escape. In fact, given this year, it may feel like you will never be happy or joyful again—ever. The seriousness of this time is pervasive and unrelenting in nature.
Patience is need at this time, of which many simply have none. The year has exacted all the patience many can muster, and there is none left to finish the 2020 race to 2021. The problem is that with such a heavy feeling of responsibility and restriction, many want to buck the system and avoid responsibilities.
Many may feel rejection, isolation, sadness, and discouragement. Given the year, it is to be expected. This has indeed been a harsh year, and having these reactions to the difficulties and sorrow are more than normal. Know that regardless of how sad one might become, it is important to keep going. You can do it at a slower pace. Get more sleep. Eat healthy. Do the self-care routines that can make you feel like getting out of bed and giving the day another shot. Remember that, this too shall pass, and this year will be over soon.
Mercury opposite Uranus 10/20: Basically, this is a scattering influence, so try and recognize that the lack of focus at this time is in many ways the effort of Uranus to try and inspire many to deeper thoughts and recognitions.
There are no major challenging aspects on the 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th, but remember that Mars is still retrograde, as well as Mercury. While we don’t have the major squares and oppositions to deal with, we still have the retrogrades to contend with. These dates might be useful to schedule some time doing something that will be fun, or at least relieve the tension and pressure of the earlier weeks in October. Treat yourself and loved ones to something safe, but fun and relaxing if possible.
That’s it for this month. I’m already working on the November Newsletter and will put it up early in order to include some Election Day interpretations. Although voting is already occurring, election results won’t be announced until after the polls close on November 3rd. Thank you all for your continued support. ~ Cait
