October 2024 Vedic Astrology Forecast

A solar eclipse, Jupiter retrograde, and so much more!

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

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Who’s ready for October? As we move deeper into fall, I hope that you are embracing cooler temperatures and a gentler pace of life. The cosmos will also remind us to slow down and reflect, as there will be several spiritual events and planetary shifts this month.  

Let’s take a look at what to expect in my October 2024 astrology update:

October 1: Mahalaya Amavasya - The Day of the Ancestors

Mahalaya Amavasya is the the last day of Pitru Paksha and the darkest day of the Bhadrapada lunar month. This is the most important day of the year for honoring the ancestors in the Vedic tradition. Worshipers will perform sacred offerings, rites, prayers, and pujas on behalf of their departed ancestors. These rituals also invoke blessings for the living descendants and for the whole world.

October 2: New Moon/Annular Solar Eclipse - Endings and New Beginnings

The New Moon in Virgo will occur on October 2 at 2:49 PM Eastern Time (6:49 PM UTC). A Solar Annual Eclipse will occur a few minutes earlier, at 2:45 PM Eastern Time (6:45 PM UTC). The solar eclipse will be visible from parts of South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and Antarctica.

The effects of a solar eclipse represent endings and new beginnings, depending on the house where the eclipse occurs in an astrological chart. The eclipse will resonate for six months before and after the eclipse, but there will often be an outpouring of events and new information in the days and weeks before or after.

Eclipses affect the whole world, though they can be most impactful in the areas where they are visible to us, or where they occur on the angles of the astrological chart. I will be offering a separate article about the eclipse with more detailed information, so please stay tuned!

October 3-12: Sharad Navratri - Nine Nights of Mother Divine

This year, the sacred festival of Navratri (or Navaratri) will be celebrated from October 3-12. Navratri is celebrated four times a year. The October event will be the Maha (Great) Navratri. This festival always takes place in the autumn season. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of the female divinity are worshiped. Navratri provides an opportunity to honor our Divine Mother who walks among us during this period. We can ask her to bless us with her healing and balancing force.

During Navratri, we are given an opportunity to tap into a massive surge of vital spiritual energy (kundalini). This spiritual source will rise as the Goddess power awakens within us. In fact, the deeper meaning of Navratri is related to this unprompted energy flow and the subsequent opening of our subtle energetic centers known as chakras. Therefore, the true purpose of this festival is sadhana, or spiritual practice.

October 6-10: The Draconid Meteor Shower - A Sign of Cyclical Transformation

According to In-The-Sky.org, the annual Draconid meteor shower (or simply the Draconids) will be active from October 6-10 this year. It will produce a peak rate of meteors around October 8. The apparent origin point of a meteor shower is called its radiant. The Draconid meteor shower's radiant is the constellation Draco, the Dragon. When viewed from Earth, the shooting stars of the Draconids appear to originate from this constellation.

Since the Draconids appear to originate from the constellation Draco, we can understand the metaphysical meaning of this meteor shower by learning more about the mythology behind this constellation. Draco is associated with dragons, serpents, the Devil, and something that is deceitful and oppressive. In Mayan mythology, Draco represents the Path of the Creator.

In the ancient myths from Mesopotamia, Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, dragons were often depicted as sea monsters symbolizing chaos, disorder, and death. In these stories, a hero, often a god, would slay the dragon. Therefore, the symbolism of Draco and the Draconids relates to the hero’s journey and the cyclical transformations that we all must navigate in life.

The appearance of this meteor shower may signify a time of metaphorical death and rebirth, and an opportunity to pursue new goals or avenues of personal growth. 

October 9: Jupiter Will Station Retrograde - Time to Focus on Both Material and Spiritual Growth

Jupiter will station retrograde on October 9 at 27 degrees of Taurus. Jupiter will remain retrograde for about four months. This retrograde phase represents a period when we should go deeper within to focus on both material and spiritual growth.

In general, as Jupiter retrogrades in Taurus, we could experience a crisis of faith or the need to reassess our personal values, ethics, political views, plans for the future, and specifically, matters related to material security. The house in a natal or mundane horoscope where Jupiter is retrograde will also reveal where we will can gain new perspectives or make important changes in our lives. In Mundane Astrology, Jupiter retrograding in Taurus can indicate significant reversals or setbacks in the banking, finance, commerce, and labor sectors, as well as in the judicial branch of government.

Paid subscribers will receive a sign-by-sign guide about the meaning of the retrograde Jupiter cycle, coming soon!

October 10 to 29: Mercury Will Transit in Libra - Time to Practice Heart-Centered Mindfulness

Mercury will transit in Libra from October 10-29. In its higher expression, this combination can be sweet-spoken, socially inclined, fun-loving, fair, diplomatic, and concerned with the arts and enjoyment. In its lower expression, Mercury in Libra can be irresolute, perfectionistic (fussy), or even irresponsible. During this transit, we should use heart-centered mindfulness to align our thoughts with our feelings.

During its transit in Libra, Mercury will trine Saturn (exact on October 22). This can be a good time for problem solving, intellectual analysis, study, or mental work that requires concentration and focus. After that, Mercury will form a 6/8 quincunx with Jupiter (exact on October 27). This aspect can tend to bring forth chaotic ideas and behaviors, or challenges in communication, all due to an unbalanced perspective.

October 11: Pluto Will Station Direct - Activating a New Phase of the United States Pluto Return

Pluto will station direct at about five-and-a-half degrees of Capricorn on October 11, at 8:32 PM Eastern Time (October 12 at 12:32 AM UTC). It has been retrograde since May 2.

Pluto stationary periods comprise ten days on either side of its retrograde or direct stations. During these periods, we may experience intensified inner or outer pressures, struggles, or big changes. This is all dependent on where Pluto is transiting in relation to an individual or mundane horoscope.

Pluto is transiting in conjunction with natal Pluto in the United States chart, which is known as the Pluto Return. As Pluto stations direct, it will activate the next phase of this revolutionary cycle. You can read more about this in my previous article titled The First Ever United States Pluto Return, or view this video presentation of the same title.

October 12 to November 6: Venus Will Transit in Scorpio - Time to Build Bodily Strength and Vitality

From October 12 to November 6, Venus, planet of the heart chakra, will transit in the mystical, passionate, devoted, and deep-feeling sign of Scorpio. This is a wonderful period in which to face your fears and penetrate deep into the heart of prayer and meditation. You can also work on building bodily strength and vitality which Venus governs.

Although this should be a generally positive transit, it's important to remember that it has previously been associated with intense seismic eruptions, both of the literal and figurative varieties. So it's important to be cautious during this time. This will be especially true on October 12-14. At this time, Venus will oppose Uranus and the fixed star Algol. This opposition may cause sudden, unexpected, and disruptive events related to health, finances, relationships, or shocking world events.

October 16 to November 15: The Sun Will Transit in Libra - A Time to Practice Ease

The Sun will transit in Libra from October 16 to November 15. In Libra, the Sun is considered to be weak or fallen, in its debilitation (neecha). Though it can be creative, intuitive, tactful, harmonious, and helpful, the debilitated Libra Sun can also reduce our vitality and confidence. We might also experience insecurities, challenges in finding balance and reciprocity in relationships, or confusion in decision making.

As the Sun transits in Libra, we may also feel less driven, competitive, and ambitious than usual. It is often said that powerful leaders will suffer and experience more problems than usual during this transit. This is because the Sun (which represents leaders) is diminished in power.

The Sun is the king, the left-brained, action-oriented yang center of our being. However, when the Sun is in Libra, his nature tends to cool down and he becomes more humble, intuitive, receptive, and nurturing. This transit is a wonderful time to practice having more ease in our thoughts and actions. 

For many of us, this period marks the beginning of the best time of year. I think of this transition as the true beginning of “Yin Time” in the Northern Hemisphere, and it always feels like the beginning of the new year for me.

The Sun's Libra ingress is called Tula Sankranti. This transit has special cultural and religious significance. In many traditions, it is a special day to honor Surya the Sun God. Some will do shraddha (prayers and offerings) for departed loved ones on this day. Many will bathe in holy rivers. In Odisha, prayers are made to Lakshmi Devi for a good harvest.

October 16: Sharad Purnima - Blessings of Love and Healing Abound

The Vedic celebration of Sharad Purnima will occur this year on October 16, the day before the Full Moon. Sharad Purnima is a harvest festival that also has deep spiritual significance. On this night, Lord Krishna is honored, and his performance of the dance of divine love is commemorated (known as Maha Raas). In East India, Lakshmi Devi, goddess of love, beauty, and wealth, is worshiped on this Full Moon (known as Raas Purnima). Some traditions celebrate her birthday this day.

The cosmic soma emanating from the Moon during Sharad Purnima is extremely potent for healing and nourishing of body-mind-spirit. Spiritual practices, Moon baths, herbal medicines, and Moon water made at this time will be highly potent. In some traditions, it is customary to make kheer (rice pudding) to leave out under the Sharad Purnima Moon. This dish is enjoyed as a healing, protective, and deeply nourishing food for the whole family the next morning. The best time to perform these rituals will be on Wednesday night before the Full Moon culminates on Thursday.

October 17: Full Hunter’s Supermoon - Time for Reflection, Inner Healing, Transformation, and Renewal

The Full Hunter’s Supermoon will occur on October 17 at 7:26 AM Eastern time (11:26 AM UTC). In ancient times, the Hunter’s Moon was celebrated as an important feast day. The Hunter’s Moon is meant to be a time for reflection, inner healing, transformation, and renewal.

This will be the last Supermoon of the year, when the lunar effect is magnified. There may be stronger than usual tides, storms, seismic events, and emotional intensity. 

The Full Moon will occur at zero degrees of Aries at the beginning of the zodiac and the beginning of Ashwini nakshatra. The zero point of Aries is power-packed with tremendous creative energy. If you have any chart points or planets from 25 degrees of Pisces to 5 degrees of Aries, this Full Moon may be especially auspicious. It may bring some newfound success, visibility, or even fame in the near future.

The zero degree of Aries is in the gandanta or transformational edge between a water sign (Pisces) and a fire sign (Aries). This indicates that this Full Moon will mark a time of big changes, for some at least. Ashwini nakshatra is a magical nakshatra that also represents new beginnings, healing, and the process of removing obstacles. As you can see, the blessings of this Full Moon period can be truly profound.

October 20 to January 20: Mars Will Transit in Cancer - Imbalanced Fire Energy

Mars will transit in Cancer from October 20 to January 20. This will be a longer than normal transit for Mars in one sign because Mars will retrograde on December 6. And because of its long retrograde cycle, Mars will return to Cancer from April into early June 2025.

Mars transits in Cancer every two years, and this is one of the weakest sign transits for Mars. As Mars moves through this sign, we may experience imbalances in the fire element. For some, this can express itself as a sense of powerlessness, frustration (or even anger), and loss of confidence.

This transit can also bring up inertia, difficulty concentrating, low energy, obsession, impulsivity, forcefulness, digestive issues, and unresolved shame or guilt. Some will experience these issues more than others during this transit.

It depends on the birth chart, progressed cycles, the house where the transit is occurring, and also on one’s natural tendencies and current life situation and condition. For all of us, the best remedy for Mars problems is physical exercise, and also, taking care with the diet in order to stoke the digestive fire (agni).

Mars transiting in its weakest sign of Cancer may point to serious economic woes, fires, severe storms, and catastrophic floods. In the United States birth chart, Mars will transit in the eighth house. This is a potentially difficult transit which can indicate political subterfuge, the death or fall of world leaders, increasing violent crime, growing uncertainty and financial stress among most American consumers, mass tragedies, and significant changes in the government of the nation.

Mars will activate (conjoin) Mercury in the United States chart from October 20 into early November. This can indicate wars and violence, extremism, intellectual confrontations, censorship battles, media lies, but also the potential for new information being revealed that will bring different perspectives.

Paid subscribers will receive a sign-by-sign guide about the meaning of the Mars in Cancer transit, coming soon!

October 28-November 9: Mars-Pluto Opposition - Potential for Upheaval and Change

From October 28 to November 9, Mars in Cancer will oppose Pluto in Capricorn, using an effective two-degree orb. These two planets aspect each other in this way every two years but not always in the same area of the zodiac. This time is much more significant than usual as Pluto will be in conjunction with natal Pluto in the United States birth chart (so Mars will oppose both transiting and natal Pluto).

This combination of Mars in Cancer opposite Pluto in Capricorn can have a violent, warlike, ruthless, or brutal expression, and can represent upheaval and revolt. This sign axis of Cancer and Capricorn has to do with long-term safety, stability, and security. This axis is being disrupted at its roots by the Pluto transit in Capricorn, in place from 2020-2040. This aspect between Mars and Pluto occurred in the same sign axis in the 1700s during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution. Before that, this combination occurred during the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s.

October 28-November 3: Diwali - The Vedic Festival of Lights

Diwali (Deepavali) is the Vedic Festival of Lights which will occur for several days and nights this year from October 28-November 3. This magical holiday is celebrated by those who follow India's Hindu/Vedic, Jain, and Sikh cultural traditions. Diwali is celebrated annually around the New Moon in Libra, which this year will occur on November 1.

One of the most important days of the Diwali festival is Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi), which will occur on October 29 this year. This festival marks the beginning celebrations of Diwali. It commemorates the god Dhanvantari who imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda for the betterment of humankind, and to help rid humanity of the suffering of disease. Dhanteras and Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Kubera are all propitiated for good blessings at this time.

The main day of Diwali is the Amavasya day of the Lakshmi Puja, which will occur on October 31. This event celebrates Lakshmi’s birth and all the blessings of her love, wisdom, beauty, and abundance.

October 29, 2024 to January 4, 2025: Mercury Will Transit in Scorpio - A Good Time for Healing and Contemplative Practices

Mercury will transit in Scorpio from October 29, 2024, to January 4, 2025. This is a much longer cycle for Mercury because it will retrograde in this sign in November and December. 

On the positive side, Mercury in Scorpio may signify high intuition, passion, a love of philosophy and mysteries, excellent research skills, and healing gifts. In its lower expression, Mercury in Scorpio may suggest a secretive, moody, and obsessive nature, emotional reasoning, a tendency to exaggerate the truth, or financial difficulties.

Classically in Vedic astrology, Mercury transiting in Scorpio has been associated with grief and troubles. This is because Mercury is an enemy to Mars, the ruler of Scorpio. In the world of politics and international relations, this transit can tend to amplify Machiavellian power plays, intrigues, plots, corruption, and lies.

Daily protection prayers and rituals for yourself, your loved ones, and the world will be especially important during the transit of Mercury in Scorpio. As we manage our own emotional state by cultivating calm, positivity, patience, and tact, we can make the most of any challenging conditions.

October 31-November 1: Samhain - Magic Is Afoot!

Samhain will take place from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1. Pronounced “Sow’in,” Samhain translates as "Summer's End.” It is the ancient Gaelic celebration that occurs in the seasonal cross-quarter point between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. Samhain is the official end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker part of the year in the northern hemisphere. (For those in the southern hemisphere, I wish you a Happy Beltane instead, which occurs at the cross-quarter between your spring equinox and summer solstice!)

Samhain is a deeply mystical crossing-over time in the northern hemisphere, when Mother Nature “withdraws her green mantle from the Earth, and with a last stunning flourish of color, her power withdraws into the ground.” (Prayers for the Wild Heart Tribe, by Gail Faith Edwards, p. 95)

Also known as All Hallows' Eve, Halloween, and All Saints' Eve, Samhain is also called Geimredh, the Day of the Dead (Feile na Marbh in Gaelic), which is the same as Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. The corresponding Christian holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day fall on November 1 and 2, respectively.

On Samhain, the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds thins out. According to tradition, celebrants dress in macabre costumes and light lanterns, candles, and jack-o'-lanterns throughout the night. This commemorates the natural process of death. It also welcomes back loved ones who have passed into the spirit world, in hopes that their souls will visit and bring blessings.

Samhain fires were traditionally burned to cleanse the fields after harvest (known as stubble burning), but also to observe the transformation from one season to another. If you have access to a fireplace or fire pit, October 31 is a great night for fire rituals! If not, burning candles and meditating on the sunset will do. This is a time for deep reflection, looking back, and taking stock. You can write down and burn whatever it is that you want to say goodbye to, as you prepare for the hibernal season ahead.

I wish you and yours a blessed Samhain. May magic abound in the turning of the seasonal wheel, and may this bring you peace, love, prosperity, and joy.

Happy October to all!

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Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and a small number of Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.