Vedic Astrology Forecast: October 2023, Part II
As I described in my previous October 2023 Vedic astrology forecast, a large number of cosmic shifts are happening in October 2023.
In this article, I will describe the major astrological events that will take place from October 15 to 31. As I have explained in previous posts, the cosmic conditions will continue to manifest in some very difficult events and challenges. At the same time, there are some uplifting planetary and lunar shifts that could bring elements of welcome relief during the latter half of October.
October 15 to 23: Sharad Navaratri — The Divine Mother Festival of Nine Nights
The Vedic celebration known as Navaratri, the Nine Nights of Mother Divine, will be observed from October 15 to 23 this year. This divine festival commemorates the ultimate victory of good over evil. I have described this festival in detail in this article.
October 17 to November 16: The Sun Will Transit in Libra — Insecurities and Imbalances
On October 17, the Sun will transit into Libra at 3:59 PM EDT/7:59 PM UTC. The Sun will remain in Libra until November 16. The Sun debilitates here, which can diminish health, vitality, confidence, and harmony in relationships. During this transit, we may have to stretch to find balance and reciprocity in all of our affairs. Otherwise, we may experience some insecurity or confusion, causing us to lose our way.
The Sun at its Libra ingress will form a quincunx (6/8 aspect) with Neptune, suggesting deception, confusion, indecision, and escapist tendencies (in range of influence from October 16-20). The Sun at its Libra ingress will also be in conjunction with Ketu at the degree of the recent October 14 solar eclipse. This can be a trigger for more intense violence, fear, insecurities, frustrations, mishaps, and other such difficulties. Yet for those who follow a humble path in life, the conjunction of the Sun and Ketu can also bring spiritual inspiration.
October 18 to November 6: Mercury Will Transit in Libra — Political Battles, Economic Problems, Storms, and Airline Issues
Mercury will enter Libra on October 18 at 3:46 PM EDT/7:46 PM UTC. It will remain in Libra until November 6. In its higher expression, this combination can be sweet-spoken, diplomatic, and concerned with the arts, human relationships, and social justice. However, in this case, Mercury will be highly afflicted because it is in conjunction with three combustible planets—Ketu, the Sun, and Mars. Mercury will also be in a 6/8 quincunx with Neptune.
As a result of the afflictions to Mercury, we may see some intense political battles, more than the usual disinformation and propaganda, as well as economic and social crises heating up in the second half of October. Dangerous weather patterns and storms as well as airline chaos or mishaps can also be indicated by this transit.
October 20: Mercury in Superior Conjunction — Time to Clear the Mind
On October 20, Mercury will conjoin the Sun at two degrees of Libra. This is called Mercury’s superior conjunction, in which the Sun is transiting between the Earth and Mercury. Mercury and the Sun will conjoin at the same zodiacal position of Ketu and Mars in the recent October 14 eclipse chart. This could most certainly intensify tumultuous events already in place, or activate new events that have been brewing during the previous months, including heightened volatility in financial markets.
The superior conjunction of Mercury happens three times a year. It is a time when our minds may reach a saturation point and require a necessary purification (clearing out) and regeneration process, after which the reseeding of new information or understanding may follow. Insights may come in the form of divine messages or everyday oracles that guide us to realign with our true path.
October 22: Jupiter-Venus Trine — Optimism, Love, and Positive Energy
Jupiter in Aries will form a harmonious trine with Venus in Leo on October 22. This aspect will be within an effective orb of influence from October 17 to 27. It suggests the possibility of upliftment, optimism, love, affection, and some nice overall positive energy.
October 22-24: Saturn To the Rescue — In Trine to Mercury and then the Sun
The transit of Saturn in his own sign of Aquarius will be helpful in the second half of this month, as it will trine Mercury on October 22; and will trine the Sun on October 24. These aspects suggest heightened capacity for focus, self-discipline, and productivity.
October 28-29: Full Hunter’s Moon and Partial Lunar Eclipse — Time for Self-Reflection, Remembrance, Devotions, Healing, and Renewal
The Full Hunter’s Moon will occur on Saturday, October 28, at 4:24 PM EDT/8:24 PM UTC. Use the World Time Buddy to convert to your time zone if it is different. The Hunter’s Moon is also known as the Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon because it rises soon after sunset and is seen low in the sky, shortly after rising, when the atmosphere may cause it to turn red.
The Hunter's Moon occurs a month after the Harvest Moon and is associated with the wild game hunting season. In ancient times, this Moon was celebrated as an important feast day among Native American tribes as well as by Northern European inhabitants. The spiritual symbolism of the Hunter’s Moon connects with the Samhain festival that will soon follow October 31 (read further on). These celebrations revolve around self-reflection, inner healing, transformation and renewal, and honoring those who have gone before us.
Hunter's Moon (painting by Robert Fagg)
A partial lunar eclipse will occur ten minutes before the exact Full Moon. It will occur on October 28 in the western half of the world, and on October 29 in the eastern half. The maximum eclipse will occur on October 28 at 4:14 PM EDT/8:14 PM UTC. The eclipse will be completely visible over Europe and most of Asia and Africa, and will be seen rising over the eastern Americas, and setting over Australia. For more details, check out this article on TimeandDate.com, and use the World Time Buddy to convert to your time zone if it is different from what I have given here.
Please stay tuned for my forthcoming article about the lunar eclipse.
October 29-30: Mars and Mercury Conjunct — Impatience, Irritability, and Issues with Focus
On October 29-30, Mars and Mercury will conjoin near 18 degrees of Libra in the sometimes agitated and aggressive Rahu-ruled Swati nakshatra. They will be within an effective orb of conjunction from *October 24 to November 3* and will be in a turbulent planetary war (graha yuddha) on October 28 and 29 around the already intense lunar eclipse/Full Moon.
Mars and Mercury have conjoined or will conjoin for a total of three times in 2023: in July-August, in October-November, and again in December. In this current instance, the effect of the conjunction and planetary war can suggest aggression, violent events, mass casualties, irritability, impatience, indecisiveness, difficulties with focus or following through with plans, communication breakdowns, or chaotic disturbances related to weather, transportation, commerce and trade, travel, and Internet security threats/cybersecurity issues including cyber-attacks.
During their conjunction, Mars and Mercury will oppose Jupiter, which may in the more positive manifestation enhance a sense of adventure, optimism, self-confidence, and ambition. Yet, it is very important to stay grounded, patient, and in control during this time, as there could be a tendency to go too far and overstretch one’s capacity and resources.
October 30, 2023, to May 18, 2025: Ingress of Rahu in Pisces and Ketu in Virgo — A Sea Change
We can expect a sea change with the transit of Rahu into Pisces and Ketu into Virgo on October 30 (again, I am using the mean lunar node calculation, not the true node, which I know that many astrologers prefer). Rahu and Ketu will remain in the Pisces-Virgo sign axis for approximately 18 months until May 2025. The last time that they transited here was in 2005-2006.
Rahu’s sojourn in Pisces along with Ketu’s sojourn in Virgo will be an important time for releasing fear, healing body, mind, and spirit, and developing more compassion and spiritual faith.
Please stay tuned for my upcoming article about the shifting lunar nodes.
October 31: Venus-Uranus Trine — Potential for Positive New Developments
Venus will trine Uranus on October 31. This hopeful aspect will be within an effective orb of influence from October 27 to November 5. Transiting Venus and Uranus form a trine once or twice yearly, but their zodiacal positions move from month to month and from year to year. This time, Venus will be in late Leo, and Uranus in late Aries. For anyone whose birth chart includes planets or important chart points in these zodiacal locations or in late Sagittarius, this aspect may bring something new and exciting into your life. It will depend on how and where it aspects your birth chart.
October 31: Samhain, or All Hallows’ Eve — Time to Honor the Natural Process of Death and Connect with Our Loved Ones Who Have Passed Before Us
Samhain will occur on October 31. 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!)
Also known as All Hallows' Eve, Halloween, and All Saints' Eve, Samhain is celebrated from sunset on October 31 until sunset on November 1. It's also called Geimredh, the Day of the Dead (Feile na Marbh in Gaelic), which is the same as Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. After Samhain, the Christian holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day will occur 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 is to commemorate the natural process of death, and to welcome back loved ones who have passed into the spirit world, in hopes that their souls will visit and bring blessings.
Conclusion
Given the tragic events of the past week, it it hard to imagine that there is anything positive happening in the world. Yet, in our dualistic earthly realm, there is always a balance of light and shadow. While some harsh astrological influences will continue in the second half of October, there are also some positive ones to help us navigate the dark times.