Unlocking the cosmic potency of October's astrology, dominated by 2 powerful eclipses representing the closing of one cosmic cycle and the opening of a new one.

If you’re not a believer in astrology, which, let’s be fair is unlikely if you’re reading this, please take a moment to contemplate the following…

All the major holidays in the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish religions are tied to an astrological event, either a New or Full Moon, Solstice or Equinox.

So while many people associate astrology with daily horoscopes in trashy magazines promising fate, fortune or a tall, dark and handsome stranger in your very near future there’s a whole lot more to it than that! Neither solely an art, science or philosophy, astrology encompasses a rich tapestry of symbolism and meaning that goes far beyond surface-level predictions.

In this post, my aim is to integrate the mystical aspects of astrology that captivate so many of our hearts and minds, alongside a tutorial to enhance your understanding of the workings of our awe-inspiring solar system and in particular the mysterious phases of the Moon.

Keep reading for 10% off an astrology reading with me to discover your destiny!

Here we go!

We start October in the sign of Libra ♎️ symbolised by The Scales ⚖️

The themes of Libra, which begins on the Autumn Equinox (around 21-23 September) when day and night are of equal length, are balance, harmony and fairness and we’re invited to contemplate and recalibrate the areas of our life where we’re off kilter. Ruled by Venus, Goddess of just wars, love, beauty, art and pleasure Librans value peace, justice, diplomacy and fairness but also crave fun times, pretty things and ALL the relationships!

Each sign of the Zodiac lasts for 30 days and during that time the Sun moves through 30 degrees of the horoscope wheel (12 signs x 30 degrees = 360). This is why you might hear astrologers saying the Sun is in a particular sign, and why birthdays are sometimes referred to as Solar Returns, as the Sun is in the same position in the sky as the day you were born.

30 days is also roughly the length of the lunar cycle, so in each zodiac sign, or season, we have both a New and Full Moon and as I mentioned way back at the start of this article, in October both of these lunations are eclipses.

Eclipse Pairs, The Lunar Nodes + our collective destiny

The Lunar Nodes are mathematical points in the sky in the Moon's path around Earth. Imagine the Moon's orbit is like a hula hoop tilted on it’s side. When the Moon reaches one node, it lines up with the Sun and Earth, causing a solar eclipse. About two weeks later, when it reaches the other node, it lines up again, leading to a lunar eclipse. Then the whole cycle starts again giving us a pair of eclipses about every six months.

Moving backwards through the zodiac at a rate of about one sign every 18 months, the Nodes play a significant role in astrology, influencing our karmic lessons and evolutionary path. The North Node, or Head of the Dragon is our point of destiny and what we need to do more of in this lifetime. The South Node, the Tail of the Dragon, represents a point of release and what we need less of.

In July 2023 the Nodes changed signs from Taurus and Scorpio to Aries and Libra.

The New Moon in Libra Solar Eclipse occurs on Saturday, October 14th

Solar eclipses always coincide with New Moons, as the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. It will be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and much of South and Central America.
It’s an annual eclipse with the Moon almost completely covering the Sun, leaving only a radiant halo around the edges, aptly referred to as the "Ring of Fire." Solar eclipses typically lasts about 10 minutes.
As you can see in the photo the Moon is dark at the New Moon because she’s in the same zodiac sign as the Sun, and due to their close proximity the Moon has no light source to illuminate her.

Spiritually New Moons are about introspection, quietude and contemplation and often our energy is low, reflective of the lack of light and energy being emitted by the Moon. It represents the end of one cycle and a new beginning which is why intention setting rituals are carried out at this time.

BUT!

Eclipse energy is considered to be unstable, often heralding unexpected twists and turns. Think of them as power outages, the usual flow of light and energy to and from the Luminaries (Sun and Moon) is disrupted and everything feels temporarily distorted. The best way to honour them is to do some gentle yoga, breathwork and meditation, allowing the energy to wash over you and observing any intuitive insights that emerge.

14th October is a South Node eclipse on the Aries/Libra axis, a new collective karmic cycle

The themes of this axis are self (Aries, keyword I AM) and self + other (Libra, keyword I BALANCE) so for the next 18 months and with each pair of eclipses we’re being asked to let go of anything that prevents us from being courageous, assertive, self-reliant and showing up as our authentic self (Aries) in our partnerships, collaborations and interpersonal relationships (Libra).

On 23rd October the Sun moves into enigmatic and mysterious Scorpio ♏️

The sign of sex, death and transformation, Scorpionic energy is intense, magnetic and deeply introspective, often with a sting in it’s tail 🦂

Scorpio season encourages self-discovery. We’re invited to explore our emotional depths, our relationship to intimacy and to shed the parts of ourselves no longer in alignment with who we truly are, or wish to be. I’ll talk about it more in next month’s blog.

Full Moon in Taurus Lunar Eclipse, Saturday 28th October

Lunar eclipses take place during Full Moons when the Earth's shadow casts a dark red glow onto the Moon, sometimes referred to as a "Blood Moon." They’re visible from the nighttime side of Earth and can be observed from anywhere the Moon is above the horizon.
This awe-inspiring celestial event has evoked fear and fascination throughout history - the ancients feared the darkening Moon was the end of the world!
The Full Moon is visible because the Sun is directly opposite on the ecliptic, the orbital plane of our solar system, illuminating her. She’s radiant and powerful at this time of the month (or moonth!) and energy can be high, intense and excitable - the term "lunatic" comes from the recognition that Full Moons can cause a temporary madness. In the 18th century you could seek clemency for crimes committed during a Full Moon, reflecting the belief in its influence on human behaviour. Even today it’s a known fact the police service and A&E departments are busier at this time.

Spiritually, Full Moons are associated with releasing and letting go. Fire-based rituals are particularly effective as we release what no longer serves us into the flames. However, it's essential to remember that eclipses are NOT recommended for spiritual work or rituals.

28th October is a North Node eclipse in Taurus and the last on the Taurus/Scorpio axis

It’s the final steps on the path we’ve been treading for the past 18 months towards greater self-worth, recognition of our gifts and talents and how we can use them to better resource ourselves. The corresponding South Node eclipse happened back on 5th May on the New Moon in Scorpio when we were asked to take a final look at our wounds, traumas and toxic patterns, particularly those that inhibit healthy relationships to intimacy, finances and our self-worth.

Discover your personal points of destiny and release with an astrology reading

As well as being tapped in to the collective North and South Nodes, each of us has our own points of destiny and release in our birth chart, influenced by the date, time and location of our birth.

Knowing our personal North and South Nodes is both fascinating and integral to reaching our full potential in this lifetime. They help you to understand your soul path, what you need to do to step more fully onto it and what you need to let go of that’s holding you back.

Book in with me for an astrology reading today to discover your destiny! Book before 31st October 2023 and get 10% off any Birth Chart or Birth Chart + Soul Path Reading with the code AUTUMN10.

Witches New Year 🎃

October finishes in true season of the witch style on 31st October - Halloween!
In the Pagan and Celtic tradition All Hallows Eve is known as Samhain (pronounced "sow-in") and marks the end of harvest season and the onset of winter.
This magical day is the Witches New Year, and the perfect time to honour our deceased ancestors, connect with their spirits as the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is at it's thinnest.

It’s important to approach astrology and the Moon, including eclipses, with a sense of curiosity and openness rather than fear. These celestial phenomena offer us a chance for deep introspection, personal growth, renewal, and a better understanding of ourselves. They’re merely cosmic mirrors, reflecting our inner worlds, guiding us toward self-discovery and transformation.

Expect the unexpected and embrace the opportunities for positive change and greater self-awareness during October and you won’t be disappointed!

Embracing The Mystical: Season of the Witch Meets Two Eclipses