Planetary Trends for October 2024 by Belinda Dunn

 

 

 

A season of transition, autumn is well underway in the northern hemisphere. Meanwhile, planet Earth orbits in spectacular alignment with Moon and Sun, commonly known as the eclipse season. In between an outstanding Lunar Eclipse on September 17, and a promising Solar Eclipse on October 2, terrestrial matters are in a state of flux. As the past rapidly becomes obsolete, the future remains unknown. An air of uncertainty kicks up dust, eats away at resistance, and blows away familiar pathways.

 

Still reeling from the effects of a Lunar Eclipse conjunct Neptune, humanity is posed for a powerful Solar Eclipse in Libra. If you find life circumstances in a state of vacillation, you are not alone. Eclipses shake up preconceived notions while revealing underlying conditions. Astrologer Lorna Bevan gives the analogy, “Imagine that a puzzle piece fell out of the sky into your hands. This new piece offers information, and when added to the overall picture of your puzzle will change the complexion of the situation and bring you a flash of insight. You will also know what you must do next.”

 

The astrology chart for the Solar Eclipse shows Moon, Sun, Mercury and South Lunar Node closely aligned in Libra. This indicates unfinished business, especially in the area of relationship. Human interaction can take a myriad of forms, and for the most part, people take relationship for granted. There are many stumbling blocks to connection, such as projection, blame, dishonesty, assumptions, self-absorption and willfulness.

 

A Solar Eclipse in Libra can illuminate these stumbling blocks, personally and collectively. However, the essence of Libra is far from doves and rainbows, but the real work of negotiation. Over recent decades, popular culture has taken a nose dive into the crass and crude, anything goes mindset. The daily dose of news coverage seems to fixate on legal action, and those embroiled in lawsuits. Those entities fanning the flames of division are up to no good. Libra is the zodiac sign of “open enemies,” and a reminder that, “the wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind-exceedingly fine.”

 

As the peacekeeper, Libra teaches the fine art of skillful relationship, and the social skills of decorum, cooperation, communication and diplomacy. Losing sight of these skills has enormous implications as evidenced in the current state of affairs.

 

International affairs are especially highlighted this month. In the USA astrology chart, Saturn in Libra stands as a destiny point of leadership, setting an example of diplomacy in building and sustaining alliances. Of course, it is not the job of the USA to be the world’s policeman, and meddle in foreign affairs, but the chart shows the guiding light of principles that are fundamental to peacekeeping missions.

 

There are several important planetary directions in October. First, Jupiter goes retrograde on October 9. Since May 25, the full force of Jupiter’s transit through Gemini has brought many people out of the shadows to work together in common purpose. Jupiter in Gemini supports networking and teamwork, truth telling and growing consensus through sharing stories. The retrograde phase until early February indicates a period of integration based on a rapid expansion of ideas and ideals.

 

As Jupiter goes retrograde, Pluto goes direct on October 11. This is an entirely different signal from the cosmos. In the final degree of Capricorn, Pluto signals an end of an era. For over fifteen years, Pluto in Capricorn has unearthed rotting structures in big business, corporate wealth, government overreach, infrastructure and social systems. The crescendo effect of powerful entities, out of touch with everyday reality, is slowly, but surely, being supplanted by more humane systems of commerce and governance.

 

Within a few days of Pluto’s station, Mercury squares Pluto and enters Scorpio. Exact on October 13, this leads into a more tumultuous period for the next 10 days. The final push toward November’s presidential election is part of this, but other factors come to the fore. There will be many reasons to press an issue, or force solutions. People may feel disgruntled, and Mercury in Scorpio does not hold back. As much as forthright conversation is needed, it is important to weigh options, and choose timing carefully.

 

In the midst of coming to terms with numerous factors, there is a definitive Full Moon on October 17. Also a SuperMoon, this is the closest approach of Moon to Earth in 2024. Known as perigee, and depending on location, Moon appears up to 30% larger and brighter. Along the eastern seaboard, the Sun will be rising as the Moon sets on the western horizon.

 

In terms of timing, a powerful lunation of this nature encompasses 3 days on either side of the exact date. Therefore, events during the week of October 13-19 carry more weight, and implications are far reaching. In political terms, planetary trends suggest the so-called, “October surprise.”

 

The astrology chart for this SuperMoon shows a grand cross, a rare planetary configuration consisting of two oppositions and four squares, literally marking a cross in the celestial sphere. Imagine the intensity and focus required for a juggling act. Energetically, no matter how it shows up in your personal life, or our collective experience, this is a challenging period of cross purposes, competing interests and conflicting urges.

 

Of particular note is Moon squaring Mars. Astrology is the language of symbols, so let’s break it down into bite sized pieces. Essentially, Moon in stressful aspect to Mars speaks to domestic unrest. The Moon in Aries can react impulsively and independently without regard for others. Mars transiting through Cancer ramps up security drives, the instinct to defend and protect space, territory, valuables and reputation.

 

Adding intensity to these drives is a mutual reception, an astrological term meaning Moon and Mars are feeding into each other. In this instance, Moon in Aries is associated with Mars, and Mars in Cancer is associated with Moon. People tend to be emotional, easily rattled, tense, on edge. To sum up, Moon and Mars are strange bedfellows, perhaps experienced as, “there is a disturbance in the force.”

 

Marking the fourth corner of this grand cross is Pluto, transiting in the final degree of Capricorn. A great deal is going on beneath the surface, and many unknown factors hide in the shadows. October is a month of revealing . . . peeling back the layers to realize a new future vision. Many will fight it, others will remain in the dark, still others will jump on board. Only time will tell.

 

Let’s sum up the cosmic messages of this powerful and transforming eclipse season. Starting with the Lunar Eclipse on September 17 conjunct Neptune, there has been a widespread breakdown of illusion. Bizarre, surreal, trance-like, Neptune’s effects are difficult to see through. Even though many minds remain caught in delusion, and little seems to make sense, overall this has initiated a deep soul searching for the meaning and purpose of life. Personally, socially and globally, realizations continue to shake up existing foundations.

 

October begins with the Solar Eclipse in Libra. Having taken the blinders off, attention shifts to relationship. In these unstable times, it is natural to turn to one another for mutual support. One may ask, “Who are the people in my closest circle?” Some relationships will deepen while other relationships dissolve during this make it, or break it, month. In wider circles, this affects large groups, especially nations seeking to build and strengthen alliances.

 

Packing a powerful punch, eclipses are cosmic exclamation points with long term resonance. However, effects tend to wane by the following Full Moon. But, in this case, October’s Full Moon is a SuperMoon grand cross configuration. Likened to standing at a crossroads, there are four directions to choose from. Turn around and go backwards? No way. Go right? Go left? Maybe. Looking around, taking in the views, pausing and facing squarely forward, stalwart and resolute, taking the next step.