“When We Were The Auroras” painting by Patricia Ann Griffin
Overview
My prayers for a calmer SolLunar Cycle last month did not come to pass. Quite the opposite. Now we navigate another supercharged Annular Solar Eclipse, not visible, but felt in America. Before I discuss this New Cycle, I want to reflect back to the Total Solar Eclipse of April 8—you might want to reread that post—whose influence is now completing six months after it occurred. That Eclipse was aligned with the North Node symbolic of our future destiny, and in the water sign of Pisces which can lead to catastrophic water events. This clearly came to pass with the devastation left by Hurricane Helene the last week of September, forever transforming the land and people of the SouthEast quadrant of America. So much unfathomable loss for so many and that is one place where my prayers are focused now.
Our New SolLunar Cycle/Solar Eclipse begins with the Sun/Moon/Mercury aligned with the South Node, a point symbolizing releasing the past or clearing up things from the past. They meet up in sidereal Virgo—the sign opposite Pisces. Virgo is an earth sign linked to the health of our bodies and the land. Virgo is excellent at cleaning, organizing and clearing up messes. Over the next four weeks, and during the next six months, it can be a good time to focus with new fervor on the health of you and your family in all dimensions. It can be a time to simplify and purge unwanted people and habits and to clear clutter. With the planet ruling mental health—Mercury—in square to action-oriented Mars in Gemini on this New Moon, taking steps that support the mental stability of all can be front and center. This planetary pile up is aligned with the star of Zaniah in Virgo. This star symbolizes ‘the right use of will’ which means to find an inner alignment of self that is matched by one’s actions in the outer world. Zaniah is about purification meaning it can help us make healthier choices moment to moment but indicates more planetary purification might be necessary to end so much toxicity in our environments and toxic ways of behaving so we will choose a better path going forward that supports respect for others and the health of all.
And then there is this: A mini-moon is now circling our Earth from September 29 through November 25. It is actually a small asteroid that is temporarily captured by the Earth’s gravity. As the Moon symbolizes our emotional nature and needs, perhaps the addition of this mini-moon will help you get clearer about your own needs. Its influence might amp up people’s emotional reactivity. The last time a mini-moon appeared was February 2020…hmmmm, remember what was starting then? From a spiritual perspective—astrology finds meaning in the planets versus astronomy which only describes the objects in their physical attributes—comets and asteroids are visitors from space, like messengers, bringing new information to help us evolve.
Next up, another major happening this month is Jupiter in Taurus turns retrograde on October 9 2024 – February 4 2025. During this SolLunar Cycle there are many fiery Mars aspects, including the beginning of the shadow period of the upcoming every-two-years Mars retrograde which starts on December 6 2024 – February 23 2025. Mars retrograde periods bring conflicts to the surface, can slow things down or halt them altogether so you can reevaluate a course of action. More injuries, accidents or surgeries often occur. Read more about these important events in my post. I admit I am a bit exhausted by writing about all this! So I will resume my prayers for some moments of calmer waters and rest time to integrate these momentous upgrades and events.
NOTE: When reading my daily entries, remember that the influence of each aspect is like a wave — it crescendos a day or two, sometimes a week, before it happens, crests on the day it is exact, then dissipates over the following days. People experience the transits of planets at different times depending on their sensitivity and life events.
ART: Inspiring art has always been integral to my posts. Please reach out to me if you want to be a featured artist for my monthly posts. This month I am grateful to once again use the art of Patricia Ann Griffin, mirroring the recent increased aurora activity and her Solar Eclipse Grizzly, so perfect for this post! Please view Patrcia’s uniquely magical artwork at Griffin Gallery.
Sidereal Astrology Mentoring and Readings
MY POSTS: My posts are based on the true astronomical alignments of the planets with the constellations, also referred to as the sidereal zodiac. This zodiac is energetically in synch with the forces of the Universe beaming down on us and thus mirrors extraordinary accuracy in understanding how transits are working with us. My mentor and colleague, Nick Anthony Fiorenza—now in spirit—wrote his seminal book, Introduction to Astronomical Astrology which I can now share for free if you are interested in learning from a master teacher.
I use the phases of the Moon as the scaffold for my posts because the Moon functions like an energetic portal mediating between the heavens and our wondrous Earth. My entries are based on the aspects occurring each week as they crescendo, crest and dissipate over the course of their influence. As you work with and within the natural flow of time and the supportive cosmic energies that each unique SolLunar Cycle brings, life can flow with more ease, grace and understanding.
MY SERVICES: I delight in mentoring students — individually, with families or groups, via workshops and conferences — who want to learn more about how to use sidereal astrology as a helpful tool for insight, evolution, creativity and well-being. I offer speaking engagements for your gatherings or groups to understand big picture astrology events affecting us all. Consider booking a reading with me, either a Full Natal Map, mini-readings for $44 or $88 or my other offerings like the Relationship Map, Child or AdolEssence Map for your children or the Business Map which helps your team succeed and thrive in. I offer SHE Sessions: Self Help Energywork in which I teach you tools to create greater health and balance for yourself. My poetry book, Out of the Flames/Blue Bison Press, is available on my website. Thank you!
@2024-2025 Lyn Dalebout ~ EarthWordSkyWord.com ~ All Rights Reserved
New SolLunar Cycle/Solar Eclipse in sidereal Virgo
At the New Moon, you are sprouting like a seed with new creative inspiration. Receive your unique insights by sitting in meditation or just be open to new possibilities arising within you from the sea of infinite creation.
New SolLunar Cycle/Annular Solar Eclipse: Sun/Moon/South Node/Mercury in Virgo squaring Mars in Gemini: Wed October 2 12:49 pm
Our New SolLunar Cycle/Solar Eclipse begins with the Sun/Moon/Mercury aligned with the South Node, a point symbolizing releasing the past or clearing up things from the past. They meet up in sidereal Virgo—the sign opposite Pisces. Virgo is an earth sign linked to the health of our bodies and the land. Virgo is excellent at cleaning, organizing and clearing up messes. Over the next four weeks, and during the next six months, it can be a good time to focus with new fervor on the health of you and your family in all dimensions. It can be a time to simplify and purge unwanted people and habits and to clear clutter. With the planet ruling mental health—Mercury—in square to action-oriented Mars in Gemini on this New Moon, taking steps that support the mental stability of all can be front and center. This planetary pile up is aligned with the star of Zaniah in Virgo. This star symbolizes ‘the right use of will’ which means to find an inner alignment of self that is matched by one’s actions in the outer world. Zaniah is about purification and can help us make healthier choices moment to moment. But this also indicates more planetary purification might be necessary to end so much toxicity in our environments and toxic ways of behaving so we will choose a better path going forward that supports respect for others and the health of all.
Mars retrograde shadow period begins: First week of October 2024 through last week of April 2025
Every two years we navigate Mars turning retrograde, a tricky and often challenging transit. This begins December 6 2024 – February 23 2025 but the shadow period where we start to see what might take shape during the actual retrograde begins the first week of October 2024 and completes the last week of April 2025. Mars retrograde is often a challenging time for Earth and humanity which can eventually lead to conflict resolution and positive shifts. But it often brings conflicts to the surface, slows us down—sometimes via injuries, accidents or surgery—to reexamine the course of action we want to take regarding relationships, health, projects. Mars will be transiting both sidereal Gemini and Cancer in this period highlighting issues such as healing shadow and inner child issues, finding balance and integration regarding oppositions in your nature, and delving into ancestor/family healing either via some form of therapy or because your family issues are front and center.
Mercury in Virgo square Mars in Gemini: Sat October 5
This can lead to sharp words and an energetic sharing of ideas. Vehicles or appliances might breakdown. It’s great for research or studying things especially regarding health or how to fix something—Virgo.
Sun in Virgo quincunx Saturn in Aquarius: Sun October 6
This might lead to a change of plans because you are asked to help a friend or community member with a task or challenge. Quincunxes imply it might be necessary to make an adjustment to a plan, an expectation or a creative direction.
Jupiter in sidereal Taurus turns retrograde: Wed October 9
This mega-astro annual event marks major turning points, opportunities or challenges as giant Jupiter heads into its retrograde until February 4 2025. Use this energy to set in motion new projects you will then develop or test during the retrograde. Expansive phases begin in relationships and/or you begin to reevaluate what you want to do going forward. Remember that we are living through the historic First Quarter Square of Jupiter in Taurus to Saturn in Aquarius—mentioned here in my August Star Signposts, so this day can bring significant and consequential global events.
Jupiter in Taurus trine Juno in Virgo: Wed October 9
This lovely aspect brings positive support and encouragement to all kinds of relationships especially when doing physical projects with others. You might hire practitioners/coaches for your health aspirations and goals or offer your gifts to others.
Lunar Highlights
Moon/Juno conjunction in Virgo: Thu October 3
Relationships are front and center as our New SolLunar Cycle begins by bringing important people, partners, practitioners into your life. Focus on relationship intentions so you can manifest what you are currently desiring. Share time with people who are healing to you.
Moon/Venus conjunction in Libra: Sat October 5
Observe this beauty right after sunset. Look to the west for the sliver of the crescent Moon—a most hopeful phase of new beginnings—and bright shining Venus. When these two align, what you need and what you want become fused in a seamless focus of desire and intention. Regain lost hope, an old dream, begin anew.
First Quarter Moon
At the First Quarter Moon, you are called to action. The need to move forward with your recent insights can come via making a conscious choice or by challenging circumstances that require you make a move.
First Quarter Moon: Moon in Sagittarius square Sun in Virgo opposite Mars in Gemini: Thu October 10
This makes for an eventful, fiery day as a bold Moon in red hot Sagittarius and the red plant, Mars, push us to speak our minds and take actions based on our values and what we want to make happen in our world. It can bring conflicts to a head or push physical symptoms to the surface to be addressed.
Mercury in Libra quincunx Uranus in Taurus: Fri October 11
This brings quirky ideas and new ways of seeing a situation or viewing a relationship. Step outside any boxes and self-confinement when Uranus is involved. Adjustments need to be made to plans previously made or positive re-routing opportunities are possible.
Sun in Virgo trine Jupiter in Taurus: Sun October 13
This brings a grounded optimism to activities today. It is a get-stuff-done aspect in productive earth signs. You notice you really enjoy the activities that are engaging you.
Sun in Virgo square Mars in Gemini: Sun October 13
Contrary to the above aspect, this dynamic is tense, even combative. You might experience frustration in your activities.
Mercury in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn: Sun October 13
This brings in-depth conversations, power struggles between partners, or a willingness to discuss challenging topics.
Sun/Juno conjunction in Virgo: Wed October 16
This annual pairing is excellent for making special dates with beloveds—including animals—as Juno rules all our key partners. Meeting up in Virgo helps you find health practitioners or workout buddies to support mutual goals.
Lunar Highlights
Moon/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn: Fri October 11
Make it a day to focus, even obsess, on getting things accomplished. Steer clear of rabbit-holes and redirect your focus toward what you want to see happen. This is a purging aspect, good for clearing clutter and unwanted influences.
Moon in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus/Venus in Scorpio: Sun October 13
This brings awareness and discussion about different desires in relationships. This can help you decide if your needs are being met and what to do about it if they are not. Focus on finances if necessary.
Moon/Saturn conjunction in Aquarius: Mon October 14
This monthly meet-up can help you complete a deadline or set something new in motion.
Moon/Neptune/North Node conjunction in Pisces: Tue October 15
First the Moon aligns with imaginative, spacey Neptune—leading to creativity, romance or things mysteriously disappearing—then later in the day aligns with the North Node which nudges you to step into your future, guided by your invisible but felt intuition.
Full Moon in sidereal Pisces/Virgo
The Full Moon is the birth point of the current SolLunar Cycle. This can be a time of celebration or crisis, depending on your life circumstance. Feel the joy and relax into new discoveries and directions.
Full Moon in sidereal Pisces/Virgo and Libra/Aries: Sun/Juno in Virgo opposite Moon/Chiron in Pisces shifting: Thu October 17 5:26 am
This very complex Full Moon begins in Pisces/Virgo but quickly shifts signs to Aries/Libra. This shift ignites a spark that out of our empathy and acknowledgment of suffering we rise up and take immediate action. Given the influence of partnership-oriented Juno today and for much of this month, this Full Moon can bring major shifts one way or the other to key alliances. Team up with others for shared goals or to lend a helping hand. Create a plan for the future with key beloveds.
Veuns in Scorpio sextile Pluto in Capricorn: Thu October 17
This passionate, sexual aspect brings increased energy and drive to all activities and communications. You might receive positive financial news or make changes in your financial choices and planning.
Pallas Athene in Scorpio square Saturn in Aquarius: Fri October 18
This longer-range aspect helps you plan, strategize, troubleshoot. You may need to speak up about getting credit for something if you are being overlooked by others.
Sun in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn: Tue October 22
Pluto can bring on power plays between people or it helps you claim your power if you have been unwilling to stand up for yourself in relationships—Libra. Lawsuits or relationships can reach a turning point.
Mercury in Libra trine Saturn in Aquarius: Tue October 22
This social aspect brings positive communication and supports excellent collaboration and the willingness to find common ground. Meet up with friends or create a community event.
Lunar Highlights
Moon in Aries opposite Mercury in Libra: Fri October 18
Aries is known to act or speak before thinking ahead which can lead to both courageous acts or outbursts. Libra is more thoughtful, weighing options before deciding. These opposite approaches are at work today in our inner being and outer relations.
Moon/Uranus conjunction in Taurus/Algol: Sat October 19
Uranus is currently aligned with the star of Algol which is about not letting our fears take us over but to find a way to live from a place of love, a major theme for all of Earth and civilization right now. This monthly paring can catalyze buried fears that you are ready to release. We always have a choice.
Moon/Jupiter conjunction in Taurus: Mon October 21
This amplifies feelings leading to big emotional waves of all sorts. It brings courage to take a risk or strike out in an expansive new direction.
Moon/Mars conjunction in Cancer: Wed October 23
This can bring a variety of intense emotions from wanting to fight, to running from conflict or to feel an ‘ouch’ from someone’s comment or action. It also brings a flurry of energy for cleaning the house and food preparation as Cancer rules the domain of our home.
Last Quarter Moon
With the Last Quarter Moon, you release what has been and simultaneously prepare for what will be as new desires perpetually arise in the next SolLunar Cycle.
Last Quarter Moon: Moon/Mars in Cancer square Sun in Libra: Thu October 24
Mars always brings the heat, even in a water sign like caring, nurturing Cancer. The conjunction with the emotional Moon can lead to greater honesty or bring buried frustrations to the surface, especially in your family dynamics—Cancer’s domain. Do energetic activities with beloveds as Mars is all about doing.
Venus in Scorpio square Saturn in Aquarius/Moon in Leo: Sun October 27
Scorpio and Leo are called fixed signs in astrologese, meaning they are both stubborn and driven to succeed so this aspect seeks to get stuff done. Both signs like playful, passionate intimacy. They bring financial resources for making art or to purchase things that bring you joy.
Mars in Cancer trine Neptune in Pisces: Mon October 28
This nebulous, creative aspect makes for wild dreams including regarding prophetic events or about people from your past—Cancer. In the real world, you may reconnect with people from your past, potentially romantic partners—the realm of Neptune. Make your house more magical, mystical, beautiful.
Lunar Highlights
Grand Trine in Water: Moon in Cancer/Venus-Pallas Athene in Scorpio/Chiron in Pisces: Fri October 25
Trines bring a sense of elegant flow and opportunity to our lives. May you enjoy that feeling today. Water is the element that rules our emotions, our intuitive gifts, what we want to feel in our relationships. Connect with your ancestors or living elders. Engage in forgiveness and deep healing as you release the past.
Moon in Leo opposite Saturn in Aquarius square Venus in Scorpio: Sun October 27
For some this might manifest as letting go of jealousy about a friend like seeing someone you once dated with a new person. It also brings the sparks that fly between two beings when the tension of the opposites are at play. Dance, connect, enjoy.
Moon/South Node conjunction in Virgo: Tue October 29
This often brings shifting from an old perspective to a new one, like trying new things, creating healthier habits, finishing one way of helping others and perhaps finding a new way you want to serve.
Moon/Juno conjunction in Libra square Mars in Cancer/Pluto in Capricorn: Thu October 31
What a dynamic aspect for celebratory Halloween gatherings! It has passion and drama—both delightful and difficult. The Mars/Pluto opposition increases willfulness or power plays between people.
Blessed New Moon ~ Fri November 1 6:47 am MT
RESOURCES FOR PERSONAL AND PLANETARY WELL-BEING
ENDEAVORS TO NURTURE
AMANZI-Water to Schools
Please check out my dear friend Julia Heemstra’s cutting-edge humanitarian organization, AMANZI-Water to Schools , which brings water—via climate-smart technologies—and other opportunities to the schools in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the childhood home where she grew up. Julia is focused, passionate, optimistic, is an elite athlete, a bringer of wellness and mindfulness to all ages, and now via her collaborative organizational model, Julia continues to expand her lifelong commitment to humanitarian service.
JIN SHIN JYUTSU
Health is in your Hands. Here’s a helpful tool to help you maintain health, calm, balance during these stressful but extraordinary times. I am a proponent of Jin Shin Jyutsu and have been a practitioner since 1983. This beautiful, easy-to-use book and card set teaches you the ancient Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, the Art of Self Healing. JSJ’s premise is that by applying the jumper-cable of your hands to various points on the body, you can clear your own stress on a daily basis, freeing up stuck energy that leads to patterns of dis-ease, while activating the renewed flow of qi and vigor on all levels, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Explore JSJ and teach yourself and those you love this simple tool for centering and radiant vitality. Consider booking a SHE session: Self Help Energywork, to learn how to help yourself.
PLANT BASED DIET
The reality and urgency of our current planetary crises is real, as our youngest citizens know in their bones. Educate yourself about how plant-based eating is a central component in how you can help personally restore ecological balance as well as create greater health and vitality for you and your beloveds.
The Game Changers: This inspiring movie and storytelling about vegan super-athletes and warriors educates us about the many benefits of a vegan diet and addresses the ‘meat protein myth’.
COWSPIRACY, What the Health and now SEASPIRACY are must-see movies for all humans who care about personal health, animal well-being, social justice, climate change, the health of our Earth. Become educated about the important information shared by these courageous and visionary filmmakers and activists and considering eating mostly plant-based, if not becoming fully vegan in your consumer choices.
