Molly's Astrology for October 2005
October 1-9, there are friendly aspects in the sky, and a high-energy Solar eclipse on the morning of the 3rd to keep the mood high. On the 7th, the love vibe, represented by Venus, shifts from obsessive, dark, brooding 
Scorpio, to adventure loving, free-wheeling 
Sagittarius. Meanwhile, our thinking, ideas, conversations and studies deepen and become darker and more compelling, as 
Mercury moves into Scorpio on the 8th.
The first week of October is so lively that you might not even notice the beginning of Mars retrograde. This is a ten-week period of time (October 1 – December 9) when Mars appears to be moving backwards in the sky, against the grain. This happens only once every two years.
Mars represents our physical energy, our actions, and our anger. During Mars retrograde, our energy is lower, and our patience is shorter. Athletes, take care not to overdo it, as it’s very easy to push yourself too hard, which will invite injury.
It’s a time when, like a volcano which has long been capped, many people’s pent-up rage comes to the surface and explodes. Accidents, explosions, and major violence tend to show up in the news while Mars is retrograde. Stay away from dangerous people and places during the “hotspot” days, October 10-13, when Mars tangles with uncompromising and manipulative 
Pluto.
Go ahead and mark your calendar— upcoming “hotspot” days are November 2-7, 16-18, and basically all of December! Yeah, December is serious. (If you study astrology, go ahead and run a chart for any day in December. You’ll see a fixed grand cross. More about that later.)
Mars retrograde is in 
Taurus, an earth sign. We may see earth events then, such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Severe winter storms and flooding are possible as well. Now is the time to prepare for a hard winter— keep the shed stocked with wood, and keep the pantry stocked with food and water, just in case. It looks like winds of change will blow cold and wet this winter.
Like everything in astrology, Mars retrograde has an upside. The idea is, our force, our strength, and our forward movement is temporarily moving against the established pattern. It is going back over territory it has previously crossed. It’s a time to gather and conserve your strength, reinforce your resources, not to push forward with big plans and purchases. This is particularly true of your financial position— this is not the time to take on a big new purchase or building project. It could be a good time to refinance or take other actions to strengthen your position.
That’s the big picture for October. But, as I said before, this month is still pretty lively. A pair of Eclipses throws a feeling of magic into the air, the beginning of a new six month cycle. It’s a good month to consider the big picture, what you really want out of life, and in what areas you would like to see changes happen. Eclipses come in families, called Saros series. Bernadette Brady writes about these in her book, Predictive Astrology. Here’s what she says about this one:
“The immense power, anger, and force of Mars square Pluto is channeled into this family of eclipses via the trine. The individual experiencing this series will find that huge obstacles will suddenly and easily clear or, on the negative side, a pending potential crisis will suddenly manifest and move through his or her life very rapidly. Either way the individual will feel that everything is moving at great speed.”
October 9-16, something different is in the air, as both Venus (love & relationships) and Mercury (commerce, travel and communication) touch off last month’s Saturn Uranus aspect. It looks like ups and downs as we struggle with integrating what’s new and different with patterns which are already established. Pride and ego can get in the way— but of course you don’t have a problem with that, do you? Relationships vacillate between freedom and commitment. Be ready to give your beloved a lot of space this week. If the truth hurts, that’s all the more reason to face it.
On top of all this, 
Jupiter— abundance— tangles with Chiron the following week. Lots of wounds. Chiron is the “wounded healer,” and represents a feeling of alienation or being an outsider. Chiron requires clarity and honesty in your dealings with others. Even if your truth is, you don’t know what you think/feel/want right now. Chiron is associated with shamanism and the ability to transmute and transform energies, particularly old pain, both physical and emotional. Both of these planets will move into new signs soon, symbolizing a need to let go of the past and prepare to move on to something new. This aspect may also bring difficulties in sales and transfer of property.
October 14-19 Decisions are hard to make this week, you may not have all the facts, or someone is not being straight with you. And a looney Lunar Eclipse shifts everyone’s feelings into high gear. A Lunar Eclipse is like a souped-up Full Moon, and Full Moons tend to empty people’s emotional buckets. This one is in Aries— so we’re talking about high energy.. and anger. Stay away from scary places and people.
We’re all thinking more clearly and feeling more upbeat after the 20th. October 20-23, relationships based on compassion go well. Those based on competition spawn arguments and all kinds of crankiness. We become more concerned with deeper ( Scorpio) meanings and feelings than surface (
Libra) appearances and decorum, once the Sun changes signs early on the 23rd. But the Sun is not the only one making this transition from Libra to Scorpio. On the 25th, Jupiter will make this shift as well. This is a very big deal— Jupiter only changes signs once a year. This is good news for water signs, Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces, and for Capricorn and Virgo. Jupiter sets the stage for increase and opportunity. Scorpios, you must increase in some way, whether through travel or education or adventure— those who don’t expand their life may expand their waistlines! Jupiter hungers for more— it’s up to you to decide how to feed him.
October 24-26 There’s a shift of energy on the 26th as 
Neptune changes direction. If you have been feeling completely lost, hopeless, in a morass of indecision and disappointment, Neptune may be touching off some place in your birth chart. If so, you’re likely to experience some kind of shift, either a change of attitude or new perspective within you, or a change in your circumstances, some time this week.
The end of the month: A deep, passionate longing for connection and closeness on the 27th and 28th gives way to an easygoing spirit of freedom and friendship on the 29th. Halloween isn’t too scary this year. The Moon is in Libra, my guess is you’ll see a lot of French maids, pimps and ho’s. Any excuse to wear a slutty outfit, right? No worries. You might as well have a good time, the first week of November is pretty cranky.
Mark your calendar!
The best days in October for your top priority plans are October 1, 2, 5-9, 12, 21, 29.
Days to take it easy are October 13-16, 18, 20, 22, 28.
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Molly Cliborne
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Just now I am very much worried about the future of my youngest son Anirban. Would I be able to see him through the current training he is undergoing to get established in life? Can you throw some light ?
Thanks!
Warm Regards-
Kathleen
I ‘m a Virgo (28º 38') with a Piscis ascendent (12º 53'). In my chart , Mars is in Virgo (27º 12'), in my 7 house. I have the feeling that this Mars retrograde period will affect my marriage (I've been through a hell of a time lately). Bernardette Brady speaks of obstacles finally clearing up, or of “pending potential crisis”. Will Mars bring an end to my difficult marital situation?? Thanks!!
I can't say what will happen. Nor do I have access to your chart to give specifics. But circumstances over the next few months will tend to bring difficult situations to a head. There's a grand cross coming.. and grand crosses are a time when your boat either stabilizes or capsizes. No in-betweens. Bernadette Brady's quote about the upcoming Eclipse also echoes this idea.
If you're not feeling anything from these transits, my first question is, what do you expect? Could it be things are happening but you aren't recognizing them? Transits don't always whop you upside the head, but something like Uranus square Saturn should have some manifestation in your life.
When a transit has three passes, the first is the arrival of the issue, and the second (retrograde) pass is when the issue becomes personal. The third pass is hopefully when the issue brings about some change of course and begins to work out.
A Pluto transit may start showing up early, but is most pronounced when exact. Pluto will reach 26 Sag in spring of 06.
Best,
Molly
Thank you.
Ellen
How is this aspect with Mars in retrograde.
My main north right know is that I am gathering all my document and certificqtions to apply for a teaching job is it a positive aspect around Jan. 2006.
I appreciate your articles and look foward to read them each month aso to make plans and follow the advice.
&
Blessing of Light
Thank you,
Vayu
You mention the times ahead being difficult for people with fixed signs. My sun is in Gemini, but the majority of my personal planets are in fixed signs: Sun conjunct Venus in Taurus, Moon in Aquarius square Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Uranus, Mercury in Taurus opposition Pluto and trine Neptune, Mars and Saturn both in Scorpio with Mars conjunct Saturn....sorry for the length, but I'm just guessing what info. might be important. So with that could you shed some light on anything that may be specifically important for me to know? Thanks for your time. I am new to this site, but your articles are very interesting and informative.
Thank you,
Cynthia
Yes, planets in fixed signs other than your Sun do count. Your question is way too big to try and answer here in the comments. If you want more info, contact me for a reading or special tutoring session. I have a feeling you would get a lot out of it.
Best,
Molly
I had my first session of laser surgery for weight loss during Mars retrograde. I have 3 more scheduled. Should I wait until after December 10 for the remaining 3 for it to work. Thank you.
After Mars rx would be best. But there's still some mess in the sky until mid-January. If you visit my surgery consults page and send me all the info there, I'll find the best dates I can for you.
Best,
Molly
Thanks -- Kelly
How are you doing during this mars retro? I'm not so much worried about mars retrograding as I am about the square between mars and saturn that is going to be coming up in November. I just hope and pray that things can stay quiet and peaceful in this old world!! Let's all think some good, positive thoughts and try to send out some loving energy!!
I always enjoy your web site and the information that you have to offer!! It's great! Have a happy halloween!!
Marlene