Chaos Monkeys and the Strange Afterglow
Recapping themes carried over from September, you may notice a surreal afterglow following the Pisces lunar eclipse on September 17th. With Pisces’ ruler, Jupiter, in Gemini, there’s likely a doubling of confusion and a sense of duplication, much like stumbling upon a “2-for-1 sale” on Chaos Monkeys in the area of your chart ruled by Pisces. This eclipse highlights the amplifying effect Jupiter has had in Gemini, intensifying the pressure on Pisces and bringing ebbs and tides of chaos to shore.
Solar Eclipse in Libra – The other foot dropping for this particular eclipse cycle is we get the last eclipse in Libra, which will be a Solar South Node Eclipse. This will wrap up the eclipse cycle along the Aires / Libra axis. It’s worth thinking about the clearing away that the tail of the dragon has been doing in this part of your life since October of 2023. And though knowing the specific house that it falls under is key, we can say some general things about it’s influence in the Venusian / Saturnian sign of the scales. Social contracts, People, Relationships and Creative Projects may have been disappeared into the wormhole of the great beyond or been obscured from view. Only some of these lost items and friends may resurface from the bardo as this last last eclipse in Libra culminates, though very likely reworked and transformed from it’s sojourn in ghostly realms. Others may simply remain ghosts that may wish to honor as we turn the page to a new chapter of the nodal dragons journey through life.
Expect opportunities for closure and resolution around topics that the Libra eclipses have been diminishing over the coming couple of weeks as we move through the lunar cycle / sphere of influence of the Solar Eclipse Oct 2nd.
The nodes will officially crossover into the Virgo / Pisces axis in Jan 2025.
Once the south node departs Libra we will see Generation X take on an even more elevated role in societies as Pluto in Aquarius trines the natal Pluto in Libra generation over the next 20 years.
Venus in Scorpio – Venus continues to be in Scorpio for most of the month. She is consider in “exile” in Scorpio, but it does create an ambience consistent with the major holiday of the season – Halloween! Venus in Scorpio draws our tastes and desires towards the mysterious and the macabre, bringing added intensity and depth to relationships. Expect an inversion of our normal associations with beauty and love, where a fascination with the forbidden and taboo can challenge the conventions of relationships and popular culture.
Venus leaves damp swaps and drainage tunnels of Scorpio for the open plains of Sagittarius on October 18th.
Mars in Cancer – Mars continues his slow march through moon’s throne room of Cancer. He will enter his shadow1 this month which demarcates the point he will retrograde back to in early 2025. Take note of cues around this time of people, places and events that will re-emerge as Mars backtracks over the coming months.
The moon will join Venus in Mars sign of Scorpio trining both Saturn in Pisces and Mars in Cancer as Mars moves into it’s shadow of it’s retrograde. The themes of discipline over short term pleasure, restraint in the face of pressure and finding real beauty, inspiration and art in the pain and discomfort of life will get baked into the Mars retrograde cycle in maternal Cancer that we will explore over the coming 6 months.
October Conclusions: As October unfolds, with many planets in their debilitated states, it’s essential to manage expectations and practice patience. The backdrop suggests progress may be slower than anticipated, and people are likely to be more emotionally sensitive and reactive. This heightened vulnerability calls for greater compassion, both for yourself and others. Stay grounded and mindful, and remember to hydrate—both physically and emotionally. Drinking plenty of water can help you maintain clarity and balance during a time when energy might feel scattered or intense.
Important Monthly Transits:
- 10/1 – Mercury conjunct Sun in Libra : Mercury cazimi provides the opening act for the Libra eclipse here. We may get a calibrated, laser blast of insight coming into focus on this day that gives us added clarity on role tail of the dragon (south lunar node) has been house clearing relationships and projects and important next steps as it prepares to go into the Virgo part of our chart early next year.
- 10/2 – Solar Eclipse in Libra : The final south node eclipse in Libra for 18 years. The south node has been emptying out the sign of the scales. Gradually over the cmong 6 months new projects and relationships will emerge out of the thoroughly cleared skies of Libra. Look for important developments and turning points in the conflicts in the middle east.
- 10/5 – Grand Water Trine (Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn) : The undertow is heavy, but there is buoyancy to be felt here that offer agility in navigating the tides of …..
- 10/5 – Mars enters Shadow : Mars enters the shadow of the retrograde cycle. Pay close attention to developments around this day as it will introduce themes that will likely play out over the next 5 – 6 months.
- 10/9 – Jupiter stations retrograde in Gemini : Jupiter slows down and makes a u-turn to attend to unfinished tasks in Gemini. The planet of expansion in the sign duplication has doubled the task list. As Jupiter goes back over to look at important issues in technology and communication we will have new opportunities and insights as well looking at some things that must be left behind.
- 10/11 – Pluto stations direct in Capricorn : The final countdown as Pluto finishes that last sliver of it’s last stay in Cap. Issues around resiliency of financial and government institutions, democracy, old money and nested power dynamics and reviewing atrocities embedded in history will play themselves one last time for their inevitable end game and preparation for metamorphosis before Pluto enters Aquarius for good in November.
- 10/13 – Mercury enters Scorpio : Mercury joins Venus in Scorpio where he will help create narratives around the disturbing and unsettling things she has found there. Re-framing and weaving our personal emotional wounds and grim longings into bewitching stories of phantom intrigue.
- 10/13 – Sun trine Jupiter : A decided life-affirming and optimistic day that should help with a boost optimism and confidence. We can now see a path to success in the areas of life ruled by air signs even it is just for a few days. A great time to capture inspiration to affirm the path forward. Generosity and enthusiasm are free flowing.
- 10/17 – Full Moon in Aires : Even though this isn’t technically an eclipse lunation, the Moon may still feel unsettled with the North Node in Aries, as her cup overflows with the dragon’s fire in this impulsive and courageous sign. Themes during this lunation may also wrap the eclipse cycle of Aires where the head the dragon has created a thirst trap for winning and taking on new territory and goals in whatever area Aires rules in your chart. We may start to feel some this fiery energy wane over the coming weeks and months as the north node ingresses into Pisces early 2025.
- 10/18 – Venus enters Sagittarius : Venus moves out of macabre Scorpio and into the wide open vistas of Sagittarius. Venus desires swift moving philosophical explorations and diverse adventure-seeking in Sagittarius. Venus will get a boost as she opposes Sag ruler Jupiter during in fiery sojourn making her transit extra stimulating.
- 10/22 – Sun enters Scorpio : The moves into Scorpio to shines the light on gastly realms of Halloween and nocturnal harvest. Now is the time to move into Autumn in earnest, commune with the dearly departed and gather our acorns for winter.
- 10/31 – New Moon in Scorpio : Our second Mars-ruled lunation of the month doubles down on the yearly theme of Halloween while highlighting the debilitated Mars in Cancer. It’s important to remember that the reflective sensitivity of Cancer combined with the impulsive and aggressive nature of Mars can be a challenging combination. For now, we have a moment to reflect on how we may be measured in our responses to emotional stimuli and steel ourselves for thoughtful and measured approaches to our dearest and most important relationships.
- 10/31 – Mercury trine Mars : Mercury can trigger reactive communication, where Mercury’s probing nature stirs Mars’ emotional sensitivity, leading to passive-aggressive or angry speech. However, this alignment also offers an opportunity for honest dialogue. Mercury in Scorpio’s search for truth can help bring hidden issues to light, allowing Mars in Cancer to express its needs and resolve feelings of insecurity. If approached with care, this transit can transform potential conflicts into meaningful conversations, fostering emotional understanding and deeper intimacy in relationships.
- 10/31 – Mars opposes Pluto : The power struggle between entrenched hierarchies and personal needs for security, shelter and resources becomes personal with Mars opposing Cancer here. Latent anger and discontent can boil over now. How we respond both institutionally and personally to crises and transformation comes to the surface. In some cases, we will find push into experiences that lead towards transformation. Renewal is not always guaranteed, but if conditions become dire the promise can out weigh the risk. Geothermal activity can be heightened now in the form of earthquakes, volcanos and intense weather events.