The period of 'Pitra Paksh', which is a time of the year that is reserved for paying obeisance to our departed ancestors, according to the Vedic calendar, will fall from September 29 to
October 14. 'Pitra Paksh', is a fifteen day period that occurs once in a year, during a waning period of the Moon and is commonly referred to as the 'Shraadhs'. Embarking upon any type of new beginning or auspicious work is prohibited during this period, as this is a time that is reserved exclusively for making offerings to dead souls. In essence, the result of any activity undertaken during this period, goes to the dead and there will be no benefit to the living.
'Pitra Paksh' will then be followed by the highly auspicious, nine day biannual period of the 'Navratras'. This is a period when the 'Divine' and positive influences are at their most prevalent in our lives.
Highlights for Your Sign in October
This is a brief explanation of the astrological influences on each zodiac sign this month and a supplement to your full predictions at 'Monthly Horoscopes'.
Aries ♈ (March 21 - April 19): A retrograde Jupiter and weak malefic, 'Rahu' have been occupying Aries for some time now and will continue to do so. This is a contradictory influence, as Jupiter is neutral in this sign, but is in conflict with 'Rahu'. Although Jupiter's infuence can give one a pioneering, assertive nature, these qualities may be accompanied by a lack of prudent judgement, because this planet is in-retrograde. This will be accompanied by struggles and obtsacles, due to Rahu's presence.
Taurus ♉ (April 20 - May 20): There are no direct influences on Taurus at the beginning of the month. This sign's ruling planet, Venus will traverse through Cancer and Leo. Taureans will be in a relaxed, fun loving mood during the earlier part of the month. Romantic inclinations are also likely. They will then be more assertive, confident and generous around mid-October, but more emotional towards the end of the month. Entertainment and socialising may also be on the agenda at that time.
Gemini ♊ (May 21 - June 20): Mercury is presently combusted in its own sign of Virgo. New plans may be a foot. However, Geminis may find difficulty in taking advantage of their usual qualities of adaptability, communication and versatility.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Cancer is not under any particular planetary influence at the moment. There will be several ups and downs and mood changes for Cancerians in October, as the Moon passes from Aries and through 12 zodiac signs to Taurus. They may be affected by a lack of confidence and progress in current plans, as the Moon turns combusted around the middle of the month.
Leo ♌ (July 23 - August 22): Due to the influence of Mercury and as the Sun will be placed in Virgo, new plans and strategising will be on the Leo consciousness for most of October. However, no major action is likely, due to a lack of initiative and because Mercury will be weak in October. Most Leos will look to keep a balance between work and play and will be in the mood for fun and entertainment, towards the end of the month, when the Sun enters Libra.
Virgo ♍ (August 23 - September 22): The Sun and a combusted, but debilitated Mars will be placed in Virgo this month. This will result in sudden obstacles in present plans. Virgos will seek to find practical solutions to such problems. They will also be mindful of their duties and commitments.
Libra ♎ (September 23 - October 22): The malefic 'Ketu' will occupy Libra and this planet's twin malefic, 'Rahu' will aspect this sign, during the beginning of the month. Stress and worry may cause Librans to shun socialising and material happiness. But, no major or long term troubles are likely. By mid-October Mars will occupy Libra and the Moon and Ketu will be in conflict in Libra. Librans may experience mixed fortunes and a lack of confidence for the rest of the month.
Scorpio ♏ (October 23 - November 21): Mars will be debilitated and combusted during the beginning of October. Most Scorpios will face frustrating and unexpected obstacles till mid-October, after which there will be a relative improvement as the month continues,
Sagittarius ♐ (November 22 - December 21): The ruling planet for Sagittarius, Jupiter is presently in-retrograde. This sign will be under the influence of the Moon and the malefic Rahu during the beginning of the month. There may be a perceived feeling of stagnancy, due to unexpected obstacles. Your thoughts will focus more on the negative aspects of your situation till mid-October. The rest of the month will be uneventful, as there will be no major changes or accomplishments.
Capricorn ♑ (December 22 - January 19): Venus will aspect this sign during the beginning of October. Socialising, recreation and entertaining may be the most noteable activities during this period. There are no significant planetary influences on this sign in October and the ruling planet, Saturn is in-retrograde. There will be little progress in on-going plans and this wil be a generally uneventful month.
Aquarius ♒ (January 20 - February 18): Saturn occupies your sign, but this planet is in retrograde. Mercury will aspect Aquarius during the beginning of the month. There will be new plans, but no action or progress in such plans. Venus will then aspect this sign during mid-October, leading to socialising, recreation and entertaining till the end of the month.
Pisces ♓ (February 19 - March 20): Pisces will be under the influence of the Sun and Mars during the beginning of the month. This will energise and enliven most Pisceans to strive for progress. As Jupiter is presently in-retrograde, no gains or major progress is likely though. The Sun and a combusted Mercury will aspect this sign during the middle of October and Pisceans will tend to waver from their plans. There will be no major planetary influences on Pisces during the latter part of the month and this will be a largely uneventful time for this zodiac sign.
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News Round-Up for October 2023
A review of some interesting esoteric and astrology related stories to appear in the news.
The Chinese authorities have cracked down on the trend of young people turning to online psychics via astrology apps. Apps like Cece offering tarot readings, fortune telling and astrology are part of an online mysticism market worth US$14 billion a year. Beijing is cracking down. China's internet services regulation have bannned such apps and in April, a man named Liu was arrested under China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law for promoting superstition and disturbing social order. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) say it, "Has been clearing up posts and videos that promote superstition. Punishing service providers who offer fortunetelling sessions".
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Viewers of the Netflix reality TV series, 'Love Is Blind', season 5 will be interested to know that astrology predictions show that JP and Taylor have the best chance of staying together and getting married. For what it's worth, a rudimentary sun sign based compatibility check on 'Collider', shows that JP is a Gemini and Taylor is a Capricorn. According to Collider, "Gemini is an air sign and air signs are thoughtful, communicative and social. Capricorn is one of the earth signs, which tend to be careful, ambitious and reserved. Hence, air and earth signs can be compatible, but their connection requires work, patience and understanding".
This piece on Wired.com looks at the role that LLMs like ChatGPT might have to play in astrology and spiritual practices. The writer narrates her experience of using artificial intelligence to interpret her own astrological placements. PowerFortunes has written a few articles on this topic and our views do differ somewhat. We contacted the writer via Twitter (or 'X' if you prefer), for comments, but did not receive a response.
INVC News cover the subject of 'Pitri Paksh', or as they refer to, 'Pitru Paksha', in an article titled, 'Pitru Paksha Monday Astrology'. There is suggestion that Mondays of this period are conducive for introspection, self-healing and establishing a profound connection with one's ancestors.
Openculture looks at renowned psychiatrist, Carl Jung's assessment of Tarot card symbolism, as expressed by him in a 1933 lecture. He is reported to have observed that, "Red and black symbolise the opposites and the division of the four suits; clubs, spades, diamonds and hearts, also belongs to the individual symbolism". This article also quotes Jung as saying in reference to Tarot cards that, "They are psychological images, symbols with which one plays, as the unconscious seems to play with its contents".
Yale university library has collaborated internally and partnered internationally to study the world's three earliest 15th century Italian tarot (or tarocchi) decks. These decks are in the possession of the library and were put under the university's 'Bruker M6 Jetstream' scanning X-ray fluorescence (XRF) system. The team was able to determine that the cards were built on a rigid support made with several layers of paper. A series of underdrawings on the topmost layer are made of a lead containing material and iron gall ink. Simplified incised lines provided an outline of the design that the artist making the cards used as guide to follow.
Famous Birthdays this Month
Some famous personalities with birthdays in October are:
Julie Andrews, October 1, 1935
Lewis Capaldi, October 7, 1996
Vladimir Putin, October 7, 1952
Katy Perry, October 25, 1984
Pablo Picasso, October 25, 1881
Bill Gates, October 28, 1955
Winona Ryder, October 29, 1971
Diego Maradona, October 30, 1960
Christopher Columbus, October 31, 1451
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Important Dates
These are the most favourable and unfavourable dates this month, according to the prevailing celestial alignments. The good dates are the best of those mentioned for our 'Monthly Lucky Dates' section. This selection is suitable for commencing or undertaking any type of important task, be this of a personal or professional nature. Doing so will multiply your returns and increases the chances of success. The opposite is true of the inauspicious dates.
The Most Auspicious Dates in October
October 21: From 19:54 to 21:54 IST or 14:24 to 16:24 GMT*. This day is a rare 'Tripushkar Yog', falling on the 7th day of the waxing moon, during the auspicious 'Navratra' period.
The Most Inauspicious Dates in October
October 8 and 9: From October 8, 22:22 to October 9, 12:36 IST or 16:52 to (Oct. 9) 19:06 GMT*. Two unfavourable periods, 'Bhadra' and 'Gand Mool' coincide on the 10th day of the waning moon. Additionally, this occurs during the annual 'Pitra Paksh' period.
* The times shown are in IST (Indian Standard Time). You may use an online time converter to get your local time.
Lunar Phases for October
The moon will follow the following alignments this month:
At the beginning of the month, the moon will be at day '2' of its waning phase, in Aries.☽ ♈
The new moon will be on, October 14 and the moon will occupy the sign of Virgo.☽ ♍
The full moon will be on, October 28 and the moon will be in the sign of Aries.☽ ♈
Planetary Positions for October
The horoscope charts will progress as follows during the course of the month. For an explanation of some of the terminology used, see our 'Astrology Glossary'.
At the beginning of October, Mars will be the ascendant's lord.
Jupiter will be the ascendant's lord by the end of the month.
Jupiter is presently in-retrograde. At the beginning of October, Jupiter will be at over 20° and be favourably placed in the friendly zodiac sign of, Aries. ♃ ♈
By around mid-October it will continue to occupy Aries, at about 18°. ♃ ♈
Jupiter will remain in Aries and increase in strength to, 16° by the end of October. ♃ ♈
Saturn is presently in-retrograde and therefore ineffective. At the beginning of October, Saturn will occupy its own zodiac sign of Aquarius, at 7° and will be strengthening. ♄ ♒
It will continue to occupy Aquarius, as Saturn is a slow moving planet and will decrease to about 6°. ♄ ♒
Saturn will remain in Aquarius for the rest of the month and will be gradually declining in strength. ♄ ♒
Eclipse Watch
October is a unique month, as both a solar and lunar eclipse will occur during the course of the month. Astrologically, the close interval of the temporary disappearance of the Sun and Moon, is not considered to be an auspicious sign.
Solar Eclipse: An annular solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on October 14, between 10:50 EDT in Belize and 15:13 EDT in the US. This will be visible in most of North America and parts of Central America. This is described as, 'Annular' because the outer ring of the sun's disk will not be covered by a smaller dark disk of the moon. Therefore, the edge of the sun will be visible as a bright ring around the dark moon.
Lunar Eclipse: A partial lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur on October 28, between 14:35 EDT and 15:52 EDT, with maximum visibility at 15:14 EDT. This will be prevalent over parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania.
What's Coming Up in November?
While October was a month of increased celestial activity, with some very auspicious and inauspicious periods, November will be a much calmer time, with far fewer extremes.
November will be Scorpio and Sagittarius seasons. We'll be covering this and all the usual features for the month.
Astrology for Buying a House Use astrology to plan your next house purchase. These useful astrological recommendations will help, whether you're buying, selling or renting.
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