As the Moon shifts into the first tithi (Moon phase) early evening on October 1st, the sacred ten day and night celebration of Shardiya Maha Navaratri begins. Nava means nine and ratri means night in Sanskrit. Each day and night of this powerful junction point, correlates to the epic battle between the goddess Sri Devi Mahatmyam and the demon Mahishasura. Maha Devi Mahatmyam is connected to both Durga and Shakti, powerful forms of divine feminine energy that awaken, clear, transform and heal. Sri Devi is understood to be the supreme creation power of the universe, the Tridevi, or triple goddess, as she expresses the creation, sustaining and destructive energies that perpetuate all forms of life. This is the most powerful time in the Vedic Calendar.

Read more about Navaratri

Venus in Scorpio

The first major transit of the month happens in the early morning of the 13th when Venus shifts into Scorpio, the sign of mysticism, grief, transformation and death. Scorpio brings depth, darkness and experiences that go far beyond the surface of existence. As the planet of feeling, creativity and relationships moves through this vulnerable sign, it touches the planet of grief, Saturn, directly through exact conjunction. This is a cycle of releasing, purging and emptying emotions on every level! The emotional body will feel especially vulnerable in the weeks to come, so honor your sensitivity with brave authenticity. Allow yourself to empty and let go of stagnant emotions, undigested emotions. You have the opportunity to create space for something new to arrive in the coming months, but not without this vital release process taking place.

Grief is stirred in the heart due to relationship disappointments and parts of you that have been neglected and malnourished. Relationships are fragile and yet awakening, however watch for trauma and sudden release. Purging the emotional body will be non-negotiable. Use clarity in communication to address challenges head on. Use this time as a way to clarify your needs and speak them directly. There's a tendency to avoid the real issues right now and stay in the shadows. Keep things as simple, clear and direct as possible. Speak the sweet, honest truth.

Full Moon In Pisces

The October full Moon on the 15th creates a remarkable vulnerability with Moon in a very delicate gap point between Pisces and Aries. At 22:23, the fullness of the Moon arrives at the edge of Pisces, just past 29 degrees. The portal between endings and beginnings is activated, awake, alive. Pure vulnerability is provoked at this time, while simultaneously ushering in mystical and spiritual power. The Pisces/Aries gandanta (gap) is particularly challenging as Moon shifts from water into fire, release and liberation into hope and possibility. Pisces is also connected to the ancestors and endings, while Aries brings a young, new energy with it. This full Moon provokes the energy of closure and awakening to the new. What are you opening to? What are you closing to?

Moon will be transiting Revati nakshatra at the time of the Full Moon, the final lunar constellation of the zodiac. Pushan rules this portion of the sky, bringing fruitful journeys and resources for your travels.

Read more about the full Moon in Pisces

Sun in Libra

Sun shifts to its debilitation sign for the coming weeks on the 16th at 18:38. As he arrives in Libra, a softening of the masculine arrives. This often brings discomfort and disappointment from relationships. The masculine will be less available, less assertive and less present as a result of this transit. Notice your own relationship with your soft masculine. Are you resisting it or allowing it?

This Sun cycle provokes a need for greater self awareness and understanding of the masculine. It's a time of deepening relationships- but not through strength and power. As Sun moves through the sign of relationship and balance, it will request you look more deeply at your vulnerability and your resistance to being held, supported and honored. This is a request for integration between masculine and feminine energies. There is a certain awakening taking place right now through balance and harmony. Trust this process.

There's also an opportunity for relationships to be your guru, a powerful teacher. This requires your willingness to look at your relationship with the masculine more closely; your inner masculine, as well as the masculine mirrors arriving to teach you. What do you need for greater support and holding? What is working and what is challenging you? How can you begin to use thoughtful communication as a way to get your needs met more fully? Keep leaning in closer to this question: What do I need to feel safe and supported?

The coming month requires your willingness to look at your darkness and the depth of your pain. It's a time to pull up your biggest wounding from past relationships, the grief that has been undigested, and fully honor it. Your resistance to your pain is costing you your deepest nourishment. Be soft and gentle as well as fierce and determined. Move closer to your inner fears, not further away from them. If it scares you, it's worth looking closer. Why are you afraid of your own power source?

Mercury in Libra

Airy planet Mercury moves to air sign Libra just as October 22nd arrives, joining debilitated Sun here as well. Mercury will be in Libra until November 8th, about 18 days. He will be moving through a tight conjunction with the Sun during this transit, sharpening the mind with the experience of a soft Masculine presence. Ketu gives his gaze to both planets, sparking sudden release and flashes of insight as well as awakening through loss. Ruling planets of Libra are Venus (own sign) and Saturn (sign of exaltation). Both planets are moving through the powerfully transformational sign of Scorpio right now, supporting release of subconscious material and provoking shadow work to the surface. The deeper your willingness to release, the more space and availability you'll have for the connection, creativity and harmony you are seeking this month.

Libra being the planet of relationship, connection and balance, supports the communication and connection tendencies of Mercury. They are great friends. This bodes well for communication of all sorts and can support connection, relationship and co-creation in the weeks ahead.

Simultaneously it is also a cycle of releasing deep emotions, toxic and aggressive tendencies and finding a softer, gentler way of expressing. Moon will be in the harsh nakshatra of Ardra at the time of this transit, stirring big emotions. This cycle will activate mental and emotional body stories that are hurtful and painful, bringing them to the surface for you to look at more directly. As challenges rise to the conscious mind and become visible, it's also an opportunity to work with them and help them release. Rather then getting stuck in the painful process and old mythology, try to use it as a resource for change and transformation. Seek balance between your light and dark parts. This will support more integration between masculine and feminine- the relationship with self and your relationship with others.

Mars in Capricorn

On October 31st at 20:35 MDT, Mars moves to his exaltation sign, Capricorn, until December 11th. This begins many fiery days ahead, with potent action oriented expression, as the warrior planet steps into his most powerful sign. There is much movement in the weeks ahead. The intention and driving force is nourishment and attaining the nectar of life. However, this process must be done with balance and attention to integration and harmony. If there is imbalance within physical, mental, emotional or spiritual bodies, challenges, pain and hardship will arrive. Suffering is optional. Pay close attention to your inner aggression and force. At the same time, notice where you are resisting the nourishment you crave. 

Gains come when you honor your dark, hidden desires. Lean into your fear more closely. Align with this resistance and keep moving closer to your pain. Keep peeling back layer by layer, to expose your needs more fully. Without moving closer to your terror, you are missing out on the deep nourishment and satisfaction you crave.

The heart seeks stability, grounding and focus. It needs integration, balance and co-creation. It wants to heal old pain and darkness. It wants your hidden grief to come to the light. Will you lean closer to it, in order for it to touch your conscious awareness? You want depth and pleasure, connection and pure relationship. How will you connect with this feeling unless your your heart is pure? Purify, clarify, release all that is stagnant within the chambers of your heart. Seek receptivity, openness and more life force energy. As you clean and clear, release and liberate yourself, an immense power can be released from within. Channel this power in effective and dharmic ways in order for maximum gains. .