Vedic Astrological Monthly Newsletter: October 2021

Mercury retrogrades back to exalted Virgo:

     Mercury turned retrograde on 9/27, and entered Virgo on 10/1 and will continue to retrograde until 10/18. Mercury is in its strongest, exalted position while in Virgo, and it receives the beneficial aspect of transiting Jupiter while in Virgo, providing added support and strength.  Mercury also loses the more restrictive aspect of Saturn this month. This transit of Mercury benefits analytical activities, methodical organization, technological and scientific endeavors, animals/pets as well as medical/health and hygiene matters. Mercury in Virgo is also beneficial for attending to finer details, calculations and logical/pragmatic matters. Even though Mercury is retrograde, it is actually particularly strong, as it becomes intensely concentrated in this exalted, retrograde position during this month.

     This is a beneficial time to attend to details and finer points, as well as going back over previous communications, emails, proposals, materials, files, etc. This is also a good month to try to resolve, repair or clean up long-standing problems.  Still, we are reminded to back up computers, phones, and records, and to reevaluate important documents in our files. The issue with Mercury retrograde is that it becomes overly obsessed in its energy and it goes on “overload”. This is reflected in ruminating too much about all sorts of matters. The mind is on overload. This ruminative overload energy manifests as blow-ups, mechanical failures, misunderstandings, mix-ups and other breakdowns or delays, if it is not controlled or directed properly. While you may feel pressed to work hard, it’s important to center and calm the mind, particularly this month. 

     When Mercury joins with Mars and the Sun (also transiting through Virgo for approx. 3 weeks this month), there’s a stronger tendency for critical, angry, pressured speech patterns. Try to make an effort to think things through this month and slow down before saying or writing harsh, critical statements or opinions, that you may regret later.

The U.S. Chart and President Biden during October:

     It’s worth noting that Virgo is transiting through the 10th house of the U.S. chart, which is the house of the government itself and the president. Mercury is the planet that governs communication, negotiations, trade, business and “making a deal.” 

     Mercury retrograding through the 10th house this month reflects the on-going negotiations and discussions related to spending, the country’s budget, and needing to go back several times to try to get to some agreement or resolution of the matter. Mercury turns direct on 10/18and transiting Jupiter turns direct on 10/18 in the frugal sign of Capricorn. Let’s monitor this situation and see if the house and senate come to some agreement or resolution around this time, allowing for some variant of the Infrastructure plan/proposal to move forward. While Jupiter is transiting through Capricorn, for the last pass, until 11/18, the tendency to worry about over-spending, finances and being more fiscally responsible is greater. After 11/18, that worrisome attitude is reduced. 

     Rough speech, disagreements, irritability and debates among government members and the president is expected during October due to the Sun/Mars/Mercury combination transiting through Virgo in the 10th house of the U.S. chart.

     The Sun makes its yearly transit into Libra, its weakest position, on 10/17and the Sun will also receive the malefic aspect of Saturn this year, further weakening and restricting the Sun’s energy. In the U.S. chart, the Sun represents the president (leader) and it is also the 9th house ruling planet. When the ruler of the 9th house is weak or harmed, the dharma and good fortune of the country is also harmed, even if temporarily. The ruler of the 9th house also represents the presidents advisors (cabinet members), so they are not in a particularly strong position this month either.

     The period of this weak, afflicted Sun transit in Libra runs from 10/17 to 11/16, when the Sun then moves to Scorpio. This may be a weaker period for President Biden in terms of his health and ability to demonstrate leadership qualities and influence the country in a strong, positive manner. In his chart, the Sun rules the 10th house, governing his career and actions, and the transiting Sun is 7th from his Aries Moon, and 12th from his own Scorpio Sun and Lagna, so it’s not a particularly good transit for his relationships, his dealings with foreign countries or his wife’s situation during this October to mid-November period. 

Venus transits to Scorpio and joins with Ketu:

     Venus moves into Scorpio on 10/2 and joins with Ketu at 9 degrees on 10/9, in the nakshatra of Anuradha. Venus and Anuradha are both associated with relationships. Scorpio has a controlling, intense, penetrating energy, while Venus with Ketu often reflects disappointment at some level with relationships. On 10/9the debilitated Moon will also be passing through Scorpio in Anuradha. Venus transits through Scorpio until 10/30  when it moves to Sagittarius.  During October, it may be difficult to connect in relationships, or there may be secrets, hidden agendas, vagueness or even paranoia associated with trusting other people,  in the atmosphere. 

     On another level, the month is good for adding a spiritualizing component to associations with others, reducing expectations and going with the flow rather than trying to control or direct a particular partnership or serious relationship at this time. The month may also promote some level of separation, or the desire to be free, away from crowds and in solitude.