A massively aspected Libra New Moon highlights the second half of October. We also have Neptune revisiting Pisces, Jupiter square Chiron, and three fast planets running a slower planets gauntlet!

These interpretations focus on major events and larger themes. I close with a concise chronological listing, whose individual events link to the theme-based sections.

This forecast covers this half-month’s most important astrological events. Also check out my award-winning This Week in Astrology audio podcast and YouTube video forecasts!

Click astrology graphics to see larger images. Some resource links may occur more than once, since many link to single-day forecasts from social media.

As of October 16 …

The Moon is waning (there was an Aries Full Moon on 10/6).

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Neptune is retrograde through 10/22.

Saturn is retrograde through 11/27.

Chiron is retrograde thru 1/2.

Uranus is retrograde thru 2/3.

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An Envelope with Venus, Juno, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto continues through 10/21.

A Grand Cross with the Sun, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto peaks on 10/21 and ends on 10/27.

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The Saturn-Uranus-Neptune-Pluto Mini Grand Trine continues thru 4/16/2026.

The Uranus-Neptune-Pluto Mini Grand Trine continues thru 9/6/2029.

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Massively Aspected Libra New Moon

A massively aspected New Moon (28°21′ Libra) lines up on 10/21 at 8:25 am EDT. Any Libra New Moon is great for new beginnings in relationships, creativity, and aesthetic appreciation, as well as harmony and balance.

Aspects

Talk about aspects! This New Moon connects with all the social and outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto! And these planets create two powerful aspect patterns with the luminaries: a Grand Cross and a “Finger of God.”

All these factors make this one of the strongest lunations of 2025!

For starters, this waxing Moon holds unimaginable power for new starts or fresh energy in these Libra themes. What important relationships is it time to begin or energize? What creative projects is it time to kick off or develop? Where can you work toward greater equilibrium?

The Aspect Patterns

This New Moon’s Grand Cross contains the Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto. The “Finger of God” (Yod) also contains the luminaries, along with Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

However, I don’t feel these aspect patterns working separately. Instead, I feel their combined energy as one huge megapattern! (This is the first New Moon image above.)

What can we say about this behemoth? For one thing, every planet connects to the luminaries with hard or semi-hard aspects: two squares, three quincunxes, and an opposition. Can you say “challenge for growth”?

Don’t expect this waxing moon period to be easy. But rest assured that every challenge, skillfully mastered, can increase your abilities and resourcefulness, and maybe even deepen your spiritual awakening!

A human can only do so much as an unawakened ego. To learn how to quickly and easily call in the assistance of your higher self – which is vastly more capable than your human self in critical areas like healing, awakening, and energetically supporting others – watch my free invocation video.

Mini Grand Trine: A Rare Cosmic Gateway

This New Moon locks into formation with the three great “gods of change.” Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto — the history-shaping outer planets — are weaving a rare and potent aspect pattern that will stretch through mid-2030. Among all the astrological alignments of the 2020’s, this Mini Grand Trine shines forth as the crown jewel.

Whenever the outer planets interact, history bends. Think back to the revolutionary 1960s, when Uranus and Pluto joined forces. The world was changed forever!

Now, for the first time in 250+ years, all three outer planets are aligning with incredible exactness. We won’t see them converge with such intensity for another 170 years. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime threshold.

Not only that, Saturn — conjunct Neptune — temporarily joins the Mini Grand Trine until mid-April. This amplifies this aspect pattern’s force and helps physically manifest its potential.

The Outer Planets and the New Moon

Every New Moon is a seed point, a chance to begin again. But this one is supercharged!

Whatever you set in motion now carries an extraordinary current of momentum. Don’t limit yourself to Libra themes. This energy can potently fuel any kind of fresh start!

Each outer planet contributes its own medicine to this New Moon alchemy:

Pluto (square the Sun and Moon)

Pluto invites you to claim deeper power and wealth — not just materially, but in your personal evolution. He asks you to confront and heal the buried wounds that keep recycling pain. Shadow work may feel daunting, but it’s the gateway to profound transformation.

Pluto also governs sacred sexuality, reminding us that the deepest intimacy transcends the physical into soul-deep ecstasy.

Neptune (quincunx the luminaries)

Neptune awakens your spiritual awareness, infuses your creativity with divine sparks, and helps you slip into a flow state where inspiration pours through. He encourages compassion, dreamwork, and unconditional love as guiding forces.

Uranus (quincunx the luminaries)

Uranus calls you to embrace your uniqueness and broadcast your authentic self. His intuitive nudges are lightning bolts of guidance. Trust them!

Uranus also urges you to share your gifts in service to others, especially those talents that bring you the most joy.

Chiron (opposite the luminaries)

Chiron joins Pluto in stirring up whatever trauma healing serves your highest good. Fortunately, my free Healing Invocation makes this surprisingly quick and easy. Just call your higher self to do the healing for you, then passively feel that old pain flush away!

Chiron can also help you step into your power as a healer or wisdom giver.

Saturn (quincunx the luminaries and conjunct Neptune)

Saturn lends structure and wisdom. He helps you map your vision, manage your time, and embody maturity.

His union with Neptune makes it easier to anchor spiritual awakening into daily life and manifest what you imagine through disciplined focus.

Jupiter (square the luminaries)

Jupiter, the solar system’s natural amplifier, boosts the power of all the other aspects. Jupiter can also fill you with a sense of adventure, helping you see your New Moon goals as thrilling quests.

As ancient astrology’s Great Benefic, Jupiter can increase your luck. And his placement in Cancer can fire up emotional excitement to help you stay motivated!

A Cosmic Ignition Point

This New Moon isn’t just another lunar reset. It’s a cosmic ignition point, powered by the potency of all the slower planets!

Sabian Symbol

This New Moon’s Sabian Symbol is, “Mankind’s vast enduring effort to reach for knowledge transferable from generation to generation.”

The hugeness of “mankind” could feel overwhelming. So let’s shrink this symbol down to a manageable size.

What do you feel called to learn? What ideas feel important to pass on to others?

Are you already doing this? If not, is it about time you got started?

Synchronicity alert! The previous lunation, an Aries Full Moon, had the Sabian Symbol, “An Indian weaving a blanket in the light of the setting Sun.” Part of my interpretation said, “This symbol speaks of the integration of tradition and creativity in service to future generations. The weaver is taking what has been handed down and skillfully shaping it into something enduring….”

There’s no mistaking these symbols’ shared theme. This synchronicity invites you to ponder what you’ll be passing on to those who follow us.

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Neptune Revisits Pisces

Neptune retrogrades back into Pisces on 10/22 at 5:51 am EDT.

Neptune entered Aries on 3/30, starting his latest 165-year journey through the zodiac. After this three-month Pisces farewell tour, he’ll settle definitively into Aries on 1/26. He’ll stay continuously in the Sign of the Ram for over 12 more years, thru mid-2038.

At this point Neptune is straddling signs. Just because he’s temporarily back in Pisces doesn’t make his Aries influence disappear. (To learn about Neptune in Aries, click here.)

Neptune in Pisces is easy to interpret, because the planet and sign are synonyms! Neptune is the modern ruler of Pisces, and has the same keywords. The planet and sign both represent the twelfth and final astrological archetype.

The life-affirming potentials of Neptune and Pisces (as well as Neptune in Pisces) begin with spiritual awakening. (To learn how quick and easy this can be, experience my free Embodied Awakening Invocation.)

Neptune and Pisces also support divine inspiration and functioning in flow state. You can dive into conscious dreaming and dream interpretation. And you can open to greater unconditional love and compassion.

All power can go high or low, and the 12th archetype is no exception. Its challenging potentials include addiction, substance abuse, and excessive escapism. You should also beware of aimless drifting or playing the victim. Other dark possibilities include deception, propaganda, and gaslighting.

Life gives you more of what you focus on. To keep these low potentials away, keep your attention on the positive potentials of Neptune and Pisces. Energy follows attention!

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Jupiter Square Chiron

Jupiter square Chiron, which strongly influences both 2025 and 2026, aligns on 10/23 at 6:19 pm EDT (24°34′ Cancer-Aries).

This triple hit aspect will occur again on 12/21/25 and 7/1/26. Its orb (influence) lasts nearly a year, 8/26/25 through 8/18/26.

These planets share some similar meanings. Chiron is the mentor, while Jupiter is the professor, philosopher, or guru.

So both planets support you in giving or receiving wisdom. (Jupiter is especially keen on insights from other cultures.) This is a wonderful time to expand your knowledge where it counts, or share your insights with others!

Chiron is the wounded healer. His expansion by Jupiter can trigger your unhealed traumas. But you also have expanded energy available to heal your emotional wounds. This is a great time to get wisdom or healing support from others, or step out as a healer or wisdom giver yourself.

Jupiter’s placement in Cancer amplifies your opportunities for emotional healing.

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Relationships and More

Relationship challenges and opportunities, as well as other potentials, are potentiated by one aspect and two aspect patterns involving Venus and Juno.

Venus-Jupiter quintile

You can enjoy magical outcomes in your relationships, creativity, and finances thanks to a Venus-Jupiter quintile (6°14′ Libra-24°14′ Cancer) on 10/18. Venus is especially powerful in Libra, one of her home signs. Not only that, Venus and Jupiter are the two benefics (lucky planets) of ancient astrology.

The quintile is an aspect of divine inspiration, so tune in to your inner guidance!

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Relationship Healing Aspect Patterns

Relationship healing is potently supported by two aspect patterns that start in October’s second half:

• A Thor’s Hammer with Juno, Jupiter, and Chiron starts on 10/17, peaks on 11/1, and ends on 11/13.
• A Grand Cross with Venus, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto starts on 10/30, peaks on 11/5, and ends on 11/9.

The healing theme is established by wounded healer Chiron, who appears in both aspect patterns. Pluto, another planet associated with deep-dive healing, is part of the Grand Cross. Relationships are represented by Juno (committed partnership) or Venus (all important relationships).

Jupiter is in both aspect patterns, amplifying the energies of the other planets. Jupiter also supports deeper understanding, hope, and the joyous expansion that follows a major healing breakthrough!

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Three Fast Planets Run The Slower Planets Gauntlet

The Sun and Mercury run a gauntlet of aspects with the slower planets in the second half of October. Mars begins this process in late October and finishes in early November. These gauntlets last between eight and 11 days.

The effects of any aspect (except the Moon) last at least two weeks: a week before and a week afterward. So these rapid-fire aspects are all active simultaneously! There’s no way to isolate one aspect’s effects from the others.

Since I’m writing this forecast for a general audience, it would be too cumbersome and repetitive to dissect the individual effect of each slower planet aspect.

Instead, I’m viewing the slower planets as a single massive energizing force, supercharging the meanings of the faster planet and its signs. I also consider whether most of the aspects are flowing, hard, or semi-hard.

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The Sun

The Sun is first in and fastest through. In eight days, 10/17 through 10/24, he makes six aspects and one sign change. He also participates in two aspect patterns: a Grand Cross and a Yod.

The Sun’s aspects are all hard or semi-hard, so the effects are more likely to be difficult. Given the Sun’s basic meanings, you might experience challenges with your vitality or sense of identity.

The Sun is in Libra through 10/22 at 11:51 pm EDT. Watch for challenges in your relationships or creative expression.

Then the Sun moves into Scorpio. This sign’s challenges might relate to wealth, power, and shadow work. Other Scorpio themes include occult practices, sacred sex, and personal transformation.

Even though the Sun’s aspects and aspect patterns are hard or semi-hard, you could still experience positive effects in any of the meanings of the Sun, Libra, or Scorpio. Mastering an archetype’s challenging manifestations always unlocks its life-affirming potentials!

Here are the Sun’s aspect patterns and aspects:

A Grand Cross with the Sun, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto started on 10/14, peaks on 10/21, and ends on 10/27.

A Yod with the Sun, Uranus, and Neptune starts on 10/18, peaks on 10/23, and ends on 10/27

• 10/17: Sun square Jupiter (24°6′ Libra-Cancer)
• 10/17: Sun opposite Chiron (24°51′ Libra-Aries)
• 10/19: Sun quincunx Saturn (26°27′ Libra-Pisces)
• 10/22: Sun quincunx Neptune (29°58′ Libra-Pisces)
• 10/22: Sun enters Scorpio (11:51 pm EDT)
• 10/23: Sun quincunx Uranus (0°34′ Scorpio-Gemini)
• 10/24: Sun square Pluto (1°23′ Scorpio-Aquarius)

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Mercury

Mercury makes no aspect patterns during its gauntlet, but does skip through eight aspects and a sign change in 11 days! (10/20 through 10/30.) These aspects are mostly harmonious, and can help you learn, write, teach, and communicate more effectively.

Mercury is in Scorpio through 10/29 at 7:02 am EDT. This supports research and investigation, and makes it easier to entertain thoughts that would normally be taboo. Scorpio is a fixed sign, so you can also enjoy more sustained mental focus.

It will be easier to think more adventurously after Mercury moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius. You might want to delve into religion, philosophy, or the meaning of life. Sagittarius also supports advanced learning and wisdom sharing.

Here are Mercury’s aspects:

• 10/20: Mercury conjunct Mars (19°11′ Scorpio)
• 10/20: Mercury quintile Pluto (19°22′ Scorpio-1°22 Aquarius)
• 10/24: Mercury quincunx Chiron (24°33′ Scorpio-Aries)
• 10/24: Mercury trine Jupiter (24°37′ Scorpio-Cancer)
• 10/25: Mercury trine Saturn (26°6’ Scorpio-Pisces)
• 10/29: Mercury trine Neptune (29°50’ Scorpio-Pisces
• 10/29: Mercury enters Sagittarius (7:02 am EDT)
• 10/29: Mercury opposite Uranus (0°21 Sagittarius-Gemini)
• 10/30: Mercury sextile Pluto (1°26 Sagittarius-Aquarius)

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Mars

Mars is trailing close behind Mercury. This means he’s also making mostly harmonious aspects with the slower planets, and will also move from Scorpio to Sagittarius. He runs the gauntlet in 10 days, 10/26 through 11/6.

Mars embodies four main drives: warrior, pioneer, sexual being, and entrepreneur. But even with mostly harmonious aspects, be sure to steer clear of his shadow side. This can include anger, violence, and sexual predation.

Mars is strongly empowered in Scorpio, a sign he co-rules. Scorpio also gives extra energy to sexuality, a theme it shares with Mars. Mars is happy with primal pleasure, while Scorpio can elevate eroticism into the realm of sacred soul blending.

Here are Mars’ aspect patterns and aspects:

• Envelope with Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: starts 10/26, peaks 11/2, ends 11/11.
• Cradle with Mars, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: starts 10/26, peaks 11/5, ends 11/17.
• 10/27: Mars quincunx Chiron (24°24′ Scorpio-Aries)
• 10/28: Mars trine Jupiter (24°48′ Scorpio-Cancer)
• 10/29: Mars trine Saturn (25°53′ Scorpio-Pisces)

Bonus: here are the Mars slower planet aspects in this series that continue into November:

• 11/3: Mars trine Neptune (29°43′ Scorpio-Pisces)
• 11/4: Mars enters Sagittarius (8:01 am EST)
• 11/4: Mars opposite Uranus (0°8′ Sagittarius-Gemini)
• 11/6: Mars sextile Pluto (1°29′ Sagittarius-Aquarius)
  

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Coming in my November 1-15 Forecast

• Mercury retrograde (Nov 9, 2:02 pm EST)
• Taurus Full Moon
• Uranus returns to Taurus
• Jupiter retrograde
• And more!

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Available as an eBook, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover starting at $3.99, and included with Kindle Unlimited.

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Chronological Event Listing

Events link to the sections above where I interpret them.

10/17 (Fri)

• Thor’s Hammer with Juno, Jupiter, and Chiron: starts 10/17, peaks 11/1, ends 11/13.
• Sun square Jupiter (24°06 Libra-Cancer)
• Sun opposite Chiron (24°51’ Libra-Aries)

10/18 (Sat)

• Yod with Sun, Uranus, and Neptune: starts 10/18, peaks 10/23, ends 10/27.
• Venus quintile Jupiter (06°14′ Libra-24°14′ Cancer)

10/19 (Sun)

• Sun quincunx Saturn (26°27′ Libra-Pisces)

10/20 (Mon)

• Mercury conjunct Mars (19°11’ Scorpio)
• Mercury quintile Pluto (19°22′ Scorpio-1°22’ Aquarius)
• Mars quintile Pluto (19°22′  Scorpio-1°22′ Aquarius)

10/21 (Tue)

• New Moon at 8:25 am EDT (28°21′ Libra)
• Grand Cross with Sun, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto: started 10/14, peaks 10/21, ends 10/27.

10/22 (Wed)

• Neptune enters Pisces (05:51 am EDT)
• Sun quincunx Neptune (29°58′ Libra-Pisces)
• Sun enters Scorpio (11:51 pm EDT)

10/23 (Thu)

• Yod with Sun, Uranus, and Neptune: started 10/18, peaks 10/23, ends 10/27.
• Sun quincunx Uranus (0°34′ Scorpio-Gemini)
• Jupiter square Chiron (24°34′ Cancer Aries)

10/24 (Fri)

• Sun square Pluto (1°23 Scorpio-Aquarius)
• Mercury quincunx Chiron (24°33′ Scorpio-Aries)
• Mercury trine Jupiter (24°37′ Scorpio-Cancer)

10/25 (Sat)

• Mercury trine Saturn (26°6′ Scorpio-Pisces)

10/26 (Sun)

• Envelope with Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: starts 10/26, peaks 11/2, ends 11/11.
• Cradle with Mars, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: starts 10/26, peaks 11/5, ends 11/17.

10/27 (Mon)

• Mars quincunx Chiron (24°24′ Scorpio-Aries)

10/28 (Tue)

• Mars trine Jupiter (24°48′  Scorpio-Cancer)

10/29 (Wed)

• Mercury trine Neptune (29°50′ Scorpio-Pisces)
• Mercury enters Sagittarius (7:02 am EDT)
• Mars trine Saturn (25°53′ Scorpio-Pisces)
• Mercury opposite Uranus (0°21  Sagittarius-Gemini)

10/30 (Thu)

• Grand Cross with Venus, Jupiter, Chiron, and Pluto: starts 10/30, peaks 11/5, ends 11/9.
• Mercury sextile Pluto (1°26′ Sagittarius-Aquarius)

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Whatever your Sun Sign, my forecasts can help you make the best use of the current astrological energies.

All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone. Events are most powerful on the dates listed, but their influence will be active for at least a week before and after.

Everyone is affected by these global transits. However, you’ll be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate sensitive points in your natal chart. Discover how these transits will personally affect you by booking a session with me.

Learn more about my Astrology+ sessions.