October 2024By Bob Mulligan (a personal note is at the end of the newsletter) October Highlights In our personal lives, October is likely to be a seminal month. The shape of things to come is obvious. October decides the direction for the USA and for the entire world. This rolls out step by step over the next three years. Civilization will be quite different in 2028 when contrasted to 2024. Mars moved into Cancer on the 4th of September, and will stay all October, leaving for Leo on the 3rd of November. Mars (desire) is less assertive and directive in Cancer (sign of his fall). There have been many famous people with Mars in Cancer: Sri Aurobindo, Warren Buffet, Liza Minnelli, Wolfgang Mozart, Maria Montessori, Pablo Picasso, Ira Progoff, John Wesley, Sylvia Willett, to name a few. But traditionally, self-assertion is not in their makeup. All month Mars will play a key role in getting things done behind the scenes. For each of us, we have instructions from the cosmos to monitor the way our emotions influence our drives and demands during this period. On the 2nd we have a Solar Eclipse at 10 degrees of Libra. The effect of this Eclipse will last for several years, but we may be physically and mentally a little disoriented for three days prior and after this potent New Moon. Jupiter turns Retrograde on the 9th and will remain so until February 4th 2025. This four month period is a time when inward ruminations are more dominant than outward expanse. On the 11th Pluto turns Direct and will continue its dismantlement of traditional structures until November 19th when he moves into Aquarius. On the 13th Mercury enters Scorpio and we all tend to get more committed to a point of view. Research into the story behind the story will pick up speed. On the 17th Venus enters Sagittarius to awaken us to the lighter side of life. With Jupiter in Gemini, travel and communication are most favorable until Venus goes into Capricorn on November 11th. The New Moon The New Moon on October 2nd is a Solar Eclipse on the 10th degree of Libra at 2:49 PM EDT. Libra is always a time of discrimination and bonding. Solar Eclipses start something new, but also require some sacrifice. Mercury, Sun, Moon Conjunct the South Node is Squared by Mars in Cancer. Because the Sun and Mars are both in the sign of their fall (less than optimal) they do not act in a straight-forward manner. The obvious can be missed and it is difficult to see what the best way forward might be. However, Venus, Mars, and Saturn are in a Grand Trine in water. Emotions are at the extreme of hot and cold. For all of this confusion and difficulty it is still a great time for problem solving. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are in a Sextile Fan and all Retrograde. Much is going on behind the scenes and will surface for our collective benefit soon. The Full Moon The Full Moon on the 17th in Libra/Aries on 24 degrees 35 minutes at 7:26 am EDT releases a blast of energy spearheaded by Mars in Cancer (the sign of his fall). Mars is in a Cardinal Grand Cross, and also in a Grand Trine in Water. Mars Opposite Pluto, both Square Sun and Moon. The Libra Full Moon should bring clarity to our relationships. However, with the god of war (Mars) and the king of the underworld (Pluto) in strife with each other as well as the luminaries, we tend to act out. Conscious direction of this great force falls on the shoulders of the Grand Trine: Mars Trine Pluto, Venus and Neptune. There is an opportunity to channel our aggression and need to belong into some larger humanitarian or artistic project. With the Sun Trine Jupiter, our spirits can lift several times after tumbling during the next two weeks. Venus in Opposition to Uranus will likely cause disruption, but the interweaving with the other planets suggests that this is just a little pepper for seasoning added to the soup. The Sun enters Scorpio The Sun enters Scorpio on October 22nd at 6:16 PM EDT. The Sun is quite active in aspect to all three outer planets, Trine Pluto and in Quincunx to both Uranus and Neptune. This shows that the whole Solar Month will be aimed at the big picture. We will either be looking daily at the things in the geopolitical landscape that affect us all, or if we are tuned out, we will experience the anxiety of knowing something is not right. This anxiety is a byproduct of unconscious conflict. The Moon rules the public and is in a Grand Trine to Mercury and Saturn. These Trines are in water signs: emotion, empathy, unity. The Moon in Cancer will be a longing for the security of the past; Saturn (discipline) and Mercury (information) show that collectively we are drinking in vast amounts of information, but through an emotional lens. Venus (love) Trines the North Node of the Moon (dharma). There is an active force for good all month. The Weeks From the 1st to the 6th we are easily pulled into over-concern for others, our relationships, and a fussiness where we try to get things right. Our attempt to get all our bases covered can be exhausting. Passions run the gambit from ice to lava. The togetherness we would like to enjoy can be upended by lack of consistency. Patience and calmness build a bridge to intimacy. From the 7th to the 13th with some effort it is possible to trudge through the deluge of data and reach some new conclusions. The good news is that it’s possible to overcome deeply held prejudices. Internationally, there is a shift in consciousness. Moving along with the mainstream of human thought can be comforting, but are we being true to ourselves? Passions intensify. From the 14th to the 20th thinking about change, even talking about it is not enough, we must act. The freedom we look for is singular but as we “do our own thing” we find that others are engaged in some personal version of this quest also. People are stirred up and fights can erupt spontaneously. We protect our sanity best if we avoid entanglements that are potentially contentious. From the 21st to the 27th potency in thoughts and actions has a way getting us into trouble. It isn’t always what we say it’s the way that our message is conveyed. Sometimes the volume of the sound doesn’t do justice to the opinions and instructions. Habits and attitudes from the past have been ballast, but now must go so we can rise. From the 28th to the 31st clarification of our ideals is necessary in order to put our feet on the path we wish to tread. Measuring timber before cutting it into boards is straight-forward. However, calibrating the effect that our words have on others requires honest self-reflection. We know what is right, now will we do it? The Days 1st – Tuesday – The major task today is to make order out of thousands of seemingly disconnected facts. It is easy to turn a blind eye to the chaos and just do what is necessary for our own lives to work. However, if we take a little time and allow the pieces of the puzzle to coalesce, we can find order. As the frantic state gives way to meditation we relax. 2nd – Wednesday – The New Moon is a Solar Eclipse on the 10th degree of Libra at 2:49 PM EDT, Mercury Sesquiquadrate Uranus – We have a lot to say but is anybody listening? To effectively communicate we have to land in the territory that others find as common ground. New insights may just be for our own personal consumption; when our ideas mature they may be ready for the masses. 3rd – Thursday – Mercury Semi-sextile Venus, Venus Sesquiquadrate Neptune, Sun Parallel Mercury – Experiencing some luck, we may be tempted to stretch our reach, and try something new. An unconscious prejudice for the traditional corrals our actions; but for all that, we may express some creative or artistic impulse. Hidden talents surface and are shared. 4th – Friday – Mercury Quincunx Saturn, Sun Sesquiquadrate Uranus, Venus Trine Saturn – Our heart is the guidance for seeing where our responsibilities lie. The impulse to jump is moderated by the instinct to stay within accepted guidelines. We find definite meaning when we act first on what we believe to be true, and then include others. 5th – Saturday – If we focus on our heart’s true desire, we move into an emotional healing mode. The flavor of our relationships stabilizes. If we ask for what we really want, without hesitation, we enter the harvest cycle. Knowing how much is enough is an art form. We have the chance to build toward something permanent. 6th – Sunday – Mercury Square Mars, Sun Quincunx Saturn – We do everyone a favor if we own our mistakes. On the other hand, taking the blame for someone else’s blunder only muddies the water, and makes progress impossible for all. Inappropriate anger will breed more of the same. There is a higher way. 7th – Monday – We are one step out in front of ourselves. As long as we are just having fun, we are fine. To get important work done, we need to gather information, plan, and wait a day or two. When the time is right to get serious it will be our own determination that moves our projects along. We will have help, but we have to lead our own parade. 8th – Tuesday – Venus Trine Mars, Mercury Trine Jupiter – Commonsense and a warm expression of genuine feelings provide guidance; we put our best foot forward. Too much of a good thing can be problematic. If we know when to quit, we walk away from the table a winner. Illusions can distract us, but may give food for thought. Good ideas may have a confused origin. 9th – Wednesday – Mercury Parallel Saturn, Jupiter turns Retrograde – Broad knowledge can sink deep roots into our core. Paradoxically, the establishing of boundaries allows us to explore wider horizons. The fuse is lit and will lead to the inevitable conclusion a little bit further down the line. Freedom for ourselves will have to include trust in the universe that everyone else can make decisions that are different than our own, but appropriate for them. 10th – Thursday – Venus Quincunx Jupiter – Two paths are in front, one easy and one with difficulties. It’s time to relax; reflection on self and life may seem indulgent; after all, the Sun is shining and there is a harvest to bring into the barn. Choosing a way forward is easy if our feet follow where our heart goes. 11th – Friday – Venus Contra-parallel Uranus, Mercury Quincunx Uranus, Pluto turns Direct – There are a few things up for revision. We need to dump the excess and get ready to integrate new ideas, insights, and people. Breaking old stuffy rules, laws, and rituals doesn’t mean we enter chaos, it does mean we start living consciously by making intelligent decisions. 12th – Saturday – Mercury Quincunx Neptune, Mercury Sesquiquadrate Saturn – If we aren’t confused it may be because we aren’t seeing clearly what is going on. To live without concrete assurance and security is preferable to pretending that we have all the answers. Trying to include everyone in our plans may be foolhardy. It is time to take note, and learn something. 13th – Sunday – Mercury Square Pluto, Mercury enters Scorpio, Mars Semi-sextile Jupiter, Sun Trine Jupiter – After some mental turbulence, a gentle wind can lift us up. Brightening our spirits comes through sharing. Hard work and laughter both have a place and don’t necessarily conflict. Time in the great outdoors and meditation are both refreshing. 14th – Monday – Sun Square Mars, Sun Parallel Saturn, Venus Opposite Uranus – Interactions become complicated. People in our lives, even casual encounters, reflect our personal struggles. Angular strife between head and heart spill over into conversation. Harmony emerges when we become peaceful with our own contradictions. We are victims of our own limitations. 15th – Tuesday – Venus Trine Neptune – Our message and vision are correct, honorable, and uplifting. At the same time our delivery can be a little rough around the edges. If we are singular in our direction and intent, much is accomplished. We need to give others the room to go their own way or come onboard our enterprise. 16th – Wednesday – Confidence pushes us forward, but also covers over a lingering self-doubt. How we assert ourselves matters more than our message. Style is more important than substance for the moment. Over the next couple of days we will have the opportunity to dismantle the car and take the engine apart to make corrections. We can’t do this now in the middle of the race; we must carry on across the finish line. 17th – Thursday – The Full Moon is in Libra/Aries on 24 degrees 35 minutes at 7:26 am EDT, Mars Parallel Jupiter, Venus Sextile Pluto, Mercury Sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Venus enters Sagittarius – There is a line of people behind us, we are on the high dive, we have second thoughts, but what the heck, we go ahead and jump. A dive would have been asking too much. We have come this far; it’s time to get on with it. We have landed on a new continent and burned the boat that brought us here. It’s time to let go of all the nostalgia for the “good old days”. A new land is in front of us. 18th – Friday – Even though we have the impulse to share our thoughts, what is really cooking inside doesn’t seem to come out. Taking notes, listening to others, is a better use of our time than trying to formulate some grand idea which is more than likely to come out as a scream. Life isn’t that bad, just different. And we aren’t going back. 19th – Saturday – Sun Quincunx Uranus – It is hard to see how the people we attract are actually a mirror of our own selves. Coming to an understanding of how the urge for freedom conflicts with the need for intimacy can lead us to deeper self-exploration. In the final analysis, both needs work with each other to bring us to a higher consciousness. 20th – Sunday – Sun Quincunx Neptune, Sun Sesquiquadrate Saturn – It appears at times that life gives us too much, asks too much. Growing into a new reality requires some stretching. We are riding an escalator; we don’t have to move our legs in order to levitate. Looking around is an important step in appreciating what it going on in our life and in the world. 21st – Monday – Venus Contra-parallel Mars, Venus Contra-parallel Jupiter, Mercury Sesquiquadrate Neptune – Levity comes to every situation when we can see the humor and the events as they unfold. Releasing the joy in the moment can run against the grain of surrounding events. It is easy to be down hearted but that doesn’t help get us to our destination. The lighter side of events magnifies our positive imprint. 22nd – Tuesday – Mercury Trine Saturn, Sun Square Pluto, Sun enters Scorpio – Diligence brings amazing results. If we put our whole heart into our current endeavor, we are transformed though our efforts. It is not so easy to be detached from the results of our projects; but in this moment, the detachment frees us. 23rd – Wednesday – Memories of past achievements can easily give us a vector toward the road ahead. Ancient guideposts dot the landscape; others have been this way before and we can profit from their journey even when they are not physically present to tell us about their experiences. To benefit from our predecessors reminds us to do likewise for others. 24th – Thursday – Mars Sextile Uranus – We have inspiration and now we are trying to tackle the practical applications of our vision. Our mind is flooded with capricious images of days gone by. The last period required so much energy and attention; do we have it to give again? There is light at the end of the tunnel and there is just a bit more to go on this road trip. 25th – Friday – Venus Parallel Pluto – We all have a well of compassion within; this is the day to drill down and release it. If we look around, it is easy to find a pattern of release, a venue, and audience. Involvement is better than isolation. Only love can change the world consciousness. 26th – Saturday – Mercury Contra-parallel Uranus – Innovative thoughts come wrapped in brown paper, as if we had to hide them. Deviation from tradition sounded good in theory, but we get quite a shock as it lands on our doorstep. Actualizing our values requires courage at every step of the way. We have ordered a meal that was larger than we imagined and can’t send it back. We can get through it, one bite at a time. 27th – Sunday – Mercury Quincunx Jupiter, Venus Sesquiquadrate Mars – Grand gestures have their place. There is an opportunity to take a big step forward. It can be that we catch the moment just right and land a home run in the relationship category. Imagination and courage move us forward. 28th – Monday – Mars Trine Neptune, Venus Square Saturn, Sun Sesquiquadrate Jupiter – Inspiration and fear play on us simultaneously. When we express emotions that everyone has in their experience, we spread joy. We can give and receive help. We lift others up when we are kind, but fear breeds misunderstanding and difficulties. Kindness is the currency that pays dividends. 29th – Tuesday – Mars Sesquiquadrate Saturn, Venus Semi-square Pluto – Some obsessions hang on and are difficult to go beyond. Diligent attention to details can help us make real progress. If some person has gotten under our skin, it’s quite a task to let go. Our emotional barometer is caught in the spin cycle. 30th – Wednesday – Mercury Opposite Uranus – An earnest attempt to make things right for everyone becomes a vehicle for spreading joy. Rocky terrain makes it hard to have smooth sailing with our closest loves. Not everyone goes along with what we want to share. Some ideas are just for us and will seem less important later on anyway. 31st – Thursday – Mercury Trine Neptune – Traveling seems to be on people’s minds, but we are probably better off meditating, reading, and spending quiet time. Journaling and sending thoughts of love to others helps stabilize the inspiration and excitement we have been feeling. My Personal Note From the 12th to the 15th of September, my extended family came to Myrtle Beach for a reunion. All of my children, my siblings, their children and spouses were here, 30 of us in all. It was great fun to visit in person with people I am related to but hadn’t seen in years. On September 24th four of my children and their families had dinner at an Indian restaurant, Bombay at the Beach, to celebrate three birthdays. I turned 76. On the 28th my oldest child, Hannah, turns 51 and on October 2nd my granddaughter, Aiyara, turns 14. As this Newsletter is going out, my daughter, Katie, is leaving for southern Florida in her car “Mr. Pickles” to take up an internship with the Department of the Interior for six months at Big Cypress National Preserve. Katie has worked for me since before Bailey was born. Bailey is 27. Bon voyage. This will be a major change in my life and in her life too. Here are a couple of songs I enjoyed and thought you might as well: School of Rock AllStar Students perform “Midnight Train To Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips (youtube.com) The Brothers Comatose x @AJLeeMusic – “These Days” (by @jacksonbrowneofficial) – YouTube In my September Newsletter I mentioned that even though my interest is in consciousness, I would address the political situation in this Newsletter, so many have called and asked about it. I’m an astrologer, but also a human being. All astrologers have prejudices because we are human and the differences in our experiences dictate a perspective. If you ask an espoused Christian what the central theme of the Bible is about, you will get an answer based on the church they go to. Astrologers can sound like this when they talk about politics. There is always a danger in people picking from the Bible something that supports their particular prejudice. My colleague, Georgia Stathis, points out in her Newsletter “Starcycles” that when Pluto is at the end of a sign, he finishes something started when he entered the sign. Pluto is leaving Capricorn and won’t be back for 250 years. Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008 and ushered in the financial collapse. During the 2008 presidential campaign, a woman made inflammatory and factually incorrect comments about Barack Obama. A war hero, the Republican candidate for president took the microphone from the woman and said, this is not true, “Obama is a decent man, I just believe I would be a better president.” This is vastly different than Donald Trump who has vilified everyone who isn’t on his side, promising revenge. It’s easy to dislike him, he is clearly mentally ill; he represents everything despicable in human consciousness: a pathological liar, a racist, a xenophobic misogynist, and just stupid. So yes, I’m in favor of having a president who is competent and believes in the rule of law. Yes, we are at the end of Pluto in Capricorn. What else could have both Bernie Sanders and Dick Cheney campaigning for the same candidate? The astrology shows Kamala Harris will win, even though Trump’s chart has many strong features. On the other side of the election, there will be much violence by people who did not like the outcome, and have been encouraged to do this. After some time, everything will settle down, but the rebuilding of the country and world culture will come over the next three years. If there is interest, I will share the astrological configuration pointing this out. I want to thank newsletter subscriber, Connie Carey Broomfield, for emailing me and requesting this information. Several of you have expressed a wish to come to my workshop “Astrology, Karma, and Reincarnation” on February 15th in person at Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. You can register at NCGR South Florida Chapter: Bob Mulligan: Astrology, Karma, and Reincarnation – AstrologyFla. If you need help with transportation and housing let me know. My book, “The Heart of Astrology” will be released on this day. I’ll post when you can order your copy in advance. Perhaps pre-order will be available by the next Newsletter. I always like hearing from you, what you like or don’t like. See you next month. Here is an interview with Jane Goodall I thought you would find interesting: https://youtu.be/IUeoqaZvkcU?si=edLnsIJya1DyBkUV “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” – Jimmy Carter “Times change, we need to change as well.” – Nelson MandelaBob Mulligan is available for personal appointments, astrology classes, and astrological material. Call him at 239-261-2840 or by e-mail at bobmulliga@aol.com. Visit our website, www.theastrologycompany.com. | 
