*Eleditor’s note: Astrology isn’t a religion. We’re not sure it’s a science, either. It’s magic, maybe. But, as with feng shui, say, things affect things. So as long as we don’t go blaming our problems on the stars, as long as we assume responsibility for our own actions…well, hell, a little auspicious coincidence and applicable wisdom can’t hurt. And so, with that grain of salt…enjoy!

Just after the new Moon, the sacred nine day celebration of Maha Navaratri begins.

This is a powerful time of year—a gap between seasons—which is considered a sandhi time. The veil is extremely thin between realms and we can access our connection to inner wisdom and Nature more easily. I encourage you to work with the intention of connecting with spirit and Nature’s wisdom at this time, while also inviting in the power of the goddesses—Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Fall Navaratri, or Maha Navaratri, is by far the most potent as it brings deep transformation and the ability to remove, destroy, release and transform, our darkness into light. The holy trinity of goddesses supports this process and allows us to let go of what needs to be released in order for greater nourishment. As we let go of our darkness, an increase of light and wisdom can take its place. This process is marked by Durga’s powerful battle against the demon Mahishasura. On the 10th day, she destroyed him and was victorious. This day is called Vijaya Dashami (Dashami is the 10th lunar day of the Moon cycle, connected to dharma).

This year, Navaratri begins on the evening of October 12th in the USA—as the Moon enters the first tithi and begins to wax. The celebrations start just as the sacred 15 day celebration of the ancestors, Pitr Pakshu, ends. The final day of Navarati is October 21st, as Moon moves through the ninth tithi, Navami. Vijaya Dashami (Victory Day) is on October 22nd. Though the entire Navaratri celebration is dedicated to Durga and her many forms (including shakti), many honor the expressions of her power through Lakshmi and Saraswati as well.

Read more about Navaratri and how to use this time for inner transformation.

As the Moon waxes, this fragile time of year calls us to look more deeply within. This inward gaze increases as the Sun shifts into Libra on October 17th. Libra is the Sun’s debilitation sign and it will be here until November 16th. Our light source will be dimmed and vulnerable in this cycle. It is not a time to push or force actions, outcomes or agendas. Notice where you are forcing, self isolating or staying in the dark. For the majority of the signs, it is a rest cycle and must be treated as such. It’s a time for inward introspection and attending to your inner needs. The physical body will require gentleness, extra support and smaller, quieter attention. We will all need to ask for support and gather extra resources at this time. Notice where there are holes in your self care and what is insisting on your attention.

The gift in this fragile transit is more receptivity. Do you take the time to listen and hear its messages or cut and paste over them with business, force or bypassing? The emotional body will also require extra listening and release during this cycle, so let the physical body be a resource for attending to feelings carefully. Spiritual receptivity will be alive and awakened, but only for those who create the space to hear. Inner work will be potent at this time so call upon extra support and use your resources for transformation, healing and change diligently.

Diving within will allow you to increase creativity and life force energy in the coming months. Ingenuity, entrepreneurialism and innovation will be served from meditation, retreats and alone time. The body can get drained and experience burn out more easily in this cycle however. Less is more—on all levels. Go slow and attend to the wisdom moving through you. Work with shadow issues and inner darkness. Honor your steps.

Mercury continues to transit its exaltation, mulitrikona and own sign, Virgo, while conjunct north shadow node, Rahu. The mental body needs extra vigilance at this time. What is keeping you in the dark? Jupiter, Mars and Venus continue their conjunction in Leo as well. Passion is high! Where does this land in the body? Use it as a resource for activation, but don’t push it.

This is a powerful cycle which supports inner listening and more physical body awareness. Use the sacredness of Navaratri to deepen your introspection and transformation process.

October Jyotish horoscopes.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic (sidereal) rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your Western sign (Tropical) as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: Passion may be high, but relationships are vulnerable. Where are you pushing or forcing? Why? Attending to your shadow work is valuable and will help you determine why your finances are struggling. It has everything to do with allowing more nourishment into your life. What are you resisting and refusing to look at? Children, power, creativity and romance are places for deeper growth and learning. Tear off the veils of illusion and get honest with yourself. There’s liberation in it for you and your heart.

Taurus: What is keeping you from your pleasure and joy? What is the story behind your resistance and avoidance? Intense passion is swelling in your heart, yet discomfort and heart burn are bringing their pressure. A need for digesting and assimilating is in order. Tend to slowness and small steps rather than leaps. Find stillness and softness in your steps, rather than forcing outcomes and objectives. The old stories are keeping you from the nourishment. Use this time to lift the veils.

Gemini: It’s easy to push past your inner knowing in this cycle, so take precautions and extra pauses. For those that cultivate more presence and stillness into their lives, a deeper relationship with body and soul can arrive, as well as intuitive insights. For those used to pushing and forcing themselves, there will be extra challenges with this process. Let the physical body be a resource for insights and awakening. Let the powerful creative courage coming to you inspire and provoke. What are the mental body stories and illusions that keep your heart from giving you its wisdom? Inspire and get inspired. But go slow.

Cancer: Speak passionately and roar your mighty roar! Simultaneously, speak the sweet truth and watch how you use your power. Your courage and creativity are determined by your willingness to look at your shadows and haunts. The illusions that are holding you back from your own greatness. These old mental body stories are effecting your intimacy, relationships and ultimately your path of fulfillment. Use your challenges and obstacles as resources for determining what holds you back and why. Attend to your heart and home this month as there are vulnerabilities with these. Land in your sacred center.

Leo: Notice where you’re all action and no stillness. Attend to the intense masculine energy ruling you, rather than allowing for soft steps and greater silence. There’s a tendency right now to force agendas and objectives, to be overtly goal centered and future oriented. Invite in the nourishment of your feminine self. Give her space and she will help you cultivate more creativity and abundance. Your heart is dry and the creative channels will need gentleness this month or burn out will set in. Prevent this with self care and plenty of time for joyful play. Let your passion speak and give it a safe space to express.

Virgo: Passion and power are intensified with alone time, retreats and giving yourself silence. Communication and nourishment may feel stifled this month however. Your self doubt and uncertainties are sabotaging you and keeping you from your dreams and desires. What stories need to be re-written in order for lasting change? Even with these challenges, there’s an opportunity for deep inner listening and transformation of old agendas. Let changes be sparked and give space for a life over-haul. This will take courage. What is holding you back? What are you resisting?

Libra: This is a month to lay low and be extra cautious. If you are pushing or forcing your way through life, you’re about to find out how this is hurting you. Health is fragile and relationships are charged. There can be creative gains and extra support from friends, but make sure there is alignment with your intuitive knowing before leaping ahead. Rest, relaxation, retreat and meditation are vital right now and will re-charge you for the next cycle. Be careful of digestion and do a gentle cleanse to support extra release. Use this as a metaphor for other parts of your life as well. Right now, let go, let god and goddess.

Scorpio: As Sun dips into your 12th house, it’s time for a sabbatical. Alone time, silence, rest and retreat will serve you well. Meditation will restore balance and help you digest the previous months. Your career is still requiring a strong external focus, so your job is to find deeper balance and harmony with inner and outer needs. This is an ideal time to clarify how you can attend more to your self care, while also maximizing output. Ultimately your work will be served if you are taking care of your health and spirit. Keep looking at what is holding you back from getting the support you need. Why are you resisting pleasure, play and joy?

Sagittarius: Gains and friendships will feel slow and under nourishing in this cycle. Let big expectations and masculine agendas find soft landing in the feminine within. Cultivate more presence with intuition, dharma and life path while increasing your inner power. Meditation, retreats and alone time will help you deepen your relationship with your inner guidance and inner resources. Changes in home and heart continue. What needs to be set free? Career obstacles are a result of inner challenges and old programming. It’s time to lift the veils and start leading with your heart. Attend to inner nourishment.

Capricorn: Career is vulnerable and you may be feeling burn out in this cycle. It’s vital that you slow down and attend to self care and inner needs. At the same time, there’s a new passion stirring in your heart. Call it in, fire it up and tend to the embers within. You are learning how to go slow and honor this need within you, rather than forcing and pushing with your physical might. Find ample pauses and ways to stop, listen and land. Let your imagination soar and think big! Your path and dharmic wisdom depend on it! Consciously notice where you are resisting nourishment and pleasure.

Aquarius: It is an ideal time to be honoring your path of wisdom and spirit. There’s a certain softness available to you in this cycle that can provide awakening. You’ll only catch it with great stillness and multiple pauses. Meditation and alone time are potent resources right now. Career may feel dull, taxing and burdensome. Deepen your desires for dharma and listen for messages to help you align with your truth. In the meantime, navigate the challenges and passions of your relationships. Where are you pushing or forcing, while getting burned out in the process?

Pisces: This cycle is deeply inward and transformational. With debilitated Sun transiting your eighth house, it’s a time of deepening your relationship with intuition, meditation and spiritual pursuits. Forcing and pushing will only cause more suffering. Let your light turn inward and attend to unfinished business and necessary clean-up. Your gut is a great place to start. Relationship uncertainties continue to plague you. Where are these doubts and illusions keeping you in the dark and away from deeper nourishment? What needs to be set free within you in order for greater joy and passion to be invited in? Let self development get your full attention right now.

Discover how your jyotish chart is the ultimate healing and and awakening resource. Join my Jyotish Basics Class Study Group. Get the Details.

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Relephant:

Change & Transform Your Darkness During Navaratri—9 Days of Mother Divine.

Author: Saraswati J.

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: courtesy of the author