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The Sun enters Libra III, The Gyroscope (as named by Austin Coppock) on 12 October 2025 at 10:08 pm EDT. T. Susan Chang called this decan The Widening Gyre while writing about the Four of Swords. Associated with Nemesis, the goddess of consequences and cause and effect, it’s administrated by Jupiter as the ruling planet, who is square and exalted. The Sun will transit this sector of the sky in ten days, one hour, and forty-three minutes, entering Scorpio I on 22 October 2025 at 11:51 pm EDT (Daylight Saving Time ends at 1am local standard time on 2 November 2025, with clocks falling back one hour).
I’ve written about Libra III before, in 2024 –2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019.
Jupiter is the administrating planet of the third decan of Libra. In this role, he’s currently square to the Sun who is in fall. This puts a significant tension between Jupiter in a highly exalted state where he cares about our emotional life and our intuitions; and our rational minds trying to navigate the marketplace of ideas, and also the very real marketplace of physical goods and services, which brings us a great deal of personal difficulty and circumstance. We may very much desire to engage in mutual aid and be generous to others, while also being deeply concerned about the rising cost of food and our own ability to keep our lives stable and on course. The name of this Dean, the gyroscope, illustrates the nature of this work. A gyroscope spins in three directions at once, or maybe it’s better to say in three dimensions at once this motion is capable of throwing it randomly in many different paths simultaneously, but it is also capable of holding itself in a stable relationship to only one surface at a time. Sailors in the age of tall ships, and even today, our fond of saying “one hand for the ship and one for yourself.” We may be emotionally compromised or distressed about our inability to offer more help than we would like to, but the rational parts of our mind are still aware that we can only offer so much help before we risk destabilizing our own situation.
The ancient Greeks, in assigning this part of the sky and this part of the year to Nemesis, seem to have sensed some of these same flows of concern. Today we think of a nemesis as being an enemy or rival — or maybe we have an idea that she’s some sort of spiritual force or deity whose job it is to punish the wicked. But in the ancient conception of her, it is better to think of her as the judgment of heaven. I don’t mean that in the sense of “if you are a bad person, you will go to eternal torment; if you are a good person, you will go to a place of eternal reward.” Instead it’s better to think of nemesis as the natural outgrowth of the choices that you make. If you choose to help your neighbors by giving them extra food or inviting them to parties, it’s going to lead to a certain reputation. Most of your neighbors will be very happy with your decision, but there will be at least some people that will want to take advantage of you. Also, you might have less food to feed yourself — especially with Winter around the corner. If you are neutral towards your neighbors, neither inviting them to events, nor feeding them, you cultivated a different kind of reputation: nice enough, but not really friendly. If you are actively hostile towards your neighbors, calling the police on them or afflicting them with nuisance lawsuits, or getting persnickety about the fence line, that carries a different kind of judgment from heaven: wow, what an absolute b**** that person turned out to be? Word gets around — and even if you get rid of the current neighbors, you might discover that the next set of neighbors are not so friendly.
The tarot card associated with this Dean is the four of swords. Pamela Coleman Smith drew it as the tomb of a knight in a church, with four swords hanging over the effigy as marks or indicators of honor. It might suggest that the person died in battle, or that the person was particularly revered in the community. We can remember Jesus’s warning in the garden of Yosemite Gethsemane (auto-correct has some funny ideas), “those who live by the sword shall die by the sword,” and imagine that this warrior came to the expected end of soldiers – they faced the judgment of heaven. But we can also imagine the signeur as an honorable member of their community, doing their best to be an honorable man in service to his parish: defending their interests, representing them in Parliament, hosting dances and events at his country estate for the eligible young people to meet one another like some Jane Austen novel. Perhaps he faced the judgment of heaven in a different way, by being a stand-up gentleman. Either way, he met his nemesis — whether on battlefield or ballroom floor, he faced the consequences of the life he chose to lead.
Not everyone is so lucky.
The dodeks of Libra III are Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. They can be characterized as the process by which indecisive imagination gradually turns into action. Gemini presents a number of different options about what to do, first off; Cancer starts the ball rolling on coming up with a single, unified plan. Leo follows through on that plan, and then Virgo analyzes the results of those actions and figures out how to refine then for the next time.Indecisive thinking
Dates to Watch
During this week, the Pluto-Neptune-Uranus isosceles triangle relationship of two sextiles and a trine remains largely stable.
Venus spends 13-14 October in opposition to Neptune — a strong indicator that at least one partner in any relationship is under the delusion that they’re more giving and more selfless, and contribute more to the relationship’s overall success than the other. It’s likely to lead to argument and discontent, but it must be remember that it’s an ego trip and a hallucinatory experience — but it should be addressed in the context of the Pluto-Npetune-Uranus aspects, which is likely to bring on sudden argument, wrangling about money, and miscommunication about both past events and future direction. Make a habit this week of repeating what you heard before you start in on what you think needs to be said, especially when conversing with long-term partners.
On 16-17 October, the exiled Sun squares exalted Jupiter — a time when, for perfectly understandable and emotionally mature reasons, you’re likely to take on more work than you can genuinely handle, or take on labor that’s well outside your job description, and which is likely to make you a little crazy when it spirals out of your control. It may still be worth doing, but give yourself space and time to think over the request before you put your hand up to volunteer for a new assignment.
On October 18-21, Mercury conjuncts Mars in Scorpio. It’s an easy time to explore fantasies and the darker side of the imagination through conversation and communication — but logic and rationality and safety may not be as fully present in these conversations as you might wish. The “spooky season” of Halloween often invites discussions of gothic-themed romantic nights in and sexy costume parties — but some of the discussions and negotiations should take place with the lights ON, and with protocols for trust and safety in place. It’s also worth noting that under this meeting, it’s easy to get hot under the collar when your ethics or integrity are questioned, as well as your intellectual rigor. It’s perfectly fine to be impassioned, but remember to cite your sources too.
House Delineations
The First House of self and self-presentation is Cancer ruled by the present Moon in the Eighth Mansion of the Moon , and hosting exalted Jupiter. Be friendly and generous to others, and they will be friendly and generous to you. New connections and deep alliances are possible, and you are likely to succeed at whatever you put your hand to do. Yet hold announcements about your plans in reserve and tell people when you are done, rather than when you begin.
The Second House of money and possessions is Leo ruled by the sextile but fallen Sun in Libra. The other triplicity rulers of fire signs are inconjunct. Attention to household expenses is required and needful, but the goal is to keep things on an even keel and steady, rather than to make dramatic changes. Some performative expenses should be expected.
The Third House of extended family and intimate friends is Virgo ruled by the sextile Mercury in Scorpio. Triplicity ruler Venus is present, while both Mars and Moon are sextile and in their own domiciles/domains. Creative personal solutions are required to balance entertainments and joys (particularly of the romantic or sexual kind) against familial obligations — and family matters are more likely to be found needing more than they get. Still, let plans with family members unfold organically.
The Fourth House of home, household, and parents is Libra, ruled by inconjunct and fallen Venus in Virgo. The Triplicity ruler Saturn is in opposition, while Mercury is inconjunct and Jupiter is square. The Lunar Apogee is present. Broken norms, and a rational approach to difficult circumstances, will be necessary in the coming 10 days. Limiting travel plans, and holding back from winter routines may be needed.
The Fifth House of pleasures and pastimes is Scorpio ruled by present Mars. Mercury is also present. Triplicity rulers are either sextile (Venus) or trine (Moon). As “spooky season” of Halloween approaches, sex and sensuality tend towards unusual forms of play, like costumes and S&M — what a friend of mine calls “stand and model.” Mercury’s presence in Scorpio means that this year the season might be rather queerer than usual — in sexy talk, if not actual physicality. Mars in the middle decan of Scorpio, The Alchemical Apparatus, invites caution when working with power tools, slow and pressure cookers, essential oils, or caustic chemicals in hobbies; remember to stretch and warm up before diving into to water sports.
The Sixth House of daily routines, pets, and injuries is Sagittarius, ruled by inconjunct Jupiter. The other fire-sign Triplicity rulers are square (Saturn) or sextile (Sun). Be generous to your staff, your servants, and your pets. It’s a season for shedding old fur, and engaging both your technological savvy and your humanitarian impulses. How can you do something on a day-to-day basis that helps those less fortunate than you. When was the last time you went through your closet for clothing donations for example? When was the last time you gave to a food pantry? If these things are within your compass, it might be worthwhile to shoot your shot.
The Seventh House of spouse, peer partners, and rivals is Capricorn ruled by sextile Saturn. The other triplicity rulers of earth signs are trine (Venus), inconjunct (Moon) or sextile (Mars). Your spouse or significant other is more likely to have sex in mind than romance; and if they prefer the darker or kinkier fantasies, now is your season. However, travel, plans, and homework for school may take priority. Additionally, the “warm-up conversations” about consent and boundaries may require a lot more learning and informed and enthusiastic engagement, and may be more the source of tears than the spanking you intended to get or give in the first place.
The Eighth House of obligation, duty and legacy is aquarius, ruled by inconjunct Saturn in Pisces. Pluto retrograde is present. Among the other Triplicity rulers of air signs, Mercury is square and Jupiter is inconjunct. It will be easy to be critical of other people’s attitude towards their chores and responsibilities. Duty, and obligation, can be a source of “playtime” in sexy scenarios, but in the next 10 days real world responsibilities are more likely to intrude on the bedroom. My wife likes to remind me that no man was ever shot for washing the dishes or vacuuming the rug. Sometimes the best path to power in the bedroom, is accepting the humility of household cleanliness.
The Ninth House of higher learning and long-distance travel is pisces, ruled by trining and exalted Jupiter in Cancer. The Midheaven, the North Node, and Saturn retrograde are present. Among water-sign triplicity rulers, Venus opposes, and Mars and Moon are trine. It is a favorable time to dive deep into questions of belief, spirituality, and religion. Your research on circuitous and complex issues is likely to be noticed and honored; but diving into the topics that most interest you is likely to make you feel just as trapped as rewarded. Take care not to drink too deeply of your spiritual enthusiasms; allow yourself some rational and sensible restrictions.
The Tenth House of career and professional reputation is aries, ruled by inconjunct Mars in Scorpio. Neptune retrograde is present, as is the lunar perigee. Among the fire-sign triplicity rulers, Sun opposes and Jupiter is square while Saturn is inconjunct. It is easy to say what your profession is, especially when you look back at your whole career path, all the way back to the beginning. Yet defining your future roles, or imagining where you are likely to end up at the end of your career, whether it is three or 30 years from now, may be quite difficult. Try dividing your resume up another way: where have you built your own brand identity and how? What skill set pours out of you like water? What talents and abilities have kept your family secure and on a stable footing despite all of the massive changes of your adult life?
The Eleventh House of friends, associates, and allies is taurus, ruled by trining Venus in Virgo. Among the earth-sign triplicity rulers, Moon is sextile while Mars opposes. Creating environments of deep and luxurious personal comfort for friends, sharing good food, offering musical experiences and relaxing conversation, brings greater benefit than discussing the political or economic issues of the day; focus on the places of agreement and alliance rather than disunity. Board games are definitely an option; lots of people really enjoy that one with the piles of meat, cheese, or dried fruit.
The Twelfth House of both obstacles and opportunities is Gemini, ruled by inconjunct Mercury. Uranus retrograde is present. Among air-sign triplicity rulers, Saturn is square and Jupiter is inconjunct. Past upheavals, and sudden expenses, put limits on your ability to plan for the long haul. Old travel, or lingering expenses from school, may eat into your ability to organize for achieving long-term objectives. You may find it valuable to double plan against both favored outcomes, and unfavorable or actively hostile risk profiles. Don’t invest yourself too much in any one possible outcome right now.
Horoscopes by Rising Sign
Decan I of any sign (usually covering the 21st of the month to the first of the following month) is free to all visitors; Decan II is only available to Patreon and Ko-Fi.com subscribers; and Decan III is available to Patreon, Ko-Fi, and MailChimp subscribers.
I recommend reading your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign for best results. I write them with rising sign in mind, but several people have told me they find that they do better with all three.
Cancer: when in doubt lean into your personal identity. You are not your job, though you’re very good at it. You are more than the role that you occupy in your household. And you are more than the sum of your learning experiences, and even your closest friends and family members don’t define you. There may be events this week that upset you, but it’s worth remembering that they are not defining features of you as yourself. You are really ready to get what you want and need from the world, by giving it your all.
Leo: your opportunities to grow your wealth and resources come from the support of your inner circle. How you define that inner circle probably needs to be broken up a bit. Allow yourself the luxury of crying “poor!”, and letting other people take care of your needs. The memory of past craziness should be enough to help others open their hands and hearts to you. Make a point of thanking people personally, with cards or letters you and the significant other may have a hard time making space for one another right now, but remember that you are likely to have a long time together to make up for a short time apart.
Virgo: allow yourself to lean into what other people need from you, rather than standing on ceremony or expecting a deeper level of respect. Yet at the same time, remind people that exposure is not a thing that can be used to pay the bills. There are some possibilities for career plans to go through some upset in the next few weeks, but this is a great time for you to reach out to your wider, circles of friends and acquaintances and offer your services. Your skills are unmatched and rarely available, but remember that your goal is always to fix someone else’s problem rather than offer your own preferred “one-size-fits-all” solution.
Libra: a review of your family, constitution, or the rules that you have and hold with your housemate, may be needed. Somebody may not be pulling their own weight; or your written guidelines may be out of alignment with what you actually do. Acknowledging the shift is in everybody’s best interest, and keeping it both rational and professional will help create a higher degree of comfort. Reviewing your economic situation, particularly how food and drink are tied to your grocery bill, would also be helpful.
Scorpio: your sex drive may be in high gear at the moment, but it is vital that you learn to talk through your desires this time around. Be generous in learning the emotional framework that accompanies and surround the bedroom playtime; your emotional savvy will help create the necessary space for devilish delight. If you don’t learn the necessary conversational skills, you can expect that the stop signs will go up in a real hurry, and that may lead to a very awkward living situation. Mend fences with an old friend.
Sagittarius: your daily laborers may sometimes be invisible, but there is much effort that has to be put into what you do for the house, what you do for your friends, and what you do for spiritual fulfillment. But a lot of these things are “the same old stuff” that you are used to doing. Meanwhile, there are unusual and long-term changes a foot in your primary partnerships, and your long range plans for entertainment and ease are being damaged every day. It’s a good idea to put some focus on who your friends are and where the balance of your life energy should be put. Your creative skills are admired, but make sure that you get credit for the display of your work.
Capricorn: partnership, and its emotional connections, are an important theme for you in the next 10 days. You will need to make time for a significant other, and kind of establish part of your brand identity as “in relationship” in some way; but you also have work to do in the “hidden garden” of your alliances and friendships that you think of as keystone connections; and in improving your relationship to the Divine (whatever that means for you). A review of your finances may uncover a big chunk of money you were promised but never paid; working to rule may help you recover what you’re owed.
Aquarius: It will be easy to be critical of how you’re doing your own job right now, especially the hard parts. But there’s no need to join the circular firing squad, so to speak. Keep the personal critiques private rather than circulating them or creating material that puts a target on your own back. Your own finances are likely to improve only after the new year, and for now it may feel like there are ongoing delays and some deliberate obstacles that prevent you from getting paid properly. Keep doing your work and demonstrating excellent customer service while protecting your employees and subordinates, but learn how to weather the economic storm through personal education; take the time to read and study the skills that you seem to lack for better results over the next 3-5 years.
Pisces: Travel plans may be hampered or delayed by circumstances difficult to control; others’ objective statements of fact may prove merely aspirational claims. “Trust but verify,” said Reagan as he allegedly quoted Gorbachev; if your own mother says she loves you, get a second opinion. At the same time, it’s worthwhile to claim more for yourself: more time, more pleasure, more fun, more emotional satisfaction, more grace, more beauty. It’s not to say you have to be critical of a partner or spouse, but you DO have to let yourself take up space, and expect that they’ll cede ground that should be yours. At the same time, be aware of and take up the household chores which you can spin to your own (magical) advantage, even if they’re not formally yours.
Aries: your professional status takes center stage, but questions about your certifications and professional experience in the field may arise if you’re not prepared — ask often about new roles, new responsibilities, new assignments, so that you’re in the loop when the moment appears. However, be cautious and judicious about saying yes to every assignment. It could be easy right now to get bogged down into hammering out the details of projects that you didn’t want, while trying to angle for the ones that you don’t want. Be creative about breathing new life into old assignment, and lean into organic possibilities related to your existing commitments that you can grow into.
Taurus: nobody likes to be nitpicky about their friends, who usually have their own family and inner circle, watching out for their needs. Whenever you feel tempted to mock someone for the wrong clothes or the wrong makeup or the wrong political opinion, this coming week, hold your tongue, and put that thought aside for now. Don’t make a big deal about it, but take your most important colleagues aside, and coach them about how they’re coming across. Invite them in to the real work that needs doing, and help them understand how personal mismanagement comes across. At the same time, remember that unsolicited advice is criticism. Ask if you can help them before you do help them, or you may find that the argument causes more damage than the advice itself can heal.
Gemini: there are things that only you know how to do with your own two hands, but this week you may find yourself having to explain to others how to do things that they don’t know. The experience is likely to be frustrating for both of you, as you discover that language has limits. It will be easy to be a big spender this week, but remember that the emotional attachments to stuff often linger for a longer period of time than the value of the material itself. Identifying those resources that are no longer serving you except as security blankets may be advisable. You will be very much on call for your professional responsibilities this week, but as the “senior statesman” on duty, you may find that your subordinates and juniors are ill prepared for the work load that they claimed. Instead of taking the work back from them and “doing it the right way yourself” help them reflect on their errors and coach them in fixing their own mistakes.
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If you want to read some of my astrologically-oriented poetry, the largest collection is called A Full Volume of Splendor and Starlight, available through my Etsy shop, and containing poems and hymns to the planets, constellations, decan deities, and Moon Mansion angels. While not astrological, Festae contains hymns to some of the older Roman gods and spirits from the calendar created by Numa Pompilius, the second ancient King of Rome.
I use iPhemeris for my charting software, and screenshot it to make charts. I want to thank the team that develops iPhemeris for the addition of Terms and Decans to their charts. I also use Hugh Tran‘s Physis typeface to craft logos for this blog, as well.
I use Christopher Warnock‘s The Mansions of the Moon as the basis of my Moon placement delineations, and Austin Coppock‘s 36 Faces for much of my planetary delineations. Neither gentleman endorses me.
