The Sun enters Libra III The Gyroscope at 3:52 am EDT on Tuesday 13 October 2026 over my location in western Massachusetts. The Sun will be moving through the last ten degrees of Libra for ten days, one hour, and forty-six minutes, arriving at 0° Scorpio on Friday, 23 October 2026 at 5:38 am EDT.
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Austin Coppock chose the name The Gyroscope for this decan in his seminal book 36 Faces, while T. Susan Chang gave it the name The Widening Gyre in her book 36 Secrets about the pip cards in the Tarot; this is the decan associated with the Four of Swords, depicting four trophy swords hanging over the tomb of a knight or other august military figure. Chang’s name, of course, comes from a line in a poem by the Irish poet laureate and Nobel prizewinner W.B. Yeats, in his poem “The Second Coming” published in 1919. This decan was associated in ancient times with Nemesis, the goddess whose name means The Distributor of What is Due, and who is frequently associated with the idea of karma or consequences. The Dodeks of Libra III are Gemini of Libra, Cancer of Libra, Leo of Libra, and Virgo of Libra. Jupiter is the planetary ruler of this decan, under Venus the ruler of the sign; the decan is divided between the term of Mercury in the early degrees, and the term of Mars in the later ones. I’ve written about this decan previously in 2025 – 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019.
Nemesis was usually depicted with a bow and arrow, aimed at the targets whom Zeus picked. Today she comes across as the Greek mythological equivalent of karma, delivering the mostly negative consequences of our own actions. For the Greek speakers of the Hellenistic era, she was more rightly understood as the deliverer of all consequences and results arising from mortal actions — whether good or bad. In this sense, she’s very much like the original Hindu conception of karma than the West’s corrupted or mistaken meaning. Cause and effect naturally presupposes that both positive and negative effects will arise from our actions. Going by airplane allows me to see my stepdaughter who lives in another state; it generates air pollution and carries hidden costs which may not be immediately observable.
Jupiter under Venus is the planetary ruler of this decan. Big-hearted and full of generosity, Jupiter offers the full range of hospitality and leadership to make sure that we have a good time, especially while functioning as a triplicity ruler of Fire signs in Leo. However, he answers to her with some grating of teeth and eye-rolling, as Venus herself undergoes her retrograde Goth phase in Scorpio: “I understand that you want people to be able to sip their drinks from the skulls of their enemies at this party, dear — but don’t you think that a pile of bodies at the entrance to the party will be a bit of a turn-off and draw police attention?” The great soul of the king of planets wants memorable delight, not a gloomy brooding darkness where death and poison are the themes. He’ll take Venusian direction, but not without some backtalk and questioning. There are morbid consequences for an overly spooky holiday theme in the lead-up to this coming Halloween.
Pamela Colman Smith’s illustration of the nobleman’s tomb illustrates some of this dichotomy. There’s quite solid and final rest in a tomb, and there’s little delight though much dignity in the sarcophagus. The swords may be displayed with dignity and elegance, but who will wield them on behalf of the oppressed and downtrodden? Who will do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their god? Can you afford to give up the fight so early, accepting the fine tomb before you’ve fought your real battles?
Dates to Watch
All month — Neptune sextile Pluto — norms and customs that have been traditional and expected begin to pass away, not in a shattering way but more like the ways that the tide goes out: a gradual diminishing and retreat from the conventional shoreline. It is a natural part of life that all that is, must change. Larger forces of social, economic and political change are afoot, and beliefs long held may be worn away or proved incorrect, as you find new directions and new purposes that draw you away from old opinions.
14 October — Sun sextile Jupiter (21° Leo – 21° Libra) — Louis Pasteur said “in the fields of observation chance favors the prepared mind,” and today your mental preparations and habits of thought are likely to make a lucky breakthrough; whatever you’re working on is likely to yield fruit and deliver positive results, especially if you’re with friends or colleagues and laboring together with love on a project you believe in. Both casual conversations and focused work are likely to yield favorable results, so don’t just put your nose to the grindstone.
15 October — Mars trine Saturn (10° Leo – 10° Aries) — Yesterday’s insights or discoveries must naturally lead to follow-up efforts, and today is the day to put those astute observations into practice in a dedicated way. Work carefully and precisely, but also plan to reward your team in some way for hard work well done: do the collegial thing and celebrate the effort even if it’s not completed.
18 October — Venus square Pluto (3° Scorpio – 3° Aquarius) — intense personal feelings may require armoring up even as you labor to repair minor issues that seem to be driving big adjustments in your relationships. Stability will likely not be achievable; change is normal. However, it’s important to avoid attempting to constrain lovers or dominate family members or friends; the act of trying to control someone else is likely to damage goodwill and relationships more than the crumbling of old norms. Remember that Pluto in particular represents both over-reaction and under-reaction: don’t treat either a lack of emotional response or overly dramatic feedback as evidence of extraordinary shifts. Remember that rebellion against norms is sometimes a costume, and sometimes a true eaction against stifling limits.
House Delineations
The First House of self and self-presentation is Virgo, ruled by trining Mercury in Scorpio. The Earth triplicity rulers are sextile (Venus exiled, Moon), or inconjunct (Mars). A bit of self-reflection is called for. How are you communicating with your friends these days? What secrets are you keeping from each other? How are you avoiding your future?
The Second House of money and possessions is Libra, ruled by inconjunct and exiled Venus. The Air triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Mercury), opposed and exiled (Saturn) or sextile (Jupiter). The Sun is present. You probably know that you’re getting poorer in the current economy. Are you actively seeking creative ways to stretch your dollar farther? Are you sharing those methods with friends and family? Are you staying inside safe and familiar financial boundaries? Is it time to think about how to get poor more slowly, rather than quickly rich?
The Third House of extended family and intimate friends is Scorpio, ruled by squaring Mars. The Water triplicity rulers are present but exiled (Venus, Moon), or square (Mars). Mercury is also present. Long term plans may be getting in the way of the short-term delights that keep friendships intimate and close. Can you host a spooky season catch-up? Can you trade trinkets as community building?
The Fourth House of home, household, and parents is Sagittarius, ruled by trining Jupiter. The Fire triplicity rulers are sextile but exiled (Sun) or trine but exiled (Saturn). House and home require some long-term investments but it’s hard to make plans in the face of current schedules and more immediate obligations. Can you make at least one change happen quickly?
The Fifth House of pleasures and pastimes is Capricorn, ruled by squaring and exiled Saturn. The Earth triplicity rulers are sextile but exiled (Moon, Venus) or inconjunct (Mars). The Lunar Apogee is present. You’re likely to have to break off at least one pleasurable engagement this week in favor of more immediate and pressing duties; be wary of non-refundable pre-payments and unforeseen double-bookings.
The Sixth House of daily routines, pets, and injuries is Aquarius, ruled by sextile and exiled Saturn. The other Air triplicity rulers are opposed (Jupiter) or square (Mercury). Pluto is present, and the North Node. You can carry more in your daily schedule than you have been, so be aware that you can do more. But recognize that for now you should focus on completions and delegating work to others, rather than critiquing what comes your way: get your piece of the work done and moving before you let it fester in your in-box.
The Seventh House of spouse, peer partners, and rivals is Pisces, ruled by inconjunct Jupiter. The Water triplicity rulers are trine but exiled (Venus, Moon) or inconjunct (Mars). Time with significant others is likely to wind up and unwind in a lazy or meandering fashion. Your intentions with a partner may take longer to manifest than usual; gathering the group together to celebrate them will take a lot of grunt work. Be more creative in your text messages, but prefer the verbalized image to the literal d*ck pic.
The Eighth House of obligation, duty and legacy is Aries, ruled by trining Mars. The Fire triplicity rulers are present but exiled (Saturn), opposed and exiled (Sun) or trine (Jupiter). Neptune is present. Burdens may feel heavy this week, and it’s difficult to sustain a vision of how they might ease or be improved. Divide your to-do list into key parts to conquer it: keep track of the immediate financial picture first and foremost, then worry about the long-term plan.
The Ninth House of higher learning and long-distance travel is Taurus, ruled by opposing and exiled Venus. The other Earth triplicity rulers are also opposed and exiled (Moon), or square (Mars). Local affairs are likely to call out for resolution, putting pressure on time when you planned to be unreachable or not immediately responsive. Don’t keep secrets for people who would spill your beans to save their own skin.
The Tenth House of career and professional reputation is Gemini, ruled by inconjunct Mercury. The other Air triplicity rulers are sextile (Jupiter, Saturn retrograde and exiled). Uranus is present. Most of your think pieces and professional thought-mongering this week is stringing words together but not really seeing the point. It’s important to type the words, handle the work, do the thing — you’re getting paid for it, and it also might lead somewhere eventually. But this week’s labor is mostly just practice: hold it lightly.
The Eleventh House of friends, associates, and allies is Cancer, ruled by the trining but exiled Moon. The other Water triplicity rulers are trine but exiled (Venus) or inconjunct (Mars). Share confidences and intimacy with people who are already in your inner circle; now’s not a great time to widen your radius of trust. You can communicate contact information and distribute trinkets, but hold on to the good stuff for a later date.
The Twelfth House of both obstacles and opportunities is Leo, ruled by the sextile but exiled Sun. The other Fire triplicity rulers are present (Jupiter) or trining but exiled (Saturn). Mars, the Lot of Fortune and the South Node are all present. Feel the burning ambition to make long-term plans, and take some stabs at laying out what you’d like to do — win some accolades on the path that leads toward your chosen direction, or take the lack of praise as a sign to adjust trajectory a little. If at first you fail to assemble a team to work toward your goals, be a little more generous about what’s going to be in it for your teammates.
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.
Virgo: It may be time to discuss hard truths with your inner circle or extended family and turn over some parts of your identity that have thus far escaped their notice. Otherwise you may have to make up some stories on short notice. You’re up to the challenge, either way, but you have to be prepared to live with the consequences of that kind of technical decision: to own up to your real self, or bury it deeper. Either way, you’ll lose some short-term battles, but the long-term gains will be important, especially if you need these folks on your side much later on. Take care of the work that passes through your hands, and make back-up copies. Your spouse or significant other may not see eye-to-eye on long-term goals, but there’s an understanding and agreement that you make for a great team even so.
Libra: Keep the financial systems you’ve built to sustain you, up and running. Even if you don’t make any gains this week, do your best to balance income with expenses. A friend in need who is both worthy of your generosity and also has a low threshold for success is a better recipient of your generosity than the forever-crusading warrior who can’t seem to catch a break. Stay on the straight and narrow in the workplace, but to find happiness, play fast and loose with the rules at home. Limit your overall duties and drudgery this week, but be prepared to put some deadlines dates for upcoming projects later in the month.
Scorpio: The secrets you keep for friends will bubble out of you this week if you’re not careful: some gossip is too juicy not to share, and you may have a sense that truth winning out will be more alchemically transformative than just holding back. But take care: there’s a prideful power in knowing more than the other guy; proving you’re a more valuable friend by spilling the tea can land you in a lot of hot water. An old flame may land you in hot water during the next month, while you may find yourself more attached to lost items than you’d like. Professional issues arise — if you choose to fix them, they’ll be smoothed over — but the emotional leakage may result in wanting to have a different boss with a different kind of responsibility (and maybe a different employer). Housemates and family don’t take criticism well, especially if you’re regularly failing to complete your own routine tasks at home.
Sagittarius: “Good work at speed” brings personal contentment, but only if it’s a chance to finish up some long-range projects that have been hanging over you for too long. Travel plans bring both hardship and grace; strive to learn new skills, to win accolades, and to put up with difficulties in order to gain a reliable new team. A significant other prefers staying at home to lending a helping hand. Spooky season planning is likely to be unreliable or include unrealistic goals or deadlines: start early, work hard, learn a lot from your endeavors. Be wary of putting too much effort into having a good time — past patterns do not guarantee future rewards. Your professional reputation requires putting more effort into your personal branding. Romantic relationships may be somewhat unsteady but not turbulent or stormy; dialogues about the week ahead yield more fruit than long-term planning … but you may still feel the emotionally fulfilled by long-term plans.
Capricorn: It’s tempting to think you can throw off the chains of oppression, but it’s worth considering how you enforce certain kinds of hierarchies at home — while imagining the household dynamics are more liberating than they really are. Attend to how you choose to perform your duties in the world: sunnily at work for pay, or with a more militant performance when your actions will be noticed by higher-ups, with greater lenience when it might bring approval from your subordinates; or with attention to craft and aesthetics for your friends and allies. None of these is really the right way, but some alchemical admixture of all of them would be better. Shake up your daily routines, and become more observably hands-on: ambitious even when you’re not being watched, cheerful about keeping your projects moving, creative with underlings, mission-focused even with friends. More resources come your way (at least temporarily) as you become more purpose-driven this week.
Aquarius: Boundaries, standards, and expectations are not the same thing — and learning to establish those with your professional colleagues, your romantic and business partners, your closest friends, and even your family members can be really important in this coming week. One kind of boundary is the dam that you use to keep a cool head around your significant other or extended family; if this bursts this week, you’re going to have to offer apology and redress; atonement isn’t out of the question. If you need a refresher, remember that boundaries and standards are what you do, like not answering work-related calls after 6:00 pm, or delivering your best work on time. Expectations are what you hope other people will deliver. You can’t control other people’s behavior this week, only your own response to it.
Pisces: Partnership, and its daily consequences and effects, might be very much on your mind this week — but you might only see the financial limitations and obligations, and the chore-list, rather than the very real possibilities of learning and self-discovery and fulfillment of desire. The temptation may be to throw hands, or smash china in the kitchen, or otherwise disrupt the private order of your life — or to rush off to your workplace and find some form of contentment in finishing some project there — or in imagining a better life on the other side of some self-fulfilling prophecy of exile. Let me urge you to treat this week as a relative anomaly: financial situations will be difficult, and your daily routines will likely bite into your life for some time yet. But don’t bypass the obstacles: keeping your life up and running IS the work of the moment, most necessary to happiness.
Aries: It may seem like a good plan to get free of past debts and obligations as quickly as possible, but circumstances are likely to bring both delay in achieving this, and vagueness about what you owe, and to whom. The more diligently you pursue the expertise needed to focus, the less likely you are to win recognition; however, the more you share the stage with colleagues and subordinates, the more likely you are to win their support and loyalty (and the more likely you are to take the blame). Ask a significant other to help you excavate and examine the “old you” with some clarity and excellence. If you’re a rare bird at family gatherings, it’s time to examine why that is, and if it’s worth changing.
Taurus: You may need to educate yourself about relationships — the creativity that goes into making them work in the long-term, the communication skills that allow them to become deeper, and the emotional labor that helps them survive and thrive. Intimacy isn’t just about physical touch, but about a daily playfulness that brings them up out of the mundane and the practical. You’ve spent a long time forging your current “pleasure identity” — and even though there are currently disruptions and instabilities in your life (and a role as a healer or physician to your current workplace’s toxic culture which takes a lot of time), there’s a sense in which your home and familial life also needs this kind of lavish attention.
Gemini: If you’re normally a delegator in your workplace, it’s time to take a more hands-on approach to the current project — you want the credit here, and the new skill-set. If you’re more of a hands-on person, it’s time to put the kid to work on this and see if they can handle the load. One way or another, it’s going to require some hand-holding with someone (more or less) experienced: maybe you’re the mentor here, maybe the protege. Either way, you are going to have to admit some folks to your inner circle to achieve some long-term success. Expect some fireworks along the way: the course of true love, said Shakespeare, never did run smooth: neither did the formation of a new partnership or alliance. Still, it’s the daily practice, either of supervision or of something more manually energizing, that brings about success both at home and in your office.
Cancer: The customs and norms of friendship should be on your mind — not the collegial connections of business associates, but the pleasure of having genuine friends: philosophical conversations with unreserved expressions of ideas about sex and death; the alchemy of sharing information that leads to astonishment and wonder at the world; the emotional delights that come from exchanges of gifts and trinkets; the pleasure of a shared potluck supper. Finances and resources may be stretched thin; you may look around your home with a more critical eye than usual; but no matter — put friends around the dinner table, go deep in conversation and connection, and don’t worry about the vacuuming until tomorrow.
Leo: As Meryl Streep’s character arrives on scene for the first time in The Devil Wears Prada, Stanley Tucci warns the office, “Gird your loins!” You may find that you need to issue similar warnings, to both allies and rivals. Once they’ve backed out of your personal space, or made room for you, or made themselves busy a while — it’s up to you to decide who to let back in, or to team up with, or to re-direct to more favorable outcomes. But it’s important to understand that you will need other people around, more this week than usual. Be prepared to open your home to visitors, to make spur of the moment plans, or to drive long distances out of your way in search of connection. It won’t always go smoothly or well, but you still have to lead others toward desired outcomes.
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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.
