Significant dates from folklore, lunar and meteorological activities this month in dark turquoise
Selected Events (Harmony Healing and other events as notified) in Violet, Forest Bathing Events in green.
Timings given are UK time (GMT+1), click here to convert to your time zone
October in Britain features the full splendour of autumn colours with an array of brown, red and golden yellow mixed with the remaining green as trees shed their leaves. Nature is truly remarkable; this process eliminates environmental toxins which have collected, and trees do it to protect themselves. In winter sunshine, water would continue to evaporate from the leaves, and should the ground water freeze, the tree's water supply would no longer be guaranteed. Hence the plant produces phytohormones and directs them to its leaf stalks. These hormones cause a corky layer to form, then the leaves fall off. This cork prevents pathogens such as fungi or bacteria from penetrating. Furthermore, should it snow, the tree will not have to bear the additional weight of snow on the leaf surfaces.
This month is the ideal time to harvest chestnuts, conkers and apples and on the allotments we have many seasonal vegetables including broccoli, leeks, turnips, potatoes, kale plus of course squashes including pumpkin. It's easy to see why apple bobbing and pumpkin carving became associated with Halloween, celebrated on the 31st. We also have two separate sets of Meteor Showers, the Draconids (peaks 8th/9th) and the Orionids (peaks 20th/21st).
The month of October was named after 'octo' meaning 8th in Latin, as October was the 8th month when the year started in March. To the Anglo-Saxons, October was called Winterfylleth, or the “winter full moon,” because winter was said to begin on the first Full Moon in October.
During October, we have a plethora of international festivals such as World Vegetarian Day (1st), World Mental Health Day (10th), World Food Day (16th), International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17th) as well as Thanksgiving in Canada (10th). We can also look forward to the Christian Festival of St Francis of Assisi Day (4th), two annual Egyptian Festivals Going Forth of Isis (6th) & Isia (28th) and Roman October Horse (15th) annual commemorations, plus of course the Pagan Festival of Samhain (better known as Halloween) on 31st. We have our Forest Bathing event in Shere on Saturday 14th October. Aligning with the moon cycle is very therapeutic, our October Full Moon Meditation takes place 7.30-9.30pm (UK time) on Saturday 28th, with the 'Hunter' Moon peaking at 21:29.
It seems there isn't much appetite for online modules at the moment. The Essene angels course and the khemitology courses have been postponed. plesae get in touch if you would like to study any of the Reyad Sekh Em modules.
Saturday 1st October is World Vegetarian Day.
Established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978, it is a day of celebration "to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism." It brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle and hence is a time set aside to raise awareness of the positive effects of a vegetarian lifestyle on “humans, other animals and our shared earth.” See more details on the Awareness.com website.
World Vegetarian Day marks the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month throughout October, which ends with World Vegan Day on 1st November, marking the end of that month of celebration. Apparently, Vegetarian Awareness Month.
Wednesday 4th October is the Feast of Francis of Assisi in the Christian Calendar, so it is appropriate that it is also World Animal Day since St Francis is the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment. It is a popular date for animals to be blessed.
St Francis, who founded the Catholic Church’s Franciscan order, lived in Italy between approximately 1181 and 1226. He is remembered for his love for animals and nature and his generosity to the poor, as well as well as his willingness to minister to the lepers.
St Francis was cannonised (pronounced a Saint), shortly after his death (in 1228) by Pope Gregory IX. The Pope also laid the foundation stone for the UNESCO World Heritage site, Basilica of St Francis d'Assisi, Italy.
Saturday 7th October, though some sources say 10th October, is Going Forth of Isis (Aset) in Egyptian Tradition. Apparently, her heart is pleased on this day because 'the heritage is granted to her son Horus (Heru)'.
On this special day, a specially selected team of Priests and/or Priestesses would commence a procession to take their most treasured image or statue of Aset (Isis) to another temple, with many planned stops en route. At each stop a sacred rite would be performed by the Priests/Priestesses and often divinations would be offered. When the final temple destination was reached, the image or statue would be placed in an honoured location and a joyful fesival celebration would ensue.
Informative posters of Isis, as per the sample shown here, are by Jacqui Taliesin El Masry from Alkhemi.co.uk. Laminated versions of this and other Egyptian Posters by Jacqui, are available to purchase from the Harmony Shop.
Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October, is the Draconids Meteor Shower. The radiant point for the Draconid meteor shower almost coincides with the head of the constellation Draco the Dragon in the northern sky. That’s why the Draconids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, and, surprisingly in the early evening soon after dusk.
Draco has been known to spew forth many hundreds of meteors in a single hour.
In 2023, the Full Moon (on the 29th September) may slightly hamper viewing. See Earthsky Website or timeandate.com for more.
Monday 9th October is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, sometimes called Canadian Thanksgiving to distinguish it from the American holiday which is the 4th Thursday in November (this year it's Thursday 23rd November).
Canadian Thanksgiving occurs on the second Monday in October, is an annual Canadian holiday, celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
Tuesday 10th October is World Mental Health Day.
World Mental Health Day has been observed since 10th October 1992. Initially held by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), it's now officially commemorated annually and this year's theme is 'Mental health is a universal human right’.
Saturday 14th October, 11am-2pm, Forest Bathing in the grounds of Harry Edward's Healing Sanctuary, £37.99. This weekday session is designed to fit around school run drop-offs/pick-ups.
Immerse yourself in the healing elements of nature and connect deeply with all your senses. Spend 3 hours in the woods mindfully connecting to your surroundings and living fully in the present moment, guided by me in simple sensory exercises and a treelaxation. A deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience, and which, despite the title forest bathing, does not involve any swimming!
Some of the scientifically proven benefits of spending time in woodland include reduced stress levels, stronger immune system response, and a stabilised cortisol cycle.
This is a 3-hour Forest Bathing session which will take place in all weathers except very high winds or electrical storms. Book at Harmony Shop. Please email us on to go on our monthly forest bathing update email list.
Saturday 14th October @ 18:55 is New Moon & annular solar eclipse which will cross North, Central, and South America. It will be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America. More information at timeanddate.com
A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, hence totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun for a viewer on Earth.
The New Moon Abundance Ritual should be carried out within 24 hours after the New Moon. It needs to be after the New Moon because the moon should be waxing (getting bigger again) to carry the manifestation energy.
There are video instructions on my You Tube Page.
Sunday 15th October is the Roman celebration of October Horse being the Ides of October.
The October Ides featured a two-horse chariot race on the Campus Martius.
Monday 16th October is World Food Day; a global event to increase awareness, understanding and year-around action to alleviate hunger.
This day, declared by the UN General Assembly, aims to heighten public awareness of world food problems and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The theme for World Food Day 2023 is 'Water is life, water is food. Leave no-one behind'.'
The promotional website reminds us that water is essential to life on Earth and, as well as covering the majority of the Earth's surface, it makes up over 50% of our bodies, supports our livelihoods and produces our food.
However, since this precious resource is not infinite, we need to stop taking it for granted. Together, we must take water action for food and be the change.
Each year, on 16th October, Concern Worldwide joins organisations around the world in commemorating World Food Day, marking the day the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) was founded in 1945. Concern Worldwide, whose motto is tackling hunger, transforming lives highlight some incredibly worthy causes on their website.
Tuesday 17th October is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17th October 1987, when over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris. This was the location where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. These convictions are inscribed in a commemorative stone unveiled on this day.
Since then, every year on 17th October, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.
2023 Theme: Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all
Thursday 19th October may be the delayed start of our Introduction to Essene Angelology, Harmony Healing Interactive online evening course, 7.30-9.45pm UK time (GMT+1), offering UK & USA friendly hours. Contact me if interested.
Learn how to commune with the Weekday and Planetary Guardian Angels and invite them into your life on a daily basis. Even if you are already familiar with the angelic realm, discover how to strengthen your connection with channellings, affirmations, colours, crystals and planetary symbols. Connect with Melchisadec and Pistis Sophia, the Essene Guardians of our Planet Earth and the Constellations.
Cost is £66 including a personal chart detailing three of your personal Essene Guardian Angels (based on your date of birth) plus 4½ hours of mentoring. Book at the Harmony Shop. This is a stand alone unit but also comprises ½ unit towards Egyptian Alchemy Healing RSE Level 1. Held remotely on Zoom, recordings are made of the sessions, so it is possible to join after the course has commenced, or even after it has competed. See Harmony Shop Events for details of the individual modiules and the entire RSE 1 package, which is a cnsiderable saving on studying all four modules individually.
Friday 20th - Saturday 21st October is the peak of the Orionids which is the most prolific meteor shower associated with Halley's Comet and lasts from 15th until 29th October.
The Orionids are so-called because they appear to come from, the constellation Orion. In some years, meteors may occur at rates of 50-70 per hour.
This year, close to the New Moon on the 25th, it's likely to be reasonable viewing. In 2023, the annual Orionid meteor shower is expected to rain down the greatest number of meteors before dawn on October 21st, perhaps as many as 20 meteors per hour.
The hours between midnight and dawn on the mornings of October 20th and 21st may offer a decent sprinkling of meteors as well, and you might see some anytime in October or early November (overall duration is 26th September - 22nd November) if you have a dark sky for viewing. See also EarthSky website where you will also find more details about the event.
Saturday 28th October is the Egyptian celebration of Isia, marking the 7 days that Aset (Isis) spent searching for the body parts of Asar (Osiris) following his death and dismemberment by his brother Set.
This culminates on 3rd November with Hilaria when she resurrected him by re-membering him; no doubt contributing to the definition of our word remember meaning to recall someone from memory.
Informative laminated posters of Isis by Jacqui Taliesin El Masry (from Alkhemi.co.uk) and other Egyptian Posters by Jacqui, are available to purchase from the Harmony Shop.
Saturday 28th October is also the Hunter Full Moon @ 21:29 and a partial lunar eclipse.
The eclipse will be visble or partly visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, Much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica. See timeanddate.com for details.
Between this date and the next New Moon is considered as a good time energetically for detoxing the body.
This is also the night of ourFull Moon Halloween Meditation, 19.30-21.30 UK time (GMT).
Saturday 28th October is also the end of the Summer Daylight Saving Time in 2023, so the UK clocks go back an hour at 01.00 hrs (Saturday night/early Sunday morning).
During this session, we connect with other like-minded people and together we work through a mindful chakra balancing process using colours and etheric crystals, with the aim that all participants will experience a degree of unity consciousness. Participants all receive a deeply healing experience. Cost to participate is £20 by online BACS payment (small admin fee added for PayPal). This activity serves as a good taster of Joanna's work in general. For more details and to book, see Harmony Shop.
Tuesday 31st October traditionally marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the Celtic and Pagan New Year. Samhain is Irish-Gaelic for 'the Summer's end', and is pronounced 'sow-in'. Samhain represents the death of the summer sun god, Lugh. This festival celebrates Nature's cycle of death and renewal. This is traditionally known as Halloween. Samhain is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals; along with Lughnasadh, Imbolc and Beltane.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Samhain heralds the beginning of Winter, when the world starts to darken and the days are getting shorter; the 'dark half' of the year and the demise of the sun's uplifting influence. The crone, personified as Cailleach - the Queen of the Winter - was reborn on every All Hallow's Eve, returning to bring the Winter and protect animals through the coldest months. She turned to stone on Beltane Eve, Beltane being 1st May.
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Acknowledgments
Celestial Forecast is compiled by Joanna Bristow-Watkins of Harmony Healing, the original is published at Joanna's Monthly Celestial Forecasts. It is created using many sources but notably the Moonwise Calendar and Lia Leendertz's annual Almanac. Whilst considerable effort is made to ensure accuracy, this is not an exact science and sources are sometimes contradictory!
These monthly Celestial Forecasts (CF) are generally uploaded to the Harmony Healing website a fortnight ahead and can be accessed via the drop-down box on the right. They are sent out to the main mailing list and CF subscribers a few days before the month starts.
Extracts from the Celestial Forecast are reproduced in Glyden Magick, an online magazine offered via Gylden Fellowship which is a fabulous resource for Neo-Pagans (particularly in the South of England when physical meet-ups can resume).
Through Harmony Healing, Joanna utilises the philosophies of the Ancient Egyptians, in the form of Reyad Sekh Em® (RSE) Level 1Egyptian Alchemy Healing. Featuring four online modules of Khemitology (Ancient Egyptology according to the indigenous oral traditions), Violet Flame of Amenti, Mindful Chakra Balancing & Essene Angelology.Missed sessions are fully recorded so that late registrations or are possible. Reyad Sekh Em (RSE) Level 1 costs £266 and run about three times a year. the individual modules are stand-alone and cost either £88 or £66, hence the RSE 1 package offers a cost saving.
She is also an intuitive healer offering 1-2-1 distant healings and readings, plus MP3 recordings. She is a fully qualified Fotrest Bathing guide, offering Forest Bathing sessions in the Surrey Hills of England. Joanna acts as the retailer for her sister, Angela Mcgerr's, best selling angelogy books and angel card sets. The are mostly now out-of-print, but Joanna still has some unused copies as well as pre-used versions of many of the card sets, see the Harnony Shop for the full details.