October 2021

There is a lot to celebrate in October. This is a list of pretty much everything that goes on during the tenth month of the year. Many of these dates change from year to year. The days that change are marked with this » symbol.

October Lore and General Info

• October Magick and Lore
• October Moon Names

Astronomical Events

• Sept 7 thru Dec 10: Taurids Meteor Shower
• Oct 2 thru Nov 7: Orionids Meteor Shower
• Oct 6 » New Moon
• Oct 6 thru Oct 10: Draconids Meteor Shower
• Oct 20 » Full Moon – Blood Moon,  Full Hunters Moon

Astrological Events

Depending on which astrological system you adhere to, these are the signs that show up in October of 2021. Be aware that some of these dates will vary from year to year. Unlike the Sun signs which might just shift by 1 or 2 days, the dates of the various Moon signs will vary widely from year to year. The same holds true for the Chinese Zodiac. The Celtic Tree Signs are based on an arbitrary system and stay the same from year to year.

The October Sun begins in Libra and finishes up in Scorpio:

• Sep 22 thru Oct 22 » Sun in Libra
• Oct 23 thru Nov 22 » Sun in Scorpio

The moon cycles through the signs as follows:

• Sept 28 – Oct 1 » Moon in Cancer
• Oct 1 – Oct 3 » Moon in Leo
• Oct 3 – Oct 5 » Moon in Virgo
• Oct 5 – Oct 7 » Moon in Libra
• Oct 7 – Oct 9 » Moon in Scorpio
• Oct 9 – Oct 11 » Moon in Sagittarius
• Oct 11 – Oct 13 » Moon in Capricorn
• Oct 13 – Oct 16 » Moon in Aquarius
• Oct 16 – Oct 18 » Moon in Pisces
• Oct 18 – Oct 20 » Moon in Aries
• Oct 20 – Oct 23 » Moon in Taurus
• Oct 23 – Oct 25 » Moon in Gemini
• Oct 25 – Oct 28 » Moon in Cancer
• Oct 28 – Oct 30 » Moon in Leo
• Oct 30 – Nov 1 » Moon in Virgo

You will notice that the Moon might begin the day in one sign and by the end of the day may have moved into another sign, so timing matters if you are wanting to be precise.

The Celtic Tree Signs in October:

• Sept 30 thru Oct- 27: Month of the Ivy
• Oct 28 to Nov 24: Month of the Reed

The Alternative Celtic Zodiac is as follows:

• Hazel: Sep 24 – Oct 2
• Rowan: Oct 3 – Oct 11
• Maple: Oct 12 – Oct 21
• Walnut: Oct 22 – Oct 31

The Chinese Calendar and Zodiac

We are currently in the year of the Ox (sometimes referred to as the Cow).  Each Month is also assigned a specific animal. Here’s what shows up in October 2021.

• Chicken » Sept 7 – Oct 7 (Chinese Zodiac – Stem Branch Calendar)
• Chicken » Sept 7 – Oct 5 (Lunar Calendar – 8th Lunar Month)
• Dog » Oct 8 – Nov 6 (Chinese Zodiac – Stem Branch Calendar)
• Dog » Oct 6 –  Nov 4  (Lunar Calendar – 9th Lunar Month)

Note: The traditional Chinese Astrology birth chart is built by the Chinese Stem Branch Calendar, not the Chinese Lunar Calendar, which I think is really confusing.  Because of a difference in time zones, the lunar months will have a different pattern between China and the USA.

Lucky and Unlucky Days

You might want to plan moving, traveling, major purchases, court dates, and weddings around these dates, avoiding the unlucky days and utilizing the lucky ones.

• These are the lucky days in October:
  3, 7, 16, 21 and 22.
• These are the unlucky days in October:
  4, 6, 9, 11, 17, 27 and 31.

Fatal Days

The third and tenth with poisoned breath
To men are foes as foul as death.

Holidays and Holy Days

Many of the holidays begin on the eve of the night before and end on the eve of the day of. It’s also important to remember that the dates of archaic festivals and feast days may vary widely depending on the source.

October 1

• 1: Festival of Fides – the Roman goddess of good faith, honesty and oaths.

October 2

• 2: Honor Your Guardian Angel Day
• 2 » Day of Ekadashi (Hindu)

October 4

• 4: Ieiunium Cereris – Fast of Ceres
• 4: Blessing of the Animals

October 5

• 5 » Night of Hekate Suppers

October 6

• 6: Day of Bad Omens (also Jul 18)

October 7

• 7 » The Noumenia

October 8

• 8  » Celebrating The Agathos Daimon

October 9

• 9: The Festival of Felicitas – the Roman goddess of good luck and joy.

October 11

• 11: The Meditrinalia – the festival of Meditrina, the Roman goddess of healing.

October 12

• 12: The Festival of Fortuna Redux – the Roman goddess of successful journeys and safe returns from those journeys.

October 13

• 13: The Festival of Fontus – the Roman god of springs.
• 13: Winter Nights – Sacred to Freya

October 14

• 14 » Elder’s Day (China)
• 14 » Double Ninth Day (alternatively celebrated on Sept 9)

October 15

• 15: Equirria

October 16

• 16: Noah Webster’s Birthday
• 16 » Day of Ekadashi (Hindu)

October 17

• 17: Double Ninth Day (or Sept 9)

October 19

• 19: The Armilustrium – the second festival of Mars, the Roman god of war. On this day, military arms were ritually purified and put in storage for winter.

October 20

• 20 thru 31 » Whitby Goth Weekend

October 22

• 22: A day sacred to all deities of the crossroads

October 23

• 23 » Make a Difference Day (4th Saturday in October)
• 23: Slap Your Annoying Coworker  Day
• 23: Swallows depart from San Juan Capistrano Day

October 27

• 27: Mice Wedding Day (alternative date Nov 8th)

October 28

• 28: Feast of the Einherjar

October 29

• 29 thru 31 » Whitby Goth Weekend

October 30

• 30 » Dakini Day (Tibetan)

October 31

• 31: Halloween
• 31: Nut Crack Night
• 31 » Christ the King – last Sunday in October (alternative dates Nov 20 thru Nov 26)
• 31 thru Nov 1: Samhain – the Celtic festival marking the beginning of the winter and the Celtic New Year. Also the rebirth of Caileach Beara, the Celtic goddess who turned to stone on May 1 (Beltane).

Saint Days

There is a surprising amount of magick associated with Saint days. This is a very short list of the Saint days in October, there are many many more. As time goes by I may end up listing them all, but for now, this is what I have.

• 4: St Francis Day
• 27: Day of Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica

Recipes For October

• Nine Layer Cake – Double Ninth Day

Seasonal recipes, including recipes for new and full moon ceremonies, ancient Roman holidays, Asian festivals and more can be found here: Seasonal Recipes.

Notes:

Any October lore, almanac, astrological, and celebration dates that have been shared after this post was published can be found by searching the October posts to see what’s new.

A lot of work went into this post. It was compiled from various sources by Shirley Twofeathers for The Pagan Calendar, you may repost and share without karmic repercussions, but only if you give me credit and a link back to this website. Blessed be.