Retro October
A slew of retrograde planets makes October a month for getting back to the future. Venus turns tail on October 3, moving from Scorpio into Libra on the 25th and not retreating into Scorpio until December 4. Venus is about relationships, artistry, aesthetics and money. With its retro phase come second thoughts about your chi-chi colour scheme, doubts about relationships, old flames reappearing and money being wasted.
Later in the month, between October 24 and November 14, Mercury does one of its thrice yearly backslides, retreating for three weeks, a period when cockups, misinformation and misunderstanding arise more frequently than usual. Altogether, Mercury spends nine weeks in Scorpio, until December 6.
For many the most important of current retrogrades is that of Saturn, which is rumbling backwards until shortly before Christmas after arriving in Aries in February of this year. This leans on several signs, notably Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn, to push on with their major enterprises, however difficult. Life changes – commitment, split-ups, job changes and the like can happen under Saturn. It is also impacting anyone born the last time Saturn was in Aries, and anyone born between August 2010 and September 2012, when the ringed planet was in Libra.
For an example of a Saturn showdown, look no further than Manchester City Football Club, which dates its birth to April 6, 1894. The club’s foundation chart has the Sun and New Moon at 16 and 17 degrees of Aries respectively, with Saturn in opposition at 17 degrees of Libra. Man City FC’s current spot of bother – caught cheating on a grand scale during its recent period of success – comes with Saturn on its Sun-Saturn opposition. The New Moon this month, at 17 degrees of Libra, is exactly conjunct its natal Saturn, so nothing will be the same again. As Brian Clough advised Leeds FC in The Damned United – “Throw your medals in the dustbin because you won them dishonestly”. The climax to the ongoing saga comes with Saturn on the Club’s Sun in April 2027. Expect a lot of stalling before then.
Celestial Timetable for October
- The Sun is in Libra and moves into Scorpio on October 23
- The new Moon in Libra is on October 10 at 15.50 GMT
- The full Moon is in Taurus on October 26 at 04.12 GMT
- Mercury is in Scorpio all month, turning retrograde on October 24, and will stay in the Scorpio until December 6
- Venus is in Scorpio as the month opens. It turns retrograde on October 3, and moves back into Libra on October 25th
- Mars moves forwards in Leo.
- Jupiter moves forwards in Leo.
- Saturn continues its retrograde in Aries.
- Prometheus continues its retrograde in Gemini.
- Neptune continues its retrograde in Aries.
- Pluto is retrograde in Aquarius until October 16, when it moves forward.
Libra and Libra rising
Does this year’s birthday have the ring of being extra important? It should. Deep changes happen when Saturn is in one’s sign or in opposition – a relationship bust-up or commitment is a favourite manifestation – something that has so far impinged mostly on September birthdays. However, the rest of you will be joining the party (so to speak) over the next twelve months. Meanwhile, the opposition of the Libran Sun to Saturn on October 3 asks questions about partnerships.
However, keep in mind that while the Sun is in your sign you remain the captain of your ship, and that you have some top-class support from the sign of Leo, where Mars and Jupiter remain on hand, especially where group/team activities are involved. The new Moon on October 10 supplies energy for a relaunch.
Your ruling planet, fair Venus, turns to retrograde on the 3rd in the sign of Scorpio, where together with Mercury it is investigating your financial health. Even if this is rosy you might consider an overhaul of arrangements, but slowly and surely does it.
Venus arrives back in your skies just as the Sun leaves them, on the 25th, and the full Moon on the 26th may bring may bring more than just financial affairs to a head. Venus doesn’t quit the Scales until December 4, so there is space for some top class Libranness – flirtation, clothes mania, redecorating. Leave the score-settling aside. Happy Birthday.
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
It’s an elaborate kind of month – or plain complicated if you prefer, especially if you are an October birthday. The presence of Venus and Mercury in your sign is all good, but the retrograde of Venus makes challenging aspects with Mars and Pluto, so that fudge or plain secrecy are unlikely to work for you when dealing with others, especially lovers. An element of confrontation may be involved.
Venus slips backwards into Libra on the 25th but returns to your skies in December, so unsettled or unresolved associations may be protracted, yet there is cause for hope. The full Moon on the 26th may prove a decisive factor.
Planets in Leo at the peak of your ‘scope may not seem helpful, but they are forceful and are there to raise your career profile and move on professional circumstances. They also allow you to shine. Mars is your totem planet (not Pluto) and likes a grand parade; put on a show at work.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
Work, with Saturn going backwards, is likely to be a slog, though not necessarily horrid. You get a boost in October from the Sun in Libra and the New Moon in the Scales on the 10th. Plus, with Mars joining Jupiter in fiery Leo, you seem to have excellent connections, if not professional than life-affirming. Any chance of an adventure?
In short, everything is to play for, even if one or two matters are beyond your control. Several weeks of Mercury in retrograde suggest a lot of foot-dragging is incoming, drat it. Venus, also behind the scenes in Scorpio, returns to Libra later in the month to raise a smile and a party with your crew. Enjoy.
Capricorn and Capricorn rising
This looks more like it, despite the difficulties that surround a retrograde Mercury later in the month ) the usual mired, fluffed e-mails and the like). The New Moon on the 10th crowns your horoscope and opens a new professional chapter should you be interested. The full Moon of the 26th is also a belter, not only for professional matters but for close-up and personal stuff.
Venus, which so often prevails in such matters, is handily sited in Scorpio but re-enters Libra later in the month to enhance your professional status. Looking good then, but your favourite subject- money and how to spend it (or hoard it) calls for your beady eye, if only to ensure that the ‘spend’ tap is sometimes turned off.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
The scene looks frisky (not risky) especially if you have a birthday circa 20-24 January, in which case Pluto may have plans you can’t ignore. Big news is that Mars is now in opposition, which can provoke arguments with you know who but also brings a dashing element to your encounters.
More big news concerns career matters. Mercury and Venus make this a fruitful time for advancement, even if Mercury in retrograde will be foot dragging from the 24th for three weeks. Venus is already in retrograde, but its move into Libra on the 25th is handy for you, bringing fresh ideas and faces into your world. With the Sun atop your ‘scope at the Full Moon expect public scrutiny, for better or worse on the 26th. It won’t all be plain sailing but there’s a pleasing dynamic in play in your stars. Enjoy.
Pisces and Pisces rising
In your solar chart Libra governs both money matters and up-close relationships, and a New Moon here on the 10th offers the chance to reboot both. Saturn is at the other end so a hard-headed approach is called for. Don’t be soppy. Your horoscope is not in an especially sentimental mood anyway, not with your totem planet, Jupiter, in the zone of graft and steady work, and now joined by Mars.
Your fellow water sign of Scorpio offers a more upbeat outlook. With Mercury and Venus here, plus the Sun from later in the month, you are look at adventure and new life-shifting circumstances (and people). The retrograde of both planets complicates the picture, but persistence is everything. The Full Moon of the 26th looks a fine and forceful thing. Power days for you are the 22nd and 23d, with a waxing Luna in your skies.
Aries and Aries rising
Whole lot of shaking going on! Turmoil even. The season of Libra, your opposite sign, puts you on the back foot, while Saturn in your own skies remains unrelenting, at least for March birthdays. Your totem planet Mars, has now joined Jupiter in Leo in your fifth house of partying- heavy crushes and creativity – obviously a good thing, but the pair are opposed by Pluto, casting a warning against anything shady.
An overload of planets in Scorpio (retro Venus, retro Mercury, Sun) calls for a cool head with finances, especially those that overlap with your romantic life. The Full Moon may send alarm signals. If so, don’t panic – remodel, reschedule, duck and dive.
Taurus and Taurus rising
The stellar picture is intriguing but perhaps complicated. Your totem planet Venus, is retrograde opposite you, in the zone of partnerships, so personal relationships are unlikely to be without a hitch. You may find yourself confronting affairs from the past. Venus slips back into your work zone late in the month, but you still have a retro Mercury opposite, complicating what are otherwise emotionally straightforward associations. The Full Moon of the 26th might bring matters to a head, and a conclusion of some kind. Hard to call given Venus will be back in December.
Home and career look more straightforward, at least for the moment. With Mars moving into your domestic zone, your place could get a bit noisy, whether from family or builders. Jupiter remains here, so joy and satisfaction are unlikely to be far away.
Gemini and Gemini rising
A zodiac dominated by activity in fire and air signs has your name printed on it in floral script, especially since you have Mars and Jupiter (in Leo) helping out. Now is the time to formulate the Great Plan, and if you have already done so to enact it. The New Moon of the 10th makes a good kick-off point.
Your ruling planet Mercury, will turn retrograde on the 24th, so expect a few bumps in the road, but even those surrounding romances can be ironed out later, when Venus returns to Libra – a charmed spot for you Twins. You have space for a little tomfoolery just now, but any actual work you put in will repay you handsomely.
Cancer and Cancer rising
No-one should doubt that you lack the swagger and grit (two very different qualities) to make things happen and realise your goals. October gives you ample opportunity to use both. The emphasis on domestic matters and your beautiful home – a favourite obsession – comes powerfully aspected around the New Moon of the 11th. What’s more, the emphasis on your cash zone suggests you can find the funds needed to change things up (though maybe not the basement gym).
As for swagger, events in fellow water sign Scorpio are wildly in favour of your romantic yearnings, but with Venus turning retrograde there, allow time for all parties to agree on what you are jointly seeking, a process that may drag on until Christmas.
Leo and Leo rising
There is an element of sternness and caution in place for those of you with birthdays in July – it’s called a Pluto opposition and only kicks in if shabby or illicit behaviour is involved – aside from which your sign looks a formidable force just now.
If not formidable, what is the point of having Mars and Jupiter in your skies? It is time to make your regal magnificence felt. Your Sun ruler in the sign of Libra- the well-balanced judge agreed.
There are always caveats – Mercury and Venus going retrograde at the root of your horoscope suggest there are details to hammer out in any property matters, some egos to be stroked before you swing a deal on anything to do with home and property. Don’t doubt your ability to bring joy and adventure into the world – you’re the king or queen remember.
Virgo and Virgo rising
October should suit you fine for the most part, the part that doesn’t is your ruler Mercury turning retrograde on the 24th for three weeks – yes, again! – but by now you know the score, expect a delay or two, be fussy with your instructions etc. But Mercury in Scorpio – until the start of December – is nonetheless a handy position, favouring mental activity and the ceaseless demands of organisation, very much your things.
Venus, also in Scorpio, is romantically congenial, but its retrograde for the next couple of months may involve a bit of tail-dragging from another party, along with going back to sort out financial issue (like getting paid!). Don’t be undervalued. The Full Moon on the 26th is favourable in all respects, especially for August birthdays.
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