In the stars

Libra Sep 24 - Oct 23

The celestial trinity of Sun, Mars and Mercury in your sign sings happy birthday to you gracious negotiators, peace-loving stylists and passionate fashionistas for most of October. While Mercury retrograde mightn’t be what you’d choose for your month in the sun, there’s still plenty of cosmic compensations: like the opportunity around the October 6 new moon in Libra for restoring harmony to frazzled friendships and frayed relations, plus adventurous Venus ushering you towards new connections and growth experiences. If travel’s not possible, sign up for something outside your usual interests, or refresh your romantic parameters in the game of love.

Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22

Venus continues smouldering in Scorpio for the first week of October, before easing into a free and breezy frolic for the rest of the month. With Mercury in signal-scrambling mode, be prepared for the usual barrage of mismanaged scheduling, inexplicable red tape and explosive social media. This month, people are likely to tell you what they think you want to hear, so it’s worthwhile paying attention to what’s not being said, because body language can speak volumes. Finally, el Sol lights up your sign for the last week of October with serious steam heat and its annual boost to your personal powers.

Sagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21

This month’s downside is Mercury retrograde, traditionally a glitchy time for technology, travel and communications when computers crash, people argue over rubbish, plans get disrupted and friends can be unreliable. Best advice? Back up files, keep calm, log out of other people’s dramas. The really good news? Three powerful outer planets, including Jupiter, your personal guiding light, start picking up speed again this month. Best of all, for those who’ve lost that loving feeling lately, Venus of the gracious, graceful ways sashays into Sagittarius on October 9 to repair family feuds, mend bridges and restart strained conversations.

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 20

October kicks off with dwarf planet Pluto ending the five-month-long retrograde in Capricorn it has been in since late April. If you’ve been unsure about which decision or direction to pursue, this period of soul-searching and research will have provided insights. Now you can start taking action with a more strategic focus, and if a group endeavour needs rebooting it will be easier to get crew Capricorn back on track – especially when your guiding planet Saturn, powered down since late May, shifts into forward gear again around mid-month in the sign of teamwork, technology and social change. What else could go right?

Aquarius Jan 21 - Feb 19

In the first fortnight of October, exacting Saturn completes its annual backpedal, which this year is in your sign. Then on October 20 Jupiter, the planet of expansion, hanging fire since June, also powers forward in Aquarius. This double dose of auspicious planetary momentum gives Waterpourers a personal super-charge; it’s a cosmic green light to start putting a plan behind your ideas, perhaps in an updated, more contemporary format. A cutting-edge collaboration could pick up speed as don’t-fence-me-in Venus unshackles you from a draining situation into more favourable, sustainable circumstances.

Pisces Feb 20 - Mar 20

No star sign has complete immunity to the clashes with clients, fall-outs with friends, snags, slowdowns and secondguessing yourself that accompany cosmic trickster Mercury this October; but think twice before confiding in someone or sharing private intel. That said, the celestial emphasis centres on your partnerships and the connections you value. With creativity and collaboration receiving a celestial stimulus package, it’s a star transit for starting a team project or rerouting one that’s strayed off course. So dress your best, tune into your muse and bring beauty to this month’s world.

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 21

October’s astral emphasis in Libra, your opposite sign on the zodiac wheel, gives you the opportunity to practise patience, a virtue Aries aren’t astrologically endowed with. You’ll find people will be turned off by dummy spits or abrasive behaviour, so if someone’s irritating, try not to arc up. This highly artistic transit plays to your creative strengths, suggesting you get stuck into planning some original, innovative selfpromo to unleash when the passionate powerhouse full moon in Aries on October 21 inspires you to press the start button on that great idea that’s been bubbling away on the back burner.

Taurus April 22 - May 21

Taureans are naturally in tune with Venusian values, so October’s Libran influences of affection and pleasure, beauty and balance are a comfortable fit for you. While there’s no denying the discomforts of Mercury retrograde’s fractured communications and misinformation fatigue, in uncertain times it’s worthwhile maintaining a curious, experimental attitude. Though as Taurean satirist Terry Pratchett observed, “The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.” Be super choosy and extremely savvy about what you let in.

Gemini May 22 - Jun 22

Four planets travelling through fellow air signs this month, including adventurous Jupiter and systematic Saturn, means thinking outside the box could spark an inspiration which dares you to do something differently. But don’t abandon common sense just for the thrill of novelty. With your mentor planet Mercury retrograde in the sign of must-have, and Venus feeling extravagant, retail therapy can easily lead to that post-purchase condition known as buyer’s remorse. So compare prices, do online research, and try to postpone signing contracts or putting big dollars down before the last week of October.

Cancer Jun 23 - Jul 23

Feel like you’ve got one foot on the accelerator while life has the other one on the brake? Even with the best intentions, there’s no avoiding this month’s crossed wires, mixed messages and misunderstandings. If you’re picking up cues that someone’s being evasive or something’s not as it’s being offered, you might be right. But when addressing an issue, examine all the angles first, then step aside for a private chat. The best dates for your lunar-influenced sign are the celebratory Venusian new moon on October 6 and the fabulous, life-affirming full moon in Aries on October 21.

Leo Jul 24-Aug 23

Leos are among the zodiac’s greatest creatives and this month audiences are likely to be appreciative and supportive – though it might take them until late October to actually get there. While Mercury’s three-week headache of roadblocks and setbacks may seem discouraging, timing-wise these could end up a blessing in disguise. When life deals lemons you can either get bitter or better, and your majesties are master lemonade-makers. As encouragement, sweet Venus suggests circling the October 6 new moon of togetherness and October 21’s flamboyant full moon for romantic rendezvous with your favorite plus one.

Virgo Aug 24-Sep 23

The nectar of beauty and the breath of aesthetic expression sustain our collective soul, and October’s evolutionary call is to the art of living – humanity’s pathway through its present shadowlands. Don’t think you’re an artist? Think again. Grace under pressure is an art form. Intentionally delighting others is an art form. Being a patron or supporter counts. Whether it’s what you wear, the way you serve a meal, elegantly arrange flowers, tell a well-timed joke that shatters anxiety, do an impromptu dance or pay a compliment, this Venus-ruled month rewards those who enrich existence with artistry, beauty, joy and laughter. AWW