By Camille Liptak – Staff Writer

Fall has officially arrived, and day and night are as even as a see-saw. But the planets are picking up speed. Six planetary changes take place this month:

Mercury, the planet of communication, enters Scorpio on the 3rd; then Mars, the planet of assertion enters Libra on the 4th; love-beauty-and-affection planet, Venus, enters Scorpio on the 8th; and we get a sharp dose of excitement with an Aries Full Moon on the 13th.

Though the Sun’s transit through Libra is enjoyable, on the 23rd, it shifts into Scorpio. An outpouring of passion and persistence replace Libra season’s egalitarian equanimity. A chance for setting intentions arrives with a New Moon in Scorpio on the 27th. And what better way to end this month than with a retrograde? That’s right, Mercury, the planet of communication, turns retrograde on the 31st. Can you say Happy Halloween?

**As always, be sure to read the horoscope for both your Sun and Rising sign. Don’t know you’re Rising Sign? Neither do I! Find it out here.)**

Aries

An ugly truth about your personal relationships is surfacing. Sun-and-Mars in Libra creates conflict between you and your romantic and/or professional partner(s). Squabbles include: your refusal to compromise, share, and/or cooperate with them. Heads up, Mr-or-Ms-Aries: Tactful confrontation is the only panacea. With Venus in Scorpio, intense feelings are bubbling magma-like underneath your bravado, and only some of these feelings — let’s say two — are manageable. The rest are painful and puzzling, which only makes life more puzzling and painful. Your challenge is to avoid jumping into anything rashly. Thanks to Scorpio Mercury, now is the time to dive headfirst into the unknown and get to the bottom of your internal motivations. Ask yourself: What’s really driving me forward? There are perks to this self-investigation: a morale boost and heightened intuition. Matters of the Self come to a head on the 13th with the Aries full moon; your world view changes for the better and your inspiration is reignited. The Scorpio new moon on the 27th is a night for setting intimate intentions…

Taurus

Amiability or alienation? That is the question. Starting the 4th, Sun-and-Mars in Libra bring harmony, diplomacy, and grace to your daily work environment; you’re better able to bring order to the chaos that is your to-do list. Imperfections and inconsistencies are obvious pests, and expectations for efficiency are at an all-time high. Stay organized and you’ll stay effective. Venus-and-Mercury in Scorpio bring emotional drama and dissatisfaction to your personal relationships (at home or at work). You’re competitive with peers, and more sensitive to inequalities. (E.g.: I’m worth twice as much as Becky, and I work harder!) Don’t play the shame-and-blame game in your struggle for power; use this competitive compulsion as rocket fuel for your goals. (Or, you could also, like, hash it out with Becky instead of harboring unnecessary resentment, but whatever). On the 13th, the Aries Full Moon reveals a new enemy: the power you’ve disowned. On or a few days following the Scorpio new moon, someone — maybe that frenemy, Becky! — initiates a peace treaty by inviting you to an exclusive event…

Gemini

As the old saying goes, “When in Libra season, do as the Librans do” — wait, that isn’t a saying? Well, it should be! With Sun-and-Mars in Libra, your charm, wit, and lust for life reach their zenith. But this infectious joie de vivre is in desperate need of a creative/romantic/fun outlet. As much as you feel the urge to get down and boogie-oogie-oogie with your friends/notebook/easel, you also feel the pangs of responsibility; there’s a nagging sense that you should be balancing work and play. (Story of your life, right?) Good news: Your attention gets some staying power with Mercury in Scorpio. It’s easier to produce creative work and stick to a routine, but with Venus in Scorpio, any feelings you’ve been ignoring come on strong and last for what feels like years. On or before the Aries full moon on the 13th a wish very dear to your heart comes to its fruition. Two weeks later, the Scorpio new moon is your chance to set an intention to improve productivity…

Cancer

Moody as you are, Sun-and-Mars in Libra make you even more so. Emotions swing pendulum-like as you recover from September’s maelstrom. The tempest of pining, guilt, and self-pity continues… (ooh, the sweet melodramatic cycle of your life. *sigh*). Home is where your heart is, and the familiar safety of your family calms you, but Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio are fixing your imagination on fairy-tale flings outside the homestead. These dual desires (wanting to be secure/nurtured, but also passionate/reckless/unshackled) become a source of tension at home. Indirect arguments have you wondering, what are we really fighting about? Don’t moon too much: with Mercury and Venus in Scorpio, creative instincts are potent; now exists a high-yielding connection between your thoughts and creative self. In other words, you can create whatever you think (you just have to think about creating it). On the 13th, a revelation regarding your vocational mission in life hits you like a hammer. Then, on the 27th, the Scorpio New Moon presents an opportunity for a creative tryst, which builds your self-esteem… 

Leo

Life’s tempo is accelerating. Can you keep up? (Of course you can, you’re a Leo!) Sun-and-Mars in Libra increase interactions with those in your everyday environment, but a sense of restlessness pushes you to do and see new and different things. With a (somewhat) crystalline mind, creative ideas are emerging left and right, and you think every idea is the most ingenious one you’ve ever had. Avoid getting too defiant or dogmatic when someone challenges this conviction. Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio have you in the throes of spiritual research, most of which is done at home by yourself (away from all those idiots who don’t see your creative vision). Bonus: this alone time sharpens your intuition. In the days leading up to the 13th, a sense of urgency captures you, and the Aries Full Moon culminates a higher education/publishing/travel endeavor you’ve been fixated on since April. On the 27th, the Scorpio New Moon causes some anxiety (though you won’t admit to it or show it), but presents an opportunity for unleashing previously shrouded feelings… 

Virgo

You’re valuable, Virgo, and you’re beautiful — that’s the main message of Sun-and-Mars in Libra. Both luminaries believe in your talents and you should too, darn it! Your brain gets a boost with Mercury in Scorpio. All that’s on your mind is how best to communicate your feelings. There’s also an underlying sense that you should share a secret or two with a close loved one. Text, email, or write them a letter (those are printed communications one sends in an envelope through the mail.) Also, slow down. You’re nervous enough as it is without worrying about how this person will respond. Channel your inner archeologist with Venus in Scorpio. Go beyond the limits of your logic, and excavate the wellspring of your imagination. The creative booty you gather there helps you reach bigger conclusions in November. On the 13th, the Aries Full Moon loosens the ties binding you to the resources of others; and both intuition and creativity transform. Your desire for research and/or travel deepens on the 27th, with the Scorpio New Moon… 

Libra

As the epitome of a public-spirited personality, you seldom act selfishly. Heck, one could say you always put the interest of others before your own. Not this month. Your self-interest is getting swol — like, Leo-and-Capricorn-and-Aries-swol (ok, maybe not that big). Thanks to Sun-and-Mars in Libra, a surge of confidence and energy have you gung-ho-ing gladiator-like towards your goals. You’re ready to show the world what you can really do. Be mindful that your self-assertion and need for independence doesn’t isolate you, though. With Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio, your attention veers to your value system. Is it as pretty and polished as you think it is? Are you master of your possessions, or are they mastering you? Curb the urge to shop-until-you-drop; the answer to these questions isn’t hiding at the mall, and super-splurging will only put you in a bad mood. On the 13th, issues with your partner or competitor comes to a head with the Aries full Moon. Weeks later, a window of opportunity to improve your financial situation arises with the Scorpio New Moon… 

Scorpio

Warm, unaggressive, agreeable — no, I’m not describing Libra, I’m describing your October temperament. Sun-and-Mars in Libra put an emphasis on the shadows (your favorite), making this the opportune time to get in touch with your unconscious. As you work behind-the-scenes on various creative and personal projects, start asking yourself, who’s really running this show, my ego or id?  Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio help to find the answers, softening your communication and self-expression along the way. In other words, people get you. Revel in this feeling of not having everything you say be taken the wrong way. Bonus #2: heightened intuition, which can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Suspicion and skepticism– not ESP — might be the feeling in your bones; take with a grain of salt your heightened emotions. The Aries Full Moon on the 13th supercharges your interest in self-care. This is the night to break any bad habits. Then, on the 27th, the Scorpio new moon brings beneficial changes to your appearance, initiating a 12-month cycle of self-focus. Let the metamorphosis begin…

Sagittarius

What’s all that commotion you hear? It’s the future you calling, and he/she/they are…hoping you’ll continue reading this because I’m out of ideas for this sentence. Moving on. Sun-and-Mars in Libra are making you more gregarious than usual (I didn’t think that was possible, tbh.) Your ego and focus are on friendships, but not just any friendships: you’re searching for a place where you belong. Join the club — actually that’s precisely what you should do: Don’t be a loner, merge your self-interest with the interests of others; group projects — at work, school, or wherever — require your unabashed engagement. Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio turn the tables — or, in this case, your thoughts and sentiments — to all that is dreamy, romantic, and/or unseen. The Aries Full Moon on the 13th shakes you awake from this quixotic dreamstate with an unexpected surprise from a paramour, child, or big game (just don’t stake your money on it.) On the Scorpio New Moon, your inner prospector mines for hidden truths, and unearths a golden opportunity for personal growth…

Capricorn

You’ve got a rep to protect, Cap. Thankfully, Sun-and-Mars in Libra are offering you just that: protection. (Actually, they’re granting more leeway to exercise your ambition at work, but same diff.). The limelight — a place where you secretly crave to be — is all yours for the first half of the month, as a large-scale project requires your expertise and poise. Just remember what Uncle Ben said (that’s Spiderman’s Uncle Ben — not the rice guy Uncle Ben): “with great power comes great responsibility.” The limelight shines on your successes as well as your failures. Even so, the magnetism of Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio makes you friendlier towards (nearly) everyone, and puts more emphasis on your larger life goals. Communication and social interaction surge; any group involvement (be it professional or personal) benefits you, despite your sharp tongue and droll sense of humor. On the 13th, a home project that has been on your mind (and nerves) finally finishes with the Aries full moon. Two weeks later, the New Moon in Scorpio forms brand new goals and friendships…

Aquarius

Prettify your philosophies with the help of Sun-and-Mars in Libra. Creative reflection is at its most potent; thoroughly examine every idea regarding your belief system in order to better see your life’s bigger picture. Break with your usual routine (if you can call the way you live a “routine”) and do something unusual. Encounters with a few charming strangers will broaden your mind and outlook and inspire even more higher thinking. Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio fixate your attention on your career. You’re looking for longevity and a way to leave a legacy. There’s also an aura of allure surrounding you. Co-workers and higher-ups sense your prowess and want to help you succeed. Creativity and a desire for closeness are also heightened with this dual-Scorpio transit. On the 13th, the Aries Full Moon hijacks your immediate attention, emphasizing a fierce focus on your connection to the world. The Scorpio New Moon is a field day for your professional aspirations; know that whatever you decide to anchor your hopes on today has a lasting impact on future tomorrows.

Pisces

It’s time for a glow up. Sun-and-Mars in Libra turn your observational skills inward to better examine your feelings (notice I said examine, not engulf yourself in). This self-inquiry is emotionally and mentally taxing, but there is a silver lining: your hidden talents (possibly psychic?) come to the fore and stay there. A person with whom you’ll connect instantly also challenges your sense of self and attitude towards your possessions. Unfazed, your search continues for soul-level understanding with the world. Mercury-and-Venus in Scorpio put your heart and mind in the same place. Where that place is, I haven’t the slightest clue, but hey, neither do you! Consciousness expands as you blithely explore the art world (in other words, look at something pretty and get inspired). A conclusion is reached about your self-worth on the Aries Full Moon; it may be a job offer, a pair of shoes, or the end of a project — either way, it’s positive. Sights soar to the far-off future with the Scorpio New Moon; plant some seeds for more spiritual growth…