October's Astrological Forecast Is Here—And Things Are About to Get Intense

We’re starting the month with some good fortune! After approximately four months retrograde, Saturn stationed direct at the end of last month, so we’re kicking off October on the right cosmic foot. Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac and responsible for learning lessons and karmic payback. You may have found yourself settling unpaid emotional debts or facing some harsh truths recently, but now that Saturn is direct again, there’s a fresh sense of energy, optimism, and clarity.
What’s in retrograde right now?

As we head into Scorpio season at the end of the month, the Scorpion is all over the sky, with a major influence on Mercury and Venus. Scorpio has a reputation for being intense, but it’s really about getting deep. Superficial conversations and relationships feel frustrating right now—you don’t want to waste your time! It’s good to get real, but remember to take time to process your feelings and respect other people’s boundaries. Otherwise, you run the risk of petty jealousy, brooding, and creating grudges.

With a focus on death and transformation, Scorpio season is also the perfect time to do some shadow work. These concepts can seem scary, Scorpio shows us that facing our fears is the only way through them, and that sometimes healing our demons means taking them out to play.

Mercury, the planet of communication, enters Scorpio on October 3, adding a sense of urgency and intensity to our conversations. As a water sign, Scorpio tends to prioritize feelings over-analysis, so don’t be surprised if things get emotional. Try and honor your feelings, even when they don’t fit with your sense of logic. Pluto will also go direct today after five months retrograde. This will help with your sense of inner clarity and self-awareness and create a clean slate for the deep emotional work of Scorpio season.

October 4 Mars enters Libra, creating some roadblocks and possible tension. Mars is the planet of action—it’s the “strike while the iron is hot,” go-getter planet. Libra, however, is about slowing down, weighing options, and taking your time. You might feel stuck right now, but be patient.

Intense conversations will be happening on October 7, when Mercury enters Scorpio. You tend to speak from your feelings and not from logic right now. This is a placement that can bring you closer, but it is also conducive to arguments and taking a stubborn stance. Mercury is opposite Uranus during this time, inspiring sharp, unconventional ideas. You might want to stick to journaling those thoughts for the time being to avoid conflicts.
What’s do the stars have in store for you this month?

October 8 Prepare for sparks to fly when Venus enters Scorpio. This placement is all about intimacy, both physical and emotional. Right now, the focus is on strengthening your relationships through sharing the dark parts of yourself. There is a sense of mystery in the air as well, making attraction an affair to remember.

On October 13, a full moon in the sign of Aries adds some fuel to the fire. This is a great time to start a project or dive into a new passion. Aries is the trailblazer of the zodiac, jumping headfirst into new things with childlike enthusiasm. You might be feeling impulsive or impetuous right now, so it’s a good idea to do something physical to get out that excess energy. Tonight, the sun is sextile Jupiter as well, creating a sense of luck and optimism.
Scorpio season officially kicks off on October 23. Time to get spooky! Exploring your dark side right now can lead to some important breakthroughs (it’s no accident Halloween falls during Scorpio). This work isn’t always easy, but it can be deeply rewarding and offer an important chance to grow and heal.

The new moon in Scorpio on October 27 is the perfect night to stay in and get deep into your feelings. New moons are time to plant seeds, be they ideas, patterns, or desires. This focus will be on your subconscious and what lies beneath. Death and transformation are important themes of this new moon. What do you need to let die in order to live? What parts of your life need to be reborn?
Read me: Your Mercury Retrograde Survival Kit: Everything You Need to Avoid Disaster

In a very Halloween twist of fate, Mercury will go retrograde in Scorpio on October 31. Expect the usual–technical glitches, miscommunications, general frustration. The influence of Scorpio can add another layer to communication problems, making it difficult to reason with even yourself! You might find feelings taking over right now, leading to anxiety or depression. Embracing creative outlets (writing, painting, dancing) can help you channel your feelings into something productive.

Art by Emma Rodriguez