Horoscopes for the WEEK of 1-6 October, 2012

Welcome to October's incredibly blue skies and the palette of fall colours the envy of any place on Earth! 
The good astrological news is that after a turbulent (to say the least) summer and a difficult (understatement!) September month, the astrological events in October will seem like inconsequential bumps in the road, practically insignificant. We can exhale just about now and look forward to a month of subtle yet major transformation affecting us all in a way or another!

The celestial fireworks begin on October 2-3, when darling Venus changes signs and slips gracefully into Virgo. The industrious and caring sign of the Virgin will add to Venus' gentle vibes in numerous ways: love will bloom (again) in our most important relationships and kindness and helping others becomes the daily mantra. These are uncertain times for many people. Random acts of kindness this month will be returned tenfold!

October 4: Jupiter turns retrograde
Jupiter entered Gemini, the most inquisitive sign of the zodiac, on June 11. The natural expansiveness of Jupiter always magnifies the traits of the sign it transits -- and in the case of Gemini, these traits are education, diversity and keeping an open mind. Hopefully, you've learned a thing or two over the last four months to help you plan for your future. However, not everything you received as information is valuable! As this big planet turns retrograde, it is time to review the wealth of information you've absorbed and figure out what's worth keeping and what not. Jupiter's retrograde period continues until January 30, 2013. Time to evaluate and prepare to act...later.

October 5: Mercury enters Scorpio
 Secrets revealed is the word of this new transit! If you've wanted to learn the truth about something that's been eluding you for a while, now is the time! Each year, when the communication planet, Mercury, enters investigative Scorpio, our mind goes into overdrive like a detective on steroids, so to speak. We become more astute and sharper, gut intuition pays off and a laser-like mind will help solve/accomplish the most difficult of tasks. On the flip side, be warned of the possibility of overdoing a good thing, as in becoming obsessed with the details of a situation (or person).
Take a break when this happens, analyse, do not over-analyse.

October 5: Saturn enters Scorpio
The major event of the week has to do with slow moving Great Equalizer and Task Master Saturn leaving gracious Libra to enter the realm of the Scorpion. Saturn shows us in no uncertain terms how we structure our lives, where we set our boundaries and how we face our limits and limitations (as in financial crisis, for instance). This is the planet most concerned with responsibility and accountability. Every two-and-a-half years, Saturn enters a new sign. As Saturn leaves relationship-focused Libra and enters intense, powerful and private Scorpio, everybody's inner control freak surfaces, and nobody wants to be told what to do and how to live. During the length of this transit, you can help yourself by taking charge of your life in a new, brave and empowering way and staying clear of trying to manipulate other people's lives (you know what I am talking about:).

October 6: Mars enters Sagittarius
Put the action planet Mars in restless, fun-loving and belief-driven Sagittarius and you have an abundance of energy that needs a healthy outlet! This pairing can represent an overly zealous crusader or an enthusiastic supporter and advocate. Sagittarius is a sign concerned with philosophy, religion, ethics and morals, so count on hearing a great deal about these topics during this transit, which lasts until November 16.

Let's see what the week has in store for us, remembering all the while Saturn's giant step forward. Saturn has no time for frivolity or excess, so it will force you to cut anything unnecessary out of your life. This won't be the easiest of transits ... but after everything we went through last month, you'll be able to take on the new wave of intensity with unwavering resolve.


ARIES


Your ruling planet Mars shifts gears, moving into Sagittarius and your global ninth house until November 16. The opportunities you seek may exist far outside city limits, so set your GPS in a new direction. You might even board a plane and gain a passport stamp over the next six weeks. If you’re not up for the journey, boot up the webcam and hold a virtual conference to discuss deals with faraway collaborators. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll feel fired up to take more gambles. 
Time to MOVE ON and UP!...metaphorically and not only.


TAURUS


Romantic Renaissance, sounds like music to your ears! This week, your ruling planet Venus heads into Virgo and your passionate fifth house until October 28. Adding to all this relationship energy is Saturn, which is beginning a three-year tour of Scorpio (your partnership sign) this Saturday. Saturn only comes to this part of your chart every 28 years, and when it does, it brings a weighty, “serious relationship” energy to the mix. Casual dates are replaced by cohabitation, which could lead to engagement and marriage. Long term couples will change the place they live and their lifestyle...moving to the tropics for a much needed quiet retirement?


GEMINI


Since June 11, lucky Jupiter has been parked in your sign, lighting you up with the go-getter verve and giving you back the gambler’s instinct. This week, you’ll need to slow your roll just a little bit, Gemini. Jupiter is turning retrograde (backwards) until January 30, 2013, meaning you should look a few extra times before you leap. Although there’s no need to stop going after your dreams, you don’t need to jump on the first thing that’s offered to you now. There is merit in planning carefully the  perfect outcome for your endeavours. The payoff will be sweeter. 



CANCER


 Jupiter turns retrograde in your dreamy, spiritual twelfth house until January 30, sending you on an internal voyage of self-discovery. While it’s fine to change the circumstances of your outer world, you will keep butting up against the same blockades until you make a shift in your beliefs. Between now and January 30, Jupiter encourages you to plumb the depths of your soul and work through those kinks. Also on Saturday, structured Saturn begins a three yearlong tour of Scorpio and your fifth house of pleasure, fame and romance. More about this transit in the coming weeks.



LEO


Expansive Jupiter turns retrograde in your friendship zone until January 30, 2013, bringing some blasts-from-the-past back to your future. Get the old gang back together, Leo, as there could be some remarkable synergies to revive. People you met while travelling, studying, playing sports or working at a start-up company should be the first ones to focus on. On the other end of the cosmic spectrum is Saturn, which begins a three yearlong tour of Scorpio and your domestic fourth house this Saturday. Home sweet home may feel like an elusive concept for a little while, as you’re due to make some changes. Move away, on and up, the entire world is waiting for your next move.


VIRGO


Dynamic Venus tours Virgo from Wednesday till October 28, making you more magnetic than an iron cobalt alloy. Stop chasing, pushing and pursuing and just be still. You don’t have to work so hard, Virgo; all you have to do is be your fabulous self and you’ll naturally draw what you desire into your orbit. When Venus tours your sign, self-love is the order of the day. 
It’s one of life’s great ironies: the minute you stop worrying about external validation is exactly when people line up to be part of your fan club. Relax, Virgo, not everything must be under microscope all the time:)



LIBRA


Time to celebrate! Taskmaster Saturn, which has been slagging through Libra since October 2009, moves into Scorpio this Saturday, lifting a huge weight from your shoulders. Having Saturn in your sign felt a bit like an extended tour through boot camp. Nothing has come easily to you these past few years; you’ve had to work twice as hard for every (small) victory.
Thank Saturn for the kick in the pants. This “personal trainer planet” DOES have your best interests at heart, even if it pushes you to agonizing limits as you build your strength. Many Libras totally revamped their lives while hosting Saturn, changing everything from marital status to career path to the city you live in. No matter what changes you’ve made, they have definitely given you backbone.



SCORPIO


 Muster all your drive, discipline and determination, : your reign as a powerhouse begins anew this week. On October 6, taskmaster Saturn plants itself in Scorpio for three years, bringing some serious order to your court. Saturn only visits your sign once every 28 years, so yeah, this is kind of a big deal. Saturn is the “personal trainer planet,” which forces you to lift the heavy weights so you can get ripped and build those incredible muscles. Saturn is the planet of wisdom and authority, and a position of greater leadership and autonomy is calling your name. There’s a boot camp element to this Saturn phase, as you’re going to have to grit your teeth and push in order to maximize its benefits. But you are also entering a powerful new phase of growth. Your life begins going through a restructuring now: you may feel called to move, change jobs, end or start relationships, pursue a more independent career path, or take on greater authority at your existing job.


SAGITTARIUS

Go-getter Mars has been quite bored since late August, but this week, it bursts into Sagittarius, lighting your ambitious fire once again until November 16. The next six weeks are a power period suggesting that you start pushing forth your own initiatives and really leaving a mark on the world. When you’re all lit up with star energy, people line up to join forces with you. Contracts may be offered, but be careful, because on Thursday, your ruling planet Jupiter turns retrograde in your partnership house, urging you to slow down on the deal making. Although it’s flattering to be so in-demand, you could also wind up spreading yourself too thin. Jupiter will be retrograde until January 30, 2013, and aligning yourself with the most strategic of partners is a must; actually, if you ask me, you’re better off flying solo. That is in the business category...in your private world, time to turn your love and kindness to those who have been quietly in your corner. Show your appreciation.



CAPRICORN


Your ruling planet, structured, disciplined Saturn, ends its three yearlong tour of your career house this Saturday, lightening your load. You’ve been a busy bee these past few years, mired in adult responsibilities, and perhaps forced to put fun on the back burner. And frankly, you’re kind of sick of that groove. This Saturday, Saturn sets up shop in Scorpio and your eleventh house of social networking and group activities. Simply put, it’s time to get a life again, Capricorn. All work and no play makes for a very dull Goat.



AQUARIUS


Time to throw away those wandering boots and inner hippie thoughts because for the next few years, structured Saturn establishes base in Scorpio and your tenth house of career. Bye-bye fun and balancing choices according to preferences. Hello serious commitment and hard work. Saturn’s tour of Scorpio heralds the return of your ambitious nature and enterprising spirit. Saturn only comes to this part of your chart every 28 years, and in many ways, this is a time of harvest and maturity. You’re growing up, Aquarius, like it or not. Some unhealthy habits and emotional patterns need to be broken now so you will feel like a mature and responsible adult. Time to think about it, with your right side of the brain, if at all possible and assume responsibility on the job. Also, Saturn in Scorpio has deep spiritual undertones, so your best bet these coming years is to turn to making soul-feeding, life-affirming choices that are proactive and healthy for you in every way.


PISCES


Expansive Jupiter turns retrograde in your domestic fourth house until January 30, 2013 encouraging you to restore the harmony to your household and your personal life. In your drive to please friends, relatives and roomies, you may have allowed their expectations to run you down and the price you pay may not be worth the appreciation from others. When your head hits the pillow at night, you should feel a sense of peace, not anxiety and stress. What changes need to be made to ensure that you can relax? Begin implementing them this week. You may have to weather a few awkward conversations about limits and boundaries with the people you love. But the alternative—exhausting yourself and sniping resentfully behind people’s backs—is far uglier than speaking up for your needs. You’ll require a steady dose of “me time” during this Jupiter retrograde. 
On the Saturn side of the equation...you will learn to set roots, rather than wandering in search of an illusory life, home, love, job, ...etc.


Until next week, live, love and learn!