October 2026: Looking Beneath the Surface
Before we get into October’s cosmic weather, a quick note for the parents among us: my new book, Parenting with the Stars, is now out, bringing astrology down to earth and into the everyday experience of raising kids. I hope you’ll find a chance to take a look, and I’d truly love to hear what you think.
October invites us to look a little deeper.
As September came to a close on the 30th, Mercury moved into the sign of Scorpio, creating a shift in the way we communicate and process our thoughts. There is nothing surface level about Mercury in Scorpio. As we moved into the fall season, there was a growing desire to better understand ourselves, our relationships, and perhaps even some of the things we had previously been unwilling to look at.
Mercury in Scorpio
What Is Really Driving the Conversation?
However, if we expected October to calm things down and give us time to settle into our feelings, the energy quickly took another turn. On October 2nd, Mercury in Scorpio moves into challenging squares with both Mars and Pluto.
Mars and Pluto are powerful planets in their own right, but their connection to Mercury is especially significant because both are associated with Scorpio, Mars as its traditional ruler and Pluto as its modern ruler. This brings even greater intensity to the conversations, thoughts, and decisions taking place around this time. Words may carry more weight, emotions can run closer to the surface, and we may feel a stronger need to say what we really think.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop and ask ourselves what is really driving the conversation.
There is tremendous potential for honesty and transformation here, but we also need to be mindful of how we use that power. Mercury square Mars can make us quick to react or speak before we've had time to think, while Mercury square Pluto can bring power struggles, obsessive thinking, or the desire to prove a point. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop and ask ourselves what is really driving the conversation.
Venus Retrograde in Scorpio
Revisiting Relationships and What We Value
The very next day, on October 3rd, Venus goes retrograde in the sign of Scorpio, where it will remain until November 13th. When Venus is in Scorpio, our feelings tend to run deeper. There is nothing superficial about this combination, especially when it comes to love, relationships, intimacy, and the things we value most.
With Venus moving retrograde, some of those feelings may become even more complicated. Old relationship patterns or unresolved emotions may resurface, giving us an opportunity to look more closely at what we need and desire from our relationships. Because Scorpio can also bring up feelings of jealousy, possessiveness, or fear of losing what we love, a little self-awareness can go a long way during this time. This can be a meaningful time to deepen an emotional bond with someone you love, become more honest about what you need in your relationships, or reconnect with something that brings you greater creativity, pleasure, and joy.
New Moon in Libra
Creating Greater Balance
October 6th brings the New Moon in Libra. As I’ve shared in the past, New Moons are a time for planting seeds of intention. The New Moon cycle begins in darkness, with no light illuminating the path ahead. This is the Moon’s time of renewal and fresh beginnings, and for us, it’s an invitation to pause, set our intentions, and imagine what we would like to create as we move forward.
With this New Moon in Libra, think about where you would like to create greater balance, harmony, and peace in your life. Libra is especially connected to relationships and partnerships of all kinds, so this is a wonderful time to reflect on what you would like to experience within those connections. What feels balanced and supportive, and where might something need to change?
With Venus, the ruling planet of Libra, now retrograde, these questions may feel even more meaningful. Rather than simply focusing on what you want from someone else, consider what you can do differently as well. Set an intention around the kind of relationships you want to create, and then think about the choices you can make to begin bringing more of that energy into your life.
Then on September 13th, Mercury and Uranus form a harmonious trine, one of astrology's most supportive aspects. This is one of those transits that can bring unexpected ideas, moments of clarity, or conversations that help you see something in a completely different light.
Grand Fire Trine
Turning Inspiration Into Action
Following the New Moon, we get to experience a beautiful Grand Fire Trine on October 14th, bringing the signs of Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries together in a harmonious and naturally flowing energy. This pattern connects Mars in Leo, the Moon in Sagittarius, and Saturn and Neptune in Aries, creating a wonderful combination of inspiration, creativity, motivation, and determination.
This can give us some of the energy we need to begin doing something with the intentions we planted at the New Moon. Mars encourages us to take action, while the Moon in Sagittarius helps us connect emotionally with what feels meaningful and possible. Neptune brings imagination, intuition, and the ability to envision what we want to create, while Saturn reminds us that our dreams also need structure, commitment, and follow-through. Pay attention to what inspires you around this time, but don't stop there. Ask yourself what one step you can take to begin turning that inspiration into something real.
Pluto Direct in Aquarius
Applying What We've Learned
The very next day, on October 15th, Pluto stations direct in Aquarius. Pluto has been retrograde since May 6th, giving us several months to turn inward and take a deeper look at patterns, beliefs, or situations that may have needed to change.
As Pluto begins moving forward again, we can start taking some of what we've learned through that internal processing and begin applying it to our lives. With Pluto in Aquarius, this isn't only about personal transformation. Aquarius also connects us to community and the collective, encouraging us to think about how the changes we make within ourselves can contribute to something larger.
If you have strong placements in Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus, or Leo, you may notice this shift a little more personally, particularly if those placements fall within the first few degrees of the sign.
Venus Square Pluto
Pause Before You React
On October 20th, Pluto forms a challenging square with Venus. What makes this connection even more intense is that Venus is retrograde in Scorpio, the sign naturally ruled by Pluto. Keep an eye on heightened emotions around this time, especially within your relationships. What you are feeling may not always be an accurate reflection of what is actually happening. Old fears or insecurities may resurface, especially those connected to relationships or patterns we've experienced before. For example, maybe someone doesn't respond to a text as quickly as you expected, or your partner seems a little more distant than usual. Before you know it, you've created an entire story in your head about what it means, when there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation.
Before reacting, give yourself a little time to understand what is really being triggered. Is this about what is happening right now, or is an old fear or insecurity influencing the way you're seeing the situation? There may be something deeper asking for your attention.
Scorpio Season
Allowing Ourselves to Be Seen
Then, on October 23rd, the Sun enters Scorpio while also forming a close connection with Venus. With this shift comes a deeper, more introspective energy. Scorpio encourages us to look beneath the surface, confront some of our fears, and become more honest about what we truly need and desire.
Scorpio encourages us to look beneath the surface, confront some of our fears, and become more honest about what we truly need and desire.
When you combine this energy with Venus, you may feel drawn to deepen the emotional or physical intimacy with your partner, talk about where your relationship is headed, or allow yourself to be a little more vulnerable. Or perhaps it's sitting down with a close friend and finally sharing something you've been carrying around but haven't felt comfortable talking about. Overall, this is a wonderful time for deeper conversations and for saying some of the things we sometimes find the hardest to say. Scorpio reminds us that true intimacy isn't just about being close to someone. It's also about allowing ourselves to be seen and known on a deeper level.
Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio
Going Back to Go Deeper
On October 24th, Mercury in Scorpio goes retrograde until November 13th. I am not one to get all worked up about retrogrades. They do serve a purpose. The key is being aware of the areas of life that could be affected and planning accordingly. Double-check appointments and travel plans, think before hitting send, and allow a little extra patience for misunderstandings or delays.
With Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, we may also find ourselves revisiting conversations, feelings, or situations we thought we had already dealt with. Rather than seeing this as a setback, consider what you may have missed the first time around. Sometimes going back gives us the opportunity to understand something on a much deeper level.
Venus Retrograde Returns to Libra
What Has Been Left Unsaid?
The next day, Venus retrograde leaves Scorpio and moves back into Libra. This could bring relationship issues we've been avoiding back to the surface, perhaps requiring a little truth serum around what is and isn't working. Libra wants balance, fairness, and peace, but sometimes we have to address what's been left unsaid before we can get there. With both Venus and Mercury retrograde, give yourself time before making major decisions about relationships or partnerships. Listen, communicate, and pay attention to what is being revealed without feeling that you have to figure everything out right away.
Full Moon in Taurus
What Makes You Feel Secure?
As the month begins to come to a close, October 26th brings a Full Moon in Taurus. This may not feel like the usual Taurus Full Moon since Venus, the ruling planet of Taurus, is retrograde.
Taurus normally seeks stability, comfort, and security, but with Venus retrograde, we may find ourselves questioning what truly makes us feel secure and fulfilled. This could involve a relationship, our finances, or even the things we've come to depend upon for comfort and stability. Full Moons tend to bring things into the light, so pay attention to what becomes clearer around this time. You may realize that something you once valued or needed no longer holds the same importance for you.
Final Thoughts for October
As we prepare to move into November, give yourself some time to reflect on what October has shown you. This has been a month of looking beneath the surface, having more honest conversations, and perhaps recognizing where something in your life needs to change. Trust what you're learning about yourself and allow that awareness to guide the choices you make moving forward.
This has been a month of looking beneath the surface, having more honest conversations, and perhaps recognizing where something in your life needs to change.
I'll continue sharing astrological insights, practical tips, and ways to work with the current energy on Instagram and YouTube throughout the month, and I'd love for you to join me there as we continue exploring the wisdom of the stars together. If you feel called to explore your own journey more deeply, I'd be honored to support you through a private astrology session or one of my private or group Art of Manifesting classes.
Ways We Can Work Together
If you feel called to explore the astrological cycles more deeply on a personal level, I would love to support you in whatever way feels most aligned.
Please feel free to reach out below for gift certificates, workshop collaborations, or special projects. My inbox is always open for any other ideas or questions you might have.