Manifesting Beauty, Grace and Understanding | October 2026 Horoscope
By Catie Cadge PhD
Every fall season, the turning of the leaves and the shortening of our days prepare us for the coming of Samhain or Halloween. We reflect upon the sweet sorrow of life’s impermanence. This month begins with Venus stopping in sky and turning retrograde at 08°29’ Scorpio on October 3rd. The retrograde motion of Venus in Scorpio underscores the fundamental reality we face every October that “this too will end.” People we love will eventually pass away, things don’t last forever. How can we see one another deeply and create meaningful bonds of trust and love?
This Venus retrograde period (until November 13th) asks us to cultivate an intensity of connection with others. It is a perfect time to dive into deep waters of intimacy and wrestle with any shadow work we have when it comes to understanding the power dynamics in relationship. I think of the beautiful lyrics of the Grateful Dead song, Crazy Fingers, “stray down to the water, deep sea of love. Beneath the sweet calm face of the sea, swift undertow.” Passion is in the mix! But so is looking openly at your own wounds, including any power struggles or jealousy traps you are facing. What do relationships reveal about your own inner workings? Your psychological shadows?
On October 2nd, Mars in Leo trines (120°) Neptune retrograde in Aries 02°48’ and, October 3rd, opposes Pluto retrograde in Aquarius 03°06’ and sextiles (60°) Uranus retrograde in Gemini 05°24’, October 7th. The outer planets have been asking us in recent weeks: how can we visualize constructive ways to be our own warrior, take action and stand up for our right to “take up space?” What needs to change for us to be fully authentic and flexible with new perspectives about where we may go moving forward? Mars in Leo triggers our desires to take center stage, lead and put our ideas into practice.
October 10th, we have a New Moon, 17°21’ Libra, 8:50 am Pacific time. Plant a seed in your heart for manifesting beauty, grace and understanding in your life. Libra is about calming down, letting the creative muse inspire you or finding peace when doing the dance with another. Mars in Leo squares Venus retrograde in Scorpio, 07°21’. We may feel a need to be seen and cherished by others but, in order to fully be in that position, we also require trust and truth on the table. Some may be too pushy in wanting their way when the New moon is asking for honest negotiation. It takes two to tangle! Try to be patient with others, but realize you too deserve attention and appreciation.
Slow-moving Pluto turns direct, 03°04’ Aquarius, October 15th. The planet squares Venus, trines Uranus and sextiles Neptune. Look to see where Pluto has been traveling in your own natal chart. Here you are wiping the slate clean, working through any wounds you may have inside, in order to rise from the ashes like the phoenix. This stationary period offers extra juice in doing this inner work, which involves liberating us from anything that keeps us from being our true selves.
Sun enters Scorpio October 23rd, Mercury turns retrograde at 20°58’ Scorpio October 24th (until November 13th) and retrograde Venus reenters Libra October 25th. We officially enter Scorpio season. Passions fly! Dive into the intensity of feeling during the last part of the month. Watch out for the return of old lovers or other strong connections of your past. This is a time to reevaluate what lies “under the table,” what power struggles do we face with certain encounters? In what relationships do we find peace and balance and what obstacles may keep us apart? “Life may be sweeter for this, I don’t know. See how it feels in the end.”
October 25th, Full Moon in Taurus, 02°45’, occurs 9:11 pm. Scorpio Sun (conjunct Venus, 29°31’ Libra) and Moon (conjunct Chiron 28°20’ Aries) square Pluto and the asteroid, Juno (representing ideal partnership), both in Aquarius. A sensual time when we heal ourselves and our partners through loving passionate playfulness, while also feeling through any remains of doubts, stubbornness or mistrust. Love deeply, but give your partner space to feel fully alive! Happy Halloween everyone!
Attribution: Dan Freeman
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