This Week in Astrology: October 21 to 27, 2018

This Week in Astrology: October 21 to 27, 2018

 

October 21 to 27, 2018

 

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On this Page:

This week’s Moon
phase
Planets in signs and aspect
Retrogrades
This week’s astrology calendar
Timing with the Moon
Romance & Relationship Report
Daily Trends

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The FULL MOON occurs on Wednesday, October 24th, 2018, at 12:45 PM EDT. 

On Wednesday, the Full Moon occurs in the sign of Taurus. Full Moons always pit opposite signs of the zodiac against each other but also invite us to work to achieve a balance between the opposing energies.

The contrast between earthy, practical, peace-loving Taurus and emotional, transformative, crisis-oriented Scorpio comes full bloom today. The Moon in Taurus wants us to find emotional fulfillment through the simple, tangible things in life, while the Scorpio Sun draws our attention to complexities, intangibles, and mysteries. The Full Moon illuminates this conflict between form (Taurus) and transformation (Scorpio), and between collecting (Taurus) and sharing (Scorpio). This is a passionate and creative Full Moon, ripe with possibilities and learning experiences. Intimate relationship matters, such as personal comfort levels and values as well as sexuality, figure prominently now. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time—a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

The Sun aligns with retrograde Venus and the Moon with Uranus around the time of the Full Moon, and there can be a strong urge, or need, to break free from old patterns in our relationships. Our feelings about a lingering problem or matter can become very clear now.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 1 degree and 13 minutes of Taurus forming an opposition with the Sun at 1 degree and 13 minutes of Scorpio, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 27 to 30 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) and 0 to 5 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) most significantly.

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(Times are Eastern)

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The Sun is in Libra until October 23rd, after which the Sun is in Scorpio; Mercury is in  Scorpio; Venus is in Scorpio; Mars is in Aquarius.

The Sun is in Libra from September 22-October 23. Libra rules relationships with others as mirrors of ourselves. Meeting others halfway, compromise, and negotiation come under the rule of Libra. The focus is now on balance–finding balance and harmony through relationships with others and through art. Libra is the sign of the peacemaker. However, life is not always peaceful with Libra in its attempt to restore balance. Decision-making can be more challenging while the Sun is in Libra. Libra weighs both sides of any situation, and sometimes this process seems endless! In Libra, the Sun is concerned about not rocking the boat and not rubbing others the wrong way. Tactfulness, style, tolerance, and sociability are some of the keywords for Libra. On the shadow side, Libra can be self-serving, indecisive, passive-aggressive, and superficial.

The Sun is in Scorpio from October 23-November 22. The guiding principle of Scorpio is “I desire.” Scorpio is the sign of depth, intimacy, and extremes of feeling. Superficiality simply will not do with the Sun in Scorpio. We have the desire to get to the bottom of matters. Mediocrity does not satisfy either. All that is hidden, taboo, secret, or suppressed interests us. In Libra, we strived towards equality and fairness. Scorpio, however, instinctively believes that life simply isn’t fair. Scorpio’s energy is provocative, usually in a quiet way, as well as passionate, strong-willed, and intense. It can be an immensely healing and transformative energy. Jealousy, vindictiveness, beating a dead horse, and manipulative are some of the more negative expressions of Scorpio.

Mercury is in Scorpio from October 9-31. When Mercury is in Scorpio, our thoughts and communications are more probing and intense. While Mercury in Libra urged us to find balance and to arrive at fair solutions, Mercury in Scorpio instinctively knows that life simply isn’t fair. Mercury in Scorpio seeks truths in all that is hidden and undercover. We tend to probe, observe, and focus our thoughts under this influence. Looking for motivations–the more deeply buried the better–satisfies an intellectual need now. Our thoughts are profound. We throw away superficial manners of communicating in favor of deep conversations. Scorpio is extremely sharp, profound, and analytical. Thinking is inclined to be one-track minded, focused, and even obsessive.

Venus is in Scorpio from September 9-October 31. Deeply passionate relations are the focus with Venus in Scorpio. Superficial flirtations and contacts do not satisfy now, as we yearn for “body and soul” contact with someone special–contact that breaks the taboos, that is extreme and intense, and that is unforgettable. This is a highly emotional position for Venus. It is a passionate, sensual, and intense energy. Our relationships are immensely important to us, and we may even feel that they consume us. In fact, we tend to want to be consumed by them! Our drive is toward intense closeness, but blind faith in our partners is extremely hard for us now. Fears of being too vulnerable or of giving up our own power to others are strong. Scorpio is an “all or nothing” energy, and relationships tend to be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride as a result. Disdain for mediocrity and superficiality can compel us to create crises in order to feel alive and vital.

Mars is in Aquarius from May 16-August 12 and September 10-November 15. Dynamic yet erratic energy levels, achieving our goals through hit or miss tactics, and impersonal expression of anger are characteristics of Mars in Aquarius. We are team players–cooperative and less concerned about personal power. We are attracted to unconventional methods and tend to approach problems from an intellectual, detached perspective.

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Saturn transits Capricorn from December 19/20, 2017, to March 21, 2020; and then finishes up its transit from July 1 to December 17, 2020. Read about Saturn’s transit through Capricorn here.

Jupiter entered Scorpio on October 10th, 2017, and will remain in the sign until November 8th, 2018. Read about Jupiter in Scorpio transit here.

Uranus entered Taurus on May 15, 2018, and will transit Taurus until November 6, 2018, and then from March 6, 2019, to 2025/6. We approach money and personal possessions in new ways and learn how to free ourselves from certain material constraints. Innovative ways to make ourselves comfortable emerge. We’re less inhibited about expressing sensuality, self-love, body love, and pampering. We’re challenging what we previously valued during this cycle. There can be abrupt changes with money, valuables, possessions, and income that lead to a reshuffling of priorities or values. Income might come from non-traditional sources or ventures. We’re bringing progressive ideas to the world of business. New ways of doing business, as well as making, viewing, and handling money are likely. Income and the energy we put into making money can be variable.

Uranus entered Aries on March 11th, 2011, and will transit Aries until May 15, 2018, and then from November 6, 2018, to March 6, 2019. The urge to start fresh, to break free from restrictive attitudes or circumstances, to totally redesign an area of our lives (or even our personalities), and to gain freedom through independence is strong with Uranus in Aries.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Scorpio from September 9-October 31 and then December 2, 2018, to January 7, 2019. Deeply passionate relations are the focus with Venus in Scorpio. Superficial flirtations and contacts do not satisfy now, as we yearn for “body and soul” contact with someone special–contact that breaks the taboos, that is extreme and intense, and that is unforgettable. This is a highly emotional position for Venus. It is a passionate, sensual, and intense energy. Our relationships are immensely important to us, and we may even feel that they consume us. In fact, we tend to want to be consumed by them! Our drive is toward intense closeness, but blind faith in our partners is extremely hard for us now. Fears of being too vulnerable or of giving up our own power to others are strong. Scorpio is an “all or nothing” energy, and relationships tend to be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride as a result. Disdain for mediocrity and superficiality can compel us to create crises in order to feel alive and vital. If a relationship becomes too settled or predictable, we may crave more intensity and catalytic experience. Jealousies, fears of betrayal, and power games are the shadow side of Venus in Scorpio. We may easily become obsessed with a fear that our partners might be betraying us, or that they are not as consumed and dedicated to the relationship as us. This can lead us to try to uncover the “truth”, reading too many negative possibilities in our partners’ actions and words.

This week: Venus is retrograde again this week. (Venus is retrograde from October 5-November 16). Retrograde Venus forms parallels to Mercury, Jupiter, and then Mars this week, and we may thoroughly enjoy working on projects and arriving at enterprising ideas. Even as we look back, we have a sense that we’re growing and improving. Feelings are intense, insistent, and motivating. Even so, on Tuesday and Wednesday, there is good energy for steadying and stabilizing our relationships. We appreciate reliability and familiarity.

 

Venus, the Goddess of Love: Highlights in the Coming Week:

Venus in Scorpio September 9-October 31. This is way beyond love, all the way to obsession – that’s the nature of the cycle that now takes hold in your life. We’re not talking just lukewarm WANT here; we’re talking red-hot GOT TO HAVE! Passion, jealousy, possession: these are the kinds of experiences that can flow from the intensity that courses through you at one level or another now – voracious.

Venus parallel Mars October 4-5. Favors romantic and sexual relationships. Intense passions.

Venus square Mars October 10. Passions run high under this influence. Sexual tensions and competitiveness are possible, and there can be conflicts that arise from distinct differences between romantic and sexual needs. There is an air of competitiveness under this influence, which need not be difficult. It can be stimulating, creative, passionate, and invigorating.

Venus conjunct Mercury October 14-15. Favors playfulness in love and enhanced communication between partners.

Venus parallel Mercury October 22-23. A congenial time when we appreciate diplomacy and socialize more readily.

Venus sextile Saturn October 23-24. Relationships are stabilized and steady, although feelings are expressed reservedly, formally, or sparingly. A new sense of realism in existing partnerships. Relationships begun under this influence possess a distinctly practical theme, almost as if the partnership is a business endeavor.

Venus parallel Jupiter October 24-25. We are charitable with others and have a stronger desire than usual to find meaning in our relationships. There may be some overstating or overindulgence now, however.

Venus conjunct the Sun October 25-26. Good relating is the focus, although some may find this energy superficial in that surface charm, diplomacy, and harmony is the goal. The pursuit of pleasure is emphasized.

Venus parallel Mars October 28-29. Favors romantic and sexual relationships. Intense passions.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Sunday, October 21st, from 7:48 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Aries the next day, Monday, October 22nd, at 2:59 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 2:18 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Pluto), until the Moon enters Taurus the next day, Wednesday, October 24th, at 10:34 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Friday, October 26th, from 10:49 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Gemini at 3:41 PM EDT.

October 2018:

Timing with the Moon – Better Periods this Week for Electing New Initiatives

The Moon is waxing this week – a period that is generally considered favorable for new beginnings, with exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details).

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs this week from Friday, October 19th, at approximately 4:25 PM EDT, until Sunday, October 21st, at approximately 7:45 PM EDT, while the Moon is in Pisces. Another window occurs from Saturday, October 27th, at approximately 4:50 PM EDT, until Sunday, October 28th, at approximately 12:35 AM EDT, while the Moon is in Gemini. Note that Venus is retrograde during these windows, however.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Sep  6,
2018     7:09 AM Saturn Direct
Sep  9, 2018     5:25 AM Venus enters Scorpio
Sep 10, 2018     8:56 PM Mars enters Aquarius
Sep 17, 2018    11:55 PM Vesta enters Capricorn
Sep 21, 2018    11:39 PM Mercury enters Libra
Sep 22, 2018     9:54 PM Sun enters Libra
Sep 25, 2018     8:12 PM Chiron Retrograde enters Pisces
Sep 29, 2018     7:43 PM Juno enters Gemini
Sep 30, 2018    10:03 PM Pluto Direct
Oct  5, 2018     3:05 PM Venus Retrograde
Oct  9, 2018     8:40 PM Mercury enters Scorpio
Oct 12, 2018    12:03 AM Juno Retrograde
Oct 23, 2018     7:22 AM Sun enters Scorpio
Oct 24, 2018     3:50 AM Juno Retrograde enters Taurus
Oct 31, 2018    12:38 AM Mercury enters Sagittarius
Oct 31, 2018     3:42 PM Venus Retrograde enters Libra

 

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day (this takes you to my other site, Astrology Cafe).
See also: The Astrology of 2018 – Overview and The Astrology of 2019 – Overview (completed).

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

 

This Week’s Aspects

Mercury conjunct Venus. Lighthearted conversations, sociability, humor, cooperation. Good time for socializing and for communicating with ease, telling others how we feel, and negotiating. Mentally, we’re not as disciplined as usual, as we prefer to chat with others and to think about more “pleasant” things than work. Generally favorable for commerce.

Mars semi-square Chiron. We can be easily offended under the influence of this transit. Touchiness. Difficulties expressing our anger or desires in a direct manner.

Mercury sesquiquadrate Chiron. Communications may be careless, hurtful or perceived as hurtful under this influence. It can be hard to read the intention behind the words used to communicate now. There may be impatience with rules, worry or guilty feelings, and conflicting viewpoints now.

Mercury trine Neptune. Imagination and intuition run high and are involved in decisions made today. We are in the right place at the right time. We may easily sense the thoughts and feelings of others. We express ourselves with subtle flair. Favors photography, the arts, poetry, fiction, spirituality, advertising, and promotion.

Mercury square Mars. Impatience, hastiness, and disagreements characterize this transit. This is an unfavorable time for any kind of meeting, starting a new project, and business proposals. We can be irritable and say all the wrong things. We may be competing for the floor when it comes to expressing our ideas, thoughts, and opinions, making it difficult to engage in healthy dialogue. Mental agitation could dominate. We may stir up controversy with what we say, or how we say it.

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Note: Times given in the table/calendar above are Eastern Time (ET).

 

Daily Trends Calendar

See below for day-by-day forecasts and planets in signs. See also Transit to Transit aspects.

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day – Astrology Cafe.

See also:  The Astrology of 2018 – Overview

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What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

(as featured on the site’s main page and in our Daily Trends Calendar)

See also the new Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trends overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

OCTOBER 21

The Moon spends another day in the sign of Pisces, stimulating the need to mellow out. However, today and tomorrow are excellent for confident decision-making and enterprising ideas. This is an especially good time for new and existing enterprises related to finance, business, and relationships. We can be especially resourceful but perhaps a little impatient. We want to get things done and put ideas into motion, and can be especially productive in our studies or work. We may be anxious to analyze or resolve a problem, but we may be a little short in our communications. We’re in great shape for understanding, teaching, absorbing, and learning, and most of all, applying our knowledge. We tend to connect to a higher purpose and may enjoy a feeling of well-being today.

The Moon is void from 7:48 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Aries the next day, Monday, October 22nd, at 2:59 AM EDT.

OCTOBER 22

There can be some concerns or uncertainties to deal with today, but we’re in a great position to work things through and develop sound strategies for solving problems — and preventing further ones. This morning, we may be doubting ourselves and our effectiveness or experiencing guilt for not facing essential issues. Feelings of discontent can lead us along unexpected tangents. Mercury’s sextile to Pluto today is intense in a productive way, encouraging us to get to the root of a problem. We are willing to look beyond the surface of things and investigate further. Deep insight happening now leads to better choices. Conversations are probing, investigative, and meaningful, and we may come to an improved psychological understanding of our lives.

The Moon continues its void period until 2:59 AM EDT when it enters Aries.

OCTOBER 23

The Sun moves into the sign of Scorpio today, where it will transit until November 22nd. Scorpio is the sign of depth, intimacy, and extremes of feeling. Superficiality simply will not do with the Sun in Scorpio, and mediocrity does not satisfy either! All that is hidden, taboo, secret, or suppressed interests us. Retrograde Uranus will head back into the sign of Aries to finish its transit of the sign in just two weeks and is currently transiting the first degree of Taurus. The Sun forms an opposition to Uranus today, and we’re likely to encounter resistance from others as well as from within. Surprising events may be part of the picture now, particularly through our relationships and the illumination of a different perspective. This energy is rebellious and touchy, especially if we feel constrained. This yearly influence can pull up the need to review our needs for more freedom. The drive to do something new is with us, but we may not have a direction or purpose yet, and it’s best to avoid making hasty significant decisions.

The Moon is void from 2:18 PM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a square to Pluto), until the Moon enters Taurus the next day, Wednesday, October 24th, at 10:34 AM EDT.

OCTOBER 24

Venus forms a sextile to Saturn this morning, which can be grounding and practical-minded. We prefer to see one another and our relationships realistically under this influence. This can also be a time for placing a higher value on security, steadiness, and loyalty. The Moon ends its transit of independent Aries at 10:34 AM EDT, when it enters Taurus, and then reaches Full shortly after midday. The Full Moon in Taurus is fertile and potent and can serve to awaken us to our feelings and desires, as well as to a new approach to enjoying ourselves. This lunation occurs just after a Sun-Uranus opposition, suggesting some surprise or abrupt elements to our epiphanies. Full Moons always pit opposite signs of the zodiac against each other but also invite us to work to achieve a balance between the opposing energies. The contrast between earthy, practical, peace-loving Taurus and emotional, transformative, crisis-oriented Scorpio comes full bloom now. This is a passionate and creative Full Moon, ripe with possibilities and learning experiences. Intimate relationship matters, such as personal comfort levels, sexuality, and values, figure prominently now. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which began at the New Moon. There can be a strong urge (or need) to break free from old patterns in our relationships. Our feelings about a lingering problem or matter can become very clear now. While there can be a tug of war between closeness and independence, we might discover ways to interact while honoring both needs.

The Moon continues its void period until 10:34 AM EDT when it enters Taurus.

OCTOBER 25

The Moon spends the day in the sign of Taurus, and we’re tuned into our need for comfort and earthy activities. Venus is heading into alignment with the Sun, exact tomorrow, and we see the past in a new light, particularly related to our relationships and pleasures. Venus forms a parallel with Jupiter today, and we are especially charitable with others and have a stronger desire than usual to find meaning in our relationships. There may be some overstating or overindulgence now, but our intentions are generally good, and we promptly offer people the benefit of the doubt. We’re also inclined to take the high road, open ourselves up to new possibilities, and keep growth and discovery as priorities. This aspect highlights the need to allow our loved ones some freedoms and space to grow and improve. We’re making the best out of situations now.

OCTOBER 26

The Sun and retrograde Venus align in the sign of Libra Scorpio* this morning, marking the middle of the Venus retrograde cycle and a new Sun-Venus cycle’s beginning. Relationship matters are in high focus and can feel fated, with an emphasis on issues and people of our past. We are motivated by the desire to come to some semblance of balance in our relationships and our environment. Our desire to impress, charm, smooth over differences, and placate others is enhanced with the Sun and Venus coming together. We can be symbolically in the dark when it comes to our feelings or relationships as a new cycle begins. This is a time for redefining what we want and need, particularly from intimate relationships but also related to our material affairs and goals. The Moon continues to transit the sign of Taurus today until 3:41 PM EDT, after which it moves through Gemini.

The Moon is void from 10:49 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Gemini at 3:41 PM EDT.

*So sorry, but as I have been writing about Venus retrograde in the sign of Libra for the November horoscopes, I had Libra on the brain when writing this daily synopsis. In fact and of course, Venus and the Sun align in Scorpio today and Venus will only return to Libra on October 31st.

OCTOBER 27

The Moon spends the day in curious Gemini. While the Gemini Moon’s square to Neptune this afternoon can point to some listlessness, the Sun-Saturn sextile helps us focus on priorities and feel good about doing so. This influence supports disciplining ourselves to bring more purpose and practicality to our lives and stimulates a desire to meet our responsibilities. We’re less inclined to allow our egos to get in the way of making practical progress. This is a time for self-awareness that leads to realistic plans and goals. The Sun-Saturn influence keeps our feet on the ground. We prefer conservative, safe moves now – slow and steady suits us fine. It’s a good time for taking actions that build trust and a sense of reliability.

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If it’s your birthday today, see our feature, If Today is Your Birthday Forecasts, for a free forecast for the upcoming year.

Moon Signs This Week:

When the Moon is in Pisces

 We may not want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It's a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favors the following activities: Imaginative undertakings, mystical or spiritual pursuits, inner development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

When the Moon is in Aries

We're motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to begin something new is with us now, as well as the gumption to do so. Our pioneering impulses are strong, and we feel energetic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic. We may also be tactless and impulsive now. Excess energy is best channeled into physical activity.

People can be more self-motivated and also self-focused while the Moon is in Aries. It's a competitive rather than cooperative time. Accidents and tempers flaring are more likely than usual. This period is one of more personal courage.

The Moon in Aries generally favors the following activities: Quick actions that yield immediate results. Undertakings that involve the self and the personality. (Staying power may be lacking). Self-assertion, taking on challenges, beginning short-term projects.

When the Moon is in Taurus

We are motivated by the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and "stop to smell the roses." Life slows down a little, and we get comfortable. We may also be inclined to stubbornness and materialism under this influence.

While the Moon is in Taurus, people can be emotionally constant but inflexible. It's a time of stronger focus on personal needs and comfort levels, and a period of more common sense and attention to practical matters.

The Moon in Taurus generally favors the following activities: Substantial and material actions that yield solid results. Financial activities, and those involving personal possessions, applying for a loan, beginning a potentially long-term relationship, music, home decor.

When the Moon is in Gemini

Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, spirited, and curious, but it can also be restless and fickle.

The Moon in Gemini generally favors the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, and more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching, making connections, cafes, light and airy meetings, short trips.

 

Upcoming Weeks: Calendars

 

 

What’s In Your Forecast?

Take a peek at the year ahead with in-depth Future Forecast Reports from Cafe Astrology.

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BACK TO THIS WEEK IN ASTROLOGY MAIN/CURRENT

 

See also:

 

The Astrology of 2018 – Overview

The Astrology of 2019 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits