The Stars This Week — October 4 – 10

Venus turns retrograde on Friday this week and so begins its six-week backwards journey across the sky.  Venus will be in retrograde motion until November 18 and will mark a time when matters of love and beauty may occupy a greater role in our lives.  Retrograde cycles are often seen as periods when we review or clarify our relationships as if to prepare for happier and more constructive associations in the future.  There certainly may be some of this reflective quality in the retrograde cycle, but the increased brightness and slower velocity of Venus in the night sky simply means that Venus is stronger now and will play a greater role in human affairs for the next little while. Venus represents women and the feminine ideal so we can look forward to a time when we become more conscious of the feminine archetype of beauty, sociality and compassion.  Venus is also symbolic of money and pleasure, so we will see a greater importance placed on spending and enjoyment of sensual experiences this week.  This will especially be true for Mars-ruled signs of Aries and Scorpio and the Venus-ruled signs of Taurus and Libra, although all the signs of zodiac will partake to some extent in this Venus-fest. 

While the Venus retrograde cycle is a time to put us in touch with our feminine side, this one will be made more complicated by the close conjunction with Mars.  This conjunction is exact on Monday although it will be in close proximity the whole week.  Mars is an energy for action and assertion, and its blending with Venus this week may give a spark or edge to relationships and male-female interactions.  Some interactions will see the sexual dynamic given a wider role, as the emphasis will be vitality and activity.  So this week will be a good time to initiate new social contacts and for taking pleasure (Venus) in any sort of physical activity (Mars). 

Mercury joins the Sun and Saturn in sidereal Virgo this week.  This is likely to accentuate the role of thinking and our discriminatory faculties as they pertain to the upholding of standards and ideals.  Criticism of situations that are not living up to expectations may be more likely this week, especially with the Mercury-ruled signs of Gemini and Virgo.  Capricorn and Aquarius may also get a dose of this Mercury energy and use their powers of judgment to gain the information necessary to make productive decisions.  Thursday’s New Moon and the Mercury-Saturn conjunction on Friday may well highlight this penchant for analysis and scrutinizing of standards. 


Aries (Apr 13 – May 14)   This week is looking very good for you as Mars joins Venus in Libra.  You are more likely to find new friends and contacts here and relationships generally get a boost.  This is a great time to go on a romantic date or enjoy an outing to a place of beauty or relaxation.  The weekend looks like your best time to shine.  Work and family responsibilities may be more onerous, however, as there are greater demands placed upon you.   Take it all in stride and rely on a methodical approach.  Slow and steady wins the race.

Taurus (May 15 – Jun 14)    As Venus meets Mars this week, you may feel greater vitality and need for action as Mars lights a fire under your feet.  You could be busier than usual here and may be distracted by situations that demand repair.  Relationships could also be in focus here as you feel the need to clarify some grey areas.  Mars can make us overly aggressive at times, so try to avoid overdoing it.  Happiness is within your grasp if you take a moment to stand back and see both sides.  The weekend looks like a great time to mix relaxation with productive activity, especially involving children.

Gemini (Jun 15 – Jul 14)   Some improvement is likely this week if last week’s Saturn-Ketu aspect may have weakened your resolve.  Saturn is still in the picture here so that heaviness that may weigh on you if you choose to let it.  The end of the week will be a time when your duties and responsibilities become clarified, especially on the home front.  Relationships may be unsettled and uncertain and they may take up more of your time.  It’s probably best not to force the issue as the situation will likely move to a better resolution once Mars moves away from Venus next week.

Cancer (Jul 15 – Aug 14)   As Mercury enters your third house, you will feel a greater need to communicate your ideas and put yourself out into the world.  If you were lacking in motivation, this week may give you a boost as your sense about what you want becomes clearer.   With Saturn in the picture here, this may not be the best time for back-of-a-napkin type improvised plans.  Take the time to plan your next moves and they will pay off handsomely.   Working life looks quite positive this week and you may get some recognition for a job well done.

Leo (Aug 15 – Sep 15)   There is a nice start to the week as the Sun is in aspect with Venus.  This should help you see the joys of life and lighten your load going into midweek.  Mercury enters your second house here so money issues could be front and center by Friday.  These are more likely to go well if you bring in the viewpoints of friends and partners.  Other perspectives can sometimes suggest a new way at looking at things.  This may be a better time to leave your Leo charm behind and rely on cold, rational calculation.  New initiatives may pay some dividends by the weekend.

Virgo (Sep 16 – Oct 15)   All eyes are on you this week.  This is a perfect opportunity to impress the world with your sense of propriety and balance in all things, and the importance of "doing the right thing".   Thursday’s New Moon occurs in Virgo and this may well highlight your best qualities to those who share your life.  This could be a time when serving the needs of other makes more sense than looking out for oneself.  The benefits of taking the high road will become clear soon enough.   Money and finances may be a source of comfort during the weekend.

Libra (Oct 16 – Nov 14)  You will gain first hand experience with the Venus-Mars conjunction this week.  Relationships and the opposite sex should take prominent place in life here, and you may learn a lot about the role of leadership.  While the best relationships involve compromise and give and take, the Mars influence this week might place the emphasis on the "taking" part of the equation.   Romance may take on a more purely sexual tone as niceties take a back seat to more essential Freudian urges.   There could be an unsteady balance between the demands of others and the desire to escape and be alone.

Scorpio (Nov 15 – Dec 14)   You will be surrounded by beautiful things and people this week as Venus casts is luminous glow.  Make the most of this time to enjoy the finer things in life.  There is a parallel theme of sanctuary and isolation here as if sexual contact can provide sanctuary from the madding crowds of our mundane lives.  The allure of utopias and distant shores may be irresistible here and you may be tempted to run away with a lover with a foreign accent.  Ah, if only Venus and Mars could be in your 12th house forever!   The weekend looks great for a romantic getaway.

Sagittarius (Dec 15 – Jan 13)    Since the Venus-Mars conjunction falls in your 11th house of gains, it may be useful to think of this as harvest time.  If you’ve been laying the proper groundwork, efforts may bear some significant fruit here, especially going into the weekend.   With Mercury entering your 10th house of career, there is a space here for your ideas to reach a wider audience.  Work-related situations generally go well, even if the boss is always looking over your shoulder.   You may have more social interactions with older or spiritual people here, especially those that are pursuing alternative paths.

Capricorn (Jan 14 – February 12)    You could take a greater interest in traveling this week as Mercury enters your 9th house.  This would be a good time to plan a vacation or take off to places unknown.  You may also be drawn to complex systems of thought as you enjoy parsing the details of all manner of facts, figures, and texts.  With the Venus retrograde cycle taking place in your 10th house this week, the universe is making a bigger space for you.  Don’t be shy about stepping out into the limelight even if it means temporarily surrendering some of your traditional Capricornian defenses. 

Aquarius (Feb 13 – Mar 12)  With Thursday’s New Moon occurring in your 8th house of mystery, you may be distracted by the realm of the offbeat.  Conspiracy theories and alternative health information may be particularly salient this week as you weigh the pros and cons of going off the beaten track.  The themes of searching and investigating will likely bubble up at different times this week and could also include everything from fact finding missions about office gossip to coming to terms with transcendental knowledge of esoteric realms.   Money matters may be a source of unexpected relief this week as you realize you have more than you thought, or at least expenses were less than you remembered.

Pisces (Mar 13 – Apr 12)  The urge to reformulate your life continues this week as Jupiter, your ruling planet, receives the aspects of Mercury and the Moon.  If things have been unsettled lately, this is likely to amplify that feeling.  This may not be a bad thing, however, since Mercury often brings good fortune. But it may take time for any benefits to accrue.  Your relationships are likely going to be a source of comfort and happiness here as life’s demands are more easily borne in the company of those who care for us.  You may find a special sense of joy helping someone in need early in the week.  Some intriguing romantic or sexual developments may be more likely over the weekend.