ARIES

Image: Flames flicker. Waters rise.

Cosmic Condition: A line-up of planets now transit Libra and oppose your Aries Sun sign. Then these planets move into Scorpio. This time forces you, whether you want to or not, into deep emotional waters. Your natural fiery optimism and "can do" attitude is challenged by the reality of feelings-yours and others. Your impulse may be to run away. Action is not needed, your sensitive listening is.

Remedy: Try to be empathetic and present when feelings flow. Don't run away even though you feel your vital force is threatened with being drowned. You won't and this journey into the waters is likely to be healing for you and your closest relationships.

TAURUS

Image: A hiker stops at quicksand's edge.

Cosmic Condition: Exercise extreme caution while negotiating any important changes now, especially in your career. Neptune is reversing direction, finally moving forward. Long held confusion begins to clear next month. In the mean time you may be confused about which path to take. What is dissolving, feeling unsure under your usually sure-footed feet? Is someone undermining you? Are you feeling unappreciated and being asked to sacrifice? These are the kind of questions you may be asking now.

Remedy: Don't act if confused or unsure. If you discover you are in a quagmire, slowly work your way to firmer ground. Use what is time tested and has been reliable. Ask for help from levelheaded people whom you trust.

GEMINI

Image: A spark, some smoke, and then a fire

Cosmic Condition: New creative directions capture your Gemini heart as the Sun, Venus, Mars and Neptune make an auspicious grand trine to your Sun. This is especially so for those born the first two weeks of June. This initiates an ideal time for you to re- aim your creative vision toward that which most excites and re-invigorates you. This especially applies to any creative project that requires working with others. Group efforts, teamwork and brainstorming with friends or professional associates are highly productive. Group retreats, sleepovers or conference planning by committee is favored.

Remedy: Participate in group creative projects. Reach out for new friends through new groups. Network. Build group trust. Help groups to bond in important ways by focusing on fun, play, spontaneity and creativity. Try games like Charades or Celebrity or Dictionary.

CANCER

Image: Answer the call or stay in bed?

Cosmic Condition: Home may be where your heart is but this month professional demands may draw you out of the comfort your nest and away from your beloveds. The stellium of planets in Libra may create tensions between your personal and professional commitments. Professional doors may open but may temporarily demand a sacrifice of your personal life.

Remedy: Do your best to balance these two crucial needs. Listen to partners (or children's') frustrations. Can you find a compromise?

LEO

Image: Six Agents Smith. Neo triple kicks.

Cosmic Condition: Wield creative power for the good. Additional transformative energies are operating this month for Leo, as the Sun, your ruler, forms potent aspects to the transiting Sun, Venus and Mars. This is a fine opportunity to discover creative solutions to difficult situations or to put forward your creative intention with diplomacy, strength and conviction. Your courage, warmth and determination are rewarded.

Remedy: Speak from your heart and others are persuaded to your position. Create win-win situations. Defend yourself courageously and with the strength of conviction.

VIRGO

Image: A sigh of relief as order is restored.

Cosmic Condition: Clear up important matters if you can before October 29 as we approach the final Mercury retrograde cycle of the year. Mercury retrograde occurs for a three week period three times each year. (The upcoming cycle is from October 29 through November 18). As Mercury rules the mind, our perceptions and ability to communicate, this period suggests faulty analytical processes, misperceptions and misunderstandings. Proceed now for smoother developments, less delays and clearer vision.

Remedy: Make effort to complete projects this month. Make decisions concerning matter that cannot wait until mid November. Calm your mind by bringing order. Clean up and clear out your workspace as external order brings internal order for Virgo.

LIBRA

Image: Kids on a seesaw, balanced, still.

Cosmic Condition: The children's story of Goldilocks porridge—"not too hot, not too cold but just right" is appropriate for diplomatic Libra this month. Not only does the Sun transit Libra (your birthday month and solar return) but Mars and Venus hug close as well. This is one of the most favorable times to do what Libra does best- use your charm, sense of fairness and diplomatic skills to effectively find resolutions or to cool down hot situations. You are more concerned with the needs of others as your own ego needs are not very strong. You are more detached and unemotional therefore more able to help others to resolve differences.

Remedy: Broker and facilitate agreements between parties locked in polarized positions. Volunteer especially for charitable or spiritual groups. Meditate on peace. Spend time with those who bring you comfort and a sense of calm. Share beauty with your beloved.

SCORPIO

Image: Like Jupiter's Spot—a massive storm.

Cosmic Condition: Emotional intensity starts building on October 2 as Mercury moves into your Sun sign and ratchets up to its highest point of the year with the November 5 Full Moon. Groups, factions, and power hungry individuals vie for control now (i.e., US elections). Unexpected, last minute propaganda, scandals, and naked power plays occur. Hidden agendas, motives and action reveal themselves. Scorpios thrive in challenging environments through your "pit bull" determination. But you can thrive now by applying your "pit bull" determination.

Remedy: Get in on the action now, for you may perceive something important that others miss. Observe how the world stage may mimic your own microcosmic life. Choose the cause that you feel is worth fighting for and put your tremendous will and energy towards its success. Pay attention to your own unconscious agendas and motives. Observe your own ethics and you can use your power to effect positive transformation.

SAGITTARIUS

Image: A poet's words, the heart ascends.

Cosmic Condition: With the emphasis of planets in romantic Libra fiery this month, you may feel drawn to escape the world and float in dreamy fantasy in the loving arms of your beloved. What a fine time to inspire renewed passions and express the warmth of your Sagittarian heart. Experience ecstasy through contemplating the divine this month.

Remedy: Speak of love. Even propose or get married. Make special effort to express gratitude. Let yourself be swept away with the writings of the romantic poets- Kabir, Rumi or Pablo Neruda. Schedule romantic getaways in beautiful places.

CAPRICORN

Image: One step forward. One step back.

Cosmic Condition: "It's awesome. It sucks," says one of my astro pals. With Jupiter continuing to make a challenging aspect to Saturn, your ruler, you may feel the same. Some areas of your life are growing and expanding and giving you reason to be optimistic; others may be contracting, bound with obstacles and giving you reason to feel discouraged. Have heart though as this up-down process stabilizes next month as Saturn moves into the most auspicious aspect to Pluto. Humor and perspective help.

Remedy: Be patient with your process. Watch hasty reactions to confinement. Seek freedom in one arena to relieve constriction in another. Don't take difficulties too hard.

AQUARIUS

Image: "The deal of a lifetime," croons the con.

Cosmic Condition: Pay close attention to your gut instincts about new situations and people as you are more vulnerable now to being taken advantage of or of being totally na•ve. Neptune in Aquarius hardly moves from October 19 through November 9. This period requires cautious mindful attention especially if you were born the first week of February.

Remedy: Be on guard for dishonesty, deception or your own faulty or inaccurate thinking. Don't accept much of what you hear without checking it out especially if it sounds too good to be true. Stay out of dangerous neighborhoods. Trust what has proven itself to work in the past.

PISCES

Image: Lost in the parking lot, wandering around.

Cosmic Condition: Fog envelops the horizon for the second time this year as Neptune, your ruler, appears to stop still in the sky from October 9 through November. This almost reliably brings more confusion, fuzzy thinking and spacey wanderings. Be more cautious concerning any new people or situations. If your gut says no, don't do it.

Remedy: Did you suffer from confusion or deception in May? Have you discovered the new situations developing then have proved to be worthless or disappointing? What existed then does again so be discerning. Follow the suggestions given for Aquarius as you both are under this challenging Neptune transit.

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