Your Monthly Horoscopes: October 2021

October’s theme is passive aggression, which, for someone so direct and proactive, makes you feel completely out of your element. Your ruling planet Mars travelling through Libra forces you to pick your battles in relationships and handle conflict with uncharacteristic kid gloves. On the 8th, as the sun overcomes Mars—a once in two-year cleansing for your overall vibe—you feel refreshed, but still unable to speak your mind. Problems are solved through productive conversation though and it’s important to address what’s bothering you before the emotional full moon (in your sign) on the 20th.

Love Horoscope: Though love planet Venus is travelling through intrepid Sagittarius this month, you’re not experiencing any of the Honeymoon vibes. Your partner is travelling or just super busy at work, and when you are able to be together, it seems like all you do is argue. Take advantage of the lovey dovey vibes on the 26th (when Venus squares off with dreamy Neptune) for some great makeup sex or at least a chill night cuddling on the couch.

Money Horoscope: There are so many places you want to go and so much you want to learn (always, but especially this month) and you’re racking up the credit card bills to fund some mind-expanding dreams. Scorpio season, which begins on the 23rd, could bring a reckoning with your debts. Make sure you’re considering the entire investment before diving into the deep end.

October is for excavation, Taurus. Your ruling planet Venus moves into Sagittarius on the 7th, igniting the part of your chart that deals with joint resources, power dynamics and spiritual practice. If you’ve been feeling the pull to go back to therapy, this is your sign to get some recommendations from friends. Libra season for pulling the skeletons out of your closet and teaching them how to dance. Go deep! Put in the work! The full moon in Aries on the 20th is an especially reflective moment as it lights up your unconscious sector. A retreat off the grid with nothing but a good book and your journal is definitely in order.

Love Horoscope: Partnership becomes your focus once Scorpio season kicks off on the 23rd. Much of the early part of the month is devoted to deep inner work, and the final third brings you the chance to try out your developing emotional boundaries with others! Mars then moves into Scorpio on the 30th: an auspicious sign for a sexy rest of the Fall.

Money Horoscope: With Mercury retrograde through the 18th in your daily grind sector, you’re working hard (yet feel like you’re hardly working) and not getting paid nearly enough for your efforts. On both the 1st and the 3rd, there’s an opportunity to leverage a request for a raise or a higher commission. Just know that with the retrograde, the money is going to be delayed.

What if you got a second chance? With a lover. Or even with a long shelved creative project. Mercury is retrograde as the month begins, unearthing some of your deepest desires and pulling you back into the archives. It’s satisfaction that you crave from art and romance. The passion burns hot on the 9th and whether your fling ends in a lover’s quarrel or you decide to commit to a relationship, this is a breakthrough. Nothing from here on out will ever quite be the same. Things calm down once Mercury stations direct on the 18th, leaving you to integrate what you’ve learned into your everyday life.

Love Horoscope: As discussed above, this is a huge month in the romance department for you, Gemini. If you’re already happily partnered or just not particularly interested in rekindling anything from the past, this month could also be about experimenting more in bed with your current partner. If you’ve been struggling to communicate, Jupiter going direct on the 18th brings abundance to your relationship, allowing you both to take up more space.

Money Horoscope: Both the new moon in Libra on the 6th and the full moon in Aries on the 20th bring up financial complications for you. If you earn cash through freelancing or work as part of a collective, there could be some confusion about who is owed what. Use the spicy energy on the 9th to renegotiate some contracts and get what you deserve.

Though you’re always acting like everybody’s mom, Libra season is your peak time for letting your domesticity freak flag fly. You’re not just any mom, you’re a cool mom! With Mercury retrograde in your home sector through the 18th, you’re getting settled into your space after a hectic few months. Though you want to focus only on cheer, your pumpkin lattes, decorative gourds and cozy sweaters aren’t enough to hold off the harsh vibes of the new moon on the 6th. This lunation stokes a conflict between you and your family (or a roommate). Let out your frustrations now or forever hold your peace. Later in the month, the full moon in Aries brings a breakthrough for your career. Don’t let anyone’s negativity hold you back from reaching your highest potential.

Love Horoscope: Saturn—planet of rules and responsibilities—stations direct in your shared finances sector on the 10th. Back in the spring, you were going through a nasty breakup or divorce, dealing with your ex lashing out, and mostly trying to make sure everyone got out of the mess with their belongings intact. The last residual echoes of this situation may come back to haunt you this month, challenging your ability to stay detached.

Money Horoscope: Libra season always brings a dip in your cash flow as you prioritize family time over hustling your life away. As the sun squares off with life-changing Pluto on the 17th, you receive a generous boost from a business partner or close friend who wants to assure you’re abundant and thriving.

Libra season is always uncomfortable for you, Leo. Fall is a time that’s more about comfy vibes and less about statement pieces and you hate blending into the crowd. To add to your end of summer misery, the frenetic pileup of planets in Libra on the 6th through the 9th brings car trouble and an awkward conversation with a former roommate. When it rains, it pours. Home and family responsibilities pick up once Scorpio season begins on the 23rd. Who’s allowed in your little corner of the world?

Love Horoscope: You spent this summer facing some of your deepest intimacy issues and now it’s time to apply what you’ve learned. With both Saturn and Jupiter going direct in your relationship sector this month, you’re not only finding more expansiveness in romance but you’re also attracting partners who are willing to commit. Mark your calendar for the 26th (when Venus squares off with dreamy Neptune) and except some particularly hot sex. You deserve.

Money Horoscope: Mercury is retrograde through the 18th and you should be especially careful with your expenditures. Some unexpected costs come up around the 9th (with your car, your sister’s wedding, a last-minute trip out of town) forcing you to dip into an emergency fund. That being said, there’s an opportunity to get to the root of some of your scarcity issues if you’re willing to do the work.

Feeling abundant isn’t just about your income or your status or your career. With Mercury retrograde in your finance sector for most of the month, you’re of course reviewing your budgets and refinancing your loans, but you’re also clearing your closets and upgrading your skincare routine. Your self-esteem is increasing as rapidly as your bank balance. Who knew exfoliation was also a mental health hack? This self confidence boost inspires you to apply for a job that you’d normally think was out of your reach. Don’t worry if things are slow at first, the process picks up once Mercury stations direct on the 18th. Put yourself out there.

Love Horoscope: Vibrations from the full moon in Pisces on September 20th are still rocking your relationships as the month begins. What you thought was a solid connection may have been nothing but an elaborate fantasy. Transformational Pluto stations direct in your romance sector on the 6th, inspiring you to get back on the apps or hit up that cute friend of a friend and try again.

Money Horoscope: We already discussed that this is a big month for both your finances and self-esteem, Virgo. With sweet Venus traveling through your home sector (from the 7th), you’re also feeling called to put some extra love (and money) into your house. Just try to shop sales because the full moon in Aries on the 20th could reveal an unexpected (and out of your control) penalty.

When you lose a friend through asserting your boundaries, they were probably never your friend in the first place. October is saturated with this kind of tough love, especially around the new moon on the 6th which pushes you outside of your comfort zone, forcing you to take up more space. This is also your time to reconnect with friends, get involved with your local community and add more adventure to your daily schedule. Stop worrying so much about whether you’re rubbing people the wrong way and focus on speaking from your heart with integrity. Your creativity is potent right now and people want to hear what you have to say.

Love Horoscope: Relationship revelations have been constant as Jupiter and Saturn slow down and station direct in your romance and pleasure sector. You’re facing some of your deepest intimacy issues and rediscovering what it feels like to be open to love. The Full Moon in Aries on the 20th offers a sweet moment to connect with a new partner.

Money Horoscope: Though Mars in your sign might be giving you a boost of self-confidence, it’s not doing your bank account any favors. You’re feeling broke and lacking in resources. When Mars squares off with transformative Pluto on the 22nd, you’re due for a reckoning with your finances. Check your balances. Don’t look the other way. Once Mars enters Scorpio on the 30th, more opportunities to earn bring a sense of relief.

Sometimes all self-preservation requires is staying present. That’s easier said than done for you this month though, Scorpio. With your ruling planet Mars digging through your existential depths in your unconscious sector most of the month, you’re feeling isolated, lonely or lost at sea. The new moon in Libra on the 6th is for committing to a spiritual or meditation practice that keeps you engaged in the moment rather than hooked on escape. Along with that, Mars’s connection with the sun on the 9th provides a once in two-year opportunity for complete renewal. Take the retreat while you can! Your season begins on the 23rd and Mars enters your sign on the 30th so by the end of the month, trust that you’re firmly back in reality.

Love Horoscope: Last month’s full moon in Pisces (September 20th) expanded your sex life in an unforeseen way. Whether you’re opening up your relationship or just being more adventurous with your hookups, the escapades really pick up once Jupiter stations direct on the 18th. Don’t give into the self-sabotage of labeling yourself as out of control, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Money Horoscope: Money planet Venus begins her annual journey through your income and finance sector on the 7th. You’re attracting better clients, soliciting exciting job opportunities and even experiencing a boosted credit limit. Tread carefully on both the 9th and 26th when you may invest in something that really is too good to be true. Otherwise, count your blessings.

Much of this year has found you caught in a state of arrested development. You take three steps forward and then four steps back. Whether you’re living with your parents, caught up in drama with an old friend or stuck in a feedback loop on Twitter, your “growth” is feeling more like regression. But remember: You’re still ahead of where you started. Even if you feel behind. Increased confidence arrives on the 7th as beauty planet Venus enters your sign. This is a vibe renovation for your aura, as well as encouragement to invest in better makeup. Why not get a haircut too? Jupiter—your ruling planet—goes direct on the 18th pulling you into a forward-thinking mindset for the rest of the year.

Love Horoscope: With Mercury retrograde through the 18th in your social sector, you’re getting set up on dates with friends of friends and meeting hotties at local events. Everyone wants to slide into your DMs! One of these cuties could be the one but it’s a retrograde so expect things to start slow. The full moon in Aries on the 20th falls in your romance sector so keep that in mind for your most exciting date.

Money Horoscope: If you’ve been waiting for months to get paid for a freelance gig or receive a promised bonus at work, money should start moving again once Saturn stations direct on the 10th. It’s worth sending some emails or making a few annoying phone calls to expedite the process.

Are you ready for more responsibility? The cluster of planets in Libra and your career sector at the top of the month point to a possible power struggle between you and a coworker, or you and your boss. You want to keep your cool, but this has been going on for way too long. Being the “sweet one” at the office is no longer doing you any favors. Maybe it’s time to try out freelancing again? With your ruling planet Saturn starting forward motion again on the 10th, you’re very focused on building wealth and strengthening your resources. When Scorpio season begins on the 23rd, an influx of (potentially unsolicited) financial advice from friends makes you overwhelmed. You don’t have to listen to everyone.

Love Horoscope: With love planet Venus moving into Sagittarius and your unconscious sector on the 7th, this is not your month for romance. Prospective lovers dip into your life and then disappear before you even fish their phone number out of your DMs. If you’re in a relationship, you may feel especially distant from your partner this month. An intimate getaway or road trip on the 26th refreshes the romantic spark.

Money Horoscope: Since Saturn entered Aquarius at the end of 2020, you’ve been diligent about hanging onto extra money and making smart investments. Allow yourself to dip into a rainy-day fund if necessary this month, especially after Saturn stations direct on the 10th.

When was the last time you truly put yourself first? For the first third of the month, the pressure is on to prove yourself, both at work and in your personal life. You’re growing but do your actions have to be under constant scrutiny? It’s also becoming clear that your dreams clash with those of your partner, leading to some disillusionment and potentially heartbreak. You can’t give when you’re getting nothing in return. With your ruling planet Saturn moving forward again on the 10th, you’re feeling refreshed and ready to crush your goals. Scorpio season (from the 23rd) brings you more visibility and professional opportunity. Align yourself with those who lift you up.

Love Horoscope: Both love and professional relationships are difficult for you this month, especially around the new moon in Libra on the 6th. Tensions between you and your partner reach a boiling point on the 9th and then slowly begin to cool down. It’s time for you to leave some hurt in the past and begin a new relationship era.

Money Horoscope: Your money has been tight since Jupiter stationed retrograde back in June (and especially once the expansion planet dipped back into Aquarius at the end of July). Thankfully, some breathing room arrives in your budget when Jupiter moves forward again on the 18th. If there’s one thing you’ve learned this year, it’s that you have to take responsibility for your own resources. Who needs what you have to sell?

2021 has been a difficult year for you, Pisces. Spending so much time alone has been both refreshing and deeply isolating. With both Saturn and Jupiter stationing direct in your unconscious sector by the 18th, you’re hitting the home-stretch of what this meditative journey has to teach you. Keep going inward. Meanwhile, Venus moves into your career sector on the 7th, increasing your status and helping you win over some difficult clients or a grumpy boss. Around the 26th (when Venus clashes with Neptune), your charm is almost otherworldly. Use these powers to your advantage.

Love Horoscope: With Mercury retrograde in your joint finances sector through the 18th, you’re hitting roadblocks while attempting to make investments with your partner. You’re ready to build a foundation together, whether that’s buying a house or booking your wedding venue, but the details just aren’t taking root. Things get heated on the 9th as you struggle to figure out logistics. Picking up the pieces after this blowout fight gets you back on the same page.

Money Horoscope: With Mars still in Libra through the 30th, you’re earning lots of money (especially from freelance endeavors) but are probably spending it all just as quickly. The full moon in Aries on the 20th brings a harsh reality check about managing your finances. Luckily your cash flow improves once Mars enters Scorpio on the 30th.

Jaime Wright is an astrologer based in New York. Subscribe to her newsletter for more astrological musings.