Here’s something to bear in mind this week. What you say right now could come back to haunt you later.
The reason it could come back to haunt you is that Mercury is in Scorpio and will be going retrograde before too long. When it does, it backtracks over the very degrees it’s moving through now. So this Mercury/Mars clash doesn’t happen just once. It happens on October 2, again on October 30 once Mercury is retrograde, and a third time on December 9. That’s three chapters of the same conversation, taking us all the way through to the last month of the year.
So if something kicks off this weekend and doesn’t go the way you wanted, don’t assume it’s over. Assume it’s a conversation you’re going to keep having.
As if that wasn’t enough, Venus stations retrograde on October 3 at 8 degrees 29 minutes of Scorpio. It’s the first time she’s gone retrograde in 18 months, and Venus retrograde always brings up questions of value. What do I value? Who do I value? Are they taking me for granted? Am I taking them for granted?
Then, on the same day, Mars opposes Pluto. When people ask me how astrology works, I often say that some days are generally lovely for most people, whatever their sign. A Venus/Jupiter trine is a nice day. A Mars/Pluto day is challenging for a lot of people. Mars is angry and Pluto is furious, and when they clash, the power struggles come up. Sex, egos, jealousy, trust, control, money and self-worth are all on the table.
If you find yourself in an upset this week, ask one question. What are we actually fighting about? There’s so much tumultuous energy around that it really helps to get to the bottom of it.
It’s worth remembering, too, that Venus went retrograde through Scorpio and back into Libra in 2018. Have you felt what you’re feeling now before? Maybe you’ve been here already, and you already know how to deal with what’s coming up.
The missing piece
Now for the part I find really interesting. In this T-square, we’ve got Mercury in Scorpio, Mars in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius. The missing fixed sign is Taurus, and Taurus is ruled by Venus, the very planet that’s going retrograde. You could almost say that Taurus provides the medicine.
Taurus is slow and steady. It’s grounded. So if you feel yourself getting into an argument, or about to say something you suspect you’ll regret, slow it down. If you possibly can, go somewhere, take your shoes off, and make like a hippie. If you’re like me and you have a grounding blanket, put it on your bed. Use the Taurus energy that’s missing from the sky as the remedy.
Have the tough conversation anyway
I’m not an avoidant. I’m also not usually a fan of telling people to give someone a wide berth. But if there’s someone you’re on tenterhooks with right now, this astrology is going to be challenging, and keeping your distance for a few days could be wise.
If you do need to have the conversation, or you really want to, put a lot of effort into staying calm. Ask yourself whether you’re communicating or just trying to win the point. Pluto is involved, and Pluto is the planet of magic. It’s the planet that lets you throw out the dead wood and burn things down so something new can come. If you’re brave enough to keep your cool, that tough conversation could change everything.
There’s help, too. Mars trines Neptune, which is like a hidden escape hatch, an energy where you can bring in compassion, kindness and spirituality. And there’s a lot of sexual heat around, which is another way to work through all this, if you’re lucky enough to have someone to enjoy it with.
Where it eases
The Sun opposes Saturn across Libra and Aries, which is a reality check. Some people will want space. There could be people putting down boundaries, with consequences for anyone who doesn’t respect them. If there’s something you’ve been avoiding, it’s time to face it.
Then on Wednesday, October 7, Mercury meets Venus at 8 Scorpio, and the conversations you have give you a chance to catch up with where you are emotionally. What do you wish you’d said? What deserves another conversation? There could be an apology, a declaration of love, an explanation or a renegotiation. And as the week closes, Mars aligns with Uranus, so things can move fast. Change the pattern. Try something different.
This Venus retrograde in Scorpio isn’t a walk in the park. It’s asking what really matters to you. So keep meditating, keep walking the dog, take the long bath, and look after yourself.
To find out where all of this is happening in your chart, get your free chart at moonmessages.com/freechart. The last page tells you which house Scorpio rules. And I talk through the whole week in this episode of Mainly Moonology, which you can listen to wherever you get your podcasts.
