Free People Horoscope by Tracy Allen, Week of October 1-7

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LIBRA

September 23–October 22

You may have trouble getting a strong emotion or memory out of your head early in the week when Mercury in Libra tangles with powerful Pluto. A disagreement with your parents is another possibility, and you could feel like they’re trying to control what you think or say. The best strategy is to contemplate what’s brewing inside you without trying to discuss it. With your ruling planet turning retrograde later in the week for a six-week period, you’ll be turning inward anyway to pore over your finances, possessions and assets and ponder the link between your self-esteem and your fiscal behavior. You might question your attachment to specific belongings and also ask yourself if your values are reflected in your priorities. Make a point of distinguishing between needs and wants, and if you find yourself fearing what you lack or stand to lose, hold steady instead of reacting. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

SCORPIO

October 23 – November 21

When Mercury goes up against your ruling planet, you’re liable to obsess over an idea or interaction and get into an intense thought loop that’s hard to get out of. What you don’t say can be as important as what you do say, so weigh the potential effect of your words and keep your own counsel if speaking up could do damage. Venus does a U-turn in Scorpio a few days later, luring you to conduct a self-inventory over the next several weeks and reflect on what — or who — has outlasted its purpose in your life. You won’t feel socially engaged but might feel more creative and shouldn’t hesitate to withdraw and immerse yourself in the world of imagination. The retrograde phase will certainly prompt you to ruminate over love and relationships, and it’s also useful to mull over the concept of self-love. Ask yourself what you believe you deserve and what you want to draw into your life. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22–December 21

Watch out for a dispute with a group or a friend when Mercury in your network sector clashes with Pluto in your resources house, triggering issues over money, belongings or values. Don’t feel compelled to persuade anyone, as you’re bound to have different priorities. You may be able to turn this transit into a positive by soliciting other people’s takes on how you can make changes involving finances, possessions or self-worth. With Venus reversing course later in the week, you might muse on the meaning of life and how you can reorient yours so it’s more in accord with your personal values. This is a good time to review the past and uncover where your heart lies—and admit where it no longer does. It’s natural to retreat during Venus’s retrograde phase, so don’t force connections. When you’re feeling introverted, observe and contemplate instead of trying to engage. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

CAPRICORN

December 22–January 19

With Mercury in your ambition angle throwing darts at Pluto in Capricorn early in the week, you might belabor a point when speaking with superiors or drawing up game plans and need to let it go. You can drive yourself crazy with tunnel vision, so try not to be too wedded to one POV. You’re sure to bristle if someone uses an authoritative tone because you want to be in the driver’s seat. But Venus is entering her retrograde phase in your network zone, coaxing you to consider what contribution you’re making to the greater good and what roles you play in others’ lives. You’re bound to feel rather out of sync with your squad, peers and other groups and should take some time to look at the web of connections you’ve formed. This period is ideally suited to figuring out what you want to do next — and with what team by your side. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

AQUARIUS

January 20–February 18

A tussle between Mercury and Pluto can make it difficult to keep your head in the game, as you’re trapped between visions of the future and remnants of the past. Resist the temptation to fixate on the negative and accept that the truth is often complex. See the shades of grey instead of zeroing in on blue skies or ominous clouds. You can learn from taking in the whole picture and probing the dark corners of your own psyche. With Venus doing an about-face, you might begin to question your goals and feel undervalued at work. If you’re reaching for a brass ring that’s not living up to your expectations, it’s a good idea to pump the brakes and reassess your career trajectory, factoring in joy. The importance of loving what you do is highlighted by this retrograde period. You might also consider how you come across publicly and professionally and whether you’re getting the recognition you deserve. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

PISCES

February 19–March 20

Be careful how you handle information early in the week when Mercury in your hidden-matters house spars with Pluto in your network sector. Breaking a confidence can do harm, so steer clear of gossip. Avoid putting anyone on blast on social media; you won’t be able to reel it back in. Mistrust, jealousy and power struggles are land mines now, and you’d be wise to proceed with caution. As Venus begins to backtrack through your exploration corner, you may become unsure of what’s worth believing in and wonder if the tried and true would be a safer bet than whatever you’re currently hoping to manifest. You might long to be somewhere else and reminisce about a trip. Or you might miss someone who expanded your world and yearn for a different time. It’s normal to withdraw as your appetite for adventure wanes and weigh the ways in which pushing boundaries, learning and having new experiences will make you happy. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

Mercury in your interpersonal angle is battling Pluto in your achievement zone, which can compel you to dig in your heels in a conversation, especially if the subject of goals is on the table. Don’t try to strong-arm someone into agreeing with you; a win isn’t as crucial as it may seem in the moment. Hammering out some sort of compromise might even prove more successful than wrestling another person onto the same page with you. Venus is moving into her retrograde phase in your merging-and-depth house, luring you to ponder what you really want from your closest relationships. Delve into your psyche and try to understand—and love—yourself better. You might crave intimacy, trust and sharing but find it elusive or you might dwell on a lover from your past. Don’t focus on what you’re not getting or what you’ve lost. Strive to know your own heart. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

TAURUS

April 20–May 20

It’s easy to become preoccupied with being right when Mercury in your efficiency corner quarrels with Pluto in your outlook zone this week. A strong opinion about the appropriate way of doing something can dominate and cause you to lose sight of important, smaller points. Critical thinking can generate powerful knowledge now if you can avoid going to extremes, seeing only the forest and not the trees or vice versa. Once your ruler, Venus, starts backpedaling in your one-on-one angle, nostalgia for an old partner may set in. Allow yourself to drift into the past with the intent of learning from memories. How can you apply the lessons you gain to your current and future relationships? Reflect on your closest bonds and examine what you want from people. If others seem to be pulling away or withholding, try not to take it personally; we all feel less connected during Venus retrograde. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

GEMINI

May 21–June 20

Your ruling planet does battle with powerful Pluto early in the week, making it necessary for you to tread lightly in a close relationship. You’re inclined to express what you’re feeling but may not be truly prepared for the response, and your pride could be wounded if it seems like someone wants to change you. There’s also a chance you’ll get fixated on an attraction or other source of passion and not be able to dial it down. With Venus going retrograde in your productivity corner a few days later, you’ll be reevaluating such issues as your job, time management, responsibilities, skills, habits, schedule, health, diet, fitness and pets. How can you reshuffle the deck so you get more satisfaction out of each day? Does your daily routine reflect the importance that you place on your wellness, work and time? Follow your heart in aligning self-improvement with your inner values. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

CANCER

June 21–July 22

You may voice your innermost feelings to someone and find their reaction quite strong, due to Mercury’s skirmish with Pluto in your interpersonal angle this week. Communication with family could also be hampered by a power struggle, and sensitive Crabs might decide to crawl into their shells and keep their thoughts to themselves. But if handled with care, this planetary combo can produce a sincere exchange that fuels progress in a relationship. With Venus going into backspin mode later in the week, although you yearn to love and be loved, you might become more guarded with your heart. You could find yourself reminiscing about an old love or rediscovering a previous source of pleasure. You’re likely to feel more introverted and may suffer from a creative block. But this is the perfect time to reevaluate what you want and what makes you happy so you can prioritize accordingly when Venus advances through your fulfillment house in December. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

LEO

July 23–August 22

A Mercury-Pluto dustup early in the week can make it difficult to wrap your head around a problem and decide what’s best. You’re likely to get hung up on details and might become overly critical. Your mind is moving quickly, but the need for thoroughness and correctness can stop you in your tracks. Be willing to get to the heart of the matter, but avoid overkill. With Venus going into reverse gear at the base of your chart, childhood memories, family relationships and old emotions become more prominent. It’s worth examining your personal feelings about comfort, safety, roots, home, family, the past and any ancestral baggage you’re carrying. You may feel less at ease in your environment and start considering whether your décor or living situation really suits you. Family relationships can also regress into old patterns now. Venus retrograde calls your attention to the image of love that underlies your life and provides your innermost foundation. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

VIRGO

August 23–September 22

Your financial judgment is influenced by powerful desires early in the week when Mercury crosses paths with Pluto in your pleasure zone. You’re in danger of becoming obsessed with something you think will make you happy and miscalculating the cost in the process. Talking about money, belongings or values can set off a firestorm in a romantic relationship, and you might need to walk on eggshells to avert an argument. After Venus turns retrograde in your thinking-and-talking corner a few days later, you’ll probably disengage from people to some extent and mull things over in your head instead of expressing them. As your thoughts drift to the past and you become more introspective, it’s natural for you to review old relationships, rethink what you assumed you wanted and contemplate what love means to you. All this deep reflection can help you to revise the script of your life story before Venus powers forward later in the year. Think back to October–November 2010 (the last time Venus was retrograde in the same part of the zodiac), and if you remember what was going on with you then, you can glean clues regarding the next month and a half.

Follow @astrotherapist on Twitter and email tallennyc@gmail.com to schedule a reading over phone or Skype. Available in-person in NYC! $125 for 60 minutes, $150 for 90 minutes.