October 2026 Astrology
Your horoscopes for October are here.
In September 2026, I returned to my beloved Greece to teach Discovering Astrology to a group of wonderful women who came from Canada, Australia, France, Scotland & England to learn astrology. It was a glorious week.
I won’t be returning to Greece to teach in 2027 but I will be back in September 2028. If you’d like to be notified when the 2028 course opens for enrolment, please let me know by email: sally@sallykirkman.com.
It’s the best experience learning astrology on a beautiful Greek island – the course is for beginners and refreshers of astrology.
Here’s what’s coming up in the heavens this month:
Venus Retrograde
October 3 to November 14
Venus, the planet linked to love and money, art and beauty turns retrograde on October 3. Venus switches direction approximately every 18 months. The last time was March 2025.
Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio and is on a deep dive journey into the underworld. Venus will return to air sign Libra on October 25 where she will turn direct on November 14. Scorpio is linked to sexuality while Libra is linked to relating and partnership. Venus will only finally leave Scorpio on January 7, 2027.
Traditionally, Venus retrograde is not the time to marry or make a major purchase or investment. Venus rules beauty, so cosmetic surgery is ill-advised. Instead, it’s time to consider what’s important to you when it comes to your image, love, relationships and material values. Be patient and play a waiting game.
Past loves often return to your life during the Venus retrograde phase. Use this deep dive into the underworld to consider what love means to you. The mid-way point falls on October 24 when the Sun and Venus are side-by-side as Venus changes from being an evening star to a morning star.
Venus creates a perfect pattern every 8 years as she dances around the Earth and the Sun. The last time Venus was retrograde at this exact same point in the zodiac was at similar dates in 2018.
In fact, you can look back every 8 years to find Venus retrograde close to the same points in the zodiac. This could prove insightful for you whether this Venus retrograde is about love, money or another Venus-ruled event.
Mercury Retrograde
October 24 to November 13
Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde more frequently than Venus, approximately three times a year.
What’s intriguing about the upcoming Mercury retrograde phase is that it’s a double whammy of retrogrades as Mercury is on go slow from October 24 to November 13.
This means that both Venus and Mercury are retrograde at the same time. Plus, both planets turn retrograde in the deep water sign Scorpio.
This is where Mercury remains throughout its retrograde phase. And, both Venus and Mercury turn direct close to one another mid-November.
What does this mean? The communication planet can coincide with travel chaos, plans going wrong and misunderstandings when it’s topsy-turvy. You’re wise to be flexible and have plans B, C & D up your sleeve. If you have to sign or seal a contract, read the small print carefully and double checks meetings, appointments, etc.
As both Venus and Mercury are social planets, you may be going under the radar with a team in secret. Or you’re reuniting with people from your past.
The best way to use the Mercury retrograde phase is to rework, review and reassess your situation. Sometimes, it’s hard to get hold of the truth while Mercury’s on go slow.
And, as Scorpio is a secretive star sign, you’re wise to keep things close to your chest and not reveal too much. Do your research, take a step back and re-evaluate what’s important to you.
Go on retreat, press the pause button and, if possible, wait until mid-November before making a major move or decision.
Both Mercury and Venus have links to money matters and Scorpio is one of the money star signs ruling the stock market and trading. Therefore, keep your wits about you as this could be a rocky time for the world of money.
Pluto turns direct
October 16
Pluto is Scorpio’s planet and is foreground this month, confirming that we’re diving deep into Scorpio’s realm throughout October.
Pluto is the planet of extremes, linked to power and control. It can wipe out and raze to the ground, yet is a symbol of the phoenix who rises from the ashes.
Pluto is the first of the modern planets to turn direct in early degrees Aquarius on October 16 – power to the people (also the tech bros!).
Pluto’s change of direction may be intense for you. Alternatively, there may be insights or hidden nuggets that have been shaped and perfected since May 6, the day Pluto turned retrograde.
Perhaps, there are hidden gifts or insights which you can now bring forth from the dark and use them to guide you and illuminate the path ahead.
A word of warning: on October 2 & 3, Mercury in Scorpio, Mars in Leo and Pluto in Aquarius are in a powerful T-square pattern. This is a clash, a conflict and a time to be wary of getting into an argument. Avoid angry people in your life and stay safe. Use power for good effect, not bad effect.
Libra Season
The Sun remains in air sign Libra favouring balance and harmony until October 23. Plus, Venus returns to Libra on October 25. Wherever Libra falls in your horoscope, this is where you’re wise to look for support and to gain equilibrium. Notice who’s on your side this month and where help lies.
Scorpio Season
Scorpio season begins officially on October 23. Yet, this is Scorpio’s month thanks to the retrograde phases of Venus & Mercury in Scorpio and Pluto’s dominance, Scorpio’s planet.
This means that themes of power and transformation are prevalent throughout October.
Scorpio season coincides with Halloween, Day of the Dead and Samhain, a powerful time to reconnect with ancestors and embrace the night world and all that lies beyond.
During Scorpio season in the northern hemisphere, nature begins to break down to mulch back into the earth creating rich compost for a new season of growth next year.
The cycle of life, death, rebirth and renewal is closely aligned with the star sign Scorpio. Tap into your witchy nature, grab your black cat and broomstick and conjure up some magic.
Moon’s Phases
New Moon Libra
October 10
A New Moon is a symbol of new beginnings. Traditionally, a New Moon is the time to launch a project, begin something new and start over.
This is the beginning of the waxing phase of the Moon cycle, an ideal time to set your intentions for the month ahead. Make a wish when you first catch sight of the crescent Moon, a couple of days after the New Moon date.
This month’s New Moon takes place in Libra, the star sign of relationships, on October 10. There’s power and intensity during October but this New Moon phase favours love over hate.
Full Moon Taurus
October 26
During the Full Moon, the light of the moon is at its peak, shining a light on your situation. Traditionally, a Full Moon is the time to trust your intuition, make important decisions and bring matters to completion or culmination.
This is the start of the waning phase of the Moon cycle, an ideal time to release and let go of what’s no longer needed in your life.
The Moon in earth sign Taurus is a safe harbour and this may be what’s needed with some deep and dark astrology this month. Yet, even during this Full Moon, power planet Pluto is evident, as it’s square to the Sun and Moon.
This is when events could peak, whether out in the world, on the financial stage or in your personal life. Emotions are heightened and it feels dramatic.
Your Important Dates For October 2026
Venus turns retrograde [8 Scorpio 29] – October 3 (09:07 GMT+1)
Mars 3° Leo opposite Pluto R 3° Aquarius – October 3 (11:39 GMT+1)
New Moon [17 Libra 21] – October 10 (16:50 GMT+1)
Sun enters Scorpio – October 23 (10:38 GMT+1)
Sun conjunct Venus R 0° Scorpio – October 24 (04:44 GMT+1)
Mercury turns retrograde [20 Scorpio 58] – October 24 (08:13 GMT+1)
Venus R re-enters Libra – October 25 (09:10 GMT+1)
Full Moon [02 Taurus 45] – October 26 (04:12 GMT+1)
Inner Star Circle
I’ll be going into more detail about this month’s astrology in my weekly newsletter which goes out every Sunday morning to my Inner Star Circle subscribers. If you want to be in the know, you can sign up here: Inner Star Circle.