Power, passion and politics dominate the scene this month! Competitiveness, ruthlessness and winning at any cost tend to intensify when the Sun makes its annual sojourn through the sign SCORPIO. And it will be amped up more than usual this year, considering the widespread scale of global turmoil, along with a particularly vicious election season.  So your mission this month—if you choose to accept it—is to stop procrastinating, stay out of the fray and channel this potent energy into purposeful, meaningful action.

The force is with you to manifest your objectives and achieve your deepest desires.  Establish personal & professional goals, be decisive & determined — and seek win-win situations.  Re-evaluate your loyalties, protect your privacy and reclaim your personal power.  Take the high road and like an eagle, fly above it all!

Crisis, conflict and control issues tend to be the dark sides of the SCORPIO nature.  If this potent force is not handled in a positive way, it can lead to wars, violence, retaliation, domination, corruption and other destructive consequences.  Avoid engaging in the negative qualities of this sign: sarcasm, intimidation, vindictiveness and one-upmanship games. The challenge here is to actualize, rather than to manipulate.  Choose to identify with the eagle instead of the scorpion! 

This solar month gets off to a sweet, seductive start on October 23 with the loving Sun–Venus conjunction in SCORPIO. It is an auspicious way to start this emotionally-intense cycle—and hopefully one that can add a calmer, more harmonious flavor.  Venus is about to retrograde out of SCORPIO, so deep feelings are likely to be stirred up right now as its transit in this sign completes for now.

Hold on to all the good feelings and hang on to your hat, as things are about to get batty once Mercury turns retrograde in SCORPIO on the 24th (through November 12).  What a way to start off a month, with both Mercury & Venus retrograde in SCORPIO!!  It certainly calls for a major review and re-evaluation of your desires, social life, goals and plans. As always, the 3-week Mercury retrograde cycle  represents a time for going back over things, but NOT a time for moving forward with new projects, legal matters, elective medical procedures or the purchase of a vehicle, computer or electronics.  Instead, utilize this retrograde to research, re-think, edit and fix things.  Double-check appointments, communications and information.  Murphy’s Law will be alive & well!

Considering that this particular retrograde will be in SCORPIO, it would be a beneficial period to penetrate beneath the surface of your life and examine what’s really important to you — personally and professionally. You may encounter some mysteries, secrets or hidden gems!  At the same time, confront any submerged feelings, resentments, hurts, jealousies or judgments that may be causing stagnation and holding you back!  Pay special attention to the more challenging days when Mercury makes a feisty square to Mars (October 30) and inconjuncts realistic Saturn (on both November 6 & 19).

On the morning of Sunday, October 25, Venus leaves SCORPIO and retrogrades back into LIBRA, where it will remain through December 3.  This will add a more peaceful, calm vibe to an otherwise turbulent, harsh period.  Surround yourself with beauty,  get involved in artistic, cultural activities and seek out those who share your visions and viewpoints.  Your friends will be your saving grace!  Make it a point to reconnect with loved ones, and at the same time, review your personal relationships, group alliances and aesthetic tastes.

You may want to to sleep in and take your time on Sunday morning, the 25th, as you may feel spacey or tired due the dreamy Sun-Neptune inconjunct.  You’ll also want to prepare for one of the more challenging Full Moons of the year:  the intense FULL MOON in SCORPIO & TAURUS, which culminates on October 25 at 9:12 pm PDT.  It’s a time for finding a balance between your public and your personal life, our outer world vs. your inner world.  Whatever has been simmering and brewing will come to a full boil!  It’s a time when personal crises, conflicts, violence, bullying, violence, vindictiveness & jealousy can erupt.  Issues involving territorial boundaries, competition & sexuality could surface. Be vigilant, protect your home & family, and stay away from potentially.

This particular FULL MOON could take a few more days to settle down, as the volatile Sun-Pluto square (Monday, the  26th) and the erratic Sun-Uranus inconjunct (27th) will make it hard to find solid footing.  Do your best to channel your emotions into healthy outlets, especially as the irritable Mercury-Mars builds to a peak on the 30th.  Hold your tongue, as you could easily be goaded into saying things you later  wish you hadn’t.

The Moon will be in CANCER on HALLOWEEN (October 31), so it’d be an ideal afternoon/early evening for a food fest.  However, the REAL party starts at 9:18 pm PDT once the Moon moves on to playful LEO.  Transmute the “pre-election” craziness into a fun celebration of what really matters, although you will wake up on Sunday morning (November 1) with a heavy head if you party too hearty or eat too much sugar.  The karmic Sun-Saturn inconjunct on November 1 asks you to slow down, stay in integrity and be realistic.  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ends that day, so be sure to set your clock back  before you turn in on HALLOWEEN  night (or you could turn in a pumpkin)!  Or you just may show up one hour early for something!

You can count on the US Election Day of November 3 being a logistics nightmare, especially with the Moon in VIRGO that day.  With its ruler,  Mercury, also in retrograde at that time, there’s no doubt that there will be numerous missteps, intercepts and accusations requiring recounts, do-overs or lawsuits.  Be good to yourself and VOTE EARLY!  While there will be some major celebrating (with both the uplifting Venus-Jupiter sextile and the clarifying Sun-Mercury conjunction on November 4), it’s unlikely that the true election results will show up before November 13 — when both Mercury and Venus finally turn direct.  And expect some major shenanigans or legal challenges with the Mercury-Saturn inconjunct on the 6th.  It’s possible that the final results won’t totally show up until after the Sun has moved on to straightforward SAGITTARIUS on November 22.

Utilize the power of the NEW MOON in SCORPIO (on November 8 at 11:02 pm PST) to propel you to new heights – set your intentions clearly!  The will-power, determination & courage for tackling big things are available to you now.  Stay on top of things, allow the force to move through you — and get your ego out of the way.  Regardless of what is going on in the outer world, you have the capacity to assume greater control of your inner world, transmute fear into faith and direct any anger into constructive activity. The challenge here is to actualize, rather than manipulate – so, take the high road, strive for win/win outcomes and be open to peak experiences.  New & improved leadership may be on the way!  The harmonious, romantic Venus-Mars sextile (from LIBRA to LEO) joins this New Moon, reminding us that LOVE IS THE ANSWER!

Since Mars—the ruling planet of SCORPIO—is currently in LEO, we can certainly expect a dramatic month, featuring strong opinions & personalities, along with an egomaniac or two. The challenge in the midst of all of this is maintain your sovereignty, keep your spirits up and look for joy wherever you can find it.\

Mars will conjunct the South Lunar Node in LEO on November 14, preceded by Jupiter‘s conjunction to the South Lunar Node on November 11.  Not everyday aspects, these two conjunctions can represent a draining, exhausting period where unresolved identity issues from the past may erupt, or at least need to be revisited.   With the overwhelming Mars-Jupiter occurring at the same time, don’t be surprised if you feel swamped and burned-out.  Don’t commit to more than you can handle, and be sure to put some rest & relaxation on your “to do” list.  With both Mercury & Venus now direct, we will hopefully begin to feel more vitalized and ready to move forward with our lives.

Last but not least, the Sun makes an exact square to the Lunar Nodes in LEO & AQUARIUS (aka MOON WOBBLE) on November 17.  This day is the peak of a 2-week period of instability & lunacy that recurs every 3 months.  This is definitely not a time for impulsive risk-taking, as all the facts aren’t in and emotions tend to overrule reality during this cycle.  The overdoing Sun-Jupiter square, the abrasive Sun-Mars square and the frustrating Mercury-Saturn inconjunct (on the 18-19) will bring this challenging month to a resounding close.

Avoid giving your attention & power away to the heated election atmosphere (once you’ve expressed your opinion with your vote).  Weather the storms by staying in your higher self, getting absorbed in creative projects and channeling your energy into constructive, healthy outlets.  And make sure to stay in close contact with your besties, remembering what’s really important.

The Sun moves on to jovial SAGITTARIUS on November 22, and the exuberance of the holiday season will begin to mitigate the stresses & strains of this challenging SCORPIO month.  Meanwhile, stay  strong and courageous — and trust in the universe.  Be a gracious winner!!!

PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY & SOLAR RETURN to my powerful, determined and loyal SCORPIO friends!

 

©2026  Diane Elizabeth Clarke