Encountering Your Shadow in the Other
The next two months will likely be quite romantically and psychologically stimulating. Venus will retrograde in Scorpio on Oct 3rd and because of a two month retrograde will remain in the sign of intrigue until early January 2027. This along with a Mars retrograde in Virgo Jan - April 2027 will be a crash course in understanding male and female dynamics, the nature and expression of desire and a lesson in obsession/control/lack of control.
Mercury moves into Scorpio on the 1st and will also retrograde later in the month so not only will our hearts be involved, but also our minds.
Pluto will turn direct on Oct 15th adding more intensity to the situation with triangulation, manipulation and all out sexiness to the mix.
While we are living through quite transformational times when it comes to global and economic realignments, many of us will be focused on personal dramas in the next two months.
Venus retrograde in Scorpio Oct 3rd
the return of the exes
The planet Venus is aligned with our value systems, aesthetics, money and affairs of the heart. During a retrograde cycle, we oftentimes will reengage with past romantic or business partners or have an opportunity to rework an artistic or creative project. Just don't let that creative project be your FACE as Venus retrograde is notorious for messing up the intended results.
In Scorpio, we will be dealing with the darker and more psycho-spiritual aspects of Venus in that we may have to deal with exes that are financially or emotionally manipulative or encounter abusive or psychopathic behaviors. A more positive experience will be meeting with someone who feels familiar, as in a past life karmic way. And the most mundane version is having a formerly unavailable person turn from a friend/colleague into a lover.
Exes of all natures may return and these may include former friends, clients, nemeses and partners. The next two months want us to get clear on how we deal with power and how susceptible we are to unhealed emotional trauma. The real exes usually leave once the cycle is complete with Venus going direct whereas someone new, if they are meant to be in our lives, will still be around once the planet turns direct in Nov.
In many cases, it is a sexy siren but it can also appear as an offer that is too good to be true or has strings attached that may muddy the possibilities. If you have the luxury of not having to decide pronto, it would be best to wait until Venus goes direct to see if the proposition or relationship really has legs.
All Scorpios will be in their glory and very attractive to all the sexes. The Scorpio who has worked through their issues and chosen the light are possibly the best people you could hope to meet. Unfortunately, the less conscious Scorpio is also very attractive and they are the people you know are not good for you, yet you can't help getting involved with.
What are your dark secrets? Have they yet been integrated? If not, they will show up as a person who will trigger this aspect of psychological, emotional or sexual wounding.
Where will you likely encounter your version of the temptress during this retrograde cycle?
ARIES - they are likely to show up as a potential sexual partner
TAURUS - an ex may return or your partner may turn weird for a few months (in this instance, cut them some slack as this is a shadow version of who they really are. the real person will return in Nov).
GEMINI - at work or working out
CANCER - also a potential lover or someone looking to be taken care of by you
LEO - in dealing with home and family, particularly a maternal figure
VIRGO - in your social circle, through friends
LIBRA - in dealing with salary or self worth issues, you may feel temporarily elevated or demoted depending on the circumstance
SCORPIO - this is your time to pull in who or what you want, you are irresistible
SAGITTARIUS - in your dreams or meditations, if in real life, they are a bit of a
phantasm or unavailable
CAPRICORN - through social networking or parties
AQUARIUS - potentially at work, someone in an authority position may be inappropriate
PISCES - while travelling or going to school
Mars opposition Pluto Oct 3rd
heavy pressure
At the same time that Venus turns retro, Mars in Leo will oppose Pluto in Aquarius, amping up the strength of the Venus retrograde. Mars opposition Pluto also likely indicates a ramping up of war cries and conflicts.
This will be a tense period up until the Pluto station direct on the 15th where a significant event may occur that changes the current course. The premise is that individual rights are under attack by a faceless technocracy and certainly this can play out with misfirings or aggressions using AI or financial manipulation of the system.
In our personal lives, we can feel inordinately pressured by someone who seems to have control over our lives, whether real or projected. In some cases, the "abuser" will be technology and/or words actions promulgated online.
We should hold onto our idea of freedom but may have to step back momentarily as the "powers that be" may be stronger than ourselves. Hold onto your dreams while perhaps waiting for a better time to bring them into fruition.
Where will you encounter frustration or obstacles in attempting to achieve your goals?
ARIES - you want to express your creativity your own way but the media or others have a different idea of how you should proceed
TAURUS - you would like to focus on your home or personal life, but work demands overwhelm you
GEMINI - yes, it's good to express yourself, but will the world understand or condemn what you have to say?
CANCER - you certainly have great creative ideas but the money people/investors may not think the same way
LEO - your partner's need may rightly or wrongly take precedence over yours, or they can be the aggressor in the situation
VIRGO - you'd like to come out of your shell but work pressures and obligations keep you on the treadmill for now
LIBRA - it's possible that online friends are more supportive than your at home lover who may be jealous or controlling of the attention paid you
SCORPIO - you're succeeding at work but there are problems at home that overshadow this gain
SAGITTARIUS - your ideas have value in the long run and for posterity but close friends and family members object to your words
CAPRICORN - you feel pretty positive about your investments but are worried that your salary may be impacted by technology
AQUARIUS - partner is feeling fairly positive but you are experiencing a dark night of the soul
PISCES - things are actually improving in your everyday life, there's light at the end of the tunnel but existential fears drown out the gains
In all cases, Pluto (the "but" in all these above examples) is stronger than the attempts at self expression and self-actualization. As mentioned at the start, however, it will not be this way forever and the burgeoning ideas and goals will eventually come to fruition after recognizing your own complicity in keeping the power games going.
We will learn so much about our obsessions and compulsions this fall season that we will also have a crash course in psychological breakthroughs and ultimate freedom. So observation is key and remaining in integrity the action/behavior that will eventually quell the outward demon.
Pluto direct at 3 Aquarius Oct 15th
the next move on the chessboard
Like the other outerplanets, Pluto is relatively newly placed in the sign of Aquarius, having entered in 2023 and leaving in 2044. Hence a very long cycle of dealing with the dark side of technology and transhumanism. While techno optimists publicly proclaim and fantastic future, behind the scenes they are building bunkers and raising alarms.
All of humanity will be faced with an onslaught on unrequested surveillance, interference, financial manipulation and loss of agency. But not everyone has to succumb to becoming a robotic simalcrum of themselves. With Neptune and Saturn in Aries, we can craft a new dream and mission where courage and action are the driving forces to a new world.
As the transit amps up, we will discern the problems and possibilities inherent in this challenge to maintain and honor our humanity. And this includes biological integrity, something that has been undermined for years with pharmaceuticals and toxins in our air and water. And the promise of MRNA shots for every condition under the sun are an illusion and likely detrimental to the human gene pool. Our bodies possess amazing innate technology for healing and investigating how to support our natural integrity is key.
Of course, Pluto is also the heavy or abuser in our lives and in this realm, we can look at technology being detrimental to our lives and mental health. The algorithms have been set to hijack our minds and pocketbooks so responsible usage is a first step toward gaining control of your life.
Where are we beginning to notice where the real battle for integrity in our lives will be forged?
ARIES - in our future goals, public facing role
TAURUS - in our career path, with authority figures
GEMINI -in our belief systems, are they ours or are they programmed into us?
CANCER - in investment or sexual matters
LEO - with partners, personal and professional
VIRGO - in maintaining our natural biology and health
LIBRA - in holding tight to our "analogue" creative vision
SCORPIO - in maintaining the sanctity and privacy of your home life
SAGITTARIUS - within your social circles
CAPRICORN - in how you make money
AQUARIUS - in staying true to your unique presence and identity
PISCES - with our subconscious mind
Venus retro square Pluto in Aquarius Oct 19th + 20th
difficult choices
An extension of Venus in Scorpio. Venus square Pluto tends to amplify the darker aspects of a transaction or relationship. Who is in power and is it freely agreed upon? Who is likely to "hold something over you"? And why are you letting them? What is the perhaps unspoken consensus or assumption that allows this invasion of your personal space and integrity?
Of course, as it is Scorpionic, there is an attraction to "the devil" here and you are tempted to go outside or your own boundaries to explore this "dark side" whether it is sexual desire, greed, anger or sadistic behavior.
We've already had a previous encounter with Venus square Pluto in Sept so this may simply be a second part to the story of "whos actually in charge"?
This month, where might you encounter pushback when pursuing your desires?
ARIES - your personal fortunes may be tied up with external press and support
TAURUS - you feel pressure both from your partner and your boss
GEMINI -you may want to pursue a new work or health protocol, but it goes against conventional belief
CANCER - you have some creative ideas but perhaps not enough invested to pursue them aimlessly
LEO - you are feeling stretched between the needs of children and partner
VIRGO - there's a chance for a local romance, but works seems to hinder the opportunity
LIBRA - you'd like to indulge in spending but the project in front of you demands your complete attention
SCORPIO - you are feeling more alluring but nobody at home seems to care or notice
SAGITTARIUS - you're feeling naughty but need to keep a straight objective face
CAPRICORN - future desires must be placed on hold to deal with current money matters
AQUARIUS - someone likes you at work but you are focussed on your own inner changes
PISCES - it's a dream to travel but right now your are overwhelmed with dealing with family karma coming up for review
Jupiter in Leo semisquare Saturn in Aries Oct 31st
slight squelching of optimism/ a bit of a killjoy
While not the most important transit, especially in comparison to major Pluto, Uranus or Neptune stations, when Jupiter and Saturn link up, there is a bit of a conflict between optimism and pessimism. Jupiter sees things through a light lens while Saturn always assumes the worst.
In this instance, part of you feels very confident and emboldened to move forward on a project or situation while Saturn brings up fears and reservations. It gives the No to the Jupiter yes, or why not?
These two planets will be interacting over the next year so notice what issues are being highlighted in the minor tug of war.
Depending on your chart, what wants to grow and what his being overly careful or critical?
ARIES - in this instance, others see you creativity and potential but you yourself are possibly standing in the way
TAURUS - your family is supportive but you're not certain you have the courage to pursue it
GEMINI - your close friends are supportive but you fear the online response
CANCER - you feel confident you can do it, but highers up are unsure
LEO - you finally feel ready but worry about going against the grain of consensus reality
VIRGO - you are beginning to be inspired to be free but worries about money interfere
LIBRA - the world seems ready to support you but your partner holds back
SCORPIO - your "boss" is complimentary and confident you can do it, you're not sure you can manage it on a daily basis
SAGITTARIUS - there is a sense of adventure for a new project but remembrances of old failures arise
CAPRICORN - your investments are panning out but family members worry about the future and want to limit spending
AQUARIUS - your partner is quite confident it might work, you less so
PISCES - you have the skills and the ideas but are worried about the follow thru
Now, once again, this transit above is not the most profound or life-shattering but rather one worth observing. The "glass half full" part of the equation is your soul desiring more while the "hold on" part of you is Saturn, actually trying to "protect" you. All you have to do is thank and calm Saturn and assure him that you will not be totally reckless in the process.
As for the majority of the month, feelings and complexes will be front and center. Scorpio reveals the shadow in all of us and it is worth acknowledging this unhealed or hidden part of our psyches in order to become more healthy and whole.
The world needs warriors with emotional resilience so this is the time to extinguish the darkness within by owning and recognizing the energy inherent in keeping it suppressed. (Religions the world over are responsible for trying to hide or suppress the shadow but how has this worked out)? Light expels the darkness so during this season, have the courage to face your inner demon and transmute it into healthy humility and compassion.
The energy's going to happen, so you may as well embrace - even if you don't exactly enjoy - the ride!
An astrology reading is great guidance at any moment in time. But particularly in these years of great planetary shift, it can be very helpful in connecting you to your soul intended destiny.
If you'd like more perspective about your unfolding path in these dynamic times, please book a reading at:
patricekaminsastrology@gmail.com