Relationships are squarely in focus this month, as Mercury retrograde beckons you to revisit a conversation or decision from last month (8 – 30 September). Yes, redoing something can be annoying, but trust the skies are bringing this stuff up because it needs further attention. You’ve got major astro support on your side to be brave, be present and most of all, be kind. If you want it, there’s huge potential to improve the dynamic with your favourite humans—but only if you’re willing to put in the work. Tackle tough conversations by speaking less, listening more and softening your approach; the results may surprise you.

Tip: Reflect on your ability to compromise in relationships

The first few weeks of this month offer the perfect moment to reset your health and wellbeing. If you’ve been thinking about getting moving or taking a break from something (think: sugar/gluten/alcohol), now is the time. October is all about balance. With the sun and Mars charging up your motivation and Mercury retrograde supporting your ability to refine your approach, you’ve got a cosmic A-team cheering you on to take better care of yourself. Team up with a friend to stay accountable—in Libra season (until 23 October AEST) everything feels better when you do it with company. 

Tip: Team up with a friend to restore get your fitness back on track

Your ruling planet may be retrograde (until 19 October), but you’re not about to let that ruin your mood. With the sun and Mars supercharging your creativity, there’s a lightness to Libra season (until 23 October) that should feel like a delicious reprieve from the previous few months. Great conversations, creative inspiration and a rush of optimism will help lift your spirits and inspire you to go play outside. Be with the people who inspire you. Join forces with a creative soul mate, start a band, try a new sport… just get out there and do something, and make sure you don’t do it alone.

Tip: Prioritise friendships that inspire your creativity 

“Kill them with kindness” is your MO this month, as the sun, Mercury and Mars join forces in Libra. The dynamic with your family or flatmates will be firmly in focus, as an issue from last month (from 8 September onwards) reappears for discussion. Don’t back down, trust that you’ve got the diplomacy of a hostage negotiator this month…so long as you’re willing to take it slowly. If you’ve slipped into doormat mode lately, there’s never been a better time to take a deep breath and (nicely) express how you’re feeling. 

Tip: Clear the air with a family member or house mate

The first few weeks of this month bless you with even more charm skills than usual. If you’ve been needing to tackle tricky conversations, the skies have got your back to be brave and dive in. Rather than focusing on differences, prioritise listening—like truly listening—to discover the deeper needs behind the conversation. You may not reach a quick resolution, but the first few weeks are ideal for at least starting the dialogue (which is so often the trickiest part). Be brave and trust that you’ll catch more flies with honey.

Tip: Initiate a tricky conversation you’ve been putting off

As the sun and Mars light up your financial sector, you could be feeling extra spendy this month. But with Mercury retrograde also in the mix, taking a minute to review your money sitch could prove fruitful. With Big Libra Energy (until 23 October) encouraging collaboration, it’s a great time to get a second opinion. Be open to flipping the script and considering things from a different viewpoint. Maybe you could afford to save a little less and treat yourself a little more (not always easy for Virgo). Whatever you do, make sure you TALK about it – tis the season for first-class banter and powerful advice.

Tip: Rebalance the way you spend and save money

This month promises big magic for Libran folks with confidence and optimism on tap. Physically you could be literally leaping out of your skin (especially up until 23 October), psyched to get out and get amongst it. It’s a nice change after the past few months but there is the potential to overdo it, so try and stay connected to that famous Libran equilibrium. Mercury retrograde is a reminder to hit reset on all you’re doing (or not—and that’s okay too) to support your body. Use the energy to check in with your health—get a skin check, book a fitness assessment or schedule that blood test you’ve been putting off.

Tip: Check in with your physical health

There’s always a lot going on below the surface with Scorps, and this month is no different. Last month may have stirred up some old baggage you thought you were waay done with, and this month it’s likely to pop up again. This time, make space to dig a little deeper and try to understand why it’s coming up (and what it’s really about). There’s the chance for some big insights, especially when it comes to your deepest fears around relationships, but you’ll need to do the digging to reap the rewards. Luckily, if anyone was born to dig—it’s you!

Tip: Reflect on what deeper meaning lies in your relationship triggers

Building on the inroads you made (especially at work) last month, October is all about growing your network, especially once Venus moves into Sagittarius (7 October). With the Sun and Mars bringing major swagger, you’ll have more social cachet than the front row of Fashion Week. Of course with great power comes great responsibility; using your charms to build meaningful relationships and help others will be the feel-good hit you didn’t know you needed. Don’t just be a social butterfly, be the glue. Being generous with invitations and introductions could make it the highlight of someone’s month—including yours.

Tip: Use your schmooze powers to help a friend (or cause) in need

After (hopefully) taking time out to restore your energy levels last month, you’ll be unstoppable at work this month. You’ll have motivation and confidence on lock—especially until 23 October. Look for opportunities to team up with people who inspire you, and get ready to shine. Mercury retrograde (until 19 October) is a great time to reconnect with old colleagues; you never know where things could lead! Your only danger is taking on too much (#CapProblems!) so do whatever you need to do to ensure you maintain a sense of equilibrium this month and don’t burn out.

Tip: Join forces with a colleague to kick major goals at work

There’s a clarifying quality to the first part of the month that should feel like a breath of fresh air for Aquarian peeps. The intellectual electricity of Libra season (until 23 October) combined with Mercury retrograde (until 19 October) promises inspiration and ideas in spades. Prioritise time with people who stimulate your mind, broaden your horizon and inspire you to see beyond the blah of the everyday. Banter, learning and travel—even if it’s just talking about where you’ll go when things open up—will restore your sense of spiritual balance. 

Tip: Make time for people who feel like being on holidays

October promises plenty of opportunities to deepen the work you did on your closest relationships last month, especially around shared resources. Mercury retrograde (until 19 October) highlights conversations around money. It’s usually a sure fire buzzkill—but with the sun and Mars on your side, you’ll have the chutzpah to initiate tough conversations in the sweetest, most sensitive way possible. Take advantage of the mix of courage and diplomacy on your side (until 23 October) and use the energy to tackle a difficult conversation.

Tip: Harness the energy to tackle an awkward cash conversation

Hot tip: try reading these horoscopes for your rising sign as well as your sun sign. You can check the Co-Star app or have your charts read by an astrologist to see what your rising sign is.

Emma Vidgen is an astrologer and meditation teacher. Follow her or book a reading @emma_vee and @thewayward.co.