Your October 2018 Horoscope

The Standard Spa, Miami Beach’s in-house astrologer, Lori Bell, did you a solid and laid out your month ahead. Thank her in person when you see her around the property and book an appointment to go deeper into your astrological chart. (If you're not in Miami, she does readings via phone, too!)

This month's biggest takeaways: Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and money is in retrograde. This means past lovers may reconnect, money can get tight, and you should probably lay off the beauty treatments until November 16th. Then just like that, Venus will be back.

Ready to connect, Aries? October is all about relationships, whether it be partners, sex, money, intimacy, you know—the juicy stuff! Venus enters the erotic and powerful sign of Scorpio. When she goes retrograde on October 5th, old lovers may show up; relationships get thorny; and you should consider starting to lower your debt. You must be wary of obsessive, jealous, or controlling behaviors. Think psycho "stalker" energy in the air; please don't breathe that in. Instead, have sex with an ex; sort out your finances; resolve unfinished partnership issues. The upside of Venus retrograde is that your relationships become more authentic; sex gets hotter, and intimacy deepens. To help get this right, the New Moon in Libra falls into your 7th house of committed relationships on October 8th. No rash decisions: wait until Venus goes direct, on November 16. Sit tight, Aries; please be willing to compromise.

Taurus, find your ground! Venus, your ruling planet, is going retrograde on October 5th. Though stability is your middle name, Venus' entry into the intense, fiery sign of Scorpio will try and shake you. This is especially true when it comes to finances and love. Be prepared to see relationship difficulties surface, finances tighten, old lovers reappear, and self-worth decrease. Some things will resolve themselves; others will not. Fun times, huh? Well, this only happens every eight years. Think back, October 2010... What was happening in your life then?

Taurus, you don't have to repeat the past. Instead, take the beauty of Venus in retrograde to clean up unfinished business in romance, business, and money. You love all things Venusian: beauty, food, luxury, 1000-thread count sheets. So, if this cycle brings you down, sweet Taurus, hop into bed, binge-watch, drink expensive wine, or eat a delicious meal to help ease the pain. Take this time to reevaluate what you truly value; and know this cycle will be over in 40 short days. Start counting?

This month, Gemini, be ready to turn on a dime. The lovely planet Venus will be missing in action for the next 40 days. So, what's a good Gemini to do? Catch up with old lovers, bosses, colleagues, and friends; Venus retrograde always brings them back. Your chart lights up the 6th house; spotlighting your work, daily routine, and self-care. Venus is asking you to examine your professional relationships. It's also a time to look inward at your own stuff. Venus is in the power sign of Scorpio; it's all or nothing, and you're always in-between. Gemini, your quick wit and charm can turn any intense situation to one of levity. The new moon lands in Libra on October 8th; highlighting your 5th house of creativity, love affairs, and romance. Libra is your BFF, take advantage of this energy, it's highly creative, inspiring, and romantic! An ideal antidote for the intensity at work.  Have a love affair, renew the romance in your partnership, be creative, have fun, period. 

Proceed with caution, Cancer! Venus goes retrograde, and things will border on strange for the next 40 days. Seemingly biblical, not only is Venus retrograde, it is also hanging out in the intense, emotional sign of Scorpio. Prepare to see past lovers and friends reenter your life. Venus lights up your 5th house of love affairs, romance, creativity, and kids. You must deal with unfinished business in these aspects of life. If you happen to rekindle a romance with a past love, it will be intense, passionate, and even obsessive. Can you handle it? Be honest, Cancer, your own neediness is real and you can get attached after a single kiss. Keep those eyes wide open! Also, reel in the kids as they are likely to be more willful, trying, and demanding of you. The last time Venus went retrograde 8 years ago; mistakes were made. You now have the chance to heal old wounds. The New Moon in Libra on October 8, is in the 4th house of home, family, and roots. This is the month to deal with your folks, do try to heal those relationships, it's the key to your happiness. Dear Cancer, I care about you. Be careful; stiffen that backbone, and please protect your needy heart!

Leo, relatives are clamoring for your attention! This month is time to deal with familial relationships. On October 6th, Venus goes retrograde in the intense sign of Scorpio. This affects your 4th house of family, home, and hearth. You'll be faced with an intensity around family issues that you haven't felt since October of 2010, Venus' last retrograde in Scorpio. Deep hurts, misunderstandings, jealousy, and all the dark stuff we don't want to deal with will come to the surface. Leo, you tend to be overly dramatic; you may want to tone it down? Grab an edible; it could help. If you are thinking of sprucing up your home this month, wait until November 16th! Venus rules beauty. She's not fully available and things may not turn out as you'd like. Also, be wary of extravagant spending; money is likely to be tight. Though dealing with these issues is going to cause you angst and drama, relax in knowing that you won't have to deal with these aspects again until 2026. So, why not get it right this time around? Family matters, Leo.

Listen up, Virgo, perfection is an illusion. So, the perfectionist aspects of you may face a challenging time while Venus goes retrograde this month. Venus focuses on beauty, relationships, self-worth, and money. Yet with Venus hidden, it is difficult to access her full potential. Plus, Venus enters the all-powerful sign of Scorpio, impacting your attitude, mindset, and community. You'll be tempted to notice imperfections, engage in obsessive thinking, and hear your inner critic. Given all of this, what's a Virgo to do? Well, first off, give yourself a break! You are human. Then, try to stop critiquing others around you; and please give those siblings a break. They'll never live up to your paragon of perfection anyway. Pay attention to that critical mind; placate it with niceties rather than judgments. And please, dear Virgo, let go of control and let things come to you. On October 8th, the new moon in Libra enters your house of self-worth and cash. Limit the shopping, you'll end up returning it anyway. Value yourself, Virgo, and, okay, you can judge a little, so we all don't end up a hot, marred mess!

Happy birthday, lovely Libra! You may get an unexpected gift this year—"the one" who got away may come back running back! Or, at least a few old lovers will reappear to wish you a happy birthday. On October 6th, your ruler Venus is going retrograde where she will hide out for 40 days. Venus begins her retrograde cycle in the powerful sign of Scorpio, falling in your second house of self-value, money, and talent. It's time to re-evaluate these aspects. And with Venus now in Scorpio, they are either going to be black or white. So, this month, please ponder: are you valuing your highest self, getting paid your worth, living your best life? If so, kudos; keep it going! If not, it's time to make changes, Libra. You are the sign of reason, balance, and harmony; confrontation just isn't your thing. Still, you must muster up the courage and elevate yourself. Ask for that must-deserved raise, increase your rates, and showcase your talents. On October 8th, a new moon in Libra lands in your first house. You may not be feeling it so much since your ruler Venus is otherwise engaged. No worries; try and enjoy all the attention past lovers will be giving you. Fall in love with yourself this month; dress up for the hell of it, and reclaim your Venusian charm. Libra, make it all about you for a change and enjoy it!

Hello, lover!  Scorpio, your reputation as the most intense, alluring sign of the zodiac shines through more than ever this month. Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and money lands in your first house of self. No surprise, people are attracted to you like bees to honey—except, ouch, you have a mean sting! With Venus in Scorpio, there's more emotion, passion, possession, and intensity than usual. Please go easy when it comes to your relationships. Venus turns retrograde on October 6th, take an unbiased look at what matters. Tend to unfinished business with past or present lovers. Maybe you'll rekindle an old flame or run from what you've got. Scorpio, de amour, if the flame has waned, we know you won't stick around; it's full-on heat or nothing at all. Still, the Venus retrograde is an opportunity to heal old relationship wounds, open your heart, and deepen present relationships. There's also a new moon in Libra, landing in your 12th house on October 8th. That's where you can go to retreat, turn inward, and contemplate your navel in quiet secret. It can be one extreme or the other. Either way, we can't wait to see how things play out, you mysterious Scorpio!

Hey Sag, Venus is going off the grid this month. She's in retrograde and, you'll be hiding out in your 12th house. The 12th house is where you go to escape, retreat, meditate, and find inspiration. Venus, meanwhile, lands in Scorpio. Private, secretive, and loaded with intense passion, this could bring old lovers back onto the scene. Secret or illicit affairs may find their way into Sag's ecosphere. Beware; be careful, and be discreet if so. Your pocketbook may also be squeezed for the next 40 days, hide the credit cards, no online shopping. Why not take off—find a place to chill, go hiking, volunteer and help others in need? All will serve you and distract from added temptations to undesired behaviors. Sag you've always been a free spirit and abhor being tied down. Make sure you get the requisite space and freedom you crave this month. The new moon in Libra on October 8th activates your 11th house of friendships and like-minded peeps. Libra relishes in relationships and love; be prepared as you may fall in love with a new friend or meet a new lover. During Venus retrograde; it's a time of expansion, not commitment. Sounds kind of perfect for you, no?

Let go and let it flow, Cap. Venus is going retrograde, activating your 11th house of relationships, groups, and community. What's old may be new again while old friends and lovers resurface. Don't be surprised if you wander into a yoga class and see an ex unrolling the mat next to yours, or turn a street corner and bump into your college roomie. Venus gone retrograde is also a time to reflect upon the past. You can tap into this cycle as an opportunity to "re-do" and renew! Maybe you want to revisit former lovers, organize your finances, reexamine your self-worth and direction in life. Add the fact that Venus falls into the all-encompassing sign of Scorpio; you'll have no choice but to trust the universe. There is no halfway when passion, intensity, and commitment are ruling aspects. Friends may become lovers, lovers friends, old tribes calling you home again. The new moon in Libra on October 8th falls into your 10th house of career, always a comfort zone, now you must be mindful of relationships at work. Are you fair and reasonable? Are things harmonious? Make a concerted effort to get along with everyone, whether real or faked. It is your nature to stay cool on the surface while inside, you may be simmering. So, this month, find the balance and please infuse it all with open-hearted fun, Capricorn!

Keep your cool, Aquarius!  Generally calm, composed, and centered, October is going to throw you for a loop, flustering your cool. Venus is in Scorpio! This runs counter to all things Aquarian. You'll feel the emotional intensity, instability, and likely uncharacteristic discomfort. An old lover, one sworn off by history, may suddenly email. You could hear from that special "one" that got away. Think back to October 2010 when Venus was in the same position. Things got deep and really real. Are you ready to deal this time around? Though you're not wired for all these deep emotions, just breathe, Aquarius. Take this opportunity to explore your relationships more deeply and authentically, no matter the emotional toll. You've got this. In fact, you need this. A new moon in Libra lands in your 9th house on October 8th, emphasizing travel, philosophy, and education. To ease the intensity, jet away on a trip, philosophize about the meaning of life, take a class and learn something new. You're still cool, whether you just feel this month's shake-up or run off with an old flame. It will be an interesting chapter, Aquarius.

Dreaming of long-lost loves, from past or present lives, Pisces? With Venus in retrograde, they may magically reappear. Venus is hanging out in your 9th house of travel, spirituality, and legal affairs. Why not take that trip to an exotic locale—somewhere especially colorful and vibrant? Learn the language; meet a Guru. Please just don’t get arrested or end up “locked up abroad”. Venus also lands in Scorpio, your soulmate, so expect random meetings as part of destiny this month. The new Moon in Libra falls in your 8th house on October 8th. Get ready for a renewed focus on sex, money, and intimacy. And if you dream it, this sexy stuff may all really come your way. We all know that tending to the mundane issues of life is super boring for your sign. Still, you've got to manage your finances, especially if you have debt. Get on a budget, make a plan.  This month, you have to find a comfortable balance between your penchant for dream-like magic and practical realities, relationships, and routine of the Venusian world.