doing this sort of stuff.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Your October Horoscope by Susan Miller

Dear Aquarius, do you remember the old axiom, "When in doubt, do nothing"? In October, although the month starts out fairly promising, things may start to go haywire fairly quickly. Suddenly you'll be confused about which decisions to make and when you should actually make them, particularly regarding questions that relate to your career. This is an odd circumstance for the zodiac's most intellectual, scientifically oriented sign, but you're also highly instinctual, and you will be picking up signs of static and other interference on your radar screen. You can blame Mercury, soon to turn retrograde in your tenth house of honors, awards, and career achievement from October 11 through November 1.

Although Mercury is not due to turn until October 11, you will begin to feel the cancellations, delays, and communication mix-ups as soon as the month begins. As you read this, Mercury is now traveling directly over the very same mathematical degrees that this planet will later have to retrace. In astrology, every mathematical degree and direction of a planet's orbit has relevance. Mercury's position at the start of October is a sign that things have already become erratic and somewhat uncontrollable for a while. Trying to make a sound decision in this environment is akin to sticking a pin in the ocean in precisely the same place you stuck the same pin an hour ago. Hopeless.

As you may know, Mercury is the plant of communication, perception, imagination, transportation, and shipping - in short, Mercury rules all the things that our modern day world depends on to keep running smoothly to keep everything on track. Failing that, we all have to hobble around without a strong, sure Mercury behind us. We do the best we can, but these periods always bring a certain measure of frustration. One person once said to me, Mercury goes retrograde every month! Not quite, but it sure feels this way doesn't it? Actually, Mercury goes in reverse for three-and-a-half weeks, every 12 weeks. When it does, Mercury out of phase nearly forces us to go back over our work, our relationships, and endeavors to improve them in any way we can.

Mercury will be in Scorpio this time when in retrograde, spinning backward in your house of professional status and reward. Since your work life will be most affected, you might as well use up some of the vacation time that you've accumulated now, this month. You won't miss much at the office (not unless you have a rather distorted sense of humor and actually enjoy seeing projects cancelled and clients clamor for redesigns.)

The universe agrees that you need a fun journey and will open up a window of opportunity on the new moon in Libra on October 11. From October 11 to 21 you will have a chance to hop a jet plane to an exotic locale, most likely with a romantic partner. With Venus in your eighth house this month, this trip will give you all the time you need to connect on a deeply spiritual as well as physical level.

The city you choose to go to will be one that has been high on your list to see. The price seems very attractive as prices go, but lately money has been scarce, and you may be concerned about spending now, just as you are moving into the holiday gift-giving season. Saturn, now newly in your house of credit cards and loans, is making you very cautious, so it's true that it would be wise to go only if you can afford the trip.

If, on the other hand, your employer or if self-employed, your client, needs you to go on their dime, then you will be delighted, fully relishing the ability to see new sights and be enveloped in a completely new environment.

You may also (or alternatively) be contemplating a possible return to college to get an advanced degree, but again, financial considerations may press on you. Part of you wants to make a run for it and let the chips fall where they may, but another side of you wonders what the future will bring and whether carrying the student loan debt will all be too much.

All I can say is that you now have two very difficult planets in your financial houses of the horoscope: Uranus and Saturn. These planets are very slow moving and won't be leaving these positions any time soon. (Uranus will stay through 2011, and Saturn until September 2009.) I feel that these planets will force you to be conservative. Uranus brings all sorts of unanticipated events, and Saturn teaches us all the values of being practical.

In late February 2008, you'll have one last eclipse in a financial sector (ending two years of eclipses that caused surprises, shifts, and at times a large unexpected expense), so you and I need to factor that in that eclipse, too. You may see a change in the source of your income at that time, or have one more unexpected expense. It is also possible that you will change jobs and earn more money as a result of this eclipse. With Uranus involved, you never know - this planet is considered a true wild card. I feel we don't have to plan for happy circumstances, only difficult ones. All things considered, see if you can find frequent flier miles to use to get you to your holiday. Once there, with your lucky aspects from Jupiter and Neptune at the October 11 new moon, you may be able to stay a friend's house or local Y. This would be your best course of action and give you the best of both worlds.

If you were born on or within five days of January 22, you will feel, and benefit from, this new moon in an outstanding way.

Mars, the energy planet, entered your sixth house of work on September 28, a place in your horoscope it will hold for almost seven months. This is an unusually long visit of Mars, for Mars typically stays a little less than two months, not close to seven. It's clear that you'll be working very hard until this trend ends on May 8, 2008, but that at the end of this trend in May, you will have plenty to be proud to say you achieved. To stay sane during this period, it would be wise to develop ways to offset stress, say, by getting more active, spending more time with your pet, or developing a favorite hobby. Also, pace yourself so that you don't do too much at the onset. The danger would be that you would feel burnout at any time.

Most people find sports and workouts to be very helpful, and apparently the universe agrees, for the part of the chart that rules your work-a-day work schedule (the sixth sector that you and I have been discussing above) also rules fitness and other preventative health measures we need to take to stay healthy.

As an Aquarius, you love your computer and other electronic devices, so you often forget you even HAVE a body, let alone remember to get enough exercise. As the zodiac's brainy sign, you do have to admit that you live in your head most of the time. Just remembering that you can bring your iPod with you to the gym, and that yes, gyms have large flat screen TVs to occupy their members while working out, would be a cheery thought for you. You don't have to be Survivor Man who dives into freezing cold water in Iceland to get fit. It's a whole lot easier than that! Those of us who sit at our computers all day (me included) have to work out or soon learn there will be no hope for our bodies!

Your home will draw all your attention at the full moon October 26, plus or minus four days. News will be excellent because at this full moon both Mars (action) and Saturn (stability) will be prominent. That's an ideal combination of planetary power so it appears that the culmination of a home or family-related plan you have will bring great success. You may move or improve your space and if you do, you will enjoy a wonderful renewed feeling of security now. Any decisions you make at the time near this full moon October 26 will be with you for many years into the future.

If you are happy with your space but feel the decor looks a little drab or static, you can add a few accessories to freshen up your space and give everyone in your household a spirited lift at the same time. Candles, new throw pillows, and a vase or bowl could transform a room from blah to beautiful.

With Mercury retrograde, it's an ideal time to schedule repairs and to order cleaning jobs. You can have the carpets shampooed or the windows washed, for example, and afterwards you'll feel that you even breathe more easily. The holidays are approaching, which means lots of people over at your house, but you still have plenty of time to get these things done.

This full moon is in Taurus, the sign ruling flowers and greenery, so you may want to ask your gardener for ideas to make your yard more appealing. If you live in an apartment, buy several houseplants and fresh flowers - they are sure to perk up your creativity. There's nothing like live plants to give a home a cheery welcoming feel. Since this full moon will be so positive for you, you may want to entertain over the ensuing weekend, with superb results.

The month ends on a happy note. At the end of August, you had an eclipse in Pisces that may have put a strong dent in your budget. That eclipse was prone to bring high expenses, so you may still be dealing with the aftermath of that eclipse. Happily, on October 31, Neptune, the planet ruling your second house of earned income, has been retrograde since march 31, but will move full speed ahead on that date, October 31. If you felt that no matter how hard you tried to find ways to increase your income, you felt stuck or stymied, things should change for the better after the move of Neptune out of retrograde.

Moreover, just before Neptune goes direct, Jupiter will send Neptune a beautiful vibration on Monday, October 29. (Note: Some readers who live in certain time zones won't see the peak of this rare and special aspect until the early morning of October 30 but you need not split hairs - think of this as Monday's aspect. You can enjoy it throughout the end of October.) Most aspects have an area of influence that covers a range of days, and this one will also overlap with the bright full moon that you and I talked about above, October 26. When any aspect, like this one, falls near a full moon, the moon will intensify its power even more!

With Jupiter posited in your house of friends and new contacts, and Neptune in Aquarius, an event you are invited to over the weekend of October 27 - 28 or during the week, October 29 - 30 should turn out to be tender, sensational fun.

How ironic that the universe would have the planet of imagination (Neptune) in top form just as we all head toward Halloween. With this vibrant combination of Jupiter and Neptune so close to the holiday, this year's costumes should be so inventive that they will take your breath away. One will be better than the next! Happily, Neptune is in your sign, and Jupiter in a friendly fellow fire sign, and therefore in a very strong position to help you! And since you have a full moon at nearly the same time shining in your house of home, if you feel like throwing a party, go right ahead - there would be no better time to do so. The caveat is that you must give your party at your home for best luck (not in a restaurant or club).

This month, it is clear your friends will help up the ante in your social life quite a bit. Aside from this four-star day, October 29 - 30, you may also enjoy October 20. Again you seem surrounded with many loving faces of pals and it will be a night to remember.

Best romantic evenings: Best romantic days: October 1 - 2, 11 - 13, 16, 19 - 20, 26 - 31.

Summary

You've entered into a high-pressure, high-productivity phase at work that will last for months. This comes due to the unusually long impending visit of Mars to your workaday sector, so it'll be vital that you pace yourself carefully so that you don't overdo. Find little ways to relax on weekends. This will be important even if you have small children. In that case, enlist your friends and family for assistance through this period because you really will need a little extra help. Fortunately, in October, you will also have a superb opportunity to travel or to refresh your mind with classes on a topic interesting to you. You need relief from too much routine, but October will brim with chances to do just that.

With more demands on you, it will also become more vital that you attend to medical and dental checkups. And with Mars, the athletic planet, now circulating in your fitness sector, its time to kick things ups another notch. Sign up for a boxing class or take lessons in soccer or fencing. By doing something new, you'll clear your mind and boost your creativity.

Your primary attention will be drawn to a home or family matter at the full moon, October 26. If you've been working on a renovation project, then workers will be finishing up, or you may be actually preparing to make your big move to a new address. Whatever you do, with comforting vibes from Saturn, you'll find your decision to be in place a great many years.

Your nesting instincts will be strong, so it will be a great time to reorganize closets and find new storage to hold your precious things. With Mercury in retrograde, it won't be the right time to buy an electronic item, such as an HDTV, new DVD player, or computer. Browse, compare, but don't acquire your coveted item next month.

Finally, money has been a source of woe for you lately, but that situation may change for the better in months to come once Neptune turns from retrograde to direct on October 31. Watch the days surrounding this date for good news. Also, if you work in a creative field, you will find you're more easily able to persuade your client to approve your concepts, and that too will add up to more cash for you.