For hard-working, steadfast, and luxurious Taurus: Here’s what you can expect to enjoy, work through, and receive throughout the month of October.

Your ruling planet, Venus, spends the first half of this month under Scorpio. Ever elusive and prone to grudges, Scorpio’s influence over Venus might manifest as a lack of charity or vulnerability with others. Keep a close watch on the walls you build around yourself during the first half of October, Taurus. Solitude tends to lose its appeal when we achieve it. 

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Uranus retrograde spends the entire month under your sign, maximizing its influence in your celestial alignments. This planetary period encourages us to tap into parts of ourselves we typically keep hidden, whether because of fear or insecurity or perceived societal expectations. (More often than not, it’s a mix of all three.) As October forges on, Uranus retrograde encourages you not to get too comfortable in any one idea of yourself. 

On October 4, Venus forms a harmonious trine with Saturn retrograde. You’re more likely to strike a balance between your current workload and new endeavors at this time. Use this potent alignment as an opportunity to consider your options seriously. You can’t continue piling more and more onto your plate, Taurus. You’ll either have to let some things go or pass on new obligations—even if you might like to take them on. 

This brief period of slowing down, resting, and avoiding new responsibilities pays off days later when Venus forms a trine with Mars on October 8. With more time to focus on your current obligations, you’ll be better equipped to handle your workload and have some energy left over to enjoy Mars’ passionate influence over matters of the heart, home, and wallet.

The Mars-Venus trine increases social and romantic energy. This makes it the perfect time to plan a date night, friends’ outing, or finally reach out to that special someone you’ve been eyeing for a while now. Outside of the externally romantic realm, this is also an appropriate time to show yourself a little bit of love, too. Splurging on some luxurious self-care is another excellent way to capitalize on this powerful celestial alignment while it’s here. 

A notable opposition occurs between Venus and Uranus retrograde on October 14. The former planet, of course, dominates love, finances, and self-esteem. The latter typically governs creativity, rebellion, and chaos. When retrograde, Uranus encourages you to explore new ideas, feelings, and experiences. Just because something isn’t typical of your day-to-day life doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad, or you should avoid it. On the contrary, the stars suggest you run to it. 

These new pursuits might be taxing on current relationships or your financial well-being. Take solace in the fact that this is not a black-and-white endeavor. There is a balance to be had between pursuing fresh ideas or connections without leaving yourself or others in the lurch. It might take a little searching to find the ideal solution. But fortunately, another planetary alignment locks into place days later that should help shine a light on what you need. 

On October 16, Venus forms a trine with Neptune retrograde, a planet calling us to foster our imagination and creativity. However, this retrograde period isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. Another crucial element of this retrograde is analyzing and identifying deception. As painful as these revelations can sometimes be, it’s far better for our hearts and wallets to know now than to continue living in falsehoods. Take courage as you face this newfound clarity head-on, Taurus. 

With Venus still under Scorpio, it’s important to consider how our own insecurities have created deception and misguidance in our lives. Be wary of your pride’s ability to convince you that isolation is better than community. Vulnerability naturally heightens the risk of getting hurt. But without it, you miss out on vital opportunities to love, connect, and feel more deeply. Venus’ trine with Uranus indicates a subconscious willingness to let these fears go and break down the walls separating you from those trying to reach out. Follow this feeling as far as you can. 

The next day, Venus enters Sagittarius on October 17, bringing fiery energy to an otherwise cool month for your ruling planet. Sagittarius’ ruling element and mutable quality imbues passion, adaptability, and vigor into your day-to-day life. Indeed, things might’ve gotten a little hairy in the days prior to Venus’ transition into Sagittarius. But the stars will be providing a much-needed confidence boost while you right the ship. 

At the same time as this crossover from Scorpio to Sag, Venus forms a sextile with Pluto retrograde. Sextiles aren’t the most active celestial aspect, but they are overwhelmingly positive, which is nothing to sneeze at. As transformative Pluto continues to move your metamorphoses closer to fruition, the stars urge you to keep your head down and stay the course. Transformation is never an overnight process, and your situation is no exception. 

Venus ends the month in a square with Saturn retrograde. This is a notably more difficult alignment with the celestial disciplinarian than the trine you enjoyed earlier in the month. But of course, you knew back then that the decisions you made would come with consequences. As Venus and Saturn’s square locks into place on October 28, the time will likely come to face the downsides of not deciding to pursue new endeavors (or letting some old ones go so that you can). Feelings of nostalgia, regret, and doubt might arise.

Remember, Taurus: the negative aspects of your decision looked much different a week or two ago. They’ll look different a week from now, too. Don’t let the proximity of these problems discourage you or convince you to backtrack on your progress. Indeed, the only way out is through. Try employing the help of a trusted friend or loved one to see you through the tumult.

Thus concludes your monthly highlights. For more specific celestial analyses, make sure to read your daily and weekly horoscope as well. Good luck, Taurus! See you next month.