The emotional energy slows down due to the onset of Mercury retrograde along with Venus’ current moonwalk. Starting anything new can be a challenge for some, and might even work against you. The theme of the week is to rest and take impeccable care of yourself. The stars mark endings and major energetic releases, but try to keep in mind that an ending could also mark a beginning — depending on how you look at it.

The major astrological transits of the week are:

October 20: Venus retrograde in Scorpio squares Pluto in Aquarius, heightening power struggles and triangular situations. Stay in your lane to avoid upsetting those you care about (and vice versa).

October 21: The Sun in Libra connects with the North Node of Destiny in Aquarius, pulling in people that boost our confidence and make us feel part of the group.

October 23: The Sun enters Scorpio, intensifying our presence, intuition, and sentimentality as the veil thins. Our emotions are deep, loyal, and immense.

October 23: The Sun and Venus retrograde form a conjunction, known as “cazimi,” Scorpio ending a 100-year cycle that traces back to our ancestors. We are evolving and changing the storyline for our future.

October 24: Mercury retrograde in Scorpio brings miscommunications, travel issues, and frustrations to the public, creating aggregations that we need to revise and rethink in the weeks ahead, until November 13.

October 25: Venus retrograde re-enters Libra, offering a second look at the end of August and beginning days of September. Focus on the relationship patterns and dynamics that came into play, as we deal with them a second time.

Aries

You are moving away from impatience and into a more empathetic disposition. This helps you see things from another person's perspective with clarity, giving you the understanding and patience to see things through their eyes. Your consideration and golden heart will help you form unbreakable bonds that reflect your sensitivity.

Taurus

You can look forward to intense, perhaps even vivid, dreams. Keep your phone or journal by the bed so you can record your dreams in a voice memo app and write them down right away. Be sure to pay attention to any synchronicities you encounter in the astral realm that might be a premonition.

Gemini

The energy here can put your will and emotions at odds, making it hard to know which way to go. You may feel weighed down and unmotivated, as bizarre attitudes wash over the collective. Meanwhile, stubborn behaviors are likely to manifest, so you'll want to watch out for these qualities within both yourself and others.

Cancer

This isn’t likely to be a time when you’re bursting for social connections or deep conversations, but if you can manage scheduling some overdue self-love and downtime, you will be using your time wisely. The best investment is in yourself. Pour some of the kindness you give to others back into yourself.

Leo

The planets bring turmoil and conflict into relationships, urging us to spend time solo. Anything else will likely lead to arguments and tension, so if something comes up beyond your control, put a pin in the discussion. This will likely be frustrating, so tread lightly.

Virgo

Remember: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. You planted these seeds a while back, so go on ahead and jump into your destiny! You are a soldier in your own battle. Ask yourself exactly who and what you are willing to fight for — that is exactly how you need to spend more of your time.

Libra

This week’s astrology requires and urges you to cut away unwanted things and people from your life, and do an about-face in the eyes of those around you. The cosmos requires you to stand up for yourself in the workplace. You'll feel encouraged to stick to your commitments and also rebel against the system and authority.

Scorpio

The week starts intensely, with a ton of energy swirling around. You've done what you needed to do and got a lot done in such a short time. Be proud of yourself and let yourself chillax with wonderful food, conversation, and company. Luckily, you'll find that you are full of bright ideas in the days ahead, due to your innovative abilities.

Sagittarius

You might feel others are talking down to you right now or intentionally making your life difficult, so you may have to buckle down and push your agenda forward despite these obstacles. If you do find that actualizing change isn't in the stars right now, give yourself a few days and try again once this resistant energy dissipates.

Capricorn

Watch out for negative influences in the days ahead that have the potential to influence your behavior. These forces can bring out controlling or possessive behaviors, so you'll want to keep an eye out for such actions within both yourself and others. On the positive side, this can be a time of emotional growth. Get ready for big changes.

Aquarius

Your passions and yearnings will come through, even if you are afraid to take a step into a brand-new direction that challenges you to the core. This will take extreme bravery, but once you give yourself permission to follow through and trust your gut, you will never look back.

Pisces

The end of the week adds more self-control; with perseverance and vitality, the energy to get work done and stay ethical takes things to the next level. Enjoy the chill and quiet energy you seek. It’s a nice reprieve from the constant frenetic energy of the retrogrades and celestial havoc.

For a deeper look at the week ahead, join us at Patreon.com/thehoodwitch for your extended horoscope and witch tips created for your zodiac sign. Each week, we share rituals and practical magic to help you work with the astrology and bring intention into your everyday life.