Free People Horoscope by Tracy Allen, Week of October 14-20

The sun in Libra is battling Pluto, while Mercury in Scorpio is sweet-talking Neptune. And Mercury and Venus both have subtle harmony with Saturn.

LIBRA

September 23–October 22

When the Libra sun squares off with Pluto this week, hassles on the home front can wear you down. The spotlight is supposed to be yours during your birthday season, but your mom or roomie might be on a power trip, or an old issue might resurface and test your limits. You can prove something to yourself by not backing down from a fight. Ignoring the fact that something isn’t working can do more damage. It’s best if you face your not-so-pretty feelings. Whatever the challenge, you can come through it stronger — but you have to go through it instead of dancing around it. Mercury in your worth house is harmonizing with Neptune in your efficiency corner, encouraging you to use your imagination to solve a problem or accomplish a task. Both Merc and Venus are syncing with heavy-duty planets, encouraging you to think in terms of improving your security. How can you work with what you have in order to shore up your foundation? Focusing on a domestic project or family issue would be a productive strategy.

SCORPIO

October 23–November 21

Internal pressure could get to you when the sun in your subliminal corner feuds with your ruler, Pluto, in your thinking-and-talking zone this week. If you’re going over and over something in your mind and feel like you’re getting nowhere, do your best to let go and accept things as they are. Adopt a mantra like “That was then; this is now” that makes you feel more empowered. Fortunately, Mercury is in your sign and syncing with Neptune in your fulfillment house, which should help you to express yourself and get your feelings out. Creative brainstorming, speaking from the heart and imaginative, inspired writing all get the green light. And speaking of light, you might see someone in a different light under this influence. Merc and Venus in Scorpio are vibing with Saturn, giving you even more help with communication. If a Big Talk is past due, this could be the week to lay it on the line. You can also gain tremendous clarity or meet someone you can rely on, thanks to Saturn’s grounding influence.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22–December 21

It can be a challenge to mesh with a group when the sun in your network sector has a skirmish with Pluto in your worth house this week. You feel compelled to protect your own interests; see if you can discover commonalities while also maintaining your strengths. Finding a good fit with other people can push you in a good way, but don’t succumb to pressure to make things work if you know the cost is too high for you. On a very different note, Mercury in your subliminal corner is meshing with ethereal Neptune in your comfort angle, coaxing you to stay in and confide in a loved one or write something creative like poetry or music. Merc and Venus are in cahoots with Saturn, so you might see opportunities to make a sacrifice that’s a win-win; let go of a past attachment to strengthen your own security; or do research related to budgeting and finance. This might also be a good week to get rid of possessions you no longer need.

CAPRICORN

December 22–January 19

With the sun hovering at the peak of your chart and battling Pluto in Capricorn, you could be your own worst enemy this week — or you might push yourself to greater heights! Either way, the pressure you’re feeling is coming from inside you, and you have the ability to shine your light with remarkable intensity. You’re on a mission to prove something, so welcome challenges and let each achievement motivate you to keep upping the ante. Just avoid the Plutonian trap of power struggles and don’t try to take on a whole system — instead, reform your way of working within it. Goats are pros at navigating hierarchies and bureaucracies, and you can channel strong emotions into fomenting constructive change now. Allow your goals to evolve, just as you yourself have evolved. Thanks to harmony between Mercury and Neptune, you can get your point across in a group and mold your self-expression to the vibes you’re picking up on. It’s easy to express sympathy and clear up confusion when these two planets get together.

AQUARIUS

January 20–February 18

Your impetus to explore uncharted territory and maintain a positive outlook could be undercut yet again when the sun in your expansion corner has a spat with Pluto in your subliminal sector. Overpowering emotions that you can’t let go of, self-sabotage or someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart could be at the root of it. Despite this resistance, and regardless of whether it’s coming from inside you or outside you, you can bravely forge ahead. Forward progress will strengthen your resolve. Face what’s really going on, because dealing with turmoil is exactly what will enable you to get back to chasing after new experiences and knowledge. Mercury’s chemistry with Neptune encourages you to talk up your creative talents, and it can also persuade you to think in terms of nonmaterial rewards when you’re conceptualizing career plans. Plus, Merc and Venus are gelling with Saturn, which could coax you to focus on wrapping up old business in an effort to make a good impression and plot the best path forward.

PISCES

February 19–March 20

Peer pressure can affect a close relationship or your psyche this week when the sun and Pluto get locked in a struggle. It may be difficult to gauge who to trust and how much to share. But if you rise to the occasion, you can change something that’s not working. Loyalty is everything under this influence. Since Mercury is dancing with Neptune in Pisces, anything you learn can touch your soul and inspire you to dream bigger. Seemingly foreign ideas, beliefs and places will strike a chord with you. To get the most out of this transit, make a point of talking to people outside your comfort zone. Both Mercury and Venus are collaborating with Saturn in your humanity house, inspiring you to join forces with others in your quest to broaden your horizons and experience more of what the world has to offer. You might travel with friends or meet new friends while traveling. It’s very possible to connect with people who are a good fit for you now while exploring unfamiliar locales, cultures and concepts.

ARIES

March 21–April 19

When the sun clashes with Pluto this week, relating may seem harder if you’re pressed to sort out your life direction or make headway with goals. But the energy you get from people you’re close to could be what fuels you to keep aiming for success. It’s no simple matter to stay on equal footing with the individuals in your life now, and career pressures might impact a bond. You or the other party may feel compelled to push the relationship forward; putting your heads together to work toward a common goal would be a positive outcome. You don’t want someone to wield power over you, but try not to make this transit all about control. Jockeying for position would be a waste of energy. Fortunately, Mercury’s link with Neptune can facilitate kind words and healing insights. If you need to find forgiveness, this planetary harmony can pave the way. Merc and Venus are clicking with Saturn, hinting that a research effort, the benefits of partnership and talking to a trusted confidant can up your odds of success.

TAURUS

April 20–May 20

Remember that practice makes perfect when the sun in your productivity corner goes up against Pluto in your exploration zone this week. You could feel internal or external pressure to know more in order to accomplish something — but there’s plenty to be said for learning on the job. Don’t be afraid of trial and error! And if you’re questioning whether the work you’re doing will ultimately make a difference in the world, try shifting your approach a little or funneling your efforts in another direction. Combining pragmatism and a strong work ethic with an empowering guiding principle would be a winning strategy. Since Mercury is meshing with Neptune in your network house, it shouldn’t be hard to get on the same page with your squad or another group and to talk about your hopes and dreams. You can read between the lines now and express your understanding. Merc and Venus are also dovetailing with Saturn, allowing you to gain knowledge and grow via your relationships as well as learn more about relationships.

GEMINI

May 21–June 20

Due to a spat between the sun and Saturn, your inclination to do as you please and be your lighthearted self could hit a snag this week if someone close to you thinks you owe them. On the flipside, you yourself might tighten the screws if you’re not getting what you want from another individual. Maybe a fun romance is starting to feel too weighty? Skip the ego trip that this planetary combo can trigger and instead, aim for constructive change. Closeness with a good friend or significant other can be a source of strength. You don’t have to give up who you are or give up on the relationship when the going gets tough. What can you do to transform things for the better? Your ruler and Venus are linked with Saturn, making it easier to discuss relationship issues. And a Mercury-Neptune confab lures you to pay attention to details so you can read the mood of authority figures or achieve recognition that has eluded you. Disciplined, analytical thought will pay off in tangible and intangible ways.

CANCER

June 21–July 22

You could get pushed out of your comfort zone if another person exerts pressure on you when the sun in your foundation angle and Pluto in your interpersonal zone have a run-in this week. It may be as simple as needing to leave the house to meet a personal obligation or as complex as having to mature for the sake of a relationship. If you’re stressed, your feelings might come bursting out now, particularly if a forceful individual is impacting your mood. Try not to project your own challenges onto someone; own your emotions before you point the finger. Problem-solve rather than attempting to get the upper hand. How might your interpersonal dynamics need to change? What work can be done to accomplish that? Mercury’s link with Neptune can renew your hopes and enable you to see the big picture. If you’re moved by a cause, speak from the heart, and the truth of your words will prevail. In telling your own story, you could make a profound connection far beyond yourself!

LEO

July 23–August 22

Your ruling planet, the sun, is cruising through your cognition-and-communication house and staging a battle with powerful Pluto in your efficiency corner this week — and as a result, the stress of trying to get something right could wear on you. Though criticism may be a blow to your ego, you can use it constructively to shape your thinking. You might see things going one way and then circumstances change. Or a power-tripping colleague could make life harder for you. Take everything one step at a time, and ask yourself what can be done to transform or rebuild. Avoid overstraining your brain and your body. A Mercury-Neptune dance establishes a theme of diving into your psyche in search of cathartic self-awareness and sharing your thoughts and feelings with a loved one. Merc and Venus are gelling with Saturn, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble accessing your emotions and applying logic to them. You should also have success if you’re trying to do creative work from home or beautify your space.

VIRGO

August 23–September 22

When the sun and Pluto get into a fight this week, it will help if you’re willing to shift your priorities to suit the situation that you’re facing. Your values, self-worth or finances may seem to be at odds with pleasure, self-expression or love, and you could feel like you’re putting a lot on the line. While trying to maintain a secure position, strong feelings are producing seismic waves. The fact that you’re identifying strongly with your needs and your assets can make everything seem like a really big deal. What you need and what you want may not align now. It feels like powerful desires, a turbulent romantic relationship or intense, happy experiences are going to cost you. Deal with your emotions, even if they scare you — especially if they scare you! Your ruler, Mercury, is jibing with Neptune in your interpersonal angle, helping you to reengage with individuals you care about and find common ground. Reach out to people with whom you share a creative, spiritual or loving connection.

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