What Lies Beneath the Surface – October 2026

As the autumn leaves begin their descent and the days grow shorter, October welcomes us into a season of change. We enter the month on the heels of the Full Moon in fiery Aries on September 26th, illuminating the balance between “I” and “WE”—who we are as individuals and who we are within our relationships.

Just one day later, Mars moved into Leo, adding even more fire to the story. Aries asks us to recognize who we are and what we want, while Mars in Leo encourages us to have the courage to express it. We begin October with an invitation to become more aware of where we may have lost ourselves in the “WE”—or where the “I” has left little room for anyone else.

And this is only the beginning of October’s story.

As the month unfolds, the energy will shift from what we’re becoming aware of to what may be waiting beneath the surface. But before we move too far ahead, let’s begin with the Full Moon in Aries and what may be illuminating.

Just a few days into October, Venus stations retrograde at 8°29′ Scorpio, beginning a journey that will take us back through some very familiar territory—love, relationships, money, values and self-worth.

But Venus is beginning this retrograde in Scorpio, and Scorpio isn’t interested in what’s happening on the surface. Scorpio wants to know what’s underneath it.

Where there are issues around trust, intimacy, vulnerability, shared resources or even power within our relationships, Venus retrograde may bring them back into focus. Not necessarily because something is wrong, but because there may be something we’re ready to see differently.

Retrogrades give us an opportunity to revisit, review and reconsider. And in Scorpio, that review can go deep.

This is where paying attention matters. What keeps showing up?

What feels familiar? What are we beginning to recognize that perhaps we couldn’t see before?

Because the things that surface during this Venus retrograde may be showing us more than what’s happening in a relationship or with our finances. They may reveal the patterns underneath the choices we’ve been making.

Venus will continue retrograde through Scorpio until October 25th, when she moves back into Libra. She won’t station direct until November 13th at 22°52′ Libra, giving us plenty of time to understand more about what—and who—we truly value.

THE SUN ENTERS SCORPIO — OCTOBER 23RD
MERCURY RETROGRADE IN SCORPIO — OCTOBER 24TH AT 20°59′

As the Sun moves into Scorpio on October 23rd, our attention naturally begins to turn toward what lies beneath the surface. Scorpio isn’t particularly interested in appearances. It wants truth, depth and a willingness to look at what we may not always be comfortable seeing.

And just one day later, Mercury stations retrograde at 20°59′ Scorpio.

Mercury retrograde invites us to revisit, rethink and reconsider. In Scorpio, that review may take us deeper into conversations, decisions or information we thought we already understood. Something previously overlooked may deserve another look. Something left unsaid may need to be acknowledged. And yes, something that has been hidden may become easier to see.

But this isn’t about searching for secrets or assuming something is being kept from us.

It’s about being willing to look beneath the obvious.

With Venus already retrograde and Mercury now joining her in Scorpio, October is asking us to slow down and pay attention. What are we learning about what we value, what we trust, what we’re communicating—and what might the patterns beginning to emerge be showing us? OCTOBER 23–25 — WHAT’S BENEATH THE SURFACE?

The energy deepens as the Sun moves into Scorpio on October 23rd, followed by Mercury stationing retrograde at 20°59′ Scorpio on October 24th. Scorpio takes us beneath the surface, while Mercury retrograde asks us to revisit what we thought we already understood.

Pay attention to what comes back around. Conversations, information or even something left unsaid may offer another piece of the story. With Venus also retrograde, relationships, values, money and trust remain part of the conversation.

Then, on October 25th, the Full Moon at 2° Taurus sits opposite the Scorpio Sun, illuminating the balance between what makes us feel safe and secure and what may need to change. On the same day, Venus retrogrades back into Libra, bringing relationships and balance back into focus.

There is a lot being revealed in these few days—not necessarily because something new is happening, but because we may finally be seeing things more clearly.

OCTOBER 25TH — FULL MOON IN TAURUS & VENUS RETURNS TO LIBRA

October’s story comes full circle on the 25th. The Full Moon at 2° Taurus opposes the Scorpio Sun, illuminating what makes us feel safe and secure and what may be asking us to change.

On the same day, Venus—still retrograde—moves back into Libra, shifting our attention once again toward relationships and balance.

By now, October may have given us plenty to see, understand and reconsider. Astrology highlights patterns to help us make different choices.

What we choose is always a personal choice.

October gives us plenty to see, understand and perhaps choose differently. Pay attention to what surfaces and the patterns that become clearer.

Remember, these energies will show up differently in your individual chart. To better understand what October’s astrology means for you, visit kathymarieaustin.com and schedule a session.

The more you know, the more consciously you can choose what comes next.

Want to get these insights straight to your inbox?

Subscribe here to get astrology updates, and as a bonus for signing up you will also get a free E-Book!

If you have any questions about what this means to you, reach out to me!