Before we get to this week's forecast, let me share this with you: This is the last chance to sign up for this week's Forecasting Forum, live on Thursday at 3pm EDT. We will look directly at our own birth charts to see how the upcoming Mercury Retrograde phase in Scorpio (as well as the Shadow and Station phases) will impact each of us in October/November.

Monday, October 14th:

Monday, the Moon remains in pioneering, fast-paced Aries and VoC until 12:24pm EDT. 

Monday very early morning, an opportune Mercury/Saturn aspect becomes exact at 2:56am EDT. We started to feel this aspect build from last week, Saturday (Oct. 12th) on, it will remain strong until this Tuesday (Oct. 15th ). This is an opportunity to take responsibility for our thinking structures and be really honest with ourselves.

How can we get the most from this opportunity? By allowing ourselves to go deeper as we investigate our fear-based thinking or self-defeating behaviors. As best as you can, commit to understanding your conditioning and thinking processes.

If we take this chance to see things more clearly and connect to ourselves more deeply, we could get a good dose of reality, and an ability to focus on long-term issues. Remember: opportunities are openings; they aren't necessarily handed to us -- we have to "take" them and make something of them.

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or any personal planets) in 12-17 degrees of Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces or Virgo? If so, you may be more aware of this opportunity. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Gemini, Virgo or Capricorn (Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo; Saturn rules Capricorn).

Also, Monday very early morning, a challenging Sun/Pluto aspect becomes exact at 3:38am EDT. We started to feel this aspect build from last week, Thursday (Oct. 10th) on, it will remain strong until this Thursday (Oct. 17th). What we identify ourselves with could now be challenged. This aspect forces us to confront our will, power, assertion, and authority.

Coming into focus now: the relationship with a father-figure (or other important males). We may face the need to be more independent, assertive, and autonomous.

We may alienate others with a controlling, jealous, or overbearing manner. This manner stems from a deep fear of letting go and surrendering to the idea that some things cannot be directed or controlled. We are learning to detach from (let go of) something or someone that no longer serves us -- the "something" could include attitudes.

This fear may also lead us to compulsive, suspicious, or difficult behavior, costing us the very thing that we hold dear. As best as you can, open yourself up to the power of love within. When you do, you will discover your own strength, and rework your very identity. Perhaps most importantly, this aspect puts us face to face with exactly what's been holding us back from leading a fuller, more meaningful life.

We may have to make some changes or adjustments between our immediate personal desires and our long-term goals. As best as you can, be open to receiving feedback from others during this time.

If you feel pressured into doing something or you feel a power struggle build, as best as you can, get centered, get grounded and open your heart and mind. This aspect is a major growth opportunity for us: we struggle with buried elements of our personality and ego, learning to face, accept and transform them.

Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 17-24 degrees of Libra, Capricorn, Aries or Cancer? If so, you will be more affected by this aspect. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Scorpio (the Sun is the ruler of Leo; Pluto rules Scorpio).

Monday at 12:24pm EDT, the Moon moves into steady, peaceful Taurus, where it will journey until Wednesday late evening. We love all physical comforts, prefer consistency, and would rather stick with what we know works well. In other words ...