Your Weekly Insights, Inspirations & Forecast for March October 16 – 22, 2026
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Insights, Inspirations & Forecast:
Under the waxing moonlight, Venus is retrograde in Scorpio, and Mercury is in Scorpio too, and poised to also turn Rx on October 24, just hours after the Sun enters Scorpio on October 23, and Venus Rx re-enters Libra just hours later on October 25.
The ruling planet for Scorpio, infamous, powerful, transformational, purge and purify, metamorphic Pluto, turned direct on October 15 after more than 5 months of Rx motion.
So, let’s unpack this Pluto status specifically, with the support of a little background about planets turning retrograde (Rx) in general.
Planets retrograde is an apparent astronomical motion, not an actual reversal of orbital direction, and can be described as an optical illusion, in a literal sense. It is caused because, while the Sun is the center of the Solar System, we experience the movement of the planets and stars from our geocentric position.
In this regard, there are two basic apparent motions. The first is due to the Earth turning on its axis, producing the daily or ‘Diurnal Cycle’, or the cycle of day and night caused by Earth’s rotation approximately once every 24 hours, causing different parts of the Earth to move into and out of sunlight. The other is due to Earth’s annual orbital cycle around the Sun, which produces the other apparent motion of stars and planets. It is these cyclic processes that largely determine our perception of time.
Yet, the planets can also be observed as having their own motion, which, from Earth, perplexed astronomers for millennia, as the planets would appear to slow down, stop, reverse their usual orbital direction, then slow down again, appear to stop, then resume ‘normal’ motion of direction again progressively speeding up.
Although the entire process is apparent, and not literal, in the strict linear sense, what is also true is that this dizzying motion, (for those paying close attention night after night over the course of the year and then from year to year…) is that they are experiential realities. As well, from millennia of observation, astrologers have recognized distinct psychological and also outer eventful patterns associated with the planets in their annual retrograde process.
Mercury undergoes a tri-annual retrograde process, which also causes it to appear to require an entire year to orbit Earth, despite the fact that it only takes 88 days to orbit the Sun. The Sun and Moon, technically referred to as “luminaries” as opposed to planets do not undergo this retrograde phenomenon, further indicative of their very special status, symbolically referred to as the king and queen of the heavens.
The general interpretation of planets in their retrograde (Rx) is that they synchronize with re-examining, reassessing, revising, reintegrating and most other words with the prefix “re” added to their usual spelling.
When direct (Dx), the planets in the astrological sense tend to express their respective, unique functions more outwardly and spontaneously. Yet, when retrograde, the planet tends to make that function more inward, reflective, subjective, and self-examining. It doesn’t necessarily mean the planet is weakened or “bad.”
The entire theme can be described as a natural aspect of life, yet the result is largely psychological and psychological, yet also influences attitudes and behaviour, therefore also again subtly contributing to events.
Naturally, the indication of planets retrograde in the Natal Chart is noteworthy, especially when it is Mercury, Venus or Mars, or when there are multiple planets retrograde, and where and how they are situated, and indicates that the person develops a particularly personal relationship with that planet’s function. Retrograde planets in a Natal Chart can be understood as karmic indicators and are therefore woven into our personality construct, our experiences and our overall destiny.
Measuring the influence of planets by “Transit” or their position and ‘influence” in real time, the “personal planets”—Mercury, Venus and Mars—tend to make retrograde periods more immediately noticeable in everyday life, while Jupiter through Pluto have increasingly collective and long-term expressions. This is the general sense.
Measuring the influences of planets retrograde in terms of more specific influences can be generally achieved with horoscopes based on the 12 Signs alone, due to the fractal nature of the holistic reality of existence. Yet, to be truly precise, how any retrograde planet is destined to manifest in our lives in terms of subtle psychological processes such as shifts of attitude, mood, orientation and why we do or do not make certain decisions, requires an assessment of the chart as a whole, and the “specific degrees” of the planets and main “angles” (Ascendant/Descendant, Midheaven/Nadir) will tell the real story.
When a planet makes an exact “aspect” or geometrical angle, generally based on 0, 60, 90, 120, 180 degrees, equating to the conjunction, sextile, square, trine and opposition, which are regarded as the “Major Aspects”, the planet direct will “aspect” that planet (or angle) first while direct, then while retrograde, then when direct again, producing what can be effectively described as a “triple pass”.
Generally, the first pass activates a process by bringing it to awareness as a theme, issue, or problem… Then, when it makes the second aspect while retrograde, the theme, issue or problem will “deepen”, which could prove quite dramatic somehow. Then, with the final aspect while direct again (dx), the theme “process” will undergo its resolution.
It should be noted that in rarer instances the far planets, especially Pluto, could produce a “double-triple pass” or the entire process twice! If so, it will manifest as a major life change and would probably generally prove difficult, unless the person is aware, able to let go of reactive control, cooperate and generally adapt. In the highest sense, the person will undergo a deep sense of renewal, or transformation, which could prove empowering and liberating.
While there is much more to say, since Pluto turned direct Dx on October 15, at 10:45 pm, here is an example of its influence. First, the retrograde process technically began on May 6, 2026, while at 5 Aquarius 31. Currently, it is at 3 Aquarius 04. Pluto will now advance to 7 Aquarius 10 by May 9, 2027. Then, it will retrograde back to 4 Aquarius 44 by October 17, 2027.
So, if you happen to have planets or angles in the spectrum of these degrees, in any sign actually, but especially the Fixed Signs of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus and Scorpio, then you can look back to determine how you and things have changed and can look forward with the expectation that you are destined to undergo some deep and powerful changes. Upon close observation, you will notice an overlap of 4:44 to 5:31 Aquarius, indicating that this double-triple pass event is indicated and the first of the two would have technically occurred on July 7, 2026. There are other degrees “affected” in this range as well.
While there is more to say, in the general sense, Pluto entered Aquarius on January 21, 2024, and will be there until January 19, 2044, when it enters Pisces. While in Aquarius, the general destined influence will be to “transform social identity and social power processes”. Upon reflection and as an example, you will notice how much AI has become a new norm over the past 2 years, even though it was already around for years prior, as if suddenly (synchronicity) it is here, changing society at every level and occurring at an alarming rate. Since there are just shy of 18 years to go…, well let your imagination and intuition fill in the blanks.
P.S. The politics of our times and those in positions of power currently are here to participate in this massive process of change, which, given the wield of power associated with AI, can be expected to occur on a global scale. So, do not assume that they are themselves “the cause of all of these changes”, but are rather the players appointed by destiny to carry them out. Of course, to consider the possibility of this statement, you might have to undergo a transformation of your paradigm.
How are these dynamic aspects impacting you? Learn how an Astrology Reading can help guide your path.
Have a great week!
Michael O’Connor
Life Coach Astrologer
Guiding Your Future Probabilities & Possibilities…
www.sunstarastrology.com ~ sunstarastrology@gmail.com
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Cindy