These October 2021 self-care horoscopes for each of the 12 zodiac signs are based on the upcoming astrological transits, (the movement of the planets around the sky), and some of the general themes that are going to be activated for you in the coming month. As a witch, I’ll be sharing some insight and inspiration on how you can most effectively nurture yourself and practice self-care this month based on the cosmos.
I highly recommend that you generate your birth chart at www.astro.com or www.astro-charts.com and read the horoscope for your rising sign but if you only know your sun sign, you can read for that too or instead. Please note that in order to generate a chart with an accurate rising sign, you will need your exact birth time, as even a few minutes can actually make a difference.
October 2021 Astrological Transits
- Mercury Retrograde in Libra (September 27 – October 18): For the first few weeks of October, Mercury will be making its thrice-annual retrograde, when the planet appears to be moving backwards in the sky – and reflecting what feels like all sorts of chaos here on earth! Classic hallmarks of Mercury retrograde include miscommunications, technology breakdowns, and travel delays. However, Mercury retrograde is not here to mess with you; it’s really just an opportunity to reflect and reevaluate what’s important and how you’re communicating your needs. This season’s Mercury retrograde is taking place in Libra, the cardinal air sign of the zodiac, represented by the symbol of the scales.
- Mars in Libra (September 14 – October 29): Throughout much of fall this year, Mars will be in Libra as well, bringing passion, motivation, and momentum to your closest relationships – as well as potentially a bit of fire. Additionally, we also have the sun in Libra through October 21 and the new moon in Libra on October 6.
- Full Moon in Aries (October 20): Towards the end of the month, we’ll celebrate a beautiful full moon in Aries, the opposite sign of Libra. This will be the perfect time to reflect on your manifestations since the spring equinox over six months ago.
October 2021 Horoscopes For Self Care (Sun & Rising!)
Aries October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, the contrast between self and other is called into high definition for you. Your relationships and identity are in the spotlight and you may find yourself craving both independence and support. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your personal, intimate relationships, which might include your spouse or lover, your best friend, or even close business partners.
Be aware of potential misunderstandings in these relationships but also look out for opportunities to reflect on and reevaluate the way you are showing up for them. How can you more clearly and effectively communicate both that you love and care deeply for them… but also that you need your space? Mars is also activating your relationships this month so you may be feeling particularly spicy and passionate about your partner, however serious or casual they may be to you.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your sense of self, identity, and passions. You’re feeling fired up and full of life and energy. Although much of this season, you may be starting to feel a bit more reflective and lower energy, this full moon gives you a boost of momentum and motivation to carry you through the rest of the month.
Taurus October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, the focus is on your practical, daily activities and your health and wellness. How you spend your energy on an average day is in the spotlight and you may find yourself pulled between practicality and transcendent spirituality. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your daily work and those you interact with on a day-to-day basis, such as your friends, partner, family, and colleagues.
This is a great time to reflect on and reevaluate how you’ve been voicing your needs in this context – and whether those needs have actually been getting met. How can you more clearly and effectively communicate what you need in order to feel supported every single day? Mars is activating your health and wellness this month so you may be feeling a bit extra inflammatory – both physically and emotionally.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your most subconscious, intuitive side. You may be feeling particularly intuitive or even psychic during this time, but you’re also likely to be craving rest and retreat from the world around you.
Gemini October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your attention is drawn to creative pursuits. Play, fun, and pleasure are all in the spotlight and you may find yourself called to pursue activities others deem frivolous – but that are near to your heart. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your passion projects, the activities, people, and relationships that light you up from the inside out.
This is a great time to reflect on your relationship with your inner child and your younger self. What would your five-year-old or fifteen-year-old self think of who you are now and how you’re spending your energy? How can you effectively nourish their desire for play? Mars is also activating your passions and may be inspiring you to take the lead and take your life in a new, more passionate direction – you may well emerge from this month with a new business idea or a creative project bubbling up.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your need for individuality within the collective. You’re feeling called to reflect and express gratitude within your community and to connect in meaningful, yet individually empowering ways.
Cancer October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your focus is on home, family, and nourishing self-care. Taking some serious rest and retreat is on the agenda and you may find yourself reflecting deeply on how to bring more rest into your life moving forward. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your relationships at home, whether they be with partners, children, roommates, or even pets.
This is a good time to reflect on how you are getting your needs met at home – or not. It’s essential that you’re making time for self-care that nourishes your mind, body, and intuition. It’s also essential that you communicate what you need in order to feel safe and supported to those you share a home with. How can you communicate your needs more clearly and effectively? Mars is activating your intuitive self as well and asking you to take action towards a more restful and intuitive home environment. It might be time for a home blessing or energy clearing!
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your work and career space. You’re feeling energized, inspired, and passionate about the work that you do – or you might be feeling energized to finally take the steps necessary to move away from work you hate and into work you actually are passionate about!
Leo October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, you’re feeling especially talkative, social, and creative. Your communication skills are in the spotlight and you’re extra curious and eager to get in conversation with your friends and lovers. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your social life and relationships with friends and siblings.
You may be feeling some of the classic symptoms of Mercury retrograde this time around so be prepared for potential tech glitches and delays – move forward with patience and treat any setbacks as an opportunity to take a deep breath. Mars is also activating your communications though, giving you a burst of inspiration and motivation that may have you writing beautiful, lovestruck poetry or starting a petition to end some form of injustice.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your desire to learn and expand your horizons. You may be feeling called to travel – this might be the perfect opportunity to finally get away for a long weekend – or you might be more interested in getting lost in a good book, whether fantasy, science, or new age spirituality.
Virgo October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your focus is on pleasure in all its forms. Your desires for love, physical pleasure, money, and comfort are in the spotlight and you may feel called to get super grounded in your body. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your finances and your relationship with the physical world – your body, pleasure, and money.
This is a great time to bring in some serious self-love affirmations and to get in touch with your sensuality. You might normally feel very private or even embarrassed about your sensual nature but touching yourself and embracing what it’s like to give yourself and/or to receive physical pleasure and to love up on your body will be empowering to the nth degree. Be aware of some potential mishaps or misunderstandings around money though. Mars is also activating your desires and giving you a boost of motivation and momentum to go after everything you want.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is shining a light on the deepest, darkest corners of your soul. You’re doing a deep dive into shadow work and searching for new, deeper ways to understand yourself. You might also find yourself called to explore some social taboos and try out a new kink or embrace your inner witch.
Libra October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, the focus is all on you, Libra! Your sense of self and identity are in the spotlight and you might be feeling called to reevaluate who you are and how you’re showing up in the world. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting how you think about and speak to yourself – big self-love energy.
This is a great time to reflect on the past year and to set intentions for the year ahead. Think of this like your personal new year, when you’re in transition between who you’ve been and who you’re going to be. You’re likely to be feeling this retrograde in a deep and personal way, so expect lots of self-reflection – just try not to stray into self-doubt. Luckily, Mars is also activating your sense of identity and self-love, giving you a burst of motivation and conviction that you are truly beautiful, powerful, and wise.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your closest, most intimate relationships and asking you to find the balance between being your most authentic self and being a fierce and supportive partner. This will be a great time to love up on your lovers and besties and to celebrate one another.
Scorpio October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your whole being is focused on the subconscious and intuitive realm. Your spirituality and relationship with mysticism are in the spotlight and you may be feeling called to do some serious releasing. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your relationship with your intuition, as well as helping you clear house of any old, stuck beliefs or people who are no longer serving your highest good.
You’re likely to be feeling called to retreat from the world and to find deep solace and privacy as you reflect on who and what is truly nourishing you – or not. This is an important moment of release and of letting go of anything that is not fulfilling you on a soul level. Don’t be afraid to release and even banish any stuck, stagnant energy that needs to go. Mars is also activating your intuitive and empathic self, asking you to get real about the way your intuition speaks through you and to fiercely follow its guidance.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your day-to-day life and activities, helping you to stay grounded in empowered, aligned actions. Following your intuition is essential and will help you release that which is truly not in your best interest, but the act of releasing is not only a mental or spiritual one. This full moon will help you take the necessary, real-world actions to let go.
Sagittarius October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your attention is drawn to your community and the issues of injustice and liberation that you are so deeply passionate about. You’re feeling both reflective and fired up to create social change and to uplift those around you. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your connection with your community, whether that be social groups, interest groups, Facebook groups, or any other collective you belong to.
This is a great time to reflect on what issues truly are closest to your heart and how you can take real action that will actually make a difference. It’s also a great time to reflect on your own intersecting identities, (for example, many of us occupy identities of both oppressor and oppressed), and how you can be a good ally to others. Mars is also activating your desire for change, giving you a passionate burst of motivation to make social justice a reality.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your sense of sovereignty. While your community is such an important focus for you right now, this full moon serves as a reminder that you also get to be your most individualistic self. You get to be in charge of your own life – so get out and have some fun with it!
Capricorn October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your work and career are called into focus even more than usual. Your integrity, work ethic, and relationships with your colleagues are in the spotlight. These are topics you’re naturally very passionate about and you believe that connection and relationships are the foundation of all successful work and business. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your career and colleague relationships.
This is a great time to reflect on your career and how it is nourishing and inspiring to you. You feel deeply called to create a workplace for yourself and others that is based on fairness and equity. How have you been achieving that recently? How can you more clearly and effectively communicate to those you work with what kind of environment you desire to work in? Mars is also activating your career and work so you may be feeling especially passionate and fired up about creating this fair and just environment.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your need for rest and retreat. Some major self-care is in order! This is a great opportunity to take a step back from the hustling you may have been doing the past few weeks and get the kind of perspective that only comes from taking a break.
Aquarius October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your focus is on expansion. You may be feeling called to speak up and share your message and your wisdom more than usual and to expand the way you learn and grow, especially in your spirituality. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your travel experiences, (be aware of and patient with potential delays), and relationships with your mentors and teachers.
You’re likely feeling inspired and motivated to start speaking about your experiences. Your wisdom is going to be SO healing to the collective! This is a great opportunity to do some reflection around what your message really is, who will be best served and healed by receiving your wisdom, and what does it even mean to be “wise”, (which you definitely are). Mars is also activating this expansive energy and giving you a beautiful burst of energy to connect with both those who can lead and guide you and those who will be most impacted by you.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 is activating your communications and desire to learn as well as share. You’re likely to feel super fired up and excited about getting in conversation with others about the topics you find most healing and inspiring.
Pisces October 2021 Horoscope – Sun & Rising
This month, your energy is drawn inward, towards the shadow. Your inner witch is coming out to play and you’re likely to feel pulled towards anything with the dark, mysterious, witchy aesthetic. Mercury retrograde is most deeply impacting your shadow self and explorations of the taboo.
This is an excellent time to delve into some shadow work, which is the process of becoming aware of a block or limiting belief that you hold, working to understand it, and then choosing to either release it or transmute it into a strength. We all have shadows and this retrograde period will be asking you to get extra reflective and perhaps to be in conversation with your closest loved ones to help you process some of your own. Mars is also activating this deep, dark corner of your soul and may be giving you a swell of fierce passion and perhaps even a desire to explore your sexuality.
Meanwhile, the full moon in Aries on October 20 will be activating your pleasure centers and relationship with money. This is a great opportunity to do some manifesting, especially if you’re trying to manifest something physical like money, a car, or a home. This full moon will likely feel extra juicy and luxurious for you so follow your passions!
