Mars shimmers at the very pinnacle of your chart, so throw yourself into your work now and in months to come, dear Libra. That's where the juicy fruit will be, and it will be there for you if you if you reach for it. Late last month Mars entered your tenth house of fame and honors on September 28. What made this event so remarkable is that Mars will stay in this part of your chart not the usual seven weeks but for more than six months. That's a LOT of time for Mars to reside in such a public, professional part of your chart, indicating that you are now beginning a phase that will allow you to climb to new heights, and in the process, put your name in lights.

If you have hoped to get the attention of VIPs, you will certainly be able to do that in October and continuing all the way through early May 2008. Whether you want a new position or a promotion, or hope to start your own business, the conditions will soon be right to make your move. If you prefer to stay in your present job, you will be able to do that, too. If that's your choice, you can't lose, for chances are that you will have an unusual chance to make quite a name for yourself in your company and industry in coming weeks and months.

You haven't had this kind of sustained energetic support in your career sector from any planet this powerful all year. In fact, not since April 2006 have you had direct help from Mars in this house. Mars plays a vital part in the horoscope because Mars' job is to energize and revitalize whatever it touches. Mars is called the timekeeper of the zodiac because the area of the chart that Mars visits and the conversations this planet has with other planets is always where our attention is quickly drawn.

Industries that will flourish under a Mars-in-Cancer visit are those that cater to the home, food, shelter, hotel, and hospitality markets. Cancer also covers any product or service that caters to the needs of pregnant women and present mothers. Keep in mind that companies and industries that support these markets also will be very favorable for you. For example, if you work with a TV production company that creates a cooking show or are an editor at a food-oriented magazine, you would benefit in the same way. The financial industry is also associated with Cancer, and jobs associated with banks or the stock market may also shine brightly for you.

Mars' stay in Cancer will be long and sustained, so if you work in one of these industries or wish you did, you may get your chance to do so soon. Of course, it will be up to you to harness this energy, but all astrological aspects work that way. You had some help from the new moon in July, but if you weren't able to make that new moon work for you, you'll have a second chance now. Mars will provide a bigger window of opportunity. And if you DID benefit from talks that opened in July, you can score more victories in weeks to come.

Mars will be in Cancer, one of the four cardinal signs. Your sign, Libra, is also a cardinal sign, along with Aries and Capricorn, so you understand this energy on a very instinctive level. Cardinal signs are people who are risk-taking pioneers who continually venture into new territory. They love to learn and master new things. You get bored when things stay static for too long, but there's not much danger of THAT happening now. It will soon be time to make your move, but not quite yet.

Mercury will be retrograde in Scorpio and later in Libra, from October 11 to November 1. The fact that Mercury will be retrograde just as Mars is heating up your career area is a little like a cosmic prank, getting you all excited about making changes and then pulling out the rug just when you are ready to do so. It is never a good idea to announce major moves during a Mercury retrograde period because it is a signal that the world is in flux and not "set" yet, and with many elements around you changing dynamically it will be nearly impossible to make an informed decision.

Don't rush to make changes this month - we are already feeling the static in the air that Mercury creates. Mercury will retrograde in your earned income sector for most of the time, so you may find the right job, for example, but have problems getting the right salary. Or, if self-employed, you may find the deal you want, only to have problems collecting your money later.

Stay with me, because there is good news, but you'll have to play this exactly right.

You will have a gorgeous new moon in your second house of salary - on November 9 - and by then Mercury will have regulated its orbit to sturdy direct speed (November 1). That November new moon will mark your ideal time to act.

Now I need to drop the other shoe: Only days later, on November 15, Mars will turn retrograde until January 30. Bottom line: If you can finish your deal at that new moon, November 9 or in the days that follow (up to November 14), you will have ideal conditions to make your move. You won't have a lot of time to make a decision, but if you have all the facts by early November and feel ready, voice them November 9 - 12. If you can't, you have even better career aspects at the full moon on December 23, plus or minus four days. Mars will still be retrograde then, but Jupiter will also be conjunct the Sun, which can override the difficulties of Mars retrograde.

Remember, however, that you will have terrific career aspects in February, March, and April, as well as during the first week of May. You will have all the time you need. Also realize that you CAN talk and explore possibilities while these planets are in weak retrograde position in October and November. I would just prefer that you not announce a final decision until those planets are moving in direct orbit. A deal made with Mercury retrograde always has to be renegotiated later, if indeed you even want to keep the deal at all. Mars retrograde is not as serious, but not ideal either. Mars rules action, so you won't want a lethargic, sleepy Mars at your side at the start of a new venture. (Mars RULES new ventures!)

To complicate this a little more, you have to look at the whole chart. Sometimes there are mitigating factors. Here's a case in point.

A stunningly positive professional development should occur for you on December 23, just minutes before you get ready to take off for the holidays. On that day - which will be the luckiest day of the year due to the meeting of Jupiter and the Sun - you could easily see a stunning career breakthrough! That day, December 23, is a Sunday, so you may hear news on December 20 or 21, Thursday and Friday.

Later, on April 22, Mars will get a fantastic beam from Uranus, so at that time, a surprisingly positive career development may come up, too. I have looked ahead to show you that the universe has cooked up a bag of goodies for you!

Now, on another topic, let's look at one of the best days of the month for you: October 8. Certainly the days leading to October 8 will be special, too. Jupiter will send the Sun a very special message this day, which may allow you to travel a short distance. This will be the Columbus Day three-day holiday weekend in America (October 6 - 8), so it looks like you'll be able to get away if you want to, and enjoy a measure of luxury, too. (Sounds good!)

If you go to work on Monday, October 8, then you may be in luck too, for you will have the very best day to sign a contract or reach an accord on a negotiation you've been working on. All sorts of incoming communications should be really exciting on this day, too.

Is your birthday October 8 or within five days of this date? All Libras will benefit from this peach of a day, but you will see results in a big, noticeable way!

The new moon in Libra on October 11 will bring an exciting lift to your spirits. There'll be lots of news and plenty of new options for you to study for your year ahead. All new moons bring opportunity, but this one is larger than most for you because it falls in your sign. It's meant to be your birthday gift from a caring universe. You will have a certain "presence" that others will notice, and this subtle sense of authority and confidence will help you to get your ideas heard and taken seriously.

This new moon shines for you, dear Libra, because of the superb conversations this moon will be having with both Neptune and Jupiter. Your imagination and artistic expressions will enchant others, and you may find the perfect way to direct your creative talents at this time. Jupiter will see to it that you do!

While Mercury will be retrograde during your new moon period, it doesn't mean you have to stop what you are doing. You can talk, do research, and negotiate. Just don't sign anything, shake hands on a deal, or announce any huge life decisions just yet. Chances are that something better will come along later, or conditions will change in a way you can't anticipate now. Wait, and you will be glad you did.

If you were born on or near October 11, you will see that your coming year will be filled with fresh starts and new faces.

You may want to buy yourself a birthday present this month, but again, with Mercury retrograde, it would not be a good time to spend for any big-ticket items. Use October to dream and research your purchase, but actually buy it next month, after November 5. Mercury rules all electronics, and since Mercury will be out of phase, it would be important not to buy anything with moving parts or made with electronics in October! (Not unless you can do so in the very first week, which admittedly, is still a bit "iffy.") Sorry, dear Libra - no, you can't get your computer, flat screen TV, new iPod, or even a vacuum cleaner. Nothing yet - but imagine how much fun you will have next month!

Jupiter's involvement with this new moon suggests a deal will proceed smoothly in precisely the right direction. Take your time and flesh out all your points; there will be no rush. As long as you open talks on or just after the new moon, you will do well. Jupiter's presence also hints of a possible gain from a sister or brother, or even from a neighbor.

A financial matter will need to be settled at the full moon, October 26, plus or minus four days. There is no need to be anxious, though, for you will have lovely assistance from both Saturn and Mars. There is some indication that you may be thinking of buying a house soon, whether a main residence, a country cottage, or other property, or that you may be doing some major fix-up in the house you have now. This full moon will allow you to find the way to do it. It would be best to start right after Christmas. You probably won't be able to move any quicker than that anyway.

Saturn and Mars will be very friendly to this full moon, indicating that you can look into getting better benefits for yourself, such as for healthcare, or to take advantage of any other benefit your company may offer. You may set up a solid savings plan, or make changes to your retirement portfolio. If you are self-employed, you may want to review your plan for yourself and your employees to see if there is one that better suits your needs and budget. If anyone owes you money, the check will come within four days of October 26, and that includes a divorce settlement check or child support, or a commission check from work.

Mercury will retrograde in your financial sector and cause checks to be late all month. Send out reminder bills to coax people to pay you sooner rather than later!

Jupiter will be in hard angle to Venus, your ruler, at this full moon October 26, so it appears that you will have to pay a large bill too, but you can come out ahead if you stay alert. You have some very positive cosmic help at the time, so stay optimistic.

Romantically, Venus and Saturn will be in the behind-the-scenes sector, conjunct on October 14, a possible low point for a relationship, so if you've been seeing someone secretly, things are not likely to go well this month. Reality will bite and at that point, things may unravel. Next month Venus will move into Libra and overall will be much improved, possibly because you will have left this alliance.

Even if you are not involved with a secret relationship, you seem to have less time to socialize in October. With much to do and responsibilities keeping you feeling hemmed in, you may not get out as much as you had hoped. This is not a permanent situation, so don't be blue.

Also, keep in mind that this month's busy quality will be nothing compared to what you have become used to over the past two years. Last month, on September 2, Saturn finally moved out of your friendship / people / events house. For two years, you've hosted Saturn in this, your eleventh house, and during that time, since July 2005, Saturn trimmed your ability to make new friends and to fully relax with the pals that you do have. Alas, Saturn is the planet that would rather see you work than play. In a way, having Saturn in your eleventh house of fun / friends / events is a bit of an astrological oxymoron.

Now you are done with Saturn in that house, so you are truly looking at a much fresher, more invigorating picture. It's a bit of a fluke that Saturn would be meeting up with your ruler, Venus, this month, but once that little meeting is over on October 14, you will begin to see a release of difficult social conditions (it will take about a week to move far enough away, so think October 21.) From then on, you'll be home free. As mentioned earlier, once Venus goes into Libra on November 6, you'll be all set.

The month ends on a beautiful note. Jupiter, in your travel sector, will link to Neptune on October 30, a VERY glamorous aspect! Neptune is in your house of true love, a house that also rules all of life's pleasures, so this night should be your best. Book a wonderful restaurant reservation, enjoy a visit to a spa for a massage, or go to a concert or play. Jupiter is in your house of short distance travel, making these two days ideal for a quick trip to another locale. If you can take time off, do so from October 27 through October 31. Wait, there's more!

Neptune has been retrograde since March 31, but Neptune will make a big turnaround on October 31. This should prove to be an enormous boost to your love life, as Neptune is currently IN your most romantic house. From now on, single Libras will have a better chance to meet a new romantic partner, and attached Libras will have more time to reconnect and enjoy one another.

If you and your partner have put off having a baby for practical reasons, in the coming months you may finally feel ready to start your family. If you have been concerned about the progress that a present child is making, things should improve from now on, perhaps when your child makes a breakthrough thanks to an idea you have to help him.

Neptune is one of the most powerful planets affecting creativity too, and when Neptune's in fine form, you always are, too. Happily, that will be the case after October 31 and continuing until May 26, 2008. If you have a hobby that allows you to express a good range of creativity, or if you work in a creative profession, then be sure to give it more time and attention. The results you turn out will be well worth your concentration - watch what happens in February for proof!

Most romantic evenings: October 1, 4 - 8, 10 - 11, 16, 19 - 20, 27 - 28, 30, 31.

Summary:

Birthday month is here and you'll be almost giddy with delight. Mercury will retrograde in Scorpio, and later, back in Libra, will ensure that plenty of old friends will come out to wish you well, including some who you've not seen in years. It's an ideal month to look ahead, but also a month to look back over what you've accomplished so far in 2007. Catch up on doing anything you've meant to do but somehow didn't. Write a new agenda, or refine an old one. Every so often it's a good idea to test old assumptions, and this month you'll have the time to rethink things.

Keep your eye on the new moon in Libra, your annual birthday gift, due October 11. Ordinarily it would be time to launch one of your dearest wishes, but with Mercury in retrograde, you'd be wise to hold back doing so until November.

Your career is about to become a major focus, too, thanks to Mars, now visiting your tenth house of professional status, achievement, and honors. Pay attention to the phone calls and discussions that come up. Life changing possibilities are in the mix - more exciting than you might guess. Proposals will have long-term implications. A promotion or new job may come up quite suddenly - be ready. This emphasis on career is due to extend into May. From now on, when planning your wardrobe for the coming three seasons, allocate more to outfits that you'd wear to work. Work is where you'll be spending most of your time in months to come, and also where you'll be making your biggest and best impressions.

Take a glorious trip into the country to see the changing leaves over October 6 - 8. The Sun and Jupiter will be sensationally cooperative then, a sure sign your tip would turn out to be a highpoint of the month. You will not need to go far or spend a King's ransom to have fun - this weekend will prove that to you, for sure.

Financial details will be decided within four days of the full moon of October 26. It'll be time to send off checks, but also to reassess your savings, retirement accounts, and credit standing. With the moon in a fine angle to Saturn, you can now build a plan that will help you amass quite a bit of money. It's also a good time to review insurance needs and make adjustments if necessary. There's some indication you may be able to get better benefits from your HR department at work if you ask near this date.

This same full moon may find you opening a check from someone who owes you. It may represent a court settlement, tax refund, insurance payout, commission check, or other chunk of money that you anticipated.

Jupiter and Neptune will be in gorgeous angles on October 30, and on the following day, Neptune will turn direct. Your creativity will soar, so if you have a favorite pastime or generate ideas for your work, you will love the coming months. Halloween should bring out the very best costumes this year - you're in a position to wow friends with yours. Get busy!