As a Scorpio, you've learned the wisdom of listening much and saying little, and that will be your mode this month when changes on many levels will cause you to step back and reassess your strategy. Mercury will go retrograde in Scorpio this month, so you will feel more than most the postponements and delays that this out of phase planet will cause.

The dates of Mercury's retrograde are October 11 to November 1, with the greatest and most annoying effects of this planet's slowdown and crossed wires being at the onset and end dates, plus or minus three days. Lots of people make deals and launch projects and relationships right up to the day before Mercury retrogrades, and resume normal personal and business activities on the day it turns direct, much to their detriment. Put as much space as possible between you and those start and end dates for best luck.

Late last month, Mars, your ruler, went into Cancer, a sweet placement for you, and will stay not the usual length of time, seven weeks, but nearly six months. You just won the comic lottery, because having a friendly Mars to support you straight through early May 2008 is an unheard of advantage, and one that you will enjoy to no end. To say that the force is with you is an understatement. Mars is the planet that cares for you as your ruler, so this means Mars has double the power to help you. From now on, Mars will be in your long-distance travel / foreign people and places sector, so something big seems to be brewing for you in this area.

You may travel abroad in coming months (very likely) or you may get special help from people who are based in foreign countries. (Yes, if you live in the USA, Canada and Mexico, our kind neighbors, "count" in this, too). Sometimes it works out that a foreign person that you meet or know from your city, and not abroad, will be the one who is lucky for you. The point is that there will be a strong and positive international influence entering your life, one that will be sustained for quite a long time, taking you at least to May, if not longer.

You may alternatively be thinking about going back to school, and if so, since this trend is so big, it appears that you will do so, and that you would profit from this decision. The house that Mars will be visiting, your ninth house, is one of big goals, major plans, and panoramic thinking. Life is opening up for you like a big beautiful hibiscus flower. With the ninth house, our goals take preparation. We need to get a passport if we travel, for example. (It would be a very good idea to get yours updated if yours has expired, because chances are, you will need one very soon, even if you don't think so). If we go back to school, we need to make an application, apply for financial aid, and have an interview.

You get the idea - one needs to think ahead, and after we make plans, prove that we have certain qualifications. You will have to take certain steps, but with Mars in great angle to your Sun, you should be able to do whatever you need to do easily, without much fuss.

Don't you love it when you start something and each piece of the puzzle keeps fitting perfectly into place? In Celestine Prophesy, author James Redfield calls that "the radiant road." So when doors keeps opening, one right after the other, like you will soon experience, that's the road you should follow. Mercury is retrograde in your sign, however, so watch those details! As a Scorpio, you are very exacting and attentive to what you are doing - you have a legendary ability to laser in on what you are doing - so I feel you will deal with the retrograde better than most.

In your career, if you work in publishing or broadcasting, you are in luck, for this same trend is just starting to warm up, thanks to Mars in Cancer. Mars tends to bring opportunities on its own, without trying, but it's also a good idea to help things along by seeking out options. When you have so many planets standing by to help you, let them! Give those planets lots of reasons to swing into action for you. (Mars, Uranus, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn are all in good angles to your Sun in October.)

Let's talk about your career for a second, because if you are noticing a new lightness and optimism about your future prospects, there's a reason! Saturn, the taskmaster planet whose job it is to teach you new things and help you assume much more responsibility, moved out of your professional achievement sector last month on September 2, having been in that house since July 2005. Most Scorpios were frustrated by the conditions surrounding their jobs, especially over the past few months. Now, having gained an enormous amount of job experience over the past two years (Saturn probably squeezed five years of experience into two), you can now aim for a better job. Your employer probably already has that goal in mind for you. If you are self-employed, you will begin to get better paying and less demanding clients - now when have I said that to you lately? You have so many reasons to be excited! February will be your next big month for career news, which is good, as it gives you time to get ready, while at the same time allows you to enjoy the holidays, too.

One day you should watch for excellent career news is October 8, when Jupiter will send a lovely message on your behalf to the mighty Sun. Some people may be off on this day, for in America it's the Columbus Day holiday. If that's the case for you, you may hear good news on the days leading up to that day, say, on Friday, October 5, for example. If you have to work this day, all the better - events that transpire should have you jumping for joy. The money being discussed should be excellent, too. Wow!

Another stunning day will be October 20, when you may meet with a very high-powered type for a sale or investment capital, thanks to Pluto, your other ruler. (Scorpio is the only sign with two rulers). Like the day mentioned above, the Sun is involved here, and since the Sun rules your house of fame, and is meeting with powerhouse Pluto, things bode very well for any discussion that you may have on or near this day.

The new moon, October 11, is falling in one of the most private, secretive parts of your chart. In the weeks that follow, you may have one or two confidential meetings that you find mighty interesting. You may interview for a job, for example. If you are encouraged by the meeting, you will need more of course, but you've begun at a good time.

Medical and psychological matters are also covered by the the same part of the chart, so if you need an operation, procedure, or a qualified professional to talk with about a disturbing problem that has kept you up at night, this new moon would be the time to do it. Once you get to November 11, the new moon, you won't have as much time to attend to things, so act now. Mercury retrograde is excellent for getting advice, but I advise scheduling surgery after Mercury is out of retrograde. You can get opinions now, or checkups and straightforward procedures, including anything that you may need to do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

This new moon will also fire up your intuition to an even higher level than you usually operate on (which admittedly is already high)! You need to pay attention to your instincts this month, as you are being given these hunches for a reason - to protect you. Your dreams may become quite vivid and you may have fun trying to figure out what they mean as they are likely to be filled with extraordinary symbolism.

Romantically, you have one day you need to watch as potentially problematic, quite unexpectedly so: October 25. That's when Uranus (surprising circumstances) will oppose Venus and Saturn - not good.

Since we are on the subject of troublesome situations, you may have a problem with a friend, or someone you thought was a friend, earlier in the month, October 14, when Venus conjoins Saturn. This person may be talking about you behind your back, spreading rumors, or simply not being straight with you. I hope I am wrong about this, because an experience like this can be quite disillusioning. See how it goes. While the possibility is on the rise for a situation like this, it doesn't mean this will definitely happen for you. Just keep your antenna up.

The full moon on October 26 plus or minus four days will fall in your house of commitment and marriage. For some Scorpios, this weekend will bring an engagement or marriage. Mercury is still retrograde, so if your marriage is taking place during this time, see if you can have a private city hall ceremony on October 8 when you pick up your license - that would be a superb day to do it! Technically you'd be wed earlier, before the retrograde, but no one need know, and you can continue to celebrate your "real" wedding day that will take place later.

This same full moon may mark a coming together of a different kind, that of you and a business partner. If you know this person from the past, Mercury retrograde will be less troublesome. If the person is new to you, make your official start date next month at the new moon in Scorpio, November 9.

This full moon will bring lots of good aspects - a stabilizing beam from Saturn and nice energy from Mars. Mars adds a zesty optimism and Saturn brings longevity, if you structure and time your partnership properly. (Review the paragraph above for more.)

If you were born on October 26, or within four days of this date, you will feel this full moon more than most. It also suggests that having a full moon on your birthday will bring a whole year of culminating circumstances. With so many goals being reached in your coming birthday year, you will likely need to choose a new mountain to climb by the time your next birthday rolls around in 2008.

The month ends on a divinely romantic note. Jupiter and Neptune will be in the most beautiful angle possible, and since Neptune rules your romantic life, that's where you are to feel the warmth of these two planets. Get set for an amazing experience on the evening of October 29 or 30, as both nights should not disappoint. Even though those days fall early in the week, see if you can plan a "just us two" night out. It will be even more pleasurable because you aren't used to going out early in the week!

One more sweet surprise will be cooked up for you before the month is over. On October 31, Neptune, ruler of your house of true love, will turn direct after months of being retrograde. When a powerful outer planet like Neptune turns direct orbit, you can practically feel the ground shake. This is big news, as Neptune has been napping in retrograde orbit since March 31 of this year. Watch all the days surrounding October 31, plus or minus about a week (bringing the full moon into the equation). You should have clear evidence that your love life is looking up, for sure! This won't change until Neptune settles down for a nap again at the end of May next year, and by then, you will have racked up so much to celebrate.

This same move of Neptune will help you in two other ways: If you have wanted to have a baby, but have hesitated, you will get the green light now. Conditions are changing for the better, dear Scorpio. For those who found conception difficult, you have new reasons for hope after October 31.

Best romantic dates: October 12, 22, 26, 27, 30, 31.

Finally, your personal creativity will push forward too, and if you use your imagination as a central part of your job, you'll get plenty of applause for projects you do in coming months. How ironic that the planet of imagination, mystery, and magic should move to direct orbit on the one night known for wearing creative costumes and masks. Be sure to go to a party if invited, dear Scorpio. The moon will be in fellow water sign Cancer, so you'll really enjoy your time there. If you don't know anyone who's giving a party, you might want to give one and you'll be glad you did! Even if you don't go out, be sure to have plenty of candy around to enjoy the kids that come by. You'll be laughing.

Summary

In the coming month, you'd do well to step back and reassess your life. Only by stepping off the merry-go-round can you see how far you've come and decide where you'd like to take things next. While you take your schedule down to a more manageable pace, consider taking a trip overseas. You appear to be entering an important phase, one that will help you develop important contacts and interests abroad. If you've not yet acquired a set of luggage that you like, consider doing so soon, for between now and the middle of May of 2008 it will be getting quite a workout.

If you can't actually leave town, Mars' angle to Mercury suggests lots of communication will go back and forth with one or more people at a distance no matter what, whether on your BlackBerry, computer, fax, or iPhone. Keep in mind that Mercury will be retrograde, so everyone will be more susceptible to misunderstandings. Go the extra mile to be sure that the messages you send are clear and accurate.

A close relationship is about to see a serious commitment at the full moon, October 26. You may get engaged for your birthday, choose a wedding day, or actually wed. Sign with a business partner to advance a venture. Saturn will be prominent, so you can be sure the tie you make will be one that lasts. Mercury will be retrograde this month, so you may want to wait until the new moon November 9 to actually sign, but there is no harm in holding talks.

If you are single, Neptune will switch on 100,000 watts in your house of romance on October 31. Even if you've been disappointed with love in the past - this time, give love second chance. You're never too old to fall head over heels all over again.

Creative ideas also will get a big boost at month's end. Present an idea, have an interview or presentation, and get the kind of approvals from VIPs that you used to only dream about!