GEMINI HOROSCOPE

You knocked yourself out trying to set things up just right, and now that they are, you're wondering if you made a huge mistake. You haven't. That's just nervous exhaustion talking combined with a chronic state of commitment phobia. Mercury-ruled signs (Gemini and Virgo) have a problem finalizing matters. They want things to stay up in the air because they have more faith in loopholes than in others' trustworthiness. That said, the situation you're worried about is a lot more stable and reliable than you think. So much so that you might even want to unpack, kick up your feet, and stay a while.

It's clear that you and a creative co-worker make for a successful team. Unfortunately, you don't get along. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You'd be surprised by how many famous collaborators couldn't stand each other. You try transcending your differences, redoubling your efforts to be professional, or telling yourself that the results justify the aggravation, but it just doesn't work. Thankfully, Mercury's retrograde this week offers more inspired solutions in the form of restructuring roles, bringing in a manager who can act as a go-between (or referee), or coming in at different hours. You may discover that cutting down on your interactions works wonders.

It appears as if there's been a misunderstanding. You thought you were being overly accommodating by saying yes, while the other party thought he was being overly generous with his offer. This could devolve into hurt feelings and building resentment if you aren't careful. Nevertheless, it's worth returning to the bargaining table one more time. He's not as averse to renegotiation as you might think. What eventually emerges is an agreement you can both live with. It won't be everything you want, but it's better than what you had—although you'll still believe you're being too accommodating while he thinks he's being too generous.

You've gone back and forth on a decision so many times that you can barely see straight. You know it's bad when loved ones and friends leave the room whenever you bring up the subject again, but this is what happens when you get stuck on a loop. It's like the movie Groundhog Day. In truth, you would do just about anything to be free of the endless replay. Thankfully, Saturn comes out of retrograde on November 15th. Not only will this release you from the mental corner you've painted yourself into, but you will also be both happy and at peace with your choice.

The ends don't always justify the means, as you discover on November 9th. This is when you learn that the deal you made in order to get ahead is going to cost more than anticipated. The terms of a loan may change, interest rates may increase, or you may find yourself stuck paying back a favor you believed you could duck at the time. Simply put, you are not in charge of your money and are now financially beholden to someone else. It would be wise to get on this person's good side ASAP, seeing as you'll be handcuffed to each other for the foreseeable future.

It’s hard to tell if you’re staying true to your vision or chasing a mirage when Mars forms a trine to Neptune on October 28. On one hand, it feels like you’re getting closer and closer to your goal, yet everything seems so transitory, like it could all slip away like water through your fingers. These are the shifting sands sensations that often accompany Neptune’s illusory energy, which is why you will need to take things one step at a time. Keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll arrive at your destination—or at least an oasis—on November 2nd.

You'll be meeting quite a remarkable person thanks to the Mercury/Saturn trine on October 22nd. Trines like these often introduce worldly types into your life who are here to help you realize your potential and take you to the next level – someone like a mentor, teacher, or patron. However, the impact that this person has will be more than you can truly appreciate right now. Obviously, there's knowledge to impart, but don't be surprised if they act more like an intermediary who introduces you to your next boss, client, or even love interest. Your world is going to change – and in some wonderfully delightful ways.

Self-sacrifice isn't something you're especially known for. If anything, you see people who turn down chances to get ahead or who walk out on lucrative jobs to pursue something more meaningful as foolish. This is why you'll be so surprised by your own actions when Venus trines Neptune this week. It looks as though you're going to stop right when you're on the brink of a breakthrough and hand a juicy assignment over to a co-worker or give a rival all the credit for a successful venture. Temporary insanity? Maybe. Or maybe you've finally realized that there's more than enough golden opportunities to go around.

Jupiter retrograde on October 9th brings news of an offer that promises security. The not-so-good news is you'll have to let go of something you’ve been holding on to in exchange. This could be a vision for the future, a hope that things might work out, or the staunch belief that life will go back to behaving itself again if you just stand firm. It’s not going to happen. You need to make peace with the choices you've made and move on. What you gain in the end will make up for any disappointment you experience now. You can look for this sometime next February.

There’s a lot of water energy flooding your horoscope right now, which is why you feel so heavy – both physically and emotionally. This is not the time to beat yourself up about your weight (water retention can’t be helped) or to rationalize feelings that you may find hard to explain. Just let them be and go with the flow. You may feel like you’re a swamp of mewling needs and whining worries, but loved ones couldn’t be happier. You have been so distant and absorbed with work lately. They'll like spending time with this soft side of you that you keep bottled up inside.