SCORPIO HOROSCOPE

You don't mind being told you can look but not touch because you know that whatever you want will be yours given time. This is why people accuse Scorpios of being manipulative, predatory, or even possessing hypnotic powers. They badmouth you because they're jealous of the way you always wind up getting the prize. What they don't understand is that you're an expert at the waiting game. You also happen to have a deep understanding of human psychology. Lurk long enough and the price will come down, circumstances will change, or the person who said they'd never leave their loveless relationship for you eventually will.

It's going to feel like you're being grilled on the witness stand when the Sun squares Pluto on October 26th. Opponents are looking for ways to trip you up on the smallest inconsistency in order to incriminate you. If you've nothing to hide, then no worries; but if you're concealing something, then you'd best come clean because the longer you stall, the worse it will be. Pluto (as you know from experience) is like a hellhound when it picks up the scent. Indefatigable and relentless, it will dog your steps until it uncovers the truth and you won't be happy if it comes to that.

Your inclination is to push for anything that lies out of reach. Whether it's a love interest, potential client, or a prize you've set your sights on, you'll happily go to the brink. But what if the push isn't worth it? It's a question worth asking on October 24th when Mercury turns retrograde in Scorpio. It looks like you're out of your depth, league, or out of pocket. It would be a good idea to quit while you're ahead, especially since Mercury will be retrograde for the next three weeks. It's not worth jeopardizing what you have just because you covet something that you don't.

Pluto out of retrograde on October 15th will do a lot to improve your mood. You won't be so inclined to revisit past mistakes with the prosecutorial zeal of a Spanish Inquisitor or to sprinkle salt in your wounds after licking them clean. Pluto in Aquarius shows you lightening up with the self-criticism and maybe even exploring constructive ways to manage your frustration. One of these might be self-acceptance; another is a more enlightened relationship to failure. People screw up all the time. It's how we learn from our missteps. You can't get things right without a more forgiving attitude towards having gotten them wrong.

You'll see how necessity makes for strange bedfellows when you're forced to work with someone you cannot abide this week. Rest assured that the acrimony is mutual, but so is the benefit, which is why you'll put aside your differences. It's interesting to see how ploys typically used to undermine one another can be redirected to complement and even bolster combined efforts. Indeed, there's a lot to learn from this experience, but have no doubt that once your aim is achieved, this cease-fire will be over and you'll resume with the hostilities you're both famous for. Nevertheless, there will linger a newfound respect and even honor.

Venus retrogrades are never easy. The planet of peace and love, Venus is anything but when she's backwards in your sign. Instead of attracting favor, she will make you a lightning rod for controversy. You might be tempted to hide out, but since this energy is going to be with you anyway, you're better off being loud, proud, and holding your head high. Remember that you're dealing with other people's projections, not yours, so consider reciting the childhood mantra: “I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.” Venus will be retrograde from October 4th to November 13th.

Mars enters your solar midheaven on September 27th. This pumps up the volume on your ambition and will surely bring spectacular breakthroughs in your career. It will also bring overdue praise and recognition as well as money in your pocket. It's been a long time since you felt like you were on top of things and Mars here will bolster your confidence for the next 7½ weeks. Mars is a great motivator, so get out and do! But be careful about flaunting victories in other people's faces. You don’t want them to retaliate by looking for ways to take you down a peg or two.

How do you deal with someone who's convinced you're playing them for a fool? Tactfully. Usually you're the one obsessing over inconsistencies in the story as you fire off accusations, so it's weird to be in this position. Thankfully, you know what they're feeling and have the patience and sensitivity to put them at ease. There's definitely a shoe-is-on-the-other-foot quality to a Venus/Pluto square (September 15th), but it's meant to teach you what it's like to be the object of somebody else's desire. It's a new role, but one you'll handle more compassionately than others have with you in the past.

You've made it a rule not to offer advice unless asked first. This isn't easy for a Pluto-ruled sign like yours because you've always been a long-range planner and can often see where people will run afoul of circumstances before they do. However, Scorpio is a wise sign, which means that you've also learned that loved ones and friends need to make their own mistakes. How else will they learn from them? On September 10th things will mess up exactly as you knew they would. You'll be sorely tempted to say “I told you so,” but offer a shoulder to lean on instead.

Either you are pouring a lot of time and money into your business or you’re working long hours for little pay because you believe in a project. Your faith is well placed; however, your doubts about whether this will all pay off are not unfounded either. This is the paradox of the Jupiter/Saturn trine taking place on August 31st. Jupiter is all about belief and Saturn is all about tests. These two seemingly conflicting ideas will dovetail on September 4th when you receive some very encouraging news. It would be nice to receive an encouraging stipend to go along with it, but that will come eventually.