Rockie Horoscope

The new moon before the November 2 election is also a partial solar eclipse in late Libra. It initiates a lunar cycle on October 13???14 that reaches fullness with a total lunar eclipse in Taurus-Scorpio on October 28. Eclipses are reference points - e.g., the June 21, 2001, eclipse that preceded the attacks on 9/11 - that augur future grand-scale events. So regardless of whether there's a planned "October surprise" in the works, steel yourself for a real one from the heavens.

Aries

The give-and-take of relationship politics will play an even stronger role in your daily life once the Libra new moon ushers in another level of cooperation and competition. A solar eclipse, even a partial one, in your seventh house of marriage and business partners centers the action for the next month (but more like the next three) on your allies and antagonists. Whether you'll need to replace your lawyer and agent or just acquire another roommate is up in the "can't make a decision" Libra air. For a take-action Aries, that could be tough.

Taurus

The area of your natal chart that gets zapped by the solar eclipse this week is the most pedestrian of all: the sixth house, which governs the daily grind at work, your health care, plus the services you provide for the greater good, e.g., donations to the Salvation Army. Somewhere in that mix are clothes and the crafts you produce. Rather than spend weeks sweating the small stuff, focus on an uncomplicated romance or an entertaining social event and have some lighthearted fun in the process.

Gemini

Your boyfriend or girlfriend, teammates or the kids take over center stage for the next monthlong lunar cycle. However, attempts to maintain harmonious Libran relationships could become your chief concern far longer than anyone expects. Although you may think that matters related to these folks will progress easily because so many planets are in a friendly air sign, this year it ain't necessarily so. A frustrating financial concern can block the smooth exchange of compatibility and communication.

Cancer

The Moon Child could become sidetracked, maybe even stymied, by the events that follow from the Libra new moon on the 13th. Complicated, multilayered situations tend to arise when a new lunar cycle begins with an eclipse. Therefore, don't assume that an issue you've dealt with won't come back to haunt you around the also eclipsed full moon on the 28th. Just in time for Halloween! However, the Columbus Day holiday weekend is fairly straightforward, with awesome meteor showers on Sunday.

Leo

You must be doing something right! Over the weekend, the Lion may be rewarded for finding a creative solution to a challenge issued about month ago. Perhaps you were in some sort of contest, a race against time or a romantic triangle, that was resolved to your satisfaction. Enjoy whatever good word of mouth and good loving you do get. Another lesson in the further development of your communication skills begins on Wednesday with the Libra new moon, which is also a partial solar eclipse. Try to be extra-patient; answers won't be as easy to come by.

Virgo

Resolve to get past the negativity brought on while stern Saturn tests your Mercury ruler on the 13th. The restrictions you may encounter are temporary and will probably be lifted after the Libra new-moon cycle kicks in later that night. Once Mercury moves on to Scorpio on the 15th, your approach to money matters could become more secretive and more strategic, better suited to handling whatever roadblocks you come across because of the eclipse. Dealing with colleagues and group affiliations might be tricky; beneficial in the long run, but during the next few weeks, sticky.

Libra

This week there is no stepping out of the spotlight. Accept the attention with your customary grace and assume that after the Libra new moon on Wednesday, you'll have precious moments to yourself again. Then maybe you'll be able to navigate the ins and outs of a purely personal dilemma. Also know that since this new moon is a partial solar eclipse, whatever is set in motion can last a lot longer than one lunar cycle, especially because growth-oriented Jupiter is in your sign. So you still wanna be a star?

Scorpio

Payoffs can be problematic, because it's often difficult to decide what is more valuable: the apparent or the implied reward. Since the Libra sun, in your 12th house of hidden motives and karmic payback, favors your Pluto co-ruler this week, assume that the good feeling you're enjoying, the opportunity that is being offered or the goodies that appear out of the blue are related to something you've already done. Was it as recent as a month ago, when the Virgo sun challenged Pluto, or a couple of lifetimes ago?

Sagittarius

This year the Libra new moon, normally a pleasant, primarily social time, could have a dramatic impact on your relationship to your peers. Eclipses tend to carve deep impressions that aren't easily erased in time for the next new-moon cycle. So while you might dismiss what occurs among your colleagues as "just one of those things," the ramifications can turn out to be more significant and last much longer than any of you figured. Therefore, be careful; try not to snub anyone or step on their toes.