This week’s full moon in Venus presents a huge challenge to the status quo—and an opportunity for personal change on the deepest levels, says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi. Bottom line: The cosmos is aligning to support your biggest dreams, so this is no time to play small. How to handle all this upheaval? Here’s Racioppi’s best advice on getting the most out of this tumultuous week with your food, fitness, and self-care choices—no matter what your sun sign is. 

Monday, October 22

The week kicks off with the waxing gibbous moon moving through cardinal fire sign, Aries. Meaning: Monday presents an opportunity to get things done. Yes. This productive day brings with it a sense of urgency and asks you to go after what you most desire—boldly. However, with the sun at the last degree of Libra, it forms a challenging connection with Chiron, the wounded healer, meaning intense and confusing emotions could arise. So even though you’ll want to blow through your to-do list for the day, it’s important to take a step back and connect with the deeper meaning behind your work. Why do you do what you do? What’s the most profound value(s) driving your ambition? In the words of the feminist theologian, Meggan Watterson, “Worth is not given, it’s claimed.” If you are striving to prove yourself via your accomplishments to justify your value to others, take a moment to acknowledge your inherent worth. Regardless of whether or not another person with authority deems you special, you are. While soul-driven accomplishments are amazing, productivity is not the meaning of life. Self-validate first, then go after your high-performance goals.

Tuesday, October 23

The sun, which moves into Scorpio today, opposes Uranus in Aries while squaring the nodes of fate. In English? It’s time to break free of the nonsense that holds you back. You know what I am talking about: the part of you that’s waiting to lose the weight to feel confident. The part of you that continues to play small at work because you are afraid if you use your voice no one will listen. The part of you that puts up with toxic dynamics because you are too scared to ask for the support you need, or walk away from what’s familiar.

Today might feel eruptive, so use it to your advantage. Tell your ego and inner critic to step aside so your most profound sense of truth can shine through. Easy? No. Worth it? Hell yes.

Today might feel eruptive, so use it to your advantage. Tell your ego and inner critic to step aside so your most profound sense of truth can shine through. Easy? No. Worth it? Hell yes. These aspects offer alchemical opportunities to align with the broadest vision and meaning for your life. However, they ask you to choose your future, not your past. Doing so is an act of bravery, but why else devote your life to wellness and self-care if not to rise? You are ready.

Wednesday, October 24

While the moon waxes full in Taurus, a sign that loves comfort and stability, it conjoins Uranus, which encourages the disruption of the status quo. This full moon, one of the more curious lunations of 2018, brings with it an incredible emphasis on acknowledging what holds you back and taking a stand for what you want. Despite Taurus’ dislike of change, this Venus-ruled full moon instigates transformation on the deepest level. It also encourages you to come home to your soul and your body. With the sun and moon squaring the nodes of fate, pay close attention to what happens today—you are asked to risk your comfort for something greater than yourself. To strive for something bigger. No, it won’t be easy. But will it be worth it? Absolutely!

This Venus-ruled full moon, one of the more curious lunations of 2018, instigates transformation on the deepest level.

Thankfully the sun and retrograde Venus join forces while making a beautiful sextile to Saturn. This combination brings a real gift of support. Even with change-making Uranus opposing Venus at one of the most intense moments of its retrograde journey, positive outcomes prevail, especially if you discard the false beliefs that hold you back from coming home to your body and innate wisdom. The full moon perfects at 12:45 p.m. Eastern at 1 degree of Taurus. Use it to break from the chains that bind. If a relationship comes to a conclusion today, or you face an abrupt ending of any sort, trust that everything is unfolding as it should. Don’t fight the universe. You’ve got this!

Thursday, October 25

After yesterday’s intense full moon, today offers the opportunity for respite and rejuvenation: two things you’ll need this week. With the moon continuing to travel in sensual and grounded Taurus, indulge yourself with care and self-love practices today. But on a deeper level, pay close attention to what’s occurring in your relationships. Tomorrow Venus makes its inferior conjunction with the sun, and this special alignment offers time to digest what’s happening in your life. Give yourself space to process today and tune into yourself, especially your heart. Take a long walk in the autumn weather and observe the changing leaves. Potentially even go for a jog and listen to inner dialogue as you access a rhythmic breath. Allow yourself time to journal too. Tomorrow brings an incredibly potent moment. Show up ready.

Friday, October 26

The sun and Venus properly conjoin today, meaning we reach a powerful and essential moment in Venus’ retrograde journey, where Venus seemingly passes the sun in the sky (even though Venus is not visible right now). This change of position metaphorically represents a fierce version of the feminine rising, as Venus moves into her more assertive placement in the sky. From now until mid-August of 2019 Venus will rise before the sun, showcasing its ferocity and determination. Beyond that, though, Venus and sun’s conjunction forms what astrologer Arielle Guttman has coined a Venus Star Point. While I can’t do Guttman’s work justice, trust that today marks a turning point. As special as a new moon, today’s alignment initiates a new cycle for Venus and the sun in the sign of Scorpio.

Today we wrap up an eight-year cycle initiated then and embark on a new one as it relates to how we wish to yield our power, pursue our dreams, and relate to our money.

The last time these two conjoined while Venus was retrograde in Scorpio was October 28, 2010. Today we wrap up an eight-year cycle initiated then and embark on a new one as it relates to how we wish to yield our power, pursue our dreams, and relate to our money. Pay attention to the nuances of the day. Use today’s vital alignment to declare your vision, and claim your values, primarily as they relate wealth, power, sexuality and transformation. This is a great time to gather with like-minded women in a circle or spend time meditating on your dream at your altar. Encourage those you love to believe in themselves. Be the light.

Saturday, October 27

After an intense week, Saturday arrives with the potential to set things straight and find alignment. With the sun in a sextile to Saturn, the universe provides the support needed to digest the changes afoot. To support this, seek alignment-based yoga, strength training that emphasizes form over sheer exertion, or core-strengthening practices like Pilates and barre. Additionally, cranial sacral bodywork, a chiropractic adjustment, or reiki provide support, too. Remember we are still in what astrologer Arielle Guttman has defined as a Venus Star Point. This is a valuable turning point, affording you an opportunity to commence a new aspect of your journey. Continue to decode and claim your dream. Affirm your desires with positive language. Stay focused on the potential as you grieve what’s no longer. And most importantly, give love to others. They need it.

Sunday, October 28

With the moon “void of course” for the majority of the day, take care of your needs. (When the moon is void of course, it’s preparing to change signs, and so any actions taken are thought to be less powerful.) Transformation and change take energy. So be sure to fill your cup after this week. Reaching out for something new often means letting go of what you are holding on to.

Tomorrow, Jupiter and Mercury conjoin, indicating good news is on the horizon.

Stay mindful of what your body, and inner child, need. Reconcile the past as you aim toward the future with precision. Tomorrow, Jupiter and Mercury conjoin, indicating good news is on the horizon. Connect with those you love in meaningful ways.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. 

Want to catch up on Racioppi’s advice? Here are her insights from last week. And if you’re looking for a snapshot for all of October, check out “RockStar Shaman” Alyson Charles’ energy forecast for the month (spirit animals included).