Welcome to your October 2026 sky, a big month for slowing down and reviewing. Both Venus and Mercury turn retrograde this month, so love, money and communication all ask to be revisited rather than rushed. Spring is in full swing here in Australia. Alongside the retrogrades we have a harmonious Libra new moon, the Hunter’s Moon, and the move into deep Scorpio season. A short horoscope for every sign is further down.
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October 2026 moon phases (AEST)
All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time.
- Last quarter, Saturday 3 October. Release and reflect.
- New moon in Libra, Sunday 11 October, 1:51 am. A gentle, relational fresh start. Set an intention around balance and relationships.
- First quarter, Monday 19 October. A checkpoint: act on what you began.
- Full moon in Taurus, the Hunter’s Moon, Monday 26 October, 2:12 pm. A grounding, steadying full moon.
New to the phases? Our guide to the eight moon phases explains what each one is for.
The Hunter’s Moon: October’s full moon
October’s full moon is the Hunter’s Moon, which once lit the nights as hunters stocked up for winter. In 2026 it rises on Monday 26 October at 2:12 pm AEST, in steady, sensual Taurus, opposite the Sun in Scorpio. A Taurus full moon is calming and grounding: it asks what you truly need to feel secure, and invites you to enjoy the simple, solid pleasures already in your life. Read more on our Hunter’s Moon page and in what to do on a full moon.
The new moon in Libra
On Sunday 11 October, the new moon rises in Libra, the sign of partnership, fairness and beauty. A Libra new moon is a lovely time to set an intention around a relationship, or to bring more harmony and beauty into your days. Our guide to new moon intentions can help.
Planets on the move in October
The headline this month is two planets turning back.
- Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio, Saturday 3 October. A rare, roughly six week review of love, worth and money. Old feelings and old faces may resurface, so reflect before you leap. See Venus in astrology.
- Pluto turns direct in Aquarius, Friday 16 October, after months retrograde, and slow, deep change begins moving forward again.
- The Sun enters Scorpio, Friday 23 October. Scorpio season begins, more below.
- Mercury turns retrograde in Scorpio, Saturday 24 October. The classic weeks of crossed wires and second thoughts. Back up your files and double check your plans. See Mercury in astrology, or check the live status with our Mercury retrograde tracker.
With both Venus and Mercury retrograde by month’s end, October is a season for revising, not launching. It is a wonderful month to finish, mend and reconsider.
Libra season into Scorpio season
Until 23 October we are in Libra season, fair and relational. Then the Sun moves into Scorpio, and Scorpio season begins: deep, honest and transformative, a time to look beneath the surface. Explore all twelve signs in our zodiac and astrology hub.
Your October 2026 horoscope, sign by sign
Here is a short horoscope for the month for every sign, grounded in the actual movements above. With Venus retrograde from the 3rd and Mercury retrograde from the 24th, both in Scorpio, read this month as a gentle call to review love, money and what you say, rather than to rush ahead. For the fullest picture, read three: your sun sign for the overall month, your moon sign for your emotional world, and your rising sign, or ascendant, for how it plays out day to day. Our free birth chart calculator reveals all three, or find your moon sign and rising sign directly.
Aries
The Libra new moon on the 11th opens your partnership house, a fresh start with a significant other. But with both Venus and Mercury turning retrograde in your eighth house of shared money and intimacy, this is a month to revisit trust and finances rather than rush them. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings your income to a grounding turning point.
Taurus
Relationships are the whole story this month. The Libra new moon lights your sixth house of work and health, then Scorpio season and both retrogrades gather in your seventh house of partnership, so old feelings and old faces may return. Be patient with love. The Hunter's Moon on the 26th lands in your own sign, a soft, personal culmination.
Gemini
The Libra new moon on the 11th sparks your fifth house of romance and creativity, a playful fresh start. As Venus and Mercury turn retrograde in your work sector, expect to revisit a project or a routine rather than launch something new. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th invites deep rest.
Cancer
Home and family get a tender reset with the Libra new moon in your fourth house. With the retrogrades stirring your fifth house of romance and creativity, an old flame or a shelved creative project may resurface. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings a friendship to a warm peak.
Leo
Your words and ideas refresh with the Libra new moon in your third house. As Venus and Mercury slip retrograde in your home sector, you may be revisiting a family matter or a move, so go gently. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings a career matter to a grounding culmination.
Virgo
Money and self worth get a fresh start with the Libra new moon in your second house. The retrogrades land in your third house of communication, so double check messages and back up your files. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th lights up travel or a big idea.
Libra
The new moon on the 11th lands in your own sign, a personal new beginning, so set a heartfelt intention. But your ruler Venus turns retrograde on the 3rd, and Mercury follows on the 24th, so this is a season to review who and what you value before you commit. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th steadies your finances.
Scorpio
A powerful, inward month. Scorpio season begins on the 23rd, and both Venus and Mercury are retrograde in your own sign, a deep, personal review of love, worth and how you show up. Rest, reflect, and resist the urge to decide anything final. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings a relationship to a turning point.
Sagittarius
Friendship and community glow under the Libra new moon in your eleventh house. As the retrogrades gather in your twelfth house of rest and the subconscious, this is a month to retreat, dream and let old feelings surface and settle. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th grounds your work and health.
Capricorn
Career takes centre stage with the Libra new moon at the top of your chart, a strong moment to set a professional intention, though the retrogrades ask you to revise rather than launch. Scorpio season lights up your friendships from the 23rd. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings romance to a sweet peak.
Aquarius
The Libra new moon opens your ninth house of travel and study, a lovely time to plan or learn. With Venus and Mercury retrograde in your career sector, a work matter or an old ambition may return for a second look. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings something at home to a head.
Pisces
Intimacy and shared resources get a fresh start with the Libra new moon in your eighth house. As the retrogrades stir your ninth house of travel and belief, a trip or a course may need rethinking. The Taurus Hunter's Moon on the 26th brings a conversation to a grounding close.
Rituals for October
A few practices that suit this month’s sky:
- A Libra new moon ritual, around 11 October. Light a candle and set an intention for a relationship, or for more balance and beauty. Our rituals hub has more.
- A retrograde review ritual. As Venus and Mercury turn back, journal on what, or who, keeps returning to your mind, and what it is asking you to resolve.
- A Hunter’s Moon grounding, around 26 October. Under the Taurus full moon, enjoy one simple pleasure slowly and on purpose.
You can match any night’s practice to the exact phase with our moon phase ritual tool.
Tarot spreads for October
- Retrograde season suits reflection: the Mercury retrograde spread is made for review, and the Venus retrograde spread for matters of the heart.
- Read any spread interactively in our tarot reading helper, or browse the whole tarot spreads library.
A gentle note
Astrology and moon lore are traditions for reflection, not forecasts of fixed events. The one thing the moon reliably moves is the ocean tides; the meanings we hang on her phases, and on the planets, are old, human and symbolic. Take what feels true this month, and gently leave the rest.
Frequently asked questions
October’s full moon, the Hunter’s Moon, is on Monday 26 October 2026 at 2:12 pm AEST, in Taurus.
The new moon is on Sunday 11 October 2026 at 1:51 am AEST, in Libra.
Yes, from Saturday 24 October, in Scorpio. Venus is also retrograde from the 3rd, so it is a strong month for review rather than launching.
October begins in Libra season and shifts into Scorpio season when the Sun enters Scorpio on 23 October.
It follows the Harvest Moon and once lit the nights when hunters stocked up before winter.
