Aries Weekly Horoscope

You're sure to feel SOMETHING heating up on Wednesday, September 30, when expressive Mercury joins sensual Venus in Scorpio and your steamy eighth house through December 6—an extra-long cycle due to a retrograde from October 24 to November 13. Your seductive powers will intensify over the next three weeks, issuing the age-old warning to be careful what you wish for. Reeling people in is the easy part. But if they're not keeper material, it may not be quite so simple to show them the exit. The eighth house is erotic, but it's not fickle, so keep the filters on when "auditioning" potential playmates. If you are involved, watch for larger-than-life emotions to surface during this intensifying cycle. You could be inexplicably resentful or jealous of your S.O., which could leave a serious dent in the union. So before you fling any accusations or take vengeful action, spend time getting the real scoop. Trust is a must! If you're not interested in playing for keeps, enjoy the sexy encounters and be honest about your intentions. No one on your romantic radar? Channel this intense energy into a spiritual or metaphysical pursuit, perhaps learning to read cards—or your own chart!

On Saturday, October 3, amorous Venus turns retrograde until November 13, backing up through Scorpio and your erotic eighth house, then, slipping into Libra and your relationship house on October 25. Cuffing season, interrupted? This pivot might scramble signals in your love life or cause some friction in other types of partnerships. Between now and November 13, you simply can't rely on your intuitive senses—or your tarot deck—to read what's going on with other people. If you want to deepen intimacy you're going to have to pry open the chamber of secrets, Aries, and get vulnerable. The good thing about a planetary retrograde is that it can help you plunge into deeper waters. If you raced into this union without reviewing practical considerations (like, say, incompatible life paths or totally different financial values) you may have to tap the brakes. Or maybe you've been hiding something that's really important to you, but you're afraid to say it for fear of coming on too strong. Time for some serious soul baring, Ram—it's the only way forward now. You don't want to sell a false bill of goods, right? Eventually, anyone you date or do business with will find out the truth. That's the beauty of relationships: being loved for ALL of who you are.

On the flip side, it might be your "other half" who has the deep, dark secret to share. While you don't want to interrogate like an FBI agent, don your sexiest Sherlock cap and create a safe space for real talk[LS1] . Ask questions in a relaxed tone—without expecting a "right answer." If you hear something jarring, you don't have to freak out. But at the same time, don't sweep it under the rug. Between now and November 13 you may be doing some hardcore negotiation to figure out if your styles mesh—and if you can establish enough trust to accompany the lust! Retrogrades stir up the past and things could heat up with an old flame again. But if you hear from a toxic ex, don't kid yourself about developing a "friendship." Just follow this three-step plan: ignore, delete, block!