Most fiery Aries love a challenge, sometimes quietly relishing the unknown and other times more noisily voicing excitement. However, this month may provide a little more oomph than even the most courageous Ram would wish for. While you personally remain relatively steady in your own thoughts and feelings, your private and public life are much less so. If you let those at home and work get under your skin then you are likely to feel stressed and may suffer from minor ailments as the nervous tension wears you down. The best approach is to remain as calm as possible in the knowledge that challenges at home, in your primary partnership and your career are likely to pass soon enough. Meanwhile you are unlikely to be provided with much support. If you can muster patience and maintain a calm exterior then your reputation is likely to remain intact.

Batten down the hatches because you are well and truly out of your comfort zone this month! The time is ripe for you to discard old habits and accept new challenges in your life, particularly when it comes to home and family. It is also a good month to pay attention to your health. A change of diet, a health check-up, that oft-avoided visit to the dentist, and fun-filled exercise routines can all help give your body and soul the boost that you need to face the challenges ahead. Deep down you know that you are capable of moving forward, one step at a time. So there is no need to stubbornly refuse to let changes occur. It is time to face your fears in the knowledge that what must be done, must be done.

Duality is often a theme for the twins of the Zodiac but this is the month for you to cast aside your doubts, prevarications and indecision and adopt a single-minded approach. You may prefer spontaneity and unpredictability but right now you have to slow down, count the costs and plan for the future. This is not a heavy-handed month. In fact quite you are likely to experience quite the opposite. This month you have the ability to focus on a creative project, like never before. Others may even offer funds and support but only after you have decided on your course and shared your passion. It is time to have the courage of your convictions.

You are a warm and loving individual, often preferring to lavish your loved ones with tender loving care rather than taking a moment for yourself. This month the planetary energies are gently encouraging you to look in the mirror and see your own needs. You can spend a little time and energy on your own health and happiness, even if it is simply a long-awaited hair appointment, or afternoon relaxing with a book. If you have children then they may have a creative project that requires a little attention. You may also need to do a little fix-it or renovating work around the house. Nevertheless there should be some time in a whole month to nurture yourself!

Are you plotting and scheming right now? Or have you just finished a brief chapter in your life which required a little manoeuvring for you to extricate yourself? Either way there are still some unresolved emotions from recent activities. You are now experiencing the consequences of recent decisions. These decisions may have affected your personal income, or perhaps simply have given you a different view of your ability to earn money. It is time for you to be pragmatic. October may not be the most uplifting month of 2010 but it is a time during which you can achieve your personal goals if you remain focused.

This month you need to think outside the square. This is not an easy challenge for most Virgos, depending on what other astrological influences are in your birth chart. Your finances, and hence your self-esteem, are being challenged right now and you may not feel particularly joyous. Hence there is the need to explore new ideas and create some new opportunities in your life. Self-criticism is the very last thing that you need during this month. You need constructive and progressive self-talk. Your friends and family may not be very supportive but you can find a creative or artistic release valve for some of your frustrations.

Family life is about to undergo some changes this month. Are you ready for the demands that your loved ones are likely to place on your shoulders? This is an ideal month for some serious self-assessment. It is time to take a good look in the mirror. What and who gives you joy? What can you improve or change, and what do you simply want to lay to rest? What and who is indispensible in your life? These are the questions that you could be asking yourself and taking some time to answer. You may also like to have a general health check, just to make sure all is in good working order.

Sometimes a little naval gazing can be a great thing! Right now you are entitled to do quite a bit. You may be surprised by some of the realisations and conclusions that you come to. On the one hand you are likely to do a little bit of socialising this month, however; you are also likely to feel quite reclusive at times. Perhaps you are enjoying working on a project that requires much work behind the scenes. Alternatively you may be swatting for an exam, or helping someone else achieve their dreams. A little self-sacrifice this month is likely to result in warm and fuzzy results in the future.

The last few months, and perhaps even longer, have been a bit of a wild ride for most Archers of the Zodiac. Right now you are likely to reap some of the benefits of your machinations. You may have finally slowed down, or perhaps your project is now reaching fruition or maybe you have finally made a decision. Either way it is time you enjoyed the fruits of your labours. Oh and that is not to say that life has slowed down yet, at least not for long!

October is a challenge for all of the Cardinal signs of the Zodiac – Capricorn, Cancer, Libra and Aries – but perhaps none more so than for the Cardinal Goat. Your date with destiny is not over yet and this can be positive, but not necessarily comfortable. Someone or something is likely to enter your life this month with a view to changing your course. Why? Well you won’t know for some time, but you can be assured that you are more than equal to the challenge. Well-worn routines can be comforting, but they can also be limiting if adhered to for the sake of familiarity. With a little help from your friends you are likely to enjoy the change of pace more than you thought possible.

For some time you have pondered what holds true meaning in your life. This month you are likely to reach some conclusions that change the course of your life. You may, or may, not make the actual changes immediately but you will gain clarity on where you want to head. Someone near and dear may also help you on your new course, opening up new realms of possibilities. It is also possible that your change of fortunes will come in the form of a financial windfall or a money-making venture.

New vistas are opening up for you. Nevertheless you may need to wait a little longer before implementing the changes that you dream of. All is not quite as it seems right now. Something, or someone, is illusionary. In other words you are not seeing things in a practical light. You need to follow your intuition – timing is everything. All good things come to those who wait. Let others feud, or create a façade. Believe in yourself and refuse to be drawn into anything that depletes your energy and self-esteem. Face your responsibilities but also surround yourself with love and positivity.