We should all be grateful that Saturn moves into Libra, where it is exalted, on 29 October. It travels through the sign until October 2012. We will all find our lives more effective and rewarding – but there is work to be done. Looking back at the past two years, while Saturn was in Virgo, the world has been doing a health check – business, banking, house prices, advertising, media – and we have had all of these affecting from the outside, severely.

Now that the planet that rules structure and business and stern wisdom is in the sociable, community-minded sign Libra, we become part of the solution in the same way that we were part of the problem. Saturn does not usually compromise but, in Libra, compromises that have been to our detriment will be renegotiated. Personal relationships, business relationships and the relationships that we have with our rulers.

ARIES 20 MARCH TO 19 APRIL

Action done by you, the individual, needs to be balanced with the good for all. In the hero story, the saviour reluctantly becomes the leader and is then held up as the model for all good behaviour, consciously making all future actions more moral. That is where you are at – your actions are noticed, whether you are comfortable with that or not. After November, Saturn occupies Libra and is opposite Aries. Your responsibilities: a new job, or a child, real or metaphoric, keeps you on the straight and narrow, and you will not be able to be a spur-of-the-moment party animal. But this particular long-term commitment will reward you, will nourish you and in return you will provide it with its life-force.

TAURUS 19 APRIL TO 20 MAY

Since you feel really good, complete and whole, and maybe even languid, you should appreciate that every bit of energy will help you achieve your goals. It is true that a lot of push comes from a person who is doing a bit of ego-tripping, but you probably set that person in motion yourself. A phase is coming to an end, the end of the beginning. In November you feel at odds with yourself, as though there are two of you, with opposite needs and goals. Accept and love both parts, the leader and the team player, because like swimming and climbing, you need to know that you can tell the difference and not panic when jumping in at the deep end.

GEMINI 20 MAY TO 21 JUNE

You should not worry so; it is not good for your health. You have analysed the situation, prepared as far as possible; now you will have to trust, whatever happens. October is for wide explorations of creative projects, and either study or travel. If you have legal proceedings pending, they will move along really swiftly, but in an unexpected direction, and though not necessarily in your favour, it will be with grace and fairness. With Saturn in Libra from November you experience consolidation, endings, beginnings and steadiness. This is the gift brought by a long-term project or a course, or a relative who you must help. This is good and you will enjoy it, even while it gives you itchy feet.

Cancer 21 June to 22 July

Consider, if you can, what sort of gift you want from the world. You have helpers on all levels, working as a team to deliver for you what you most want. Talk about it, paint about it and then from, November, commit to it. Your part in the Saturn move into Libra is that you are forced to commit to a community. It may seem like a small decision at first. Given your love of keeping everything flowing, when it is extended it feels like a limitation. You will work with the situation because a lot of good flows from it and luckily the benefits start immediately; there will be no need to wait until the end. Make time to be alone regularly so that you replenish and that allows you to be most fully present in the group.

LEO 22 JULY TO 23 AUGUST

In October something that was overlooked, or a big secret, is revealed and it will cause you to wobble. But, you know, all things pass, and since you must respond, reflect on the truth that this is a better time to look into it, because you have more time and tools to be effective. Saturn in Libra from November lends its authority and wisdom to you. You will not be able to tolerate being out of balance, giving more than you have to give and you will be given wise help to regain a sense of proportion and this leads to steady growth. You will be drawn to sociable projects and you may be asked to lead but rather be a part of the group so that everyone takes responsibility and acts for mutual benefit.

VIRGO 23 AUGUST TO 22 SEPTEMBER

October is filled with harmony and happiness and a feeling of luck and fortune so just stretch out your body, mind and your soul; relax entirely and be bathed in the love around you, the healing optimism and good cheer that is bubbling in the ether. If you can move yourself from that lovely couch-throne, take a risk, and you will achieve much that benefits you. From November you feel freed from niggles that have been around for a few years and though there are many things that you want to do, what occupies your time is what you must do. In late November you tell the truth about everything, and about time too; you keep too much to yourself.

LIBRA 22 SEPTEMBER TO 23 OCTOBER

Venus is completely joyful as it passes through Libra, from 15 October until 6 November and is a preview of the following three years, so keep a diary or a journal. With Saturn in your sign you may take on a new, more structured role or be obliged to take care of someone; you are able to let there be a give and take which does not compromise you. You won't be able to do things just to keep the peace, or avoid action because you can't come to a decision. You are steadier and find that the rules are on your side. Your decisiveness allows you to take responsibility for yourself and, if it adds to the balance, for others too.

SCORPIO 23 OCTOBER TO 22 NOVEMBER

This is too stressful a time for you to manage by just doing the next apparent thing. It is hard for those who can help to know when to give help if you feel that it is important to give the appearance of having everything under control. Several people know and show that they care by freely offering their help. Let them help. They are not simply well-meaning meddlers, pushing and prodding you. Think about the bigger picture and feel where you are rooted and let your connections grow from those roots. Regular exercise or cooking or gardening will help.

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOVEMBER TO 21 DECEMBER

Your creative friends and your joint projects are starting to click into action, in a manner of speaking. A new person has come on board to highlight entirely new areas and, after meetings and discussions, the project rapidly changes as a result of the work of a woman. In November you experience a personality clash and, if you can set it aside, you find that there is so much that you can achieve with this person and in this situation. To take the sting out of it completely you must take action yourself, do some sport and maybe work with heat and metal. You will be supported by your community and you must decide on the level to which you want to be involved.

CAPRICORN 21 DECEMBER TO 20 JANUARY

Capricorn's ruler, Saturn, moves into Libra in November and you are more effective and your life subjectively improves. In the past two years you have experienced sudden and sometimes overly harsh changes. The next three years provide you with sociable opportunities that you can use to steadily improve. Your constraints remain and your life pushes at you, but you are not afraid of a little difficulty and there is more reward than was the case before. So you will be able to explore the pleasure-loving side of you more fully. It is your responsibility to keep working for the material improvement of the world, build the roads that lead to the new, better, world.

AQUARIUS 20 JANUARY TO 18 FEBRUARY

From November the universe does seem to be working with you and not against you. You have been slaving away for a few years and the hard work will start to deliver returns. Several of your endeavours come to a definite and abrupt end, giving space for your innovations to be more fully explored. You are in a group again, which you like because though you are an individualist, you have missed the group and the sociability. There will be a tendency to be lazy but it would be a pity to waste the good fortune. If you work at it, you will lay the foundation for the next phase of your career.

PISCES 18 FEBRUARY TO 20 MARCH