Aries (March 20-April 19) — Take a calm and observant approach to relationships, and stay out of conversations that you don’t understand. Whether in intimate personal matters or the most serious professional ones, remember that everything in life is based upon relationships. At the moment, people around you seem unusually sensitive. There’s a thirst for justice in the air; though, over the coming few days, it could be easily misdirected at anything anyone casually perceives as ‘wrong’. This is why you can take a step back and answer all questions with other questions, preferably after a delay. Mercury, the planet of mind and communication, leaves your sign and enters Taurus this week, which will give you a better sense of where you stand with yourself. Until then, make sure you don’t get brushed aside by the overly ambitious approach of people around you. Take care of yourself and stand up for your own cause.

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Taurus (April 19-May 20) — This week the Sun in your sign makes a helpful aspect to Chiron in Pisces. This calls attention to the extent to which so many people (including technology-averse types who appreciate the physical world, such as yourself) have become their own publicists. You now have an opportunity to align your actual being with whatever it is you broadcast or in any way present to the community. Practice being real, starting now. That may mean saying less rather than more. Consider cleaning up anything that weakens your integrity; for example, secret identities, needless aliases, or whatever you may deem even vaguely deceptive. The result of this public integrity tune-up will be the feeling of being more solid and more honest. What you’re doing over the next few days is part of a much longer-range adjustment of your image and your reputation, which will last clear through late 2018.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury, the Gemini planet, has spent an unusually chaotic spell in Aries, and that’s about to end on Wednesday. You’ve likely settled down some from the teacup ride of the past few weeks, though there’s one matter that you need to focus on. You may not be aware what it is yet, though you’ll figure it out soon enough when Mercury joins forces with Mars in your sign, and helps you drive one specific priority to conclusion. It’s fair to do this to the exclusion of just about all else. If this involves a professional goal, you can take a more assertive and devil-be-damned approach. If it involves a matter of finances in an intimate relationship, it’s essential that you be more tactful and circumspect, though never forgetting your goal. Give people the space and time to decide that yours is the best way of doing things.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You may be re-evaluating the role of intimate relationships in your life. That would be a healthy thing to do, whether you’re single, committed or somewhere in between. Relationships are usually entered into on a reflex, as if it’s the only option. Yet you need an understanding of your desires, your needs and your motives when it comes to your encounters with others, so that you can make better decisions than you’ve made in the past. You know this cannot be a ‘business as usual’ time in your partnerships: you must proceed with a high degree of consciousness; in particular, about the changes you’re going through. Now is a better time to ask questions than it is to come up with answers. You don’t need a false sense of satisfaction. Rather, you will benefit from getting underneath your own assumptions and figuring out where they came from.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Mercury is about to enter the career and reputation angle of your chart, which is likely to revive a goal that you had to set aside earlier in the year. Make sure you know what you’re working for; it will be beneficial to refine your thinking and focus on what really matters. Once you know that, the way to your objective is through communicating with others. This won’t be about brute force, time-consuming labor or lots of money. Rather, you need to make sure that you say what you need to say clearly and in a compelling way. Be diplomatic, and speak the language of others whenever you can. Do your best to verify that you’re understood and that you know the concerns of others who are directly involved. Certain individuals have more influence than you may think, so be respectful to everyone.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Here’s some good news: The lunar nodes have moved away from the Virgo-Pisces axis after 18 months. This has been a time of enforced changes, upheavals and, ultimately, getting a handle on who you are. Change after change has, if nothing else, helped you get your priorities in order. Toward the end of this phase, over the past month or two, you seem to have progressed with a degree of obsession and determination unusual even for you, which frankly was getting tired and had served its purpose. It was necessary, though, to help you clear the fog that had come into your life through certain relationships that seemed to demand more from you than they were offering to you. You now have the confidence to be on your own, or to be in a relationship that actually works for you. There’s nothing in between.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — One metaphor for your life this year is the True Mirror — the kind that reflects the correct orientation rather than a mirror image. It’s often said that relationships are mirrors, but the question is: what kind? Do you see yourself the way everyone else sees you, or do you see a disorienting and distorted version of your image that nobody else sees? Venus is working its way into an opposition aspect (that is, a face-to-face meeting, reminiscent of a mirror) with Jupiter in your sign. Here’s a clue how to determine what reflection is real: choose the one you want. Choose to be around people you feel good around. Someone healthy for you is someone around whom you feel stable, strong and positive. Different people bring out different qualities from your psyche — and you have a choice.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You’ll need to tread carefully in discussions on joint financial issues, taxes and sex. Beware that the money discussion may be clouded by underlying or unresolved sexual feelings, so you’ll need to keep an eye on that. Here’s a simple way to avoid misunderstandings: set aside all of your expectations. That means entering the discussion as if it’s a clean slate, focusing on where everyone is coming from now, and what everyone’s needs are, now. If the discussion veers into the past, and past commitments, it’s likely to get messy. So you might set aside as many of your concerns, demands and seeming necessities as possible, and actually address what is of actual relevance today. Be careful with the idea that anyone owes anyone something, or even that anyone was supposed to be someone they turned out ‘not to be’. Expectations are the very thing that’s least friendly to relationships.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You may need to assert yourself or work extra diligently at your job this week, though it will be worth the effort. The one thing not to stress over is money. Your assessment of your financial position may not be accurate; it’s likely to be driven by an emotional point of view rather than a mental one. So the first thing to do if you have questions about money is check your balances. Then you can decide what to do about what you discover. Put most of your energy into your creative and work processes, taking advantage of your abundant energy and what promise to be some exciting opportunities to get your work out to the world. Keep a positive attitude every moment that you can. Don’t sweat the small stuff, because it’ll only get in the way of your creativity and overall brilliance.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You seem to be obsessed with a partnership issue, as if it’s necessary that you mark the score right down to the inning. You might want to back off on that approach, if this applies to you, given that it’s not going to lead to anyone’s happiness or any progress in the relationship. In all aspects of your life, you’re being called upon to take a more spiritual approach to existence. Spiritual means loving, forgiving, seeing the big picture and, most of all, putting your own growth ahead of any growth that you think someone else needs. Much of what you’re experiencing now is connected to your early family history, which has, through much of the year, come up for an intensive review. It’s typical of your sign to remain heavily invested in your family of origin, which is one thing; anything that mandates that you give up your adult power, prerogatives and responsibilities is another.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Early in the week — Sunday through Tuesday — monitor your anxiety level closely, rather than trying to stuff or ignore it. Remember that anxiety is not a sign that something is actually wrong. It’s often connected to a particular person or subject, but that rarely bears out in reality. Therefore, take it easy on yourself, and see if you can figure out what’s really up. A few things will help: among them, getting enough rest; getting your body in or near water, whether a bathtub, a lake or an ocean; and taking care of the needs that you might think should be provided by a partner. Also, you can help yourself substantially by prioritizing your most important projects and aspirations and focusing your energy there. You will reap what you sow. If you foster love and cooperation, you will get that, and as the Grateful Dead used to say, if you plant ice, you’re gonna harvest wind.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You’re bigger than anyone’s opinions of you, and the sooner you stop concerning yourself with this elusive thing known as ‘what people think’, the sooner you’ll be free to take charge of your life. You can safely assert yourself in the world, even if you get any noise or static. Make sure you honor your personal commitments, and any contractual agreements you may have that are related to your professional life — and then do whatever you want. It can take some courage and adaptation to live this way, though if there was ever a time you could make the leap that time is now. The more you take full responsibility for yourself and your affairs, the less power any authority figure will have in your life — whether we’re talking about bosses, partners, the government or anyone else.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Honesty will be the best policy this week, which includes keeping silent on issues that you’re not an authority on. Instead, devote your energy to discovering the truth, rather than taking shots and stabs at what it may be. Mars, your ruling planet, is in Gemini, making a square to Neptune. That’s a potentially volatile setup, and you could easily be provocative in a way that’s not helpful to anyone. Instead, monitor your mind for any self-destructive tendencies. Keep yourself out of situations that are potentially harmful or where you simply don’t belong, and focus on your creative goals. Astrology that’s terrible for drinking and arguing is (in this case) excellent for writing, making art and partying in the comfort of your own home. You’re likely to feel the desire to stretch your limits and do what you might not ordinarily do; just make sure you’ve defined your boundaries first.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — The Sun in your birth sign is making a trine to Pluto and Juno, which is providing an opening to resolve a partnership issue. Yet this will only work if everyone is upfront about what they want and what they expect from others. To this discussion, make sure you bring everything that you’re willing to offer. This simply must be a two-sided process, based on give and receive rather than give and take. You can be bold about your plans and your agenda, but make sure that you leave yourself the mental space to be flexible. It would be easiest overall if you started from that position and took a go-with-the-flow attitude, rather than pushing the river or trying to control events. You have much more in common with a close partner or love interest than you think — it’s a matter of discovering the particulars.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — There’s a commonly held view that it’s OK to do anything necessary to succeed or win the game. You may take that approach this week, and it may work for a while. You would be wise to dial it back and never go into “the ends justify the means” thinking. The means — the way you do things, and any unintended consequences that result — will actually make a difference. You might focus on your process rather than your outcome. You’ll know you’re succeeding at this when you’re carefully assessing any and all consequences to yourself and to others, whether intended or not. You can find a creative solution or approach to any puzzle, problem or project, and you can do so without hurting anyone or anything. If you put that boundary in place, and proceed with restraint and full awareness, you will be even more brilliant and clever than usual.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This will be a marvelous week for your creative imagination. Yet like anyone in an exalted creative state, you may also be feeling a little edgy, with questions about what’s real and what is not. Remember that your own mind is the one thing that’s creating your perception of the universe. So you want to take care of your mind, which means giving yourself room to think. When you have a lot going on, and you clearly do, it’s essential to pace yourself. Allocate enough time for your projects, which includes time for eating and rest. Leave room for space between your thoughts, and time for recreation — no matter how much you have going on. You’re likely to feel like you’re under some extreme pressure, though this is false, and you must address that consciously. When you’re trying to get a lot done and do it really well, efficiency is the key.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — There’s a new energy in your life these days, which is guiding you to be especially devoted and potentially self-sacrificing. Go lavishly on the devotion part and sparingly on the sacrifice part. The new planetary influence is Vesta, the goddess of the hearth. Vesta is the perfect fusion of a spiritual influence and a practical one, and they work approximately the same way. Holding intention in the style of Vesta is about making space for something to happen. This includes emotional and physical space. If you want something to happen, clear out the room and make yourself available. With Vesta there’s one other thing, which is about having a central organizing principle. Think of this as the hearth in the middle of the home, around which all the other rooms are arranged. Again, we’re talking about something on the psychic or emotional level, and something in real space and time.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Continue to take special care both with people in authority, and with how you handle money — especially through any form of shared or community account. Mercury retrograde may have ended, though it’s still working itself out, and that must be handled with care. You need all the relevant information before you make any decisions — and two factors are influencing that. Mercury conjunct Uranus is saying that you still have one or two surprise discoveries to make. And Mars in your house of accountability and reputation is square Neptune. That’s saying that you will need to take extra steps to discern what’s true (and who is telling the truth), and this will take some time. On any matter of real importance, set at least a one-week schedule to get the information you need and then make the appropriate decisions. If you guess or act too soon, your chances are lower than 50/50 of getting it right. A week from today, you’ll be closer to 90% accurate.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Even though you prefer to think things through impeccably and have all the loose ends tied up, this week give partners and loved ones plenty of room to be flaky. People around you are in “jump-in-now, figure-it-out-later” mode. There’s really no stopping them and they can’t help themselves, so you’ll need to be the one who takes up the slack and handles the overflow of logistical issues that might arise. Plan for things to go slightly over budget and run late, so take some extra money and be the one who herds people out the door and in the direction of the destination with some extra time to spare. This may be annoying but at least you’re not lonely. There are plenty of people around to keep you on your toes and solving problems before you even know about them. Amidst the confusion, you can set the social agenda. Pick out what you want to do and guide things in that direction.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Yours is the sign of sex, and for about five different reasons, all the best sex astrology keeps coming your way. Events this week blend fantasy and reality. There’s a feeling of dive in and see whatever happens. This will work for art as well, though I would recommend staying away from dangerous sports unless you know what you’re doing and are unencumbered by newcomers to the activity. Whatever you do, keep the use of intoxicating substances down to a minimum. Mars square Neptune is the living incarnation of temptation. You may be inclined to indulge more than usual, which is fine, as long as you’re mindful of your boundaries, including when driving, in sensitive relational situations and anything involving money. Go out of your way to be fair and accommodating, and if you have an issue, be gentle in how you approach it — or set it aside for next week.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You must be honest with yourself before you can expect others to be honest with you. After all, you set the standards of your own life. One particular relationship may be playing on your insecurities, leading you to wonder whether someone you care about is on the up and up. Set any fears aside and presume the best in people, if you care about them. Mars, the planet of desire and motivation, is now making a long square aspect to Neptune, which is going to exaggerate your fears and suspicions, and the chances are that they are entirely unfounded. If you must handle any deeply personal questions, do so in a way that does not seem judgmental, accusatory or untrusting. Put your emphasis on having fun, which may turn out to be bolder than what you usually do for recreation.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You have no special need for any form of a relationship other than one where you have fun and also that serves some practical purposes. In other words, skip the part about official status, appearances and the religious formalities. Stick to love and friendship, and that’s what you’ll get. You seem to be in a lengthy process of re-evaluating many of these questions, and when you get to the end of it, you may decide that it was all much ado about nothing. You need companionship, not status. You need friendship, not image. And you need most of all people who respect your home, which is your sanctuary. You’ve had enough samples of the opposite of all of those things that, by now, you already know where you stand with yourself. The views of others matter far less than you may think, but only if you agree to that.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You seem to be driven by either a creative project or a new love interest. Despite your passion, you might want to back off and burn your fuel a little more slowly and efficiently. That means going easy on spending, relying on the old-fashioned virtues of using what you have, eating some meals at home, and doing the more fulfilling kinds of recreation rather than what in today’s world passes for entertainment. An artistic project could be of high interest, and it would be the perfect space to explore a friendship or to spend time with kids. If you’re involved in any kind of professional (or serious amateur) creative endeavor, this will be a fulfilling week, rich with ideas and surprising new ways of looking at the world. Unplug your television and throw your favorite shawl over the thing.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You may be feeling all kinds of restless, like you want to pounce on everything you haven’t finished in the past month all at once. Take your time with that. Slow and steady will get the job done, and you can afford to bide your time even on what seem like pressing matters. Some things you’ve identified as problems are well on the way to resolving themselves. Other things will benefit from still-forthcoming information that will reveal the underlying simplicity of the situation. The things to focus on are your larger and longer-range goals. You need to be setting your sights high right now, as you’re still under the influence of aspects that can indeed make you known for what you do. Yet this is a function of Saturn in your solar 10th house, which is to say, you must do the specific work of that area: building reputation, integrity and creative strength in the perfect braid.