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.

Attention Aries and Taurus! Eric recently completed the Tarot segment of your 2017-18 birthday reading. Get instant access when you order your Aries reading here, or your Taurus reading here. Order today, whether for yourself or as a gift.

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.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Venus in your birth sign is a reminder to aspire to what you want, rather than waiting for them to come to you. Yes, your charisma is at a peak, which will make you that much more appealing. Yet with so much activity in your sign this week, including Mercury retrograde ending, you must stay in the driver’s seat. Speaking of Mercury, be ready to change your mind if you get new information about something. Once you’ve confirmed a particular matter to be true or false, valid or not, apply that to all of your thinking and act in a way consistent with what you’ve learned. Writing your plans down, and finding the flaw in your scheme will save you time and energy as the week progresses. Make a game out of discovering you were wrong, and then take the opportunity to set things right.

Dear Friend of Planet Waves:

It’s your Taurus-loving astrologer here with something for your birthday. I’ve finished recording your 2017-2018 audio reading. By my standards, this is done early, recorded at New Moon time: my favorite time to do this particular reading. [Links to free audio samples are below.]

Helpful for Taurus Sun, Moon and rising, this is no ordinary astrology reading. I am one of the rare few astrologers who can read without your birth data. I use the same methods as for my horoscopes, though taking them to their full potential.

Taurus chart, drums and guitar. Photo by Eric.

I speak from the heart, and address the moment you’re in, tapping into all I’ve learned as an astrologer. It’s more than an hour long (with an additional session coming soon).

This reading covers the recent Venus retrograde, the conjunction to Chiron and the ingress of Venus into Aries: all describing how you can boldly discover and express yourself. This is in the context of your most intimate relationships, which are mirroring your thoughts and feelings.

Mars in Gemini describes the process of reconciling your innermost values and needs, with those of people you relate to. I end with a discussion of Saturn and the way that your professional ambitions are being energized by its long conjunction to the Galactic Core.

People wait for years for me to read their chart — something I no longer do. Yet for a small fraction of the cost, you get something that’s helpful, detailed, intimate and wholly trustworthy. It will keep providing new information through many playings. (Also, it works in all formats and on all players.)

Rather than say too much more, here’s a short sample of the reading, and here’s another. Click the link and the audio player will appear.

Your reading comes with two original pieces of music, one from the newer Vision Quest sessions, and one that I recorded last night.

Here’s how to take advantage of this beautiful work.

Thank you for your business, and for trusting me as your astrologer.

with love,

PS — Your purchase includes an extended written sign description for Taurus, as well as access to last year’s reading, so you can review the past. Last year’s reading will include much information that’s relevant today. Thanks again for ordering.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Many mysteries will unravel this week, giving you a newfound sense of confidence. Yes, your mind is still a somewhat cryptic thing at the moment, though your passion for self-discovery is serving you well. It’s true that under the current astrology, you could be getting flashes of anxiety or uncertainty, though these will respond well to a conscious decision-making process. If you start to feel like your life is out of control, respond by getting your priorities in order. Decide consciously what matters the most, and take care of that first and best. If something is clogging your schedule and you have that anxious feeling of wondering how you’ll get it all done, pick something and move it to next week. This process will show you that you’re really the one who is living your life.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — A strange Mercury retrograde ends this week. What made it strange is that the messenger of the Gods (which happens to be your ruling planet) is aligned with the very rare Uranus-Eris conjunction. That conjunction is the sign of our times: of the chaos and confusion and unpredictability. And now you, symbolized by Mercury, align with the wave-making machine at the core of the collective psyche. What I’m getting at here is that you have a rare opportunity to know, firsthand, what’s actually happening in the world around you. Whether for the purpose of business, art, storytelling, inventing something, or having fun, you’re the person with your finger on the pulse. There may be a few surprises in store for you this week, though if you’re flexible and keep an open mind, the world is your oyster. Just one other thing: above all else, please be friendly and accommodating.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You’re aligned with some rare astrology that could bring exciting news on the career front. The key to your success is your professionalism. That begins and ends with appearances, and covers quality work, timeliness and overall impeccability. If you’re the one who comes through when everyone else flakes out, you’ll be headed straight to the top. The important thing is to downplay all these things. Be the kind of talent who is a humble servant of the whole, who respects your superior officers, and who is always willing to go the extra mile or two. The astrology of this week points to an unexpected opportunity that comes your way, so stay on top of your schedule and make sure you don’t miss a single email or phone call. Check, double check and triple check — and if you’re expecting something that has not arrived, politely follow up.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Not everything you believe is true, and that’s a beautiful thing. Be happy when a discovery proves you didn’t quite have the story right, because then you’ll have the information that you need. When investigating something, do the extra research. Dig back onto page five of the search results, read the forums, read the reviews and study the comments. In the spirit of investigative reporting, pick up business cards you see lying on the street, skim through newspapers and magazines and generally, cast a wide net for what you’re looking for: but be attentive to the smallest details. This effort will pay off with a timely discovery that gives you the advantage you need. If I were writing this horoscope in 1960, I might also say, “look for a letter from a pen pal abroad,” though in 2017 I’ll say, reach out to your friends in other countries. It’ll be more fun than going to the movies.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You must be absolutely attentive to financial transactions this week, whether we’re talking about a swipe of your debit card to buy coffee or some important arrangements or decisions you make with close partners or loved ones. It would, actually, be better to put off any final decisions on genuinely important matters until next week, when Mercury retrograde has untangled itself. However, this week is perfect for fact-finding, goal-setting and generally getting yourself organized. The chances are that there’s absolutely no rush, and that any time pressure you’re feeling is merely an artifact of your overly active mind. Speaking of which, for the next while you would do well to engage in a program of taking a broad view of the world, of people and of yourself. Resist the temptation to judge, see the humor in everything and keep back from what’s not your business.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Venus now in your opposite sign has you in what I call “True Mirror” territory. Imagine you can look into a reflection that shows you a real image of yourself rather than a flipped mirror-image. You might say that the past two or three months of your life have, with each passing day, been trying to show you just that. The thing about the true reflection is that you will feel so much more at ease looking into it. You’ll see a face that’s both unfamiliar and yet more in harmony with who you are. These reflections will come in the form of people and events that serve to undermine any negativity you were carrying. This of all weeks, see the good in people, be flexible, and offer yourself to be helpful. Be the person who cuts others some slack, and round your bill for services down rather than up.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — This promises to be an interesting week at work, and will call forth your truly impressive psychological skills. If you can remember to be the keen observer that you are, and put a long delay in place before you react to anything emotionally, you’ll get to be the person with the solutions. That’s an excellent thing because there are others likely to perceive quite a few problems that, to you, are on the level of simple arithmetic. As part of your psychological approach, give others as much credit as possible. Don’t even worry about whether you’re seen as the one who resolved the schedule conflict, fixed the printer or brokered peace when everyone else wanted to argue. You have a bigger, wider and more relevant agenda, and that’s the thing to focus on. Part of that includes living in a wholly functional environment. Rare as it is, there is such a thing.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — There’s a creative solution to everything; creative means based on ideas rather than on labor. It means looking at every situation from at least three different angles, so that you can take a novel approach. At the moment, novel translates into efficiency: many problems that seem to be lingering around were already solved, or the solution is close at hand. One thing to be mindful of is the law of unintended consequences. Look at the results of any seeming solution in terms of the negative and the positive effects. The right solution has no unintended negative effects, and will expand to have a positive effect on related issues. Remember that even simple problems can have several correct answers, and you want the one that serves you the very best. All that said, if you consider yourself an artist of any stripe, this is a particularly rich week to do your most innovative work or have the big breakthrough. Stay focused and use your time well.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — There’s a way to be a positive influence on your family without getting all tangled up in their baldly neurotic tendencies. By that I mean that their self-defeating, time-wasting tendencies have nothing to do with you, though the benefit to the situation is that you’re getting an excellent inventory of everything that you don’t want to be, or become. Your appropriate role is to set a positive example of appropriateness and self-esteem. That specifically precludes getting too involved in the discussion, or having it in any way distract you from your affairs. Where a young person is involved, make sure you take a balanced approach. It’s possible that they’re a victim of circumstances and adults who cannot keep a grip. It’s also possible that they’re up to some mischief of their own. Hence, invest your energy in getting the facts — and deal with people one-on-one rather than in groups.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You can be a lot brassier in your thinking process. Most of what passes for thought barely sheds enough light to cast a shadow, though your mind is boldly illuminated right now. You can see through the seeming complexity of things, into their essence. That doesn’t mean “seeing things simply” but more accurately, observing the affairs of the world in a way that emphasizes elegance and the interconnectedness of what seems to be separate. One trick to doing this is, when everyone else is fixated on the figure dancing before them, look off to the sides and into the background and study the environment. When everyone is staring at the stage, turn around and look at the audience. Most situations, problems and puzzles can be solved much more easily by making this kind of move, particularly since so few people have even heard of it, much less bother with it.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This week, finances come back into focus. Make sure you stay ahead of your work, get enough sleep and keep a handle on your personal life, because you will want as few distractions as possible. You’ll have some obvious opportunities to improve your lot in life, or build your business, and then there will be some downright odd ones that come your way. Listen to every proposal carefully, and signal to people that you take them seriously. Two things that are non-debatable points are your talent and resourcefulness. You simply must have confidence in yourself, which means trusting that you can not just handle anything that comes your way, but also maximize the situation. In support of this, install a delay before you say yes to anything. You’re likely to forget some important point of compensation or benefit, and it’ll be much more difficult to renegotiate than it will be to get in during the first round.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You must plan the week carefully, and be ready with Plan B. There’s no way you could foresee certain events, though if you’re conscious and well-prepared, you’ll not only be able to handle anything; you’ll be able to work certain unpredictable conditions to your advantage. If things get weird or too interesting for comfort, the thing to do is go into listening mode. You may be the one person who understands what someone in your household or circle of friends is going through, and the mere fact that you care enough to take the time and pay attention will be helpful to them. Certain factors are putting you under some pressure to speak your mind, though you must use caution and restraint. Under current conditions, you would be wise to wait a day or two before responding to anything even vaguely contentious or controversial.

You can now pre-order your 2017 Taurus birthday reading by Eric. Get your unmissable guide to your solar year ahead, including Jupiter in your house of relationships. This reading also makes a perfect and lasting gift for the Taurus you love.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — If you’re inclined toward people-pleasing, you might take a step back and ask what you want rather than what someone else wants. This includes being cautious of trying to impress anyone or show them that you’re of some value in order to get their approval. You’re currently under bold influences that are guiding you to stand your ground and claim your own ideas and way of life. But you know how that can go: it’s easy to get to that point where it’s just less hassle to give into what someone else wants. If you find yourself negotiating for your own freedom, you would serve yourself well to ask why that is. What exactly to you need to claim, explain to others, or make a point of saying is your natural right? If you hear yourself doing that, just pause, collect your bearings and do what’s right for you.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You’ve reached a tipping point where things must go one way or the other, and you must now ask yourself whether you’re going to travel in the direction of the past or of the future. That may seem like a silly question, though at this stage, it’s an entirely valid one. Certain attachments to the past may be causing you to hesitate about important and overdue life decisions. Yet you know that there’s really only one way you can go, and that you’ve already chosen. So what’s the use of wondering what to do, when you can put your plan into action? You are in fact free of certain bonds and restrictions that were holding you down, particularly on the professional front. You’ve spent a lot of time doing what others said was right. Now it’s your turn to do what you know is right.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You may be feeling some anxiety over a deeply personal matter, one where you know something is actually at stake. Not all fears come true, though sometimes they provide the service of getting you to slow down and be more thoughtful about your own affairs. Sometimes, it’s necessary to apply that same vigilance to the contents of your mind, and notice when you’re thinking fearful thoughts. They tend to have roots, though what’s often surprising is that they are connected to things we would never have expected. Through the week, and indeed for the next week, you’ll need to take matters slowly and stay in contact with what you’re feeling, and whether it’s realistic. Notice whether you’re feeling anger about something that happened in the past, or whether your thoughts really are about something that’s happening now. Be assured of one thing: whatever is on your mind, the truth will come out, and it will be both relevant and helpful.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You’re the one with the winning strategy, and people are counting on you for that. The world is so confusing right now, it’s difficult to see a clear path forward. Yet you know that matters are not so cut and dried as people would like them to be. Your real talent is your ability to handle a bit of chaos and unpredictability, which really comes down to two things: know your planned goals and your proposed methods, then be willing to adapt and adjust to conditions as they develop. What starts off early in the week as one thing will be quite another by midweek and unrecognizable by the weekend. Therefore, your strategy must be one of constant evaluation and adaptation. Leo is said to be a ‘fixed’ sign, though you know you can summon flexibility, which is no doubt one of your greatest personal assets.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — It’s time to move beyond certain narrow goals and a brittle self-concept, and accept yourself for how creative and influential you are. Remember that most of your influence comes from doing something that’s getting rare these days: mastery over the facts and figures. On that note, you must use your mystical power to get a grip on the numbers before making any commitment in a contractual matter, joint financial issue or tax question. As you do this, you may start to notice that the basic data is changing, which is a sure sign you’re not quite at the bottom of things. Columns of figures should add up the same way whether you start from the top or the bottom. And certain people’s stories and versions of events should be consistent each time you hear them, or else something is amiss. Don’t rush working this out. Put your inquiry into slow, steady mode. Give it at least a week or more.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — This has been an emotionally sensitive few weeks for you, and you may still be feeling a little raw, uneasy or hesitant to move forward. That’s understandable enough, especially with Mercury still retrograde in your partnership angle. This is making it difficult for you to discern where anyone else is coming from, and you seem to be expecting important people in your life to change their minds about something and pull the rug out from under your plans. You might make things easier by making far fewer commitments, and sticking to people who have proven themselves to be reliable in the past, in both showing up emotionally and showing up at all. Listen carefully to what people say about their motives. They will reveal little details, and you need to be paying attention. That will make it easier to determine who’s interested in a real exchange, and who’s interested in taking advantage of you.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Matters at work may be making you wonder which way is up, who is on what side and what the whole gig is really about. Yet the thing you must do is keep your cool. That will mean, for the moment, saying as little as possible, and doing as much fact-finding as possible. You don’t need to worry about final outcomes at the moment, since everything is in a constant state of transition. You can be sure that even those who claim to be the most confident are verging on clueless or unprepared for various shakeups that are coming their way. It’s not your job to warn anyone or to predict the future. It is definitely your job to be working with as much information as possible, and to make no important promises whatsoever until Mercury moves in your favor about one week from now.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Saturn in your sign is providing you with an important stabilizing influence. You’re also getting the message that you must make a series of structural adjustments if you want to maintain your way of life. One of the most useful methods of maintaining stability is taking the initiative on making incremental changes as you need to make them, rather than putting them off. Note that you cannot really count on the commitments or promises of others at this time, since most people around you know far less than you do, even about some of the most obvious or most personal matters they’re confronting. Don’t be misled, and don’t worry about being a leader. Rather, lead yourself competently. Keep your headlights on, and if you find yourself in the middle of a fog, slow down, relax and aim your car down the middle of your lane.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Whatever may be going on in your family or household, you run the risk of getting dragged into something that has nothing to do with you. Your people-pleasing (or daddy-pleasing) tendencies could get you into this, as could the political maneuverings of certain people who have a known reputation as operators. No matter how tempting it may be to add your two cents, stick up for someone or come to the rescue, you are not only free to step back entirely: you would be well-advised to do so. There would seem to be no halfway point here. Either you’re shorn of the whole situation, or you’ll be drawn all the way in. You have better things to do with your precious time and energy than play games with people who could be best described as rebels without a cause — or perhaps without a clue.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — One great benefit of being an Aquarian is your ability to apply your mind to solving a puzzle, problem or other challenge. Yet how you define the issue determines how you approach it and, therefore, whether you solve it. I suggest you put more energy into defining the problem than you put into coming up with the remedy. Once you know what you’re dealing with, what to do will be plainly obvious. If you act before you correctly define the problem, you could literally spend days running in circles before you figure out you were doing just that. Therefore, slow down the whole process, and keep as wide a perspective as possible. And remember, the key to being a genius is knowing when you don’t know.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Venus in your sign is still close to Chiron. This is making you not just sensitive to your pain and that of others, but also giving you a heightened awareness of some calling from deep inside yourself. It may feel like a cosmic longing of some kind, though the truth is this is about you, and your soul’s journey. One very important thing to be mindful of is that you be grounded in your home and your work. That includes food, rest and a feeling of wellbeing, so much as you can muster it. Once you have those bases covered, it’s a lot easier to be responsive to your innermost needs. You need a safe space to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, and you also need space and bandwidth to be responsive to the many practical matters that are vying for your attention at the moment. If you find yourself obsessing with plans and strategy, remember that there’s a larger plan, which will be revealed to you if you can relax your mind and take care of your body.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — The past few days have been an unpredictable adventure, though for some reason today you can focus your mind in a different way. Take some time and get your priorities in order: determine what comes first and why. What seemed so important yesterday may have lost some of its significance and urgency, and something you may not have considered is calling for your awareness. Pay special attention to a financial matter that’s been nagging you and that you may have been avoiding because it was too difficult to work out. A creative opportunity is about to present itself, though it will help if you’re in a positive state of mind and open to an innovative or unlikely solution. This will teach you something about negative expectations: they are rarely helpful. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You have found your confidence, as if an invisible wind has filled your sails. Notice how this can blow away your questions and concerns like so many feathers in the breeze. This is confidence that will come in handy over the next few days, as you address a question that’s been overshadowing your life for a while. Remember that you don’t need anyone’s permission to be who you are or to live the way you want to live. Indeed, such permission would be irrelevant even if someone handed it to you in a fancy wax-sealed envelope. You’re the one and only person in the universe who can offer yourself the time, space and motivation to live. The whole discussion you’re having with yourself is likely to center around this one theme. You belong to nobody but yourself.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — It’s perplexing to many people that anyone might be emotionally connected to the work that they do. By that I mean so devoted that they work for its own sake, because they care about the task at hand and the people involved. Yet when you’re aligned with yourself, this fairly describes your life. You’re motivated by service, and you draw energy from a source that most people are only dimly aware of. This is the mark of true leadership, particularly on the ethical level. Recent astrology has shown you just what you’re committed to and why. It has nothing to do with money. It’s deeper and more important and much larger. You could say that you’re powered by an understanding on the spiritual level. Let it be known, and remind yourself, that your true impulse involves teaching and healing.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You’re the best source of your own wisdom. You’re also your best representative, publicist and spokesperson — that is, if you care about accuracy and integrity, which you seem to do. Far from being a matter of overconfidence, this is about you presenting yourself to the world in a way that advances your own cause. You may indeed take positions that make you and others around you uncomfortable, because that’s the right thing to do. You know that your life is not a popularity contest. At this stage in your life, you can draw strength specifically from the need not to please anyone else. You don’t have to make a policy of pissing people off; you don’t need to be defiant; rather, if you orient on your personal will, and insist on an actual, honest conversation, you will discover your independence and your integrity.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Set aside any concerns you may have about your professional reputation and make the decisions that you need to make. While this may be slightly more complicated than going out for ice cream, understand what that complexity really entails. First of all, there may be an actual question of ethics involved. What’s the right thing to do, as objectively as you can see it? This involves assessing the impact of your choices both on yourself and on others. There’s something deeper as well: whose thinking is influencing you? Whose unresolved baggage is clouding up your mind? You may think something is exclusively your issue, only to discover that one of your parents passed it on to you, thinking they were doing you a favor. If someone taught you to be afraid of your own shadow, maybe they didn’t deal with their own.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You have no need to drag around the injuries of past relationships. It’s just that it’s so popular, there would hardly be a movie or TV program without it. Some days it seems like all of society is one enormous advertisement for betrayal, guilt and jealousy. It takes consistent mindfulness to overcome this problem, and to declare that you’re free to go your own way. Part of being mindful means keeping your mind open to who people are today, and offering them the truth of who you are today — and who you want to be. The recent Venus retrograde in your zone of love and partnerships indicates that you have entered new territory in your intimate life. The idea of an intimate relationship simmers down to allowing someone to feel who you are, and feeling who they are, which must be based on goodwill and trust. Let this be your foundation.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — A partner may have taken you on a wild ride lately, leaving you to wonder which way is up. Yet how much of that seeming misadventure crept in through your own self-doubt and confusion? Assess that honestly, and be real with yourself about what you determine. In this world, everyone must mind their own boundaries and set their own agenda, lest someone else do it for them in a less helpful way. People are in love with their ideals, though recent experience has revealed that you need to be more realistic about your expectations, your needs and your desires. And you need to be realistic about who people are, what they offer you and why indeed they’re in your life at all. Far from requiring a cold assessment, this is something you would give yourself based entirely on compassion and the desire for peace of mind.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The pressure seems to have let off of a relationship; in particular, what a partner was going through that may have had nothing to do with you. Yet this isn’t the time to blaze ahead blindly. Many factors, in astrology and in the world you live in, are calling on you to be conscious about your partnerships. The reason most people are afraid to do that is because they’re afraid of what they’ll find, or they’ve committed to something that they might question is really right for them. But you must be willing to put every human exchange in your life to this vital test of truth. Time is your most important resource, in part because it’s the main thing you use to teach yourself what’s right and what’s wrong. You don’t need to repeat or reinforce negative lessons of the past when you can embrace the actual potential of your future.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You have a rare opening, most likely financial or professional, though as you approach an actual decision you may feel some fear or apprehension. That doesn’t make it the wrong thing for you. It’s natural enough to feel some anxiety around any big choice, especially if you have something to lose. So don’t just back off and go the other way without giving all sides a fair hearing. Lately you’ve had a tendency to be somewhat narrow or over-focused in your career ambitions. Especially in times of overwhelming change, such as we’re in right now, it’s necessary to hang loose and to feel the wind and the weather. To some real extent you must consider what’s the right thing to do every single day, even if that means continuing what you were doing yesterday. Leave yourself room to modify your plans, and to allow genius to slip in through seeming error.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If you’re feeling a weakness or seeming flaw in your character, take a step back and evaluate things slowly and carefully. Perhaps it’s true that you’ve found your ‘Achilles heel’: that’s from the story of the Greek hero whose mother dipped him in the river Styx when he was a kid, thereby granting him special powers. Yet she held him by the foot, and his un-dipped heel became his vulnerability. Here’s another perspective: that vulnerability is where your true power comes from, as long as you use it that way consciously. One last detail from mythology: the river Styx is the one associated with forgetting past lives. The ‘undipped’ and vulnerable part of you is that which remembers something important from the past — perhaps the very distant past — and that’s information you need, and need to use, right now.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You may feel as if you’re hiding something from yourself or from others. That’s unusual because lately you’ve been so transparent, erring on the side of making your personal truth known. Yet what, specifically, you might be hiding is fear. Many people are a lot more worried than they’re letting on, such as about the things it’s not polite to mention over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. However, your friends and acquaintances count on you to be a little weird in ways they’re afraid to be. What else is an Aquarian for? If you bring up the subject — any subject that truly concerns you, and which you might not normally casually mention — you might find that you have an interested audience, and people interested in an honest discussion. When that happens, you may find yourself feeling like you’re living on a different planet — a much better one.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Over the weekend, Venus stationed direct in your birth sign. It did so while making a conjunction to a slow-moving, spiritually oriented planet called Chiron, which has been in your sign since 2010 and will be leaving in less than a year. The past six weeks have been a lifetime-scale review of who you are, what you’re doing with your life, and how you feel about yourself. Though it may have been subtle, this has been a rare opportunity to cultivate self-awareness. Even if you list the events of the past two months (including a little extra margin of time), you will be amazed at not only how eventful each day has been, but how meaningful. You may have forgotten many of the developments, though they deserve to be remembered, because each of them holds a clue and a key to your future.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — This is the week to take stock of yourself. Your accounting process might range from an actual review of your bank and credit card balances, to an investigation of what you’ve learned so far this year. Life has been a whirlwind, especially for those born under your sign. Now, although time spins on, you have a moment to reflect. Pausing and looking back is not a luxury. There’s vital information that you actually need, which is likely to respond only to your active inquiry. So keep your mind on and your curiosity busy, and start doing things like sorting out the mail, investigating what’s found its way into your wallet, and making sure all your paperwork in the glove box is in order. Nobody else has an interest in these questions like you do — and you will indeed be interested in what you find.

Aries Birthdays 2017:

Discovery, Initiation, Beginning: A Reading for Your Year

“Venus retrograding into Pisces is the most beautiful image of inviting someone into your inner sanctuary. This is indeed an initiation: a point of beginning. The discovery that you make in this process will shape the course of your relationships, which means a lot when you consider that everything, and everyone, to whom you relate is a relationship.”

— Eric Francis Coppolino, speaking to Aries at the beginning of this year

Dear Friend and Reader:

What do you define as your “inner sanctuary”? Who do you feel called to invite there, and are you willing to meet yourself there now that Venus has moved from your sign into Pisces?

If you are curious about the integration of your inner and outer selves, I hope you’ll check out Eric’s 2017 Aries Birthday Reading, which he’ll be recording for you soon. The reading comprises two segments of astrology (at least 30 minutes each), plus a tarot reading for the year and extended written sign description.

But what you’ll truly find in this reading is inspiration, motivation, support and perspective — just what you need to make this year dynamic and to take advantage of the growth opportunities that come your way.

“Your reading has given direction and meaning on how to proceed, to learn and move forward in these difficult, unsettling times and at the same time, inspiring me to tap into limitless creative gifts. Thank you, Eric; from my heart to your heart, I send you deep abiding gratitude for your penetrating insight and your deep caring concern, with which you carry out your mission for all of us!”

— Ann Cortese, B.S., M.P.S.

You can pre-order your 2017 Aries Birthday Reading here — suitable for Aries Sun, rising and Moon. Note that the price will increase when the reading publishes.

Wishing you another incredible trip around the Sun,

Amanda Painter

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — A constellation of rare events influencing you and your relationships takes place this week, which may spark up your curiosity about the distant past. In particular, you’re likely to make a series of discoveries centered around your emotional life that reveal why things were a certain way. While most people you know are content either to pave over the past or to dig in and camp out there, you can afford neither of those two seeming luxuries. What you need, though, you can afford: and that is peace of mind, based on resolving some lingering issues that have been gradually eroding your trust in yourself. This is because you’re still blaming yourself for events that, though you may have had a hand in them, were really the product of everyone involved, and also of the much wider environment. You were involved — but there was a heck of a lot more.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury stations retrograde Monday, signaling a self-discovery that may change your life. Learning something about who you are, or who you no longer are, and then acting on it, is one of the most dependable ways to grow and evolve. I suggest, though, that you allow this discovery process to extend all the way through the end of Mercury retrograde, on May 3. Take things gradually, and do something rare for our era: when you learn something, put it into the context of the other knowledge you’re gaining. Keep your sense of context. Each day will bring new levels of understanding, and there’s something special happening with your life purposes and sense of mission. This has been a challenging aspect of your life the past few years, but your purpose is not an aspect of your life; it’s more like the thing itself. Feel carefully for what feels right, and what does not. Relevant information is on its way — from inside you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — It’s been a wild and exciting ride for you professionally the past few months. And though you need a little R&R, the adventure is about to continue, as the Sun moves through the rather energized career and reputation angle of your chart. You may not feel like you can handle more responsibility, but just as the last few rounds have compelled you to reorganize and align your priorities, so too will events of the coming week. This really is the name of the tune: prioritization. Ask yourself what really matters, and break out the reasons why. Notice what you devote yourself to, without any special coaxing or prodding. There’s something here about slipping into what you really know you want to do, for all the right reasons. Listen to the ideas of people you respect, and count the possibility that their dissent is a form of affirmation.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Take any delays in your professional plans as an opportunity to rethink what you’re doing. In these times, it’s essential that you not be stuck in old or outdated plans. If the planets are any indication, you’re craving work that comes with the human touch. Speaking of, you might set aside any intense activity in the professional realm and invest your time and energy into private matters. Close partners, especially anyone with whom you may share a bedroom, will appreciate your devotion to the most sensitive matters of relationship. Make yourself available, and express in words that you’re open to conversations that have been eluding the relationship. Here’s a suggestion — make sure you’re 100% sober; even a glass of wine can distort your emotions; and it’s better to discuss sex anywhere but in bed (such as the kitchen table, or the living room).

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Relationship matters come into focus this week. While you may have one agenda, that thing known as ‘the universe’ may seem to have another. Your charts describe you trying to stabilize a situation, while they also describe a shakeup. Matters of finance and those of emotion need to be given equal emphasis. They should be treated separately, and also seen in the context of any common ground they share. The financial question may involve whether everyone is paying their fair share, or feels like they’re being treated equitably. Are expenses being shared proportionally to income? Regarding the emotional piece, the question seems to involve some baggage from the past that’s a holdover from previous relationships. Don’t blame current partners for what others did to you — and if you know someone’s weakness, do your best not to be exceptionally sensitive. A mutual commitment to healing will go a long way toward that end.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Trust and vulnerability are the most important qualities of love. There are others, though they can only flow in a space of sincere openness. If you’re working on your relationship, or your desire to be in one, this is the place to start. However, this is predicated on something else: being comfortable with yourself. Being close to another person is like seeing yourself through a magnifying glass. All of your traits and characteristics, the ones you like and the ones you don’t, can be blown up to what seems like larger-than-life scale. You can start by being forgiving, in an even-handed way: that is, of yourself and of others. And you must be willing to do your own healing work; in other words, to attend to your known issues, and any you discover. This is not the usual way to conduct relationships, for a good reason: it takes actual awareness and work to live this way. However, the time has arrived.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Sex in our society remains a fascination, a curiosity, a source of pain, something to gossip about, something to exploit, a suspicious activity, something inappropriate or undesirable, or even something special. In other words, sex (as presented publicly, and often as experienced privately) is everything except normal. If you’re going through a sexual awakening, I suggest you keep the ‘normal’ bit right where you can see it, experience it and talk about it openly. At first this may seem awkward, particularly with all the guilt, secrets and silence that are heaped around this most natural of human experiences. This is the first step in reclaiming your sexuality from various shades of ownership and expectation — the very things that kill relationships, so it’s a worthwhile cause. Just don’t let any initial awkwardness stop you. Explore until sex emerges as what it really is: beautiful and ordinary.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — If you stay aware of your feelings, you’ll be more in harmony with the world you live in. That’s because the world around you is experienced, perceived and colored by your feelings. It matters less what they are and more that you experience yourself honestly. This will remove a barrier between you and everyone around you; that, in turn, will open up your potential and your options. Slow down the movie until you meet your experience on the level of a poet or mystic: in full color, soaking in your emotions. You may discover a key to life if you practice that kind of mindfulness over the next week or so, as the distinctly Sagittarian planet Chiron merges its energy with Venus. This is more than a sensory trip: it’s about grounding in your existence: on a planet, next to a star, in a galaxy.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Though you crave expressing yourself, it’s never quite easy. You seek perfection of your message and your ideas, though the lines seem to blur, and the colors and ideas melt into one another. Yet if you focus your mind and put your favorite creative tool into your hands (be it a pen, a camera, a paintbrush or a musical instrument) you may discover that your abilities are suddenly more accessible than ever. This is not an accident and it’s not luck; it’s about long preparation, and an alignment with your reality. This experience involves your relationship to the sign Pisces, where there’s some truly unusual cosmic activity at the moment and through the week. Give yourself all the space and time you need, or that you can muster, because anything truly creative wants to find its own space and its own rhythm. And remember, never judge your own performance.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Don’t always assume you’re right. Though this may be annoying, you’ll appreciate the exercise because you’ll come closer to reality. It always helps you to be flexible. Structure and form, you have. An organized system of logic, you’re aware of and you can use when you need to. Change is something you expect but then often resist, which is why being open-minded is so vital to your happiness and your wellbeing. The overarching theme of your charts at the moment is healing any residual issues (or an overt crisis) of self-esteem. You may never feel that you measure up. But the question, if you ask it, might be: who is doing the measuring? And what is the metric? Both logic and intuition would likely tell you that comparison is irrelevant, though you cannot ‘not compare’; you can only live organically in your truth. Practice self-acceptance and you may make the pleasant discovery that it’s easier to grow and change from there.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This is a momentous time in your life, though you may not know it. Of course, you might indeed be noticing how your inner world is opening up to you. You could be experiencing the activation of your potential. You may also be seeing your limits, and noticing how far you have to go, in order to have the life that you want. Don’t be deceived by your doubts. Remember all those times when you turned out to be much closer to answers, to fulfillment and to breakthroughs than you thought you were. Remember the times you’ve given up, only to find that your desires were in fact alive and that existence was aware of you and responding to you. We’re just days away from the meeting of Venus and Chiron in your birth sign, which is happening over the next week and cannot happen again until 2062 (in somewhat reduced form). Stay close to yourself, and close to your experiences, and close to what you want. Brush off your doubts, and remind yourself that you’re alive.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — There are times when you must leave a situation be, and accept it as it is, and there may be such a scenario in your life. You’ve done plenty to help someone, or to resolve something in your life that’s taken great patience. Consider giving things a rest, which means not exerting so much effort. Shift your emphasis to more inwardly oriented matters in your life. This alone will help you re-focus your conscious thought process and your deeper emotional process. After a few days, you’ll notice that your priorities have changed. One benefit will be an activation of the serenity prayer: you’ll see the difference between what you can control, and what you cannot. There are some important priorities that are calling for your attention; make a list of what you’ve neglected over the past few weeks, and you’ll see what they are.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Keep your head and get enough rest. Mercury, the planet of mind, technology and communications, has quietly slipped into your sign, where it will go retrograde on April 9. You may be noticing beginning effects of that, mainly in the form of things seeming to unravel faster than you can keep them organized. It’s not easy to be patient under these circumstances, though remember that you cannot smooth out the surface of water with a canoe paddle. You’ll only churn it up. Again and again, the stars are relating the message of prioritization. Remember what’s important and why it’s important and then respond accordingly. One thing to push up the list of what matters the most is food. Avoid what you know is not helpful, and focus on what is helpful. You know the difference, on this topic and many others.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — If you’re not understanding something, try stating it in different language: look for other words, or rewrite your sentences. One method I use is to translate explanations of complex matters into language that would be understandable to a teenager. This will make them clearer for you, since what you really need is to reveal your mental process to yourself, so you know what you’re actually thinking. Break your ideas down into steps, so that you can examine your logic and see your assumptions for what they are. You want to make as few of those as possible; if you guess without knowing you’re guessing, you’re almost certain to be wrong. If you know you’re guessing you can raise your odds to 50/50, and if you use actual fact-based thought and logic, you’ll probably get it right.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You may find yourself in a situation where you must intervene on behalf of justice. That is, you may encounter a scenario where you realize you’re the one who must make the right thing happen. You’ll know this because nobody else is available, and you know what to do. The world would be a better place if more people just stopped to help one another. This is rarely a matter of time or of resources; it’s more about mental attention and taking the risk of caring. You’re in a pretty good place right now — certainly well off enough to be supportive of others. And the funny thing is, when you need help, you’ll often get it asking someone who is poor or who is busy. Being human is about making space in your heart for other humans, particularly the ones you don’t owe anything to. Critters count too.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You’ve been eager to make progress in your career, particularly getting your name out there, and making sure you’re properly compensated. You’re likely to be doing much better than you think; however, you’re also at a stage where you have to slow down and consider your business plans. Most of this involves messaging: what is the message you’re sending, for example, with your CV or resume, your web page, your social media and so on? You must be 100% in accord with whatever ideas you’re delivering; it’s fair to say, you must become your message or let it become you. Once you commit to this, you’ll probably undergo a rapid series of revisions, as part of your process of gaining clarity. This will be fruitful, especially if you don’t rush matters and give yourself space and time to think about what you want.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Let your plans fall into place. That means giving your mind a rest, and to some extent, allowing what you’ve set in motion to take its course. If there are some elements of your design scheme that don’t work out, check in with yourself: are they what you really wanted? Or do they not quite fit? Extend just a little trust that the right thing will happen. By the right thing, I mean what’s in alignment with who you are becoming. You’ve been through many changes over the past few seasons, most of them associated with what you might call an evolutionary process. You’re growing, and this has churned up a little chaos in your life. This has been necessary, even though you still must deal with some aftermath and debris. Now, you’re getting information about how to tidy up and refine this process. Easy does it.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Over the weekend, Venus retrograded from Aries into Pisces. The main influence of this change is taking the emphasis off a relationship (potentially, a past relationship). This is reminding you to take care of your own emotional needs rather than expecting anyone else to do it for you. If you can do that for a while, you’ll be guided closer to the heart of the matter; closer to your true necessities. In reality, they don’t involve other people. Your state of mind, your overall health, and your relationship to your work are much more important right now. Once you have some of that sorted out, you’ll have more resources to share with others. Your relationship experiences will be more creative and more focused on pleasure once you have met your responsibilities to yourself. Once you’ve done that, you may notice that some people no longer fit in your life, which would count for progress.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — This week we come back to the theme of sexual healing, which has been prominent in your charts all year and for a good deal before. If there ever was a holistic idea — that is, something that relates to everything else — this is the one. Our culture’s hang-ups about sex merely emphasize every other issue, particularly the one about being a whole person. Turns out it’s incredibly convenient to plug up sexuality, and in effect throw a dam in front of all of your potential. Removing that dam, in turn, opens the way for all other forms of progress. And this is a big responsibility: that whole thing about really being who you are. Then there’s one other not-so-minor point: fear of judgment. At a certain point you must accept that the opinions of others do not matter. What matters is that you’re real with yourself about who you are, what you feel and what you want.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — The Sun in Aries is encouraging you to take some creative and romantic risks. That means doing things that are fun and exciting but where the outcome is not certain. I’m not talking about danger, though only you know whether your seatbelt is fastened when you drive, and whether you’re sober. Assuming that you’re clear-headed and acting responsibly, you have plenty of space to experiment, and to do so boldly. The world in its current form is obsessed with safety, most of which is a head-trip. The safety most people are really after is about protecting their fragile ego, which I suggest you throw to the four winds. Your ego is the very thing you want to go beyond if you want to be an artist, lover or adventurer. That’s helpful because art, love and adventure will teach you who you really are.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Looking at your solar chart, it would seem that you’re seeking security at all costs — and that’s probably way too expensive. More likely, any real progress will come from a jolt to your reality. You’re the best person to deliver this, by making choices that honor your actual desires rather than the ones that are designed to preserve your stability. If you have the feeling that big changes are coming, be the one who initiates those changes rather than bracing for them to happen to you. You’ve been luring yourself into new adventures for a long time. If you notice that you’re in “approach and avoid” mode, perhaps consider that it’s about a guilt complex of some kind. The nature of guilt is resentment. Who do you resent and why? And how is that helping you get what you want?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — This is a good time to check in with some of your relatives — your parents and grandparents in particular, if they’re available. If they’re in the realm of departed ancestors, you can still tune in, and let them know you’re doing well, and ask them what suggestions they have for you. Either way, you want to cast these people as supportive. I know this can be tricky, as many people feel undermined by their families or, at best, hamstrung. Yet the moment you are honest about wanting your independence, you can make that fact known. You don’t need permission and you don’t need direct cooperation. You need to state, to whom it may concern, that you’re an independent person and that you’re ready to go your own way. Attachment to the past and embracing the present and the future don’t exactly work well together. Yet you don’t owe them anything, particularly your freedom.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Venus, a planet intimately connected to the sign Pisces, is now retrograde, meaning that it’s passing between the Earth and the Sun. The retrograde started in Aries, which has described all the emphasis on money in your life over the past month or so. Now, Venus has worked its way back into Pisces, which describes the theme of your life coming back to deeply personal, spiritual, creative and emotional material. You’ve done your bit on the financial end for now; you know that you have to take care of yourself and be responsible with your money. Now, you can take care of yourself in other ways — ways that you’re likely to be longing for. You have many reasons to do this; though, ultimately, you don’t need to justify being happy, fulfilled or at peace with yourself. Remember that.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Monday’s New Moon in your sign is a turning point. It’s as if you can finally set yourself free of the emotional mire that you’ve been wading through the past month or two. You’ll move forward without much need to look back, though I would propose one question before doing so: who were you trying to impress? Can you identify a psychological motive beneath that impulse? Look in the direction of your father, who might turn up in any male figure currently populating your life. You don’t need to impress anyone, though don’t pretend that the need is not in you. Be real with yourself and you’ll unravel this quickly. The main thing that holds people back from embracing the future is being snagged in the past. Being honest with yourself is the way to unravel that. You can do it, but it seems that more than anything, you want to do it.

Aries Birthdays 2017:

A Reading From Someone Who Sees All of You

“You really understand the complexity hidden behind the often-talked-about Aries traits and speak about them in such a way that I can see myself as I am now, while also beginning to understand how I might be able to grow and change in order to one day proudly wear those ram horns in a positive manner!”

— Beth Reineke, on last year’s Aries Birthday Reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

If you have an Aries Sun, rising sign or Moon, the world needs your beautiful ability to take positive action more than ever. Thank you for being you, and for being willing to get things started — whether it’s a new level of deep personal inquiry, a physical activity, or some kind of art or social activism that connects your individual life to the people around you.

With Venus currently still retrograde in your sign (it will slide back into Pisces soon, then will visit you again), this is an ideal time to pre-order your 2017 Aries Birthday Reading.

Initially, you’ll receive two audio astrology segments (at least 30 minutes each) once Eric has recorded them. A little while after those have been released, we’ll let you know that the tarot segment is ready. You’ll also receive an extended written description of your sign. Note that you get the best price the earlier you pre-order.

“As always, thanks so much for your presence and your work. Your readings have been spot on for me and I have followed you for a long, long time.”

— Mary Hart, Aries

Eric creates these readings specifically to ease your concerns, point you in the direction of your highest potential and motivate you in the midst of these truly trying times. If you’d like to have access to a dependable resource you can listen to as many times as you wish throughout the year, I hope you’ll pre-order your upcoming Aries Birthday Reading while it’s still at the lowest price we offer.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — There’s so much going on in the recesses of your mind. Taurus is one of the most restless signs of the zodiac, and this is an especially restless moment for you. You need to express this energy, and Mars in your sign is saying to work it out physically. That can include climbing mountains, walking, gardening, going to the gym, splitting wood, yoga, sex, or anything that gets you to express yourself in the physical world. This will work even better for you than it usually does, because there’s a direct connection between what you have going on in the deep recesses of your mind (mental, psychic and emotional movement) and processing those feelings through your body. The one thing not to do is judge whatever turns up. Right now there’s no bad or good. For your purposes, it’s all the same: a feeling is a feeling.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — This has been a particularly wild couple of months, leading into a wild past week. Now would be a good time to slow down and begin a review process. Work from the most recent interesting development (which looks like it was over the weekend) and trace your way back to the beginning of the year. Pay attention to what happened, but also notice how you responded to what happened at the time, and how you feel about it now. The difference will be striking. One thing we can say with reasonable certainty is that this year has done wonders for your confidence. For some reason it’s easier to be you, however that manifests, especially around other people. You no longer have the need to feel self-conscious, but there’s something else. You’ve settled into yourself. You no longer have ‘an image’ and ‘a real you’. Somehow you’ve woven yourself together into one seamless being. Now keep practicing that and get stronger and stronger at it.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Recent weeks have arrived with some unexpected professional developments: improvements in your status, your pay grade and your sense of mission. There may have been some surreal moments scattered in. Yet you might be wondering if they’re really real: if these are lasting changes, or whether you’ll be back to the same-old. Monday’s New Moon in your career and reputation angle will be reassuring. There’s no going back from here. You will suddenly see everything that’s happened in its context, and it will make sense. The thing to do now is to build from here. However, rather than building upward — that is, being aspirational, reaching for new achievements or more visibility — build downward. Take care of your home. Feather your nest, including your sleeping area, tidying up your wardrobe and upgrading everything you can when it comes to food. You’ve accomplished quite enough for the moment: now’s the time to enjoy what you’ve created.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Hold to a steady course. Whatever revelations came out over the weekend, or whatever challenged your beliefs, or showed you some amazing new potential, hold steady. Persist in what you’re doing. Don’t be distracted by any bright, shiny objects, or by any notion that you could be doing something more glamorous. You certainly could be. It would also be less meaningful. Yet the road you’re currently on encompasses many of the possibilities that you want but don’t see yourself having available now. Indeed, it does so in much better ways, more solid, more dependable and based on your integrity. That’s the thing to keep your mind on: doing the right thing for the right reason. Regarding a question of shared finances, the planets advise to stick to your plans for all these same reasons. Don’t be lured by any promise of seemingly easy money. You have more honorable motives.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — However you think you did in the last round of financial negotiations, persist in your mission for an equitable arrangement. Such is possible, without too much compromise. You like your affairs to be stable, though more to the point, you like to believe that other people are comprehensible and fair-minded. Sadly, this is not always the case, though you’ve learned something recently that will give you an edge or an advantage. Where money matters are concerned, it’s not who you know — it’s what you know. But you must think strategically and understand the agenda of whomever you’re dealing with. You have something of value, and everyone knows it. So, be smart, be gentle and, most of all, be persuasive. Stick to the facts, and a little psychology.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You may be trying really, really hard to figure someone out. Don’t put so much effort into it. You’re trying to understand someone’s internal logic using your notion of what’s sensible. All you need to do is translate the universe into their point of view. They make perfect sense to themselves, from where they’re coming from, and all you have to do is figure out where that is and what they have on their mind. Think of it as a puzzle. Imagine you’re a novelist and this person is a perplexing character in your book and you just have to understand them. Alternatively, you could just live with the mystery for a while, as long as you remember not to take it personally. It’s not personal, meaning that whatever they have going on is not about you. That alone should help set you free.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Do what you can to settle your nerves and get some rest. Your chart has been electrifying lately, like you wrote a novel or shot a movie over the weekend. Now you need some relaxation, some comfort food and an Epsom salt bath and you’ll be ready to take on the world once again. This is going to be a big few months where your professional life is concerned. But the planets are cautioning you to keep yourself in balance so that you can be maximally effective. You might declare that your primary goal is to not burn out, which means ratcheting back your social ambitions one or two clicks. You absolutely must feed your creativity with recreation; but make sure that it’s the nourishing kind, with intelligent people rather than those who drain you. Pace yourself, pace your work, and take care of yourself like you’re a prized racehorse.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Please remember what inspired you and filled you with creative light over the past week or so, particularly the past weekend. Do everything you can to keep those ideas and, in particular, that feeling in your heart and mind. Creative ideas on the level you’ve been experiencing them are often fleeting. But if you get busy now, and let nothing stop you, you will engage the process of manifesting your vision. A rare alignment involving many factors — including the Galactic Core (rarely used by astrologers) — reveals that what you do now can plant the seeds of creation and quality of life for years to come. Indeed, you may have already reached the turning point you’ve wanted to find for so long, though you won’t know unless you actively cultivate your ideas and weave your dreams.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You may not be getting outer results; for example, as obvious career advances or opportunities. Yet you are indeed making progress, building your talent and, most of all, becoming the person you have aspired to be. Focus your growth inwardly for now. Don’t worry about whether you’re recognized for what you do. Rather, recognize and invest in your own talent and your own potential. Do what you do with a focus on quality and integrity. Strive to be a master of your particular craft on the level of your own competence. Before long, you will get the recognition you deserve; and when that time comes, it’s essential that you be confident in yourself. Trusting your abilities has nothing to do with pretending, or with how you’re perceived. It’s an inner state of being that you can indeed attain.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — There’s such a thing as faith. Before I try to define it, let’s agree that it has nothing to do with hope. It has nothing to do with belief. It’s not about proof, or assurance in any form. It’s not about being cocky or self-assured. Faith is a state of mind where you connect to your actual potential, with a calm, subtle certainty. As such, it transcends doubt. Indeed, it’s a state where doubt is reduced to a meek whisper, if it exists at all. And from there, you proceed with doing what you know you need to do, or genuinely want to do. Being clear in your priorities helps a lot. That’s not easy in this world of so many distractions and so many options, most of which are false roads. You can, therefore, start by asking yourself what genuinely matters the most to you, and letting that one thing be your guide.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Monday’s New Moon takes place in the financial sector of your chart. This happens just once a year, and now is the time. Over the past few weeks, you’ve had many experiences that have each taught you something about money and how to handle it. You may feel like you’ve been winning, or like you’ve been making mistakes, or perhaps a little of both. The important thing is that you be fully conscious of what you’ve learned and really get that into your mind and your body. In the world as it is today, the most important single fact about earning a living is knowing your function and fulfilling it. Initially, financial results may have no part in the discussion: being true to your calling is first and foremost. From there, it’s easier to see where you have a value to others. Be clear about one thing: ideally, your goal is to have others benefit from what you do as much as you do.