Aries (March 20-April 19) — It may be difficult to articulate what’s bothering you. Yet it’s more difficult dealing with the consequences of not speaking up, which are both short-term and long-term. So do what you can to put your thoughts in some form that others can understand, which will also mean putting them into a form that you understand. Note that once you do that, you’re responsible for what you know (and that, incidentally, is one of the main reasons people keep quiet). Though there are many possible ways to define the theme of what you’ve got on your mind — such as emotional, relational or sexual — the core issue would seem to be spiritual. What exactly does that mean? I would propose that involves your relationship to existence: that is, how you feel about your life, why you think you’re here on Earth, and the most basic and elemental values you possess. For example, are people or things more important? What is more powerful and why: love, or jealousy?

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You will need to keep your agreements flexible, and evaluate them frequently. This is different from the usual way of the world: rigid expectations, which are rarely thought about, and not grounded in reality. There’s little you can take for granted right now, and if you don’t make the mistake of doing so, you will be in much safer and more solid territory. The easiest way to run into trouble will be turning your back on your commitments, or shutting down communication (for whatever reason). If you stay open and available, you will discover that people are only too happy to help you and offer whatever support they can. It would be wise of you to return the favor, and keep the emotional energy moving; make sure everyone around you has what they need. Check in regularly, debunk all your assumptions, and keep the important issues right where you can see them.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — What is your relationship to your sense of injury or to what you think of as your wounding? Is it something that you live with, something that you strive to heal, or something that drags you down? If you’re suddenly experiencing any turbulence in your life, or if old issues have surfaced, these are the questions to ask yourself. Injuries have many possible uses. They can motivate people to become healers, whether or not they attend to their problems. They can serve as a means to keep others at a distance. They can be used as weapons. They can serve as agents of change. I suggest you take the latter approach. It’s easy to use pain in ways that delay or derail progress. It is more difficult to connect yourself to your healing process and stick with it; not only until you get some results, but rather until it becomes a fixture of your identity and life purpose.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Focus on work, and keeping things going smoothly. Nip problems in the bud, before they grow larger. Then make sure you’re keeping on schedule, and maintaining your core priorities. As part of this, it will be essential to take care of your health and wellbeing. That may mean, over the next week to three weeks, less emphasis on play and romantic activities, and more on making sure that the basics are covered. For example: an evening in and an early night, so you get a good start on things in the morning, may be much more important than going out. Eat real food, and drink actual water. Keep your work and food-preparation spaces tidy. Make sure you have clean laundry. Make sure the people closest to you understand what you’re up to, and sidestep or avoid those who don’t feel a need to cooperate. If you mind the small stuff, you’ll keep a handle on the bigger things, and the minor points won’t escalate or go out of control.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — It’s essential that you calculate the physical risks you take during the next few days to a week, and that you err on the side of caution. It’s especially important that you play it safe wherever alcohol is concerned, and that you actually know and trust anyone you have sex with. Your chart is bubbling over with the potential for mistaken judgments. However, you can compensate for this by raising your awareness level and not letting anything impair your intelligence or power of observation. Do not let yourself be persuaded by people. Delay decisions if you feel pressured, particularly financial ones. Mercury retrograde just began today (Dec. 3), and it’s developing in an especially sensitive angle of your chart: a crossroads where your business and professional lives intersect. It’s not possible to say how much is on the line, though this is one of those rare instances when an abundance of caution in all matters, even seemingly minor ones, is appropriate.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — If you’re addressing family matters, don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s just about what people are saying and doing now. The origin you’re seeking is likely to be somewhere in your great-grandparents’ generation. This is not designed as an excuse to blame current circumstances on the past, but rather as a means of orienting yourself on a discernible cause, and identifying a functional solution. Recognize that people have been dealing with the same problems for eons, and that families in particular hand down emotional, genetic and karmic baggage. Then, the less conscious among us act out that material in various dramas, which seem to have neither end nor beginning. You might count who that serves: whose interests are protected, whose mental habits, whose alcohol abuse or inability to have some self-control. The important thing right now is that you concentrate your wits and on your commitment to growth, and not let yourself get dragged into what is not your issue.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Mars in your sign is urging you to take a diplomatic approach to whatever you do. This is your usual style, though your chart is particularly assertive these days, and you’re not in the mood to brook anyone’s nonsense. However, you would be well advised to find a way to do that without ever going blow for blow. Things could easily get out of hand, and even a minor disagreement could enlarge into something disproportional. Therefore, back away rather than engage, and be particularly cautious of anyone under the influence of alcohol. Note that you have two main channels of thought you can subscribe to: one is chaotic and contentious, and the other is calm and easygoing. The difference will be like that between a thunderstorm and sunshine. Take note that many people are looking for a fight at the moment, not knowing where to direct their angst and hostility. You are often a people-pleaser, though this is not the time to give them what they’re looking for.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You need to do very little to have your life go well. The main thing you must do is stay out of your own way. Another way to say that is to feel good about yourself and who you are, despite the prevailing turmoil of the world. Thankfully, you don’t need to feed at the trough like so many people you observe. You’re also blessed in that you don’t need people in quite the way that others do; you have the ability to hang out alone and keep your own company, which you most likely prefer to the company of those who are inappropriate or unfriendly. Use or develop that skill now, if you need to. As a general rule, notice how you feel about yourself when you’re with someone else. If you start to dislike or distrust yourself, you’re in the wrong company. There’s one other point, which is to be careful with money, your possessions, your wallet, your keys and your phone. Keep your belongings close to you. Read any credit card slip (or anything else) that you sign.

Sagittarius Birthdays 2017-18:

Not What You Think: Your Personal Mercury Retrograde

Dear Friend and Reader:

I know what you’re wondering: how can Mercury retrograde not be what you think, when Mercury is, in fact, the planet representing the mind? What I mean is this: Mercury retrograde phases have a bad rap for being nothing but trouble; but used well, they can be incredibly useful phases of time for review and deep introspection.

So, you might say that if you have your Sun or rising sign in Sagittarius, then Mercury stationing retrograde in your sign on Sunday really isn’t about ‘what’ you think; it’s about how you think.

The weeks between Dec. 3 and Dec. 22 could actually be incredibly useful for getting to the bottom of certain beliefs and thought patterns you have, among other things.

What does it mean to start your solar year with Mercury stationing retrograde in your sign? Eric walks you through this and all of the biggest astrological events of the next 12 months in your 2017-18 Sagittarius Birthday Reading; the astrology segments have recently been published.

With Saturn, Chiron and Uranus all changing signs soon, you’ll find certain areas of your life changing in tone and emphasis. For example, what will it mean to have the planet of awareness and healing (Chiron) move into your house of play, creativity, adventurous risk, and sex for fun (Aries)?

Eric crafts these readings with the best of his life-coaching, cheerleading and problem-solving skills; the sensitivity of his therapy training; his uncanny knack to help you see challenges from a more empowering perspective; and with the kind of everyday, practical inspiration you can use immediately. You get some of the clearest, most nuanced and jargon-free personal astrology available on the internet.

Best of all, the two astrology segments (approximately 30 minutes each) and tarot reading that Eric records for you are completely different from the written Sagittarius reading that will be part of the 2018 annual edition. The Birthday Reading has a more jazz-like feeling, lending it to Eric’s knack for uncanny, spontaneous insights and nuance — and it’s recorded with the Sun in your sign.

Order the 2017-18 Sagittarius Birthday Reading and get instant access to the astrology segments. The price will increase further once the Tarot reading is published.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Planet Waves Astrology Editor

P.S. If you know someone with a Sagittarius Sun or rising sign who’s been having a rough time this year, consider giving them the 2017-18 Sagittarius Birthday Reading as a gift. We could all use a friendly cheerleader these days.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Mercury is now retrograde in your sign, and this will be an unusually revealing, perhaps complex, week. For you, Mercury is the planet that represents both relationships and partners. Questions of attachment and commitment are likely to come to the surface. Discussions might verge on going out of control, and you would be well served to wait three or four days before engaging people on intense issues, or letting them engage you. You have a right to keep some distance, and you happen to have that skill as one born under your particular sign. Take the distance you need, gather information, and figure out where people are coming from. You may decide that certain individuals have a good point, and that others are being truly ridiculous. Within the sphere of your own life, you’re the judge of that. You must be, because nobody can do it for you. One other thought: you might consider avoiding alcohol for a few days, and the people who use it.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Over the next few weeks, you get an opportunity to sort out a diversity of personal matters prior to Saturn entering your sign. You may feel a need to make important decisions as a result of that, though I’ve developed what I call the “Saturn rule” in the course of my long astrological practice: Let Saturn make the first move, then respond. For you, this means delaying any action until Saturn has entered your sign on Dec. 19; then add a couple more days for solstice and Mercury stationing direct; and then a few more days for Mercury to come out of storm phase, right around New Year’s Eve. This is a roundabout way of saying take your time, gather information, make decisions and give yourself a chance to revise them before putting them into action. A lot is about to change in your life, which in many ways means improve. But not if you rush matters, or make irreversible moves with incomplete information.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You may have noticed the ease with which you can find yourself in the middle of utterly meaningless controversies. There’s a little storm brewing around your ruling planet Saturn, and it’s taking place in one of the most visible parts of your chart. Rather than go into hiding, I suggest you practice your mastery and learn how to handle yourself in public situations like a pro. Be mindful of all the misinformed weirdos scampering about, pretending to be experts in everything until they blow up the neighborhood. Keep calm, and make sure everything you say is put into language so clear that there’s absolutely no mistaking your meaning or your intent. Stay focused on your purpose. You have made many gains the past few years of your life, and now the age is about to turn. Other priorities will soon take over, though it’s important to preserve every last bit of what you’ve gained. Do so gently, intently, and mindfully.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Stay on top of professional plans this week. Pay attention to communications: emails, phone messages, your social media accounts and the ones you forgot about. While there’s seemingly some turbulence in the air, if you’re a skilled pilot and remain alert, you’ll be able to work with the movements and the changes. Therefore, it will help if you focus on what matters: what is timely, what’s the most important, and what directly relates to your reputation. A minimalist approach through the end of the year would be fully appropriate. Complete your outstanding commitments. Check in with people and make sure you’ve fulfilled your obligations and responsibilities. Tie up the loose ends that may remain from the many projects of the past year, and ensure the quality is up to your standards before you affix your signature and professional seal. Note that your higher-ups have problems of their own. Don’t add to them. Be impeccable.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — This week’s aspects seem determined to teach you that you contain all potentials and possibilities. Look at the world; listen to what the people around you say; gaze at all the crisis and struggle, and all the great achievements and subtle beauty; and admit that you contain it all. That’s the essential ingredient to activating your personal chosen destiny. You are emphasizing one set of possibilities over all the others, though they are just as real. The choice to be a helpful person, to be friendly, to honor your conscience, to develop your gifts, skills and talents: these are decisions you make. Then you take them into the world by your actions. And what you’re considering now, what you’re harmonizing with, and what you’re deciding is true today will be the motives for what spur you to action not so far from now. You may not feel ready, though this is your process of becoming so.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — There seems to be something standing between you and your ability to connect with someone. That’s likely to be an idea that you have: a preconception, something you think is so, despite what actually may be so. There’s a layer of reality beyond what you can perceive. If you ease back on the effort, and open your eyes, your mind, your ears and your heart and take it all in, you will experience a revelation. Behind any conversation — whether about relationships, sex, money, business or family — there is an underlying spiritual message that’s trying to come through. It’s simpler than you think, and it might sound trite to put into words, though you may want to do that. What matters is that you connect to that theme coming through from behind the scenes. When you feel or encounter this previously veiled level of truth, do what you can to stay in touch. It’s real all the time.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You don’t need to worry about a situation that is unfolding and appears to be beyond your control. Everything may not seem to be going fine, though actually it most probably is. Right now you’re feeling the pressure, the need to fulfill a commitment and a sense of limitation. You may be wondering why you got involved in the first place. However, take a step back, look at yourself and your circumstances more objectively, and let the scenario play out over the next few days. What may seem today like something stiff, stuffy and not terribly interesting could ignite into something that emits beautiful, necessary light and heat. What will happen in the process is that you adopt a mature point of view. You learn to relate to someone as an equal, even though you may not feel like you are. And you will get the experience of seeing how something entirely opposite what you perceive may lurk behind this illusion that we call and cling to as reality.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This is always a busy time of year for you, and this year is no exception. Yet you have priorities now that you didn’t have a year ago, or were not so devoted to. And it’s these that you need to focus on. Start with what seems impossible and work your way backwards from there. There’s something you know you must accomplish, or must resolve; and that’s the thing to focus on. You probably won’t have much choice in the matter, though organize yourself so you can do it and feel good about it and let yourself get excited. The story would seem to go back about three years, and could be described in general terms as a revamping of some kind, or a reassessment, or a restructuring. If that felt like building the Great Pyramid, think of this as the week when you get to put the capstone on the thing. Then, quickly tidy up the construction area and see what you’ve created.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — These days, you live on that line between art and work. The task at hand is to eliminate the line. Bring the full force of your creativity into whatever work you do, and bring the ethics of service and a job well done into whatever you consider your art or talent development. Some of the most gifted and accomplished people you’ll encounter live in their studio, or allow their home to be taken over by their work. We might call that bad boundaries today, but usually it’s necessary to break the rules or social norms to get the job done. How much can someone really care about something where they punch out at 5 pm and don’t think about it again till they punch back in at 9 the next morning? We might ask, though, how you can take care of yourself properly when your mission is what counts 24/7. Fulfilling your dharma requires taking care of yourself. Focus on food and sunlight, and then try to get enough rest. You don’t need much else.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You may feel a little lost, though don’t let that be an excuse for anything. It’s essential you follow your intuition, and learn to distinguish that from any form of worry, fear or external pressure. What is intuitive is the thing you know you don’t have to push back against. Feel carefully. This includes people: the ones who, you might say, intuitively belong in your life are the ones with whom you feel balanced and you don’t have to apply too much resistance or assertion. Take this approach with yourself as well. Imagine that you’re feeling your way through the dark. How would you proceed? Your hearing would open up, and you would listen more carefully. You would slow down and feel your way forward, doing your best to remember what you already know about your environment. You may feel like the lights are on, and you know what’s happening. Yet you need to use all your senses — particularly where a sensitive family or household matter is involved.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Do not go blow for blow. By that I mean de-escalate every conflict, consciously delay confrontation, and use diplomacy where you ordinarily might use force or manipulation. It’s up to you to find the common ground among the people in your environment; and you stand to gain plenty by doing so. Alternately, if you allow yourself to slip, make any erratic moves, or challenge the wrong person (who you won’t know in advance is such), you will pay for your error. The planets are set up in such a way as to suggest that you’re likely to make a series of unproductive moves before finding a successful strategy. You can just as easily put matters of planning first, which would preferably include a study of your environment and the people in it. Someone you’re dealing with has given you all the information you need, or will do so soon. That will include some clear signals how to handle them. However, as Mars continues to move through your sign, maintain your policy of extreme mindfulness well into early December.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Handle financial matters with care and caution, which means slowing down your spending to match your cash flow, or maybe further. You’re on the verge of solving a persistent problem that’s been vexing you for a few years. The solution involves getting all parties involved, or who have an interest, on the same page. Everyone must play fair and do their part. Therefore, be bold about enlisting the cooperation of others. This is about more than asking for help once. It’s about enlisting support in a cohesive way; fostering communication; and staying present while people work through matters of commitment. That’s the thing to look for, though in this equation, your commitment is the individual most meaningful factor. You tend to charge forward and back off, if only because persistence is so difficult to maintain. Yet what you can learn now is how to apply focused, gentle, steady intention over an extended period of time. That, and keep the conversation going.

Sagittarius Birthdays 2017-18:

How Will You Apply What You’ve Learned?

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.”

— Ann Cortese, B.S., M.P.S.

Dear Friend and Reader:

Undoubtedly you’ve experienced quite a process of maturation these last three years or so, as you’ve responded to the need to bring real discipline to each way in which you express yourself in the world. With all hell seeming to break loose lately, it’s possible this has been a painful or scary process for you.

Yet perhaps you’ve felt more solid within yourself than ever before — and if you haven’t, you still can.

In the coming months, the major force behind that growth process will shift: Saturn leaves your sign next month and enters Capricorn. You’ll get to take all the lessons you’ve recently learned and apply them in increasingly tangible ways to everything that matters most to you. This includes that most precious of all commodities in today’s world: your self-esteem.

Then, early next spring, Chiron — raiser of awareness and magnifier of healing potential — moves into your fellow fire sign Aries. Aries is your zone of play, creativity, adventurous risk, sex for fun and more.

Being someone with their Sun, rising sign or Moon in Sagittarius, you might feel like you have playful creativity already well covered. But what if it could be even better — more fun, less guilt or baggage, more fulfilling?

Eric will be exploring the moves of Saturn, Chiron and more (including Uranus entering Taurus) in your 2017-18 Sagittarius Birthday Reading.

Comprising two astrology segments of at least 30 minutes each plus a tarot reading for your year, you can pre-order it now for the lowest price we offer: only $33 for the whole thing. All portions of the reading are recorded in studio-quality audio, and can be downloaded to your favorite device so you can listen as many times as you like throughout the year.

Note that the price of the reading will increase as publication approaches, and then again after it’s been released. Planet Waves does not do Black Friday gimmicks, but we do reward you with the best price when you sign on early.

You get some of the clearest, most nuanced and jargon-free personal astrology available on the internet. Eric crafts these readings with the best of his life-coaching, cheerleading and problem-solving skills; the sensitivity of his therapy training; his uncanny knack to help you see challenges from a more empowering perspective; and with the kind of everyday, practical inspiration you can use immediately.

What more do you need to steer your life through the end of 2017 and into a new year?

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

Planet Waves Astrology Editor

P.S. Do you always forget your favorite Sagittarius friends’ birthdays due to holiday distractions? Give the gift of the 2017-18 Sagittarius Birthday Reading today, and the thought may count more than ever.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — As you know, Saturn is about to leave your birth sign, after sailing back and forth through it for the past three years. Saturn in one’s sign — conjunct one’s natal Sun, or moving through the rising sign — has been about the process of coming to terms with yourself. Sometimes this feels like a burden. Sometimes it’s about rising to the occasion. Other times it’s about coming back to what you want even if you keep getting drawn away by distractions or other commitments. Right now it would seem to be about a making a decision. You might feel that all you’ve done and been through the past few years comes down to this one thing, and it may involve how you handle a relationship. It may involve how a partner is responding to your need for more independence, or to your process of becoming self-actualized. Take it slowly. This situation is not as dense as it seems, and the appropriate actions or solutions to the riddle will be obvious.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You may be feeling all kinds of agitated; for example, like there’s something urgent you must act on, but you don’t know what it is, so you cannot possibly know what to do. If you slow down and tune in to your interior world, what’s percolating around in your mind will be easier to identify. Yet this calls for inner awareness, which is extremely rare to find these days. It’s so rare, many people don’t even know it exists; others have a clue but are made nervous by the experience of turning toward themselves. However, you now have some incentive, if only to alleviate stress. But there’s a more significant reward available, which involves preparation for a phase of your life that’s in the process of beginning. It’s fair to say your most pressing concern involves the future, which in turn relates to bringing certain important matters to closure so that you have nothing holding you back. Just a little reflection will help you figure out what those are.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You have more creative things to do with your energy than engage in controversies. To the extent that you want to challenge consciousness, or experiment with ideas, put out your most creative expressions rather than wrangling or wrestling with people. By all indications, you have some innovative things on your mind. You want change; you want progress; you want the world to be a better place. Heck, you’re an Aquarian; of course you do. Now you’re at a point where tangible choices you make and actions you take can indeed move some energy. Yet be aware that you are the person who must be open-minded, flexible and circumspect (which means looking at any situation from many different points of view). In the first instance and the last, making the world a better place is about changing and evolving your own thinking. And then maybe along the way, you can have an influence on other people who will benefit from your efforts.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Continue your process of consolidating your gains, and recognizing your own accomplishments. For three years, Saturn has been gradually making its way across your 10th house of achievement, reputation and accountability. Meditate on those three words, and how they relate to one another: achievement, reputation and accountability. Consider each one individually: where do you stand with them? How would you have answered at this time in 2014? There will probably be a pretty big difference. It’s been an eventful three years. What happens over the next few days will call into focus the ways in which your efforts have had actual results. You may even get a look at what those are: where your work or ideas have had an impact. I hear it said over and over again that young people want to make a difference. Yet to have that, it’s necessary to learn how to see progress for what it is. Sometimes it’s really, really obvious and you still miss the point.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — What does the word spiritual mean to you? It has to go beyond incense and candles. Your chart is describing a situation unfolding in your life that requires you to bring your highest awareness to your experiences and your relationships. It may be enough to say that spiritual is about love, though there would have to be a series of exceptions and clarifications for that to be true. As an opening framework, I would propose that spiritual is about trust. It’s about awareness of your relationship to existence: for example, how did you get here, and what are you doing here? In what ways do you see yourself as connected to all of existence? When you were young, the older people around you gave you a concept of God. Have you questioned, challenged or investigated that concept, and what is your relationship to it today? Each of these questions is really a tool. Keep them ready this week.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — For many reasons, your sexuality is one of the most important places where you learn about yourself, about your partners and about the world. The fact that our society reduces sex to some blend of crime, harassment, scandal, advertising and porno does not stop you. Your connection is too deep for that; your knowledge is intuitive, and you’ve had your ideas confirmed over and over again. If your body and your feelings have served as a dependable spiritual divining rod at any point for you, you will be lit up by the current astrology, most of which is taking place in Scorpio and Sagittarius (the two signs primarily associated with relationships for you). Your points of reference are both physical and nonphysical. For as grounded as you are in your body, you have a deep and deeply alive streak of mysticism. You are willing to face the mysteries.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Go back to some of the times when you felt threatened as a child, but also knew you would survive. You were a clever, alert kid, and you were always a few steps ahead of the adults. You may have been frightened, but knew you had some unusual form of protection around you. Do you still feel that protection today? It’s worth questioning whether being under that umbrella has, as an adult, shielded you from certain experiences that you want and that you need. IF you drop those defenses, you will expose your vulnerability. That’s the necessary step for a true exchange to happen. You may feel like there’s too much going on for you to be able to do that. You may feel like you’re under pressure that you don’t understand. You may not like the power dynamics of your current sexual and relational opportunities. As such, you may feel like the best thing to do is withdraw or shut down. However, that’s unlikely to be true.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This will be a busy week at work. Make it a meaningful one. Indeed, one of the great gifts of those born under your sign is to bring something deeper to your daily activities, your most modest efforts and, in particular, the most serious assignments you take up. Whatever you’re doing, bring your full attention to it: there would seem to be an important project you’re developing, or at least some pressure at work to get the job done right. You play a role in this, particularly early in the week, though you may feel like you’re less significant than you really are. Strive to do your part well. Be available to take leadership when necessary. Remember that the work you do is not really about someone else. The quality you invest in anything, and the devotion, and the sense of honor you bring to the work, are all about you. And that’s also true of whether you think something is meaningful.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You may be feeling that your romantic, creative or erotic life is like a London youth hostel on the first day of the summer season. Who are all these people (or what are all these ideas), where are they from, and how are you going to handle them? Yet in reality this is about you and your personal development as artist, lover or both. You are at a breakthrough point. If the past two or three years have come with special challenges in these areas of your life, or if you’ve felt frozen, or like you could not get a result, be aware that something is cracking open. You won’t feel all the results immediately, as this astrology describes a long-term process. Yet there will be unmistakable signs that you’re coming to the end of this process. They might seem positive, such as an emergence or transition with a partner, or with your creative work. You might also find yourself in the midst of resolving some conflict or karma that emerges, and that work will carry you forward.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Your solar chart looks like someone decided to renovate your apartment while you were out to dinner, then left the job half-complete. There’s also some data here relating to a potentially complex family situation, in a week when many people will be visiting with their living relatives and ancestors. There’s a cautionary note here, which is to bring your adult self into any family situation, rather than some vestige of your child self. Were you to ask neurologists about this, they might describe the challenges in doing so: childhood responses are deeply encrypted into brain patterning. So you must be aware of when you start to feel like a powerless little kid among people who are trying to intimidate you. You may respond by standing up for yourself, or just being a stand-up person. You might decide to hang out with the kids, the cat, the dog or the bunny rabbit. The important thing is that you stick to your truth, and what makes you feel good, and don’t be intimidated.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You may not know your own strength. You may be feeling it, though you’re not necessarily aware of how influential you are, and what impact you might have. This would be complicated by any feelings of frustration that you’re experiencing, such as when you try to express yourself, or even get your thoughts in order. You might feel like a hot mess, though I assure you that something better or at least more meaningful is going on. Although you might not feel sorted for quite a while, these weeks ahead of you can be brilliantly productive. Use the skill you possess known as writing to track your thoughts and your thought process. That will put your ideas, feelings and reasoning process in front of you, where you can see what you’re doing. Second, take the time to explore your neighborhood. Really dig in and worm your way around and knock on doors. You might wonder what that has to do with anything, though you won’t know until you find out.

Dear Friend of Planet Waves:

Last week, on the eve of Venus conjunct Jupiter, I did the astrology portions of the Scorpio reading. That reading is ready for instant access.

While I was working, I had a feeling I often get doing these readings: this is information I would want to know were I interested in astrology, if it was available. I would want to know about this, if only I had an astrologer I was fairly sure had a clue what was happening. [Listen to audio preview here.]

Over the next year or so, three critical planets will change signs: Saturn, Chiron and Uranus. (Chiron is often thought to be a morph of Saturn and Uranus, so that’s pretty cool.) Saturn will ingress Capricorn at the end of the year, then next year, Chiron will enter Aries and Uranus will enter Taurus. Plus, several important minor planets will change signs.

What you get with my birthday (and annual) readings is astrology that’s too complex to put into the horoscope column, but too personal to say much about in my articles. Using a very old technique called whole-sign houses, I am able to cast an actual chart and read that chart just like I would if you were sitting here.

For just $44, you get a reading that comes very close to a personal reading, containing much that a competent astrologer would say — if they understood both the classical and modern astrology. This is the thing.

So much of what’s happening now compels an understanding of contemporary developments in astrology. A minor planet that was discovered in 1999, and named a few weeks ago, fills in a missing piece of the puzzle in the current astrology. You can read about that above.

This reading, and my approach to by-sign readings, fills in a vast middle ground in astrology: we have horoscope columns (most of them irrelevant), we have blogs and newsletters (most of them speculative) and we have “prepared reports,” drawn from a database by your birthdate, which if you were lucky were written fewer than 15 years ago.

The reading I’m offering now was done today, based on research I’ve been doing with my team all week and weekend — and supported by my decades of work, writing, research and presenting in the astrology field.

I’ve included a graphic of the chart so you can see how sophisticated my approach is. In my presentation, though, I am speaking directly to you, in everyday language. You won’t need a Ph.D. in astrology to understand this: you just need to be curious about yourself. You may appreciate the fact that I am direct and honest about relationships, sexuality and the social constructs that influence them — a topic of vast importance today, and of interest to you. I cover much more than that, however.

You will love and benefit from this reading, or you may have your money back.

Here’s how to get instant access.

with love,

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Your solar chart is describing a situation where you make the same mistakes over and over again. This seems to be about presumptions you make in relationships, in your psychological assessment of yourself, or both. Yet these ideas or experiences might run so deep that they’re out of your normal range of perception. And in fact, you may have data coming back from your environment that affirms your impression. For example, you might be wondering why people seem so inaccessible, and connect that to a pattern in your life. Your tendency might be to blame yourself. However, if you can step back from that, an unusual breakthrough is possible. While I don’t have the space here to explain exactly how, this situation comes back to self-esteem. You have been working overtime for a breakthrough here. You know that how you feel about yourself ultimately determines how you feel about being alive. Keep nudging this forward, gently and steadily.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — This week, Saturn, now at the end of its three-year run through your sign, does two things. One, it is now exactly conjunct the Galactic Core for the first time in 29 years. This is a moment of awakening, when the discipline you’ve applied to your self-development (particularly professional, but also deeply personal) might reveal its results. Second, Saturn (the symbol of structure and what does not easily change) makes a conjunction to Pholus (a small, hot, potent planet that tends to open or rupture structures). Something you’ve been working through, or dealing with, is about to give way. This is a genuine point of breakthrough for you. You don’t have to do much except participate. However, where an intimate relationship is involved, pay close attention to what someone you care about deeply says to you. They hold a key, an activating ingredient, or a certain fact about you that will be essential in the progress you’re about to make.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You can take it easy exerting your will and dominance. You can in general, partly because you need to upgrade that strategy, though mainly because so much is happening in your inner world that you have no idea how your self-assertion of will might come out, or what effect you might create. Keep your focus inward for a while. Big movements are happening in your inner realms (see the Sagittarius reading this week for a description; that’s the sign that describes your inner reality and deep psychological process). You are working through some of your deepest fears. There’s only so much “work in progress” that you want to reveal to the world, especially where colleagues are concerned. If you need to work out this material with others, either stick to close friends or a spiritual advisor you trust, and who is in harmony with your overall viewpoint. For example, if you’re an artist, talk to someone who understands making art.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) –You seem to be living your life out in the open, where everyone can see you — by which I mean your inner private life. You may have an interesting time of that this week, as so much is developing in the angle of your chart where this is all taking place. I suggest you not worry about it, and remember that you’re immune from many of the normal types of embarrassment that would make other people cringe. And at this stage, you have little choice but to let your private business be a matter of public discussion. There’s something useful about it; and the truth is, you’re going through a kind of initiation. Part of how this is happening is you’re reckoning with the contrasts between how you perceive yourself, and how others perceive you. Learn what you can while you’re here. Saturn will soon enter Capricorn, and you’ll want your private life to be just that .

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Whatever happens for you professionally this week, it will be interesting, it will be meaningful and it’ll be exciting. All the action in the sky over the next week or so is focused in Sagittarius, your 10th solar house of reputation, accomplishment and accountability. All these things go together; think of them as one thing, with one purpose. The astrology describes a breakthrough point. Saturn has been working its way across this zone in your chart for most of three years. It’s now at the peak of energy, conjunct the Galactic Core and a meaningful planet called Pholus. In the midst of this, the Sun enters Sagittarius, which is usually helpful and supportive of your work. It would seem that something gives: there’s an opening, and you get to emerge through it. Whatever may happen, remember your core values. Remember why you were called to do what you do. And if you’ve been hearing a calling that you have not yet answered, now would be an opportune time.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Much depends on your ability to remain calm and centered. To the extent you may fancy yourself a provocateur, dial that back, and keep your mind in observation mode. Do your best to move in a predictable rather than erratic way. Take care of yourself rather than expecting others to do so and, at the same time, offer your support where you see that it’s called for, without needing to be asked. Take a benevolent view of people: see them as friends or allies until they demonstrate otherwise. Powerful forces are at work this week. Many things that seemed dormant will spring to life. Elements that seemed separate or disjointed will emerge as part of the same picture. It may not be clear where exactly you fit into the scenario that emerges, though you will benefit from studying the landscape, particularly the human aspects. This will provide information about what to do, and when to do it, assuming you need to do anything at all.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You may be the beneficiary of someone else’s good fortune. If so, be a contributor rather than a consumer. Here’s a metaphor that may help. Imagine that someone marries into money. It’s preferable if they take a stewardship approach to that fortune rather than setting about spending it. Make decisions, even small ones, in collaboration with close partners; and use your steel-trap mind to ferret out any weaknesses in the plan. That might include factual errors, mathematical errors, misstatements, and ungrounded expectations. Persist in this longer than you’d think is necessary, at least through the entire week, until you’re satisfied you’ve plucked out most of the relevant errors — and if you don’t find any, you’re not looking carefully enough. It’s true you may have made a contribution to whatever it is that develops. You are always an instrumental person. Yet be certain to make sure those who did most of the work get most of the appreciation.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Take nothing for granted this week. Accept no statements at face value, even from people you trust. This is not about being suspicious of anyone or anything. Rather, it’s about maintaining your awareness in a world where there is so much disinformation flying around, and so many agendas are at work. Remind yourself that believing is seeing (not the other way around). Then, be certain to size up what you believe, and why. One thing to be careful of is projecting your own motives, your own ideas of integrity, and your notion of being a good person, onto others. Where any form of power or influence are at stake, that’s where to be especially cautious of projection and belief infiltrating your thoughts. Find out from people in authority what they specifically want, and expect of you. When communicating with colleagues or people who work for you, be clear about your expectations, and ask them what they perceive your role to be. Then, amazing things are possible.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — This is a week to take careful notes. Keep records of what you say, what you do, what you commit to, and what others commit to, especially where work-related projects are involved. This may seem odd, or over-protective of yourself; though this data will come in handy, if for no other reason than to remind you what you’ve got going on, in a moment when you might be inclined to forget. You’ll also inevitably collect some interesting ideas for what to do going forward — ideas you might have missed entirely had you not been involved in your note-taking process. I’m an advocate for paper and pens (or pencils) rather than typing on little screens, though digital files are better than nothing at all. It’s just that you’ll be more creative and more inclined to remember what you’re thinking if you use physical paper. Speaking of digital, be doubly cautious about hitting the “send” or “post” buttons. Stop and think once, twice and (after pausing) thrice.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Monitor your emotional state carefully this week. Track your response to your environment, such as how you feel the moment you walk into a room. If you step into a restaurant and the air smells a bit off, that’s a sign you probably should eat somewhere else. If you get a burst of inviting vibes, sit down and eat. Take that as a metaphor for life, and take charge of your environment, particularly your home: it’s the perfect time to get your place ready for a season when you’ll be spending more time indoors. You’re also in a position to take some leadership with your household or family; astrology that will treat you kindly may be bringing on some stress for others. Pay attention to the wellbeing of close partners or your spouse; do what you can to provide some structure in areas such as food, rest and getting a little time off from work. You are respected, and you have a clue.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — What is the bone of contention in a relationship? That’s the place to focus your efforts, though not at picking said bone, but understanding there’s always something deeper. Start within yourself: if you feel hurt in any way, begin by assuming the cause is not the issue you think it is. Take some ownership and, first, consider your own vulnerability, your past history, and your own legacy of relationships. Consider what female role models taught you about how to relate to others, and what is supposedly expected of you. You may find your answer right there, without needing to analyze the feelings or actions of others. That said, you are ready for a new approach to relationships; your chart describes nothing less than an evolutionary moment in your approach to love and partnership. You may feel like you’re giving it all up. All you will need to let go of is what does not serve you.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You are in a rare and meaningful moment for understanding your relationship to money. Amidst much other activity, two most generous planets, Venus and Jupiter, align this week in Scorpio, your 2nd house. Jupiter has just arrived here to stay for a year, so this is a medium-range project now moving with full momentum. Yet a full map to the 2nd house reveals that there are four related themes which you might want to write down somewhere: one is your available cash; the second is your access to all other resources; next is your system of values and priorities; and last is your self-esteem. Study the relationship between these four cardinal points and you will start to see many places you can make progress, invest in yourself, feel better about yourself and, finally, discover resources you had no clue even existed. You have plenty — something akin to a trust fund that nobody told you about, but which is waiting in your name, gathering interest.

Dear Friend of Planet Waves:

Today, on the eve of Venus conjunct Jupiter, I did the astrology portions of the Scorpio reading. That reading is ready for instant access.

While I was working this afternoon, I had a feeling I often get doing these readings: this is information I would want to know were I interested in astrology, if it was available. I would want to know about this, if only I had an astrologer I was fairly sure had a clue what was happening. [Listen to audio preview here.]

Over the next year or so, three critical planets will change signs: Saturn, Chiron and Uranus. (Chiron is often thought to be a morph of Saturn and Uranus, so that’s pretty cool.) Saturn will ingress Capricorn at the end of the year, then next year, Chiron will enter Aries and Uranus will enter Taurus. Plus, several important minor planets will change signs.

What you get with my birthday (and annual) readings is astrology that’s too complex to put into the horoscope column, but too personal to say much about in my articles. Using a very old technique called whole-sign houses, I am able to cast an actual chart and read that chart just like I would if you were sitting here.

For just $44, you get a reading that comes very close to a personal reading, containing much that a competent astrologer would say — if they understood both the classical and modern astrology. This is the thing.

So much of what’s happening now compels an understanding of contemporary developments in astrology. A minor planet that was discovered in 1999, and named a few weeks ago, fills in a missing piece of the puzzle in the current astrology.

This reading, and my approach to by-sign readings, fills in a vast middle ground in astrology: we have horoscope columns (most of them irrelevant), we have blogs and newsletters (most of them speculative) and we have “prepared reports,” drawn from a database by your birthdate, which if you were lucky were written fewer than 15 years ago.

The reading I’m offering now was done today, based on research I’ve been doing with my team all week and weekend — and supported by my decades of work, writing, research and presenting in the astrology field.

I’ve included a graphic of the chart so you can see how sophisticated my approach is. In my presentation, though, I am speaking directly to you, in everyday language. You won’t need a Ph.D. in astrology to understand this: you just need to be curious about yourself. You may appreciate the fact that I am direct and honest about relationships, sexuality and the social constructs that influence them — a topic of vast importance today, and of interest to you. I cover much more than that, however.

You will love and benefit from this reading, or you may have your money back.

Here’s how to get instant access.

with love,

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Last month, the great planet Jupiter arrived in your sign. A miniature solar system, with 69 known natural satellites, and more solid even than Saturn, is now the dominant influence in your life. This is good news, given that Scorpio has had so little help and support during the past five years or so, and many stressful turns of astrology (and therefore, of events). Monday, Venus makes a conjunction to Jupiter. This is better than drawing the Wish Card out of the tarot; it’s a sign that you’re finally able to access your inner resources. There may be help coming from outside as well, though that will become more apparent when you take advantage of what you already have going. Your personal resources and sense of abundance will draw more to you. One other bit: it’s crucial that you not try to impress anyone, such as the public, or mommy/daddy figures of any shade, or the perfectionists and critics. They all have their own karma. You have yours.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — The theme of denial comes up this week, which puts you on notice to notice what you might be denying. The first thing to consider is yourself. Do you owe yourself anything? A good meal, a good time, a righteous decision, or remembering an important priority you set aside? There has to be something, and it’s likely that when you make your list, and put it aside for a while, you’ll remember the most important item last. Meanwhile, make a policy of taking account of what you know, and what you know to be true, and making sure you actually use that information. The biggest denial factor seems to relate to your own knowledge and awareness, as if you’re being hypnotized by some mysterious force in your environment. Wake up! Pay attention! Draw yourself out of any form of wishful thinking. You don’t need to dream, and you don’t need anesthesia. Reality is better.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You may find yourself in the role of disruptor of social norms. Protocol is important; so is consciously breaking protocol and shaking things up a little. You can start with the expectations of your relationships. It would be disruptive enough to get those out onto the table, and inquire whether they matter, or why; it would be downright revolutionary to figure out where they came from, and question all other seeming information or influences that came from that same source. You have had enough of being the property of others. You have had enough of playing a role in your relationships. And you’ve had way more than enough of having to be silent when you know the difference between right and wrong. This is not about making a list of complaints. It’s about starting with the single most important issue, problem or situation, and making it right. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — This week has the potential to be an astounding time for you professionally. You seem to get some long-overdue recognition that you genuinely deserve. Yet you must not take anything for granted: that’s the theme of the world right now. You must be the arbiter of truth in your own life and, moreover, keep a close eye on the financial compensation you receive for your work. You are likely to be undervaluing the worth of your creative products. What happens this week will give you some leverage to bootstrap your way to a better place. Bootstrapping is a concept once associated with the building of bridges: the idea goes, a bridge is easier to build if it’s already there. So the first thing to do is to create a basic structure over the river so that it’s easier to get the permanent structure in place. You already have that basic structure built. Get busy with the rest.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — The future opens up for you in an entirely new way: a dense, dark forest reveals itself to contain a clear trail and some kind of supernatural moonlight you’ve never seen before. It will take courage to embark on this path, though do you really have a choice in the matter? Courage means coming from the heart. You are good at that, though you’re often subtle about it. Even if you’re low-key with others, be bold with yourself, and really get the feeling of what it’s like to take your destiny into your hands. You can think of destiny as potential that you take up like the tools of an art, a craft or a science, and consciously put together into something that’s never been done before. In a world where most people are stuck selling their time and their labor, you have a distinct advantage: your ideas are your greatest asset. That may present you with a puzzle, though you have all the clues you need.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You must have the discipline not to take things personally in your relationships. This is challenging because relationships are so personal; and yet now, more than ever, people are inclined to live in their own world. What someone is going through may be an unfathomable mystery. It may involve making the same mistakes repeatedly. You might use what you’re witnessing as a kind of therapy process. Are you doing any of this? More significantly, to what extent are you orienting your life on your involvements with others? If you do, you become subject to getting lost the moment they get lost. Start with your own feelings, remembering that “how you think someone feels about you” is coming from you. Your ideas and feelings about sex may provide additional details to your mind-map. Tune in even deeper and you will hear a clear, steady and seemingly new source of information.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You seem to be a few steps ahead of the complication that’s gripping so many people in your life. You can safely offer your assistance and guidance without the risk of getting too involved. Yet when your ruling planet Venus changes signs Tuesday, you’ll feel more willing to be drawn into someone else’s world in a way you may have never experienced. There is an emotional depth coming through your charts now that’s inviting you to take deeper risks. You may even be feeling a craving to be more vulnerable, which will come as a refreshing development. The people closest to you, including intimate partners as well as the people you collaborate with, have something unusual to offer; though you need to bring yourself fully to the experience, and be willing to hang out a while. Live that day-by-day. You don’t need to double-book your evenings. One plan is enough.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Use your sense of humor, even if you’re dealing with dark subject matter. The world is a mess right now. You have it pretty good. Using your sense of humor does not mean that everything is so funny. Rather, it keeps your mind on, and evaluating your experiences, and what you see and hear, rather than merely being subjected to them. That you’ll be aware of the serious side of any situation is a given. Yet you are not trapped. You’re not subject to anyone’s power. And the way you maintain your freedom is by keeping your perspective open and circumspect. Walk all the way around something a few times before you decide how you feel about it. If you’re in a meeting, get up and stretch, just so you can see the view from the other side of the room. Note people’s body language. It will reveal more than their words.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Keep guiding yourself into adventure, whether creative or romantic or erotic. Adventure means the unknown and unfamiliar. This is currently not the way of the world and many people in it: being stuck to familiar patterns is the modern psychic safety net. You don’t need it. You can make new friends and go new places and try things you’ve never done. If you’ve ever had a creative impulse in your life, such as to write or paint or make music, or to dance or act or take photos, or to create lavish dinner parties: now is the time to get busy. This is the year you come into your own as someone who contributes, who feeds the universe with soulful beauty. A year seems longer than it is. Four seasons pass quickly. Dare to experiment and step into your self-expression in a way you never have before.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You can say anything you want, as long as it’s true. You might over-share, fumble around a bit, feel stilted, or need to repeat yourself: it’s all good, as long as you’re saying what is actually valid and honest. Even if you change your mind or your point of view, you’re still covered: you won’t have to issue a retraction, only a revision. This is the creative process in action. As one artist said, paintings are never finished; they just pause in interesting places. So, by that measure, even your silence matters. Hesitation is a creatively pregnant place. One reminder your charts are offering is about not needing to prove anything. Your true colors will come out when you don’t have to establish the validity of what you say, do or make — as long as you know you’re being real. From your point of view, experience is its own reward.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Don’t be quick to make financial commitments, or to decide that having money is a lost cause. The single most important thing to remember about finances is that motivation is the key ingredient. From the outside, it may seem like luck or opportunity intervenes in the lives of successful people. That’s merely the window dressing. On the other side of that display is hard work, imagination and the willingness to delay gratification. And behind that is drive. You now have that power flowing through you; and you merely need to harness it, and be steady and dependable about getting your projects done. Your solar chart is vibrating with the message that your ideas are your most valuable asset. This relates to your experience and your base of knowledge. Don’t talk yourself out of this, or let anyone else even try to. Put your mind to work, stick with it, and watch the results.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You’re not as confused or as off-course as you may seem. It’s true there’s a lot going on, and there are those days you seem to be running in circles. Yet what you need to do is prioritize. Ask yourself what’s really meaningful to you and what is not. Ask yourself what’s actually necessary, what’s a sincere desire, and what is a whim. If you take the time to review your experience of the past few weeks, you may notice that you make the mistake of giving up what’s the most important to you, just when you have the chance to make it real. You don’t have to do that, and certainly not for the sake of another person. It’s true that you provide an important point of reference for the people you care about, though in that case, you would be wise to set the example of taking care of yourself.

Scorpio Birthdays 2017-18

Sensing Behind the Veil: Your Guide into a Big Year

“Your passion, deep care and love always shine through; and you have the gift of all great teachers, of making one feel that one is being personally addressed, respected and taken care of.”

— Liz Glanville

Dear Scorpio Friend and Reader:

Here we are in that time when the veil between this world and unseen realms is said to be thinnest. I know many people, including several Scorpios, who revel in the sensations of this season. Yet tuning in takes conscious intention; it asks you to make time and psychic space for subtler forms of connection than what modern life generally facilitates.

That’s one of the beauties of your 2017-18 Scorpio Birthday Reading: it’s the ideal tool to help you tune in — to yourself, to the astrology, to your soul’s purpose in this world, and to your connection to the subtler realms.

Your solar year is beginning with astonishing potential, thanks to Jupiter’s presence. And while Jupiter is not exactly ‘subtle’, it still asks you to make conscious contact with its energy — Eric will guide you in how to make the most of it.

With Saturn, Uranus and Chiron changing signs, your environment will be shifting — yet another great reason to focus your bandwidth and deepen your awareness.

In particular, Uranus entering your opposite sign and ‘relationship house’ — Taurus — could bring some surprises over the next few years. Listening to your birthday reading will help you get oriented on the inherent creative potential, and to channel your energy and emotion in deeply productive ways.

Your reading will include two astrology segments of at least 30 minutes each, plus a tarot reading using the Voyager Tarot by James Wanless (you also get an extended description of your sign). Recorded in pro-quality audio, you can listen as many times as you like.

And, you’ll want to: Eric creates these readings to combine the best of his motivational life-coaching skills; the best of his therapy training; and the most down-to-Earth, practical, jargon-free astrological insights you’ll find anywhere on the internet.

“A devoted follower of your work since 2008, and a supporting member now for more than a year, I feel your readings are spot on so I keep coming back.”

— Lesley (Scorpio x 3)

If you’d like to secure your full reading at the lowest possible price of $33, you’ll want to pre-order the 2017-18 Scorpio Birthday Reading here. And you’ll want to do it soon: the price will increase as publication nears, and then will increase again upon publication of the full reading.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you know and love anyone with a Scorpio Sun, Moon or rising sign, the 2017-18 Scorpio Birthday Reading makes an incredible gift.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — You’re doing well working with partial information. Said another way, you know some things and not others, and that may be working to your advantage. For example, your choices need to go beyond what will serve the purpose of a romantic relationship. Sure, relationships are important, though your emphasis needs to be on your chosen purpose. This is not about what you will do with “the rest of your life,” but rather about heeding the calling to do what you need to do. We live in the age of excuses and distractions. We also live in a time when what passes for the world has been shrunk down to the size of a hand-held video screen. The actual world is a vast, mysterious and unpredictable place, and you would benefit greatly from getting a sense of its actual scale by traveling with your physical body. Go someplace unfamiliar and notice how you change and grow.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Mercury has just entered your sign, which will clear up some lingering questions you’ve had about a relationship. Yet if Mercury is doing its job, you’ll have better questions, and you’ll ask them sincerely. You might do it now, while the subject is fresh in your mind and while relationship partners are in the mood to speak. Everyone will benefit from a real conversation, conducted in person, face to face, with all devices left in your bag or in the car. Relationships must never be taken for granted: not the brand-new ones, not the cute old couple sitting on the park bench, and not anything in between. Right now you’re the moderator of the conversation. You set the tone for the quality of communication, and the emotional content you’re willing to share. If you listen with open ears and an open heart, you will learn surprising things about the people closest to you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The world is hungry for justice right now, and you can help provide it. The first way to do that is by being a fair and just person in all that you do, particularly in your most intimate relationships — but in truth, all the time. This will involve coming out of automatic mode, and consciously assessing every situation you find yourself in. While you’re doing this, you may notice the first five or six times how easy it is to go back into robotic thinking, which is another way of saying not really thinking at all. When you take over, you’ll discover that you have more power than you previously thought. You have the ability to intervene in situations where you do no harm — and that is the true metric of fairness. What seems unjust is almost always about one person taking advantage of another. You’re free to declare you’ve had quite enough of this.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You’ve been getting the message lately: you need to lighten up. This will take practice, though once you see how well it works, you’ll have additional incentive to stick with the program. You have significant and realistic goals you’re working with, and it will take some time and effort to materialize them. What will help you the most right now is a kind of public relations campaign. I don’t mean writing press releases: I mean relating to friends, colleagues, clients, customers, and whatever you think of as your ‘public’ in a direct and candid way. Go to them rather than having them come to you. Putting this in the simplest terms possible, reach out to people who matter to you, and with whom you want to make contact — and connect. At minimum this would best be voice to voice, though you will go a long way if you bring your body along; go for eye contact.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You know that when you find yourself in the midst of an insecure spell, it wears off as fast as it came on. So you might skip it altogether, and focus on your confidence. Over and over again, you’ve proven that it’s worth having faith in yourself, because you so dependably come through. If you can remind yourself of that, you won’t hesitate taking on new commitments, especially the ones you truly care about. The theme of your life through the remainder of the year is completing a kind of leadership program that goes all the way back to late 2014. That was a very different time in your life, and part of why it was different is that you’ve put so much energy into making it so. You have other changes that you need to make, and reflecting on what you’ve already accomplished will feed your gumption.