Aries (March 20-April 19) — In times of high pressure, chaos or confusion, it’s not easy to pull back and celebrate life in a meaningful way. Yet that is exactly what you’re being called upon to do, or rather being given the opportunity to do. Mars and the Sun continue to streak across the sky in Leo, which is the most creative, sexy and adventurous angle of your solar chart. Yet to use your creativity is a conscious act. It doesn’t just happen. People are more typically conditioned to squander their talent, passion and curiosity. If astrology means anything, you are being encouraged, guided and boldly invited to stretch your boundaries and do something genuinely meaningful with your abundant energy. If you’re doing this well, it’ll feel a little daring, like you’re pushing a boundary or violating a taboo. Creativity requires courage, and by all rights you would have that in abundance right now.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — To some extent, everyone is programmed to be a ‘good boy’ or a ‘good girl’. Often this means kissing up to seemingly powerful people and various parent-figures, and worrying about petty transgressions. What typically happens, though, is that people become frustrated with the rules, and either simmer in that frustration or become rebellious and go a little crazy. It’s vitally important that you see this pressure to be ‘good’ for what it is. Who exactly are you trying to please? And what little games do you play, in order to maintain your image? When you take responsibility for your choices, for your successes and failures and indeed for your entire existence, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Once you step outside of that box, you may feel vulnerable, though that’s confirmation that you’re going in the right direction. Your sense of security must come from within you.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Venus traveling through your sign the past few weeks has served to remind you of another kind of intelligence. It’s the type that computers will never know, because they can only simulate feeling. You are human, and you can feel. You may be discovering that feeling is different from emoting. To feel is to be receptive; to emote is to be in output mode, which is somewhat less subtle. Now Venus is about to change signs and enter Cancer. This will enhance your sensitivity even more; and it suggests that your ability to feel, to sense and to perceive through your senses is a vitally necessary part of your guidance system. Therefore, slow down and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Take possession and ownership of how you respond to what you experience. Notice your senses, and notice the mind that’s behind them, receiving the information from your environment.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You have some excellent motivational power to improve your lot in life financially. You won’t need to push as hard as you usually do, or think you do. As one born under the Sun or rising sign Cancer, a measure of financial security is your birthright. Yet by your choices, you can enhance this quality, or diminish it. You can resist, with emotions like guilt, or the sense that you don’t deserve to have a good life; or you can stay positive, use your talents and spot your opportunities. Right now, the one thing you don’t have to do is maintain your momentum and monitor your direction of movement. Guide yourself gently; there’s considerable propulsion moving you forward, and small adjustments count for a lot. Look at where you are now, consider your direction of movement, and determine if you’re heading someplace you want to be. Your end goal is not money — it is contentment.

Leo Birthdays 2017:

How Will You Shine This Year?

“Thanks for reassuring this Leo, who is having a year ‘for the books’! You get to the core of things.”

— Barbara Peaslee, on a previous Leo reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

One day after the Sun entered your sign, there was a special New Moon in Leo on July 23 — special, because you get another one in a month. And that second Leo New Moon will be even more special: the highly anticipated Aug. 21 total solar eclipse (in between is a partial lunar eclipse in your ‘relationship sign’, Aquarius).

Eclipses are unique and powerful pattern-shifting events.

Or, at least, they can be — especially if you can get clear on what you want, set your intentions, and then get the ball rolling in your desired direction.

Working with this kind of energy is one of Eric’s specialties.

And he’ll be giving you the benefit of his expertise in your 2017 Leo Birthday Reading — suitable for anyone with a Leo Sun, Leo rising or a Leo Moon.
Even better, Eric will look ahead to some of the other major astrology of the year, so you’ll be better able to develop whatever happens with this eclipse for months to come.

Whether you need clarity with your intimate relationships, career, self-esteem or identity, creativity, spiritual healing or family issues, you’ll find ideas, encouragement, new perspectives and reassurance in this reading.

“Your work has always offered me food for thought, options to consider and clarity when needed. Thank you very much for what you do and how you present it.”

— Victoria Bouet

I hope you’ll pre-order your 2017 Leo Birthday Reading soon, while it’s still available for the lowest price we’re offering: $33.

Eric will record the two 30-minute astrology segments first; and then a little later, you’ll receive your tarot reading for the year, using the vibrant Voyager Tarot by James Wanless. As these segments are completed, the price of the reading will increase.

Welcome to a year like no other, Leo. I hope you’ll be in touch to tell us what you learn over the next month or so.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you know and love a Leo, why not send them a birthday gift that will keep giving all year? You can give the 2017 Leo Birthday Reading here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The spotlight is on Leo now, with Mars and the Sun streaking across the sky, and two eclipses soon to arrive between today and Aug. 21. This means your life is in transition; and if that is true, then it’s essential that you stay in contact with what you want. Mars, the planet of desire, will help you focus your goals, and erase any guilt or apprehension you may be feeling about being authentically bold. To live the way you want requires courage, on several different levels. Most people are easily given to living with difficult situations rather than taking the chance of changing them. Yet because you have so much energy (Mars and the Sun are both hot and fiery), it’s essential to dial in the power of Saturn. This is about discipline, careful timing and using structure to your advantage. Incremental changes are the right changes, at least for now.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — The truly extraordinary astrology in Virgo, at the moment, is a conjunction of your ruling planet Mercury, and the distinctly Virgoan asteroid Vesta. Though Vesta is a fire goddess, she’s really about containing and directing the use of energy and intention for creative and productive purposes. True intelligence might use thought, but ultimately it comes from somewhere beyond ordinary thought. The way to access true intelligence is to step aside and let it flow through you. This takes some discipline, though you can save yourself effort by asking inwardly for what you need. You can also help yourself by considering what you know, in your heart and soul, and working with that. Remember that actual knowledge will never be contaminated by fear. If you’re feeling fear, ask inwardly for that to be removed. In the words of one of the great sages, “You will be told everything you need to know.”

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — The sign Libra is associated with the planet Venus. Over the past few days, Venus (now in Gemini) has made a series of aspects to planets in Sagittarius, which may have felt like an emotionally rough patch or, better said, a challenging few days spiritually. It would seem like you’ve been pushed by some unseen force to ask some deep questions. You’ve had to reckon with your need to address the future honestly and consciously. You may be entirely off the wavelength of your friends or partners, wondering how they can occupy themselves with such superficial things when truly profound issues are calling for your full attention. The thing to remember is that your soul’s path, and your priorities, cannot be compared to those of any other person. You are not dependent on them, their ideas or their goals. To say this even more directly, your relationship to the universe is yours exclusively.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — The Moon is in your sign at the moment, which is helping cool off the extra-hot astrology influencing your life at the moment. That’s what you need — any way you can get it. Soak your body in water; drink a lot of water; and get some relief from the heat. Most important, maintain cordial and respectful dialog with anyone with whom you’re in some kind of authority relationship, no matter which way the lines of authority may run. That’s the place where things can most quickly get away from you, though there’s no need for that to happen. You possess the foresight and the intelligence to move things in a positive direction. Yet there’s one essential ingredient: having an idea just what direction that is. If you refuse to let yourself be guided by ambition or the need for power, you will have better information to work with. You have all the influence you need. Now, you must use it wisely.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You will need to make decisions this week where you do something challenging for our world: set aside any self-interest. That does not mean harming yourself. To the contrary, something is clearly unacceptable if anyone is damaged in a transaction. Setting aside self-interest is something different. Being willing to pay a cost, or expend political capital to get the right outcome, is different. This requires a rare form of objectivity, which will mean considering the interests of everyone who is involved. You will need to account for who is the weaker party. You will need to be alert to anyone taking advantage of anyone else. You are in a position to stand guard over an important situation and ensure that truth and justice prevail. This has nothing to do with your personal success. Of course, being in a position to do the right thing is a direct result of what you have accomplished, and a big part of why you went to all that trouble.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Your charts describe you being driven by passion you cannot understand or contain. They might be describing sexual or emotional involvement with another person, or potentially a business arrangement. It might even be both at once, which would call for extra-special care. In essence, you must sort yourself out of the situation. The risk you may be running is being so overly involved that you cannot distinguish your needs and interests from those of someone else. If the relationship is mutually profitable and the vibes are positive, that’s an excellent sign, though it would still be advisable to have an exit strategy if you need it. The energy will continue to build until the Full Moon eclipse on Aug. 7, at which time you will be able to see your own interests clearly. But really, you want to figure out what they are long before then. And to do that, you will need to get some emotional distance, slow down, and actually think clear thoughts.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Mars and the Sun are moving through your opposite sign Leo. If your sign is Aquarius, or if that’s your rising sign or your Moon sign, that translates to intense: fast activity, unexpected developments, and people showing up in your life, potentially with an aggressive feeling. Under these conditions, there’s just one thing you must do: take care of yourself. Remove any unnecessary activity from your schedule, with an actual understanding of the concept of “necessary.” That means a radical form of prioritizing, with no guilt whatsoever about decisions you make. You need to take care of providing for yourself all the most basic nutrients, which includes recreational time and downtime. However, you don’t need mindless diversion or entertainment, or anything even vaguely reckless. One of the most significant projects of your life right now is purging old and useless tendencies that have not served you, and replacing them with what supports your best interests.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — The essence of your life must be balance. That’s not easy in the times we’re living in; some would say it’s impossible. It may be challenging, but it’s certainly within your power to get a handle on your affairs. Much of what I’ve suggested for Aquarius applies to you: particularly the need for prioritization and conscious self-care. You need to know when you must “shed load.” That’s a term used by people who manage the power grid. If there’s a demand for energy that’s outstripping the grid’s ability to provide it, turning off one neighborhood can save the entire East Coast from going down. Right now, err on the side of saving your energy rather than expending it. Do those things that are genuinely important, and make sure you stop taking on new projects and commitments. Use the month of August to complete what you’ve begun, and to do so with care for the utmost attention to detail. Your energy allocation must include what feeds your soul as a Pisces: introspection is vital. Then there’s art or music (whether you create or experience these things). Take your time, which means living one day at a time.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — People, especially younger ones, are systematically having their courage bred out of them. Older people tend to become more reserved and conservative because they think they have more to lose. Young ones have always provided a resource of willingness to try something new for its own sake. Sadly, that’s being injected with a kind of psychic Botox. Your astrology is calling you in the opposite direction: to embrace the unknown with yearning, to directly enter what’s unfamiliar, and to view your life as a creative experiment. This is not theoretical, but rather something you would do from day-to-day, even hour-to-hour, as a yoga of the mind. Be eager to do what you’ve never done. Travel back from someplace by a different route than how you got there. Contemplate how sex is the origin of all life.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You may be feeling so much restless energy that it’s scaring you. Your charts are definitely sending you a message to stay grounded in whatever connects you to the Earth, and to your body. Though you may feel like getting out of the house a lot; or if activities call you out of the house, to connect with your home base every day. That might mean preparing one meal, doing some housework for the pleasure of it, or taking a bath. The idea is to make contact with the solid ground beneath your feet and in your soul. Be cautious about getting into any conflicts with relatives or if you’re in a shared living situation; make sure that you settle the matter of your psychic and physical space without being defensive. Your home is very, very important to your wellbeing right now.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — The essence of your learning path is to keep an open mind. Know when you don’t know, which is likely anytime you think you’re certain. Get into the habit of proving yourself wrong. Assume you know less than you know, even on subjects where you’re considered an expert, and cycle some of your energy into finding out more. That will keep your mind open to the possibilities and ensure that you don’t get stuck in a point of view, which would be all too easy right now. All certainty is potentially false; and ignorance is a synthetic product, bred entirely of the desire not to know, or not to admit the truth. You must stand boldly in between the two. Use what you know; be willing to be wrong; and make sure that all new information is subject to verification.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Money is not the only measure of value. What’s far more meaningful is how you perceive your own worth, and how you go about earning the money you acquire. Are you investing your precious days in something that genuinely matters to you? Would you do what you do for no pay? These questions will help guide you to a more meaningful existence. Most people think nothing of investing their lives in activity they are doing only because they get paid. Of course, this is related to the belief that what really matters to you is not worth someone investing in. More often, though, people are disconnected from what really matters to them, which is a situation you must resolve, if it’s even vaguely true for you. Find that thing that you care about, and do it as much as you can.

Leo Birthdays 2017:

How Will You Shine This Year?

“Thanks for reassuring this Leo, who is having a year ‘for the books’! You get to the core of things.”

— Barbara Peaslee, on a previous Leo reading

Dear Friend and Reader:

Today, one day after the Sun entered your sign, there was a special New Moon in Leo — special, because you get another one in a month. And that second Leo New Moon will be even more special: the highly anticipated Aug. 21 total solar eclipse (in between is a partial lunar eclipse in your ‘relationship sign’, Aquarius).

Eclipses are unique and powerful pattern-shifting events.

Or, at least, they can be — especially if you can get clear on what you want, set your intentions, and then get the ball rolling in your desired direction.

Working with this kind of energy is one of Eric’s specialties.

And he’ll be giving you the benefit of his expertise in your 2017 Leo Birthday Reading — suitable for anyone with a Leo Sun, Leo rising or a Leo Moon.
Even better, Eric will look ahead to some of the other major astrology of the year, so you’ll be better able to develop whatever happens with this eclipse for months to come.

Whether you need clarity with your intimate relationships, career, self-esteem or identity, creativity, spiritual healing or family issues, you’ll find ideas, encouragement, new perspectives and reassurance in this reading.

“Your work has always offered me food for thought, options to consider and clarity when needed. Thank you very much for what you do and how you present it.”

— Victoria Bouet

I hope you’ll pre-order your 2017 Leo Birthday Reading soon, while it’s still available for the lowest price we’re offering: $33.

Eric will record the two 30-minute astrology segments first; and then a little later, you’ll receive your tarot reading for the year, using the vibrant Voyager Tarot by James Wanless. As these segments are completed, the price of the reading will increase.

Welcome to a year like no other, Leo. I hope you’ll be in touch to tell us what you learn over the next month or so.

Yours & truly,

Amanda Painter

P.S. If you know and love a Leo, why not send them a birthday gift that will keep giving all year? You can give the 2017 Leo Birthday Reading here.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Sunday there was the first of two New Moons in your birth sign, both of which are extraordinary events, and are here to deliver a message. At this stage of your life, you have little choice but to stand in your power. This is not a state of mind or a mood; it’s not a thing you do. It’s a property of who you are, though perhaps the more accurate word is influence. You cannot control the world around you, and you cannot force anything to happen. But you can influence the flow of events, in ways large and small. The single most relevant thing you can do is to know what you want, and have some idea why you want it. Don’t make assumptions; check yourself, verify your ideas about life, and let curiosity be your guide.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You may feel like you’re living your life for someone else, or are serving as a vehicle for their growth. That may be true, and it’s a meaningful role to play; others have done this for you many times. Yet it would help if you took a broader-minded look at your situation. You’re doing plenty else in the world, though on some level, it’s almost always true that one’s most important responsibilities involve serving others. Still, you seem to keep encountering a persistent mystery about your role, purpose or the meaning of your life. To answer this riddle only requires that you be a little more courageous, and a lot more honest with yourself. If you find yourself being passive or ambivalent, turn up your courage and honesty. You don’t impress anyone by being meek and mild, and you don’t help yourself, either.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — It’s time to step into a more public role, though the chances are that without doing much, circumstances will call you there. Your challenge will be minimizing conflict and controversy, and knowing how to deal with it when it happens. First, I suggest you only be as public as you need to be, and no more. This is not the time for notoriety or influence purely for fun. Everything you say and do must be connected to a purpose, and applied with a minimalist philosophy guiding you. You’re working with more mojo than you may think, and at the same time, it will be easy to get caught in the rather nasty trap of glamour. The safe and practical way to do this will be to take a conservative approach, using the right tools at the right time.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Power for its own sake is always toxic, both to you and to others. With the Sun, the Moon, Mars and other planets moving across the fame and recognition angle of your chart, the thing you must focus on is accountability. The world is not encouraging this right now. It seems every day like we’re in the “get away with whatever you can” Olympics. If you play that way, it will come back to bite you so fast you won’t know what got you. Therefore, use your power judiciously, and stay close to the purpose of whatever system you’re influencing. You must proceed with dignity at all times, even if that means cramping your usual style. It’s not enough to be ethical; you must have the appearance of being so. It’s not enough to be honest. You must be willingly vulnerable as well.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Over the weekend, the Sun and the Moon entered your fellow fire sign Leo, which is stoking up your confidence and your sense of purpose. As a Sagittarius, you can handle this better than most. Yet, because Saturn has been in your sign for so long, you may be eager to push the edges of your newfound freedom. Ease back on your restlessness and carefully consider your possibilities. Understand that your potential can describe your future, if you take yourself seriously enough to recognize that you do, indeed, grow. You don’t need to impress anyone; you don’t need their permission; you do need to trust yourself. When travelers who had come thousands of miles reached the Delphic Oracle in the ancient days of Greece, they were met with the message: Know Thyself. Take that as your mantra.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Sunday’s Leo New Moon happened in the angle of your chart associated with deep sexual and emotional bonding — and financial legacies, inheritances and marriage. You must treat each of these subjects separately, rather than allowing them all to merge into one thing. You will have more influence over your own life if you see each of the issues for what they are. Make no mistake, there are others who would prefer if you remained confused or, at least, so swept up in your own passion that you don’t bother understanding what’s really happening. You can have great fun right now, and make considerable progress in the most meaningful areas of your life; though the cost of that will be vigilance, self-awareness and maintaining clear agreements with the people around you — especially those you find most frightening.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — There are some song lyrics I love, which come out of the Grateful Dead camp: “Stake my future on a hell of a past / looks like tomorrow is comin’ on fast.” That about sums up your life at the moment, and this can be a beautiful thing. Change is upon you, and it’s likely to enter your experience through other people. Therefore, you must constantly distinguish between what they want and what you want. It will be too easy to get vacuumed into the desires of others without much thought on your part, and once that happens, it’ll be difficult to get out of those situations. Therefore, know your own desires, and make sure they’re a match for any circumstances you find yourself in. Step back or step forward according to what’s appropriate, making a conscious choice one way or the other.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This may be one of the most productive months of your recent life, as long as you pace yourself. It would be easy to burn yourself out on activity and even on success; you will need to moderate your level of energy output, and prioritize your tasks. Taking proper care of yourself is a top priority. If you’ve committed to something there’s no turning back on, embrace that fact, then figure out a way to make it work for you. Remember what you’ve learned about leadership the past few years, and the most effective ways to take charge of your own life. You have plenty of help available, though you’ll need to distinguish between situations when the presence of others makes your life easier and when it’s more challenging. And know that you have far more control over timing than you may realize.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — This week will be full of surprises, with Mars starting off the festivities by making a square to Uranus. I’m ethically obliged to give the accident warning associated with this aspect: if you’re doing something like climbing a ladder, make sure someone spots you. If you’re chopping vegetables, stay off the phone. That said, take any sudden alteration of plans as an opportunity. Shorn of your previous intentions or attachment to outcome, pause and ask yourself, OK, what do I really want? Where can I go from here? Then choose what would be most fun, most productive, or both. Where professional activities are concerned, your leadership role will be highlighted by your ability to think on your feet. Just make sure you do a quick once-over of your plans (taking from 15 seconds to 15 minutes) to check for unintended consequences.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Give close partners or loved ones plenty of room to be themselves. It’s possible to take pleasure in this gesture of supporting the individuality of others. Rather than feeling like you have to compromise, be negotiable and take the opportunity to do your thing if someone else is unavailable, whether mentally, physically or emotionally. Soon enough they’ll circle around back your way. Meanwhile, your solar chart is full of aspiration and intrigue: you’ll likely cross paths with people who have important roles. When you meet them, keep the conversation friendly and light. Being respectful as a matter of daily practice opens up a special door: you can trust yourself speaking to anyone, treating them as a person rather than personage, and exchange ideas. You might use the cocktail party rule: keep the conversations short, and keep circulating.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Normally astrologers look to Mercury for the story of your sign, but this week we’re looking at Venus, currently traveling through Gemini. It’s making some interesting moves, too: first Venus will make a square to Neptune, then a trine to Jupiter. Translation? As my old tripping partner Scott Grace used to say, “Confusion is the state before enlightenment.” Therefore, welcome any state of not knowing, not understanding or uncertainty about your feelings. Rather than trying to make yourself sure, let the boat of your mind drift for a day or so, and you’ll find yourself in an entirely new place. Just remember that essential spiritual move of holding open your space of not knowing, with some reverence for this as the prerequisite of learning. When you discover something that’s true, you’ll feel it in your mind and your body.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Stay in contact with your desire. Try to go to the most sincere level you can; that is, not influenced by advertising, trends or what your friends are up to. Connect with what you actually want, however you may feel about it, whether or not you think it’s appropriate. This will be a sweet spot of aligning with yourself. Particularly if you’re judging what you want, whether you think it’s too expensive or like someone might judge you, stick with yourself. You have a discovery ahead of you; a mystery will unravel. Be patient, and allow yourself to be instructed by your circumstances rather than by opinions or supposedly spiritual values. This process will likely include a point of contact in the sexual realm; you know intuitively and from much experience that the truth contains a wholesome streak of erotic feeling.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Over the next few days, Mars and the Sun will enter your sign, followed by the Leo New Moon Sunday, July 23. This is good news many times over, initially coming as relief from anxiety, followed up by an energy surge. I would suggest, however, letting yourself get a slow start on your new plans — particularly if they involve self-improvement. Mars is going to be pushing you to “do it now,” though the New Moon is saying, “begin gently and gradually build momentum.” There’s power in solid beginnings; that is, ones marked not just by a statement of intention but rather with concentrated action. Before that phase, you may find that odd things happen to existing plans, which will offer opportunities to clear the deck of priorities that are no longer valid or that no longer serve you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Where professional matters are concerned, take things one step at a time this week. Be certain you trust the person you’re speaking to — not merely based on your intuition, but rather based on a track record. If you don’t have experience with someone, I would urge you not to trust them with sensitive information, ideas or your professional plans. The thing is, you may be inclined to make misjudgments about this very thing, particularly early in the week. I suggest you make a firm policy of sharing information on a need-to-know basis, if at all. That said, you’re in full-on creative mode where this area of life is concerned. Let yourself dream of the abundant possibilities. Look at your current situation and imagine how you would develop it to its maximum potential. That, however, will call for leadership.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You have a guardian angel with you, though you won’t know unless you ask for its help. Try this, on matters that seem to be small, or that seem to be great; on personal subject matter and that of people you care about. Make direct requests, whether for protection, an outcome, or wisdom. You’re also in a position to stand up for people, whether you know them well or not. You are a natural-born advocate, and with Jupiter in your sign — beautifully aspected by your ruling planet Venus all week — you have some persuasive ability in your hands. So your advocacy can be gentle, but make sure you’re clear about your views on right and wrong. The world needs moral guidance right now, from people capable of some mental and intellectual balance. You have a good bit more than that going for you.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Conserve your energy this week, as Mars and the Sun prepare to cross the most visible angle of your solar chart — Leo, the mighty 10th house of your solar chart. A series of events between now and next Sunday will place you in a position of authority, which I would suggest you handle gently and collaboratively. Rather than being the boss, be the coordinator. Ask others to help you supervise whatever situation you’ve got on your hands. Rather than setting goals unilaterally, get as many opinions as you can and make sure that everyone has an investment stake. If you have to take charge, then do it. Till then, key planets, including your ruling planet Mars, remain in water signs, heightening your emotional sensitivity. Get some rest, eat well and get ready for an adventure.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Go light on emotionally charged discussions. Even if you have concerns, considerations or issues, take a circumspect view of yourself and of others. You may feel like you’re really, really right, only to get it all off your chest and wonder what the heck you were thinking (or feeling). Rather than assume you know how someone feels, listen for clues, and ask questions that draw them out. Over the next few days, planets will begin to move into fire sign Leo, which will lift your spirits, and reveal all these seemingly complex emotional situations as being much less meaningful than they have seemed. Yet don’t fall for any traps late in the week or into the weekend, as you may be feeling the pressure. How would you do that? Don’t blame anything on a relationship. Just feel what you feel.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Consider yourself the equal of the people around you. I don’t mean this in theory, and it doesn’t just apply to those younger, less knowledgeable, or less accomplished. It also applies to those you think of as superior in any way. Now, this must be done subtly. Here’s how I mean it: If you’re a guitar player and you meet Mark Knopfler, you can greet him as your fellow guitarist. If you’re a photographer and you meet Annie Leibovitz, honor her as your sister photographer. Not better, not worse, neither above nor beneath, but as someone you share something with. This would go for the younger and less experienced ones you may meet: recognize their potential, honor their intention to succeed, and be available to them. If equality exists, it’s subtle, and it lives surrounded by terms and conditions. Keep it simple.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Toss any notion that money is related to the meaning of life, or somehow related to success. The latter might be true in some sense, but not the kind of success you are seeking as a humanitarian-leaning Aquarian. Money is a tool, a resource and in some ways a reward. There are many more meaningful factors that will determine whether and how you find your way in the world, the most significant of which is self-respect. Though this is in short supply in the world, it’s abundantly available for you. You will know you’re there based on how you feel. The positive emotions associated with respecting yourself come from below, and from within. It’s not a cerebral thing. As planets enter your relationship sign Leo, love and admiration will enter your life — though only if you feel worthy.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — This week wraps up a long phase of high-energy points — the Sun and Mars, to name two — moving through the most creative, passionate angle of your solar chart. As they make aspects to deep and soulful Chiron in your sign, you’re likely to find new outlets for your talent and your capacity to love and appreciate life. These may come by surprise, or they may open up as an easy flow; a combination of influences may be present. Leave yourself open; leave yourself time, space and bandwidth to explore what you want. Even more significantly, bring a spirit of curiosity and expression into everything you do, no matter how seemingly boring it may appear at first. Your astrology is such that you can make anything interesting, and anything that’s already alive can morph into something brilliant.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — This week, the element of surprise will be running strong in all facets of your life. You can only prepare by being flexible and maintaining situational awareness. That means paying attention to your surroundings, and tracking the relationships between the people around you. This counts even when you’re in your own home, or the home of someone you’re close to. One risk you run is being emotionally reactive, which can be part of your nature, though it’s particularly strong now. So, slow down and do what you can to stay calm. Drive cautiously, a little slower than usual if you have a heavy foot; and, this week at least, turn off your phone before getting into your car. What is the upside to this astrology? You want to be independent, emotionally and otherwise. It’s time to cut the apron strings or unhook the leash, as long as you know freedom entails responsibility.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Do you have any actual reason to resent people who hold positions of authority around you? Or is that a hangover from your childhood relationships to your parents? We live in a society where people need to grow up and be adults more than they need just about anything else. Your desire to have a calm, dependable existence will be your motivation. Your need to achieve real goals will also motivate you. To do these things requires a mature approach to life, and the desire to collaborate. What’s most important is feeling good about yourself and what you’re learning. This is a matter of practice. Every day brings its modest advances and its small setbacks. You may be experiencing both in equal measure, though any setbacks can count as important lessons learned and accepted, if you are mindful and respect your own learning process. This is merely a matter of perspective.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You don’t need to take everything personally. If you do, you’ll go nuts, which would be pointless given that little of what you see and hear is actually about you. You will need some emotional filters and strong boundaries this week. Of the people around you, you’re one of the best situated to take a helpful rather than contentious approach. You can see all the dynamics that are at play; you can handle the different viewpoints people have; and because of that, you could serve as the adult in the room. You can afford to have a light-hearted attitude and a creative approach to problem solving; you can remind everyone that a problem is an opportunity to advance an idea. For most people, this is merely a concept they may have heard of, though you’ve actually experienced its power and potential. Keep the people around you focused on the positive.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — The recent Full Moon in your opposite sign Capricorn is still ringing like a bell. There’s been some shift in your relationships, and in your relationship to the world. Chances are this is a positive development, though there’s a possibility that you’re feeling shaken up. One of the long-range lessons of your life right now is how you handle dependency on others. You know that you must learn to stand on your own emotional strength, meet others as equals, and in some way compel them to do the same. Otherwise, the relationships are not going to work. The Full Moon helped you get to the bottom of a particular issue, and you now know the truth. That central idea is unlikely to change much, though you can adapt your methods, your desires and your approach to life, which will grant you the freedom that comes from having a more realistic perspective.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You possess your own value. Be real about this: it doesn’t come from anyone or anything else; you don’t have to negotiate; you don’t have to be endorsed or have any letters after your name. Remember this if you find yourself in some strange conversation where you’re being expected to establish your worth. You don’t need that person, and you don’t need to convince them of anything — they’re unlikely to be convinced, so there’s no point trying. Focus your creativity and do the projects that you want to do. Don’t worry about monetizing your ideas at this stage. That would be minimizing their worth, and it will hamper your creative process and diminish your potential. Do what you’re doing for its own sake — that’s so rarely done in our era. You can afford to proceed without fear or concern for the future, and let the developments of this week reveal their interesting wonders.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Love more generously. I could end this horoscope right here, but they tell me I still have 140 words to write — so I will elaborate. Love is the only thing that’s in actual abundance, and the best thing is, it’s free. This means appreciating the people in your life. Thank them for what they do for you, and show your appreciation in more tangible ways. If you find yourself closing down, as if you somehow cannot afford to be generous with your gratitude and praise, perhaps take a look at that. Ask yourself what you think you’re losing by making others feel good. It’s a known spiritual truth that you will have in abundance what you offer to others. Therefore, open up your heart and soul, and shine your light on everyone around you. Convey, in feeling, how you appreciate people who support you and your world even in the most modest ways.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You’re receiving a kind of promotion. It may not be the usual type, with the invitation to the boss’s office and all of that. This is much more significant, much more meaningful. It’s about the level on which you exist in society: your status, in the true sense of the word. Status is the actual respect you carry, which reflects how you’re treated. It’s likely that some recent discovery has led to this, probably an emotional breakthrough where you established your independence from your family. To actually make your way in the world, it’s necessary to break free from the crusty kinds of relationships that keep you feeling awkward and uncertain. Keep breaking off that crust, and proceed with the confidence of a person who can stand on the strength of your legs, the power of your vision and the beauty of your own ideas. Then get ready to work your ass off for what you want.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — It’s only when your faith is challenged that you find out how strong you are. It’s only when you’re given an assignment that’s way over your head that you discover what you’re capable of. And this discovery process has only just begun. What you’re now involved with is a kind of real-life leadership training program. This is a hands-on course, taught on the ground, not in a classroom. If there is a theory, we could sum that up in one word: ethics. Your ongoing challenge is to do the right thing, even if you have to call out people in positions of authority. There’s a way to do this effectively, and you will learn how that works. You will learn how to take charge when others leave their post or abdicate responsibility. Note that this is about claiming actual authority over your affairs and, very likely, an organization you’re involved with. Take small, calculated steps.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Many people who think they’re sexually liberated don’t even have a clue. Anyone who is squeamish about their body or that of their partner has some territory to cover. Anyone worried about being ‘found out’ is simply trapped. Those who cannot speak honestly about their desires, or vocalize their pleasure, have before them a vast territory to explore. Often this territory will be entered in an awkward way at first. You might stumble in; you might find yourself in seemingly the wrong place with a seemingly inappropriate person, and go with the flow. This is a creative discovery process, meaning that it involves entering the unknown, learning something, and responding in an inventive way. Here is a key: At the core of everything I’m describing is a form of nourishment that can only be accessed through daring self-exploration. These nutrients are not available on the surface. You must go deep, and you’re being summoned to do so.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — The very recent Full Moon in your sign stirred up some of your insecurities, and might have come with the feeling that you’re more alone in the world than you realized. Yet that is the first step toward making real contact, both with yourself and with others who can actually reach you inside. Unless you get to that place of existential solitude, you have not reached the core from which all authentic relationships spring. This week, the high-potency astrology continues on an almost daily basis. Certain events may trigger your deepest insecurities. Yet be mindful that these events are not causing your feelings; they are merely serving to reveal them. These are the same fears and weaknesses that have caused you, again and again, to give up your power, and then wonder how the heck that happened. This goes back a long way. So, let yourself be triggered, and claim your strength.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You must take care of yourself this week. That has several meanings, the most significant of which is balancing work, rest and other modes of self-care. It also means staying out of unnecessary conflicts, whether emotional or at work (or potentially both). Said simply, you must manage your energy — no matter how much you may think you have, or how much you’ve gotten away with abusing your body in the past. Those days are over. The pressure and the stakes are too high; you’re expected to perform like a professional athlete, which always involves a hybrid of mental and physical conditioning. The thing to start with is food. Note all the ways you’ve been slacking or skimping; get yourself to the nearest farmer’s market. Then, move on to sleep. Keep your devices out of your bedroom; having them near you is like sleeping with a bright invisible light on. Then comes work. Choose your priorities, and invest your energy well.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — After a long phase of development, certain events have recently come to a head, with some surprising results. The truth always flows through the cracks in so-called reality, and that’s about the size and shape of what is happening for you these days. It’s important to remember, at all times, that you’re working with powerful forces, and factors much larger than yourself. On one level they may seem disruptive, unpredictable and difficult to control. On another level, these are generative forces: the same ones related to the power of the body to heal an injury, or of the Earth to grow back after a forest fire. What happens over the next week will demonstrate how discovering your creative abilities can shock you to a new level of self-respect. Stay in a positive frame of mind, let your strength flow, and you’ll wonder how you could have possibly ever doubted yourself.