Aries (March 20-April 19) — Actual independence may not exist in human relationships, but for the sake of discussion, let’s call it the difference between thinking for yourself, or not. Your astrology, both in the current moment and for a long stretch of the future, is about you doing precisely that. There is a necessary first step — noticing all the ways you’re going along with the gang. There is a necessary second step, which is taking the risk of doing something else. Generally, you know you’ve reached the second step because you feel like it’s risky, like you might somehow be cast off. Encountering that fear consciously is vital, so that you can overcome it. Think of this as an initiation — as becoming a full-fledged member of the tribe, because you’re willing to be uncompromisingly yourself.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Every religion professes that God’s love is more important than human love. Then we can get caught in a game where human love becomes a religious enterprise. What the two typically have in common is guilt. Can you imagine your relationships being free of this emotion? It may be challenging, though think of it this way. Start with the fact that you exist. You belong here, and you have a right to possess your existence. You’re not the property of anyone else — be it a person or an ideology. To act on that takes more strength than most people think they have, yet strength is built through exercise. Learning to be free is an ongoing journey that includes regularly reminding yourself that others are free as well. When this inner process starts to gather momentum, it makes a lot more sense.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — What is so compelling about a certain person with whom you seem to be growing enthralled? In what ways do they challenge you? In particular, how does their presence relate to what you witnessed in your childhood family? One potential is that this encounter is dismantling your early examples of relating, the ones you once thought of as the only kind that existed. The other is that the situation is so similar to the lives of your parents and grandparents as to be indistinguishable. A lot depends on your discernment right now. If you find yourself needing to make decisions you don’t feel strong enough to make, that is a sign to listen to. Remember that you have the faith to live your life your way. Let me remind you how much depends on your doing so.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Consider whether your relationships have had the quality of sacrifice and how that came to be. You grapple with possessing two profoundly different tendencies in your most personal encounters, each of which seems to negate the other. One is attraction to traditional, stable situations. The other has shades of potent individuality and group consciousness, which are closely related (only individuals can be part of a group). Based on the first quality, you crave deep one-to-one bonding, yet the models you’ve used throughout your life are falling apart. Based on the second, you’re likely feeling the need to be absolutely yourself, and to seek others on a similar mission. All of this may be leaving you feeling less than normal — and if so, congratulations. There is no such thing; there never was.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — This will be an easy few weeks to find yourself getting totally wrapped up in the experiences of the people around you. If that works for you, and it just may be perfectly natural, then go for it. If not, I can make a simple suggestion — meditating for a short time every day will keep you centered. Not for long; you need perhaps half an hour of focused time. This will help you open a tap into yourself that’s continually available. And that will free you to do something unusual, which is to be in a space of self-awareness and conscious self-relating no matter what is going on in your environment. Whatever that is, it sure looks interesting, fun and just a little weird. The time you take for yourself will allow you to throw yourself in with full abandon.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — You seem to be incredibly busy — over the top. And, you may have an idea that you’re going to get results. I would propose that you’ll get the same results with a lot less effort; therefore, you can put the formidable power of your mind onto the assignment of figuring out how to do less, work less and take better care of yourself. You will have some brilliant ideas for how to do this, though I would propose that your desire is what is going to make this real. One of those ways of taking care involves how you direct the high-voltage energy of your mind. You are like a live wire; I suggest you figure out how to ground your energy, prioritize and take action based on the one thing you’re certain you want the most.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You’re about to experience a rare burst of creative energy, and it looks like you’re in an environment where you’re truly appreciated for that. I don’t suggest you concern yourself with the second part, any more than you need in order to be grateful and welcoming. Notice the ways in which the people around you are happy and willing to support you, and get back to what you’re creating. Start while the idea is hot and fresh. As you move through your journey, you will probably encounter various sensations — doubt, fear, inspiration and a sense of release — but remember the sense of mission that’s at the core of what you’re doing. In a few words, I could describe that as making direct contact with the curious, raging child within you, notably, in the healthiest possible way.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Do you wonder where your insecurities come from, or what it will take to create a space where you feel safe and welcome? You’re more accustomed to living on the edge of what you think of as safety than in the middle. You’re now being invited to go deeper first into the concept of what comprises a solid and dependable space — and then the reality of whatever that idea is. This does not need to take time; most of the time it does take is likely to be spent in a kind of negotiation about who you might betray by giving yourself what you need and want. I suggest you raise that question to full consciousness, and that you leave no stone unturned — especially the sense that you’re betraying someone by being free.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — If you have an idea, run with it. It may not be perfect or up to Hollywood scale, but your deeper vision clearly is. Beginning something is the biggest step — and the most significant. You will establish an energetic anchor, spark your creative process, and commence a situation where one idea leads to the next. While you’re doing this, remember that true creative process is really about self-creation. You’re being born along with what you’re making, or whatever vision you’re bringing into the world. This is excellent news, and I am guessing you’ll agree. I can tell you that where you are at the beginning of your experience bears little resemblance to where you’ll be when it’s at full fruition, except that one led directly to the other, and there will be many innovations along the way.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Astrology draws a direct connection between wealth and self-esteem. On the one hand you could rightly say that the better you feel about yourself, the more money you can make. Another way to consider the equation is that your life-affirming feelings about yourself are your greatest asset. You have a truly unusual opportunity to tap into this idea in the coming weeks, and in the process to leave many of your old doubts behind. One of your most deeply held values is equanimity; that is, a state of authentic fairness. Events are likely to demonstrate that this quality must include you first; it goes both ways. Count yourself in. In doing so, you will set yourself free from the disappointments not only of your own past, but of past generations. This is a radical gesture. So be it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Feminism typically proposes that women must stand up to men. I think there is something more significant, which is the need for women to stand up to their mothers: to the ideas that came from them (particularly about relationships), to the emotional issues passed down the generations, and in particular to mothers’ frequent refusal to allow younger women to be free. This affects all of us, regardless of our sex or gender. A fiery New Moon in your birth sign conjunct Mars (planet of desire) and Ceres (the old story with mom, or mom’s treatment of her daughter) encourages you to blaze the way forward, away from your past and your childhood; to vote for your own independence by bonding with independent women; and to encourage the daughters around you to be free people.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Your deepest desires are stirring; they seem to be coming to life, making themselves known to you as if they had an existence of their own. But they don’t, and they’re not separate from you — you give your desires life, and you may continue to do so a little more with each passing day. What you want often has a feeling of deniability, as if it’s not quite up to existing in the world; that is a form of doubt, and it’s rapidly being replaced by passion. It is true that to experience this passion you have to leave old grief behind, and at the same time you must risk future disappointment. It will be worth taking those chances. Your dreams are wild and you can now set them free, which is to say, you can set yourself free.