Aries (March 20-April 19) — As the Saturn-Pluto conjunction draws ever closer, your 10th sign Capricorn is under an increasingly focused spotlight, which seems to be turning your work environment into something resembling a pressure cooker. Regardless of the source of the tension, you may need to be the one person who keeps a cool head when others appear unable to. Drawing on past experiences here could prove useful, even if what is happening is unprecedented. If you can take the long view and remain outside the fray in spite of provocations, you’ll be rendering an invaluable service to colleagues, as well as shoring up your own internal strength, and proving your capability.
— By Amy Elliott

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Retrograde Mercury in your opposite sign is continuing to prompt a review of your relationships — or, perhaps more accurately, the way in which you relate. In one sense, this may be about recognizing the true worth of what you have to offer. The inward flame that powers your stamina, reliability and passion is an invaluable and lasting gift. Understanding this is the key to applying your energy effectively, and where it is most needed. It’s unlikely you’re fully aware of how many people have already benefited from your presence in their lives, though they will surely know and remember. Trust yourself, and keep that hearth burning brightly.
— By Amy Elliott

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Your ruler Mercury’s retrograde journey through Scorpio has entered its final week. This has been rather an intense and no doubt interesting expeience, and you’ll undoubtedly feel wiser, if nothing else, by the time the messenger god arrives in Sagittarius on Dec. 9. Certainly you’ve discovered the value of persistence, and of giving ideas a proper test run before making judgments. You’ve also learned something about your own resilience, your needs and your passions. As this phase comes to a close next week, there’ll likely be a moment when everything will suddenly seem a lot clearer, thanks to the gradual distillation taking place in your mind.
— By Amy Elliott

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — If you spend a good deal of your time and energy nurturing others and supporting them through various crises, you might sometimes be at a loss for expressing your own feelings, or being vulnerable when you need to. This could seem even more of a puzzle as the spotlight increases on your opposite sign Capricorn. Yet there are people who care about your needs, and want to take your interests into account. That can only happen if you open up. Watch particularly for any tendency to identify as ‘the one who helps’ or similar. You would be better served to acknowledge the importance of your needs as equal to everyone else’s. Take care of yourself so you can take care of them.
— By Amy Elliott

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Were it usual to attain expertise in any subject or acquire a professional-level skill within a brief time, the honor of gaining such things would surely be considerably less. It is because of the difficulty and the hard work required that these achievements are so valuable. It’s natural to feel impatience, frustration or moments of despair while striving for something important to you; yet the satisfaction of finally reaching it, when that happens, is like nothing else. On the other hand, you don’t have to relinquish all your enjoyments and focus on this one goal. If you’re getting wound up, take a break. You’ll emerge all the better for it.
— By Amy Elliott

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — It’s true that human beings can be woefully contrary. Our best-laid plans often come to grief because we persist in sabotaging our better selves, and failing to apply properly to our tasks. Or at least that might be what you tell yourself every time you have trouble reaching an impossible standard. Maybe you need to start from a different premise: that you’re human, and that’s okay. The chances are you’re still managing to accomplish what would more than satisfy other people; it’s just that you sometimes find that hard to realize. Mercury’s extended stay in Scorpio, however, is doing much to underline this point. — By Amy Elliott

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — The growing focus on your 4th house is directing you to an analysis of the past, both distant and recent: encompassing everything that has brought you to the present day. Collecting memories and records helps you assemble the puzzle of what was, and gives you a stronger foundation for what is now, and what can be. Don’t neglect family legends and folk wisdom, regardless of how far you can verify them; these give warmth and humanity to all the dates and certificates. This exploration is not merely a nostalgia trip for you. It is useful both to inspire and to help you understand yourself more thoroughly.
— By Amy Elliott

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Mercury’s retrograde journey through your sign is teaching you to ask certain questions about who you really are, and what you’re truly capable of accomplishing. This may cause you some discomfort at first, especially if it unsettles some well-laid plans or some image of yourself as more limited than you really are. Like a child outgrowing their clothes, you are possibly starting to chafe against the restrictions of your current habits. What needs to change, to reflect your new understanding, will come to you gradually as long as you’re willing to hold the space. For now, I suggest you observe and keep an open mind.
— By Amy Elliott

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Despite the current trend of disembodiment and getting lost in the world of the internet, you may be experiencing something the reverse this week. A host of planets in your 2nd house is pulling your attention in the direction of the real, the physical and what is immediately apparent, including your body. Notice if there are subtle twinges or reactions to particular stimuli, such as the way your digestion behaves after a meal. You could also pick up a feel for when it really helps to stretch and move, or if you need more sleep than you’re getting, or the surroundings that give you good vibes. Taking notes will be helpful. — By Amy Elliott

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — These days you’re in a process of revising your relationship with the social world, including social media: either scaling it back, or experimenting with new methods. The resulting changes to your lifestyle and habits are teaching you more about yourself, which is particularly valuable at a time when there’s increasing attention on your sign. You need to get into a place where you’re comfortable in your own shoes, and presenting your real character to the world without any elaboration or concealment. This takes an advanced degree of self-knowledge and a lot of practice. You’ll have an opportunity to gain both in the coming weeks.
— By Amy Elliott

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Of all the houses, the 12th is arguably the most mysterious. If the chart is a room with an open door, the 12th house represents what’s behind the door, or perhaps in the secret compartment concealed by a bookshelf. An abundance of activity in this area of your chart is getting you well acquainted with all the hidden nooks in your mind. This may be stirring up some of your deepest fears. You might also be tackling some profound questions about, for example, the nature of reality and your perceptions. During the year ahead, as the balance slowly moves from Capricorn to your own sign, you are sure to become a good deal wiser on both of these points.
— By Amy Elliott

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Ideal outcomes and what is possible may not be a united circle in the Venn diagram of life, though they are closer than you think. In any case, if there’s something specific you desire, don’t give it up for lost. Rather, focus on it and do your part to make it happen. Even if the prospect seems unfavorable and the chance small, there is likely more than one path to the finish line, and probably at least one you can’t yet see. For now, you can let things ferment quietly in the background while you focus on more immediate matters. There’s still about a week left of Mercury retrograde, and plenty of time even following that for opportunities you cannot see at this time to make themselves known.
— By Amy Elliott