Aries (March 20-April 19) — Despite this being such a busy time at work for you, pay attention to your relationships. It would be too easy to let projects push people out of the way, when some of the best life has to offer is coming through them. So make sure that your work has a start time and a finishing time, or at least create some space where you can take it slow and get to know someone. There is also the potential for collaboration, which may come along with a personal encounter. Someone close to you may have ideas that will help you along, or might be available to work with you; or you might form a partnership based on both love and something that you want to create or accomplish. Because two people cannot live by majority rules, it’s important to have a consensus-based decision-making process: that means give-and-take, and sticking to your deeper purpose as the guiding idea.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You might feel like circumstances are compelling you to make more alterations than a busy day in a tailor’s shop. However, you don’t need to renegotiate every agreement in your life. You can afford to slow down and see how things work out. However, remember that ultimately the people in your life are responsible for taking care of their own emotional needs, which might just mean stating them out loud. You could help the situation by encouraging people you care about to do just that: to speak up for themselves. You can set the example by doing so yourself. Speak for your needs calmly and clearly. Not only can you afford to skip any melodrama, you will get much better results if you do. Be patient, especially if the discussion involves sexual or emotional boundaries. This whole topic is more complex than it needs to be.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — You seem to be under the influence of a forgetfulness spell. Therefore, focus on remembering: remember your agenda, remember what you need to do and who you need to talk to, and remember your most basic needs. Most of all, remember your ideas. This is one of those weeks when a beautiful turn of phrase, a solution to a persistent problem, or an elegant chord progression can get lost between the moment you discover it and the time you get to your notebook. So be persistent about this, and trust you are having ideas that are worth remembering. Your chart shows you working toward some impressive goals; remember that the big achievements in life are always a mosaic of seemingly small goals met, combined with an overarching vision. Therefore, set out to accomplish those seemingly little things, and remember that you did, and why you did. And then pull back and size up the big picture at least twice a day.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Keep your focus on your immediate environment — in particular, getting yourself organized. You’ve probably been feeling the need for this already. If you have, it’s the right instinct. This may be more challenging than it seems, but the results will be worth it. Clear clutter out of the way, both mental and physical. Resolve past issues, and go looking for things left undone: leftover filing, mystery mail or nameless clumps of paper in the corner of your desk. Emphasize the physical plane first; the actual reality you inhabit in time and space is more important than anything in the cyber dimension. As one born under your sign, the quality of your working and living space is the single most influential factor affecting your state of mind. As you organize, begin sketching plans for future action. Insert a delay; for best results on new plans, move forward when Mercury stations direct on Sept. 22.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — You will make great strides in improving your financial situation if you take full responsibility for yourself in these weeks of your life. Depend first on your own resources. Rather than being independent as a matter of pride, do so as a matter of integrity. You can afford to be more generous with others than you think; part of improving your finances involves changing your attitude about money, and getting yourself out of scarcity consciousness. You would benefit from sidestepping the usual gossip about complaints, including avoiding people who are enamored of their own sense of lack. Teach yourself new habits by selecting friends who take a positive approach to money. And by all means get in the habit of voting with your dollars (or quid, or euros). Spend money where your need for some service or item meets someone in business who deserves your investment.

Marble bust of Isis-Sothis-Demeter, Gregorian Egyptian Museum, Vatican City. Photo by Colin.

The audio segments of the 2016-17 Virgo Birthday Reading have been published and are available for instant access. The video Tarot section will follow soon. You can still get this excellent, friendly and helpful reading for the pre-order price of just $19.97. Order today for yourself or as a gift.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Mercury is retrograde in your sign in rather spectacular fashion. And you’re still reverberating with the effects of a total eclipse that happened several days ago. I suggest you get used to the feeling of nothing being settled, then take advantage of it. The molecules of your life are shaking and vibrating and forming themselves into new compounds. This is the perfect moment to inject your influence. Rather than retreat from any feeling of chaos or what cannot be explained, take advantage of it; things are more flexible right now, and the glue that usually binds patterns and people has not set. You can make adjustments, or easily pull things apart and put them back together. This is the last week of Jupiter in your sign, which is an indicator that you can tune into all that you’ve learned during the past 12 months, and put it to work for you. There is plenty.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Jupiter enters your birth sign this week, where it will remain for one year. More than anything, Jupiter is the planet of potential. It’s up to you to make that potential real. Jupiter grants its greatest rewards when we define a purpose and do the work, which usually means aspiring to a goal rather than hoping you’ll get there some day. One thing that Jupiter assures is that you’ll have the resources that you need to get the job done. One of those is talent; another is the ability to collaborate; another is the funding you will need. Yet another is your natural charm, which is a precious thing in the human world. Therefore, know your most important objectives and work toward them. Aspire to great things, and to modest ones as well, by taking action. You may have to consciously focus your mind; though when you do, you’ll discover an abundance of energy.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — There’s a line from a book that I’m reminded of often: “Beware of the temptation to perceive yourself as unfairly treated.” You might, instead, champion the causes of those who really need you. It’s a much better use of your energy, and will serve to remind you how good you have it. If you feel yourself encountering emotions on the jealousy and control side of the spectrum, take a breath and ask yourself whether you’re not really upset about something else. You are equally free to celebrate your own passion by celebrating that of everyone else. It’s a true fact that you cannot control other people. At best you could control yourself, but you don’t need to do much more than guide your thoughts and feelings in the direction of what is alive and life-affirming. When you honor love in any form, you also honor your own need and desire to be loved. Open up and you will feel just how much life is offering you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Pay attention to when you say no but you mean yes. The world has become so enamored of the concept of boundaries that many seem to have forgotten that walls can have doors, and doors can have locks and doorknobs. The usual advice is to think long and hard about whether you mean yes. I would propose thinking carefully about whether you really mean to deny yourself or anyone some feeling, experience or thing you might share. Resistance is not integrity, nor is it a substitute for integrity. You don’t have anyone to impress with your purity. But you have a life to live, and the only way to actually proceed and progress is to say yes to whom and what you desire. That’s not a guarantee that you’ll get it, but it’s certainly an affirmation of openness and willingness. Here’s some astrological advice in the style of Mars square Chiron, your current aspect: get out of your own way.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — Jupiter crosses the midheaven angle of your solar chart this week. That’s a fancy way of saying you’re moving up in the world. Yet your chart presents a puzzle. When you make a move, you might stir up a nest of anxiety. This, in turn, could stop you from stepping forward. The psychological setup is the classic fear of success masquerading as fear of failure. You might start on something worthwhile and decide that it’s never going to work. The question you might ask is: what if you get results? That would require prolonged commitment. You will need to keep developing your idea; you will need to increase your level of responsibility and visibility; you will need to maintain your devotion to quality. Most of all, there is such a thing as a community standard. You can deal with that by exceeding any standard you perceive, while still keeping your creative integrity. That takes courage and devotion. Get ready.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Turn your attention to sources of professional revenue. This angle of your chart is on fire lately, and you seem determined to resolve any lingering issue related to being well paid for what you do. Yet here is the caveat or the creative hint: work with your friends and your allies. Work with people in positions of authority. Recognize when someone is in a position to help you, and approach them in a cooperative manner. While you’re at it, take any opportunity to assist a deserving underdog. There’s a great tradition that I associate with the sign Aquarius, which is that of people seeking assistance from their peers and getting it, doing good turns for their peers, and everyone passing it forward. There’s a word for this in Sanskrit, which means “acting as if to hold the world together” — dharma. In times of such tremendous stress as we are currently living through, this means more than ever.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Keep challenging yourself to do more relevant, creative things. Remember your highest goals, the ones that seemed out of your reach, and get them into your plan of action. To do this, bear in mind that you depend on both structure and creativity to succeed. The two often contradict one another, but the true artist or engineer or self-visionary gets them working together. Beyond balancing the two, you have the ability to form a whole new substance that incorporates and accentuates both. You are in a truly unusual phase of life; one that may be pushing you to your limits, only to discover that it was time to exceed them. However, you must be cool about this. Despite your passion and ability, you must keep a cool head and err on the side of humility. This isn’t something one usually has to tell a Pisces, but it’s clear from your charts. Be a collaborator first and boss second.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Anything is possible, though usually you must do the work to make it happen. There are times when your efforts seem to count for more, and others when they seem to count for less. At the moment you can harvest the benefits of efficiency and leverage. You have a little something extra going for you. Investing relatively modest amounts of energy will get unusual results. Following your astrology, here is what I suggest: for the next couple of days, work on resolving old business at the same time you plant the seeds of new business. Tidy up the past and, in the same gesture, move any obstacles you find out of your way. This might include clearing physical space, commitments and lingering issues with others. At the same time, clear out your mental space. Make room for new ideas. Be happy to let go of what was not working, experiment with different approaches, and keep your focus on that one thing you know you want to make real.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — There is that moment in the course of any creative project, or work project, when it seems to take on a life of its own. At that moment it becomes woven into the organic pattern of your life. This usually makes things easier, simplifying the experience of commitment. It’s more of a mutual thing than something you have to push or make happen. What you must do, though, is give yourself over to the process. Said another way, you surrender to becoming someone new, because that’s the experience of creation or of truly mindful involvement in something. Many ingredients are currently brewing in your consciousness. New talents are emerging, which are made from combinations of previous experiments and discoveries, and something truly special about this moment. Note that as you get this going, you’re likely to turn on (as in: light up, provoke or arouse) the people around you. Accept that gift.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Mercury, your home planet, is about to station retrograde. Typically this is classified as the astrology of inconvenience. For you, and for those you influence, this will be an unusual one, rich with discoveries and a major personal breakthrough. For this to serve you best, you need to remember something you’ve learned many times, which is how to stay open-minded. This extends to being open to your own feelings, and to your feelings changing. Pay attention to your tendency to have to understand every single emotional impulse before you let it in. You’re likely to be feeling so much, particularly the next few days, there’s no accounting for it all. If you open up to your own mental and emotional flow, you’ll feel better, you’ll feel more grounded, and you’ll get more done. The one thing I suggest you give up on is control. This is the primary message coming from your chart: relax a little and let life happen.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — On the offhand chance you’re a writer or aspire to be one, sharpen your pencil. This is the perfect moment to commit yourself to an ambitious project — one that you may have thought was over your head or beyond your talent. For everyone else, I would remind you that our civilization was built on the written word. Our ideas about ourselves, and the communities that we live in, are based almost entirely on literacy. You’re a distinct individual before you’re a member of any tribe. You are a person with an inner sanctuary, a place in you that you know to be real. And you’re someone with a unique point of view that only gets stronger as you explore your own perspective — and physically move around and see things from as many angles as possible. All of these things relate to the power of the written word. When you take this skill into your hands, recognize its true role in society, and bring your full integrity to the task.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — This week’s unusual astrology is about your relationship to money. This theme has been coming up for you over and over again, though you may not trust the earning potential that you feel. That would call into question your relationship to all forms of your potential. It’s clear that you may be seriously underestimating your ability to convert your talent and ideas into money. You’re being invited to open your mind to those ideas, which is another way of saying that you must assess your value in a practical way. For most people accustomed to working for wages, this feels like manifesting something out of thin air. It’s nothing of the kind, though you must get over a tendency to think small; that’s another way of thinking bigger. You have many gifts and personal assets. Converting that into revenue is a matter of aligning your skills with the needs of others, and assessing a fair price. This will be approximately double what you would be likely to estimate in the first round.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — A total eclipse of the Sun takes place in your sign this week. This suggests a few possibilities. One is that you’ve reached a point of no return in your personal growth. You must now take the step that you know you’ve been looking toward, and be happy that there is no turning back. If you’ve been consciously working toward this, then now is the time to solidify your commitment, and fully live out, explore and embrace this new phase of what might feel like your destiny. Yet I don’t think this is a point of destination as much as it is one of embarking. You are at a beginning, and a beautiful one it is. You are in a position to connect with and acknowledge your innate gifts, which are one and the same as your sense of purpose. That’s another way of saying you really can live your life your way. It may take a little time to get there; but carry on, overcome any setbacks and keep going.

Virgo: A View From the Inside

“Thanks for putting your heart and soul into what you do. Without a doubt, your work and love enrich my life.” — Ellie

Dear Friend and Reader:

As a student of astrology, I know there is something to love about each of the signs; something unique and beautiful, a crucial piece of the picture. Yet I must confess that with Virgo, my rising sign, I enjoy an unusually profound connection.

Our ruling planet Mercury, captured in a delightful false-color image by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

I’m not a Virgo Sun native, but I generally pay the most attention to Eric’s readings for this sign, because they seem to resound most powerfully for me. And as someone who identifies strongly with Virgo, I can tell you this: Eric understands us through and through, and his incredibly accurate readings reflect that.

The 2016-17 Virgo Birthday Reading will appear following the total solar eclipse in Virgo. This, paired with the imminent Mercury retrograde and Jupiter leaving our sign, means the forthcoming solar year could be a big one for us. And that makes Eric’s friendly and useful advice all the more important.

I heartily recommend you pre-order yourself a copy of this reading. As always, the pre-order price is the best one — just $19.97. Truly a great bargain to secure an invaluable guide for the year ahead.

With best wishes,

 Amy Elliott

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — People are often mysteries to themselves, and you may be feeling some of this right now. Yet you don’t need to make sense to yourself. Who you are does not need to add up rationally. Rather, feel who you are, and let your intuition guide you from one discovery to the next. In time, and not so much time, a series of personal revelations will leave you with the feeling that who you are and what you’ve been doing have made sense all along. Until then, you truly can afford to trust this fact. What might confuse you is seeking answers and explanations in ways that are reasonable and logical by some exterior metric — such as you could ‘prove’ them to someone else. You don’t need to think that way. Hang loose, and give yourself a break from being linear. Let your life follow the logic of a dream. Be gentle reading the symbols. Stick close to how you feel rather than what you think something means.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Keep your focus on work. You may have lots of social opportunities, and by all means have some fun. Yet maintaining consistency and devotion to your professional activities, and to your professional image, are essential now. You’re at a turning point where many facets of life are concerned, though especially your work. This can turn out very well for you. Yet your success requires prolonged devotion and dedication. That means persistence, which includes sidestepping turbulence and unhelpful people, and staying on track. Be mindful of the fact that you are, in a sense, on public display at all times. People are looking to you for leadership and as an example. That makes you a focal point of your community, and someone whose ethics are an important part of the message that you send. Stay sober, negotiate rather than get involved in conflict, and at all times remember what you want.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — In astrology there are two houses devoted to one’s professional activities. One is the 6th house, which is about going to work every day and doing what you’re supposed to do. The other is the 10th house, which is about aspiring to do what you really want to do. Right now planets are collected in your solar 10th house, which is Virgo, and an eclipse is about to happen right there, this very week. This suggests that events at this time in your life are in some way indicative of your highest calling. The price of admission to the 10th is taking total responsibility for answering that calling, and for taking every step that must be taken to get you there. That might mean focusing on the details; it means keeping your mind on your vision for yourself; and most of all it means making decisions consciously. Most people never get as far as the 10th house. You’re there now. Accept your mission. Moreover, love your mission. It’s yours and yours alone.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — If you have spirituality on your mind, you might consider whether you actually have sex on your mind. This is a fairly typical reversal, and not everyone cares. From the look of your solar chart, you’re determined to find out the truth about something. Yet if that is coming up as the craving for mystical ideas or experiences, I would propose that what you truly want is something more emotional, biological and physically satisfying. That means self-discovery in reality rather than in abstract theory. Your body knows what is right for you, if you will only listen. Your dreams may also be telling you something. If stepping in this direction feels at all edgy, nerve-wracking or comes tinged with guilt, you can be sure you’re following your true calling. You have no need to be pure or holy, only real, which means real with yourself. This is a special moment for you to place your focus here: an excellent time to make friends with desire.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Try to keep things simple, especially where joint finances are concerned. You seem to have a lot of proposals on your desk, or maybe bills, or both. It will help significantly if you prioritize. That means recognizing what is the most important, the least important, and everything in between. As a great songwriter once said, you have to know your plastic from your cash. You might set a priority on being financially solvent (honorable enough), though you might set another one on figuring out how you can take advantage of your current situation to further your own goals. There are some potential partners with whom you can have a mutually profitable relationship. But check them out carefully first. Make sure that anyone you’re doing business with can actually keep their commitments, and — closer to the point — that they want to do so. Not everyone has your integrity, or your drive to succeed in an honest and meaningful way.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Amidst all that’s going on in your life, and the many people who surround you, one specific situation stands out as especially meaningful. Whatever it represents is an actual transition in your life. It includes an ending and a beginning. There is a review of the past, and an opportunity to explore the future. Take things one step at a time, though be aware that one step may come on the heels of another. It’s essential that you keep your focus and not lose yourself in anyone or anything. It will help if you give people plenty of room to make their own decisions, with as little attachment as possible to the choices they make. You may feel like you’re in a position only to respond, rather than be proactive. What’s emerging is the result of your being proactive in the past. Keep responding in a creative way, focus on collaboration, and be as patient with people as you can.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — You have some unusual and by all indications excellent opportunities to express yourself, in creativity, in love or both. What you might come up against, though, are some of your more rigid beliefs about life. These are likely to be values that were instilled in you when you were young, and which don’t serve you. Yet you seem to depend upon them, in a way, to protect you from your more exciting options and your true vitality. Now you’re pushing back against them; that is necessary, if you want any room to have some fun, which is another way of saying to get past the limits that were set upon your bliss. Look for examples of this if you decide you want to do something adventurous and then feel guilty about it, or you feel like something horrible might go wrong. That fear is a blockage, and it stands between you and the future. Now is the time to work it out.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — You cannot look to others for validation of your feelings, or not at this stage anyway. For you, there is no compromise between the past that you’re leaving behind and the life that you want. You must use your power of persuasion, seduction or some other influence to convince a partner to slow down enough and hear the other sides of an issue. This includes their having a sense of your growth trajectory. One thing you can do for yourself is to evaluate your own beliefs. If you notice that your beliefs are rigid, which means firmly held and not tending to flex or bend, you would do well to soften up. Setting that example will be good for everyone. Allow for change, and for the passage of time. Notice the subtle points, which means listen carefully.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Learning is discovering that something is possible. The next week or so will be rich with this energy: of self-discovery, of your learning potential, and most of all, figuring out how much you already know. Please don’t resist this. Slow down and take your time with everything that you’re doing and everything you’re feeling. We’re not talking about knowledge that’s limited to what you’re holding in your head. For you in particular, authentic knowledge is rooted in your feelings, your blood and your bones. Your body informs your mind, not the other way around, and this quality of your being is coming on strong now. Along with this process, pay attention to what you eat and how it makes you feel. Pay attention to your sleep patterns and dreams. And if you have any connection to your ancestors, particularly on your father’s side, consider what they have taught you and what they are offering you now.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Be ready to negotiate for what you want. That means three things mainly: preparation, knowledge and flexibility. You must be coming from an informed place, to the degree that you know more than anyone with whom you’re working out business or contractual arrangements. Powerful forces are at work in your life, and you must be their master, or you face the risk that they will master you. Therefore, I suggest you over-prepare on every subject, but don’t show off your knowledge. Rather, use what you know to ask the right questions. Listen carefully and figure out what other people know, revealing as little as possible. Your astrology reveals that you have a rare opportunity to crack the code of one particular puzzle involving sex, money or some combination of the two. This discovery will lead you to rethink your relationships, and put yourself on much firmer ground when you’re done.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — Always remember that your intelligence is your most valuable resource. You may have finances on your mind, and the key to whatever you’re puzzling over or trying to figure out is the power of your mind. You are about to tap into a much wider and deeper source of mental power than you’re typically accustomed to. This will, in turn, help you tap into greater resources than you usually have. Yet this is not like getting a loan from a bank. Rather, it’s much closer to you making your resources available, and seeing what that attracts. The more generous you are, the more you will figure out how much that you have, and that you know. It may be popular to withhold knowledge, as if that makes it worth more. Often this is a mask for lacking confidence. Ideas increase by being given away. You will gain self-assurance as you share what you know, and base your relationships on that sharing.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Relationships are always more than the sum of their parts. Working with others in a harmonious way allows for greater creative flow than people working alone, and opens the way for ideas that never would have emerged otherwise. Therefore, you might want to seek collaboration and cooperation on anything you’re working with. Many hands make lighter work, if you can keep people coordinated, though this goes deeper, to the level of a real exchange. Yet you must be the director of any collaboration, proceeding gently and respectfully but with a degree of quiet authority. Mostly this means setting the agenda based on real goals, being aware of the many factors involved in your environment, and consulting with anyone you’re working with. This process of consultation — with lots of listening involved — is where you will demonstrate respect for the ideas of others, bring out your own best ideas, and then create that something extra.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — Most arguments are a waste of time, and this will be especially true this week. I suggest you do that Libra thing and figure out how to sidestep conflict, or turn it into something productive. It’s true that you feel important principles are at stake, but are they really? And do principles really matter? Given the astrology, I would say that part of what you’re doing is re-evaluating your position on matters of deep personal importance that have little involvement with the lives of others. You must make up your mind about what works for you, and you can be more flexible with yourself. If you find yourself feeling certain about something, you might inquire whether that’s not a cover story for feeling utterly clueless. Knowing that you don’t know is a far better option than thinking you know and being wrong. And if someone has an opinion and is right, concede the point quickly and move on.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Finances remain an important theme for you now, and you need to get your house in order. The first thing to do is to prioritize, which is likely to involve making what seem like difficult choices. The question is, what exactly is the difficulty? You appear to be in conflict between what you want, and what you think other people think is right for you. This can be a subtle level of psychology, where you sort out the influence of authority figures in your thought process. Once you start setting your own priorities as a fundamental matter of living, it becomes easier to see where you’re letting others have an influence. I am speaking specifically about parents, siblings and various authority figures from your past who seem to be in a kind of inner debate. None of this is real unless you pretend that it is. What matters is what you say matters.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You must work with your resistance rather than let it slow you down. The question, though, is what are you holding onto? You must beware of orthodoxy in any form. Checking the semantic roots of that word, we discover that it’s based on the idea of “straight, upright, rectangular, regular; true, correct, proper.” Seen another way, it means stuck in the past for its own sake. The allegedly proper way to do things back then may have little bearing on the way you need to do them today. That might mean breaking tradition, and you might worry this is going to offend people. That is irrelevant. What truly matters is that you understand the wisdom of the past and actually assess its value. It might be relevant; it might not be. Does it help you accomplish what you want to accomplish now, or does it get in your way? The creative process is based more on mistakes than it is on purity.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You’re working to break free of something that has often hindered you in the past: a thought form, an idea about yourself, or an attachment to a belief. (Those are all ways of saying the same thing; choose which one you relate to.) What I suggest you notice is any time you take something on the level of a religious belief. I don’t mean religion per se but rather that style of ‘true believership.’ There are a few qualities that such might have, one of which is that it’s born of an attempt to simplify something complex. Another is that it’s a response to a fear, with a palliative value (it makes you feel better, or is supposed to). Last, it’s the kind of idea that leads you to avoid something rather than to engage it directly. In case nobody has told you yet, you have a bold, brilliant imagination, and you’re capable of coming up with ideas that far surpass any form of simplistic viewpoint. Those ideas have life and they have energy, and that’s what you’re feeling now.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — When one goes against popular opinion, one is often playing with fire. I suggest you switch ‘playing’ to ‘working’, and use fire carefully and consciously, as the tool that it is. Bucking popular trends or opinions can work well, if it’s done with a level of Jedi awareness. Our current environment is set up to feed counter-trends, and people love them. Remember that you cannot do this alone. You need allies; you need the experience and the wisdom of others who have done similar things before, and who are capable of studying the environment. This may be your friends, your clients, your colleagues or the general public (depending on what you do). The question to ask yourself is: what is the core belief that you’re working with? I could just as easily have said ‘working against’ but in fact you will be working with the very thing you’re working against. Figure out what that is, and you’re well on the way to succeeding.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You might have the feeling that you’ve found the perfect relationship or the perfect person. You’re certainly being drawn in that direction. At the same time, you are being bold about focusing your purpose and your mission. It’s essential that these two seemingly different aspects of your life not conflict. That would be a waste of a phenomenal opportunity to create harmony between your personal involvements and your most important missions in life. Those missions all require cooperation with others; nearly everything does, though this particular fact is emphasized in your current solar chart. Yet you’re also in the position of setting your own agenda, rather than following what others think is the right thing to do. You must trust your own sense of mission; though remember that you need to reevaluate your goals constantly. There are certain items that have been on your to-do list for a while, and among them are a few that deserve a real investment of your time and your energy.

Aries (March 20-April 19) — Focus on the quality of the work you do, and devote yourself to the service you offer, and you cannot go wrong. You might think that this is the approach you take when you’ve figured out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Yet it’s the devotion to whatever you happen to be doing that will guide you to the place you want to be the most. This is an inner quality rather than an outer one; the common thread is a state of mind rather than any particular activity. Doing quality work in a deli is not that different from doing quality work as a writer; in both cases you must pay attention, focus on the details and keep your human presence strong. Respond to your environment and honor the idea, “I am here only to be truly helpful.” When in doubt, remind yourself of that.

Taurus (April 19-May 20) — It’s amazing how changing your relationship to food can change your life. Most people suspect this, though the details can be elusive. Fad diets compete with ‘fine’ restaurants, the ones where butter makes it better. Your astrology suggests this is the time to get your kitchen and your eating habits in order. This will likely prompt a more holistic review of your life, with food at the center, where it belongs. It’s true that eating well costs money, but it’s a lot cheaper than eating out. If you draw your energy into your home (and, for example, away from restaurants), that will shift the flow of your life in many other ways. The thing you need is control over what goes into your food, and actual choice over what you eat. This will help your mood, your energy level, your creative flow and many other factors of life that you might never associate with a fork or spoon.

Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Don’t trip over yourself. Tie your shoes, pull up your socks and walk forward. You might not be feeling self-confident enough to blaze forward, though this is what I’m speaking about. If you act confidently and proceed with some direction, you will feel confident. If you overthink everything, especially in the context of what will make you feel safe, you’re likely to feel stuck. Others in your environment may seem bold or aggressive, which may be irritating; however, you might consider that they have the right approach to life. It’s true that some people around you may have a higher tolerance for conflict, though you have a skill that can convert friction into cooperation: that would be your gift of language. Your ability to negotiate and to see both sides of an issue will help you turn potential competitors into allies and even friends. Find your common goals and agree to work toward them.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — To succeed professionally, it’s essential that you have a solid home life. This is not true for everyone, though it’s essential for you. You need harmony in your living space, and also order and beauty. You need space you can depend on and use as you need to, and you need to feel good there. In a few weeks Jupiter will be entering the home angle of your solar chart. This transit is about one year of focused improvement, feathering your nest, clearing out space and, quite possibly, getting yourself into a better location. All of this adds up to taking care of the space you have, and figuring out what you need and want. My own preference is for high ceilings, wood floors and a lot of light, which turns out to be easy to find. Yours may be just as easy, though it helps significantly to know what you want before you find it. Pay attention to where you feel good.

A Florida panther. Photo by Ethan Oringel.

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Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — If you’re prospering financially, you know it’s not a matter of luck. You know it’s a matter of focus, effort and intelligence. If you want to do better on the money scene, bring your intelligence to the question. Leo can have a frugal quality that you might need to get over. What for some is about covering their basic necessities for you might seem overly extravagant. You might suspend those kinds of judgments on the way to figuring out your relationship to money. Everyone must find their proper place on the food chain. You value what is simple, and by all indications you despise waste and want. Yet to have a good life it’s important to have one or two selected areas of life where you go to excess, if only as a reminder that you’re the one making the decisions. Financial success is largely a matter of being open to it; that makes all your other efforts possible.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — Nothing is all male or all female. All critters have both male and female hormones; all humans have tendencies that are considered native to their sex, and of the opposite sex. Most of these are conditioned and have no relationship to biology. Virgo in particular is a sign that’s ruled by Mercury, the one truly hermaphroditic planet. You have no special need to attach yourself to one particular polarity or viewpoint, and you would have great fun experimenting, especially now. The sticking point is usually the fear of what others might think, though I suggest you step over that like the six-inch-high fence that it is. Apropos of both Mercury and Virgo, the thing to do is to keep moving and exploring rather than getting yourself into a fixed point of view. Beware of clarity; that is, the feeling of having determined something with certainty. The moment you feel that, ask yourself, “And now what?”

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You have some interesting people around you, who may be shocking you into a new level of awareness. You might not like their style, or you might be happy that they’re them and you’re you. But the message is that you’re free to be more assertive in your environment. You don’t need to be so retreating or understated. You don’t need to hide your point of view. If you’re looking for yourself, or trying to figure out who you are, step out into the world and give things a push. See how people respond to you, by getting them to respond. The thought of this may make you bristle, though it’s better to have creative experiments rather than actual conflicts — and those seem to be your current options. There’s a level of self-development where you must pull in and maintain your silence. A little of that will help you now, but just a little. Mostly, you need to let your freak flag fly.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — Money issues often come back to unresolved issues with parents. Carl Jung, the great 20th century psychoanalyst, said they relate to mother. Sigmund Freud, one of his teachers, said they relate to father. So let’s say it could be either parent, or both — and you’re likely to be rubbing against these themes now. The fact that this question relates to your family may not be obvious on the surface. It’s not always as stark as someone telling you what to do (though it may be). More often it relates to how you feel when you set your own priorities. For example, when you decide what you want and take steps to make it happen, do you feel guilty? Even a little? Do you feel like you’re betraying someone by making your own decisions? That’s the feeling I’m talking about. The core of this issue almost always relates back to being afraid of people who seem to hold authority over you, or who once did. In the next few weeks you can blow through this, with gusto.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — Mars is in your sign, and you’re now in the perfect position to assert yourself. But against what? I would say: the past. You’re at the point where you truly want a new vision for yourself, and new plans based on that vision. In light of that, I suggest you update all your files. Make sure that the goals you have are actually the ones you currently value; the ones you really and truly want, now. As you do this, you’re likely to come up against some previous plans, including ones that may have been important to you even recently. It will help if you let go of any attachment you might have; for example, because you worked so hard. The work you did is not lost; it was an investment in your self-development, and you learned plenty. If you get to a point where your new agenda conflicts with your old one, pause and consciously reassess. Use your energy wisely.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You must look beyond your tendency to be pessimistic, and consider what is possible. You might not be able to do that based on what you’ve accomplished in the past; that’s the point. You need a different basis for faith in your ability to shape your life. One thing that might ease your way is to let go of having to make an exact plan for every goal. Between the first step in a process and what might seem to be the last one, there are many surprises. It’s not that planning is in some way wrong, but rather that it can only get you so far. Think of your plans as a kind of guide, such as figuring out what rocks you’re going to step on to get to the other side of the stream. Once you’re stepping from rock to rock, you might make another choice, and you might get your feet wet. You’ll still get where you’re going.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If you find yourself facing a problem or issue, pause and ask yourself if you’ve already solved it. If you find yourself needing anything, ask yourself if you already purchased it. Rather than discover, acquire or plot new things, check out what you already have on hand. You seem to be up to something — some project with potential public impact, and you want to proceed with intention and use your resources wisely. Draw on your environment: approach your supporters, work with your allies, and make sure you get people on board as far in advance as you can. This same astrology might lead you into high-friction situations, which would be a waste of time. If you use your mind and your intuition, you will save time and get more done. And if you put your social skills to work — which, as you know, is optional — you will get even further. Think and be polite.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Stick to your most important goals. Pause what you’re doing, take a survey of what you’ve been up to for the past six months, and prioritize. Mars has returned to Sagittarius, which is your house of ambition and reputation. It will help if you remember that both of those count: you are in an excellent position to strive for unusually bold goals, and you must do so with integrity and a clear sense of mission. By mission, I mean be clear about what your service is. You are being called to work in service, though at the same time, you can and must make it work for you. Emphasize collaboration and include as many points of view as you can; at the same time maintain a position of leadership over your own affairs. When the time comes to connect with people you identify as working on a high level, or as an authority figure of some kind, handle that communication yourself.