Aries (March 21st to April 19th)
You may have a lot of difficulty in maintaining a sense of grace while under fire at the top half of the week. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should abandon keeping your cool when the heat and pressure are on. The planetary pressure from Mars, Uranus, Pluto and Jupiter is still turned all the way up. Mars in Libra puts you to the test to act with grace, but edgy Uranus, needling Pluto and way-too-hyper Jupiter could symbolize how you feel pulled in multiple directions by the length of your nerves. And every nerve feels like it’s your very last nerve that being pulled. And this may be the pathway to keeping your cool, especially toward the bottom half of the week. Of course, what feels like your very last nerve is not. So don’t get caught up in the drama of what things feel like. Instead, stick to the facts and what’s required in the moment, nothing extra.
Taurus (April 20th to May 21st)
Charging into whatever fray or mayhem at the start of the week may seem a brave strategy; but you’re only charging to scare off your anxieties and fears rather accomplishing what must be done. You’d do better to walk slowly into the demands of the week to conserve your energy and consolidate your focus. There’s also another reason why you might charge. Some part of you could welcome this excitement and energy that’s being released now. It’s cool to appreciate the energy, but don’t be tricked by it. This week requires a little more finesse, because the temptation is to rush and take a broad sword to everything. You’ll end up messing up, and we all know how you hate to do that. Once you get past Wednesday, however, you can ease out of the stress of finessing and chillax with friends.
Gemini (May 21st to June 20th)
This week seems to have you doubling backward toward caution rather than throwing it to the wind to tell everyone off. (Ahem, like last week.) You possibly feel more inclined toward preserving what you have rather than lose more, whether that’s losing money, friends, time or face. Actually, that’s not a bad impulse if you don’t go overboard with it. Now you should struggle to salvage what you can, but don’t bend over backwards to keep a peace you can’t anymore, especially at the top half of the week. You may still have to make some breaks from people, situations and places that add more stress in your life than relief. However, stick to getting rid of the dirty “bath water,” not the baby of new opportunity that’s surfacing in your life now.
Cancer (June 21st to July 21st)
When the good holy books caution us not to lean on our own understanding, I don’t think that’s a universal message to say we’re ignorant or incapable of making our own sound decisions. It might be better to see our own understanding, whenever we’re graced with it, as always partial. This means that we can act with partial understanding, but realize that we should be careful of acting too far beyond what we really understand or know. For example, you might learn enough about someone on the first date to commit to a second date; but it’s a different level of understanding and action to commit your whole life based on what little you know from an initial meeting. So keep walking forward with your plans, but don’t be afraid to ask somebody else for perspective or to pause to evaluate your steps as you move along.
Leo (July 22nd to August 21st)
This week you could experience what might be described as a widening crack in your faith, whether it’s in an actual religion or merely in the good will of the cosmos toward you and those you love. However, it’s not a loss of faith in something good “out there” as much as a loss of confidence to stay “good” yourself. Last week, we talked about “doing good” by expanding your mental outlook. This week we’re talking more about “doing good” as a daily practice in routines and habits that help you feel good and accomplish the life you truly want. You don’t have to go beyond looking at bad habits, like skipping meals or meditation sessions, to see how they can compromise your ability to be at your best and be good. This won’t repair the crack; but it could get you to look closer where the crack’s doing the most damage.
Virgo (August 22nd to September 21st)
What’s odd about Pluto unearthing aspects of fun and joy in your life now by his appearing to go backwards is that you may not feel a lot of fun or joy right. In fact, you could feel a bit pissed off, possibly in areas of your life that have nothing to do with what gives you pleasure or where you experience your creative juices flowing. This is because the first thing “freed” when you get in touch with lost aspects of yourself is energy. If this energy isn’t grounded or channeled in a clear direction, then it lands up in places and ways you wouldn’t expect. One of the easiest ways this ungrounded energy surfaces is through anger. You can quell this unchecked energy, especially if it surfaces as anger by exercising it out or rigorously cleaning a room to ready it for more joy or fun in your life.
Libra (September 22nd to October 21st)
There’s no getting around the need to “go big or go home!” now. You could defy logic to go big by going “small” to avoid going bust or for broke. However, you don’t have to balance such extreme views of what’s going on. You can take a more nuanced approach to going big by giving your all…in increments or planned stages. If you look at every moment as a “do or die!” moment, then you could end up dying a thousand dramatic deaths for little to no reason at all. Of course, I’m not underplaying the seriousness of the big decisions you have to make or the tension of real obstructions you could encounter now with people. Nonetheless, if you play cards, then you already know you don’t have to show your whole hand in one turn. Don’t let your anger or ego get the best of you this week.
Scorpio (October 22nd to November 21st)
It’s often better to pay more attention to what you Scorpios don’t say than what y’all do say. The problem for most folks is that they don’t know what questions to ask. This is a good time to ask yourself the questions to fill in the blanks for what’s left unsaid. I know: no easy task, even for you. Nevertheless, it’s important to do this now because there’s enough energy ricocheting between planets that what you don’t say could shatter a fragile peace you have at home or work. The energy could break out in a rant or rage about something other than what’s really on your mind or in your heart. So, when something annoying happens, check in to make sure you’re not deflecting. If a lover breaks a vase accidentally and you go off, are you upset about the vase or something else from the recent past?
Sagittarius (November 22nd to December 21st)
Although it’s loud and noisy in the relationship and social sector of your life, you’re coming to a resolution with much of it this week. This doesn’t mean that everything tidies up smoothly, but you can at least relax, knowing you’re not juggling knives anymore. So, at the top of the week, you should be prepared to do the heavy lifting with working, fighting, laughing, or whatever kind of “-ing” that needs to happen to make progress with creating peace. If you keep in mind that you’re looking for a win-win scenario rather than where there has to be a loser, you’ll fare better in figuring something out. Otherwise, you could broker a very fragile peace that won’t endure past next week. As you head toward the weekend, you’ll feel more anchored and settled, especially at or close to home.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 20th)
From what I understand from different physical trainers, the best kind of fitness is when you feel the discomfort of stretching and building muscle, not enduring pain. Some people seem to think that where there’s pain is when there’s real gain. You might hold a similar misconception this week. You’re definitely prone to overdo it this week. If you feel the burning desire to “go hard” at making dramatic changes in your life, such as a new hardcore diet or tripling your normal productivity levels, then think of these changes as you would with good fitness. Your work ethic is serious, but don’t let it be ruinous. Toward the weekend would be an excellent time to loosen your focus. It’s okay if you have a casual intention, like checking out a new club or social event, but stay relaxed.
Aquarius (January 21st to February 18th)
It looks as if your fierce campaign to clear up lingering miscommunications and misunderstandings will net some results and clarity this week. It’ll be at the earlier part of the week when you’ll likely march up any figurative hills to battle out any issues you’re still having with folks. Once you get to “hump” day, however, you can feel easier about relaxing, perhaps for the first time in weeks. The key to knowing whether you’ve achieved a flawless victory here rests in how you’ve actually cleared up these misunderstandings. Laser-like precision, as I mentioned last week, is what’s needed, and a precise solution is one where you’ve created a choice for yourself or others that’s hard to refuse or to deny as best. It might not feel good or happen fast, but it affirms everyone’s responsibility for his or her choices.
Pisces (February 19th to March 20th)
Perhaps you like the adage, “When a door shuts, God opens a window,” as much as I do. However, this adage is mostly an oversimplification of what often happens when opportunities appear or disappear. Sometimes God (or something) opens and shuts multiple windows and doors at once. Consequently, that presents other problems. However, the serious challenges frequently come when we have to push open those heavy yet ajar doors or squeeze through freshly cracked windows. In short, this week could reveal that your actual exit (or entrance strategy) is weak and underdeveloped. It’s one thing to daydream about change and opportunity, but now you have to embrace it. This could surface your old enemies, fear and doubt. Both will attack your sense of self-worth. Don’t listen them, because your worth is not up for question. Prioritize instead what your next steps are.
Samuel F. Reynolds is a NYC-based astrologer. As an Ebony reader, you’re eligible for discounted fees for in person or by phone/skype consultations. For more info, visit unlockastrology.com, write [email protected] or follow on Twitter at @sfreynolds.
