There really are times when the astrological aspects get on everyone's nerves. Mercury remains retrograde in Leo, and it's forming a square aspect to Mars in Taurus (exact Saturday). Then the retrograde ends, Mercury changes direction, and the square occurs again. Neither Taurus nor Leo are particularly flexible energies, so the result may be some heads banging together. The thing about squares is that most of the time we carry them around inside of us, but act them out in the world. This is where astrology becomes a spiritual growth exercise in having patience -- and in minding your own stuff and not working it out on people. It's okay to sidestep those who are not so devoted to peace.


Aries (March 20-April 19)
You're going through a series of experiences that are here to remind you exactly what means the most in your life. Now, all you need to do is to live that out like it's really true. Since it is really true, what's the fuss? It seems like you're hesitating taking a risk of some kind, as if you have an attachment to something you're afraid to lose. But is that something as valuable as you may think? And if it is, do you really have to give it up? You're fighting with ideas right now. Don't let them distract you from the tangible truth.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)
You've been through a kind of reality check this week. It seems you were experimenting with seeing life from two different points of view, both of which felt real. One was intellectual, and the other spiritual. It seemed impossible to firmly choose one or the other. But events of the past two days have helped you integrate these viewpoints into one. This process is called maturity, and it's a beautiful thing. Having seen life from both sides, you don't need to be divided within yourself, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just remember that if their opinion gets on your nerves.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)
The risk you run the next few days is thinking one thing is bothering you when it's really something else. On the one hand, you could wind up picking a fight with someone who you really value and appreciate, which could take quite a while to sort out. On the other, there's a deeper issue that is calling for attention, and it involves coming to terms with a loss of some kind. While many people you'll meet on the street walk away from their problems like they don't matter, there are potentially great rewards if you will stick to the real subject matter, and boldly go through a particular emotional challenge.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Keep a close eye on your financial situation. Obviously, you're doing something right, but rather than thinking in the short term, you need to make every decision in the context of building a greater future. Remember that until recently, you thought you were capable of only a fraction of what you're capable of today. You can do that trick of going to a new level yet again. Yes, it's going to take time and effort, but not nearly as much as the first time, particularly if you remember to have fun. Right now, the name of the game is don't make the same mistakes twice.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)
Today is the anniversary of the infamous Aug. 11, 1999 total solar eclipse in Leo. This was a turning point in the long-term plan of your life. How is that plan coming? Were you able to abandon all that was not working for you, shed your old personality, and catapult yourself to a new life? You probably did it so well you didn't even notice. I suggest you notice; you took a true risk, you did it with your entire being, and in reality, you jumped without a net beneath you. Did you really have a choice? Probably not. But you didn't let that stop you, either.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
A great deal has changed in the past four weeks. In fact, everything has changed, right when you were least expecting it. The fact that you're thinking with such care and reflection about the past, perhaps the distant past, is part of the picture. Perhaps you'll be able to figure out why you've always been such a loner at heart. But maybe you'll be able to do something even more valuable, which is make peace with it, and finally come out of your shell. Deep in your heart, you know very few people have ever got to know the real you. And now you know it's finally time.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)
You've made some meaningful decisions this week, or perhaps they have made you. It will take some time for the full effects to emerge, but I trust you're feeling a sense of relief, like you've finally come around to a way of thinking that will serve you better. Be cautious, because your newfound peace of mind is subject to disturbances by those who have not unpacked their personal baggage yet. In fact, they may claim to have left it in the taxi. The next few days are an excellent time to let people work out what belongs to them; don't let any of it interfere with your heard-earned sanity.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
You have my personal permission not to be bitchy. You're also free to get away from everyone for a few days and sort out how you feel about a complicated professional situation that's obviously weighing heavily on you. It may seem like you can do no right; like there is no way out. I assure you, that's not true. But you're definitely in a dilemma. While the situation does involve other people, the dilemma itself is yours to resolve, so I suggest you not even discuss it with any of the people involved until you've really settled your mind about what you want. Give yourself about two weeks. The results will be worth the wait.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)
There is a rather astonishing degree of cooperation at work in your life right now, and it's not about to let up anytime soon. The only risk you run is Mercury retrograde-related; make sure that all your communications are run past two people smarter than you. You want to be on the lookout for commitments you can't keep, things that might be potentially insulting to tribal leaders of foreign territories; and the usual bungles caused by sloppy work and half-baked computer programming. With the station of Mercury less than a week away, you can afford to be careful and thorough. And you'd be silly not to be.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
Learning by experience is the keynote of Saturn in Leo. So, too, is an enormous burst of energy that, truth be told, is associated with many of the greatest inventions and most awesome business successes of our times. Right now you're in an experimental process. You may feel like a total amateur, but at least you're willing to try, and you seem to be obsessed with figuring out how to make something work and work well. I suggest that you count each little failure as a step toward success. You need this attitude for motivational purposes, but in the most literal sense, it's perfectly true.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
No relationship is perfect. Some do come close, and some don't get anywhere near. But a situation in your life right now is showing real signs of potential. There seems to be a growing value and a sense that something real is possible. Remember that solid relationships are less about having no differences and more about the way in which we work them out. The need to be aware of where people differ in view and values is something that can be anticipated, and in the end, it's something we need to respect greatly. You have the maturity to do so, and so does someone important to you.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Watch the conduct of someone over the next few days and you'll get a feeling for what it's like when you go off the deep end being insecure. The theme of the planets right now is not getting mixed up in the stuff of others. It's not easy for you to be so detached that you seem like you don't care. But I suggest you do it, because the experience will be fabulously valuable. Keep a handle on your own affairs and for sure, keep open to the many people around you who are awake and aware. But most of all, watch and learn -- and learn how to feel safe and secure.