There's a bit of wisdom that must turn up in the folklore of every old culture: if it doesn't have a solution, it's not a problem. While the approaching Mercury square to Mars may be irritating some people, this aspect also feels like a creative breakthrough. Support and inspiration feeding that Mars, coming from Uranus in Pisces, means the energy can be entirely constructive. Remember not to focus on negativity for any longer than it takes to notice you're stuck. Then ask for the help you need, or put your imagination to work. Rise above the fuss, particularly if it's in your own mind, be innovative, and turn that dross to gold. This is what I would call being an artist in real life.


Aries (March 20-April 19)
Ask most people what's important to them and they will tell you one thing, and do something entirely different. Everyone has done this at some point, and it's a kind of hypocrisy that you need to rise above once and for all. What matters in your life is what matters, and that's what you need to act on. Looked at another way, what you do is in fact what matters, and the rest is just talk. Therefore, if you really care about a certain situation quite close to home, you'll be the first one to make a move. You will make a difference.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)
It's always good to know where you stand with yourself. When you've reckoned your own ideas and opinions, you can face the world in a united way, and thus not draw the kind of divisiveness that follows so many people around from drama to drama. If you're challenged by someone with views that seem radically different than your own, acknowledge the difference, remind yourself of the common ground, and remember that you're the boss of your own mind. There is quite literally nothing to fight over, which is a concept I wish would make page one instead of just the horoscopes.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)
My old therapist Dave once handed me an idea that's helped me quite a lot. He said that people are addicted to paradoxes. Ever since then, I've been vigilant against no-win situations and the contradictions that don't seem to let us walk free. You appear to be ensnared in just such a situation, but if you'll stay with the process and go as deeply as you can to discover the source of your conflict, you're likely to be quite surprised how easy it is to resolve. I can give you a clue. You're going back and forth about something, but you're only seeing part of the picture. There is more -- much more.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Why is it that people forget to have fun, while they're working so hard? I have the answer. Most never set out to enjoy their work in the first place. Most people will stand and argue that it's not possible. Somebody told them; usually it was their parents and their teachers. If you can work creatively and with pleasure as the primary ingredients in your plan for success, you'll basically be able to do anything you want. Can you handle it? We live on a planet where most people consider freedom dangerous. So make sure you surround yourself with those who feel safe feeling good and making their own choices.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)
At the moment, there's more Leo energy in the sky than there has been for quite a few years. The suggestion is twofold: you have much more in the way of resources to work with; and you're probably seeing how much you did with how little for so long. Behind the scenes, you were making large investments in a spiritual bank account. You were not really sacrificing; you were planning for a future that has finally arrived. It is true that in this life we get very few opportunities to coast on past success. But it's hardly second prize to be succeeding in the very moment you're truly appreciating it.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
Track your state of mind carefully over the next few days, and you'll notice how quickly your moods and mental state change from hour to hour. An object of fear can seem absolutely real at one moment and then disappear the next. The contrast is really quite amazing, isn't it? It's a wonder we take it all so seriously, but then, we seem to have rather little to navigate by except for our thoughts and feelings. If you'll stand back and watch yourself like a detached observer, you may notice a higher intelligence is starting to take over; a more detailed guidance system that speaks less and says more.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)
You may be confronted with a real temptation to get involved with someone else's mishegas (that's Yiddish for madness). You're a kind and compassionate person, and you've been through a lot -- but in this situation, I assure you, there is very little you can actually do to help. The problem is that the person you're dealing with does not know what their problem is. The fact that you do recognize your own problem is quite an achievement, and think of all you've been through to arrive at this point. Take care of yourself. Good things are happening in your life, and better ones are about to happen.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Action is almost always the result of clear decisions. You need to guard against thinking anything you decide over the weekend is final. I know you want it to be. I know that you're feeling like you need to get a particular matter off of your mind. But at the very most, even when you figure out what you figure out over the next couple of days, you'll be working with less than half the information -- and I assure you, a lot is at stake. Money, trust, and a professional partnership all hang in the balance right now. Please don't rush into anything, or say anything you'll regret.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)
Despite so much that's going right, beware of one situation where one particular person is determined to have things go wrong. You know who this person is. You know them so well you can anticipate their every move. They're a lot like you, just a heck of a lot less creative. Don't let them out of your sight, and use spies if necessary. Mainly, the thing you want to avoid is a conflict, and unfortunately any conversation has the potential to turn into one. Assign proxies. Hire a babysitter. Buy them a ticket to Aruba, but send your best friend to keep an eye on them. Whatever. Just don't get involved in an argument.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
Among the many things going on in your life is a negotiation process, and it may involve a substantial amount of money. Since you're reading an astrology column, you now have the advantage of knowing that this whole process is linked up to Mercury stationing direct on August 16. That needs to be your target date. There are some interesting developments coming over the weekend. You will arrive at what feels like a breakthrough. But keep your cards in your hand. Don't reveal your strategy. What emerges about a week from today will help you substantially, and it will work to the benefit of whoever you're dealing with as well.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
What most people have never figured out is that there are methods for resolving differences of opinion. Fewer still have devoted themselves to this particular art form; the world needs more. The allure of conflict is too great, and the weakness that leads to it too much a part of basic human weakness. You can afford to be the more mature and stable person in one particular situation. It's not just that you've earned your sanity; it's that you know this relationship is based on love, and doubt doesn't stand a chance when that's really the case. But it may take some time and patience to work out.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Finally, you’ve reached the time in your life when you prize your wellbeing above all else, and put maintaining it first on your priority list. When you're strong, you have the ability to be strong for others. That doesn't mean that you get all watery and take on their emotions; Saturn in Leo's message for Pisces is about making clear lines between your emotional territory and that of others; between your work responsibilities and those of others. It really is possible, and when someone close to you finds out how strong you are, they'll want to be that way too.