By Eric Francis Coppolino
ARIES — Every revolution begins with words, but you must get beyond that phase quickly. State your intentions and your plans to yourself, for the sake of clarity — then move on to your points of action. You have a rare opening to turn ideas into physical momentum, and it won’t last for long. It’s true that one can take action and get results any time, though some times are better than others. It will help to think clearly in terms of the level you want to be on. For example, if you’re working toward success in some project, a career move or your talent in general, the question is: where in society do you see yourself doing this? More like a cafe, a small theater or Madison Square Garden? More like a small gallery opening, a full exhibition or a wing at the Museum of Modern Art? You’re in an unusually strong position to move up a level or two. Know where you want to be.
TAURUS — You can now turn your attention to a financial matter that’s been difficult to grasp the past few weeks. Things should be much clearer than they’ve been, which means that you probably see your options as much more obvious. If you’re paying attention you’ll also see that you’re not in some kind of an impossible financial situation, but rather one where you have considerable influence over the outcome. What may be troubling you is the potential that you have to make a sacrifice of some kind. In our current milieu, where we’re conditioned to want everything for nothing, that can sound scary: you might have to change something, or exchange something, or offer something to your situation, in order to particulate in a genuine way, or to achieve some larger result. It’s not anything you cannot afford to give, or to do, and you will see that your investment makes a difference.
GEMINI — Your astrology seems, on one level, to be inviting you to avoid or escape from something. Pay attention to that impulse. You may be trying to run from the very thing you want the most. Yet another way to read the same pattern is that you’re seeking a peak experience of some kind. You want to go the whole way into something and do it for real. This desire for intensity is why people do things like bungee jump or parachute from airplanes. The inner movement is the desire for something that will actually change you. This could come in many different forms, though think of it as a real experiment with the thing you think is the realest, or that you want the very most. However, it’s a fine line between escape and what I’m calling peak experience. Pay attention to the distinction, and watch for distractions. For example, if you’re preparing for an interview, an audition or a placement exam, and someone invites you out for drinks, which do you do?
CANCER — It’s now necessary that you create an environment of mutual care. That may mean shifting the balance more in favor of taking care of others and their needs, or in the direction of taking care of your own needs. Be honest with yourself and make a real assessment, and figure out which you have to do. The thing to ensure is that you neglect nothing. This will require looking for aspects of life that have been cut off and cast away. These you must collect, rethink and rehydrate with feeling. This may be like stretching out limbs that have grown stiff. You might feel like you’re blowing the dust and grime out of the corners of your life. Others around you might be made nervous by the fact that you’re claiming your existence, which to be precise is exactly what you’re doing. Remember that your existence includes you and your environment.
LEO — You seem to be getting your message clear. Remember that in trying to persuade others, they’re more likely to respond to beauty, or their feelings, than they are to logic. You might have the idea that if you’re clear enough, and make enough sense, you’ll get everyone on board with your idea. Think of it this way: people are already convinced; they just need to be motivated. It’s essential that you remember this, because additional attempts to convince anyone will have an effect opposite what you’re going for. What will get results is having faith in yourself, if you are willing to act on it in a meaningful way. By this I mean you have to trust yourself more than any nagging voice in your mind, and you have to trust that you’re good for your commitments — because you are.
VIRGO — It’s time to step up to the challenge of your calling. I don’t mean it’s time to start getting ready: I mean it’s time to follow your specific desire; to take that chance and assert your plan, your talent, your intention in physically tangible form. It’s not enough to have ideas that you think are wonderful. It’s not enough to have a plan. It’s not helpful to wait. The least you can do for yourself is to initiate a series of actual measures to manifest some aspects of your goal. By goal, I mean that which is the very most meaningful to you; the thing that stems from a feeling of purpose, connection and passion. You will need to scrub some old items from your agenda to do this, and concentrate your energy. Proceed with the understanding that under this scenario, you are known for who you are and what you do. Your reputation builds from this point forward.
LIBRA — You must feed what you want, and withdraw energy from what you don’t want. What you feed will grow; what you withhold nourishment from will gradually disappear. I don’t mean ignore, though; remaining aware is essential. Therefore be clear about what you consider to be positive and what you consider to be detrimental, and respond to each appropriately. Just because you might be driven by an idea or infatuated by a person does not make it wholesome for you. If you hear the little voice that says, ‘This isn’t healthy’, you would be wise to respond to it. If you’re attracted to some experience and you think it might be ‘scary’, ask yourself what you’re really scared of and determine whether that is realistic. Often this thing we call scary is a cover for what is most important to you, what is actually real, what is urgent and what may change your life.
SCORPIO — Mars is near the end of its retrograde in your sign, which dates back to late April. This is putting you in contact with some deep feelings about yourself and your purpose in the world. The effect is mainly emotional. Please pay attention to what surfaces, and try not to panic if you find yourself doubting. You’re on the side of this event where doubt is most likely to surface, as is some frustration with the way things have been for so long. The purpose of that feeling is so that you can recognize and heal your doubt, rather than be silently ruled by it. The point of challenge for you is that among what comes to the surface are the deeper issues people tend to brush off using denial or avoidance. What you have now is a rare opportunity to access levels of healing that are not often so easily available. Work this to your advantage.
SAGITTARIUS — Be aware of a potential power struggle in a relationship wherein someone feels they must sacrifice something. While it’s not always possible to convince people of this, it will help if you understand that all relationships involve give and take. Ask yourself whether you’re offering your heart, soul and resources to a situation that actually calls for it. Notice what you expect of others in the way of flexibility, offering their time and energy, and the concept of commitment. You won’t benefit from being the kind of person who expects perfect fidelity when you doubt your own (though this is quite common). In any discussion of commitment, focus on what you have to offer, and be mindful of how your words and your actions match up. You’re now at the point where you must provide your own ethical leadership. Life is not about what you can get away with; rather, it’s about what you bring to any collaboration.
CAPRICORN — You might be wondering whether to just have faith, or to work for what you want. Yet it’s not a matter of either/or. You can do both at once. Working toward a goal calls for faith in yourself. That, in turn, is related to courage. It would be easy for you to get caught in the details, and avoid action that way. If you’re asking yourself questions like, “Am I a good enough person?” or “Do I know enough?” that suggests you’re getting bogged down. You need to trust your inherent goodness, use what you know, and strive for real experiences that test your theories and teach you more. If you’re still in any way hung up on your image or what people might think of you — especially whether they think you’re competent or not — you’re merely feeding an excuse for not taking action. You do have useful experience, and the opinions of others count far less than you’ve ever imagined.
AQUARIUS — Developing aspects are calling on you to be honest with yourself. The paradox is that it’s easy to reassure yourself you’re being real when something else is happening. So you need ways to verify, but mostly you need to be aware of your agenda. What are you trying to accomplish and what is your motive? There seems to be something you’re trying to resolve between ‘looking good’ and ‘acting on your authentic values’. Often the two are incompatible. Sometimes, to act on your true values, you must make an ass out of yourself, or let someone down. To look good, it’s often necessary to deny or defy your values. You must decide what is more important to you. Yet the two don’t need to conflict, either. It may take guts, but it’s possible to earn someone’s respect, or public respect, by saying, “This is how I feel” or “This is what I want” and letting it fly.
PISCES — Currently you have two sources of strength that you can tap into. One is an unusual form of focus for a Pisces, which is the power of Saturn: structure, discipline and leadership. Clearly you’re at a stage of your life where it’s essential to build this, and you seem to be succeeding against all odds. Yet at the moment there is something else. You have available a direct tap into a spiritual reservoir, which you can access at any time. This takes a shift in perspective from the “I must get it done” state of mind, to or into working with a specific energy available to you. The difference is like rowing a boat versus hoisting a sail and riding the wind. Either way, you have the boat and the desire to get somewhere. You have oars, you have a sail and there is definitely a gust blowing. Here’s the catch: using your sail requires that you surrender to the elements, and apply another level of skill. Your mind becomes more relevant than brute force.