By Jack Fertig
Q Scopes
Mercury lining up with Saturn in Virgo brings everyone toward more serious, critical thought, but aspecting Venus in Cancer draws the focus to family integrity. Jupiter and Eris are adding a little dynamic dissonance, challenging those thoughts to balance novelty with the tried-and-true.
ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Your instincts now are to barricade your home, community and friends against outside threats. Your challenge is to understand how your gut reactions feed into your perceptions of threat and how you might make a thoughtful effort to build bridges instead of walls.
TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Critically examine lessons from mom or an older sister. They may be holding you back in your career and/or can provide the seed of inspiration to propel you forward. If you don't know where you belong, aim strategically for the highest accessible rank.
GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Conservative, traditional values can help to hone progressive ideals, and friendly debates can help you see where those old-fashioned ideas can be most helpful. Try to balance generous ideals with economic restraint.
CANCER (June 21- July 22): Looking better than you think, your self-critical modesty provokes an even sexier image. That in turn makes you wonder how people see you. Depending only on your attitude, this could be a vicious cycle of self-doubt and worry, or a happy engine of confident self-reinvention.
LEO (July 23 – August 22): Trust your own instincts in dealing with money problems. Political ideals only confuse the issue. Consider friendly advice carefully, more as a springboard to better ideas than acceptance on its own dubious merits.
VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Self-criticism can be a good thing, but let your friends help you keep it gentle and positive. A review of safe sex techniques, even a visit to "the clinic," is probably in order. (When was your last check up?)
LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): Meditation and focus can help your career. Pals and politics are mostly distracting, but with some merit. All work and no play, you know! But ration your fun times conservatively and let your friends remind you of what you're working for.
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): Much as your friends value your sharp insights, you'll keep your popularity by focusing that acuity on general politics rather than on personal observations. Or zero in on your own home. House cleaning can be a meditation!
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): Your playful urges are sure to make you a hit among your friends. They could cause trouble at work, but if you harness that creativity very critically, and accept some supervising guidance, you'll find it opening doors for you!
CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): Your sharp mind can be very attractive! Don't be afraid of looking like an old pedant. It could work for you romantically. Bring that brainy quality to a team; let others work the charm and cuddles, and you could make some money!
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): In an appropriate venue (always your big challenge!), discuss the techniques and the importance of safe sex with friends or colleagues. Brush up on the latest epidemiology and share your findings!
PISCES (February 19 – March 19): You may be trying too hard to have fun with your partner. Let it evolve a little more naturally. Some time alone, either solo or together, can help you re-evaluate what's important, and make the fun more meaningful.
