Aries (March 20-April 19)
We're in the thick of Mars in Taurus retrograde, and I wonder what you're thinking. Mars allegedly hates to be retrograde, but in light of the human development project that has emerged since the days of ancient Greece, old astrological views need to be rethought and revised. This rare transit is giving you an opportunity to do just that with your values and deepest beliefs, particularly the ever-sensitive matter of how you feel about yourself. Yes, you're an Aries -- you have the ability to go forward no matter what. And you are human; all humans doubt themselves. Events, developments and your introspective journey during this phase, which goes through Dec. 11 but unfolds for at least a month beyond, will help you get to the bottom of those doubts, and to find some genuine treasures within. There's an added benefit: what you learn about yourself now will provide valuable experience for a leadership opportunity that manifests early next year.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)
It would not be fair to say you didn't know what you wanted before now, but I think it's very fair to say that you're making significant discoveries, particularly what you truly need from love. The astrology for the foreseeable future has you skating on a razorblade between emotions associated with fear and desire. The fear may be enormous, the desire, incredibly specific. There's a relationship, which is the extent to which you are, one by one, willing to bring all your feelings to the surface. Most people hide their fears from themselves; you cannot do that any more. It may seem that as you go ever closer to the core of your being, at some point there will be no turning back. But I assure you that you'll reach a natural limit; this comes with a revelation, decision or acknowledgement whereby you find the new sense of outer direction that quite literally changes everything.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)
Keep your plans flexible, and maintain sources of information outside your immediate environment. What you learn in a series of revelations -- one early in the month, the next around midmonth -- will shift certain viewpoints you've been developing. Whether this information serves to widen your perspective or derail your plans really is up to you. Partners and close associates are going through changes of their own, and becoming aware of what we could call emotional or intuitive perspectives that are allowing them to feel their reality more directly than they otherwise might. But you are personally the master of the change-up pitch, and have the ability to keep pace with any developments -- as long as you do so consciously. It may well be that each new piece of information negates the previous one, so deal with what you know when you know it; promptly skip over denial and delay.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Few people can relate to others on the intuitive level that's so natural to you. In the most sensitive affairs of life -- sex, creativity and communication -- most of the world goes for pre-packaged, with sugar and salt being the first two ingredients. True to your sign, you are the homemade type in all that you do. There is a significant shift developing in your environment, allowing you to open and expand your energy in a way that you and others will feel and notice. What you may also notice is a shift away from the distinctly cautious approach you've taken to life for so long, perhaps with good reason, probably with some frustration. Saturn leaving your sign started the process; Jupiter and the Sun entering your sympathetic sign Scorpio are a definite continuation in the right direction. Sensuality may not be your main purpose in life, but you are now free to drink from that well.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23)
It's far healthier to talk about what you're feeling than it is to hold back, and by healthy I mean that communication is necessary for both body and soul. I think you'll be surprised at how much more light and clear you feel for talking about what you're feeling, particularly when you make the discovery that people are interested, and willing to adapt or make concessions to what is so important to you. As powerfully as your inner reality is expressing itself to you, beware of a tendency to be tactful, political, or appeasing. I suggest you skip the formalities and, as is more your tendency, be direct. Your daring mood may not last all month, so the sooner you get clear with people, the sooner they will be clear with you, and everyone can get on with the greater mysteries of life, which you will discover are more than abundant as the month progresses on its course.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22)
I'm not big on recommending spiritual solutions; too often, they are evasions. But you have a lot to gain from looking at your situation from any angle that's different than the one from which you're now looking at it. There's a particular way the past is weighing heavily on you, so if the tides of existence pull you in the direction of inquiring in that territory, I suggest you go with the flow and not worry that you're dwelling on what you should have got over long ago. But the future is calling just as vividly -- that future being a way of understanding yourself now that helps you notice clearly what affects you in this moment, and what does not. Once again, the issue surrounds noticing under what conditions you feel safe, and actually documenting the threatening influences that are lingering like so much radioactivity from ancient history. But you have to find it to clean it up.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23)
Surely you have more important things on your mind than accumulating personal wealth. You impress me as being someone for whom enough really is enough. But the astrology of gain, of increase, and of cultivating your resources is written boldly in your charts, now and for the foreseeable future. There is likely to be a reason; being a naturally resourceful person, you are likely to have projects, personal needs or natural transition points that will benefit from the financing you are able to give them. Money also grants a measure of independence, particularly when you are working or in some way coexisting financially with other people. It's likely to come as a great relief and true joy to discover that you don't really need anyone, which is another way of saying that all your options are open.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
Scorpio is a fixed sign, and one of the ways you get your work done and build your life is through bold, steadfast persistence. Saturn's recent arrival in Leo only strengthened this quality of your character. Jupiter arriving in Scorpio is now adding the ingredient of adaptation. The two are conspiring to present a rare opportunity that is likely to manifest through the end of the year, presenting you with what seems like a 'last chance' to create or alter something that you thought had long passed its time. Indeed, the delay can easily be accounted for by saying that its time is soon to arrive. But remember that you need to work with the two basic energies of persistence and adaptability, knowing when to apply one, the other or both. There's a second way to look at this: one factor represents taking personal authority; the other represents luck.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22)
You are approaching the very peak of your astrological year, but you're not there yet. However, this is a deeply meaningful time in that you're sorting out certain objectives that you know you must now focus on. You've had time to experiment with the wider world of possibilities, and to let yourself dream even more than usual. There is, however, one matter relating to your past that you need to work out during the next month or so. It involves removing a certain hidden liability that will be easily addressed once you see the matter for what it is. The challenge is doing specifically that; and in this project you will be greatly assisted by the upcoming Mercury retrograde. Here, I need to offer a suggestion. What you learn around the time Mercury switches directions midmonth will be impressive, but it's really only the first clue. Keep investigating, and you will discover the gift behind the problem.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You appear divided between taking the intense approach and the subtle one. I suggest you check out from where, within your own emotional world, the energy sources of these options are coming. There are indeed two ways to solve any problem; one way is to say, "Yes, I have the resources to get this done." The other is to doubt you have anything worth much at all. You've learned so much in recent years about who you are, what you have to offer, and why you have every reason to have faith in yourself; consider those discoveries. Yet I'm also here to remind you that a certain element of outside assistance has recently arrived. While you have your reasons, dating back to last month's eclipses, not to look gift horses in the mouth, trust that certain close friends and allies really do have your best interests at heart.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Circumstances developing within a community important to you may leave you wondering about the intentions or depth of commitment of a certain individual you've come to think of as one you can trust. But the subject matter is entirely their own, and they are correct to consider their individual situation first. In truth, they share your values for taking a high level of responsibility, but at this point must also proceed in the order that is right for them. For you, this is part of an ongoing, long-term seminar in the subtleties of commitment, shared responsibility and taking life seriously that will be a vital part of your existence for a long time. In the end, true leadership has to do with how you manage your own affairs, and express your devotion to what is right and true as you see it. Yes, people are counting on you -- but this need not be a burden.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
The moment to push your luck has arrived. I say this knowing that you tend to take a somewhat retreating approach to life, and that pushing for you is more like a friendly handshake for others. I see your goal developing with a kind of obsessive potency that will keep you on track, and likely result in a breakthrough some time between now and Dec. 16. You are, at long last, learning the skill of refining your message, cultivating it carefully in others over a long period of time, and standing up for what you believe in. Add to this the power of focus, and you will discover certain new, undeniable ways in which you influence the flow of your life. But you must trust that you are perceived in a positive and supportive way that you may not see yourself, but which is indeed an essential ingredient to the respect and cooperation upon which this whole process is centered.