Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Now that Napster faces shutdown, I finally discovered the magical and addictive world of MP3s. Okay, I'm a little behind the times, but I'm working hard to catch up. Your own postponed learning process is veering a little too close to that edge I'll call Too Late. Stop procrastinating. I know you enjoy balancing acts, but this tightrope isn't one you want to fall off of. Learn the material, baby?quickly. The other side of this gap is a far preferable destination to the safety net?especially because this time, there is no net.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The wildfire crisis reminds me of something I've been meaning to tell you about. To prevent disasters like these, firefighters often actually start fires?smaller, carefully managed ones. By eliminating most of the potential fuel, they dramatically reduce the risk of an out-of-control blaze like the ones they faced out in Montana. I'm not well-informed enough to theorize about why those fires happened, but I can hypothesize that if you don't start some controlled burns of your own, eliminating some of the useless deadwood and dry brush from your life, you could be facing a chaotically fiery eruption of your own.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) My mom lives with one of the less obnoxious of little dogs, a Shih Tzu. They're those snooty little flat-faced pups that look like silky mops. They don't shed; their hair just keeps growing and growing, like human hair, and actually needs to be cut. Left to herself, Ginger's furry body would be a matted mess. Her hair would grow so thickly it'd cover her eyes. Your own ego has been growing unchecked in a similar way. Don't be blinded by it, nor repel people with its smelly, tangled state. A little humility haircut could definitely improve your long-distance vision. Shampooing with some righteous generosity will keep you smelling so sweet that no one will care how full of yourself you might be.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) The sunshine creeps up my legs. My toes have been deliciously warm for a while. Soon, the glare will completely obscure the computer screen and I'll have to move. I'm not complaining; I can't describe what pleasure it gives me to sit here in the brilliance, writing. There's nothing I'd rather do right now. I can understand your stellar determination to accomplish things. But that doesn't mean it all has to be "work." There's plenty of room for you to incorporate pleasure into your drive. In the name of efficiency?seek the most enjoyable way to do things. Granted, you might not get as much done in as little time, but since you're deriving so much joy from your activity, you'll be able to keep going. In fact, you may come to enjoy your labors so much that you never want to stop. Now that's efficiency.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Respect the cactus: tough, able to survive in parched, nutrient-poor soil with almost no water, protect itself with formidable spines and look beautiful in a place where there's not much living beauty. I admire you more, though, Aquarius. Give a cactus anything in abundance (besides sunshine) and it turns yellow and dies. Don't you dare water that cactus; it'll kill it. You, on the other hand, have made an art out of thriving on excess, as well as making do with next to nothing. The next week promises to provide a little of both. Get ready to exercise your versatility?drink deep, dry up and bloom.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) I've placed a food order for Pisces everywhere. I started with a cold gazpacho, to remind you to be cool and red-hot at the same time. Next, vegetarian spring rolls to show you how to wrap up the diverse elements of your life in the most deliciously simple way. Main course: scrumptious ginger-sesame tofu loaf, to reveal how, if you're properly neutral, you can pick up the qualities of those you surround yourself with, in all the best ways. Homebaked bread on the side, to remind you that there are good things from your past that are still wonderful and pure. Finally, an incredibly rich chocolate mousse, to demonstrate that while it's wonderful to fill your plate with incredible things, trying to stuff yourself with too many at once (whether they're casseroles or life lessons) will just make you sick.
Aries (March 21-April 19) I don't get angry over big issues. I have a generally live-and-let-live, to-each-her-own philosophy. Yet, I find myself getting irritated about the most ridiculous, petty shit imaginable. I blame it on my Mars in Virgo, this undue focus on nitpicky details. Incidentally, your ruling planet is swinging into that very particular sign this week. Take it from my personal experience: this molehill may loom largely at the moment, ready to explode with volcanic force. But take a deep breath and don't freak. Take a step back and see it for what it really is: just a zit. Now, is it really worth all that drama?
Taurus (April 20-May 20) You remind me of a mechanical pencil. Always sharp, consistent, focused and able to work on minute details. But what happens when you want to color broad expanses with your attention, or make bold strokes capable of a loud statement? It's admirable the way you've specialized and developed yourself. But don't overdo it. Hang on to your internal gear shift?so you can work on an architectural diagram or paint the side of a barn, whichever's appropriate at the moment.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) You're holding a grudge? You? Ordinarily when you get Mountain Dew dumped over your head, you're only pissed as long as it takes to get the stickiness washed out of your hair. You've usually got too many better things to do with your time and energy than to waste them maintaining anger toward someone?which, as I'm sure you've discovered, gets exhausting. I can't teach you a quick and easy method of forgiving and forgetting. But I can assure you that bigger, brighter and funnier things are clamoring to take up that space in your life occupied with these silly hostilities. Let them in.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Last night, I dreamt I loudly advertised my misplaced trust?namely, that my car would remain unmolested in a bad neighborhood, completely unlocked. Of course, to my chagrin, my car stereo went missing. I didn't even have the support of those around me?they just thought me foolish for not heeding their sage advice. You've done something similar lately, though from the opposite end of the spectrum: you've made a show of your mistrust. I know you think you're being smart and cautious; you're really just being foolish. Choosing carefully where you place your trust is wise, but extremes like these aren't healthy. Find the balance.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Whew, it was rough going there for a while, wasn't it? Adrift in a tremendously turbulent sea of self-doubt and questioning, your little boat almost capsized. Didn't help when your run-ins with sharks left gaping holes in the hull, either. You're not out of hot water yet, unfortunately, but I believe the worst is over. Land's in sight, and the ocean seems calm enough for you to limp in to shore. Keep on paddling, make sure your life jacket is strapped on tight and keep a grip on that knife?you'll need it to carve up coconuts when you get to your tropical island paradise.
[Caeriel@yahoo.com](mailto:caeriel@yahoo.com)