This Week's Horoscope

Openmindedness, flexibility, sensitivity?these are all good things, right? Not always. Libras are so good at perceiving and fulfilling whatever role a situation seems to demand of you that you do it almost automatically. By the time you check in with your feelings about the role you've started to play, it's often too late to get out of it easily. Don't be so eager to avoid conflict, disagreement, obstinacy. These are your best defenses, because the decisions and commitments you make this week have more sticking power than usual. Make sure they're ones you want before you agree to them. In other words, before you say, "I do," ask yourself: "Do I?"

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

If you've been or known a 13-year-old boy at any time in the past 15 years, you've probably witnessed a helplessly fanatical dedication to some slightly ridiculous task, like beating a videogame. In this state, he barely eats or sleeps until he's accomplished his ambition. Most adults don't know how to summon such raw, zealous determination. Scorpios, however, are blessed with just this ability. Unfortunately, this week your most obsessive tendencies may be oriented toward things that have little use in your larger life plan, like videogames. Since a few of your real goals could benefit from a little consuming passion, try to redirect your inevitable urges at them.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Most of last year, I diligently maintained the discipline of writing and swimming five days a week, by driving to a cafe (which was conveniently near my pool) to write. When summer hit, I tried something new: writing at home, and commuting to the pool. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but I rarely got anything done in my apartment, and I only managed to summon the motivation to make it to the pool a couple times. Sound familiar? You gave some good new habits a chance to take hold; by now it should be obvious that the ones that haven't yet "stuck" simply won't. Cut your losses, and do what I did: for now, at least, consider readopting the old techniques that worked.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Like any sexy spy, you have the usual array of tools to thwart the villains in your life?impenetrable disguises, connections and the ability to hurl yourself, in classic chase-sequence cliche, through a narrowing sliver of an opening, while your enemies dance in frustration beyond the door, window or speeding freight train blocking their way. However, unlike fictional spies Bond or Bristow, your foes don't actually consider themselves evil; they're just operating from a different rationale. Therefore, don't get too excited and action-oriented. Since you may have to face them in contexts where shooting them in the foot and running like hell won't go over so well, like at work or in the bedroom, keep that in mind, and consider negotiation over aggression.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You're so popular right now you could make boys fight over you, or live off the money you'd make selling your used underwear on the Internet. It's not easy dividing your attention between all the demands on it. It can be annoyingly political, deciding who gets a piece of you when. My advice on dealing with this unprecedented (and mercifully temporary) localized fame: Plan your activities as if they were meals. Don't be a glutton. A well-balanced plate should include some of the familiar flavors you hope to still have more of after your social horn o' plenty runs out of bounty, as well as a few exotic ones you may never get a chance to taste again.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Neptune, your ruling planet, goes direct this week, after being retrograde since May (retrograde occurs whenever a planet appears, through a trick of relative orbits, to move backwards in the sky). Its influence during the last five months may have been subtle, but when it resumes forward motion around the 19th, you'll notice. The plateaus you've encountered and are stuck at (like in your efforts to work out regularly, improve work conditions or quit smoking) should magically disappear, allowing real, satisfying results. Don't waste this time slowly accelerating. Just mash your life into fifth gear and get somewhere, finally.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

You've been so good. Over the past month or two, I've actually heard Rams described (by people who just met them recently) as low-key, or mellow. It's good to know such adjectives lie within your range, but please don't settle into placidity?we adore your excitement and zeal. Luckily, when the full moon hits your sign this week, you'll have your chance to not only leap out of the woodwork you've been hiding in recently, but set it on fire. That's right?this is your astrological mandate: Bust out of your quiet disguise and don't bother putting it back on until everyone in the room knows who you are.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Be warned: You've recently misplaced the ability to determine when enough is enough. You're not usually prone to the kind of excess that Scorpios delight in, or Pisces helplessly succumb to. But this week, you're likely to want to eat desserts until you puke, fuck yourself raw or shop until you drop, literally. Even with my warning, you'll probably stumble toward some extremes anyway. Don't beat yourself up for your immoderation, however. Overindulgence can teach you almost as much about yourself as restraint. Until you figure out when fun stops being fun, you'll probably always stop far short of that limit. Now that you know where it is, you'll be able to party right up to it.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This is a good week to forgive someone for foul deeds performed in a past life, pass along a treasure left to you by a nearly forgotten ancestor or plan a surprise for someone you barely know (but would like to know better). These kinds of acts, which require a high degree of sensitivity and an ability to focus on something besides yourself, are likely to be rewarded?as well as rewarding in and of themselves. On the other hand, more selfish or self-absorbed actions, like escalating a grudge, asking for a raise or throwing a party for yourself, are likely to backfire dramatically. Need I say more?

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Your best friends are the ones you never need to explain anything to; they already know your whole backstory, and virtually everything about you and everyone you know. Naturally, getting to that place of trust, knowledge and experience usually takes a really long time, and as you get older, achieving that level of intimacy and comfort with someone is more and more of a challenge. However, my astrological forecast says that there's no better week this year for you to meet a new best friend (without leaving your old ones behind). You get what you ask for, Cancer. Now don't waste it.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You've occasionally judged others for lacking what I call stick-to-it-iveness. Some people give up on things like relationships and jobs at the first signs of difficulty. That sucks, but sticking it out beyond a certain point does, too. Lately, I'm worried that you're taking your concept of commitment too far. Yes, when it's good, and real, it can be painful sometimes?just make sure that it's not consistently hurting you out of all proportion of what it's worth to you. You're famous for your loyalty, and cherished for it, but please don't carry it to such extremes that you end up hating yourself?not when you could be finding someone who's actually worthy of it, instead.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

I had my first girlfriend when I was in the fourth grade. She was a knowledgeable fifth-grader who was all too eager to take advantage of my innocence. She defined our relationship (sans my input) with soggy construction-paper love notes that reeked of cheap perfume, and blatant manipulations like, "If you love me you'll..." I doubt you were ever as naive as I was, which is why I'm surprised that you're allowing yourself to fall for lines most grade-schoolers would see through. Don't confuse benevolence with gullibility?clearly define the boundary between compassionate generosity and doormat status, and refuse to cross it.

[Caeriel@yahoo.com](mailto:caeriel@yahoo.com)