Horoscopes | Week of January 9-15, 2012

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be respectful of the existing structures of power… and the potential for their representatives to feel menaced by you, should you come at them with what sound like attacking words. Even if you have valid a critique, Aries, you'll need to watch how you phrase it (since nobody enjoys being personally implicated by someone else's easier-said-than-fixed 'observations'). No matter how you put it, under this Mercury-Pluto conjunction, it'll likely hit a button and/or ring like a challenge. On the other hand, the week's other main astrological influence invites you to disappear into the crowd, the party-line, or the team momentum… and to use your interpersonal accomplices to defuse any unwanted attention your renegade tendencies might otherwise attract. There isn't a lot of obvious personal benefit, at the current moment, to sticking out like a sore thumb. So if the need to report any critical items to the higher-ups is pressing, you might see if your alliance could appoint a different spokesperson—or at least ask for someone's help in articulating the feedback in the least threatening way possible. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the exemplary outer-world spot you're currently in, you are like a channel through which the most-principled good for all associated with your project or purpose can smoothly flow… when, that is, you can let up on any too-insistent investment in a single way of addressing the principles. What's that, Taurus? You're unaware of presently occupying an 'exemplary outer-world spot'? If that's the case, it would explain why you might be identifying too closely with a certain expertise, instead of confidently recognizing that your true power comes simply from asking the right questions, then facilitating the discussion. Participatory authority, teaching by learning, leading the charge without demanding the monopoly on good ideas… these are helpful ways of understanding your present role. Be mindful: Even with your humblest of intentions, the present planetary lineup draws out an unconscious ego-bloat. Strive to compensate accordingly. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): For starters… boundary check! Please survey the contested territory, Gemini, to ensure that no interloper (perhaps disguised as a 'loved one' or somebody taking undue liberties 'for your own good'?) has crossed beyond the demilitarized zone, to ground which (from your perspective, at least) is indisputably yours. Though you may have drawn your line already, it's possible that, while you were busy or distracted with something else, they have snuck a few feet back onto your side. Reassert the boundary—and, if you believe they purposely transgressed it as an ongoing-power-struggle tactic, don't refrain from getting a bit nasty about it. Once the border has been secured, you can turn your attention to the whiffs of developing opportunity which have begun to scent the air. (The border, in fact, must be secure so these 'whiffs' don't escape through the breaches.) Fortuitous experiences or adventures not yet on your radar will be arriving in the months ahead. For now, attune your subtler senses to acknowledging the sweet aroma of their earliest intimations. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Still stuck on the same sentiments from last week, Cancer, I am wondering how you might persist in entertaining the idyll of an even closer union with whomever you're sharing life with and still cultivate the practice of radical self-disclosure, knowing that what you say is likely to emphasize the differences between you. These concepts we've been discussing are psychologically sophisticated ones, marrying (1) the drive toward intimate interpersonal merging with (2) the developmental challenge of being willing to unsettle another person, and thus the 'interpersonal merging' itself, for the purpose of authenticity. Perhaps the most 'radical' part is recognizing participation in your most charged relationships as more a process, rather than a means to an end-product. The nervousness one experiences in daring to disclose more? Well, that's an ambiguous coupling of (1) excitement about what else is interpersonally possible and (2) fear of rejection and loss. Two sides of the same coin; can't have one without the other. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

LEO (July 23-August 22): (1) The 'right' way: Pour your sheer cerebral might into functional problem-solving, without worrying too much about how any certain individual will react to your observations or suggestions. Dispense with all attempts to impress this other person or spare them any upset, Leo, and instead concentrate on thoroughly and correctly accomplishing the task at hand… regardless of any interpersonal issues that may arise along the way. Nobody said the thorough-and-correct method would be the easy one. (2) The 'wrong' way: Aligning yourself with overly idealistic notions of how 'maturely' the interaction between you and this certain individual could go is a recipe for potential methodological disaster. Focusing more on the relationship and the feelings engendered by it will lead you to lose sight of what you're practically trying to accomplish. Though it's admittedly hard to put the emotions aside, sometimes that's exactly what a difficult job demands. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Deliver the message, unfiltered and unambiguous. As I told you last week, the vibe you're asserting is strong… and as long as you're utilizing this burst of noticeable oomph toward ends that you've established serve your personal interests, Virgo, there's really no need to back away from whatever reaction you stir. Lay your cards on the table with confidence, unafraid to turn anyone against you if they're only 'with' you out of an erroneous presumption of agreement. Your truth may well sting those who've come to expect you to dutifully grin and bear unspoken dissatisfaction. Don't belabor efforts to 'make it all right' with any flustered others—why pander, when your heightened self-possession isn't an intended affront to them? This isn't an interpersonal issue, as much as one of your own personal ideals. Even those who feel stung are likely to come around within a week or two… if they're reasonable allies. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

LIBRA (September 23-October 22): A magnification of your romantic streak could lead you to believe everything will be quite impeccably well, as long as you successfully manage to steer the interactions away from certain topics that would be bound to upset one party or another. And that belief isn't altogether incorrect, Libra. I actually do encourage you to take advantage of an enjoyable atmosphere where you can find it, even if it involves willfully dodging potential dark-clouds or trouble-spots. Here is the catch, though: My inclusion of the qualifier 'willfully' indicates that you ought to accept full responsibility for knowing what you're doing. In other words, on the internal level, you mustn't avoid conscious consideration of the less-ideal angles to this story. For your own benefit, you can't pretend there won't be a future moment when you'll have to bring this complication to the surface. That moment, however, isn't necessarily now… and in the meantime, thoroughly relish what's presently in front of you. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

SCORPIO (October 23-November 21): Trust your instincts, Scorpio, if they tell you to stay home rather than attend a social gathering likely to involve individuals—secret crushes, former friends you haven't seen in a while, folks with whom an unresolved tension floats out there—you'd need to watch yourself around. Chances are, you'll have a difficult time keeping the 'casual hellos' casual. Of course, that may provide just as much incentive for you to go… and to go there, if you're in the mood for flustering said individuals with one sly glance or partly-veiled comment. However, if getting a rise out of someone who's liable to cause you even more trouble (when you could just as easily sail through your week with little-to-no fanfare) is not on your agenda, then it might be better to stick close to the homefront. Some might call this tactic 'escapist'… and I can't confidently argue that point. A better question is: If you just want a moment or two of peace, what's wrong with escaping the potential drama? Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21): Take as much time with them as they require, in order for them to feel you really listened and understood. Even if you're quietly counting the many minutes you've sat and absorbed endless details about this person's schizophrenic maybe-boyfriend, domineering parent, selfish sister or nosy co-worker, Sagittarius, you shouldn't publicly reveal any hint of restlessness. The favor will be returned, at a later point and in a manner you'd probably struggle to identify as directly reciprocal. What is presently wisest for your bottom-line is a certain consistency that, from the context of your obligatory social interactions, allows you to escape detection as the shit-stirrer you actually are. I'm sure you'd like to interrupt their repetitious story with a shocking interjection of your actual opinion about what they should do if they really want to move things along… but because its presumably jarring effect on the conversational pitch provides you no concrete benefit (other than, perhaps, an uppity sense of relief), I'd just smile and nod and enjoy their enjoyment of being enjoyable company. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): Following on the heels of last week's invitation to release information that makes it official and can't be taken back, Capricorn, you remain in possession of an especially forceful tone of expression. With this tone, you can push previously stale issues to a productively cathartic head, displaying your brave refusal to pretend, settle, submit or surrender—or you can beat others over the head with an inflexible insistence on clinging to your version of the story, and potentially jeopardize your standing in their eyes. Claiming your power, incidentally, needn't involve freezing out others' influences. While I enthusiastically suggest airing all the statements necessary for you to proceed in your chosen (rather than inherited) direction, I would caution you against adding any self-aggrandizing flourishes that needlessly gamble with your professional and/or financial situation. Proceeding by economic strategy means never allowing a moment of righteous pontification to spoil the pursuit of your overriding goal(s). Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18): Emitting a cryptically glamorous vibe can work for or against you, Aquarius, depending on how consciously you aim to inspire a certain effect. People are likelier than usual to feel they have met a kindred spirit in you… whether or not they have corrected identified an essence you two share, or are merely projecting their hunger for connection in your direction. If, with the highest of intentions, you utilize this interconnectedness to compassionately deliver truths they need to hear for their own healing, you will indeed be doing 'the Lord's work' (or whatever less Judeo-Christian term you'd like to apply). On the more mundane level, this same strategy functions well for broaching topics that would 'clear the air', alleviating any burdens you've been carrying around. Yet, if you are careless with this energy (like if you've been drinking or drugging), you could end up blurting hurtful or destructive utterances that hit others in their most tender places. What you say about them might be true, but pointless to articulate… and, in their having so willingly given over their trust to you, be that much more devastating. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.

 

PISCES (February 19-March 20): A dreamily unsteady quality that mists over much of your week, Pisces, is something you'll largely be able to shake off by next week, once Venus has landed happily in your sign. Don't fret, therefore, if you struggle to feel fully awake even after you've rubbed the sleep from your eyes and guzzled down a gallon of your favorite stimulant-beverage. While you're at it, don't consider it necessary to play into the stress-inducing urgency that certain teammates or friends might be casting toward you. You can't force yourself to be readier than you actually are… and for them to expect you to jump at their beck-and-call is an example of power-tripping. Should they keep pushing, you may have to bare your teeth in self-protective warning. That needn't lead to actual bites, of course, since the main motive behind any growling on your part is merely to get 'em to leave you alone—and a full-on conflict will only involve you in each other's business even more. Once the weekend rolls around, you already ought to be more composed and in-your-element. Oh, yeah, and get my e-book, ASTROBARRY'S 2012.