Straight stars

> BY ROSE MARCUS

She claimed that the mansion tax would pay for modular housing, in its first year, for every homeless person in Vancouver. “In the second year, we can start building new co-op and social housing for other people in the city who need housing.”

She also promised to try to make public land available to Indigenous people for housing. Other policies she highlighted included promoting free transit in the downtown core or copying Calgary and creating a $5 monthly bus pass for low-income people.

“We could get rid of the transit police to help pay for that,” she quipped to sustained applause. “And with free transit, a lot of people would stop driving and polluting.”

In addition, Swanson called for “more civilian control over the police to stop harassment and criminalization of people because they’re poor”. This would include cutting the police budget and using this money to fund other public services.

“I am so tired of hearing politicians talk about only what’s possible within existing rules,” Swanson added. “Those rules are what got us into this mess where the rich live longer and the poor and the addicted die young. I want to fight for what we need.”

October 12 to 18, 2017

Venus treks into Libra early Saturday to begin a onemonth tour. This transit enhances social, romantic, and financial prospects. Venus in Libra also puts even more emphasis on an evaluation process that has been in the works for some time now.

Just after Saturday midnight, Mercury in Libra gets a flash download from Uranus. This is a strike-it-hot, upbeat combination. It can keep the energy, excitement, and intrigue going strong. It is not a good transit for taking a risk, so keep a safe distance from those who are obviously on edge. The transit can bring an abrupt end to the party—or, conversely, get one started.

Use Sunday to catch up, to tend to health and other good-for-you stuff. Monday, show up for it; put yourself to work. Sun/saturn can set the week onto a productive start.

There’s no more skirting around the issue once Mercury leaves Libra for Scorpio on Tuesday. For the next three weeks, Mercury aims to get to the bottom of whatever it is hindering or assisting your soul’s objective. Tuesday/wednesday, Mercury teams up with Jupiter in Scorpio. What’s said, sensed, undertaken, or done: everything increases in scope and impact. An especially potent, powerful, and persuasive combo, Mercury/ Jupiter is helpful/effective for sorting out complex issues, for locking onto what is most essential, and for navigating through difficult conversations and getting your message delivered. Make your power play; Mercury/jupiter could set you up for a major turnaround or reward.

ARIES

March 20–April 20

Venus in Libra, starting Saturday, sets you up for a social, romantic, or pleasure-seeking cash-in. Give and receive; a show of appreciation moves you/moves them. Mars/uranus keep the excitement and intensity going strong late Saturday, but when it’s time to call it quits, there’s a sudden cutoff. Monday through Wednesday, trust your instincts—say it; do it.

TAURUS April 20–May 21

Thursday through Saturday, have it your way; do right by yourself. If you are happy, they are too. Saturday/sunday, watch for a late-inthe-day energy boost or for something unexpected to overtake you. Mercury/ Uranus can trigger anger, arguments, accidents, or physical reactions. Enjoy but play it safe with alcohol, drugs, and driving. Monday through Wednesday, activities and talks are productive.

GEMINI

May 21–June 21

Friday/saturday, it’s all good. Activities, conversations, and visits should hit their mark well. Mercury/uranus keeps you quickwitted and going strong right to the evening’s finish line. Sunday/monday, let yourself off the hook as best you can. Tuesday/wednesday, seek and find; grab hold of it. Mercury keeps you sharp, shrewd, and well focused. Words and actions hit their mark with greater than usual impact.

CANCER June 21–July 22

Feeling ambitious? No choice in the matter? Jupiter’s oneyear transit through Scorpio pumps you full of resourcefulness and holds great potential for your sign. Saturday/ Sunday dishes up something fresh or extra, perhaps unexpectedly. Tuesday/ Wednesday, take your best shot. Mercury/jupiter give you a good feel for what’s under the hood. Trust your gut.

LEO

July 22–August 23

Friday/saturday, the Leo moon pumps you full of can-do. Reward, satisfaction, and pleasure are on the ready dial-up. Venus in Libra, starting Saturday, enhances creativity, social connectivity, and romantic possibility. Still, Sunday you can’t bank on the plan, action, conversation, or expectation to meet its mark. Monday to Wednesday, the getting and going are good. Mercury in Scorpio, starting Tuesday, sharpens your radar.

VIRGO

August 23–September 23

Thursday through Sunday keeps it/you on full tilt. Each day dishes up something fresh, different, or more. Saturday/sunday, both Mercury/uranus and Mars/chiron keep the excitement or excitability on the dial-up. While both are game-for-it/ go-for-it breakthrough influences, they also make you feel vulnerable, exposed, or edgy. Monday through Wednesday, you’re on top of your game.

LIBRA

September 23–October 23

As of Saturday, Venus joins the sun and Mercury in Libra. All three help you to look and sound your best. Mercury will leave Libra for Scorpio on Tuesday. Before it does, the quick one will strike it hot with Uranus, making the weekend something to talk about. Sunday could challenge health or patience. Monday is a productive one. Tuesday/wednesday, don’t hold back.

SCORPIO

October 23–November 22

Friday/saturday keeps you making the most of it. Reward is justified. Even so, don’t throw caution to the wind regarding safety or health, especially late Saturday/early Sunday. Keep tabs; take a taxi home or call one for a friend. Monday to Wednesday should prove especially productive and lucrative. Mercury in Scorpio, starting Tuesday, sharpens your mind, intuition, skill, and ability to time it right.

SAGITTARIUS November 22–December 21

Friday/saturday, kick it up a notch; put on the show and it’s a win-win. Venus enhances pleasure and good feedback. Mercury/uranus keeps the excitement on ready tap or trigger. Still, quit while you are ahead. Monday to Wednesday, aim to get it said, done, or turned around. Tuesday/wednesday, go deeper; find/tap more. Everything you feel, say, do, or witness is of significant impact.

CAPRICORN December 21–January 20

Aim to make the most of your weekend but also keep openended. Venus, freshly into Libra, calls for added flexibility, especially where another is concerned. Late Saturday/ early Sunday fires up something fresh or unexpected. Monday, you’re off to a good start. Tuesday/wednesday, cut to the chase; steer the conversation; make your power play. You could cash in big-time.

AQUARIUS

January 20–February 18

Venus on a social boost and excitement duo Mercury/uranus set up a high-energy “write home about it” weekend. On a bigger-picture note, whether it’s an evolving reality or an evolving consciousness, this week and next set you onto a major movealong. Saturday/sunday and Tuesday through Thursday are especially opportune for hitting it fresh.

PISCES

February 18–March 20

Venus, Mars, and Chiron crank up your sensitivity radar. You can’t help but notice a sense of déjà vu or karmic destiny at work. Saturday/sunday, Venus, Mars, and Mercury/uranus put everything in full swing. Monday to Wednesday, activities and talks are productive. Tuesday/wednesday, seize advantage; good timing is on your side. Make a power play; cash in.