Straight Stars

Mars has recently backtracked into Capricorn. It will complete retrograde at the end of August in this sign, but it won’t leave Capricorn until September 10. Mars continues to build momentum by keeping the focus on what is not under control but should be, what is less effective, and what is past due/ long overdue. In so doing, the transit serves to reduce the uncertainty or inconsistency and to further cement the priority and the reality. Now to the end of the month, the stars offer up a little more time to review and replenish, to get better prepared and organized. Once Mars resumes motion in Capricorn, the sign of its exaltation (maximum effectiveness), it will be the time to meet the reality head-on.

Ending retrograde in Leo late Saturday, Mercury sets the general satisfaction quotient onto a better track. Communication improves; the feel does too. Putting head and heart on the same page, Mercury will continue on a creative-opportunity trend in Leo through the first week of September. It’s an apt transit for making the most out of pleasure, play, and the season’s best.

Soak it up this weekend; indulge, enjoy, and seek a sweet escape. To the plus, Jupiter’s trine to Neptune on Sunday is also a good-as-it-gets transit. Play up the romance; commune with the divine. Put kindness and compassion to the forefront. On another note, serving the need to know, Jupiter/neptune is an exposing, revealing, increase-the-scope transit.

Sunday through Wednesday, objectives can be easily met. Go while the getting is good. In general, a productive and mostly smooth-running week lies ahead.

ARIES March 20–April 19

Go by feel; you’ll read it well Thursday/friday. Despite two more weeks of Mars retrograde to go, you now start to see greater gains, on yourself and regarding the plans, projects, and folks who have a claim on your heart. Mars on a revisit of Capricorn is best used to get your priorities straight. Friday onward should be a smooth sail.

TAURUS April 20–May 20

Ending retrograde on Saturday, Mercury will continue in Leo through the first week of September. The next few weeks keep the spotlight on home, family, emotional attachments, personal well-being, and security issues. Mars retrograde in Capricorn and the sun in Virgo, starting next Wednesday, help you to make better use of time and the tools you have to work with.

GEMINI May 21–June 21

During the coming week, you should find that you are on the upswing with projects, plans, conversations, health, and bargainhunting. Even so, consider the rest of the month and most of the next few as a work in progress. Over the next few weeks, Mars in Capricorn and the sun in Virgo will get you better onto task, especially regarding repairs and upgrades. Ditch the time wasters; reduce unnecessary expense.

CANCER June 21–July 22

Mars in Capricorn can continue to keep you under a significant pressure ceiling or reality check. Even so, the end of Mercury retrograde can put matters of heart or wallet on the upswing. Watch for Sunday’s Jupiter/neptune and the sun in Virgo, starting Wednesday, to give you more to work with and toward. Things can shape up well in the week ahead.

LEO July 22–August 22

Mercury ends retrograde on Saturday, but it will continue to stay triggered through the first week of September. On the same day that Mars ends retrograde, Mercury triggers Jupiter and the degree of last week’s solar eclipse. Do not underestimate the potency of the shaping moment. Let your instincts, intuition, and heart direct the show. Through Wednesday, it comes easily; the getting is good.

VIRGO August 22–September 22

Although Mars is still retrograde to the end of the month, the backtrack through Capricorn can do you good. Over this next month, Mars and Mercury are helpful for sorting it out. What’s real, what’s viable? What do you need to do to create more satisfaction, more success, more fulfillment? The heart knows. Listen up! Sunday onward, you’ll gain better ground.

LIBRA September 22–October 23

Be your own best lover. Venus, on an extended visit to Libra, assists you to forge a new relationship with yourself. Venus heightens self-awareness, your powers of observation and persuasion—and, in turn, prospects, potentials, and karmas. Mercury ends retrograde on Saturday, but you may not get back to a full swing until Mars ends retrograde at the end of the month.

SCORPIO October 23–November 21

The moon in Scorpio keeps you quick on the uptake Thursday/friday. Your timing is good; your powers of observation and persuasion run at optimum. Play it up; get up to something or nothing at all—the weekend is a good one for getting your fill. Monday to Wednesday, stay on top of it, stay goaloriented; the job’s done well.

SAGITTARIUS November 21–December 21

The stars set up clear sailing. Jupiter gains added inspiration from Neptune through Sunday. Along with the end of Mercury retrograde, the weekend is a good one for conjuring, wandering, or sweet escapes. As of Monday, it will be time to get something more accomplished. Get on it; you’ll gain the best stride in the first half of the week.

CAPRICORN December 21–January 19

Mars is on a backtrack of Capricorn—but rather than losing ground, momentum, or time, you’ll gain it. The end of Mercury retrograde on Saturday gives the green light to proceed with talks, plans, and ambitions. The stars now clear the pathway for better gains on finances and matters of heart. Tuesday/wednesday, your stars are optimal.

AQUARIUS January 20–February 18

Mars has backed out of your sign, but it will be back soon. In the meantime, use the week ahead to get things lined up and yourself better sorted out. Overall, the end of Mercury retrograde, Jupiter/neptune, and next week’s stars make for a smooth go. Good timing supports you for most of the week ahead.

PISCES February 18–March 20

The end of Mercury retrograde puts you on an upswing with work, health, repairs, and renovation projects. Mars on a backtrack of Capricorn helps you to tap inner strength and to rebuild whatever was recently lost, including profits, confidence, and a clear sense of direction. At peak on Sunday, Jupiter/neptune boosts inspiration, hope, creativity, and romantic prospects.