HOROSCOPE

Starcast

Aries (March 21-April 20) When the love goddess lights in a fire sign, social relationships tend to suffer. Added to this, Mercury likes nothing better than to push his weight around. Stay on his good side: Walk softly, smile pretty. Taurus (April 21-May 20) Mercury retrogrades are about R words. Rewrite, replace, renew. If you’ve done your homework, the issues confronting you are merely a matter of fine-tuning. If not, get your act together this week. Gemini (May 21-June 20) That independent streak of yours runs up against at least one brick wall in the week ahead. Is it possible that a lover or other stranger is actually holding the reins? Consider the benefits of learning to say no nicely. Cancer (June 21-July 22) What do you really, really want? Better go figure, because oncoming weeks center around public-standing issues. Expect a romantic effort or creative scheme that fell by the wayside to suddenly take off.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Mischievous Mercury tickles your travel bone, but it would be wisest to hold off on those “see the jungle when it’s wet with rain” urges and settle for a staycation. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 21) Mercury, the cosmic con, is hanging in your hormone house. The upside of your divine discontent is psychic insight; the downside suggests that a fiasco may be avoided. Do what Virgos do best: use your powers of discrimination. Libra (Sept. 22-Oct. 20) You and your lover are waiting at the wrong corners or in different restaurants. Blame it on Mercury madness. Pull the threads of a frayed relationship and you’ll begin to perceive a pattern. How does it look for the long haul? Scorpio (Oct. 21-Nov. 20) This week you’ll be forced to take a stand. It’s a moment-of-truth thing involving colleagues or possibly friends. Much as you want to act as an independent agent, that may not be possible. Sagittarius (Nov. 21-Dec. 21) Nobody doubts that you’re creative. But can you keep your head when all around you ... probably not. Life’s so cuckoo. Go gather your rosebuds. Watch for friends you thought were history but now stand ready to write whole new chapters. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 21) Your pots, your pans, your posies, the very walls of your house are shrieking: “Fix me! Fix me!” Make me pretty! How much longer will you ignore their plea? It isn’t enough to capture the castle. You must maintain it. Aquarius (Jan. 22-Feb. 18) Failed communications raise questions that reach beyond temporary frustrations. What’s missing in your life? Sooner or later, you’ll face blocks that you yourself have created. Clear those away, and you’ll feel “born again.” Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) You’re at a crossroads — uncertain of yourself and your goals. Take a deep breath, stand back, observe the chaos around you. Decide what you want — you, not someone else — then go for it.

Minerva’s mailbag

Q: The past few years have been rough for me. I wonder if my love life will ever percolate. I’d like to meet “him” before I get any older — Dec. 5, 1984. A: Saturn poised over one’s sun sign puts a decided damper on one’s love life. The past couple of years have been tough for Sajs everywhere. Saturn is the planet of discipline. Sajs were supposed to be learning lessons. Everything took time, nothing came easy. Happily you’ve recently been sprung from the playpen. Saturn has moved on. Life should begin to open up romance-wise. Saj women should find sporting events romantically promising. Also racetracks and trail riding. Happy hunting.