Virgo (Aug. 23 — Sept. 22)

“I try to keep fit. I’ve got these parallel bars at home.

I run at them and try to buy a drink from both of them.”

— Arthur Smith

Hello 2014!

Some years we just tread water and tomorrow is much the same as yesterday. Other years we undergo big changes that become markers, which help us to remember our past. This year will be one of those significant years. After the new millennium, you were on top of your scene, which led to a time in 2005-06 where you dismantled much of what you created since 1991. Then by 2007, you were playing in a whole new sandbox. Home and family improved and expanded and by 2009-10, you were enjoying vacations and fun times. Recently (2011-12), you travelled and perhaps got further education or training. This year something revolutionary will occur that releases you from debt or gives you a chance to redefine your relationship about how to share things with others, and the upshot of it will be liberating.

Mars Attacks!

Every two years, Mars visits each sign for six weeks. This year Mars is in one sign until August. This energizes your cash flow. However, because Mars governs the ego you will identify with your earnings, your bank account and what you own. Mars guarantees that there will be more activity and hoopla with your cash flow. You will work hard to earn money and you will spend it, big-time! You might also have disputes about money or something you own or arguments about differing values. Fortunately, Mars will help you use what you own to accomplish something.

Money — the Second Most Important Thing

In 2014, you enter a two-year window where you will likely have a job change. In its mildest form, this might be a change of positions within the same company. In its most dramatic expression, it could mean a new job in a different country. Around 2007, you began a journey, which slowly redefined who you were. Most recently, you’ve examined your values to try to determine what really matters in life? In the next two years, you will put the finishing touches to this journey of reinventing yourself. Now you will refine how you think, talk and communicate. Even how you listen. To accomplish this, your daily milieu will change. You need the stimulation of a change in what you see and whom you talk to every day. You’ll be competitive and will want to earn more because you will equate earnings with selfworth. You might feel you have to defend something. Your popularity with others and your interaction with clubs and professional organizations will help to promote your earnings. Be on the lookout for signs about possible job changes. If you feel dissatisfied where you are, that’s significant. These signs will either be external clues or a buildup of your internal desire for change.

Love is Chemistry, Sex is Physics

This year, you’ll catch yourself wondering how others see you. How are you judged by the world? You might think you’re your bank account or your car or your home. Because you will tend to equate self-worth with wealth, this will influence your relationships. You might be attracted to people with money. You might want to show off what you have. You will like to meet people through your work because you share similar values. You might even regard a new partner as a possession or an accessory. It’s true, a sexy partner on your arm is a great accessory but this is just for show, and you know it. This is not the year to go it alone. You need people in your life this year. Friends will benefit you and fortunately, you will easily make new friends. Don’t limit yourself to working with one person — reach out to others. Home Suite Home You like a home filled with joy. And indeed, this will happen this year because life will flow more easily for you. You will be easygoing, generous and tolerant, which naturally sets the tone for family relationships. You will even be patient with annoying in-laws. But let’s be clear: You will not compromise yourself, you won’t be a wimp. This is a good time for financial transactions, which could include major purchases for your home or real-estate speculation. But the biggest news is that you will likely change residences this year or next because you’re in a two-year window that almost dictates this. If it doesn’t happen this year, expect it next year.

A Sneak Peek beyond 2014

There’s no question that you are entering a two-year window of flux and change, especially with respect to jobs and residences. Ultimately, by 2017, you want to have a warm feeling in your tummy about where you live. Meanwhile, late in the summer of 2015, lucky moneybags Jupiter will enter your sign to stay until September 2016. This brings good fortune and by 2017, your earnings and wealth will increase. This extra money will be timely because in 2018, you will take a fabulous vacation!

Your Virgo Mantra for 2014

“How I help others this year will come back to me magnified.”

Mercury Retrograde in 2014

Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. (Dates below are actual retrograde dates and buffer dates. Mercury slows down before it goes retrograde and, likewise, it takes a while to catch up to the degree it was at when it first went retrograde. Use buffer times for big purchases like cars.)

Feb. 6 to Feb. 28 (Buffer times: Feb. 2 to March 20)

June 7 to July 1 (Buffer times: May 28 to July 16)

Oct. 4 to Oct. 26 (Buffer times: Sept. 25 to Nov. 10) Lucky Days for 2014 Jan. 18, 19, 20 Feb. 14, 15, 16 March 14, 15, 16 April 10, 11, 12 May 7, 8, 9 June 4, 5, 6 July 1,2,3, 28, 29, 30 Aug. 25, 26, 27 Sept. 21, 22, 23 Oct. 18, 19, 20 Nov. 14, 15, 16 Dec. 12, 13, 14

Who Shares my Birthday? August 23 Andrew Rannells 1978 24 Orson Scott Card 1951 25 Blake Lively 1987 26 Melissa McCarthy 1970 27 Cesar Millan 1969 28 Jason Priestley 1969 29 Chris Hadfield 1959 30 Mary Shelley 1797 31 Chris Tucker 1971 September 1 Aisling Loftus 1990 2 Salma Hayek 1966 3 Diane de Poitiers 1499 4 Max Greenfield 1980 5 Raquel Welch 1949 6 Jane Curtin 1947 7 Toby Jones 1966 8 “Avici” Tom Bergling 1989 9 Henry Thoms 1971 10 Mary Oliver 1935 11 Taraji P. Henson 1970 12 Emmy Rossum 1986 13 Don Bluth 1937 14 Geraldine Brooks 1955 15 Tom Hardy 1977 16 Amy Poehler 1971 17 Ken Kesey 1935 18 James Gandolfini 1961 19 Trisha Yearwood 1964 20 Gary Cole 1956 21 Paulo Costanzo 1978 22 Joan Jett 1958