By Minerva

Starcast

New moons are always incisive and may even be prophetic, but this one — wedded to the sun in witty, wily Gemini — carries a special impact. New moons are always prime for beginnings and decisions. Gemini’s centers around personal communications.

Aries (March 21-April 20) Pioneer spirit is what being a Ram is all about. But what about the moxie for obtaining those goals? Recent months have focused on partnerships and contracts. Expect those pressures to mount.

Taurus (April 21-May 20) little fancy footwork can spring you from virtual debtor’s prison. Once you’ve passed “Go,” you’re free to dream of Boardwalk expansion. A plaza, maybe? A consortium’s involved and you’re the boss ... or should be.

AGemini (May 21-June 20) With the sun and moon rendezvousing in your sign, the time’s come to celebrate yourself. The winter of your discontent is over. It’s happy birthday time!

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You work your buns off for the cause, but doesn’t anyone realize that you’re riding an Exercycle on a freeway? Not much progress there. Use new moon energy for a decision that cuts you some slack. No one deserves it more than you.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) The sun does its “same time, this year” number in your house of friends and wishes just as the new moon offers a flash of divine insight. Review your life before making a “back to future” decision.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 21) Though colleagues seek your support and in some cases, need it badly, pick your battles carefully as projects threaten to come unglued. No one knows how hard you struggle to keep Humpty together.

Libra (Sept. 22-Oct. 20) Faraway places with strangesounding names take on fresh appeal this week. Seeing the pyramids along the Nile is a bit dicey these days, but what about Machu Picchu at sunrise? If that’s a little hard on the pocketbook, here’s a sure winner!

New faces at the zoo!

Scorpio (Oct. 21-Nov. 20) The new moon’s sortie with the sun holds a moment of truth where jointly held finances are concerned. Saturn continues to sit in your money sign. This placement virtually demands that you get your stuff together financially.

Sagittarius (Nov. 21-Dec. 21) Wednesday’s new moon in Gemini, the communications maven, issues a clarion call to connect. Some Archers may actually whisper: “Marry me!” But professional alliances also loom large.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 21) Planetary pressure continues to build in your work arena. This week a cosmic assist from that lucky old sun sparks the fateful new moon. The right decision (put quickly into motion) can transform a ho-hum job into a megawatt career.

Aquarius (Jan. 22-Feb. 18) The correct decision now can morph a stale situation into a personal triumph. Intuition trumps all. Here’s an added sweetener: Jupiter, Mr. Lucky himself, hangs in your career house most of the year.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Is it really necessary to tell a Pisces that where and how you live is a tell-all about who and what you are? Well, maybe you have slipped a bit. But this is a new shuffle and your mojo is back in force.

Minerva’s mailbag

Q: I’m a woman Scorpio exec. Highpowered, I admit. Recently I hired a mild-mannered Virgo to be my secretary. He’s a newbie, just out of the chute. Don’t mind admitting that I’m nervous. Can this work? Or should I replace him now with someone with more experience?

A: Not so fast. This could be the start of a dream team for each of you. Just do what comes naturally. That means you’ll be making the aggressive moves while he provides the all-important backup. (and sometimes cover-up) Working together, you just might take over the world.

To ask Minerva a question, go to www.ask minerva.com or write to Minerva, Sunday Datebook, San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103.