Sign Language Astrology: 08.04.10-08.10.10

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Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Sometimes getting through it is the best you can hope for. Sure, we all want to shine in everything that happens to us, but expecting that of yourself right now is probably too demanding. Go easier on yourself, especially when things are this much of a struggle.You’ll be able to shine again, but perhaps not just this second. Let your radiance be dimmer than usual as you push to get to the end of the tunnel, and simply trust that you won’t forget how to sparkle, even if you can’t quite manage it at the moment.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Sometimes practical considerations must fly out the window to accommodate impractical ones that are nevertheless important to someone (if not you).This contradicts your nature, as you’d prefer everything to run sensibly and smoothly—but that’s not how human emotions always work.The unusual and unexpected must be taken into account. Luckily, your streamlining skills aren’t completely useless right now; you can still turn them to whatever your new goals turn out to be, no matter how outlandish they are. Getting on board here will mean a lot to whoever you’re accommodating— so just go for it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Avoiding a painful subject won’t erase it. In fact, it’s likely to eventually eclipse so much of your life that you’ll have trouble really engaging with anything else that’s going on. It’s time to share what’s up. So what if your relationship hasn’t yet had to bear the weight of something so heavy? Finding out whether it can is a milestone you’re ready for.You never know—it might be strengthened by sharing your burdens. I wouldn’t unload those all at once though; offer a little at a time and wait for a green light before you proceed.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) I’m glad you’ve left some darker chapters of your past behind and moved on, practically, emotionally, and spiritually. But never forget that they’re part of you—perhaps an integral factor in how you’ve become who you are. Therefore you should share them with anyone you hope to truly be close to, at some point before the revelation would feel like a betrayal (but after it would simply scare them off). Of course finding that “perfect” time is difficult, especially because there’s really no such thing as a perfect time. However, the closest you’re going to get to a right moment to share this stuff is very likely to happen this week.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Newly converted people are frequently bores.Whether their newfound passion is vegetarianism, fervent Christianity, or radical environmentalism, they can be insufferable to be around. Don’t get too worked up about it, though. People with this level of intensity rarely sustain it.They either burn out and move on, or simply mellow out and realize that there are many viable and wonderful paths through life and that even though theirs is clearly the best one, they learn to live and let live. Bite your tongue, give them (and yourself) some space, and check in periodically to see if they’ve chilled out yet.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Too many sprawling plotlines can ruin a TV show or novel; it’s impossible to get invested in characters you never get to see for very long. I prefer a tale with only a few, well-realized storylines going on at any one time.Your life has begun to resemble an out-of-control soap opera. If you’re only allowing people cameo appearances in your life, you’re never going to be able to let yourself feel invested in them (or vice versa). It’s time to rein things in a bit and instead of having a hundred shallow plotlines going at once, try to cut back to three that really mean something (or could, if you gave them the space to).

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Don’t let your personal judgments and opinions get in the way of doing a good job.You agreed to this situation. Naturally, it’s also your choice to extract yourself from it, if it’s really contrary to who you are and what you’re about. However, if you do that, ask yourself how you got into this position, so that you can keep yourself from going there again.While it’s your right to remove yourself from any circumstances that don’t suit you, you must acknowledge that it puts others in an uncomfortable position. Do what you’ve got to do, of course—but don’t forget to learn from your mistakes, or it’ll be all too easy to make them again.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Women have more rights and power today than they’ve had through most (but not all) of human history. However, there’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately, now that most of the “big” steps have already been taken, all the little steps must happen on an incremental, case-by-case basis. This, of course, is how most change happens— and how the transformations you wish upon your own life must occur.You’ve taken the only big steps you can take, for now. All that’s left is a million little movements in the direction you want to go and you need to pursue these simply and patiently—one step at a time.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Some people embrace change with excitement, while sometimes it seems that most others are dismayed, embittered, or frightened by it. If you are the catalyst for that change, consider it also your calling to help people to become comfortable with it.Yeah, it’d be easier if they’d just get over it and realize just how great it will be, and become as thrilled as you are. But they can’t, or won’t, so consider it your duty, like it or not, to help them get to the brilliant, hopeful place that—so far—only you can see.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) One Taurus I know can literally spend hours a day online looking at blogs composed entirely of images (mostly not porn!). “I’m a visual creature,” he explains. He likes seeing new things. Experiencing new things, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. Many of you Bulls cling stubbornly to the cherished familiar, and have a hard time truly enjoying the new when it’s in your face. Of course you’re rational enough to know that the only thing you can truly count on in life is the certainty of change. So when it comes—as it’s like to, this week, in a big way—at least try to throw yourself into it.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Part of me fantasizes about moving to a very rural New Zealand homestead and leading a life of hermit-like solitude, growing my own food and enjoying ample room to breathe. And yet most of the my adult life I’ve lived in dense cities surrounded by people.We all have these seemingly contradictory impulses, but especially you Twins. Sometimes all you can do is timeshare your body between all the different forces at work inside you. For instance, I haven’t entirely ruled out that New Zealand farm in the next decade or two.This week, it might be a good time to let some other internal impulse—one that hasn’t gotten a lot of play—get a turn.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) While leaving your house naked might get you into legal trouble, as a spiritual exercise it would be very productive and rewarding. Going out into the world without armor doesn’t come naturally to you (your astrological symbol, after all, is the crab); nevertheless it’s important that you allow yourself to take it off much more frequently than you have the last few years.Try to think of ways to strip down the barriers and venture out into the world vulnerable, yet strong, able to take whatever comes your way without hiding behind a shell.This week should provide you with ample opportunity to practice exactly that.