Sign Language Astrology: 12.15.10-12.21.10

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Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Being wished a “Merry Christmas!” around this time of year used to bother me, as I’m not Christian and resented the implication that I was. Stuff like this still bothers me, but I’ve found it’s better for my own state of mind to simply look past the message (and its embedded assumptions) and appreciate the intention behind it.You should attempt to similarly read between the lines this week, because the lines themselves are likely to suck—but they’re coming from a good place I’m sure you can appreciate, if you’re willing to notice it.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Many fantasize about finding the roles of “best friend” and “lover” played by the same person. However, this isn’t always, for some people, the best-case scenario. Firstly, occasionally the roles come into conflict. Also, and even more importantly, it’s nice to have someone to lean on when you hit a rough patch with one or the other—when friend and lover are the same person, a lover’s quarrel can feel very isolating. This week, regardless of whether or not you’re best friends with your lover, remember that having all your emotional eggs in one basket isn’t a good thing. Share them out.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Aquarians are generally very smart.This is both strength and curse. Here’s the thing:When you don’t have enough stuff for your busy, capable mind to work on, it invents things to work on. Sometimes this takes the form of random creativity or weird hobbies, but more often than not, your mind does something much more annoying: It creates problems where there are none (or makes mountains out of molehill-sized ones).This could very well be the case this week. To avoid generating drama out of thin air, keep yourself busy; there’s certainly plenty to do to keep your mind off stuff it’s better off ignoring.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Being a kind and giving person, and one who realizes how sweet and generous it is to accept others’ kindness and generosity, you may have a hard time understanding when someone simply doesn’t want what you have to offer. Going against their wishes may feel like the nicest thing to do (and occasionally, when someone is just being modest or selfless but actually would enjoy a gift or effort, it is), but honoring those desires— no matter how backwards or incomprehensible— may actually be the best course to take. Please try to be sensitive and humble enough to notice, either way.

Aries (March 21-April 19) You Rams generally get stuff done right now or at the last possible minute. If you’re not carried on a wave of exciting impetuous newness, procrastination sets in and you’re not likely to even try to get something done until a deadline is looming over you and you’ll have to pull out all the stops just to have half a chance of getting it done on time. Obviously, while this is a very exciting way to live, it’s hardly practical, and has gotten you into trouble more frequently than you care to admit. It may be time to try something new: just getting things done in a rational, timely and thoughtful way.This week is better than most for the attempt, so I say give it a go.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Rationally, you know that inner beauty ought to trump outer hotness, every time. It lasts longer and is more likely to make you happy in the long-term than a nice ass (which is arguably better in the short-term). However, putting that into practice is much easier said than done—the distractions of a pretty smile can all too easily overwhelm and obscure the subtler sexiness of a gorgeous soul. No one can blame you for being temporarily dazzled by a lovely face—you’re human, after all.The question is: How quickly can you un-dazzle yourself and remember to notice and appreciate the stuff that really matters?

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Although you’re certainly capable of being several ordinary people, all at once, you still can’t be everything to anyone.Your partner or close friends will always have needs or desires you simply can’t (or don’t want to) fulfill. At that point there are two options: ask them to go without (which they may or may not be capable of doing), or letting them get what they want elsewhere.The latter is occasionally difficult to wrap your head and heart around—but it’s still the kinder, more loving and generous thing to do, if you can possibly be selfless enough to go there. This week, at least consider it.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) “That’s not my job,” is a copout.You may be justified and correct when you say it, but it’s still bailing on something you could (probably easily) do. Should you have to? No.Would it make everyone’s lives (including yours, ultimately) easier? Absolutely. Sure, washing someone else’s dishes is no fun (to use an obvious and simple example), but not doing so ultimately will lower your quality of life, not to mention your happiness. At the very least, suck it up and get it done with a minimum of grumbling. However, consider an even happier alternative: tackling it as an act of a joy, a challenge, or simply as a gift, and feeling good, not resentful or frustrated, while you get shit done.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) As generous as Leos are (and it’s your saving grace, so don’t lose it!), you’re generally more willing to take than to give. Most of the fire signs are inherently selfish, and that’s OK. Luckily there are many people in the world who are more selfless. However, there must be balance, and even if your scale tips more towards taking than giving, it shouldn’t do so by a ton.This week, make sure yours is very close to equilibrium, or, if you can pull it off, tilting (at least temporarily) towards giving more than you get.This may be a challenge for you, Leo—but it’s certainly a worthy one.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Virgos keep busy (usually too busy) for numerous good reasons. But probably the most compelling one of those is that when you have too much time on your hands, you turn to excessive worrying, obsessive over-analyzing and similar happiness-limiting activities. Naturally, I want you to keep avoiding that kind of unproductive, semi-destructive crap. However, that doesn’t mean keeping so busy that you never work on it. Downtime shouldn’t inevitably be populated by inner unpleasantness. Sure, it’s likely to crop up if you have too much spare time, no matter what, but taking a short break should be a pleasure, not something to endure.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) So the project you took on has turned out to be much more work than you’d anticipated.What do you do? Of course, there’s an easy out: “I didn’t sign up for this.”That’s also a major copout. Life’s just unpredictable. Sometimes you go on a casual date with someone and it turns into something serious.You open a door and discover an entire, unanticipated world. Rolling with these surprises is part of the game—even when it means more work. Sticking with it may be scary, overwhelming, even infuriating. But it’s also so worth it. Please at least try.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) When someone is truly bad at something, people frequently try to protect their feelings and say nothing, or, in a misguided attempt to be supportive, even offer encouraging praise. This is well and good if someone’s merely bad because they’re just starting out, and have true potential—but a kind of cruelty if they’re not likely to improve much as a result of such encouragement. It’s a much greater kindness to simply be honest—especially when such honesty will spare others—such as when they’re lacking in skills such as safe driving, or worse, singing.