Rockie Horoscope 101

If you know your ascendant, read it too.

GENERAL FORECAST: If, all of a sudden, you can't stand something or someone you were fond of a few days ago, chalk up your change of heart to the fickle finger of fate flipping you off. Or to the erratic Venus-Uranus opposition responsible for the phenomenon known as "love at first sight." This mixture of attraction/repulsion mainly affects Leos, Aquarians, Librans and Taureans who are currently involved in romantic relationships, outrageous artistic pursuits or serious shopping expeditions. But if you're not about to jump in to or out of an affair, you could always use the Virgo new moon energy to launch something else entirely. The sun and moon meet on Monday at 3:27 a.m. PDT. By that evening, as Mercury and Uranus trine in air signs, communication rises to a higher level and intuition becomes especially keen. Venus leaves demonstrative Leo next Thursday for (relatively) shy and retiring Virgo. So much for fun in the sign of the sun.

ARIES (March 20-April 19)

Only Rams born in mid-April will be pulled in opposite directions this weekend, torn between romance and friendship or creativity and accountability. However, the horns of this dilemma are not particulary sharp, so no matter which alternative you choose, (or let happen) you won't inflict or receive enough pain to speak of. The Virgo new moon in your house of health and service can introduce a new ingredient to all Arian routines, from what you eat, to how you file, down to the shoes you run in.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Peaceable Bulls can get pretty wild and wacky while their Venus ruler faces rebellious Uranus this weekend. You might be prodded by an upredictable force field, such as your employer running hot and cold or waving a red flag at you, perhaps by a growing interest in the future of mankind in cyberspace. If this translates into downloading porn, so be it. Venus doesn't make contact with Uranus on a regular basis; when it does, it's a special occasion. The Virgo new moon focuses on creativity and recreation, stuff that makes you happy.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

Admit it. There are times when you are not especially perceptive, when your "latest, greatest" idea falls on deaf ears, but this is not one of them. In fact, you could be at the top of your mental game right now simply because your Mercury ruler is being rewarded by Uranus, the gateway to higher intelligence, ingenuity and intuition. Add an infusion of energy and an eye for detail supplied by the Virgo new moon and you could well be on your way to creating something brand-new and immensely pleasurable.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Expect to change your mind about a money matter or anything else that matters. This weekend, while Venus and Uranus face off, consistency has precious little value, neither does conformity. So enjoy the twists and turns as they come up, because, once the discriminating Virgo new moon starts on Monday, you'll veer toward a much straighter and narrower path. Perhaps you'll find yourself heading back to school. The prospect of traveling for business during the new lunar cycle may also arise. Upgrade the tools that keep you in touch.

LEO (July 23-August 22)

The Virgo new moon on Monday is your personal money moon. Now is the best time to focus on earning bigger bucks and doing it efficiently as befits a Virgo mindset. But until that happens, enjoy the odd assortment of stuff, people too, that you'll find so fascinating this weekend. While affectionate, artistic Venus in Leo opposes eclectic Uranus, there's no telling how far off the beaten path you'll let yourself go. You might even fall into an unconventional partnership arrangement or shake up the one you're currently in.

VIRGO (August 23-September 22)

You've got something cooking on two burners, maybe even three this week. Monday is major; start off the Virgo new moon cycle on the right foot by trusting implicitly in your intuition, but don't discount the data you receive. While your Mercury ruler trines Uranus that evening, you could reap a reward for an idea you had or something you said a month ago when Mercury was opposing Uranus. This isn't the end of the matter; Mercury and you are supported by cyber-friendly Uranus two more times before the messenger moves into Scorpio on November 1.

LIBRA (September 23-October 22)

You're one of the select few who can really get a kick out of the dramatic events unfolding this weekend. Will you be inexplicably drawn to a type of person who usually turns you off, someone who, in a different set of circumstances, you wouldn't touch with the famous ten-foot pole? Could this magnetic attraction break up a friendship? How far out of bounds will you go before someone calls it quits? These are the sort of situations created by the cosmic tension between your Venus ruler and iconyclastic Uranus. Interesting, yes; enjoyable, maybe.

SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)

Participation in a group activity, identification with a socio-political cause or concern for a friend's welfare might be the main thing on your mind after the Virgo new moon inaugurates a new cycle on Monday. Not very sexy, but there'll be enough of that this weekend as pleasure-loving Venus comes face-to-face with Uranus' kinky vibe. Scorps born around Veteran's Day are particularly susceptible to the seductive power of this opposition, but anyone with a taste for the unusual can succumb to the varieties of "love" the goddess is offering.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)

Virgo madness, the urge to straighten up and fly right, may be coming to an end mext weekend, but not before it touches upon your reputation and adds juice to your desire to be all that you can be. Those thoughts should hit right after the Virgo new moon in your career midheaven takes place early Monday. This new moon also activates your innate healing powers as it squares Chiron, the Centaur in the Sag logo, who passed on his knowlegde of music, warfare and herbs to the ancient gods and heroes who sat at his feet, excuse me, hoofs. You, too can be a sage to someone.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20)

You and your Cancerian complement have more interests in common this week than you usually do, so read what's in store for the Moon Child, too. Although a new moon isn't always a major starting off point for Goats, the one that takes place Monday morning in earthy Virgo supports the constructive and positive qualities we've come to love about your sign: patience, prudence and practicality. Because one-third of the zodiac might flip out this weekend, your safe and sane approach will be greatly appreciated. Take charge.

AQUARIUS (January 21-February 18)

Like the Lions you prefer to hang with, this weekend Aquarians are also subject to radical shifts in the way you feel. Not everyone will go through the acceptance/rejection routine that Venus can instigate when she opposes your Uranus ruler, mainly those of you born close enough to Valentine's Day to feel a special affinity with that little red heart. The others should use the analytical Virgo new moon in your house of other people's money to research joint financial matters, e.g., insurance policies, interest rates and index funds.

PISCES (February 19-March 19)

If your attention is not totally centered on your partner, it will be once Monday's Virgo new moon stirs up more action in your marriage house. Which aspects of a primary relationship will be stressed (or stressed out) in the next four weeks? What turn will this alliance take after affectionate Venus enters Virgo next Thursday? More of that loving, peaceful feeling between you or an attraction to someone who personifies your idea of perfection? Before the month ends, you'll have the answers.

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