BORN THIS WEEK
James Franco (April 19, 1978) Born under the first sign of the Zodiac, this actor, director, producer, author, screenwriter, painter, performance artist, soap star, and Ph.D. student certainly shows initiative. But followthrough isn’t an Aries strong suit. Cases in point: Franco’s canceling his gig to give UCLA’s commencement speech in 2009, and his pooped-out performance hosting this year’s Academy Awards. Still, the Ram is headstrong, able to tune out the voices of his detractors. He won’t acknowledge any backlash against him. So it won’t last long. A true Aries, Franco quests for personal bests, recognizing no competition other than himself.
Aries With Saturn and a fullish Moon opposing your sign, you have branding on the brain. It begins with you: Consider carefully all actions and messages you put out there. Expertise is your watchword. Every move you make should be suffused with authority. Specialize more in your career. Make your name synonymous with something in particular that people can pinpoint in a word. Narrowing focus literally concentrates energy, which magnetizes others to you. Venus gliding into Aries, Thursday, puts a cherry on top: You not only possess the right stuff others seek, you also appeal to their sense of aesthetics.
Taurus Things are looking up. So you’re going to feel pretty silly if you spend this time whining. And, over money—that old chestnut. The Sun enters Taurus, Wednesday, in happy aspect to Pluto, planet of riches, meaning: You’re suddenly aware of the abundance right under your nose. Maybe if you quit pooh-poohing projects you’re investing sweat equity in, or doing on spec, you might see that they promise big pay off. Don’t wait to whistle while you work. Pucker up now. Before collaborators find cheerier compatriots. Mercury direct by week’s end lifts that gnawing sense of dread and you feel very much at one with it all.
Gemini People say you could write a book, given the twists in your story. And, a little known secret: you actually want to help people. Well, now these dynamics dovetail as Mercury and Mars dosey doe in your cosmic sector of mass consciousness. So examine your plot lines and recurring themes to isolate insights and extract life lessons that you can impart to others. Who knows? It may inspire a self-help memoir hybrid. In the meantime you’ll nurture trust and solidarity closer to home by sharing experiences long edited out of your saga. Dicier details from your past don’t have power over, but do indeed empower, you.
Cancer Winds of change blow butterflies around your belly. But this churning is adrenalin not nerves. Tuesday’s Full Moon, in cahoots with Neptune, points to unconscious preparation to stage a big production, if not a coup. And when Ms. Moon conjuncts Pluto, Friday, you spring into action. Let feelings fuel you. And stick to your guns in the stony face of any opposition. You know what it takes to make projects sing. And money is part of it. Don’t be nickled and dimed. Better to hand the reins to someone else than work on shoestrings. Mercury direct, Saturday, substantiates every point you’re currently making.
Leo Venus sidling up to Uranus says you can make a mark putting a quirky spin on something tried and true. We would suggest bacon-scented cologne, but it’s been done. Still, you get the idea. So how to distinguish an actual next big idea from the slew of light bulbs going off in your head all the time? Well, for starters, you won’t be compelled to tell everyone within earshot what you’re cooking up. And the notion shouldn’t entail changing the laws of physics like some past doozies. Here’s a hint: It’s been on your drawing board before, but you wrote it off as boring or banal. When all it really needs is dusting and a dose of flair.
Virgo Expect a switcheroo in relationships as Mars and Mercury trade places in the corner of sky dedicated to your ability to share deeply with others. Power shifts your way with a mate or even a repeat date. Don’t demure, take charge. Planet moves also inform family dynamics. With Uranus in this same celestial sector, your concept of broods is being redefined. Some bonds go from thick-as-thieves to thicker-than-blood. Though actual family members may throw shade, this affects you less as you embrace adopted loved ones. Non-traditional paradigms regarding procreation are also more palatable to the Virgo populous.
Libra Either by choice or necessity, you make a break for it now. The Full Libran Moon, Monday, signals the end of a cycle. Perhaps even one dating back seven years. Many of you will take literal flight, decamping to favorite stomping grounds to lick wounds and otherwise soak up some much needed color. For others, it’s metaphoric: You know you must impose a new order, one that doesn’t include smiling through or kissing up. Own the fact that you go against the grain. It’s not the cause of failure but the key to future success. Venus entering Aries, Thursday, can inspire a puppy lover to suddenly pounce.
Scorpio With a Full Moon entering your sign on Monday, you take spiritual lessons recently gleaned and put them into gritty practice. This entails really absorbing information those close to you are sharing, and really being there for them. Not just throwing pat solutions, or indeed money, at problems. Nobody wants your charity. They want an investment of caring. They likely don’t get the fact you’re fearful of troubles that elicit deep emotion. But too bad. You have to get over yourself. And just be there without trying to fix things. Mercury direct, by Saturday, reveals silver linings that outshine your darkest expectations.
Sagittarius Whoever said “smile though your heart is breaking” needs therapy. Look where that attitude has gotten you. Sagittarians everywhere are feeling the physical effects of putting on a happy face in the, well, face of dysfunction. But the buck stops here. By Wednesday, when the Sadge Moon aligns with five major planets, you set boundaries, stake out recuperative me-time, bidding biz or life partners to step off lest you let the other shoe drop on your outsized generosity. Hell hath no fury like a Centaur treated like a pack mule. So unless major pampering becomes part of your per diem, you’ll giddy-up and go.
Capricorn Upgrade! These last days of Mercury retrograde hit home the fact: You need new tools of your trade. Refusing to afford fresh supplies and gadgetry shows a false economy and sends the wrong message, mainly to yourself: That you won’t make good on these investments. Ah, now we’re getting to the crux of the matter. Maybe you don’t want to deepen dedication to a current career direction so you’re scapegoating a fear of debt. No? Then dig into your coffers and cough up the required cash to make work more efficient and, yes, fun. Oh, and Venus in Aries, Thursday, impels you to spring for art as well as commerce.
Aquarius Frenetic cosmic activity all around Aquarius leaves your sign unscathed. The Full Moon, Monday, sees you retreating from a fraught work and social scene. Like a slow-motion figure in a '90s music video where other characters move at break-neck speed: You take care of business, meditatively hitting your marks. In most cases, arriving late and leaving early goes blissfully undetected. This allows you time to perform ritual spring chores you adore. While doing them, ask yourself if there are still career callings that you’ve left unanswered, ones that might impart a similarly easeful sense of purpose, the year round.
Pisces A Neptune-Chiron combo in your sign, illuminated by the Full Moon, Monday, clearly indicates that the life of a Pisces is pure potential now. It’s down to you. Physically, you can jumpstart fitness routines or raise the bar on existing ones. Stylistically, a simpler, streamlined aesthetic beckons to express a soulful yearning for purity and authenticity. Positive thoughts for yourself and others have a near alchemical transformative effect on your being. People impose fewer demands as Mercury goes direct, so seize this moment to alter routines, explore new areas of study, and carve out more autonomy and desired anonymity.
Writers and astrologers Stella Starsky and Quinn Cox are the internationally bestselling authors of Sextrology and Cosmic Coupling and have contributed to Paris Vogue, Allure, Elle, and Style.com. They are metaphysical consultants in private practice. Their live musical comedy act of starry wit and social commentary is regularly staged at venerable venues like Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater in New York.
