July 27-Aug. 2, 2005

Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)

It's rare when you and your fiery cousins, those hotheaded Aries, clash. That's why you both might be totally shocked by, and unequipped to deal with, this week's difference of opinions. Neither of you is especially conservative, but nevertheless, the roots of your caution may hold you back, for different reasons (as they're sunk deep in different soil). If you want to amiably end this, don't try cutting the Rams free from the ideas that are holding them back; they'll only give ground when you do. Instead, saw yourself free with every ounce of logic and passion you possess. (Or duke it out forever. Your choice.)

Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

What you're suffering from is a touch of acute spiritual hypochondria. You're imagining ills that simply aren't there, or projecting onto minor occurrences far more serious consequences than are strictly merited. I hope you can trust me enough to be relieved by that; your mountains are indeed molehills, at least this time. Treat them accordingly, even if that conflicts with the emotions they elicit. Those intense and out-of-proportion feelings are only temporary; your cool head will prevail soon. Believe me, the alternative—whatever crazy-ass drama arises from those molehills—won't go away nearly so easily.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Puke and get it over with. You'll feel better, most likely, and it's certainly better than allowing the dread and nausea to build (and eventually regurgitating anyway). Same goes for the bandage you're reluctant to just yank off or the cold swimming pool you're hesitant to plunge right into. In other words, don't drag out the torture; by doing so, you're only amplifying it. The discomfort (or even pain) you're doomed to suffer isn't actually so bad. At least it's quick and easily forgotten. By postponing it, you just feed it and make it worse—and delay the sweeter times that await.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You don't startle easily, or else you hide it well. That's good, because this week is full of little surprises, and you'd lose major face if you jumped and shrieked like a little girl at every one. Not all of them are bad, luckily—of course, that means that not all of them are good, either. But I hope you're willing to take the good with the bad, and vice versa (all the while keeping your cool, naturally), without undue focus on one or the other. The worst thing you could do is draw conclusions about "the way your life is" from this week's events. You're not inherently unlucky or lucky, and the universe isn't trying to set you up for a shock-induced heart attack. This week, no matter what it seems, isn't the rule, only a compelling exception.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)

The idea of you rejecting freedom in favor of what could be called limitation, commitment, and responsibility seems as unlikely as snow in July. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, July is the dead of winter, and frosty precipitation isn't so unheard of. Get ready, Sag—your world's about to get turned on its head. I know I keep harping on the topic, but your ideas about freedom and what it really means are outdated. Their revision is long overdue. Forget your teenage concept of autonomy; what you need now is different (and it'll be different again in 10 years). Don't give up your quest for ever-expanding horizons. Just keep it fresh and updated. That means not pursuing, out of habit, sour dreams that are long past their sell-by dates.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Even my seemingly indefatigable Labrador will balk at swimming out to fetch his ball after the 150th throw. I think even he's surprised to discover that there's a limit. You, too, have limits, even for things you love and want more than anything in the world. You may come up against some of those this week, and instead of being disappointed, I hope you can find some way to feel, I don't know—relieved? Serene? Satisfied? The list of potential reactions to this revelation goes on and on, and only a couple of items on it are "negative." For you to focus solely (or even mainly) on those would be a shame.

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

In Cloud Atlas, author David Mitchell switches effortlessly between voices, emulating different styles to great and dramatic effect. But only the reading is effortless—what's behind it is actually tremendous research and craft. You, too, have talents that others don't necessarily appreciate, purely because you make your fantastic feats look so damn easy. People fool themselves into believing they could do what you're doing, if they wanted to. It's time for you to disabuse them of those notions, because you've been slightly underappreciated lately. This week, you have the opportunity to show them just how talented you are—without being an asshole and rubbing their noses in it. Please exercise it.

Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)

Pisceans appeal to me because you're the sign I have the hardest time wrapping my head around. It's nearly impossible for me to guess what you'll do in a given situation or even how you'll react. I like being around you because I'm not (that) afraid of the unknown. Some of the other people in your life, however, are more fearful of things they simply can't understand. It's not your job, of course, to make yourself into a predictable clone just so they can feel safe. But it could be your job to help them feel safe (or at least not terrified) when surrounded by chaos. Consider it your good deed of the week.