This Week's Horoscopes

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

You haven't exactly pulled the sword from the stone. You have good reason to be proud of your accomplishments, but expecting them to be celebrated through the ages isn't exactly realistic. In fact, dwelling on them overmuch will only keep you from doing more great stuff. Stop waiting for recognition you may never receive. Most people aren't likely to notice how awesome this stuff is, or why it's awesome. You could spend time educating them—or simply accomplishing more cool shit that'll probably also do a lot more good than it ever gets credit for. One option serves your ego, one serves the world. Guess which one I'm hoping you'll choose?

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your recent efforts have fallen short of brilliance because they've either been great ideas with crappy execution or decent concepts with fantastic follow-through. Obviously, the only way you'll manifest the genius you're capable of is if you take the time to refine your design before you put it into play. Make sure your idea is good! Then ensure that you put in the time and make the effort to really do it justice. For months now you've more or less slacked on one or the other. Perhaps you're taking on too much? Whatever the reason, give yourself the time and space to ensure that you'll do both right this week.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)

The greatest gift you could give right now is the benefit of the doubt. The person you're being so careful of isn't as fragile as you think; in fact, they're probably getting a bit bored at your overly cautious treatment of them. You can't have a relationship of equals unless the other person actually is your equal, and you'll never figure that out if you don't give them an opportunity to step up and prove themselves. Take a step back, even if that means there's a risk that someone might fail or suffer because of it. That's also the only way they'll have a chance to step out of your shadow and shine as you always hoped they could.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

The missing ingredient here is joy. So much of your life is doing what you think "you have to do." The reality is you have more choice than you allow yourself to believe. Even if you let yourself consider the alternatives, I feel pretty sure that in most cases you'd choose as you do. Since what you're up to is really for the greater good in your life, can't you consciously choose to do it with more joy than you've been demonstrating recently? When all your life starts to feel like one endless obligation, something's wrong. Either free yourself or acknowledge that you're more or less where you want to be, and just be happy already.

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

You're pretty competitive, but sometimes you allow your competitive spirit to get channeled in traditional, unimaginative, and ultimately unproductive ways. I know there's a certain level of satisfaction in roundly trouncing someone and achieving something through intelligent decisions, determination, and raw talent. However, instead of focusing so much on being better than someone, or "beating" them somehow, can you be more visionary in how you channel this impulse? Perhaps focus on being more loving, more generous, or simply having more fun than everyone around you? That kind of game rocks; when you win, everyone benefits.

Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)

Go on, laugh at yourself. So much of what you're up to is potentially embarrassing, but only if you get caught up in ego bullshit you've mostly evolved beyond. So what if you make a fool of yourself? It'll be funny, and if you can have fun doing it, more power to you. Worrying about your image is not something that usually inhibits you, so what's the problem now? Oh, you're worried about what one person in particular will think of you. I get it now. Well, it ought to help to know that the less seriously you take yourself, the more endearing that person will find you.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

Stop barking up the wrong tree. The person you're interested in actually doesn't know you exist and wouldn't be all that impressed if you forced your way into their awareness. You're just in different worlds, and if you're honest with yourself, a lot of their appeal is their unavailability. Perhaps you just need something to fixate on, but there are quite simply better things for you to obsess over; this particular one isn't worth your time and energy. It's alright to be a little focused and driven, but you might want to channel your attention in a direction that will ultimately do you some good. Right now you might as well be throwing it into a bottomless pit out of which nothing will ever emerge.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

I'd like to think kindness, sensitivity, confidence, and a sense of humor can compensate for virtually any shortcomings, as far as superficial crap like appearance or financial status is concerned. I think most of the time, with all but the most shallow and judgmental people, they do. Unfortunately you don't always get a chance to show them off. Too often, people don't get to see those aspects of you. Luckily, this week you'll have more opportunities than usual to show there's more to you than your looks or the thickness of your wallet, to exactly the person or people who'd appreciate that most.