Sign Language

Leo  (July 23-Aug. 22)Leos are generally quite honest, but not always because of some unswerving moral certitude–sometimes simply out of laziness and, to some degree, insensitivity. You just can’t be bothered to tell a lie, since maintaining falsehoods requires tremendous energy, and besides, what’s the point? In this case, though, there may be a very good reason for covering up, or at least withholding, the truth. Try not to let your own ingrained and generally upstanding habits occlude that possibility. It’s rare when being deliberately ambiguous or benevolently dishonest are good ideas, but it happens—like this week.Virgo  (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)Just because someone is completely up-front about their shortcomings doesn’t mean you must put up with them. That’s not to say you should turn your nose up at anyone with failings; we’re all imperfect beings, after all. But honesty about those flaws does not equal a get-out-of-jail-free card. You should reserve the right to respectfully walk away from someone whose faults make them unworthy of you. However, be clear: If they’d slowly revealed this stuff over time, instead of spilling the beans all at once, would you react differently? If so, please allow that to influence how you choose to respond now. Libra  (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)Fixing a broken appliance is something you can do by yourself. Repairing a relationship, however, isn’t usually a solo job (unless you’re the main element that’s malfunctioning, a highly unlikely scenario). You need some cooperation to get this done; without it, you’ll just be frustrated and not much further along than you are right now. Ask for the help you need. You may not want to let this go, but unless someone else is willing to put in the work and meet you somewhere near the halfway point, it’s a lost cause. Get that collaboration or get out, now. Scorpio  (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)Some people handle alcohol or drugs just fine, enjoying them recreationally with mostly inconsequential negative impact on their lives overall. Many others, however, can’t seem to keep things under control, and allow such activities to wreak havoc on the stability of their day-to-day existences. Unfortunately, Scorpios, with your magnetic attraction to extremes, tend to draw many such reckless and/or self-destructive types. You can’t do much about someone else’s tendencies, but you can control how much you empower such detrimental behavior. This week, be conscious of your contributions in this department, and if you discover you’re more instrumental in someone’s harmful habits than you’d like, make changes accordingly. Sagittarius  (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Being honest at all costs has indeed cost you dearly at times. I admire your determination to be up-front and forthright in all your dealings. However, as you know, sometimes this works against you more than for you. People don’t always appreciate discovering what it is you have to share. Learning to bite your tongue at times has been an important lesson you’ve had to repeat more than once (or suffered through after screwing it up). This week you’ll get another chance or three to figure out when to speak up or shut up. Here’s hoping you get it right this time; if not, there’s always next time. Capricorn  (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)You can pretend you’re confused about what the right thing to do is, but you’re really not. You know. The problem is you’re scared. That’s OK. Most people would be anxious in your shoes. That doesn’t mean you get to let yourself off the hook, though. You’d regret that later, I promise. You need to marshal your courage here and step up. Try not to think about the negative consequences (of which there’ll probably be a few), but of the positive results of your intervention, and the pride you’ll feel later, instead of regret.  Aquarius  (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)Fair-minded as you are, it’s torturous when people in your life expect you to pick sides in a conflict that has little or nothing to do with you. This is, of course, a totally unreasonable expectation (the injustice of which will not deter them in the slightest). Therefore, it’s up to you to draw that boundary line and stick to it, even if it makes you feel like you’re the one being ridiculous, not them. You’re not a villain for staying out of a fight—but one or more of those involved might try to make you think so. Be Switzerland and stay neutral, and if they really won’t stand for it, go to Switzerland—or somewhere equally far away. Pisces  (Feb. 19-March 20)When a mix-up causes you to receive an unexpected windfall, come clean immediately, despite the greedy temptation to just keep your mouth shut and keep what you don’t really have coming to you. Sure, it’s OK to keep a $20 you found on the ground, but this isn’t exactly that, is it? Even if unlikely, it’s possible that this error will be fixed, and you’ll look like a greedy asshole when it comes out that you didn’t say a word. Coming clean immediately may sting in the short term, but you’ll emerge from the situation smelling like roses and looking great—which will pay its own benefits in due time. Aries  (March 21-April 19)It’s annoying how some people, when they’re in crisis or simply feeling something passionately, expect you to drop everything and rush to their side to support them, or perhaps join in the fun. However, while it’s great when you can be there for a friend, this isn’t always possible. For you Rams, it’s almost impossible not to get caught up in the intensity of the moment, and most of the time that’s OK and even great. However, this time you need to keep your eyes on the big picture and recognize that rushing off right now would not be good for your overall agenda—so don’t do it.

Taurus  (April 20-May 20)Teenage certainty is charming—on a teenager. The conviction that a high-school sweetheart is the love of their  life is almost certainly unlikely to play out well, but the best we can do is try not to unload too much of our cynicism on their untested young hearts. However, when it’s a full-on adult who’s engaging in this kind of unrealistic naiveté, it’s best to say a little something. You don’t need to go out of your way to shatter their foolish dreams, and probably most of what you say will fall on deaf ears, but if your voice of reason is reasonable enough, some of it might sink in before they’ve gone too far down that path.Gemini  (May 21-June 20)It may feel like justice to you when cruel things happen to mean people, but I think you should try to muster some compassion, anyway. Usually nasty people are only that way because they’ve already suffered tremendously; adding more misery to that pile isn’t justice—it’s quite the opposite. Yeah, this person is hard to like. But just think how much a little unexpected kindness could mean to a person like that. Even if they’re incapable of showing gratitude in the moment (or ever), just think of your kind deeds as good karma, and be glad you didn’t indulge the childishly vindictive side of yourself that was thinking “Serves them right!”Cancer  (June 21-July 22)Cancers can be snoopy busybodies. That’s fine, and I’m not judging you (much). However, this backfires when you discover something you really didn’t want to know; this could be something benign, like finding out about your surprise party, or something more harmful, like discovering your mother’s illicit extramarital affair—something you really wish you never knew. I’m not sure if you’re able to tone down the nosiness, even for your own good—other people’s business is so fascinating, after all! However, if you can, this week would be a great time to try, for the sake of your own serenity.sign.language.astrology@gmail.com