Taurus (April 20-May 20)You are not widely known for your ability to compromise—for good reason. You rarely do it, you stubborn Bull. But that doesn’t mean you’re not capable of it, when there are compelling reasons to do so. However, because you’re not practiced at bending in these particular directions, you might need a little help from an unbiased third party who can help you and your “negotiating partner” come to a reasonably happy agreement, and call you out when you’re just plain being unrealistic or unfair (which is bound to happen once or twice). This can be an easy conversation, if you include the right people. Please do.Gemini (May 21-June 20)Most of you are upstanding, ethical human beings, almost all the time. But generally every Gemini has had a moment or two in their life when they wanted something so badly that they at least seriously considered using whatever methods they could imagine to get what they desired. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You wouldn’t be the first person who struggled with the urge to allow the ends to justify the means. But hopefully if a moment like that occurs in the near future, you’re now wise enough to know that getting what you want by doing something you’re not proud of pretty much ruins it. Get it legitimately or not at all.Cancer (June 21-July 22)It’s one thing to indulge in a brownie. Other kinds of temptations, however, carry with them more dire consequences. It’s easy to allow the compelling quality of whatever (or whoever) is in front of you to eclipse all those ramifications, but this week you must carefully look past its delightfulness at what will probably happen, sooner or later, if you go there. It’s a little less wonderful now, isn’t it? You should have the kind of maturity right now to take in this big picture and keep your life on track—or if you decide to take it off the rails it’s been on, to do so with your eyes wide open.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)Over time, you’ve concocted rules for yourself and how you deal with relationships, particularly romantic ones. Most (or perhaps even all) of these rules are sensible, logical, and based on your own experience and self-knowledge. Here’s the thing, though: People change (even you), sometimes without even noticing it. Some of those rules might no longer apply. What’s also true is that, like it or not, they may also be keeping you from experiences you’d be better off having. Experiment with breaking a rule or two now and again, just to make sure they’re still worth abiding by. You may be very glad you did. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)When your problem has a simple, attainable solution, don’t resist using it just because it doesn’t conform to how you originally wanted to address this problem or match up with what you consider an ideal solution. Don’t be a masochist (if you can help it). Why make life more complicated? It has enough unavoidable tangles as it is. Since unraveling this one is as simple as making a phone call or throwing a small amount of money at it, I’d say embrace the simplicity and effectiveness and take pleasure in crossing this quandary off your list.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)Libras, while excellent mediators for others’ conflicts, tend to avoid ones in which you’re directly involved, because that’s when stuff gets messy and unpleasant and your diplomatic powers do you no good whatsoever. Unfortunately, as hard as you try, you can’t be agreeable all the time and just go along with whatever’s happening. Sometimes it’s important for you to take a stand and stick up for what you believe in or want to do. The important thing to remember is to stick to your guns, once you pull them out of their holsters. If you back down at the first sign of trouble, you might as well not bother; go buy a T-shirt with the label “Doormat” instead.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)Never apologize for how deeply you care about the loves in your life. It might freak some people out or scare others off, but that’s their problem, not yours. View them with compassion—their bullshit comes from being afraid, or maybe for never having deeply loved anyone or anything. In that case, showing them how to passionately be into someone or something is the coolest thing you can do. Be an example. The end result can only be more love (and yes, probably more sex) in the world—and that’s got to be a good thing. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Being the unapologetic truth-teller you are, playing the role of squeaky wheel, when necessary, comes naturally to you. Keep playing it. But recognize that your candor has put you in the very cool position of saying nice things about others and having it seem like more than just a lot of ass-kissing hot air. Just imagine how much lovelier our world would be if people dished out more compliments than complaints. Help bring us closer to that sweet spot by singing the praises of everything great in your life, this week and onward into the future. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)Occasionally, when we start feeling the grass is greener elsewhere, it’s because we actually do regret the path we’ve chosen and would be happier elsewhere. But most of the time it’s because we idealize that other place, and the truth is, if we got there, we’d be just as unhappy. Most of the sources of your own discontent are internal, not external. That may be hard to wrap your head around, and even harder to do anything about; nevertheless, learning how to simply be happy where you are, instead of fantasizing about being somewhere else, is this week’s task.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)A wonderful thing about you, Aquarius, is that you find it easier than most to keep your eyes on the big picture, and rarely make mountains of molehills based on your own emotional response. As you’ve surely observed, however, some people lack this knack. They somehow make everything about them, and there’s not much you can do to successfully redirect their attention to the situation that’s actually happening instead of to the self-obsessed scenario inside their heads. Of course, sometimes you have to work with these people despite the annoyance and hassle. Fortunately, this week isn’t one of those times. When they get stuck in their self-rut, just leave them to it. Walk away. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)Sometimes when you’re done, you’re done. It would’ve been nice if you could have realized this earlier, and possibly said or done something to avoid ending up here. But occasionally you don’t realize you’ve crossed the point of no return until it’s already miles behind you. If that’s happened, recognize that there’s no salvaging this situation (for you) and be as kind as possible—which may involve brutally and finally dashing anyone else’s hopes of altering the outcome. It’s not fair that it’s too late for that—but that doesn’t change the fact that it really is simply too late for that. Aries (March 21-April 19)One of the best things about you is your ability to surprise people with unexpected layers and facets of your personality. At times you seem endearingly focused and simple, like a lovable cartoon character. So it’s delightful when you reveal your many other aspects and depths. This week, those are your secret weapons. Your single-mindedness up to now has set you up perfectly to delight and amaze with the wonderful versatility you’re going to display this week. Be flattered, not insulted, by their shock, and they’ll be that much more impressed. Go on, Aries. Get out there and rock some worlds.sign.language.astrology@gmail.com