Taurus (April 20–May 20)

When it becomes obvious that there’s little or nothing you can do about a situation besides just riding it out, it will probably be a relief. You can finally stop struggling and shoving up against an immovable wall. At that point you’ll be freed to concentrate on other things and just play wait-and-see with that particular scenario. Think of what you can get done now that you can stop doing battle on this one particular front! Don’t berate yourself for how much time and how many resources you squandered on a lost cause; instead, focus on all the good you can do now that all those resources are at your disposal.

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

That hottie you saw from afar has turned out to be a bit more homely upon closer inspection. That’s because you think in broad, conceptual patterns, and real-life particulars can never quite live up to those ideals. You need to get better at seeing the real beauty in those very details. That might lead to the opposite scenario: The person you thought unremarkable at a distance could be stunningly gorgeous up close. If you can get to such a place, you’ll be happier, I promise: Very few people can live up to pure archetypal ideals; idiosyncratic details, however, are everywhere. Relish the beauty in those, and you’re all set.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

Crying about something hasn’t reliably gotten you what you wanted since you were about 5 years old. Although it may continue to work occasionally, it’s still the poorest method to get your way. Please don’t use it unless you really have tried everything else. This should be a last-resort strategy only, if that. It’s just so liable to backfire completely and blow up in your face. While there’s a slight chance that inspired pity will swing understanding and aid your way—depending on who you apply it to—the much greater likelihood is that you’ll earn more scorn than sympathy for your troubles.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)

Some people just don’t know what they like. Their favorite bands are the ones a critic, radio station, or bossy older sister told them to like. They revise their private opinions of art, TV, and other people based on what their friends say. You, my friend, have rarely (if ever) had this problem. You know your own mind very well. That’s why I’m surprised that you’re so susceptible to manipulation on this one point. It’s one thing to be open-minded and flexible enough to consider seriously others’ opinions; it’s another to let them steer you in a completely wrong direction. You of all people should know better. You do, don’t you? Prove me right.

Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

You’ll put up with a lot of bad behavior from someone you love—more than most people would tolerate. Subtract that mollifying affection, however, and you might realize just how much you’ve been taken advantage of. It may go against your very giving nature to think in such bald terms, but have you considered whether you’re partaking in a mutually beneficial exchange or just getting a raw deal? Someone worthy of your adoration probably shouldn’t be stretching your good graces so far, wouldn’t you agree? Stop letting them. If that means they need to be cut off from your sweetness until they learn how to deserve it, then so be it.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Where on the spectrum of truth do you live? On one end, there’s flat-out lying to serve your agenda; on the other, there’s ruthless honesty, even when it thwarts your own plans. Most of us hang out somewhere in the middle, telling “white lies” when they’re more convenient than the real story, or withholding information (which isn’t quite the same as lying, right?) when sharing it might make things go off the rails. Sometimes it’s tricky figuring out what exactly is the best, kindest, or most “right” thing to do. There’s no need to embrace extremes this week, but when in doubt about how much to say, lean towards truth.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You’ve taken a lot of the wrong kinds of vacation in the past. Many were loads of fun, but you arrived home exhausted and utterly unprepared to resume normal life. Others were restful but mind-numbingly dull. I have to conclude you don’t really know how to plan a proper vacation. I’m pretty sure you’re not really exercising your foresight and imagination. It might help to think of it this way: Instead of imagining where you want to go, try to envision how you’d like to be, ideally, when you return—inspired, energized, and full of joy. Then with that clear image to guide you as you plan your next vacay, figure out where you need to go to get there.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)

Some people possess remarkable intuition when dealing with other adults, but are worse than clueless when it comes to interpreting a child’s needs. Others might be great with kids or dogs, but flounder like a fish out of water at a cocktail party. Knowing your social strengths and weaknesses is in itself a powerful asset. It’s easy enough to place yourself in situations that will make you look good, and practice in the ones most likely to make you look like a dying fish. Quit flopping around in scenarios that make you have trouble catching your breath, let alone engaging in fascinating conversation. This week, stick to the scenes where you’ll shine.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

I woke up this morning convinced I’d overslept by several hours, judging by how rested I felt. I glanced at the clock, and it was just my normal wake-up time. I’d somehow crammed more actual rest into my normal sleep window than I thought possible. Imagine if you possessed the ability to do in two hours what would take everyone else three. What’s that? You already have such a talent? I should have known. Luckily, this week it should be easy enough to demonstrate that you can consistently do 50 percent more than the next guy. Make sure you do.

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

If your home was invaded by roaches or ants, would you even hesitate before killing them? What if it were mice or rats? What if a troop of adorable but incredibly destructive baby monkeys came along? Would you feel OK setting out giant traps to break their little necks, or would you finally seek a more peaceable solution, even if it’s far more complex? This week you have the opportunity, and obligation, to figure out just where you draw that line between convenience and ethics. I think you’ll find it’s not where you thought it would be.

Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)

What begins as charming often ends up annoying. That adorable way someone flits from topic to topic, butterfly-like, later feels like a frustrating inability to stay focused. Someone’s delightful perpetual lightheartedness could eventually reveal itself to be an unpleasant unwillingness to take anything seriously. Conversely, you may find yourself appreciating qualities you originally found irritating. My point? First impressions aren’t everything, at least not with you. In fact, they usually don’t have much bearing on how you eventually feel about someone. Therefore, I wouldn’t trust them much.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

Until someone invents reliable teleportation technology, you’re stuck driving, flying, or riding to get from place to place. There are no shortcuts, really. Similarly, trying to find a way to arrive instantly at your mental destination is a waste of time and energy. That doesn’t mean you can’t be efficient. You can be sure to take the straightest line between points A and B. But forget about skipping even an inch of the mental territory in between. Only the traditional methods of “movement” apply here. Instead of seeking some “easier” way, just get a move on—using those.