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The benefit of that particularly awful emotion called "shame" is that it keeps us aware of other people's expectations. Who doesn't feel shame? Psychopaths, that's who. Regardless, between yesterday's new moon and tomorrow's autumnal equinox, this is a good time to let some of the shame go. The emotion doesn't deserve such a large role.

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The golden opportunity inside this Virgo new moon (just hours away from the fall equinox) invites industriousness, shrewd focus, economy, modesty and humility. Such qualities are not among the most glamorous, and yet true success and high glamour aren't as related as the current culture seems to want them to be.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). In ...Read more

Small children like getting gifts but aren't easily swayed into liking the giver more because of them. As for older people, things such as guilt and the idea of reciprocity kick in to influence transactions. Under the no-nonsense, practical atmosphere of the Virgo new moon, analyze things at face value, as a child would. Also, accept gifts ...Read more

Under the diligent Virgo moon, should you let them know how hard you've had to work to make something happen, or should you make it look like no sweat at all? It depends on who is on the receiving end. Inexperienced people need to be taught what goes into the process. Seasoned people appreciate a pro job with an attitude to match.

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Irish philosopher Francis Hutcheson suggested, "That action is best which procures the greatest happiness." In what time frame, though? Short term? Long term? Sometimes what's good for one category is bad for the other. Luckily, under today's fortunate trine of Venus and Uranus, what's happy now will make for a happy future.

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It's said that to love is a stronger feeling than to be loved. Ask any excited new parent (whose heart just doubled in size over someone who won't be able to return the sentiment for years, if ever) how true the statement really is. Mercury and Mars now align powerfully in nurturing Virgo. Love and care will grow things.

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There comes a point at which the main objective of a growing child is to achieve a sense of independence and control -- always a bittersweet passage for parents. Creative nurturing is the theme today as the moon crosses from the realm of the mother to the realm of the child. There's something in each of us that wants to get big and break free....Read more

The ancients regarded volcanoes as gods' anger. Nowadays we know it's just nature's way of letting off pressure. This knowledge doesn't make the blow any less destructive, although we can often be forewarned. As the passionate Cancer moon opposes Pluto, when you come across emotional volcanoes, flee the danger zone.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)....Read more

People think they're being smart by quickly summing up the situation, but that may not be the case. There will be many factors at play today, and you're wise to wait and see which ones cancel each other out. Avoid assuming knowledge and you'll also avoid mistakes. This advice is brought to you courtesy of a difficult solar position to Saturn. ...Read more

The love planet, Venus, and the lessons planet, Saturn, harmonize to inspire many to experience the following rather sophisticated phenomenon: In considering both sides of an argument, it ceases to be an argument at all and instead becomes two sides saying the same thing in different ways. This alone may not improve relationships, but it's a ...Read more

It's said that having too many cooks spoils the soup. Also, having too many soups spoils the cook. Furthermore, as the moon leaves appetite-driven Taurus to double up in Gemini, too many of anything at all will be the temptation, the problem and also, mercifully, the thing that inspires our efficient best. Whatever you can do to scale back ...Read more

It takes a lot of energy to overturn the status quo, and right now that would be energy wasted. What's needed is not a revolution but an exploration. In the spirit of yesterday's fortunate solar position to Pluto, the big-picture perspective will connect us with a profound purpose. You'll have to hike the proverbial mountain to see it.

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Respect is a form of obedience. It's meeting the expectations of behavior in regard to a given situation or person. Self-respect is meeting your own expectations of behavior. For many, those rules will change in the months to come. Mercury's return to Virgo is an excellent time to review your personal standards for yourself and others.

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As the energy of the Aries moon mixes with conscientious Virgo influences, go on and plan for seemingly insignificant future events. Meetings, parties -- even the most casual social happening could have a major life-impact. Power players know that appearing spontaneous and confident requires work that often happens far in advance.

ARIES (...Read more

The reason that friendly, attractive, approachable salespeople do better than the others? Liking someone causes our guards to go down and the rules to go out the window. It makes people agree to more than they'd planned to. With the moon's shift from impressionable Pisces to naive young Aries, try not to let affection make you weak.

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Attraction isn't a natural force of the universe; it's the natural force. With the full moon in Pisces drawing up passionate feelings, the people, work, things and ideas we are very attracted to will have an even stronger pull than usual. This goes beyond a habit of thought or a bodily sensation. Some feelings are more akin to spiritual...Read more

According to columnist L.M. Boyd, "There are 350 varieties of shark, not counting loan and pool." Sharks have many excellent qualities, as they groom certain marine populations to the right size, keeping ecosystems intact. Beyond that they are efficient, focused and in nonstop forward motion, just like Mars is when in the realm of Virgo.

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If a mistake of the past is still making you cringe in the present, the opposition between the sun and Neptune could help you see it differently and let it go. Replay the memory machine once more to extract all the learning you can. Then create a ritual to release it. At a loss? Burning the written version of the story is classic standard as ...Read more

Social situations are tricky and easy to get wrong. But everybody gets them wrong at one time or another, so the forgiveness rate is high. Anyway, if you've nothing to forgive, you haven't risked enough. Do it now under the Mercury-Mars conjunction. Learning will be swift. If you don't get it right, you'll at least be admired for your boldness...Read more

Many people are aware of how thought processes influence moods, but fewer are keenly attuned to how things loop in the opposite direction. Our bodies signal to our minds, too. Active Mars and Uranus form a trine of vitality. All stretching, exertion, care and comfort given to the body will contribute generously to a joyful spirit.

ARIES (...Read more