Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018

Directness is a privilege of intimacy. It might also be a route to it, though it’s certainly a risk. If directness is met with defensiveness, an emotional gap will open between people that will have to be bridged before any close relationship could ensue. Just something to consider before you speak up under the stinging Scorpio moon.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It might be strange to think of competition as a social skill, but its purpose is key to our social structures. Today’s competitive interaction will help you decide how best to spend your time and who best to spend it with.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Talk can be cheap and it can be expensive, too. The value depends on who’s buying it and what they are willing to give for it. Mostly, you’ll pay in attention, which you’re likely to give to those who talk less, not more.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s as if you’re standing on the intersection of life pushing the “walk” button, unsure if it will actually have an influence on the traffic pattern. The jury’s out on that one, but you’re better off pressing than doing nothing.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). If what the Dalai Lama said is true, and the aim of spiritual practice is to become a friend to all beings, then it makes no sense to spiritually evolve to dislike someone or a group, and there is no such thing as righteous hatred.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may find that you keep asking the same question to which you already have the answer. That’s because you don’t like the answer. Either prove it wrong, or accept it so you can move on to better questions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll do the noble thing, which is to say you’ll protect those who are vulnerable and help those who are difficult. Ignore negative attitudes and try to connect with the goodness in others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve just about forgotten that someone wronged you, probably because you’ve trained your focus on the many things they did right by you. This is how you’ll continue to bring out the best in others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even if it’s not technically going so smoothly this morning, a simple nod to the universe will set your day off on the right note. Nothing fancy. “Thanks for everything” will do.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To some degree, moods are choices. They certainly don’t feel like it. But there’s something controllable in them if you’re able to take a mental step back and witness your own emotional landscape.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Allow for mutuality. Don’t let pride get in the way. If you give too much and don’t let anyone give back, people will be robbed of the pleasure of completing the circle of reciprocity.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). One way to clear your mind is to talk it out. But to whom should you talk? Everyone has a bias. Those who love you are the most biased. Perhaps a stranger or a professional will provide the best insight.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As long as people can change, the world can change. Be the agitator. Someone has to. Without those irritating grains of sand, the world would be bereft of pearls.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 12). You are learning to feel comfortable wherever you are and to love yourself no matter what. This eliminates the fear of missing out and the need to grasp at things that will prove your worth. You’ll enjoy an easier time in relationships. People trust you and give freely to you. A single big project will stretch the year. Libra and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 5, 11, 15 and 20.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTION: “I was married to a very special person who loved me until the day he suddenly died. We were married 28 years but together for 30 years. Will I find happiness again? I’ve dated twice in 5 1/2 years and found myself with people I didn’t like, much less want a relationship with. I’m a fun, loving person who is younger at heart than my age. I have a lot to offer, and I’m just not finding the right person. 10/25/1946.”

How wonderful for you to have had such love in your life for so many years. And wowwie, are you ever a Scorpio! You have the sun, moon, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter all in the intense sign of transformation. If ever there were a person to have a second “incarnation” of love in your life, it’s you. What you need is to get everyone in your spiritual environment, including and especially your late husband, on board with your goal to attract someone new. In your mind or in a letter, talk to your late husband about helping bring in someone interesting, solid and fun into your life. I see November being a magical time for your personal life.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: It’s out of the bag. Jennifer Hudson will play the Jellicle cat Grizabella in movie project based on the staged musical “Cats.” The Grammy and Academy Award winner is a hard-working, health-conscious Virgo with five natal luminaries in artistic and diplomatic Libra. Should this talented participant in political events and functions at the White House ever decide to go into politics, she’d do very well.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis@gmail.com.