LEO HOROSCOPE

It won’t be easy taking responsibility for people whose actions have put you in hot water and now jeopardize just about everything you’ve built. Your first inclination will be to say that you didn’t know what they were doing, but this makes things worse because it shows that you were negligent or asleep at the switch. No, the best thing to do is to step forward and say that the buck stops with you. In a world where cowards dive down their rabbit holes at the first sign of trouble, your courage will capture everyone's attention. Moreover your integrity will be recognized, appreciated, and amply rewarded.

The Full Moon in Taurus on November 5th shows that this is your time to shine in the workplace. After months of feeling overlooked or assigned the most thankless of tasks, you’ll be able to prove to naysayers and critics that you're to be trusted with a high profile position or coveted assignment. People always knew you had the talent, but they didn’t always know that you had the skill and the discipline to turn that talent into a highly valued commodity. Well, guess what? You do. And now that you’ve found the proper showcase, you’ll go on to surpass everyone’s expectations – including your own!

Fleet-footed Mercury enters the sign of the archer on October 29th which means that a text, email, or letter promises to have a significant impact on you. This may be the offer you've been waiting for, but the funny thing is it doesn't look like it was meant for you alone. Chances are you're one of several recipients. Disappointing, but not a deal breaker. An opportunity is still an opportunity and few zodiac signs fare as well as you in the arena. Say yes and start preparing because you'll want to be in top fighting shape for when Mars enters Sagittarius on November 4th.

Can life get any more discouraging? That might not be the best question to ask when your Ruling Planet the Sun is forming a square to Pluto on October 24th. Nevertheless it's a good time to ask whether it's circumstances that are bringing you down or your insistence that everything go according to plan. Pluto in Aquarius can be relentless about facing facts. Aquarius believes that the truth will set you free – and that the more unflattering the truth, the freer you'll be. Lean into this idea and you'll soon discover that your idea of what's good for you is actually getting in the way.

It’s never a good idea to treat yourself as the exception to a rule that you expect others to follow. It’s the sort of double standard that can come around and bite you in the derriere which is why it’s a good idea to take a long hard look at the sermon you’re preaching. Those feelings of self-righteousness, exemption, or privilege are pumping you up and planting the seeds to what could be a nasty plummet in the weeks to come. Hold yourself to the same standard that you hold everyone else (even if you don't think you have to) and you can’t go wrong.

The problem with believing people who only tell you what you want to hear is that you're the one who pays for it in the end. This is something that will be made abundantly clear when Mercury in Scorpio forms a square to Pluto in Aquarius on October 7th. You know you've no one but yourself to blame, but blame isn't going to help you; however, facing hard truths will. What you'll discover is that you're a lot more capable of handling things now that you know what's really going on. Not only are you braver than you gave yourself credit for; you're shrewder too.

It's a good idea to follow others' lead because they see the way ahead more clearly than you. Whether it's retreating instead of advancing, cutting losses, or holding your cards instead of playing them – the First Quarter Moon in Capricorn on September 29th shows that the counsel you're receiving from colleagues is wise. You may have qualms about what they say and the way they say it, but what you need now is truth; not flattery. The whole point of listening is to try something new and different because to carry on as is would only lead you back to the corner you're trying to escape.

Mars, planet of strife, moves into that part of your solar chart that pertains to house and home on September 22d. Life with family members has been strained and this could transform what's left of your peaceful sanctuary into an occupied territory. Since you know you can't win you might as well let loved ones know where you stand. Tell them you don't appreciate their bitchy asides, the free-floating anger, and the way you're made to feel like you have to walk around on eggshells. Yes, they'll be upset, but at least you'll get tensions out in the open where they can be addressed.

It costs more to make more. That doesn't always translate to a Leo because you expect to keep the money you make. It's like being awarded a ribbon for coming in first. Keeping the money you make is the crowning achievement for working hard, but that's not the way money works. Money is like a piece of land that needs to be gardened or a house that requires upkeep. It's a constant endeavor. It's hard to see now when the Sun is being eclipsed by the Moon, but once you get used to your new lifestyle you'll see for yourself that you're actually coming out ahead.

You're wondering if your efforts will ever pay off? This week's Lunar Eclipse shows that you're still financially beholden to somebody else and it's depressing. But if you remember how J.K. Rowling (another Leo), was on unemployment while writing the Harry Potter books, then you can see where narrowing your focus and getting up every morning to do what you do is better than caving into anxiety and fear. After all: where would J.K. Rowling be if all she did was wring her hands with worry? Invest energy in a project or enterprise and it will result in you becoming financially self-sufficient ten months from now.