LIBRA HOROSCOPE

Second thoughts are nothing new when Mercury retrogrades past Venus on March 28th. You'll likely experience a case of cold feet, but instead of pushing ahead, it might be better to take things slow. You don't want to force yourself — or the other person — to commit to anything when you're feeling ambivalent. Try an upfront, candid talk. For instance, if you're lovers, you may realize that you're better off as friends, or if you're friends you may be ready to explore being lovers. In any case, love is love when Mercury conjoins Venus, so rest assured that everything will work out for the best.

Saturn conjunct Neptune on February 20th dissolves the disillusionment you've been wrestling with lately. For months you tried convincing yourself that adopting a more hardened and cynical approach to life would mend a broken heart, but today's cosmic pairing will make you see just how truly empty that solution is. Not only does it go against your zodiacal nature to believe the best in people, but Libras aren't happy unless they're pursuing a romantic ideal. This may require a complete about-face in the direction you've been going, but nothing could be more enlivening than jettisoning a worldview that's as drab as it is dreary.

The last-quarter Moon in Scorpio this week shows that you may be overdrawn on your goodwill account. We all get into certain modes when we bark orders without thinking, grow impatient with loved ones’ repeated mistakes, and tap our inner circle of friends for love and support again and again. So when’s the last time you paid into the kitty? When’s the last time you were there for someone else unconditionally? Judging from the looks you’ve been getting lately, it’s probably been a while. Venus in Pisces from February 10th to March 6th shows that this is the time to repay the love.

You'll want to keep your contingency plans close, but your exit strategy closer. A situation has reached a critical juncture which is why you must pay close attention to what's going down. There are things to gain and things to lose and being born under the zodiac sign of the balance you'll want to weigh those carefully. There is such a thing as the circumstances looking right but the timing being off – which means you may want to retreat and try another day. Then again, threatening to back away could fake out the other party and give you a clear opening to what you seek.

Neptune tends to romanticize partners when it's opposite you in the sky, but the recent Venus/Mars conjunction in Capricorn has disabused you of that notion. Not only have the scales fallen from your eyes, you wonder if it's wise to rely on anyone else. Libras are happiest when they share their lives with someone, but that doesn't mean it's your job to make a relationship work. It might be scary to hold back and wait to see if someone can come through on their own with no help from you, but one day that will happen, and when it does, that will be the person for you.

You always want to be careful about who you allow into your social orbit when Venus conjoins Pluto on January 19th. Pluto often signals domineering personalities who appear self-effacing at first but grow more controlling over time. You also want to beware attractions that involve higher-ups and superiors. That praise you receive from them may have little to do with job performance and more to do with something else. However, Venus/Pluto conjunctions aren't all bad. They can bring intense and transformative encounters. Just remember that nothing will be easy with this planetary combination, but the bond that emerges from the crucible will be unbreakable.

You're going to want to be out and about while Venus is traveling through the zodiac sign of Aquarius (January 17th to February 10th). Friends—and especially friends of friends—can really open doors for you, so say yes to all introductions and invites. You’ll gain a lot by rubbing shoulders with people movers and people shakers. Attracting the interest of a new circle of admirers, who recognize qualities in you that old buddies and acquaintances got used to long ago, is always an enormous ego boost. It also signals to certain people that they should think twice about taking your affections and loyalty for granted.

On January 10th you'll have an opportunity to put down that burden you've been carrying and walk away from an onerous situation. It won't come easily. There may be a price to pay or you'll have to answer to some disappointed parties, yet you'll have your freedom – something you've dreamed about for weeks. But what if you're unable to leave now? What if the responsibility is too heavy or circumstances don't warrant it? Then you need to make peace with that. Staying because you're choosing to stay is different than staying because you have to because it allows you to set the terms and not vice-versa.

You hate it when someone gets upset. Ruling Planet Venus makes you a natural people pleaser, but at the end of the day Libra is still the zodiac sign of law and order. It's often assumed that that's Capricorn's domain but look at any courthouse and you'll see your symbol, the scales of justice, enshrined on the premises. You know the only way to keep the peace is to uphold the code of conduct and that's exactly what you'll have to do on December 24th. And if someone takes issue with that? Simply tell them you didn't make the rules; you just play by them.

Mars, the planet of strife, enters that part of your solar chart that pertains to hearth and home on December 15th. This promises to turn your peaceful sanctuary into a combat zone for the next 5 ½ weeks. As a Libra you're not into that. You are Astrology's peacekeeper and have little tolerance for those who want to make a ruckus – and if that means putting a loved one in time-out for a little while, then so be it. In the end you will have the last word which means that those who think they can push you around are in for a rude awakening.