LIBRA HOROSCOPE

Uranus in Gemini on July 7th completes the planetary alignment that promises to change everything. No longer will you give away your authority or sacrifice your interests because somebody asked you to. You've been doing this for years and it's never worked. Now does this mean you'll become a radically different Libra? No, but you will become a more assertive and steadfast one. Gone are the days of tripping yourself up trying to say and do the right thing. It's time to take the initiative in bringing about the changes you seek and there's no better planet to have in your corner for that than Uranus.

Could an adversary be a friend? It's a question worth asking when Neptune turns retrograde on July 4th. Apparently there's been a shake-up in the order of things and someone you thought was in your corner no longer is. This looks like it will have a palling effect on those you thought you could trust, but could produce quite a different result with someone you've always been at odds with. This may not change the feelings between you, but there's no disputing that an alliance right now would be worthwhile. And who knows? You may develop a begrudging respect for one another in the end.

You won't like being let down by a no-show on June 23d. It doesn't matter if this person has a reasonable excuse, the fact remains they promised to be there for you. Thankfully a Sun/Jupiter conjunction at the top of your solar horoscope on June 24th shows you managing on your own. Indeed given the power of Jupiter in such a fortuitous place you'll probably succeed beyond your wildest dreams – which begs the question of why you were relying on someone else in the first place? It's food for thought and may result in parting company with a partner who didn't bring much to the table.

Sometimes as a Libra you can get too caught up in how well others are doing and this can lead you to undervalue and even disparage what you have. You shouldn’t assume that people are doing as well as they say. Everyone's guilty of a little window dressing when it comes to showing off their accomplishments and just because something looks good on the outside doesn’t mean that the same can be said for the inside. Take pride in your accomplishments. You have a lot of wonderful things going for you right now in your life – plus you have better taste than most.

Jupiter taking up residence at the top of your solar horoscope for the next 12 months shows you coming into your own. This is what you've fought for and you're in the perfect position to reap all the benefits. If this is your “first” success then make a point of acknowledging and thanking all the people who helped you get here. And if this is your comeback then be mindful of not repeating past mistakes. The greatest resource in your life has always been your human resources. Treat them right and you have nothing to worry about when Jupiter turns retrograde in Cancer in November.

Meeting someone unlike anyone you've ever met before is always thrilling. And that's something you can look forward to when Venus sextiles Jupiter right when it's winding up its yearlong stay in the zodiac sign of the twins on June 4th. But does this person feel the same way? Well, that's something you'll discover for yourself over the next few weeks as you're drawn into one another's orbit. Whether it's a romantic encounter, a creative collaboration, or meeting a mentor you can rest assured that this close encounter of the Benefic Kind will have an enormous impact on you and where you're going in life.

Information that comes to light on May 27th provides you with the bargaining chip you've been looking for. This could relate to the other party's finances, a questionable act, or some other detail that they don't want to come out. Indeed hinting that you know that there's more going on than meets the eye is all you need to do to get this person to sweeten the terms or fatten an offer. It's amazing how cooperative people become when they think you've got something on them. It's also amazing how effective the power of suggestion can be if you know how to use it.

Saturn in your opposite sign often signals difficulties in your closest relationships. Either a loved one will experience hard times or they will become a hardship for you – testing your patience and your bond. Some Libras will learn they can't be the custodian of their relationship – that it takes two to make a partnership work while other Libras will discover that there's a difference between alone and lonely and that they might be better off flying solo for a while. In any case, Saturn will teach you the importance of being true to who you are while not allowing yourself to become beholden to another.

You need to explore some stress management techniques. Don't worry. The Stars aren't signaling a crisis. If anything, you're probably experiencing a slow period at work which would allow you to check out a meditation, yoga, or tai-chi class. These are the good-for-you things that you typically put off because your remedy for anxiety is to keep busy, but burning the candles at both ends isn't the answer. Reconnecting to your center and finding ways to navigate your workday more mindfully will prove to be a more effective use of your time and energies than making yourself power through the next obstacle in your path.

You really can have your cake and eat it too as long as you're willing to think outside the dessert cart. Give someone what they want and they're through as soon as they're satisfied. Find another party who wants you too and you can enjoy being with each without feeling beholden to either. This keeps things fresh and lively. The trick to making this work is to be absolutely clear about what your terms are. There can be no game playing or embarrassing surprises. It may take a while for everyone to get used to this arrangement, but once they do they'll settle in fast.