LIBRA HOROSCOPE

It's OK to be selfish. It's allowed – if not encouraged – while Ruling Planet Venus is traveling through the zodiac sign of the Lion (August 25th through September 19th). And since you're putting yourself first, you might as well increase the volume of your roar and the boldness of your actions. This will do a lot to align you with the cosmic energy coursing through your horoscope. There will be plenty of time to purr and make nice later, but for now you need to dominate as much ground as you can because you won't have a chance like this again for a very long time.

You were born under the zodiac sign of partnership. You never do anything alone – not if you can help it. Yet this time of year when the Sun is traveling through Virgo (August 22 to September 21) often brings up questions about the balance of power in your relationship. Is it truly equal? Are you being true to yourself? Is your partner holding you back? You may feel like retreating into yourself for a little while to reflect in private – and you should. We all need some alone time. – it's good for the soul – and so is allowing for more spaces in your togetherness.

Ruling Planet Venus conjunct Jupiter at the top of you solar horoscope brings the watershed moment you've been praying for. Not only will you see good fortune smile in your direction courtesy of Astrology's favorite benefics, but you'll also feel vindicated and protected. Vindicated in that your name will finally be cleared of the smear campaign that was waged against you; protected in that the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune will be unable to penetrate the Cosmic deflector shield that's materialized around you. All of this will help you to get things back on track in your life and to make up for lost time.

Mars will be in your zodiac sign from August 6th to September 22d. Mars brings conflict wherever it goes so you can expect to deal with upsets, challenges, and crises, but this doesn't have to be bad. In fact it could be good because Mars strengthens your resolve and bolsters your willpower. You won't feel like you have to be so beholden to other people anymore, however you will have to focus on harnessing this powerful energy so that it doesn't run roughshod over the rest of your life. Remember that once you step up to the plate there can be no stepping back.

It looks like you're still in the running for a prize or coveted position. For months naysayers, rivals, and competitors have taken their best shots at you and though you've fallen a few times, you've managed to climb back on that horse of yours. But now the Venus/Saturn square on August 1st shows you arriving at a turning point. You need to decide for yourself if you are prepared to go the distance you say you want to travel because once you pass this mark there will be no turning back. Chances are you know the answer already, but it still never hurts to ask.

It's going to feel like you can't do anything right by someone on July 23d. And you're right; you can't. But the problem isn't you – it's the other person. As a Libra, you tend to be more open-minded about criticism. You're all ears if someone has something valuable to impart, but if someone is just putting you down, then you'll just smile, nod, and retreat from the conversation. Unfortunately a certain spoiler in your life isn't getting the hint so you may have to take matters into your own hands. Do it with your customary grace and pointedness and s/he will get off your case.

Mercury and Venus love to mingle so you can expect to make the acquaintance of all sorts of people that you wouldn’t typically meet while these two planets are forming a sextile in the sky (July 18th to 23d). It’s a great opportunity to broaden your horizons, add to your contact list, and even brush up on your conversation skills. This planetary energy is usually chatty and fly-by-night, except that you could be making the acquaintance of someone who will go on to become a major player in your life – but you’ll have to wait to see what the next couple of weeks bring first.

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.