SAGITTARIUS HOROSCOPE

You hate to disappoint – especially when you've made such an effort to avoid making promises you can't keep. In the past you were often guilty of your goodwill being bigger than your follow-through, which is why it's going to sting when you have to let down a supervisor or loved one this week. You have the Venus/Saturn opposition on October 11th to blame. This is an unforgiving aspect which means that circumstances, finances, and even time are dead set against you. Make your apologies and you'll find that people – though bummed – are still appreciative for you being honest and letting them know ahead of time.

You’re going to be sensitive to any directive or command you receive this week – even if it’s a polite request to pass the salt. It could be argued that you're being overly sensitive. It’s a good idea during times like these to ask yourself what's really going on. You may feel beholden to a spouse or client who has you under their thumb. This could be what’s eating away at you. But if you’re beholden, then who put themselves there in the first place? It's a tough question to consider, but a revealing one. You can’t have your cake and eat it too after all.

The ends don't always justify the means as you'll discover on September 22d. This is when you learn that that deal you made in order to get ahead is going to cost more than anticipated. The terms of a loan may change, interest rates may increase, or you find yourself stuck paying back a favor you believed you could duck at the time. Simply put you are not in charge of your money and are now financially beholden to someone else. It would be wise to get on this person's good side ASAP seeing as you'll be handcuffed to each other for the foreseeable future.

Sagittarians are more into searching than finding, but finding and working with what you have is what the Solar Eclipse in Virgo on September 21st is all about. You were born under the zodiac sign of inspiration and big ideas, so you may have a problem with being forced to work with what's in front of you – especially if you don't like what you see. But therein lies the secret of creativity and invention. Virgo may not have your breadth of vision, but it knows how to make a lot out of a little. Do this and you'll create something you never thought you could.

A Sun/Jupiter sextile (like the one on September 12th) is all about building on what you have. A lot of times we don't push ourselves unless we have to because if what's working for you is working then why fix it? Yet what the Sun/Jupiter sextile does is show you the ways that you could grow if you wanted to. Maybe it's by updating your skills, expanding your business, or going back to school so that you can get a better paying job. These are the paths to success that you don't have to take, but might want to if your aim is to succeed.

No sooner do you find that special someone you've been looking for then they're whisked away from your life. Shocking, but not surprising given that the Mercury/Uranus square on September 3d will be followed by Uranus turning retrograde on the 6th. Chances are this is more about bad timing than bad luck which means that it's up to you to keep the home fires burning while this person is away tending to other matters. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and given society's addiction to instant gratification that might not be a bad thing. Look for this person to reappear next spring.

This isn't the time to rifle through contingency plans or cast about for exit strategies – not when there's a First Quarter Moon in your zodiac sign on August 31st. A First Quarter Moon is a waxing Moon which means it's increasing in light, so you need to be perfectly clear about what you want because this is the time to make your own luck. Sagittarius is a sign that's famous for holding fast to its beliefs in the face of daunting circumstances; moreover its absolute faith in Hail Mary passes has prevailed upon many a centaur to go for broke rather than stop short.

It’s a make or break time for you. You’ve had your fill of power struggles and don’t want to feel beholden to anyone, but are you ready to break out on your own and go it alone? That’s the question you'll be asking when the Sun squares Uranus, planet of revolution and change, on August 24th. This is when the game board will be knocked over and all the pieces sent flying. Whether you leave those pieces where they are or try to gather them up again is your call. Just remember that those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.

Don't let shame get in the way of discussing a delicate matter on August 12th. You've been living with a secret for too long and the Venus/Jupiter conjunction shows you getting the help and understanding you need. You'll be relieved to discover you're not alone and that there are plenty of people ready to lend their support. How much you want to divulge is up to you, but know that you aren't sharing anything that they haven't heard before. Draw on their perspective and experience because that's what it's there for. And maybe one day you'll do the same for someone else in similar straits.

Sometimes the hardest people to sell on the “new you” are the people you see every day. They may roll their eyes at your decision to dress for success at work, talk you into going off your diet when you're out together, or poke fun at your attempts at self-improvement. It's only natural for loved ones and friends to try to get you to go back to being the old you. It's familiar and they like that, but is that really in your best interests? In the end you’re the one who has to believe in yourself because other people can't do the believing for you.