SCORPIO HOROSCOPE

It took a long time to cultivate those friendships and nurture those alliances that have become such a mainstay in your life. It's funny how Scorpios say they prefer their own company, but that's never stopped you from building support for the day you'll need it. Venus arcing over the midheaven of your solar horoscope from August 25th to September 19th shows that it's time to call in those favors, pledges, and promises. You have your eyes set on a certain prize and you know exactly who can help you get it – and the best part is that everyone is more than happy to oblige.

You are undergoing an intense period where you are re-examining and even changing your old way of thinking. Usually this happens to people when they've done something wrong and are forced to mend their ways. For you, however, it comes from the realization that certain judgments and preconceptions have kept you locked in a loop where you continue to repeat the same mistakes you swore you would never make again. The wonderful thing about repetition is that you do learn eventually. Accept an exercise in futility for what it is and you can hop off this mental treadmill and start exploring some new possibilities.

Usually you're the first to agree when people say the world is going to hell in a handbasket, but you'll have a hard time nodding your head in assent when Venus conjoins Jupiter in the sign of its exaltation. The two benefics occupying the same place at the same time in the early morning sky on August 12th serves as a reminder that good things really do happen to good people. It's not all abuse and exploitation. What goes around, comes around as you'll see when a stranger does you a good turn, a rival champions you, or a cold-hearted superior gives you a hearty endorsement.

It may feel like you’re facing an injustice that’s bigger than you during Mars's stay in Libra. Remember that Mars is about strength and one of Libra's great strengths is grace under pressure. The more you maintain decorum in an unruly situation, the more others will respect you. Another Libran strength is finding the rule or law that supports your case. It will get you further than railing against the system. Remember that an air sign’s greatest resources are their human resources. Standing up for, by, or with others gives you the fortitude and resolve needed to get through this rough passage and to succeed.

Hopefully you’re OK with what’s happening with your job because you’ll have to live with it for a few weeks more. Saturn in that part of your solar horoscope that pertains to work means that you have probably taken on additional responsibilities for no pay or are burning the candle at both ends. If this is a situation where you have to pay your dues now and collect later, then fine. It’s good for you. However if this is a situation where you're being exploited then you need to ask yourself how tough do things have to get before you finally act on your own behalf?

Are you being contrary for contrary's sake? It happens to even the best of Scorpios. Usually your arguments are well-founded because you'll take the time to research and identify where all the weak points are in a pitch, proposal, or request; however the Venus/Mars square on July 23d shows that you may be playing Devil's Advocate more out of habit than careful consideration. It might be time to put down the pitchfork and give matters another look-see. Chances are you'll discover that you're being more than just a little biased in your judgment and that what's really needed is your support and not your censure.

Scorpios don't like to be embarrassed. It stems from that childhood moment when you brought a present to a friend's birthday party that you thought was cool but left everyone else scratching their heads. It's haunted you since which is why you drop gifts off on the doorstep or send them by mail. Mercury retrograde in Leo on July 18th could harbinger a similar moment except this time it will hit closer to home. Your instinct will be to flee under cover of darkness, but stay put. You may discover that the thing you thought would humiliate you winds up endearing you to someone instead.

On July 7th, Uranus, the helter skelter planet, leaves the zodiac sign of Taurus. The past seven years haven't been easy as you've seen several relationships capsize like a modern day version of the 1970s film The Poseidon Adventure. Who knew that what started out as luxury cruise would wind up with you scrambling up an upside down Christmas tree in evening wear? Nevertheless you've survived the hard times and even have new friends to show for it. They may not have the familiarity of the old ones, but they also herald a time when you're moving closer to living the life you've always wanted.

Scarlett O'Hara once said “tomorrow is another day” and that might not be the worst mantra for you nowadays. Uranus's approaching change of signs is surely sending seismic tremors through your horoscope, but there's something to be said for the trials and tribulations you've endured recently. You don't abandon hope as easily as you used to and more importantly you've learned to adopt a wait and see attitude. Steely focus is something you've often feigned but never truly believed in before now so that being open to what tomorrow might bring is less a Pollyannaish aphorism and more about seizing an opportunity when it appears.

You always want to check the fine print when Mercury is opposite Pluto (June 29th). Maybe it's an annoying technicality, a “harmless” condition slipped into a contract last minute, or a discrepancy that you know you should check up on but don't have time to. You ignore these signs at your peril. Yes, it may be a drag pursuing a line of inquiry that makes superiors uncomfortable, but you're the one who pays the price if you don't. It may not seem like much now but one day it will and you'll have only yourself to blame for making excuses for something that was inexcusable.