Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)The games people play can be fun, if you’re good at them, and in the mood. Of course, it’s refreshing to be able to cut through all the bullshit and get down to brass tacks, but if someone is in a more playful, circumspect mood, this strategy could just scare them right off. So much of life and connecting with another person is about timing, and part of that is where you’re at in your lives. If you want to play games and have that kind of fun, go for it—but try to find someone else who’s in that place with you, or one of you is bound to get hurt. Aries (March 21-April 19)Appending “in bed” to every fortune cookie fortune makes it better. Adding “yet” to most of your negative statements will similarly improve your life. It creates an opening for change. Even your most jokingly self-derogatory comments can benefit. “I haven’t been able to find a job . . . yet” opens up the issue and creates, in a very tangible way, possibilities that wouldn’t feel as likely without the “yet.” It’s a subtle way to reorder your mind to manifest better stuff for yourself. Try it this week, every time you express something negative. It might not work universally, but I think you’ll be pleased with the overall benefit.Taurus (April 20-May 20)Everyone deserves a second chance—but maybe not right away. Sometimes your judgment is simply spot-on, and giving someone any more rope will just make them hang themselves, or you. People can change—but rarely overnight. Keep your mind open to a second chance, sure, but reserve such an opportunity for somewhere further down the line, when it’s more likely it’ll be worthwhile. For now, if they come knocking, keep the door closed. If and when it’s time to open it again—and I honestly hope you don’t rule out the possibility—you’ll know.Gemini (May 21-June 20)Anyone whose wish has been granted soon discovers that wishes usually come with stuff you never anticipated—and perhaps don’t even like. Of course, it’s hard to guess what will come along with the dream guy/gal, the power, the fame, the success, or whatever else you fantasized about. But glossing over the potential details as thoroughly as you have pretty much guarantees you some unpleasant surprises should your wish ever come true. This week, take a harder look at the wishes that seem closest to fruition, and this time include all the details you didn’t bother examining earlier. Some of them could be deal-breakers—and wouldn’t it be better that you figured that out now before you had to actually live with them?Cancer (June 21-July 22)Blurred boundaries are something of a Cancerian specialty. Of course, while some people might appreciate that your relationship requires no specific definition or rules, others may feel extremely threatened by the fact that you’re perfectly willing to disregard lines that have been drawn if crossing them simply “feels right.” It’s sometimes a difficult lesson for you Crabs to learn to respect those limitations, because your line-crossing and rule-breaking is usually fueled by the best and most compassionate intentions. However, learn it you must—and if you haven’t mastered it by this week, you’re likely to get some painful instruction on the matter.Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)Leos at their best are radiant, generous, loving, warm, enthusiastic, intuitive leaders, and fun to be around. At their worst, they’re bossy, controlling, selfish, lazy, and insensitive. Don’t let your ego be too bruised by such uncompromising truth—unless it’ll fuel personal change! Relearning such bad habits is quite difficult, and requires tremendous persistence. Nevertheless, your personal evolution depends on learning to recognize and minimize those negative tendencies while strengthening and amplifying your positive qualities. Since this week’s events are likely to put them in stark contrast with each other, it’s an opportune time to practice exactly that.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)Virgos are rarely snobbish—so you might not recognize the signs when you do lean that way. This week you need to confront the truth that a part of you turns your nose up at interacting with certain people, for whatever (probably unconscious) reason. That’s not to say you need to completely overturn your unspoken judgments and make time to hang out with said people; in fact, your opinions may be spot-on. However, recognizing them, and being truthful with yourself about what you think and why you think it, are good ways to determine whether you’re being discerning or just prudish—an important distinction this week.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)I prefer warm weather. However, that doesn’t mean that whenever it’s not warm, I automatically get down, annoyed, or out of sorts. Actually, I’ve learned to appreciate cold or wet weather, not just for the variety, but also because it makes me appreciate the sunny, beautiful days that much more. For someone who’s supposed to be able to value multiple perspectives, you’re awfully black-and-white about certain things. You might be happier if you could find a way to appreciate even the stuff you’re not entirely crazy about. Such a talent could prove very valuable this week.Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)For every person who’s down on you because you’re a Scorpio, there are two who are likely to be intensely into you for the same reason (although some of these might not know it yet). You’ve got a rare and special quality that tends to elicit fairly extreme reactions in the people around you. Although that may occasionally feel like a curse, recognize that most of the time it’s an amazing blessing. Of course, you can’t control who’s obsessed and who’s repulsed—something that may lead to feeling more doomed than lucky this week; all the more reason you should keep the big picture (and your ultimately blessed state) in mind. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Although we’ve been programmed with a certain set of social rules and expectations, one of your great gifts is being able to consciously and intelligently toss those rules out the window when they simply don’t make sense for the scenario at hand. This could be one of those times. Such great power, naturally, comes with corresponding responsibility: Other people might need some encouragement—or even a form of permission—to follow their hearts, and you may very well be the only one equipped or willing to give it to them. Come through for those poor people, won’t you?Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)Misery loves company, but that doesn’t mean it has to be you. When someone tries to drag you into the crappy place they’re in, it’s time to employ that infamous Capricornian stubbornness, dig in your heels, and refuse to go along. You can choose to walk away or pull them out of their funk, but rest assured that nothing particularly good will come of your getting down in the trenches with the down-and-out right now. That doesn’t mean you can’t have compassion for them—just that it shouldn’t slip over into commiseration or pity. Drag them up, walk away, whatever—just don’t let them trip you up or push you down. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)Some messages you have to spell out explicitly. Others can be effectively conveyed with a look, a touch, or a gesture, and articulating them at length would only water them down, or even negate them completely. Therefore, don’t. Words are like fire: A little bit is cozy and comforting, but too much and you’ll burn the place down. You’re already pretty outspoken, so try to keep quiet for once, and practice communicating in other, less flammable, ultimately more wonderful ways. By the end of the week you should be an expert in this department—or you might be shopping for replacements for everything you burnt to cinders. sign.language.astrology@gmail.com