Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)An experienced musician could tell you amazing things about a piece of music that you’d be unlikely to notice or understand. A bloodhound’s nose would tell him things about what had happened in a place that your senses would never reveal. Accept that you’re limited by the nature of your perceptions, as well as your own training and experiences, and that people around you have insights into the situation that are more or less imperceptible to you. Being willing to simply take them at their word will spare you a lot of time and suffering. I hope you’re willing to do so.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)When camping, we should all strive to leave the place better than it was when we arrived, or at least no worse. The same goes for relationships. It may be hard or even impossible to make everything that happens in a relationship positive or beneficial, but striving to make sure the balance, overall, makes the other person’s life richer and happier will at least set you both on the right path. There are no guarantees in life, particularly in matters of love, but trying to do right by people in this way will make, if not happy endings, at least happier endings, for all concerned.Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Even though, to all our senses, matter feels perfectly solid, science demonstrates that it is in fact composed mostly of empty space. Though this goes counter to our own experiences, it’s still true. Similarly, the scenario before you, as improbable as it may seem, is just as verifiably accurate as the emptiness inside your average molecule. Accept the facts. Trusting your gut is all well and good, usually, but this case is as airtight as it gets—your instincts are misguided and wrong this time. Being determined to heed them anyway will only result in seriously painful (and potentially humiliating) lessons. Since they’re perfectly avoidable simply by recognizing the proof in front of you, don’t force yourself to suffer through them.Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)You couldn’t pay me to jump out of a plane. That’s just not a thrill I’d enjoy, so it’d take preposterous amounts of money to get me to suffer through it. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’m not as into certain risks as other very brave people I know. However, I’m confident that the wildest veteran skydiver would similarly balk if asked to take some of the risks I’ve cheerfully embraced. We all get our kicks in different ways. Even if you’re convinced someone else would enjoy yours, don’t force the issue. If they say they’re not up for it, back the hell off. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)Kids who grow up with creative toys like art supplies, play dough, or building blocks are probably more likely to be imaginative, resourceful, and inventive than those who play mostly with video games and action figures, where most of the imagination and story have been provided by someone else. Adults are the same way. How you experience the world largely depends on which toys you’re willing to play with. What’s filling your sandbox these days? How are you spending your time? How often, in the past week, did you actually exercise your imagination? It might be getting flabby. Get it some exercise, already.Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)Opposites may attract, but I’m more likely to believe that two like-minded people with a lot in common will be more easily able to make a go of things over the long term. However, there’s no denying the magnetic pull of someone fascinatingly different from you, and no reason not to believe that something sustainable and real is possible despite your differences. Rainbows, after all, only result as a combination of sun and storm. Finding the right mix for you two to produce similarly colorful and pleasant results will require some patience and experimentation—but it’s there to be found, if you’re both determined enough to seek it out.Aries (March 21-April 19)I absolutely adore your willingness to stir up shit when necessary, and call people out (hopefully when it’ll do some good). However, at times your well-intentioned troublemaking and vocal bullshit identification will not accomplish anything close to what you intend, and are actually more likely to make matters worse, and make people mad at you besides. Knowing when to shut up and sit tight is an important part of your personal evolution. Of course, this week’s a freebie. Bite your tongue and wait things out. It shouldn’t be too hard—but it’ll be good practice for the times when it’s truly a challenge.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)It’d be stupid not to close and lock your front door, right? I’m not so sure. After all, anyone determined enough to get in will hardly be thwarted by a mere lock, which would likely stop only the most casual troublemaker. Your emotional defensive measures are equally ineffective. You could, of course, simply dramatically step up security. However, I’d argue that toning things down would actually make you happier and less stressed. Leave your front door open sometimes, at least metaphorically; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much more good stuff than bad enters your life as a result.Gemini (May 21-June 20)Unfortunately, there’s no insurance plan to cover your emotions. Wouldn’t you be more likely to take emotional risks if you knew you’d get a big payout the next time your heart got broken? Of course, that’s never going to happen—since most relationships end in heartbreak, such a plan would swiftly bankrupt the company that offered it. However, I’d argue that every broken heart can yield a massive payoff, albeit in the form of wisdom, compassion, and self-knowledge, provided you’re determined to gain these things (rather than bitterness and cynicism). Looking at it that way makes it a teensy bit easier to take that next risk, doesn’t it?Cancer (June 21-July 22)Use the right tools for the job. Sure, scrubbing your floors by a hand with a dish sponge might eventually make them reasonably clean, but you’ll be sore, annoyed, and bored for no good reason. Since a mop and bucket will do the same job in a fraction of the time with less effort, use them. Don’t let stubbornness or unrealistic idealism eat up your time and energy this way. There’s a way to get a job done quickly and easily, so you can move on to stuff that’s more fun and satisfying; all that’s necessary is for you to be humble and open-minded enough to employ it. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)Imagine you ask an architect to design your dream home. She comes up with two perfectly wonderful possibilities: The first option features one or two massive pillars supporting the structure, while the second utilizes dozens of slender columns. This, my dear, is an apt metaphor for your social life. Relying on just a couple of solid friends for your emotional needs is perfectly viable, but so is cultivating a wider and more varied social circle. Either way will work, of course. As you decide which you’d prefer, please remember: Turnabout’s fair play. That is, it’s completely fair for any of your friends to request of you exactly what you demand of them—and get upset if you don’t deliver.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)Stop imagining monsters where there are none. I can just picture you house-hunting, finding something close to the “perfect” place, but rejecting it because you’re certain there’s something profoundly wrong with it—despite an utter lack of evidence. Maybe you’re right; maybe nothing can be this good. That doesn’t mean the heretofore-undiscovered flaws involve malicious poltergeists, neighborhood gang warfare, or carcinogenic mold. Stop being so suspicious; of course, if you’re determined to find them, there are problems here—but they’re nowhere near as awful as you imagine. sign.language.astrology@gmail.com