Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

The show must go on, they say, and performers dedicated to this principle have endured tremendous hardship to make sure their team isn’t let down by their mishap. How much of your suffering can you put aside to spare others its consequences? How much are you willing to? Those are this week’s questions. Answer them honestly. It’s admirable to put aside some of your own well-being for the greater good. However, know ahead of time where and how to draw the line, so that you don’t realize you’ve reached your limit in the middle of the “show.” Calling in an understudy at that point is very awkward—doing so before you’ve begun, however, is perfectly acceptable.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Not everyone is attuned to the same reality you are. In fact, you’re probably sometimes quite shocked by just how differently someone else might perceive a situation you see in a specific way. Here’s the problem: Neither of you is “right.” That is, you’re both wearing filters that skew the scenario in certain (probably different) directions. Neither of you is technically wrong; you’re both actually perfectly correct—for yourselves. Understanding just how malleable reality is—and accepting that there is no one “real” reality—is the key to enjoying your week, and not getting stuck in a conflict that has no other resolution.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

We all appreciate the higher standard you hold yourself to most of the time. But occasionally you need to be willing to set aside that ideal and cut yourself some slack, in the name of getting things done. When you’re miserable, everyone around you also is, so try not to get yourself to that state of dejection or disappointment. Normally, I’d say go for a good, self-pitying wallow if you need to, but more important things are afoot. That means letting yourself off the hook and being content with a job done merely satisfactorily instead of brilliantly.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)

Just because a dream is achievable shouldn’t make it less exciting. In fact, because its fruition is right around the corner, you ought to be thrilled. Try not to feel let down by how ultimately easy it was to get where you wanted to go—that speaks to how ready you were, not to how simple it was. For someone else, this might have been an impossible challenge. Don’t worry—there will be plenty more challenging goals. Some of them will prove unachievable. Enjoy this one, even if it was a no-brainer, no-contest piece of cake.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

You know you need to try a different approach. Given all the paths you’ve already pursued, you probably have a pretty strong inkling about which new method will work best to achieve your goals. You’re dragging your heels because that place is somewhere you’ve been reluctant to go. However, you’ve tried every other way you could think of, and hit impassable obstacles. I think it’s time to finally acknowledge that there may be no better way, and swallow your distaste long enough to give it a try. Perhaps some success will assuage your antipathy.

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Your cynicism tells you that although people can change, they don’t do so very often. Sometimes, in an effort to be realistic, you unwittingly lock people into old behaviors. Even if they normally would act differently, you create parameters that encourage or even require them to behave just as they would have in the past. That’s hardly fair. Can you bring yourself to a place where you will at least allow for—and at best actively promote—transformation and evolution? Although it goes against the grain of your most pessimistic habits and fixed nature, that, my dear, is this week’s goal.

Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)

You’re like a daddy longlegs spider who’s lost a few legs: You can still function with five, but losing another might prove disastrous. It’s time to stop taking so many risks and just play it safe for a while. I like you when you’re bold and take chances, and I appreciate the way you’ve courageously forged on even when some of those risks haven’t panned out (perhaps buoyed by the successes of all those that paid off). However, this week take a break from that approach and stick to the tried and true. When it’s time to boldly take another great gamble again, you’ll know.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

Consider the message, not how it was delivered. It’s all too easy to ignore what you’re trying so hard not to hear, and instead to focus on the problems with the methods used, which are less than ideal (and might even be cruel, sneaky, or passive-aggressive). However, the only reason people are going to such lengths to communicate in such a roundabout way is that surely this is something you don’t particularly want to acknowledge, and they were afraid of how you’d react if they said it to you directly. Put aside the lousy conveyance and take the time to hear those things you desperately don’t want to, but desperately need to.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

Is this deal-breaker as much of a deal-breaker as you thought? Yes, you always told yourself that if you got to this crossroads, you’d know which way to turn. Yet now that you’re here, the path isn’t as obvious as you thought. This may be because your judgment is clouded; or it could be that what you thought was so desperately important (in theory, at least) isn’t anymore, or never really was. Though to ensure that you don’t make a foolish decision because you’re bewildered by hormones, lust, or clever words, enlist the aid and advice of a trusted friend.

Gemini (May 21–June 20)

When someone’s behavior skews wildly off course, it could be mental illness, drugs, or any number of other problems. However, consider the possibility that this is only new to you. Young adults who come out of the closet may surprise some of their friends and family, for example, but it’s hardly a revelation for them. This week, you need to put aside your own shock, judgment, or distaste for whatever’s been revealed to you, and consider what may be behind it and how difficult it might have been to get to this place. Then react with as much compassion as you can muster.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

It’s funny how sometimes, even when they have all (or most) of the power in a situation, some people can be fooled into thinking they have little or none. That ought to sound familiar, although I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t think so. Ask yourself: Isn’t the ball in your court? Don’t you have hold of the long end of the stick? You have all the leverage, and yet you’re behaving as if you must do exactly as you’re told. This week, please realize, finally, just how much power you actually have, and take ownership of it. It’s always been clear to others that you have the upper hand—once you figure that out, all that’s left is for you to decide what exactly you want to do with it.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)

You don’t usually have trouble setting boundaries. Ask anyone who knows you; it’s very hard to get a Leo to do anything she doesn’t want to do. However, once in a while, it’s good to allow those boundaries to get trampled on a little. They could be in the wrong places. People change, after all. What once was off limits might now be something to enjoy—and the only way you’d figure that out is by letting someone cross that line. This isn’t about adopting an anything-goes attitude. However, this week, please notice which walls have stood unquestioned for way too long, and consider taking at least a couple of them down.