“Thy bones are hollow; impiety
has made a feast of thee.”
- Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure (I.ii.52)
Some days, I just love my job.
Aries: Some days, I just love my job. Other days, there’s nothing but toil and trouble on the horizon. On your personal Aries horizon, it’s not like there’s a “toil & trouble,” but Mr. Mars is making things in Aries land, well, I want you to stop what you’re doing, right this very minute. But be careful, when and where you stop for this moment of consideration. I was ambling along by the Texas School for the Deaf, a local institution that gives me much pause for thought. There, at a traffic light, a few blocks away, two folks were sitting in a car at a red light, having a very animated conversation, in sign language. Highly animated. Possibly yelling at each other, but both folks were laughing, so it was probably a dirty joke. Who knows? I don’t sign. Always meant to learn, but never got around to it. So the woman in the car behind the two carrying on the conversation? When the light changed? She leaned on her horn. What happened? Nothing. The pair were engrossed in a conversation and the lady behind them didn’t realize that the horn was the last thing that would work. Didn’t stop her from a long, loud, rather obnoxious noise. Which part of this are you? I’ve suggested that you stop and consider, because frankly, my sympathy goes with the pair conversing. Never hurts to pause and talk something out before taking rash actions.
Taurus: I had occasion to visit a friend who works for the State. Means she sits in a cubicle in faceless, nameless office just across the river from me. She’s Taurus, you know. “Stop by my cube, and we’ll go to lunch and I can get a reading,” was the plan. State employee, notice she didn’t offer to buy lunch? Cubes are usually minimalist affairs, although the longer a state employee lingers the weirder the cubicle gets. It’s a slow accumulation of stuff, artifacts, collectibles, pictures, mementos, and the rest of the material that just sort of accumulates on one’s desktop. That’s what this week is about. In your workspace, wherever that is, you’ve accumulated just a little too much crap. It’s time for a good, thorough, judicious cleansing. I caught that Taurus halfway through the task, about a week too early, and what she was doing? She’d move stuff over to the “dispose” pile, then take a second glance back through the material she was loading into box, presumably to cart home, and she’d think twice about moving some item out of the cube. We all need touchstones, reminders and souvenirs to help keep us going. Especially at an underpaid state job. Maybe it’s a good time to just rearrange, instead of tossing. But think about it, what — and how — you decorate that workspace.
Gemini: I started out with a pleasant reminder that some days, I just love my job. I’m not sure that my job fits traditional taxonomy, but that’s part of what I like about what I’ve chosen to do. Some days, it’s a little of this, some days, it’s a little of that. Most of the time, even if I’m not fishing, the job can include — at the very least — thinking and dreaming about fishing. So I like the job. Even if it’s not always all that I want it to be, it’s usually most of what I like it to be. Take heed of my rambling on about what it is that I do for a living, my dear little Gemini friend. You, too, can have a job that you love, more than whatever it is that you’re doing these days. I could be wrong, and maybe you truly enjoy the game you play with what you do to earn an income, but I’m not sure. The plethora of Gemini’s that I’ve talked to over the last few weeks? They all seem to be a little unsettled. Unsettled about work, more than anything else, and wondering what can be done. If you put a little thought in the correct direction, if you think about it some, and maybe, if you take a little action in a direction that you want to pursue, you’ll find that the stars (planets in Libra) help you get where you want to be.
Cancer: I stopped off at a local coffee shop to procure an afternoon libation, something frothy, milky, and loaded with delightful caffeine. There was a horde of folks downtown, all wearing plastic name badges on lanyards. Convention folks. People not from here. There was one barista, busy making espresso shakes, and she was the only one working. I stood there patiently, observing human behavior. A gray-headed guy with a long beard, he had two laminates around his neck, which means something, stood there beside me for a moment, got disgusted, grunted something untoward and huffed off. Coffee shop drinks are labor-intensive. Takes time to prepare each shot of espresso. There was one girl working. She was busy. This ain’t Starbucks, you know. Why would I belabor a scene where someone was hopelessly in the weeds, and another someone was hopelessly impatient? Which one are you? Personally, I hope you’re the one in the weeds with too much work. Nice purple shirt, dear. That person who got irritated because service wasn’t right-now fast enough? Don’t do that. Some things in life just take a little longer. “Espresso — made expressly for you.”
Leo: “All you ever do is talk talk….” I am so sorry, my Leo dear, I don’t recall the song or the rest of lyrics. It’s one of those tunes that bubbled out of my brain before I had a chance to chase it down. What does it mean? Before you go any further, remember that I’m on your side. Remember that I love Leo’s as the very best Fixed Fire Sign. Ever. Always. Number One. But when the planets shift around the way they do, what happens is that you’re Leo self gets geared up for long-winded discussion and in-depth analysis whereas the rest of us are ready for simple answers. Since I’m aware of what planets pushed your “talk talk” button, I wouldn’t let it bother me. But the rest of the signs? Or any, non-Leo-friendly folks you deal with? If they don’t understand what you’re going on and on about? Don’t panic. Be quiet. I’ll cut you a deal, and I’ll listen, but you might try and find someone a little less expensive than me for listening duties. Deal is you’ve got lots of important information, it’s just that you’re wrapping too many words around some of you message.
Virgo: Virgo, dear Virgo. There’s a hint from the heavens that it’s time to slow it down, put your feet up and relax some. It looks like this is a time that’s good for “relaxin’ at the crib,” as one of my buddies would suggest. I can’t use a term like that because I sound hopelessly hokey (or honky, depends on the frame of reference) when I say it that way, but the words — delivered correctly — carry the right message. It’s about being relaxed, unrefined, and putting your feet up on the furniture. I’m sure at least one good Virgo will get squeamish about having feet up on the furniture, but not all Virgos are like that, and times like this? It’s a perfect way to be extra casual about some aspect of your life. Perhaps it’s the home, and perhaps that requires you to be a little more casual than usual. I’d suggest it. Take it easy — in whatever fashion you so desire because you’ve earned a little break.
Libra: You know, it’s going to be pretty great. Already is, for a handful of my fine Libra friends, but wait, just wait, it’s birthday time, and that’s good. There’s a little, tiny problem with the phase of the moon, and what Miss Moon is doing to you. Probably not doing it directly to you Libra types, but it is affecting a whole host of other people, like, the rest of us. The deal is, it’s hard to remain cheerful, upbeat, friendly and hopeful when you’ve got a ton of folks around you who can’t see that the glass is half full. It’s nearly empty by their estimations, and what’s worse? They don’t see a sassy waitress anywhere around to pop on by and fill that glass back up. Pa Wetzel usually refers to ice tea as the national beverage of Texas. It’s a cultural thing, I’m sure. “Sweet or unsweetened”? That’s a good question. Personally, I prefer my ice unsweetened. However, after carefully adjusting you chart for what’s coming up, I suggest that you go ahead and make sweetened ice tea — or some similar liquid refreshment — a personal choice and preference. Especially during this fine birthday time. Seems like, these next couple of days, no one wants to play your way, so find some solace where you can. Hey, Happy Birthday, and I’ll toast you with my glass of tea.
Scorpio: One place that I used to frequent, I had the staff pretty well trained for a spell. In fact, I achieved a lovely form of detente with one Scorpio there. When I showed up, she never bothered with a menu — never mind there’s one on the wall, too — she just sauntered over with a big bucket of ice tea, and asked if I wanted, “Two meat plate with brisket and pork ribs, fried okra and a salad with ranch dressing?” To some BBQ purists, aesthetes, if you ask me, BBQ has to accompanied by potato salad and cole slaw. Just the way it’s supposed to be. The problem I ran into, and no, I never felt like my menu selections at that one place were stuck in a rut, the problem? New staff. Start that training process all over again. Tip big, 20% or better, just to make sure I get remembered, you know. Deal is, you’re starting out with a new training process for someone that you see from time to time, and it’s not really a painful process, but it does interrupt the way you want events to transpire. Just when you’re looking forward to a plate full of BBQ animal parts, just when you expect the Scorpio waitress to give you a few smart comments about the weather and horoscopes, you’re face to face with a new situation. Back to the beginning, start the investment and training process all over again. This isn’t, like, a big interruption, just a minor one. But we’re both going to feel like we’re covering ground we already covered.
Sagittarius: There’s a kind of “stupid excitement” that happens right about now. The seasons are changing, even here in Central Texas. Business is kind of a dog these days, but that’s just the way it goes. At one time, “dawg” was a sincere form of flattery. But the dog days of business don’t mean that it’s not a time when I have high expectations. Or no expectations, but that’s the secret to feeling good. What do expect from your fall days (Fall: season in the Northern Hemisphere for that one Sagittarius “down under” adjust as necessary)? I’m hoping the coffee is tasty, the waitress is sassy, the pork ribs have been smoked for the right amount of time, and that there might be a check in the mailbox. Or might not be. Doesn’t much matter, either way. Well, it does matter, but when I’m in good mood — every Sagittarius should be in a good mood — attitude helps when there’s no money. Doesn’t mean that we’re, like, broke for forever, but it does suggest, or the portents would indicate, that there’s something around the corner that will be financially gratifying. However, that ain’t here yet What are you going to do? Let the money situation interfere with your good attitude? Why? Enjoy that stupid excitement. I will. Even if I have to scrape together change so I can go get a hotlink and a can of coke.
Capricorn: I was standing in line at the Amy’s on South Congress, having just wrapped up a couple of astrology chart interpretations, and I was thinking about getting some ice cream. I’d picked up a shot of espresso across the street at Jo’s, and in the darkening twilight, anticipation was mounting. But it was also getting cool out. I let one guy cut in front of me, then another couple of folks wandered up and just inserted themselves in the line, cutting in front of me, again. First time, I was being polite. Second time? I was about to get chapped, but then I realized I really didn’t have much of a case, as I was just letting everyone go in front of me. I was sipping on the espresso, it was getting cooler, and then, when I reached the end of my drink, the need for ice cream vanished. The line was still long, but I pretty much took this as a sign that I needed to let the idea of something sweet go for the night. Not a big deal. So you’re polite at one point, and let someone in front of you, then someone else, then you change your Capricorn mind. At some point, in this interlude, there’s an opportunity, a valid opportunity for you to get good and righteously pissed off. That’s a luxury you can’t really afford these days. Just be patient, and when folks keep cutting in line in front of you? Maybe it’s sign you don’t belong there.
Aquarius: Planning is important. You know that. Thinking through some of the actions you’re about to undertake, that’s important too. Part of that “planning” thing, I’m sure. One of my fishing buddies rigs up a half dozen fishing rods & reels with a variety of lures and baits, before we ever hit the lake. He cruises some other fishing guides’ web sites, checks weather forecasts, looks at what worked last weekend, and he plans appropriately. He’s good. Not the very best, but his estimates usually make for a smooth transition from being asleep to being fishing. No time is lost, fumbling for what might — or might not be — the correct bait. You might not be fishing, although, middle of next week has a high point according to Solar/Lunar tables I looked at. So this all about planning, thinking, studying a situation and putting your Aquarius “best guess” tackle together. Deal is, sometimes that “best guess” doesn’t work out right. He had figured a maroon worm was best. Turned out that “bubble gum pink” was the best bait that morning. Who would’ve known that the water was a little more stirred up than the way it was the week before? It’s not a big deal, just subtle difference in color and shade, but be prepared for some of the plans to be thwarted, or you can just as easily make some adjustments and catch some fish. Or whatever it is that you’re planning on doing.
Pisces: “Timing is everything.” I was contracted to pick a date for a company to incorporate. Not an unusual task for an astrologer, got to get the right Moon Sign and planetary alignments, you know. The only problem was the best time, given all the planet influences at this time, the absolute best moment to drop the papers at the Records Building? Around one in the morning. Don’t laugh, it was a wonderful chart for the moment. Excellent timing, this and that all lined up so nicely. Money, financing, all of that would’ve been really easy. The problem? Stupid State offices aren’t open at one in the morning. Personally, and speaking for my Pisces clientele, we all figure that — we pay taxes — the State ought to be open whenever our astrologically most propitious time hits. Now, you’ve got a time period coming up just like that “best case” scenario I’d picked. But like all things that involve more than one person, especially a bureaucratic dynasty, you know that “they” aren’t going to be able to meet your best-case timing. I’ve warned you.
