Rockie Horoscope

GENERAL FORECAST: On Thursday Mercury enters Libra, the sign of the Scales, where it’ll spend the next 10 weeks, retrograde from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15. Come Election Day, the Messenger moves into Scorpio and the Dark Side. Starting Saturday, Venus will be in Libra, the air sign it rules, until Sept. 23. The 30th is also the day of the Virgo sun-moon conjunction with, thank to Saturn’s proximity to the new moon, a stronger emphasis on tradition, responsibility and age than usual. Perfect for John McCain’s belated birthday celebration. Labor Day seems fairly easy, but Wednesday, when the sun merges with restrictive Saturn, could turn into a monumental drag. Not so Thursday. Good luck through the good graces of the rewarding sun-Jupiter trine.

ARIES (March 20–April 19)

Only because your impulsive Mars ruler tends to jump the gun are you advised to be on the lookout for an opportunity to grow. That should come when the red planet rises to the challenge issued by wealth-building Jupiter next Sunday. Great if you’re a team player, even better if you own the club or the station broadcasting the game. While energetic Mars, expressive Mercury and harmonious Venus congregate in your Libra partnership house, expect to get a hard time from significant others if you insist on “having it my way.”

TAURUS (April 20–May 20)

Although you may suspect that things are not entirely kosher while your Venus ruler is in Libra, an air sign that’s been known to put on airs, try not to play the Bull in the China Shop. That act works best when you have time to suss out what’s really happening and money to make restitution. Meanwhile, the productive meeting between the sun and Saturn in problem-solving Virgo can work wonders on a family or real estate concern. It’ll pay to heed the advice of a reputable professional or simply listen to what your grandpa has to say.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Every time your Mercury ruler and lovable Venus convene in your Libra house of romance and risk, your antenna starts to quiver. And well it should. However, this autumn Twins get the added excitement of having adventurous Mars join in the game. For the first time in years, you’ll be encouraged to chat up, attract and bag the object of your affection in one fell swoop. Not that you wouldn’t use finesse: The Libra approach is nothing if not gracious and genteel. Neither the players nor the cheering section will take offense.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

This week slow and steady appears to be the best approach. Taking as cautious or conservative a stand as humanly possible would best reflect the unusual experience of having the sun and restrictive Saturn conjunct in nit-picking Virgo. Where Saturday’s burst of new moon energy fits into this straitjacket of a forecast, and what a concerned Moon Child can do to let freedom ring, might not become apparent until the sun and judicious Jupiter perfect their rewarding trine on the 4th. Until then, make the most of the Labor Day holiday.

LEO (July 23–August 22)

Generous, gregarious Leo rarely admits that money is tight because usually it isn’t. However, since strict Saturn has been overseeing your assets, its merge with the powerful Virgo sun this week could send a financial matter to the top of your list of things to worry about. But maybe the care you’ve already taken and the attention to this matter you’ve given will pay off royally when your sun ruler forms a favorable trine to fortunate Jupiter. Their connection is as lucky a hookup as it gets. Celebrating Labor Day in the casino?

VIRGO (August 23–September 22)

Rather than let you get your hopes up dangerously high, I’m balancing last week’s euphoric forecast with a more realistic one this week. The merger of the “Can it be fixed?” Virgo sun and constructive Saturn on Wednesday makes any number of negatives possible. You’ll just have to try harder and be more consistent. If the rush of energy from Saturday’s Virgo new moon gets your heart racing, remember that your Mercury ruler is already in airy Libra, giving you room to breathe and time to evaluate instead of immediately jumping to conclusions.

LIBRA (September 23–October 22)

It’s time for your guardian angel to manifest something so personal only you will recognize what it is. While the perfection-seeking Virgo sun passes through your 12th house of karma and universal consciousness, what transpires is often a mystery to your nearest and dearest, sometimes to you as well. Consider these events, inexplicable feelings and messages from beyond as preparation for what lies ahead. A schoolroom of sorts? Analytical Mercury is already in Libra and, as of the 30th, so is your appreciative Venus ruler; they’re the tools to use.

SCORPIO (October 23–November 21)