TAURUS: The Astrological New Year marks the beginning of a monumental turning point for you, one that will take a few months to complete. The key to making this cycle work as best as it can for you is hinged on your ability to act as stabilizing force in the lives of a few in your sphere who are at the mercy of the elements.. But it’s a two way street: Those very same people somehow offer keen insight into resolving a financial conundrum of your own.

GEMINI: During tense times, there’s always a select few who come out smelling like a rose. This could very well be your story if you play your cards right. Force yourself to sit out the combative weekend and regroup. On Monday March 24, your ruler Mercury joins forces with Venus at the top of your chart at which time your words are golden and everything you say will be music to the ears of those you want to impress.

CANCER: The situation is delicate but filled with opportunities for advancement. The Sun has just crossed the threshold of your tenth house of professional possibilities, but it appears that you and one or more parties are at an impasse. This temporary block will lift and there will be movement and positive new developments by late Wednesday. Be open to a very helpful intervention from someone overseas.

LEO: “Pride goeth before a fall”. Under normal circumstances, the Sun’s entrance into your ninth house of foreign affairs and earned recognition offers a pleasant and upbeat sequence for you. But nothing is normal or ordinary now. So though you may not feel like keeping your nose to the grindstone, your vigilance on the job and attention to detail at home is required if you want to keep your head above water and the loonies at bay.

VIRGO: No one in their right mind would ever accuse you of being extravagant, but c’mon, you are capable of profound generosity when someone you love needs you. Well, all of the phone lines are lit and the SOS calls have been coming in fast and furious. So since being all things to all people is out of the question, you must be ready with a plan “b’. One option is to screen your calls and set your email on auto-respond. You really need the time and resources for yourself.

LIBRA: Being the center of attention is always your first choice, but being in the line of fire is not. Unfortunately, this week, the two go hand in hand. Keep focused on the day to day details and perform your tasks as if nothing unusual is going on. What seemed huge and insurmountable will miraculously work out. Grace under fire is your test and your mantra. Support staff and/or co-workers will provide continuity and a life raft to get you through these choppy waters. Be forthright with your appreciation.

SCORPIO: There have been many times when you have been your own worst enemy, and with you there’s an ever present temptation to test your boundaries just once for old time’s sake. But can it for now: On the one hand you should be encouraged to go full steam ahead and put your energy behind a project you believe in. But be attentive to the needs of a higher up who makes it possible for you to have the freedom that you do. He or she is never unreasonable or unfair. Cut them some slack and whatever they ask of you, say “yes’.

SAGITTARIUS: Let the games begin? Well, sort of. The Sun enters your fifth house of good times, but they’re not quite ready to roll just yet. The adage about life being one percent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration was never more fitting. But through the frustration and false starts, new muscle is built and that muscle will come in very handy – very soon. Do not push to make things happen before their time.

CAPRICORN: The Full Moon on the angles of your chart activates every key area of your life at once. And while this would throw most of us, for you it’s business as usual. But what makes this particular week different, is that you are in fact being challenged by someone who is as annoying as they are relentless. The important thing to remember is that you hold the power, and the less you do the better. Let your adversary wear him or herself out while you go out for cappuccino.

AQUARIUS: You know that feeling when you’re upset but you don’t exactly know why? There are things that you need to express, but those who you wish to hear you, are deeply immersed in their own problems. But that will change. Make note of what you want to say and for the time being focus on real estate, re-decorating, and mustering up the courage to request the raise that’s been due you for months.

PISCES: The Sun’s entrance into Aries in your second house of finance is immediately followed by the Full Moon the very next day. There are humungous changes afoot but they may not be apparent immediately.
In the next several weeks, you could get a raise, but that’s just a very small part of what’s happening. You’re in the throws of a complete reorganization of your creative, social, romantic and financial life. Visualize what you want and be specific, Hold those images in place until every one of them manifests to your liking.

The Planets This Week: All Times Are EDT

March 20: Moon in Virgo, Sun enters Aries @ 1:48 am
March 21: Sun Square Pluto @ 4:36am, Moon in Libra 11:45am,
Full Moon @ 2:40 pm
March 23: Moon in Scorpio @ 10:06 pm
March 24: Mercury conjunct Venus @ 9:30 am
March 26: Moon in Sagittarius @ 10:11 am

Copyright, 2008, Shelley L. Ackerman, all rights reserved

Photo by Rich Press

When radio and television producers want the celestial skinny on the stars and politicians they turn to Shelley Ackerman, one of the world's leading astrologers. She is known for being insightful, warm, funny -- and accurate! Shelley has headed the New York affiliate of The American Federation of Astrologers and wrote many columns for Beliefnet.com. Her insights have appeared in The New York Times and she was recently on the cover of The Wall Street Journal. She writes regularly for The New York Post and The Westchester Guardian. As a media astrologer she appears regularly on TV, and has worked with Access Hollywood, Court TV, ABC’s World News Now, ABC Eyewitness News, The CBS Evening News, NBC’s ‘Extra’, and Fox News. Visit Shelley at www.karmicrelief.com