You’re ready to explore a spontaneous feeling today, but responsibilities at work may prevent you from starting anything new. However, your intense schedule won’t necessarily put a halt to your talking about your current desires. Sharing a fantasy with someone special can be a perfect diversion now. Just remember that it’s not the same thing as actually doing it. Don’t rush into anything yet; the action could come as early as tomorrow when feisty Mars enters your sign.

You may not seem very enthusiastic today, especially if you’re afraid that your positive attitude will heighten other people’s expectations. At first you might present an easygoing appearance, but you won’t be able to hide your more serious demeanor for long. Your concerns about the future are understandable, but try not to unconsciously rain on someone else’s parade. Good news is likely already on the way.

You may need to get heavy-handed and play a parental role today, even if you don’t have any children. Handling business matters will likely take precedence over more personal activities and you could be distracted from following through on a promise to someone at home. Although you are fully aware of your recent commitments, you might not be able to come through with the goods. Don’t be too hard on yourself; set priorities and just do the best you can.

Today you can see glimpses of the future and realize that you may have made more commitments than you can possibly keep. Although you probably didn’t mean to mislead anyone, everything seems to be taking longer than you anticipated. Your best strategy now is to cut back on your activities voluntarily. Don’t wait for circumstances to force you to make changes while under duress. A stitch in time will save nine.

You may be under pressure to make changes to your schedule today. Fortunately, the immediate solution may be as straightforward as postponing an appointment or two, but the longer-lasting issues could be more complex. Problems will resurface in a few weeks if you don’t take care of them now. Although a quick fix is surely tempting, handling the cause rather than the symptom should resolve the situation for good.

You may be extra hard on someone who isn’t living up to his or her end of a bargain. You don’t want to be the heavyweight, but if others flake out you might have to be the one to give them a reality check. Thankfully, this is something you can do with some authority because you know exactly what must be done. However, an overbearing approach won’t be the best way to make your point. Instead of issuing harsh criticism from your head, be kind and speak from your heart.

You are caught in the middle of a relationship struggle and want to do the right thing. You truly want to be supportive of others today, yet you’re afraid that you might encourage behavior that’s counterproductive. It’s not easy to get to the bottom of your current ethical dilemma now; any response seems to deepen the problem. Fortunately, the urgency for immediate resolution may not be as real as it seems. You can discuss the issue with others without having to resolve it today.

You don’t necessarily agree with your co-workers today, but might not know how much to say. Your perceptions could be more acute than theirs, yet it may not be wise to try to set them straight. Unfortunately, your high level of integrity might prevent you from simply going along with the group. Don’t give up; let your associates know where you stand and then move on. However, you won’t be able to change anyone’s mind in an instant. They will alter their opinions when they are ready, and not one moment sooner.

At first, controlling others appears to get you what you want today, but this strategy could backfire without any advance notice. Your friends and associates might not be so willing to go along with your plan and there may not be much you can do about it. Instead of worrying about what anyone else does now, act consistently with your goals. Taking responsibility for yourself and doing exactly as you promised will bring more progress than trying to rein in someone else’s erratic behavior.

You may be struggling with the gulf between your sensible plan and how executing it falls short of what’s actually needed. The gap between the real and the ideal can provoke self-doubt as you begin to acknowledge that more hard work isn’t the answer. It isn’t productive to waste time with endless analysis or worry. A smarter tactic is to simply do the best you can without being attached to the outcome. You may be happily surprised with the results.

Someone who is usually your ally may seem to be unsupportive of your efforts today. Your initial reaction might be to withdraw so you can protect yourself against this apparent defection. Unfortunately, retreat isn’t your best course of action now; you can improve your game if you’re open to hearing critical feedback. Listen to what’s being said and integrate the new information into what you are already doing.

Although you believe that you’re on the right course, you’re actually bumping into walls today. The Moon’s visit to your sign makes it easier to convince yourself that all is copacetic, but your rationalizations may not be well founded. Slow down rather than pushing harder against the resistance. Deliberation and gentle pressure work better now than bravado and grandiose gestures.

by Jeff Jawer

There’s little room for reality this weekend, which is great for dreamers and romantics who want to escape the routine of ordinary life to embark on a quest for love. Friday finds the mood-setting Moon in imaginative Pisces where it’s easy to project our fantasies onto others and overlook their less than sterling qualities. This is fine for a fling or some innocent fun as long as we’re not concerned about long-term consequences.

Mars, the planet of impulse and passion, fires into its home sign Aries on Friday night, followed there by the Moon on Saturday. This alignment increases the tendency to act now and think later. Taking risks brings plenty of excitement but can also upset a current relationship. The need for something (or someone) new doesn’t provide comfort and stability but is bound to make life interesting.

The restless Aries Moon spurs impatience that can readily produce conflicts. Generally, this fast-moving sign makes it easy to express strong emotions and then move on. However, the Moon’s tense 90-degree square with intense Pluto can keep feelings simmering with resentment or hungry with desire. Sunday’s New Moon in Aries signals a fresh start and a re-evaluation of our relationship goals.

the daily humorscope