Sun conjunct Mercury in Virgo brings out everyone’s critical side, and Mars in Virgo squaring Pluto in Sagittarius can elevate that to screaming bitchiness in no time flat. Venus in Leo softens that square, but with the urge to look good. Remember that being gentle and cooperative always looks better than being viciously competitive!

March 20 – April 18

Don’t get impatient with your exercise routine or you’ll get hurt. Remember, slow and steady does it! Instant gratification is much more your style, but you can get that with fun and games if you stay disciplined and persevere where it counts!

April 19 – May 20

You want your home to be utterly gorgeous, and you can achieve that if you just relax a little. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back. Whether or not you enjoyed the process will show strongly in the final accomplishment.

May 21 – June 20

A calm, sensitive discussion can alleviate stress at home. It’s more important to be generous and modest than to look good or to be right. Ceding a few points will help you win when it really matters.

June 21 – July 22

Budget some money for retail therapy, and stay strictly within that plan. Your critical edge is at its sharpest, so focus it on your intended purchases and spare your friends and colleagues. Before saying anything at work, think ahead about what is really important!

July 23 – Aug. 22

Your worries about money aren’t real now, but may be down the road. It’s good to look at long-term economy. For now, some carefully budgeted playful indulgence will be good for the soul and will help you see how to have fun on the cheap.

Aug. 23 – Sept. 22

You’re especially cranky and critical, and your victims get no pleasure from the fact that you’re even harder on yourself. Keep the focus on self-improvement, starting with your attitude.

Sept. 23 – Oct. 22

Choose your confidantes with care! You need to talk with someone to release the (probably) inflated worries that now aggravate you, but you also need to protect and respect secrets that can escape much too easily.

Oct. 23 – Nov. 21

As the world heads toward a major crunch in resources, you have excellent foresight and resourcefulness on the more immediate scale. Let others, especially superiors at work, see your genius.

Nov. 22 – Dec. 21

Indulge now in shameless self-promotion. Stress those classic Sagittarian traits of worldliness and philosophy, breadth of experience and vision. The further you get from home, the better you’ll look.

Dec. 22 – Jan. 19

Your mind and wit are a little too sharp. Be careful not to get too critical when talking with others. You’re better off doing research and self-analysis. Or just practice talking filthy (where it’s appropriate!) and getting lots of sex.

Jan. 20 – Feb. 18

Brush up on erotic techniques; try something new. Or get involved in volunteer work to help stop the spread of AIDS. Better yet, do both! Either option could help you find a partner or strengthen an existing relationship.

Feb. 19 – March 19

Efforts to be helpful to your partner or your co-workers can seem aggressively critical. Focus on your own techniques. Indulging a little vanity while reassessing your exercise and hygiene habits will soften your approach to others.