March 21 – April 20

Love is in the air for you, honey, but you may have to go on faith where a Sagittarius is concerned. This may not be the time to go from zero to a hundred in the romance department, but let’s just say you can get the wheels in motion before September ends.

April 21 – May 20

Uranus and Neptune retrograde in your career section may be making you insecure about a goal you’re trying to achieve. Have some patience, Taurus. You used to be able to wait. By early 2004 you’ll be primed for success. In the meantime, do your work — and get a Capricorn to work your body after hours.

May 21 – June 21

You can make a concrete change in your home life when the moon meets your ruler Mercury on Sept. 24. If you’ve been avoiding having “the talk” with someone close to you, avoid no more. A Libra is ready to listen.

June 22 – July 22

Choose substance over style, Cancer. You’ve been hanging out with a dreary crowd lately. Now that Mercury is sitting pretty in your very social and very intellectually hungry third house, seek out like minds. A Virgo is more fascinating than you realize. Go out for a cocktail and a chat.

July 23 – Aug.22

Your life will lighten up this week, Leo. You can make new friends (and maybe a sexy enemy!) by opening your mouth and letting people know what you really think. Suddenly your opinions are in vogue again. Another Leo wants to spar with you. Verbal foreplay leads to steamy sex.

Aug. 23 – Sept. 22

This is a lovely time of year for you, Virgo. Instead of pushing yourself so hard, lie back and enjoy the fall season and all its natural beauty. Time outdoors is time well spent. You need to reconnect to the earthy, pagan you. A Gemini wants to play with you in the woods!

Sept. 23 – Oct. 22

Pluto in your social house is making you feel intense about certain friendships. Make a decision around the time of the new moon in your sign (on Sept. 26). Who will stay in your life and who will go? It’s a question you’ve avoided too long. An Aquarius is a keeper.

Oct. 23 – Nov. 21

Mercury conjunct Jupiter in your house of friends could make this a lovely week for you and your platonic pals. Friends are a little fed up with your “all work and no play” attitude. Show them that you still remember how to have a good time. A Taurus wants to dish with you!

Nov. 22 – Dec. 21

This is a great week to make progress with a financial endeavor. You know just how to talk to people in power. You may suddenly be in a more powerful position yourself. A Cancer wants to submit to your whims.

Dec. 22 – Jan. 19

Don’t worry about every last detail of a business project. The deal will go through, but you can’t control the timing. Here’s a clue, though: it’s going to be a wonderful holiday season. A Gemini is already planning a party on your behalf.

Jan. 20 – Feb. 18

You can finally put a miscommunication behind you now that Mercury is out of retrograde. You and a Sagittarius need to get close again. Why do you have so many up-and-down relationships? Make an effort to be more consistent. Your friends don’t know what to make of you.

Feb. 19 – March 20

It’s a sexy week for you, Pisces. You and someone you’ve had a delicious crush on for years may get to first base or beyond. The secret is, it may have to be a secret tryst. An Aries wants you — but do you want that person in return? And in what way? Relationships are tricky now, so navigate carefully.

— Jill Dearman is the author of the best-selling Queer Astrology for Men and Queer Astrology for Women.