Free will astrology for the week of Sept. 19, 2018.

ARIES Mar 21–Apr 19

“The flower doesn’t dream of the bee. It blossoms and the bee comes.” So says poet and philosopher Mark Nepo in The Book of Awakening. Now I’m transmitting his observation to you. I hope it will motivate you to expend less energy fantasizing about what you want and devote more energy to becoming the beautiful, useful, irresistible presence that will attract what you want. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to make plans to produce very specific blossoms.

TAURUS Apr 20–May 20

Budi Waseso, the former head of the Indonesian government’s anti-narcotics division, had a radical plan to prevent escapes by people convicted of drug-related crimes. He sought to build detention centers that would be surrounded by moats filled with crocodiles and piranhas. But his replacement, Heru Winarko, has a different approach. He wants addicts and dealers to receive counseling in comfortable rehabilitation centers. I hope that in the coming weeks, as you deal with weaknesses, flaws, and sins—both your own and others’—you’ll opt for an approach more like Winarko’s than Waseso’s.

GEMINI May 21–June 20

In one sense, a “patron saint” is a Catholic saint who is a heavenly advocate for a person, group, activity, thing, or place. St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, for instance. St. Francis of Assisi is the guardian of animal welfare and St. Kentigern is the protector against verbal abusers. “Patron saint” may also be invoked poetically to refer to a person who serves as a special guide or influence. For example, in one of his short stories, Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to a veteran nurse as “the patron saint of young physicians.” In accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to fantasize about persons, groups, activities, things, or places for whom you might be the patron saint. To spur your imagination, here are some appropriate possibilities. You could be the patron saint of the breeze at dawn; of freshly picked figs; of singing humorous love songs in the sunlight; of unpredictable romantic adventures; of life-changing epiphanies while hiking in nature; of soul-stirring music.

CANCER Jun 21–Jul 22

In August 1933, author Virginia Woolf wrote a critical note to her friend, the composer Ethel Smyth, lamenting her lack of emotional subtlety. “For you,” Woolf told Smyth, “either things are black, or they’re white; either they’re sobs or shouts—whereas, I always glide from semi-tone to semi-tone.” In the coming weeks, fellow Cancerian, you may encounter people who act like Smyth. But it will be your sacred duty, both to yourself and to life, to remain loyal and faithful to the rich complexity of your feelings.

LEO Jul 23–Aug 22

“People think of education as something they can finish,” said writer and scientist Isaac Asimov, who wrote or edited over 500 books. His point was that we’re wise to be excited about learning new lessons as long as we’re on this earth. To cultivate maximum vitality, we should always be engaged in the processes of absorbing new knowledge and mastering new skills and deepening our understanding. Does that sound appealing to you, Leo? I hope so, especially in the coming weeks, when you will have an enhanced ability to see the big picture of your future needs for education.

VIRGO Aug 23–Sep 22

Virgo businessman Warren Buffett is among the top five wealthiest people on the planet. In an average year, his company Berkshire Hathaway adds $36 billion to its already swollen coffers. But in 2017, thanks to the revision of the U.S. tax code by President Trump and his buddies, Buffet earned $65 billion—an increase of 83 percent over his usual haul. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you’re entering a year-long phase when your financial chances could have a mild resemblance to Buffet’s 2017. I’m not predicting your earnings will increase by 83 percent. But 15 percent isn’t unreasonable. So start planning how you’ll do it!

LIBRA Sep 23–Oct 22

As he stepped up to use an ATM in a supermarket, a Scottish man named Colin Banks found £30 (about $40 U.S.) that the person who used the machine before him had inadvertently neglected to take. But rather than pocketing it, Banks turned it into a staff member, and eventually the cash was reunited with its proper owner. Shortly after performing his good deed, Bank won £50,000 (about $64,500 U.S.) in a game of chance. It was instant karma in dramatic action—the positive kind! My analysis of the astrological omens reveals that you’re more likely than usual to benefit from expeditious cosmic justice like that. That’s why I suggest you intensify your commitment to doing good deeds.

SCORPIO Oct 23–Nov 21

As you dive down into your soul’s depths in quest for renewal, remember this testimony from poet Scherezade Siobhan: “I want to dig out what is ancient in me, the mistaken-for-monster . . . and let it teach me how to be unafraid again.” Are you brave and brazen enough to do that yourself? It’s an excellent time to douse your fear by drawing wild power from the primal sources of your life. To earn the right to soar through the heights in November and December, delve as deep as you can in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22–Dec 21

According to author Elizabeth Gilbert, here’s “the central question upon which all creative living hinges: do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?” When I read that thought, my first response was, why are the treasures hidden? Shouldn’t they be completely obvious? My second response was, why do you need courage to bring forth the treasures? Shouldn’t that be the easiest and most enjoyable task imaginable? Everything you just read is a perfect riddle for you to contemplate during the next 14 months, Sagittarius.

CAPRICORN Dec 22–Jan 19

A blogger named Sage Grace offers her readers a listof “cool things to call me besides cute.” They include dazzling, alluring, sublime, magnificent, and exquisite. Is it OK if I apply those same adjectives to you, Capricorn? I’d like to add a few more, as well: resplendent, delightful, intriguing, magnetic, and incandescent. I hope that in response you don’t flinch with humility or protest that you’re not worthy of such glorification. According to my astrological analysis, now is one of those times when you deserve extra appreciation for your idiosyncratic appeal and intelligence. Tell your allies and loved ones that I said so. Inform them, too, that giving you this treatment could help mobilize one of your half-asleep potentials.

AQUARIUS Jan 20–Feb 18

Many educated Americans and Europeans think of reincarnation as a loony delusion, even though it’s a cornerstone of spiritual belief for over 1.5 billion earthlings. I myself regard it as a hypothesis worthy of intelligent consideration, although I’d need hundreds of pages to explain my version of it. However you imagine it, Aquarius, you now have extra access to knowledge and skills and proclivities you possessed in what we might refer to as your “past lives”—especially in those past lives in which you were an explorer, maverick, outlaw, or pioneer. I bet you’ll feel freer and more experimental than usual during the next four weeks.

PISCES Feb 19–Mar 20

“When the winds of change blow,” says a Chinese proverb, “some people build walls while others build windmills.” Since the light breezes of change may soon evolve into brisk gusts of change in your vicinity, I wanted to bring this thought to your attention. Will you be more inclined to respond by constructing walls or windmills? I don’t think it would be foolish for you to favor the walls, but in the long run I suspect that windmills would serve you better.

We are in the Jewish High Holy Days of the New Year (Rosh Hashanah). Following Rosh Hashanah, we have had 10 days of reflection, ending in the Day of Forgiveness (Yom Kippur).

In the book Dune, author Frank Herbert writes, “Beginnings are fragile things. A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.” It is good therefore to begin a new year with forgiveness—offering and receiving forgiveness. These Days of Awe, Reflection and Forgiveness occur this year in Virgo, sign of purification, preparing us for the balance and harmony of Libra.

And so, among ourselves, to and for each other, we offer forgiveness. When we do so, we are “likened to the angels.” And, as we forgive, we too are forgiven (by G-d). “For on this day He will forgive us, purify us, that we be cleansed from all imbalances (ignorance, inabilities, unknowings, hurting others, judgments, criticisms, non-virtuous ways of being that create separations, etc.) before G-d.”

Candles are lit. We read the Book of Jonah & Psalm 27. Praying to G-d. Knowing   G-d is Goodness always. In our introspections, we come closest to G-d (essence of our Soul). “G-d, benevolent G-d, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and truth; He preserves kindness for two thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and He cleanses.” This is the prayer of the Angels. We have “captured” it. So we can be angels too.

We ask forgiveness. We offer forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Being forgiven, we, in turn, forgive. “Forgive me,” we beseech G-d and all those we have hurt. “You are forgiven,” we say to each other. And then we see G-d has written and sealed our names in the Book of Life. And all 12 petals of the heart unfold in Joy.

ARIES: The season’s about to change and so must our health regimes, diets, ways we exercise and plan our day. Through this Virgo time, it’s good to begin thinking along new lines, preparing for the coming changes in the sunlight, shadows, color, air and clouds. These changes are reflected within ourselves, too. Relationships need extra tending so others around us don’t feel cold, separated, alone and left out. We embrace them.

TAURUS: You want to be out and about, learning new things, attending lectures, classes, gathering information. Always your life and its task are to illuminate the minds of humanity. And so, you are serious and disciplined. It would be good to consider what is playful for you, brings enjoyment, fun; what calls forth your humor and spontaneity? Perhaps you need to swim more, in clear pure warm waters.

GEMINI: Family, whether biological, friend, group, colleagues, etc. matters more and more these days. Something new has occurred in your life and you are to bring forth the next stage in a relationship. Harmony is your focus with a touch of compromise (not much). Listening to others until you understand the essential message is a parallel goal. All of this brings love forth—your task. Love heals.

CANCER: Make contact. These two words have a depth most don’t understand. Making contact releases Love. But it must be true, real and intentional contact. It must be from the heart, connecting heart to heart, Soul-to-Soul. The results are that the Love released creates liberation for everyone. You are the one to begin this process. Do this ceaselessly, quietly, with heartfelt intention with all of the kingdoms. Begin in the garden.

LEO: It’s time to create a new plan concerning finances and resources. When you do so, a new state of values also comes forth. You may want to communicate more deeply with people close to you, sharing your values with them, asking what values they hold, assessing what values are held in common. What are your desires and aspirations for the future, based on these values? Your sense of identity and values have changed this past year.

VIRGO: You will want to come out of the shadows and into a greater light. Standing in shadows, perhaps in the shadow of another can be comforting. However, there comes a time when we each must define ourselves, recognize our own self-identity, understand what we initiate, realize that we’re capable, summon our confidence, and seek a new support system. Am I speaking to Virgo or Pisces? Both. They are the shadow of each other.

LIBRA: This morning I saw a drawing of a sheaf of wheat. A Virgo symbol of nourishment for humanity. I thought of Libra and what nourishes them. Relationships, beauty, friends, equilibrium, balance, love, parties, art. In the beauty and balance of the wheat sheaf I thought Librans must return to their art in whatever form calls to them. Some Librans design clothing, some paint, some have galleries, some are collectors. What art form of beauty and balance calls to you?

SCORPIO: Do you sense restlessness, a discontent? That there’s a group that belongs to you, yet somehow you can’t find it or they you? Not yet. As you both search for the other, assess your present and future goals (again). They’ve changed recently or are in the process. So many of us are on the fence, uncertain about the future. We must summon patience. Speak with those close to you. Ask for their visions and goals. Listen deeply. There’s a message there.

SAGITTARIUS: During these months the perfect execution of your creative work is a priority. It always is but a new dimension has been added. Multiple concepts flow through your mind; you’re being impressed with ideas that become ideals and later, goals. There’s an inner enthusiasm. You’re gestating a new reality. Do you sense the need to begin something? Share your ideas with others who love to listen to you. Diplomacy is paramount.

CAPRICORN: What will you do when autumn begins? It’s only days away. It seems something’s calling you, someone, somewhere. Maybe it’s a garden deva. Perhaps it’s a course of study, something you want (or need) to learn. Is there somewhere you want to visit, travel to, discover? Maybe it’s freedom. Is there something you need to say to someone far away? Or visit? Something lovely your ways comes (soon).

AQUARIUS: Take extra care with money and resources. Use this time to discriminate between what is needed and what is not. Give away what is no longer useful and then give more away. Giving provides us with meaning, a true sense of service. Giving liberates and allows everyone involved to move forward in their lives. Give to yourself then give of yourself to others. With love.

PISCES: We are to do our best wherever we find ourselves. Many of us are uncertain these days, on the fence (uncomfortable), unable to know where we’re going, what to do when we don’t know what to do, and how to provide our gifts when opportunities don’t seem to exist. Again, we (especially Pisces) are to do our best wherever we find ourselves. We’ve been placed there for a reason.  Relationships need a bit of compromise. A bit of surrender. You understand.