Free Will astrology for the week of September 13, 2017.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Two animals are pictured prominently on Australia’s coat of arms: the kangaroo and the large flightless bird known as the emu. One of the reasons they were chosen is that both creatures rarely walk backward. They move forward or not at all. Australia’s founders wanted this to symbolize the nation’s pledge to never look back, to remain focused on advancing toward the future. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to make a similar commitment, Aries. Is there a new symbol you might adopt to inspire your intention?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Simpsons is an animated sitcom that will soon begin its 29th consecutive year on TV. During its run, it has told over 600 stories. The creators of another animated sitcom, South Park, once did an episode entitled “Simpsons Already Did It,” which referenced their feelings that it was hard to come up with new tales because their rival had already used so many good ones. I bring this up, Taurus, because I suspect your life story will soon be spinning out novel plots that have never before been seen, not even on The Simpsons or South Park. You could and should be the Best Storyteller of the Month.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Love won’t exactly be free in the coming weeks, but there should be some good deals. And I’m not referring to risky black-market stuff obtained in back alleys, either. I mean straightforward liaisons and intriguing intimacy at a reasonable cost. So if you’re comfortably mated, I suggest you invest in a campaign to bring more comedy and adventure into your collaborative efforts. If you’re single, wipe that love-starved look off your face and do some exuberant window-shopping. If you’re neither comfortably mated nor single, money may temporarily be able to buy you a bit more happiness.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The current state of your fate reminds me of the sweet confusion alluded to in Octavio Paz’s poem “Between Going and Staying”: “All is visible and elusive, all is near and can’t be touched.” For another clue to the raw truth of your life right now, I’ll quote the poet William Wordsworth. He spoke of “fleeting moods of shadowy exultation.” Is the aura described by Paz and Wordsworth a problem that you should try to fix? Is it detrimental to your heroic quest? I don’t think so. Just the opposite, really: I hope you can hang out for a while in this pregnant mystery—between the yes and the no, between the dark and the light, between the dream and the reality. It will help you learn what you’ve been too restless to tune in to in the past.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The imminent future will be a favorable time for refurbished models and revived originals. They are likely to be more fun and interesting the second time around. I suspect that this will also be an auspicious phase for substitutes and alternatives. They may even turn out to be better than the so-called real things they replace. So be artful in formulating Plan B and Plan C, Leo. Switching over to backups may ultimately bring out more of the best in you and whisk you toward your ultimate goal in unexpected ways.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the coming weeks, you might want to read the last few pages of a book before you decide to actually dive in and devour the whole thing. I also suggest you take what I just said as a useful metaphor to apply in other areas. In general, it might be wise to surmise the probable outcomes of games, adventures, and experiments before you get totally involved. Try this fun exercise: Imagine you are a psychic prophet as you evaluate the long-range prospects of any influences that are vying to play a role in your future.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Dear Dr. Astrology: I’m feeling lost, but am also feeling very close to finding my new direction. It hurts! It would be so helpful if I could just catch a glimpse of that new direction. I’d be able to better endure the pain and confusion if I could get a tangible sense of the future happiness that my pain and confusion are preparing me for. Can you offer me any free advice? -Lost Libra.” Dear Libra: The pain and confusion come from the dying of the old ways. They need to die a bit more before the new direction will reveal itself clearly. I predict that will happen soon—no later than Oct. 1.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Welcome to “Compose Your Own Oracle,” a special edition of Free Will Astrology. Departing from tradition, I’m temporarily stepping aside so you can have the freedom to write the exact horoscope you want. Normally, you might be in danger of falling victim to presumptuous arrogance if you imagined you could wield complete control over how your destiny unfolds. But in the days ahead, that rule won’t be as unyielding, because cosmic forces will be giving you more slack than usual. Fate and karma, which frequently impel you to act according to patterns that were set in place long ago, are giving you at least a partial respite. To get the maximum benefit out of “Compose Your Own Oracle,” identify three plot developments you’d like to weave into a self-fulfilling prophecy for your immediate future. Then start weaving.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Almost two-thirds of us confess that if we are alone, we might sip milk directly from the carton rather than first pouring it into a glass. Fourteen percent of us have used milk as part of our sexual activities. One out of every five of us admit that we have “borrowed” someone else’s milk from the fridge at work. Most shockingly, four percent of us brag that we have blown milk out our noses on purpose. I expect that in the next two weeks, you Sagittarians will exceed all of these norms. Not just because you’ll be in the mood to engage in mischievous experiments and playful adventures with milk, but because you’re likely to have a loosey-goosey relationship with almost everything.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming weeks will an excellent time for you to raise funds in support of political prisoners, or to volunteer at a soup kitchen, or to donate blood at a blood bank. In fact, any charitable service you perform for people you don’t know will be excellent for your physical and mental health. You can also generate vivid blessings for yourself by being extra thoughtful, kind, and generous toward people you care for. You’re in a phase of your astrological cycle when unselfish acts will yield maximum selfish benefits.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In his novel The Jungle, muckraker Upton Sinclair (1878-1968) exposed the abominable hygiene and working conditions of the meat-packing industry. The uproar that followed led to corrective legislation by the U.S. Congress. Sinclair remained devoted to serving the public good throughout his career. He liked to say that the term “social justice” was inscribed on his heart. Drawing from his inspiration, Aquarius, I suggest you decide what your soul’s main motto is—and imagine that it is written on your heart. Now is a perfect moment time to clarify your life’s purpose, and intensify your commitment to it; to devote even more practical, tender zeal to fulfilling the reason you were born.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You know that “patch of bothersome weeds” growing right in the middle of your life? Is it really a patch of bothersome weeds? Or is it perhaps a plot of cultivated blooms that once pleased you but has now turned into a puzzling irrelevancy? Or how about this possibility: Is it a chunk of languishing beauty that might flourish and please you again if it were cared for better? Those are excellent questions for you to pose in the coming days, Pisces. According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, it’s time for you to decide on the future of this quizzical presence.

Homework: Are you ready for an orgy of gratitude? Identify 10 of your best blessings. Tell me all about it at Freewillastrology.com.

For those who have been reading my Facebook pages and my website, you are aware of the weather wars occurring in our country and why they are occurring, the Geomagnetic storms, solar flares, the magma flow creating earthquakes (in six states), Southern Mexico’s 8.1 (largest in a century) earthquake. Aware, also, of the continued West Coast drought and three western states ablaze with fire.

As we see and experience the devastating events occurring in our country, many want to respond. Last week I wrote about giving (a liberating process). Our giving needs to continue in all areas of our country in need.

The resources needed (quickly depleted as crisis follows crisis) must come from each of us. So, we are asked to give and give and give some more. We are always given to, so we can then give more.

There is also another response. And that is to “stand in prayer with massed intent” (calmly, poised, observing). Prayer and safeguarding for our brothers and sisters in all of the kingdoms (human, animal, plant, mineral). The world prayer called the Great Invocation (given to humanity by Christ at the 1945 June solar festival) is a potent protective prayer. Here is the last stanza that we can recite together: “From the center which we call the race of men (thinking ones). Let the Plan of Love and Light work out. And may it seal the door where evil dwells. Let Power attend to the efforts of the Great One. So let it be, and help us to know and to do our part for the world.” Standing together with massed intent.

ARIES: Below that risky and sometimes precarious behavior, there’s a very generous spirit within you that emerges more and more in the coming year. It’s the spirit of sharing, of comforting, loving and nurturing others. This is different for you. You will sense the undercurrents in everyone’s heart and also in the world. You will understand vulnerability more. You begin to heal others. You remember.

TAURUS: More and more ideas and information come your way. You find yourself, for hours, absorbing data needed for health and well-being of self and others. You store it away for future use, sometimes considering attending naturopathic, herb and natural healing school. You already bring in much from previous lives. You reshape the information learned. You write and teach to those in need. You become the Messenger.

GEMINI: You are always Mercury, the swift-footed courier. With Jupiter in Libra you feel your sense of Right Human Relations expanded. Your senses feel on solid ground, secure with knowledge. Now you need natural settings (nature, gardens, holy waters, temples), more comfort than usual, things artistic, too, that tell you always that spirit (life force) is within matter … everywhere, always, all the time. Introduce yourself to the devas.

CANCER: Many people admire your courage. Perhaps you don’t think you’re courageous. But you are. After circling tentatively to see if it’s safe, you often reach out to the edges of new experience. You love all things new; yet seek all that’s traditional to surround the new. Sometimes you’re a trailblazer. Your cardinal energy enables you to bring knowledge forth that changes the course of life.

LEO: Do you know the definition of empathy? Do you sometimes feel compassion for others? Do you feel like your creative abilities are part of your daily work? In the months to come you will feel a greater depth of faith. What is faith? Esoterically defined, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Many people have faith in you and in your leadership. The other kingdoms (animal, plant, mineral) do, too. They love you.

VIRGO: You have an inner call that guides, guards and directs your life. You respect the many paths to God, knowing each one leads to God. You never allow your beliefs to shine brighter than others’. Stepping out into the unknown lets you disengage from what’s acceptable into new, unusual, innovative and creative ways that bring forth the new world. The new ideals gestate within you, preparing you for winter solstice.

LIBRA: You know exactly what you want and how to get it. You work hard, and you are wise, practical and resourceful. You seem to be creating permanent structures. What are your choices based upon? What principles? Do you know the definition of the word “principle”? This is an important word for the new Aquarian age. You seek tradition along with many alternatives. In all of your success, seek understanding of others. Offer loving kindness always.

SCORPIO: You seek to place yourself where great knowledge and deep spiritual concepts and philosophies can be experienced. You will go slowly at first, and then leap into a new reality! It’s important to travel to places with new languages, depths of color and the many arts. Study mountain climbing, horses, religions, archeology, endurance sports. Begin a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage, across mountains and countries. They offer new states of possibility.

SAGITTARIUS: You will see more deeply into all things hidden, sensing the inner essence of life. Use this for the good, the beautiful, and for deeper compassion. Realize you will have to handle in the upcoming year extreme energies, intense and forceful, around you and from within. You must call upon your wisdom to handle, and not misuse, them. You seek mysteries, things sacred, expressions mystical and occult (heart and mind). Your original faith returns. You help others.

CAPRICORN: You seek all things stable and steady, moving toward balancing your experiences, creativity, family, friends, partnership, responsibilities. You weigh all options, poised in the middle of all realities. You create harmony and beauty in your home. You turn your gifts into a profession. You seek to right wrongs. You are an artist. Do you know the original definition of yoga? And its many paths? Yoga is a path, a journey, a yoke of goodness. You are “yoga” itself.

AQUARIUS: It’s important to maintain daily, weekly, monthly routines and rhythms so that you can feel efficient, effective and productive. These virtues actually reflect life standards. They allow you to expand your ability to help others without forgetting to care for self. Your heart always asks, “How can I help?”
You offer deep insights into already accepted systems, by adding the more spiritual approach. You are a server of humanity.

PISCES: You seek to understand royalty these days and well into the future. You recognize royalty’s responsibilities, the hope they must instill into humanity who relies on them. You realize the need for cultivation of thought, compassion and confidence—leadership qualities. You also know the need for play, celebration, art, theater and politics and right rhythms to renew your spirit. You see many paths on the road ahead. You choose the highest and brightest. Star filled.