Free will astrology for the week of August 30, 2017.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems,” said businessman Lee Iacocca. You are currently wrestling with an example of this phenomenon, Aries. The camouflage is well-rendered. To expose the opportunity hidden beneath the apparent dilemma, you may have to be more strategic and less straightforward than you usually are—cagier and not as blunt. Can you manage that? I think so. Once you crack the riddle, taking advantage of the opportunity should be interesting.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Close your eyes and imagine this: You and a beloved ally get lost in an enchanted forest, discover a mysterious treasure, and find your way back to civilization just before dark. Now visualize this: You give a dear companion a photo of your face taken on every one of your birthdays, and the two of you spend hours talking about your evolution. Picture this: You and an exciting accomplice luxuriate in a sun-lit sanctuary surrounded by gourmet snacks as you listen to ecstatic music and bestow compliments on each other. These are examples of the kinds of experiments I invite you to try in the coming weeks. Dream up some more! Here’s a keynote to inspire you: sacred fun.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): On its album Jefferson’s Tree of Liberty, Jefferson Starship plays a song I co-wrote, “In a Crisis.” On its album Deeper Space/Virgin Sky, the band covers another tune I co-wrote, “Dark Ages.” Have I received a share of the record sales? Not a penny. Am I upset? Not at all. I’m glad the songs are being heard and enjoyed. I’m gratified that a world-famous, multi-platinum band chose to record them. I’m pleased my musical creations are appreciated. Now here’s my question for you, Gemini: Has some good thing of yours been “borrowed”? Have you wielded a benevolent influence that hasn’t been fully acknowledged? I suggest you consider adopting an approach like mine. It’s prime time to adjust your thinking about how your gifts and talents have been used, applied or translated.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Author Roger von Oech tells us that creativity often involves “the ability to take something out of one context and put it into another so that it takes on new meanings.” According to my analysis of the astrological omens, this strategy could and should be your specialty in the coming weeks. “The first person to look at an oyster and think food had this ability,” says von Oech. “So did the first person to look at sheep intestines and think guitar strings. And so did the first person to look at a perfume vaporizer and think gasoline carburetor.” Be on the lookout, Cancerian, for inventive substitutions and ingenious replacements.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): When famous socialite Nan Kempner was young, her mother took her shopping at Yves Saint Laurent’s salon. Nan got fixated on a certain white satin suit, but her mean old mother refused to buy it for her. “You’ve already spent too much of your monthly allowance,” mom said. But the resourceful girl came up with a successful gambit. She broke into sobs, and continued to cry nonstop until the store’s clerks lowered the price to an amount she could afford. You know me, Leo: I don’t usually recommend resorting to such extreme measures to get what you want. But now is one time when I am giving you a go-ahead to do just that.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the miraculous communication system that we know as the World Wide Web. When asked if he had any regrets about his pioneering work, he named just one. There was no need for him to have inserted the double slash — “//” — after the “http:” in web addresses. He’s sorry that internet users have had to type those irrelevant extra characters so many billions of times. Let this serve as a teaching story for you, Virgo. As you create innovations in the coming weeks, be mindful of how you shape the basic features. The details you include in the beginning may endure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The sadness you feel might be the most fertile sadness you have felt in a long time. At least potentially, it has tremendous motivating power. You could respond to it by mobilizing changes that would dramatically diminish the sadness you feel in the coming years, and also make it less likely that sadness-provoking events will come your way. So I invite you to express gratitude for your current sadness. That’s the crucial first step if you want to harness it to work wonders.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Don’t hoot with the owls at night if you want to crow with the rooster in the morning,” advised Miss Georgia during the Miss Teen USA Pageant. Although that’s usually good counsel, it may not apply to you in the coming weeks. Why? Because your capacity for revelry will be at an all-time high, as will your ability to be energized rather than drained by your revelry. It seems you have a special temporary superpower that enables you both to have maximum fun and get a lot of work done.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): During this phase of your astrological cycle, it makes sense to express more leadership. If you’re already a pretty good guide or role model, you will have the power to boost your benevolent influence to an even higher level. For inspiration, listen to educator Peter Drucker: “Leadership is not magnetic personality. That can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not ‘making friends and influencing people.’ That is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, raising a person’s performance to a higher standard, building a personality beyond its normal limitations.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “One should always be a little improbable,” said Oscar Wilde. That’s advice I wouldn’t normally give a Capricorn. You thrive on being grounded and straightforward. But I’m making an exception now. The astrological omens compel me. So what does it mean, exactly? How might you be “improbable”? Here are suggestions to get you started. 1. Be on the lookout for inspiring ways to surprise yourself. 2. Elude any warped expectations that people have of you. 3. Be willing to change your mind. Open yourself up to evidence that contradicts your theories and beliefs. 4. Use telepathy to contact Oscar Wilde in your dreams, and ask him to help you stir up some benevolent mischief or compassionate trouble.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A modern Israeli woman named Shoshana Hadad got into trouble because of an event that occurred long before she was born. In 580 B.C., one of her male ancestors married a divorced woman, which at that time was regarded as a sin. Religious authorities decreed that as punishment, none of his descendants could ever wed a member of the Cohen tribe. But Hadad did just that, which prompted rabbis to declare her union with Masoud Cohen illegal. I bring this tale to your attention as a way to illustrate the possibility that you, too, may soon have to deal with the consequences of past events. But now that I have forewarned you, I expect you will act wisely, not rashly. You will pass a tricky test and resolve the old matter for good.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Want to live to be 100? Then be as boring as possible. That’s the conclusion of longevity researchers, as reported by the Weekly World News. To ensure a maximum life span, you should do nothing that excites you. You should cultivate a neutral, blah personality, and never travel far from home. JUST KIDDING! I lied. The Weekly World News is in fact a famous purveyor of fake news. The truth, according to my analysis of the astrological omens, is that you should be less boring in the next seven weeks than you have ever been in your life. To do so will be superb for your health, your wealth, and your future.

Homework: Send news of your favorite mystery—an enigma that is both maddening and delightful. freewillastrology.com

Autumn is quickly approaching, with its many festivals of light. It’s only weeks now till autumn equinox—another summer passing, another season of light approaching. Notice the word “approach,” as in Spiritual Approach, one of the Laws of the Aquarian Age. To approach means to come closer; the eclipse supported this Aquarian Law, asking us to approach each other not in the old ways of separation and intolerance, but with knowledge of our essential spiritual divinity. At each new age, humanity is given new guidelines. The Aquarian Age has six guidelines (laws and principles) to follow. One is “Spiritual Approach.”

In the first weeks of September (Sept. 1 – 10), Mercury moves back to the Leo 28-29 eclipse degree. A reminder: the essential things we have depended upon continue to fall away, no longer available or useful to us. By force of the cosmos and the new age of livingness, all things new will come forth. Aware of this, we wait and see. Knowing this, we are prepared.

Monday is Labor Day. We offer our gratitude to all kingdoms (human, animal, plant, mineral) who labor daily for us. This is their “approach” to us. How will we show our gratitude?

Tuesday, Mercury in Leo is still in the sky, preparing in three days to move forward again. Tuesday may feel very nebulous—floaty, watery, other-worldly and confusing for everyone. Moon is in Pisces (ruled by Neptune) and the Sun, Venus and moon will interact with Neptune. And Mars (action!) is shifting into Virgo! We may not know where we are, why we are, or where we (or others) are going. We’ll wait and see once again.

Tuesday, we prepare for Wednesday’s early-morning-hours full moon, solar festival, 14 degrees Virgo. “In Virgo two lights are seen. One waxing (the Soul), one waning (the personality).” We are both those lights, and more.

ARIES: Visiting both the past and future, you’re encouraged to be more spontaneous and radical than usual. You want everything to be new again. Off you go to places unfamiliar and unusual, where curious things occur and friends appear and communication happens and travel (short distance), too, and then you become more creative and this stays around for a while. Then the tests appear. Stay attuned.

TAURUS: Often you don’t know where your money is, where it’s coming from or when, and you think you should be more careful (with money, finances, resources)—and, for a moment, you are. Really, you have more than you think, but you’re holding onto things that could be used for other purposes. You talk some about money, but usually you’re silent. That’s lonely. Your relationship needs tending, too.

GEMINI: Usually you speak in paradox, displaying duality, in humorous metaphors, and sometimes people don’t understand you, your message or your humor. Many don’t know you. During and after Mercury retrograde times, something different occurs. Your heart opens. We hear you speaking heartfelt words—what you love and need, how you feel, whom you’re missing. It’s only for a moment, so we’re listening carefully.

CANCER: This is either a time of spiritual insights and midnight dreams, or days of confusion, bewilderment, puzzlement, mystification and uncertainty. Consider both as interesting—the latter more uncomfortable, yet providing great insights. Help family to organize their lives so they better navigate their future. No matter the circumstances, you’ve always been a “good enough” (excellent) parent.

LEO: It’s important to acknowledge your intelligence and intuition. It’s important to join with others who see your brilliant gifts, vast array of knowledge, collected and experienced over years. It’s important to be recognized for your care of the kingdoms (land, soil, minerals, plants, animals, bees, humans, angels). When you give of yourself to others, more resources and gifts become available. Venus enters your sign. Love happens.

VIRGO: Your life becomes both internally and externally busy. You need energy to meet demands made by Mars and Mercury, your rulers. Self-reliance, self-confidence and personal achievements will emerge in the coming weeks. Revelations appear if you identify yourself with the qualities of Ceres, the harvest maiden, tending to nature, planting bitter greens (parsley, kale and arugula) and chrysanthemums. Preparing now for autumn.

LIBRA: It’s a good time to consider the quality of your spiritual life. And how to be more caring and nurturing at work. Many variables show up in your work world, this and that, here and there. Visualize yourself confident and poised in the middle of all work realities. You may encounter a past situation. Be ethical at work; allow nothing to interfere with this. At home, it’s important to rest more, for health reasons. In relationship, be the eternal flame.

SCORPIO: So often, you wonder what your goals are, what you would like in the future, what friends would be good for you, and what objectives you want accomplished in the near future. Whenever there’s an opportunity to be with others, step into that group, radiate your special mysterious charm and see what occurs. Whatever you desire eventually appears. It’s an interesting Scorpio situation. For best results, discern between wants and needs beforehand.

SAGITTARIUS: Professionally, you’ve been completing previous agendas and plans. So often, with Saturn in Sag, you have felt restricted, seeing no open road ahead. Other times, joy and elation. Now a new impulse of energy comes forth. You may be asked to accomplish special tasks, something important is offered or appears. Do not allow any power plays to be acted out. Don’t play the game. Be inspired by beauty instead, and by travel, new vistas or a dream.

CAPRICORN: Consider new creative projects and travel to unusual places. There has been great emphasis on home and daily life, gathering family together, planning dinners and outings, preparing loved ones to step into the world. You’re good at educating and enlightening others. You want different experiences now. Remember, you’re in a state of transformation. Prepare your Halloween garden.

AQUARIUS: Pleasure, happiness and fun are important, especially with friends and relationships. You know everyone, everyone knows you—everyone’s an acquaintance. That’s the Aquarian task, to know all of humanity. There may be a concern about money. Know that all will be well if you are careful, buying only what is needed. Travel is needed. Tithing, too, is important. When we give is returned to us tenfold.

PISCES: Upheavals, windfalls, joy, disappointment, stability, instability, wounds hurting and healing. You may be upset when remembering past actions. Relationships feel conflictual, partners having different needs. Both sides are equal. Both have equal needs. Like a rainstorm, conflict cleanses and clears the air. Harmony emerging after conflict. You must choose to see both sides. It takes courage. For often “we only know in part.” (Corinthians)