This Week's Horoscope

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

As you concoct what you're going to wear to your Halloween bash or costume birthday party, consider dressing as the physical embodiment of your greatest weakness. Be your version of a giant Achilles' heel. Why expose yourself? Because even though your virile strength is inarguably sexy, that's not the part of you that's shining through this week. Like it or not, your frailties will be painfully obvious?why not flaunt them? If people will see you as a fragile and vulnerable autumn leaf anyway, why hide it? Autumn leaves aren't just delicate; they're beautiful, too.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You were always the kid least likely to practice kissing on your hand first, because your big sister's friends taught you how before it had ever occurred to you to try. Your precocity has gotten you into trouble and pleasure in equal measures, but it's often hard to predict which one you're headed for at any given moment. That uncertainty has sometimes caused you to pretend innocence where you had none, or ignorance where you already knew, just in case you'd be punished for your tendency to be a little?advanced. This week, that's unnecessary. Since the person you're dealing with is turned off by inexperience, and even more so by fake inexperience, don't lie. When she asks how many times you've been around the block, tell her.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Where have you been? Your ability to fly under the radar is unparalleled, but it's still disturbing when you so completely disappear for so long. Not to mention these hints of some heretofore-unprecedented abilities. Your keen social camouflage is well-documented, but replacing your notorious rigidity with newfound flexibility?nice move. What are you, the prodigal progeny of Mr. Plastic and the Invisible Woman? Well? Don't just stand around while I congratulate you. Your archnemesis and his evil cronies haven't figured out your new status. Knock them out of the picture for once and all?not by kicking their asses, but by befriending them, since you're in a position to do so now. It's kind of a stretch, but isn't that your new specialty?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

As the most heady of signs (if not always the most rational), you don't usually have a sense of fatalism. That is, you believe that your conscious free will can keep you from basically becoming your parents. You think astrology is all bullshit (which is very Aquarian of you, by the way) and that ingenuity and logic (especially working together) can always triumph over emotional or physical obstacles. All of these things are true. Yet every one has an exception as well. Unfortunately, this week is ruled by the exceptions. No, you're not going to turn into Dad. But don't panic when the things you knew as true turn out to be only mostly true.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Whenever things get scary, I use the Roller Coaster Spell. Three summers ago, I went with my old boyfriend to several amusement parks. Mission: to learn to love roller coasters. Each time, as the car ominously clicked upward, my stomach pretzeled unpleasantly while the familiar fear rose in my throat. Before I hit the downward slope, however, I'd inhale deeply through my nose, and remember myself (especially all the times I'd effectively faced fear in the past). Then I'd simply let go. I'd scream, flop, flail, whatever felt right, loving every second of it. The cool thing about the Roller Coaster Spell is that it gets stronger with each successful application. Since you're going to need something like this in the coming months (but especially this week), conjure up whatever works for you to face and conquer your fears, and use it.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Yeah, you're successful, but are you happy? You've transformed nothing into something, wielding only determination and time. But still you feel a little unsettled. It's because you're deeper than that. You're not all about making the money to spend the money to make the money. There's nothing wrong with that, but there's more, too. Your latest lessons have taught you that a job isn't just about the paycheck, and your happiness is predicated on more than income. And now that you don't have the pressure of basic survival needs holding you down, you're free to concentrate on feeding other things besides your mouth?like your soul.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

It's rumored that Catherine the Great died under a horse, while sating her sexual predilections. Elizabeth I is often portrayed as an awful, frigid virgin. The powerful men of history don't fare much better?we hear just as much about clothespins on penises and crossdressing as we do about noble deeds. The point is, wielding power ain't all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes, boldly doing so results in undue focus on your more human qualities, and not on the (presumably) good work you're trying to do. To avoid tabloid-style controversy, it might serve your intentions better to quietly rule from behind the scenes instead of grandly flourishing your latest edicts.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

A female gypsy moth's pheromones can successfully attract males from miles away, if the wind is blowing right. Imagine if getting laid was as easy as putting out the right scent. This week, it is. Don't bother spending a fortune on some expensive perfume, though. It's ideas that could snag your potential mate. Be outspoken this week about what you think, but be selective, too. Don't let your mouth spew like your bowels on Mexican vacation, because what you attract will be based?100 percent?on what you put out there.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

How can someone as fearsomely intimidating and strong as you can be wither into such a delicate and spineless flower? More easily and quickly than the waxing and waning of the moon, apparently. Even with the stabilizing influence of Jupiter in your sign, your inconsistency is breathtaking. Get it together. You have a duty to your fans, and you can't hide behind your moodiness right now. All interested parties have purchased guides to your heart's hot spots, like the Star Maps to celebrity homes for sale on Hollywood street corners. If you can't pull your shit together for yourself, at least do it for your imminent guests. Ding-dong! Oops, they're here.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Call off the hounds. Tell your bodyguards to take a break. No one will be taking shots at you; therefore, you're safe from bullets he'd theoretically leap in the way of. In fact, you're so divinely charmed and safe from harm that to put up any defenses at all will only keep you from the good things you're due. Take down the barbed wire. Disable the laser alarms. Keep in mind that no matter how many exterior fortifications you remove, you're hardly helpless on your own. Trust your strength. The more naked and vulnerable you are this week, the better off you'll be.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Time is accelerating. I'm sure you've noticed how every year slips by a little quicker than the last, and whole weeks blend together into an indistinguishable blur. Don't let it depress you, not when it could (and should) motivate you. There are ways to dig in your heels against the flow of time and get it to slow down for you, and to keep your months from melting away. One is to keep a journal of the monotony. Another is to end it altogether. How? Make it your deliberate intention, starting right now, to do something different and memorable every single day. Doesn't have to be big. It's easier (and more rewarding) than you think.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

At first, you may be incredibly psyched to have so many people fighting for you. The support is undeniably a positive thing, but you might not feel so exhilarated by that aid when you see Cousin Emily in the corner spitting and flailing, while Uncle Evelyn uses his nails and pulls hair. Not that all your allies are such pussies when it comes to sticking up for you. But since you're not in a position to pick and choose who gets to help you and who doesn't, you might be better off fighting your own battles this week, especially because you're perfectly capable of resolving them on your own.