LOVE HOROSCOPES

Sometimes you need to stand up for yourself. This week is one of those times, even if doing so runs against another's opinions or plans. With mental Mercury and ambitious Mars offering support, promoting your own needs or ideas will pay dividends that compromising or trying to crowd-please won't. Friday's sobering full moon could bring a few personal conflicts to the surface which you should not avoid. However, if you handle your feelings with a business-like approach (and no drama), others will respond in kind and you will gain respect and open a dialog that could put a relationship on solid ground. Single? On Monday a social engagement or serendipitous meeting (gym, coffee shop, doing laundry) could be the beginning of a beautiful love affair or great friendship.

The week begins with energizing planetary connections motivating you to move mountains, leap tall buildings... or finish a boring project. Cosmic suggestion: Leos can be too generous so rather than investing this energy into another's cause, why not use it on your own endeavors, expansion plans and social life? Around Friday's sobering full moon you'll be quoting Aretha Franklin and asking for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T!  And although you feel your work has gone unappreciated, with Mercury tempting you to say too much, you would be wise to put this discussion off until next week when the Sun moves into Leo, making you darling of the Zodiac and -- surprise, surprise -- changes your tune.

Your fans are cheering you on. And with your cosmic guardian Mercury making all the right connections on Tuesday, you are in an excellent position to give a great presentation, sign agreements or make an important decision. But the big news is Friday's Capricorn full moon! Although others may find this earthy energy irritating, you are in your element. Affairs of the heart and all relationships are highlighted. The days before and after this powerful moon offer the loveliest vibrations for expressing or demonstrating your deepest feelings. A random act of kindness will come back as a warm hug or, if it's at work or in a team project, as unexpected support and respect. P.S. Single? Don't sit around waiting for the phone to ring. Make the call.

Even if plans, relationships or certain situations don't look quite the way you had expected, don't worry! The Universe is on your side, and with your assistance, this week's excellent aspects could help you change the course while discovering opportunities at your present position. Discuss your options with the boss, toss around new methods with associates, and work with your partner on those very reachable dreams. No matter if you are single or married, make the most of Tuesday's lovely romantic vibrations. Buy flowers, light candles and don't wait for the object of your affections to make the first move. Friday's sober full moon will remind you that certain family or friendship ties may be annoying but are worth a few wrinkles.

You do have choices. On Tuesday, with verbal Mercury and your co-ruler Mars combining their powers -- and with a little plotting and planning -- your words will be so compelling that others will listen and even understand your complex plans, emotions or needs. And while you have their attention (and since your social life needs a bit of refurbishing) why not launch a personal PR campaign? Considering how favorable your social aspects are, if you join a club, do community service or volunteer for a work seminar, you could meet a new soul mate or make a life-long friend. Around Friday's intolerant full moon, you may want to take Aristotle's wise advice: "Everything (especially your opinions) in moderation," before you sarcastically jump in where any self-respecting angel would fear to tread.

Yes, Sag, you are a world-class multi-tasker. But this week you may be tempted to over-commit your resources and take on too many projects, thus spreading yourself too thin and creating the classic example of the straw that breaks the camel's back. Romantically and socially, the week begins with fabulous aspects designed to help you meet someone new or make the one you love remember why they fell in love with you. However on Saturday, a nasty tiff between your relationship advisor Mercury and Jupiter could result in hurt feelings or words that should have never been spoken. Cosmic antidote? Go on a 24-hour silent retreat, spend the day at a movie marathon and hopefully, you will end the weekend feeling good about yourself and still on speaking terms with the ones you love.

The week begins with numerous opportunities to talk your way out of a difficult situation or relationship... or to talk your way into a promising situation or relationship. Friday's Capricorn full moon represents one of those turning points and will zero in on your income, possessions and money matters. Open your mind to intriguing financial discussions, career opportunities and new avenues of revenue. And don't allow the fact that you are unable to see the benefits of knocking on certain doors stop you from trying and adopt the attitude that whatever you are working on is going to be a raging success. Romance? Need to reconnect with your partner or stage a great first-date night? Friday is full of passionate, loving vibrations that will make you irresistible.

Although you may still be getting use to recent changes in your life, you now realize that long-term security and emotional well-being are of the utmost importance. And on Monday, while the Sun is entertaining revolutionary Uranus, your Fairy Godmother (or even better the boss, partner or lover) could present you with a bonus or the opportunity to remove yourself from a tiresome/sticky assignment or situation. Don't hesitate to follow the urge to dance a jig while crooning, "How cool is that?!"  Friday's full moon may make you feel a bit weepy, sentimental or nostalgic. Follow any of these emotions to their end, and by Sunday you will be ready to make new choices which could include the beginning of a new affair... with your old affair.

Mercury, your relationship guide, and your CFO Mars are emphasizing quality-of-life (read: money) and friendship issues. And because you are winning this week's popularity contest -- but time is money -- you may need to ask yourself if certain social or work arrangements add anything to the equation, then give yourself permission to politely decline offers that you intuitively know to be a waste of your time or emotions. Around Friday's pragmatic full moon, as you step into the next life-chapter, do a reality check and make certain that your team (partners, lovers, colleagues) are all on the same page... or at least reading from the same script. P.S. On Tuesday the planets are conspiring to make you fall in love, in like or simply enjoy one of the best dates of the year.

No matter how unfair it may seem, you will have to continue walking around certain people and situations that are (to say the least) touchy and potentially explosive. However, the planets are giving you a break and on Monday with the cooperation of verbal Mercury, you can begin to work your way into another's good graces. Meanwhile, an arrangement, negotiation or discussion moves out of the "Mission Impossible" box. Friday's full moon is surrounded by good news. You could be offered a new job, interesting assignment, recognition or a troubling situation will start to work to your advantage. As for those overwhelming feelings of compassion and generosity, why not share it with those you love or (sorry to sound manipulative) with one of the abovementioned touchy people, whose support you need?

Feel those itchy feet? That's the planets encouraging you to get out of town, change your boring routine and shake up any (possible) love connections. This week is excellent for making a presentation, convincing your family that it's time for domestic changes or starting a romantic affair. Friday's full moon has a few tense aspects but don't let that put a damper on your social plans. Organize the neighbors and have a surprise block party. Your CFO Mercury, the planet that makes you so clever, is opposing extravagant Jupiter on the 19th. And although you may have recently decided to take a risk or make an important decision, you may want to spend the weekend reading the fine print and redefining your responsibilities or commitment thus lowering the risk factor.

Those Gemini antennae are picking up interesting signals but it would be prudent to take your time in deciding how you can best use emerging options or opportunities to further your own agenda. Management note: Accept the fact that the packaging or parameters on a new job, assignment, associates or arrangements are not exactly up to your usual standards. On closer look, you will see that there is nothing you can't change or fix. Friday's sobering full moon encourages others to test your mettle. By donning a professional demeanor, you will impress and calm the disgruntled and garner support from those who question your authority or ideas. Cosmic alert: Over the weekend beware of speaking words of love or making a date or commitment that in your heart, you know you won't keep.