Eros was the god of erotic love. The position of the asteroid Eros in our charts points to our passion and erotic turn-ons. Mars shows us the style in which we go after what we want, including the ways in which we express our sexuality. Venus shows us some of the important “trappings” and foreplay that help us get in the mood for sex. The Moon shows our underlying emotional needs that can express themselves as sexual fantasies and needs.

While the positions of these planets and cosmic bodies in our natal charts remain static, their positions are always changing in the cosmos, activating houses and hotspots in our natal charts. The horoscopes presented here are necessarily general, as we are focusing on only the Sun sign or Ascendant, and how these sexual cosmic bodies are currently affecting the natal chart.

Please note: These horoscopes are more accurate for the Ascendant sign, so if you know it, read them for the sign of your Ascendant first, and the sign of your Sun second.

Also, sometimes I have more to say for some signs, simply because more astrological activity is taking place that is related to relationships for that sign this month (or because I am digressing!). This does not mean I am biased towards any particular sign.

December 2009 & January 2010 ErosScopes – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo

Aries

You start off December fairly strong, dear Aries, despite the fact that Saturn is opposing you, challenging you and putting you through tests. This is because your ruler, Mars, is in fellow Fire sign, Leo, and Venus occupies the other Fire sign companion, Sagittarius, from the 1-25 of December. This configuration affords you likability, charm, and balance, particularly when Venus forms a trine to Mars on the 16-17. Venus rules your partnership sector, so this is a good time for bringing some level of harmony to an important relationship. However, Mars, your fiery ruler, turns retrograde on December 20th, with the cycle continuing until March 10th, 2010. Special care should be taken during this cycle, and in the weeks surrounding it. Assertive Mars is in your romance and pleasure sector for an extended stay. During its retrograde cycle, many of you will be redefining what it is exactly that feeds your flame, that ignites your passions, and truly turns you on. You will have some help discovering some of this after January 8th, when Eros enters your sign. Still, you are likely to experience some form of slow down in your romantic or creative life. You may be rethinking things and a lover might be confused by your considerably less straightforward approach or withdrawal. It’s a good time for examining how you assert your needs, and probably more so your wants, when it comes to love, as well as for taking a look at just how much pride helps or hinders your love relationships. From the 20th forward, you might feel a little less confident and more in need of rest. A romance or creative project that has been picking up speed in recent weeks could meet with some challenges now. Mercury retrogrades from December 26-January 15th, so watch for some delays and slowdowns. The Lunar Eclipse on December 31st brings surprises and some drama to your emotional and domestic world. The Solar Eclipse on January 15th occurs in your career and reputation sector, and is tightly aligned with Venus–not only the goddess of love but also the ruler of your house of partnerships. With the Sun (representing romance in your chart) eclipsed by the Moon and aligned with Venus, most of you will be experiencing new beginnings on a professional level, and some of you will find romance or partnership on the job or through business in the coming months. Career and management matters demand most of your attention in the first three weeks of January, and by the last week, you’re considerably more approachable and relaxed. Better days for love are December 1, 9-10, 13, 16-17, and 19th, and January 11-15; more challenging ones are likely on December 25, and 28-29, and January 1, 28-29.

Taurus

December begins with a lot of attention to important others in your life as you attempt to find ways to increase levels of intimacy and trust. There will be times this month, dear Taurus, when you may be questioning how much you can trust others, but you stand to learn and grow from your experiences. Chances run high that you will feel strengthened through others’ support, particularly around December 16-17. Demands of family and your home life have been running high since October, and you’ve been mostly happy keeping up with all of the activity. From December 19th forward, however, family matters are increasingly more complicated. You may need to rethink your current living arrangements. It would also be wise to slow down and find some balance if you are feeling drained, instead of meeting every single demand made of you. Mercury rules your romance sector and is retrograde from December 26-January 15. During this cycle, a lover might give off confusing signals, or you might find reason to clash over personal opinions and general outlook/philosophy of life. Truth is, from the last week of December to the third week of January, you are feeling especially hopeful and enthusiastic about your own perspective. A lover needn’t agree with everything you see, but of course should respect what you’re feeling. The ruler of your partnership sector, Pluto, continues to duke it out with Saturn, and this can translate to a partner feeling the weight of responsibilities and challenges–or at least that is how you perceive it. A partner may be experiencing challenges that ricochet back to you. Singles are not likely to feel confident taking a partnership to a more serious level with this influence either. For now, tests and challenges are experienced. Jupiter enters Pisces on January 17th, and while in that sign (which is much of 2010), Jupiter will be expanding your opportunities to network and make new friends. Of course, while Jupiter does bring increases and expansion, it can also bring too much of a good thing. In this case, you may need to be careful not to put too much weight into making new acquaintances if it’s at the expense of developing and building established relationships. Better days for love are likely to be December 7, 9, 15-17, and 19 and January 5 and 13-15. More challenging days for love and romance are likely to be December 28 and January 1, 8, and 31.

Gemini

December begins with support and pleasure from and with a partner, dear Gemini. This is likely due to the fact that you are especially willing to tend to others’ needs. Bringing harmony to existing relationships is a strong need now. Attracting stable and friendly relationships is a strong desire for those of you who are unattached. With Saturn now in your romance sector, a more serious tone is likely to have entered in your more casual relationships. Getting a little more serious about not-so-serious relationships is the theme with this position! With Saturn challenged by Pluto, lack of intimacy or other flaws in casual relationships may seem glaring right now and in the coming months. Superficial interactions simply are not satisfying either you or a partner. Mars retrogrades from December 20-March 10, and this is likely to affect your communications, particularly with friends. Complicating matters is Mercury, your ruler, retrograding from December 26-January 15. Being misunderstood is very likely now, and problems on the table with a partner now are likely to revolve around intimacy and/or money. With the Sun and Venus close by, however, your pride and understanding will help you to work any problems out quite eloquently. Resolutions are likely to be very sweet! Jupiter enters Pisces and your solar tenth house on January 17th, and will stay in the dreamy sign much of 2010. Because Jupiter rules your partnership sector, you are likely to see a subtle shift in the tone of a relationship or in the personality of a close partner. The types of people you are attracting now may be Piscean or Neptunian–people with Pisces or Neptune strong in their charts, or perhaps artistic or sensitive types (on the negative side, people who are not very forthright, deceptive, or unclear). This may have already been happening with Jupiter and Neptune aligning mid-year and again on December 21st. With the partnership delegate spending time in your career sector, 2010 may be a time when career brings partnering opportunities. Venus enters Aquarius and your adventure sector on January 18th, signaling another shift romantically speaking–from dark and introspective to outgoing and positive. Venus is strong in this opinion, endowing you with a fun-loving charm that comes quite effortlessly. Stronger days for love occur on December 7, 9, and 19-20, and January 5 and 11-15. More challenging days for love are likely on December 10 and January 1.

Cancer

The first few weeks of December, dear Cancer, find you quite preoccupied with day-to-day affairs–not the most exciting time of year, but certainly a good time for getting yourself organized, if only you can enjoy yourself without guilt later. For some of you born early in the sign, both Saturn and Pluto are challenging you (and each other!). Saturn and Pluto happen to rule your partnership and romance sectors, respectively. Demanding, changeable, and perhaps frustrating relationship issues may be part of the picture. This can also play out as some sort of feeling of being at cross-purposes with a partner or relationship. Problems that a lover or partner is facing right now may be ricocheting back to you, while some of you could be feeling quite lonely, whether or not you have a special someone in your life. The retrograde of Mars that lasts from December 20-March 10 affects you for the most part on practical levels–financial and professional. Some delays are possible in these areas of life. The last week of December and the first three weeks of January find a strong emphasis on your opposing sign, Capricorn. For some of you, it’s a more draining and less energetic time of year. For most of you, it’s a time when your personal plans move to the back burner, and you’re focusing on others or a significant other more intently. It’s a good period for negotiating and finding a balance in your life, even with Mercury’s retrograde December 26-January 15. The retrograde does point to some confusion of the message you or a partner are trying to get across, or emotional distancing, but with the proud Sun and loving Venus close by, you’re bound to come to positive resolutions. There is a Lunar Eclipse on the very last day of 2009, and it’s in your sign. This is a highly emotional and sensitive time for you–when your emotions are on your sleeve, and whatever it is that has been building inside of you begs to come out. It’s a time of exposure, and whether that’s pleasant or not entirely depends on your life’s circumstances right now. On January 15th, a Solar Eclipse occurs in your opposing sign. So really, both eclipses are affecting you and your relationships quite personally. (You are no stranger to this energy, which occurred in July, although the lunar and solar eclipses were reversed in terms of signs). It’s not a time to make crazy decisions, even if you are feeling a little off-center. It’s better to wait things out, observe what’s going on around you, and figure everything out later. The Solar Eclipse in January is aligned with the goddess of love, Venus, in your partnership sector, and this points to a nice new beginning when it comes to a partnership, whether it’s a new relationship in the coming months, changes for a partner, or if it’s about breathing new life into an existing relationship. The outcome looks quite pleasant, even if changes seem to be coming fast. January 17th, Jupiter enters fellow water sign Pisces, and will stay there for much of the year ahead. This influence is quite fabulous. It’s easier to bounce back from day to day stresses. Your outlook on life is more optimistic and positive. Stronger days for love are December 4, 9, 14, and 17-19 and January 22. More challenging days for romance are likely on December 5 and 27-29, and January 1.

Leo

December begins with Venus entering fellow fire sign Sagittarius and your romance sector on the 1st of the month and staying there until the 25th. This brings warm energy to your life, the desire to have a good time, and possibly a few followers. Your charm is considerable with this position. Uranus, the ruler of your partnership sector, is moving forward again, and this can be symbolic of a partner “coming around”–renewed interest or clarity from a partner. Mars has been in your sign since October, and this fiery, assertive, and energetic planet has been firing you up–the pace of your life has been quick and your desire to go after what you want has been strong. Mars is turning retrograde on December 20th and will stay in this apparent backward motion until March 10th, 2010. This will have you questioning or second-guessing your instincts, confidence, and assertiveness. The ways that you have expressed your personal initiative up until now may not “work” as effectively for you now. Perhaps you are not as confident about your personal effectiveness and more cautious about sharing yourself with others. Personal initiatives might need to be put on the back burner, or you could show less enthusiasm for them. You could be a little tired and more accident-prone, so be sure to rest up. It’s time to rethink, revise, and reorganize your plans. Because Mars rules your ninth house, you may be questioning  your faith and your outlook on life in terms of the “bigger picture” could be more cautious. Delays and frustrations are likely as you re-assess how you approach the world. Just around the time Mars is turning retrograde, focus shifts from fun and games to daily activities and responsibilities. There’s a lot going on to keep you busy until the third week of January. With Eros entering Aries and your adventure sector on January 8th, you could find some inspiration and motivation. The eclipses on December 31st and January 15th don’t directly affect your relationships, but they do bring some unstable and changeful energy into the picture. After the third week of January, you begin to feel more sociable and find that you are involved in a balancing act with a partner. Jupiter entering Pisces on January 17th brings new energy and tone to your romantic relationships. Perhaps you are and will be attracting more Pisces or Neptune-like lovers this year. Intimate opportunities will be abundant in 2010. More warmth, generosity, and openness on intimate and sexual levels are likely. The Full Moon on January 30th promises to be rather dramatic for you–it’s about exposing your personal feelings and learning more about what’s in your heart. Better days for love are December 1, 7, 9, 13, and 20 and January 13-14; while more challenging days for partnering are likely on December 14, 19, and 29, and January 1 and 25.

Virgo

December begins with a strong desire to stick to home and perhaps do some cocooning or nesting, dear Virgo. From December 25 to January 18th, Venus, the goddess of love, occupies fellow earth sign, Capricorn, and your solar fifth house. She is joined by the Sun and Mercury much of that time, and this places a lot of emphasis on having fun, entertainment, creativity, and romance. Mercury retrogrades in your romance sector, however, at about the same time Venus transits the sector. This points to a strong desire for expressing yourself through love and romance, but not always an easy time doing so. You may be giving off mixed signals. January 15th brings the great power of a Solar Eclipse in your romance sector, and it’s aligned with the goddess of love herself. This suggests a new beginning of sorts in a romantic relationship, and this fresh energy is with you for at least a few months to come. Still, January 11-17 brings a real positive surge to your romantic life. At the very least, the charm and motivation are there. You will still need to iron out your differences regarding personal values. Jupiter enters Pisces and your partnership sector on January 17th, and stays there for much of the year 2010. This brings new and increased opportunities for partnering. Although Jupiter has a fabulous reputation for bringing wonderful experiences into our lives, it is nevertheless connected with endings when these endings lead to bigger and better things. For whatever reason, when endings do occur due to Jupiter transits, they tend to be easier to deal with, if they indeed occur at all. Overall, committed partnerships fare better this year for you than casual relationships. Your attitude towards casual love affairs is completely changing. It might feel like the reality you are facing these days is a tad too harsh, but it will eventually and ideally lead to a more mature understanding of your needs–and your capabilities–in love. Better days for love are December 1, 4, 9, 14, 19-21 and January 21-22. More challenging days for love occur on December 7, 10, and 29, and January 1 and 14.

See the rest of the ErosScopes for Libra to Pisces here.

Eros was the god of erotic love. The position of the asteroid Eros in our charts points to our passion and erotic turn-ons. Mars shows us the style in which we go after what we want, including the ways in which we express our sexuality. Venus shows us some of the important “trappings” and foreplay that help us get in the mood for sex. The Moon shows our underlying emotional needs that can express themselves as sexual fantasies and needs.

While the positions of these planets and cosmic bodies in our natal charts remain static, their positions are always changing in the cosmos, activating houses and hotspots in our natal charts. The horoscopes presented here are necessarily general, as we are focusing on only the Sun sign or Ascendant, and how these sexual cosmic bodies are currently affecting the natal chart.

Please note: These horoscopes are more accurate for the Ascendant sign, so if you know it, read them for the sign of your Ascendant first, and the sign of your Sun second.

September 2009 ErosScopes

Aries

Venus is gracing your solar fifth house until the 20th, dear Aries, where the goddess of love has a great time. Love is fun, playful, flirtatious, spontaneous, and warm. Nevertheless, during the same period, work and health matters grab much of your attention. In all likelihood, you’ve been overtaxing yourself when it comes to getting the job done. While you do make time for play, and your charm is natural, you are also dealing with the consequences of putting too much energy into your work. The desire for more down time is as strong as the need to manage your work and household, and finding a balance is necessary. Changes need to be made, and the need for adjustments are especially clear around the 4th, 15th, and 18th. There is a general sense of putting your own needs and desires on the back shelf in recent months, and this will change in January, when Eros enters your sign. For the time being, the needs of a partner seem to take priority, particularly after the 22nd, when close personal relationships assume greater importance for you. Mercury is retrograde from the 7-29, and you’ll be going over work projects as well as reviewing past conversations with a lover. Misunderstandings are likely now, so you might want to save important conversations for later, while thinking things over. Taking a step back is a good idea, without alienating anyone in the process. Confrontations are not a good idea. Be diplomatic. When Mercury does turn direct again on the 29th, take your time before charging ahead, particularly when it comes to sensitive conversations with a lover, as the 29-30 is a challenging period for romance. The 20th is warm and strong for love relationships.

Taurus

Until the 20th, Venus is in your solar fourth house, and you are a little cautious and self-protective with your heart. Establishing warm relations with your family is a priority for you during this cycle, and will help to build your strength for the more spontaneous and outgoing cycle that begins on the 20th. This is when Venus enters fellow earth sign, Virgo–an energy that jives with your own nature quite well. It’s natural for you to gravitate towards like-minded and like-hearted people—and vice versa. You begin to feel more playful and flirtatious with your affections, and others respond warmly. With Eros retrograde in your solar eleventh house, you are a little detached on a sexual level for the time being. You are more intrigued by the unusual, finding variety as well as freedom most exciting in your sex life during this cycle. You’ve been struggling with the desire to be free to choose who you want to spend time with and the pressures from a romantic relationship. The need to express yourself freely through the people you associate with is a strong urge, but your commitments and responsibilities to a love relationship are impossible to ignore. Finding a balance between these two needs/desires is important this month. Re-thinking the suitability of your job and/or romantic relationships is possible while Mercury is retrograde from the 7-29, but you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. Both you and a lover should avoid harping on the words used to express yourself and try to get to the meaning behind the words instead. The 19-20 are stronger days for love and romance; the 14-15 is likely to bring some fireworks.

Gemini

Until the 20th, Venus is gracing your communications sector, and good companionship is as equally important to you as romance during this cycle. You prefer an intellectual, communicative, and witty partner right now. During this cycle, you are most attracted to wit, cheerfulness, and verbal rapport in a romantic relationship. You are especially good at mediating conflicts now, although Mercury’s retrograde from the 7-29 might muddy things up a little. It is best to avoid intense conversations, as misunderstandings are very likely. You’re likely sending off mixed signals without even knowing it. A more sentimental Venus cycle is entered on the 20th, when sensitivity and loyalty are more important to you in matters of the heart. You have been experiencing pressures from family and personal responsibilities, and at the same time, career matters are insecure or uncertain. Whether or not to branch out professionally is a question now, but getting your priorities in order on the domestic front is also necessary, or you won’t have the confidence to move forward and take risks. A lover should be aware of your need to make things right on the home front this month. The 19th and 24th are better days for love, although surprises are in store and you can’t rely upon things working out according to plans. Flexibility is a must! Stickier days for the expression of affection are the 11-12, 14th, and 28-30.

Cancer

With Mars in your sign all month, dear Cancer, the desire to take charge of your life is strong. You are spunkier and more assertive, a little more independent than usual, and considerably more energetic. Nevertheless, September is a challenging month for all signs, and it will be especially helpful for you to know what it is you want from life before you boldly move forward, or you might find yourself spinning wheels. Your need for healthy and light social interaction is clear, but misunderstandings are also likely, particularly from the 7-29, when Mercury is retrograde. Pressures surrounding day to day activities mount, while the desire to expand your horizons freely is also strong. Restlessness is likely, as the need to freely move about, explore, and find adventure in your life is powerful but also challenged. Committed love is complicated this month, as a partner is feeling uncertain and perhaps pressured to make changes or to break free from limiting circumstances. Patience is in order. A serious discussion mid-month helps to renew your focus on what is most important in your life. Conversations often turn to the past, but they’re going in circles, which can be frustrating. The 20th is a better day for love matters, while the 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 30th are more challenging.

Leo

September is a month in which your desire for pleasure and comfort tends to rule, dear Leo. The goddess of Love, Venus, is occupying your sign until the 20th, and you’ll find that others are especially appreciative of your sense of style. A strong desire for companionship dominates. You prefer the company of others, rather than going it alone. Others notice and perhaps admire you for your pleasant demeanor, which feeds your ego and renews your spirit in turn. Although you are typically a straightforward go-getter, this month you’re in a more receptive state, taking a little extra downtime and perhaps engaging in more private activities and passions. In fact, as charming as you can be, there is also a bit of a brooding quality to you these days. Energies are fluctuating, and you might find that you’re quite indecisive. Mars entering your sign mid- October should change that. For now, take it easy and make plans. The need for intense interchanges with a lover has been strong for some time now, and this month, it can be a real challenge realizing this desire, particularly around the Full Moon on the 4th, when your awareness of this lack in your life is most powerful. Financial pressures might complicate matters, particularly if a partner’s contribution is erratic or unreliable. It can be hard to keep intimacy separate from more mundane concerns, but it’s worth trying. The 16th, and 20th are better days for love matters; the 4th, 11th, 14th, 16-17, 25th, and 29th are more challenging.

Virgo

While you are feeling energetic and more in control than you have been recently, dear Virgo, September brings its fair share of challenges. Increased personal responsibilities and unexpected changes of course figure now. A partner might be hard to rely upon. Relationship tests or challenges arise around the Full Moon on the 4th. With Mercury retrograde from the 7-29, others may misinterpret your body language, and you should be aware of a tendency to give off mixed signals. Don’t worry too much if others aren’t quite “getting” you for the time being. You have been taking yourself more seriously, and feeling a lot of pressure, this year. Keep your sense of humor! Saturn on your Sun can also bring love and romance to you, ironically enough. This is because Saturn rules your romance sector. Inner changes and struggles are occurring at a dramatic pace. Recognize that as you listen to a bruised or misbehaving ego, you are prone to ignoring your deepest emotions, and as a result you may sever ties that later leave you wanting. You could be feeling critical of a partner, who seems to be erratic, irresponsible, or hard to rely upon. All of these changes are “designed” to awaken your senses to relationship patterns that are not serving your purpose well, and to personal traits that are not serving your relationships well. Venus entering your sign on the 20th helps you to feel a little more in control of your life. A new sense of purpose takes hold around the 18th. The 14-15, 23rd, and 28-30 are more challenging days for love and romance, while the 19th and 22nd are more pleasing.

Eros was the god of erotic love. The position of the asteroid Eros in our charts points to our passion and erotic turn-ons. Mars shows us the style in which we go after what we want, including the ways in which we express our sexuality. Venus shows us some of the important “trappings” and foreplay that help us get in the mood for sex. The Moon shows our underlying emotional needs that can express themselves as sexual fantasies and needs.

While the positions of these planets and cosmic bodies in our natal charts remain static, their positions are always changing in the cosmos, activating houses and hotspots in our natal charts. The horoscopes presented here are necessarily general, as we are focusing on only the Sun sign or Ascendant, and how these sexual cosmic bodies are currently affecting the natal chart.

Please note: These horoscopes are more accurate for the Ascendant sign, so if you know it, read them for the sign of your Ascendant first, and the sign of your Sun second.

February 2009 ErosScopes

Aries

The big love headline of the month is Venus entering your sign on the 2nd. Venus, the goddess of love, will be staying in your sign for longer than her usual stint this year. This is because next month, Venus will turn retrograde in Aries. This apparent backward motion is likely to give you time to reflect on your relationships. For now, it’s all systems go. You are receiving a tremendous amount of attention, and you don’t really have to lift a finger for it. It simply comes to you. A close partner is in your corner, “on the same page”, or however you’d like to see it. He or she has your best interests at heart. You are coming out of a fairly quiet or even challenging period of self-sacrifice in the love department, and you are in need of some attention. You’ll most certainly get it in February. Eros in your solar tenth house suggests that your sex life is likely still on the practical side–you are intimate when it’s a good time to be, and perhaps it’s not always as spontaneous as you’d like. Still, you are in an experimental mood, and you are able to detach yourself from matters long enough to fully enjoy yourself. A Lunar Eclipse in your romance sector suggests big changes and revelations in your love life. Watch for jealousies or suspicions on the 5-6. The 17-18 is a fabulous period for love this month.

Taurus

Life is very public for you this month, dear Taurus. A lot of emphasis is on your career and public life. In February, your public life is especially public, and your private life is especially private! Some of you may be dealing with loneliness, or even endings, in the love department this month, but most of you will simply be experiencing a quieter period for relationships. With Venus in your privacy sector, some Taureans will find they are making some self-sacrifices on behalf of a partner or relationship. This can be a trend that lasts longer than usual, since Venus will spend an unusually long period of time in this sector. So, it’s wise to get comfortable and learn to put your own relationship needs on the back burner while you sort out your love life. This process can have many rewards come June, when it’s all systems go. Sexually speaking, however, you are feeling quite confident in February. Best times for love this month are the 17-18 and 21-26. The 5-6 can be tricky going with a close partner.

Gemini

February is a mostly pleasant and easy-going month for you overall, dear Gemini. Your ruler, Mercury, is no longer retrograde, which means that any misunderstandings you have been experiencing are likely to clear up now. In fact, you’ll find it very easy to clear the air. You are in a positive frame of mind, and you’re also feeling quite adventurous. Love for you this month is all about friendship, camaraderie, and shared interests. If a partner isn’t taking interest in your life, hobbies, and ideas, you are bound to become quite bored! Luckily, the energy around you is just as inspired as you are. Some of you will be finding love through or with friends, or through group associations. In fact, in 2009, a fair number of Geminis will be making friends out of a partner or partners out of friends! Working with a partner can figure strongly in the last week of February. Best days for love are the 17th and 23-26.

Cancer

Intimacy and sharing are pretty much all that matter for you when it comes to love this month, dear Cancer. Nothing that smells fake or superficial is going to do it for you now. While others may find you a tad on the serious side, and perhaps even unforgiving, some will be attracted to a distinct air of mystery surrounding you. Sexually speaking, a partner is on fire and in need of more attention than usual. You’re beginning a trend this month that connects love with career, and this cycle will last until June. From March 6-April 17, this can become really quite complicated. Some of you will be finding love through business connections, or you could simply be enjoying more socializing and other pleasurable activities through your job. Your business manner, or professional “face”, is especially attractive now. Watch for tensions in love on the 5-6, when a lover could be feeling shortchanged in the attention or appreciation department. The 10-11 can also bring some awkward energy your way. Best times for love in February are the 12th and 20-21.

Leo

The ball’s in a partner’s court this month, dear Leo, but that doesn’t mean you are not going to have fun. In fact, it’s an excellent month for relationships overall. And, relationships are absolutely your top priority in February. It’s a great time for getting to know a special someone, and it’s also strong for venturing out and about with him or her. In fact, any activity that removes you from your usual routine is bound to spice up an existing relationship, or attract a new one in some cases. There is less emphasis on sex this month, and more on the tricky dynamics of give and take. You are most attracted to people who are intellectually compatible in February. Some of you will find lively debates turn into arguments, but most will simply enjoy a quicker tempo in their relationships, and a partner’s candor, as well as willingness to promptly deal with any important matters, can be considered refreshing. Emotional discoveries and revelations occur around the Lunar Eclipse on the 9th (in your sign). Best days for love are the 17th, 20-21, and 23-26.

Virgo

Mercury, your ruling planet, is no longer retrograde, dear Virgo, and it’s easier to find understanding in others. Decisions are easier to make as well, particularly as the month progresses. Eros moving through your romance sector certainly keeps romantic and sexual excitement alive, although it must be said that you are pouring a whole lot of energy into work and analysis for the time being. As long as you avoid picking apart relationships as you might a financial report, this shouldn’t be a problem. Venus in your intimacy sector suggests a period of increased attraction to the more intricate and perhaps complicated aspects of intimacy. This cycle will last for a while, as Venus is spending a longer period than usual through this sector of your chart. And, it can become tricky from March 6-April 17, during Venus’ backward march. What you’ll need to avoid is a tendency to hold on too tightly to someone out of fear. Suspicious attitudes can also be damaging now. The last week of the month brings the chance for a fresh start in a partnership. The 14-16 and the 18th can be tricky for love matters. Best periods for love this month are the 1st and 24-26.

Libra

February promises to be a wholeheartedly fun and stimulating month for both casual relationships and more serious partnerships, dear Libra. A host of planetary bodies are occupying your romance, entertainment, and pleasure sector this month, practically begging you to let your hair down and express your more playful side. This also means your charm is natural and easy, and that others are appreciating your particular style right now. As well, Venus, the goddess of love and your planetary ruler, is traveling through your partnership sector. Venus will stay in this sector longer than usual, due to an upcoming retrograde from March 6-April 17, when relationships could become rather complicated and possibly sticky. For now, it’s a great period for smoothing over differences and getting to know your partner. Misunderstandings in love are more likely on the 11-12, 20th, and 27-28, when partnership challenges could involve powerplays. Best days for love are the 16-19.

Scorpio

February is not one of the more romantic periods of your year, dear Scorpio. Relationships tend to be focused on practical matters and are quiet overall. This is not necessarily a bad thing at all. In fact, it’s a good time for catching your breath. Your focus right now is mostly on private family matters as well as boosting your feeling of security. With Venus, the goddess of love and the ruler of your partnership sector, in your work and health sector, the tendency to analyze love is strong. It’s better not to pick apart a relationship (or a partner!). Instead, focus on making love work in the real world. Singles will find more opportunities at or through work or even at the gym. After a possible disappointment or let-down on the 14-15, a strong period for relating occurs on the 16-18. Your love life picks up pace beginning in the last week of February, when a new beginning in the romance department is very possible.

Sagittarius

After a period of emotional distancing, a partner is returning to a state of confidence in February, dear Sagittarius. Relationships have been hard to read as of late, but all this is changing now. Mercury is the ruler of your partnership sector, and it is now picking up speed after apparent backward motion during its retrograde cycle in January. The lines of communication are opening up in many areas of your life (February is a strong month for networking, learning, and communicating for you), including the romance and partnership department. Your charm is easy and natural this month, and others are truly interested in your ideas and conversation. A lover is especially talkative and sociable. The best days of the month for love and relating are the 23-26 (especially for more serious partnerships) and the 16-18 (for more casual set-ups). Watch for head games on the 27-28.

Capricorn

It’s not the most glamorous of months when it comes to love and romance for  you, dear Capricorn. In fact, your focus is largely on matters of security and comfort, and a partner is feeling similarly. Quiet times are in your forecast for most of February, although the last week of the month is certainly busier. You are most attracted to someone who makes you feel secure and comfortable, and perhaps a little put off by those who come on too strong or seem to be promising more than they can deliver. Matters of sharing and finance are topics on the table in close partnerships. Still, with Eros, the god of erotic love, in your sign this month, your romantic and sexual impulses are strong. Your ruler, Saturn, is opposing rebellious Uranus, and this suggests a feeling of unease overall. Surprises tend to upset you and throw you off kilter. Your reactions to upsets are to dig in your heels rather than embrace change. Romantic matters thrive on the 16-18 of February, perhaps after some problems on the 14-15, when you are not seeing matters clearly. Conversations with a lover are especially rewarding on the 23-25.

Aquarius

It’s a power month for you, dear Aquarius. Things are coming to you, and you’re getting your fair share of attention. A partner or lover is on the same page as you, and has your best interests at heart. It’s a truly fabulous month for love. While a romance may have been stalling in January, perhaps due to your own reticence, in February your confidence builds, and so does your confidence in love. The need to open the lines of communication in love is very strong now. This will be the case for several months to come, although in March communications can be trying or complicated. For now, you are enjoying pleasant chatting with others. Your powers of persuasion are very strong, and you are able to easily and naturally attract good things your way. With your ruler opposing Saturn this month, however, you could be encountering some blockages and frustrations in your life, but special people in your life are supportive. Around the time of the Lunar Eclipse on the 9th, a partner could be in need of special attention. Revelations about partnerships can occur now. Some tensions in love are possible on the 8-9 and 18-20. Best days for love and relationships occur on the 21st and 24-25.

Pisces

The urge to take more time out and rest from the busy pace of your life is strong this month, dear Pisces. It’s a period of reflection, review, and perhaps some self-sacrifice. Last month, a partner may have been hard to read or emotionally distant. This month, relationships are moving forward, but privacy and quiet times figure strongly. Venus moves out of your sign and into your money and values sector in February, where the goddess of love will stay for a longer than usual time–for the next several months. This gives you plenty of time to get in touch with what makes you feel secure and comfortable in love. In February, you are not attracted to glamorous or showy people (or relationships). Many of you will be sacrificing your own personal plans in order to help out friends or lovers in need. The last week of February, however, brings more outgoing and perhaps a little self-centered energy to you. Your confidence builds and you are more inclined to go after what you need and want. Strong days for partnering occur on the 23-25.