Confirm your dinner reservations, download the Rumi poems. St. Valentine's arrival is imminent as we prepare to chow on Godivas and conversation hearts this Tuesday, February 14. Whether you historically love or loathe the Hallmark holiday, there's no escaping Cupid's arrows this year. With the moon in hopelessly romantic Libra this V-Day, we'll all feel the pull towards partnership. But not at the expense of our independent expression! Cosmic lovebirds Venus and Mars are sharing a flight path through Aries, encouraging solo stardom along with the dynamic duos. Standing strong on your own two statement sneakers is a savvy seduction strategy — not to mention a wise life choice. Single or spoken for, the thrill-seeking energy of Venus and Mars in Aries ups the ante on everyone's V-Day game. Be open to spontaneous adventures, even if that means ducking out of a show before intermission to get frisky in a secret annex by the bar. Renegade plans are also astrologically endorsed. If your friends are primarily unattached, thumb your noses at convention with an anti-Valentine's Day party.
On Saturday, the sun changes costumes, trading Aquarius' funky denim for Pisces' floaty sheers and publicly-approved PJs. Power down during this sleepy solar cycle, which lasts until March 19. Enchanting Pisces rules the dream realm and some quiet time with the muse can inspire some Alexander McQueen-level creativity. (No surprise the late designer was born under this imaginative sign.) A meditation or journalling practice can help you tune in to those deep and beautiful visions. Keep your dancing shoes handy! Nocturnal Pisces rules the feet and after a refreshing post-work disco nap, it's off to the club you go.
Aquarius
January 20 to February 18
Romance, shmomance. With the moon in your adventurous ninth house on V-Day, you’re not feeling terribly sentimental. But make an effort all the same, Aquarius. Try saying it with humour: A singing gorilla telegram or a heart-shaped bagel could be a truly original way to show your affection — and score points for originality. Don’t fight St. Valentine, Aquarius; there are better causes to resist. Opt for a night of entertainment, no matter your romantic status. If you’re single, head to a karaoke bar or comedy club — or even take an improv workshop. Finding someone who shares your sense of humour will be everything. With your travel zone activated by the moon, you could head out of town for the evening. A night of dancing could lead to a long-distance relationship — or at least a hookup in a new port!
Birthday season officially ends this Saturday (le sigh) as the sun departs Aquarius and moves on to Pisces and your practical magic zone until March 20. Truth be told, you're ready to start being a productive member of society again. How has your to-do list for 2017 been faring? If you need help focusing, you may have to burn off stress. Start with a morning meditation or workout (sex counts) and then go on a massive cleanup mission. (Apply these lifehacks too!) Were your b-day wishes a bit lofty? Nothing is out of your reach, but you still have to run your wishes through the reality filter. Hey, Aquarius, if you want to meet a sexy contender who can sweep you off on their yacht, you've gotta go with the yachts are docked. From basic dreams to the more bizarre variety, let the project management begin!
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Pisces
February 19 to March 20
The stage is set for a soul-baring V-Day, Pisces. Use your poetic powers to rev up romance! With the Libra moon lingering in your erotic eighth house this Tuesday, you'll be a masterful seductress. Privacy please! A night of fighting the crowds can dull your mojo. This year, the magic happens behind closed doors or in the secluded corner booth at an under-the-radar restaurant you love. Single? Grab your wingperson and go hang out at a classy lounge or even a funky dive bar. Just make an agreement in advance that you won't ghost without telling each other where you're going! Throwing an ironic, anti-Valentine’s Day party for other unattached pals would also be fun. But be warned: You won’t be immune to Cupid’s arrows. Love is in the air, even if you’re not looking for it.
There's more reason to celebrate on Saturday when the sun heads into your sign for a month and announces the beginning of Pisces Season! Light the candles and celebrate your annual solar reset. The past month has been quiet, giving you a chance to reflect back on your previous year. Did you get things accomplished? What do you want out of this year? A personal project should get front-burner status — or invest in classes to sharpen up one of your raw talents. Don't be shy about making your desires known. Remember, the squeaking wheel gets the oil. This next four weeks will be all about you and you may need a bit more breathing room from everyone. After all, you can’t grow if you’re fenced in!
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Aries
March 21 to April 19
Incoming arrows! With cosmic couple Venus and Mars whirring through your sign this Valentine’s Day, you're one of Cupid's prime targets. Add that to Tuesday's Libra moon in your seventh house of partnerships and the stage is fully set for romance. Don’t say yes to plans to keep the peace — especially if the schedule of events is too cutesy or cloying for your tastes. Do something that fits your fiery and fun personality instead. If you want a Game of Thrones -themed night, get your Daenerys and Khal Drogo on! Or opt for an interactive date like a dance lesson or an improv class (the stage loves you, Aries). Activities like these work whether you're single or spoken for. Bottom line: Skip the usual places and explore a new venue. For single Rams, branching out could mean tapping into a whole new crop of prospects.
Starting Saturday, your fleeciest PJs will be your favourite fashion statement. The sun dips into Pisces and your restful 12th house for a month. This is your time to relax, reflect, and indulge liberally in self-care so you can be ready to rock when Aries Season begins on March 20. A few ideas: Start a meditation or yoga practice, dive into an art project, write poetry. And if you do get an energetic burst, use it for closure. Tie up loose ends with projects and people. Clear out your physical space and squeeze in a therapy session or three. The point is to make room for all the good stuff coming your way a month from now!
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Taurus
April 20 to May 20
Repeat after us: Perfection is overrated. Don’t try to make your V-Day plans the be-all, end-all, Taurus. Going overboard — and stressing out about it — will steal your ability to enjoy Cupid's holiday. (And possibly your date's, too.) Steal a few tips from these ultra-chill people to dial down anxiety. And remember that the real point of V-Day is to celebrate love — not plan the perfect Instagrammable itinerary. Make a basic plan and leave room for spontaneity, whether you’re at home or catching a show. With Mars and Venus in your charitable 12th house, single Bulls might find their match at a fundraiser fete this year. Pick a party (or plan your own) that devotes a percentage of ticket sales to a great cause.
Ready to lighten up the mood? On Saturday, the sun moves out of Aquarius and your career-driven 10th house and into Pisces, your popularity-boosting 11th. Break out the blazers and velvet dresses. You’ll be in-demand and networking up a storm until March 20. The more is the merrier — and the savvier. Combine your friend groups or hop around to different scenes. If you’re in a social slump, you could find your new BFFs via Twitter even. Online ventures are favoured during this solar spell. If you have a brilliant idea, start blogging, YouTubing or Etsy-ing to your heart's content.
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Gemini
May 21 to June 20
A V-Day that swings between two extremes? Yeah, that sounds about right for the zodiac's dual-focused sign. This February 14, the moon hovers in your romantic fifth house, pumping up the passion. But in the other corner, heavenly heartthrobs Mars and Venus will be parked in your liberated (and kinda kinky) 11th house. Half of you wants bold gestures, PDA and declarations of love to post as a story. The other half of you wants to feel free. Don't let your date catch you checking out the Ryan Gosling clone at the next table. (Be stealth, Gemini.) If you need to shift your gaze, opt for a live performance instead of the default candlelit dinner. Single? Make it a group hang! There's a good chance you could hit it off with a friend of a friend.
This weekend, the sun sails into Pisces and your 10th house of ambition from Saturday until March 20. You spent the last month exploring all the possibilities as the sun wound its way through Aquarius and your "anything goes" ninth house. Now you have to whittle down to that one epic goal that's worthy of your full attention. Under these successful skies, you're ready for a power play. Be your own marketing guru and build out your "brand story." What sets you apart from the competition? Play up those qualities! Dress for the job you want to have — and act as if you've already landed the role. That might mean updating your work wardrobe with a few functional pieces and separating yourself from the office complainers, Gemini.
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Cancer
June 21 to July 22
With the moon curled up in your sentimental fourth house this V-Day, you want a celebration that's up close and intimate. And you’re more apt to whisper how you feel than shout it from the rooftops. Hey, at least you’re letting it out: Your date could use some clues, even if you're just handing them a cute (and sentimentally inscribed) card. Staying in and cooking — or holing up at a hotel and ordering room service and massages — could be just the thing. But with Mars and Venus in your sophisticated 10th house, you're also down for a fancy night out in your V-Day finest. Single? Play Cupid! Organise a group night out with the requirement that every guest brings a dateable friend. You might even pass around checklists of the "right-swipe-worthy" qualities you each want in a mate.
Wanderlust is fully activated on Saturday as the sun blasts into Pisces and your jet-setting ninth house for a month. Consider this your star-powered spring break and winter getaway rolled into one. Explore a new corner of the world, ideally, with passport in hand. You're in a highly independent groove, so don’t be scared to do a solo trip if your friends can't take time off from work. You’ll be able to build your own itinerary — and your courage. Plus, you’ll meet some incredible people along the way, possibly even an attractive stranger with an accent that makes you melt. Close to home, mingle and date from a diverse pool. You're the astrological ambassador between now and March 20!
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Leo
July 23 to August 22
The trappings of V-Day will always make your romantic sign a bit weak-kneed. Hey, who doesn’t want to be regaled with flowers and French chocolates and five-star cuisine? But this February 14, it's authenticity that will really make you swoon. If you’re trading gifts, aim for handmade and heartfelt. Pay attention to the little details. What do you love (or really, really like) about your Valentine? What do they do that always makes you smile? Tell them — maybe via a sweet Twitter exchange a la lovebirds Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor. With Mars and Venus in your travel sector, you'll want to hop around, whether celebrating with friends or a date. Cruise through numerous venues or actually plan to celebrate in a totally different city!
This Saturday, set your status to "Do Not Disturb." The sun drifts into Pisces and your eighth house of privacy, intimacy and erotic exploration until March 20. You'll crave your alone time and your sexy time in equal measure. Creatively, you're like a deep well. Make art, music, and definitely love! Feeling blocked in the romance department? Sort out any unresolved feelings you have about your S.O. or the ex that won't leave your thoughts. Though you may feel possessive, or outright jealous, follow the urge to merge. The next four weeks could bring everything from a co-sign lease or business contract to a proposal or a joint bank account. And with your attention on money matters, why not do a wee bit of debt consolidation, tax planning, or peek in on that 401k, Leo? A little willpower now means you’ll have more money in the royal coffers to tap when you really need it.
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Virgo
August 23 to September 22
Skip the saccharine sweetness. This V-Day calls for steamy and seductive! With Venus and Mars getting hot and heavy in your erotic eighth house all week, the flowers and bon-bons are mere appetisers. Lingerie shopping or a boudoir shoot with your S.O.? Now we're talking. Be warned: A decadent Libra moon could make you a little, well, particular about your plans. Hey, you're a Virgo and you like things just so. But don’t stress out if your date can’t tell the difference between your La Perla and M&S undies. In the end, what matters is that you feel fierce and they can't keep their hands off you. And hey, if you want everything custom blended, share your preferences in advance or pick up the planning baton yourself.
And no need to fixate on Valentine's Day as the romantic end goal. Partnerships become a priority again on Saturday as the sun heads into Pisces and your seventh house of relationships until March 20. Pair up in every part of your life. Struggling alone is no fun, and you’ll feel so much better when you have a partner in crime to keep you motivated and elevated. A savvy business collab could spell sweet success before the spring equinox — and your dynamic duo could turn into an official merger with signed contracts and all. Single? Save that final rose for a special someone who is ready for what you want now. And not "one night" special, but "introduce to your squad" special. Coupled Virgos may have some exciting announcements to share by March 20!
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Libra
September 23 to October 22
Step into Cupid's crosshairs, Libra. One of his arrows could make a lasting strike this V-Day. With the moon chilling in your sign on February 14, you'll be simply irresistible. Adding to your It Factor? A lovefest between Venus and Mars, who are trailing together through Aries and your relationship house. Don’t waste this magical mojo on any "call me, maybe" types; or even the person who is forever stalling on taking the next step when you've been ready for months…even years! Put the commitment conversation on the candlelit table — and be fearless about letting your desires be known. Warning: The Libra moon has the potential to make you a little argumentative and, uh, particular. Your night may not go exactly as planned (long waits, an imperfect gift, not-so-fresh flowers), but don’t flip out, Libra. If your partner is handling the bigger things, sweating the small stuff isn't worth it. Single? Trust your instincts! If someone catches your eye, boldly introduce yourself.
With the sun lounging in your opulent fifth house, you've probably been overindulging since January. But this Saturday, el sol shifts into Pisces, and your sixth house of healthy, efficient living. Swap the clubwear for athleisure (and check out this fitspo) then, get rolling with an early round of spring training. Polish up your work wardrobe too. For the next month, you’ll be laser-focused on your fitness and your finances, getting each back into tip top shape. One catch: Avoid being a perfectionist and aim for progress. You can have your high standards, Libra, but don’t let them become an obsession.
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Scorpio
October 23 to November 21
This V-Day, aim for a throwback Tuesday. With the moon floating through your nostalgic 12th house, it's all about old-school glamour and romance. Whether celebrating with a date or a group of friends, pick an era as your theme (Gatsby flappers, 70s disco) and start the celebrations with a photo shoot. Warning: last-minute plans could turn to chaos. Step into the driver’s seat —you have cosmic copilots Venus and Mars cruising through your organised sixth house all night. Save the spontaneity for another night. You don’t want to be stuck in the cold waiting for a table (never a good look) or racing to the box office only to find out that the show is sold out.
If you skipped V-Day — intentionally or not — and are hoping for another sling from Cupid's arrows, have hope! On Saturday, the sun moves into Pisces and your lovestruck fifth house for a month, bringing an early rush of spring fever. Single? Time for a dating spree. (Which for you, Scorpio, might mean two people — but we're not judging.) Attached? This solar-powered phase will revitalise your relationship. Enough with the Netflix and chill — you need date nights out of the house. Load up the shared calendar with cultural activities, road trips, and let-your-hair-down hangs with your mutual friends. Having trouble getting in the mood? Banish your blues with style upgrade or maybe a zodiac-inspired haircut!
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Sagittarius
November 22 to December 21
Archers, unite! Fellow bow-and-arrow enthusiast Cupid joins forces with Venus and Mars in your fifth house of passion this February 14. This could be a Valentine’s Day for the ages: long-stemmed roses, a five-course dinner, tickets to a show, the whole shebang. The only catch? The moon is hanging out in your "let's keep it chill" 11th house, making you a little allergic to anything that feels too scripted or schmaltzy. Add some much needed levity to the night — just not while your date is professing undying love. Single? Meet up with a sympatico group for the night. You could meet your match at an Anti-Valentine's Day bash; someone who shares your wicked sense of humour.
If you've been draining your wages at the local pub, break out your home cocktail set. On Saturday, the sun exits your buzzy third house and camps out in Pisces and your domestic zone for a month. Nesting is the new happy hour! Chateau Sagittarius may be the new "Margaritaville" or you could decide to reboot by going dry 'til the spring equinox. All things house and home — and those who dwell inside — will be your main focus. Make time for your family, a décor mission, or finding a new place if it's time to move. Women are the star players in your life between now and March 20. Get involved in a feminist cause or the countrywide fight for women's rights. As Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted: This is just the beginning. #NeverthelessShePersisted
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
Capricorn
December 22 to January 19
Keep calm, Capricorn. This Tuesday, the moon hovers in your goal-oriented 10th house, making you an amorous overachiever. For the sake of everyone's happiness, take the pressure off yourself to make the night perfect. (Spoiler: It probably won’t be anyway, for reasons out of your control. That’s life!) If you can’t score theatre tickets or reservations at the Michelin-rated restaurant, just relax! With cosmic canoodlers Venus and Mars in your domestic sector on the 14th, you may be better off staying in and cooking for your date. Don't feel like making the effort? Book a night in a chic, romantic hotel. Room service for two, please! Yes, and maybe in-room massages. Single? Gather your squad for Galentine's dinner at Chez Cap and exchange BFF appropriate gifts. Friends need to be shown love, too!
The fun factor is back this Saturday — and not a moment too soon. After a month of serious hustle, the sun heads into Pisces and your social, experimental third house until March 20. Mingle with the locals! Try some new work-out classes, pop into evening meet-ups, support local bands, and handle some biz via laptop at the neighbourhood café. Meeting new and interesting names will not only boost your contact database but could spark some ideas for collaboration. Test the waters with a trial run before making any partnerships official. This is a time for dabbling and seeing everything that's out there, but not necessarily committing.
Illustrated by Alia Penner.Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
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