TODAY: What the situation, relationship or arrangement really wants is a little more peace, love and understanding and a little less agita, annoyance and self-absorption - in other words, some mindfulness and compassion. And while current influences may not be engendering the aforementioned mindfulness and compassion, you can help by failing to rise to any bait being dangled in front of you.

YOUR BIRTHDAY: Put on your thinking cap and try to design a working balance between nurturing your creativity and discharging your practical responsibilities. There is room for both, and this year is all about finding it, and then doing the necessary to make it a significant part of your life - despite any disapproval you may encounter from people in positions of authority, or the tut-tutting of conventional wisdom.

Aries Saturday, May 18, 2013 Should the program, people, outfit, creative proposition, financial arrangement, and so forth not do it for you, why try to ignore this knowledge and pretend otherwise? There's something to be said for not going so far down the wrong road that it ends up costing a fortune in time and energy to turn back. Taurus Saturday, May 18, 2013 Given that you lack the necessary info or influence, don't tear around trying to fix something that you're fairly certain you're powerless to fix because you're simply too impatient to let it sort itself out. Instead, see if you can sit back, relax, and somehow conjure up the patience to let it cure itself on its own terms. Gemini Saturday, May 18, 2013 Concentrate on the half-full part of the glass. Charming Venus may be annoying powerful Pluto, but that's not enough of an excuse to focus on the hole rather than the doughnut. In fact, it's an excellent incentive for you to envision abundant metaphorical doughnuts (glazed, jelly, buttermilk, gold-plated, baked with love ...) as an antidote. Cancer Saturday, May 18, 2013 If a friend, relative, lover, or co-worker is irritating you - and you can't quite put your finger on their offense - look no further than your local mirror when investigating what's really bugging you. With potent Pluto bothering gentle Venus, you're likely better off attempting to smooth your own ruffled feathers before going off on the alleged miscreant. Leo Saturday, May 18, 2013 The current Venus-Pluto snarl is big on holding you to your word, even if it was only given in the interests of keeping the peace. So don't be too terribly shocked should someone jump out of the woodwork reminding you that "You promised to do x, when can you start, because this afternoon would be excellent for me ... !" Virgo Saturday, May 18, 2013 Set aside some time to pursue your interests, passions, tulip growing, or hiking instead of waiting for someone else to encourage you - or dismissing the need for that sort of thing entirely because you're a busy busy busy person. Venus-Pluto says: The nicer you are to yourself, the better it will be for everybody else. Libra Saturday, May 18, 2013 It's a words, deeds, putting your money where your mouth is, fulfilling your commitments deal - so do your best. Empress Venus, badgering Pluto, suggests that there may be certain individuals out there who are are waiting for you to space out or drop the ball so they can swoop in and carry your prize off for themselves. Scorpio Saturday, May 18, 2013 You may be tempted to promise that which you know the other party wants ("Of course I'll drive you to the airport/take care of your cats") but that you might have a spot of trouble delivering on ("Of course I don't drive/am wildly allergic.") Obviously this could create as many difficulties down the line as it solves right this second. Sagittarius Saturday, May 18, 2013 Try to tailor the request to the person, and quell the less-than-realistic expectations instead of i.e. insisting that a diehard golfer fall in love with rugby, that an avowed misanthrope invite your extended family for a month-long stay, or that the head of a union forgo his overtime. After all, "If wishes were horses ..." Capricorn Saturday, May 18, 2013 Without compromising your needs, desires, or agenda, see if you can soften your presentation a tad. Charismatic Venus is snarking at Pluto, the planet of control, and your perfectly reasonable requirements may seem a trifle diva-ish to the very people meant to comply, cooperate, or deliver these unto you. Aquarius Saturday, May 18, 2013 Because Venus, the planet of values, is hectoring Pluto, the planet of manipulation, your best strategy may just be to ignore yourself. Then you won't have to give any of your not-particularly- flattering-or-self-confidence inducing schemes the time of day, or make yourself feel less than wonderful, creative, worthy, or appreciated on any level. Pisces Saturday, May 18, 2013 Venus vexing Pluto says: Focus on the ways that the situation, arrangement, or set-up can be made to function instead of on the fairly obvious potholes or potential pitfalls. Chances are that you'll either discover a hitherto overlooked big plus, or enough minuses to convince you that your best bet is to edge quietly towards the nearest exit.