2012 Horoscope: Aries (March 21-April 19)

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Should I get (or stay) married? Am I with the right person? Will I have a child? What's my best career move? When will I feel happy again?

"Getting my chart done was like the best therapy session of the year!"
—Pamela Madsen, fertility coach and author of bestselling book Shameless

2012 Challenges:
Relationships. You’re a solo star, but you’re learning to play well with others.

2012 Opportunities:
Money. Are you ready for a raise, a promotion or a new job? Take that next step.

Love & Relationships

You’re wrapping up a three-year cycle of relationship boot camp, Aries. Since October 2009, maturity-planet Saturn has been touring Libra, your committed partnership sign. Saturn will remain here until October 3, 2011, helping you sort out what you really need from a long-term love. Typically, the area of your chart Saturn visits becomes more serious, and even a little tougher. Many Rams, like Reese Witherspoon, got married while Saturn’s been Libra, and others (Mariah Carey, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner) had pregnancies. Aries born between April 10th-19th will feel Saturn the most in 2012, as it will pass over the same degrees as your Sun sign.

If you’ve been patient and followed Saturn’s wise guidance, you may find that your relationship is rock-solid, truly ready to stand the test of time. You’re in the phase of mature love, rather than infatuation. No, you may not feel butterflies every second; but it DOES mean having someone dependable who’s there “for better or for worse.” That’s worth a lot to you now, Aries. In 2012, focus on further strengthening your bond. And if you’re single, remember that Saturn rewards consistency. You’re not allowed to complain that you’re lonely but refuse to put in any effort. Saturn is the zodiac’s personal trainer. Want results? Buck up and play the game, sport. Commit to say, going out on two dates a week or even working with a matchmaker. Sound weird or uncomfortable? Good! The mantra of Saturn: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

Some Aries may have split up or temporarily separated, and others might take a trial break this year. If you’ve been pulling too much of the emotional weight, or playing the “heavy” (like Aries Kourtney Kardashian), you may be feeling resentful—understandably so. The circumstances of your life (such as work, travel or family issues) could keep you from spending ample quality time, or looking for a mate. Libra is the sign of balance, so you’ll need to structure in those “date night” or go out to singles’ events…even when you don’t really feel like it. While love-planet Venus is retrograde (backward) from May 15-June 27, you may need to hash out some disagreements or work on better communication. It’s possible that you could be tempted by an outsider or even an ex during this cycle. Careful, Aries!

Since Aries is a naturally independent sign, you may have chafed under some of Saturn’s more restrictive moments. Perhaps you’ve become a little TOO relationship-focused. That’s where irreverent Uranus sweeps in to shake up your sense of identity. Since March 2011, Uranus has been in Aries, making you feisty and outspoken, driven to discover who you really are. Sound like a contradiction to all the Saturn energy? It is! Uranus is here until 2018, so you’re on a seven-year path of radical self-discovery that will build throughout 2012. One second, you’ll want to lock down a ten-year plan with your significant other; the next, you’re completely changing the whole agenda. It’s like a stern school principal and a rebellious teen are both trapped in your body, fighting for control. What to do? Work harder on keeping your promises, but also don’t make promises that you know you can’t keep.

In October, Saturn moves into Scorpio for two years, bringing structure and growth to your eighth house of intimacy. This is a time when many Aries will explore an even deeper, more permanent level of commitment: cohabitation, marriage, pregnancy, shared finances. Fortunately, there will be a softer aspect to this. Saturn will form a harmonious trine to dreamy Neptune, which is in your twelfth house of surrender and healing. You could meet a true soulmate during this cycle, especially since you may start to soften some of those gritty Aries defenses. Just make sure you’re not deceiving yourself about someone’s (or your own) true intentions. Neptune is the planet of illusions, but if you attempt to put a glossy spin on shady behavior, Saturn will step in for an integrity check.

Work & Money
The first half of 2012 could be one of your most prosperous periods in over a decade, Aries. Last June, expansive Jupiter began a yearlong visit to Taurus, your second house of work and money. You may have relocated for a job, gotten a plum assignment, discovered a new career path, or increased your income in some way. Jupiter is all about taking chances, evolving and seeing the bigger picture. If you’re spinning your wheels in a dead-end job, it’s time to take that leap of faith, Aries.

Fortunately, Jupiter is in Taurus until June 11th, so you have a solid six months to go for the gold. After that, Jupiter will spend a year in Gemini, your third house of communication. You could write a book, launch a website, or teach about what you know. Aries can be gifted orators, and you might find yourself in the role of trainer, lecturer or public speaker. If you’re a business owner, focus your efforts on branding, social media and marketing. Telling a compelling “story” helps customers emotionally connect with your brand. You might want to check out an online course like Marie Forleo’s Rich, Happy and Hot B-School (www.rhhbschool.com), which is chock full of useful tips for building an online business. Speaking of school, three eclipses this year in Gemini (May 20, November 28) and Sagittarius (June 4) touch the learning houses of your chart. They could prompt you to earn a degree or seek new educational paths.

From April until September, transformational Pluto is retrograde in Capricorn, your tenth house of career and authority figures. You’ll need to be careful of power struggles, and you could find yourself feeling oppressed or dominated at moments. Remember, Aries, you always have a choice whether to stay or go. Pluto rules our unconscious, and anyone who gets under your skin now is mirroring your own “shadow side.” Rather than engage in psychic battle, explore the qualities about this person that are bothering you so much. Perhaps they represent or illuminate something you need to shift within yourself.

Is it time for more efficiency, or maybe even an org chart? Your ruling planet Mars is in Virgo, your sixth house of systems and organization, until July 3rd. There could be stressful moments as you learn how to delegate and keep on top of 2012’s many details. An extra set of arms and maybe even an eighth day of the week would help! In lieu of that, you might decide to hire an intern, outsource time-sucking tasks, or create an operations manual that spells out each complex task with detailed instructions.

Later in the year, long-term financial planning becomes a bigger priority. On October 3, maturity-planet Saturn begins a two-year visit to Scorpio, your eighth house of joint ventures, shared property and wealth. Between now and September 2015, you may deal with investments, insurance, real estate or the need to save for a big expense. This is the time to take your financial savvy to a whole new level. Haven’t done your taxes in years, drowning in debt, or simply mismanaging money? Structured Saturn will help you reorganize and grow into a new level of discipline. You may start to seek passive income, ways of making money while you sleep. Just beware of pyramids and get-rich-quick schemes, as Saturn will form an angle to hazy Neptune from October on. The November 13th Scorpio solar eclipse could bring an exciting partnership opportunity, or possibly a wakeup call, like a tax audit, that inspires you to take control of your financial life for once and for all.

Health & Wellness

Cultivating good habits is the key to great health this year. From November 2011-July 2012, energizer Mars is paying an extra-long visit to Virgo, your sixth house of health and fitness. Mars is your ruling planet, so you get an extra boost from this transit. You could get into the best shape of your life, and you may become quite the health nut this year. However, you’ll also need to take extra care to avoid burnout, as life’s quickened pace could produce a lot more stress. Keep it simple, Aries. Lucky Jupiter spends the first half of 2012 in Taurus, your second house of daily routine. This is a perfect time to prioritize and build security—financial, emotional and material. You’re craving quality over quantity, and you can still enjoy the best of things (organic produce, fair trade items, etc.) by making smart choices. Why not plant your own garden this summer, Aries? Jupiter will move into Gemini this June, a great time to do something creative with your hands. Gemini rules your dualistic third house, so you may be hopping between two neighborhoods, getting involved in more community events, or teaming up with a sibling.

On February 3rd, dreamy Neptune resumes a long journey through Pisces, where it will remain until 2026. Pisces rules your twelfth house of healing, creativity and the subconscious. You could have your own “psychic awakening” or deepen your spirituality this year. With hotheaded Uranus in Aries, you may have flashes of anger and impatience that can be destabilizing at times. Neptune in watery Pisces helps you cool down with meditation, yoga or even a spiritual retreat.

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