Your horoscope for April 12 to 18, 2012

Aries
March 19 - April 19

Working it out has been fraught with missing pieces, wrong turns, and delays since Mars first entered Virgo last November. The retrograde cycle has put a few good building blocks in place, but you’ll likely say it hasn’t been enough. As of the end of Mars retrograde and the start of Mercury in Aries, you’ll see it get off the ground much faster.

Taurus
April 19 - May 20

Since January, exposing Mars retrograde has been forcing you to work the kinks out of the system. Throughout this cycle, you’ve been learning what you are and aren’t getting from your involvements and investments, what works and what doesn’t. Observe-and-learn time is over. Take the bull by the horns and implement new strategies for success.

Gemini
May 20 - June 20

You’ve had a heaping plateful to work on recently. No doubt your ability to cope and to persevere has been repeatedly put to the test. This major fix-it and/or overhaul cycle has been all-consuming since November, and it’s been driving you especially hard since the end of January. Look for signs of life starting Monday. A vibrant new season begins.

Cancer
June 20 - July 22

Do you feel like you’ve been pedalling along, but that still you haven’t covered enough ground? In actuality, you are further down the road than is obvious to you. The intention of Mars retrograde has been to clear the rocks off the path so you can have a faster, more efficient ride. Once you turn this corner, you’ll reach a key destination point.

Leo
July 22 - August 22

Despite the excitement of steering onto a promising new course, it is likely that you’ve been plagued with unexpected turbulence, depletion, and loss since Mars first entered Virgo last November. Mars in retrograde has forced you to work on internal adjustments. An honest review should affirm that this developmental phase has been productive, enhancing, and circumventing. Monday begins a new-page thrust.

Virgo
August 22 - September 22

Mars in Virgo has put you through the paces since mid November. Yes, your fresh-start chapter has been complicated from the get-go. In fact, the “two steps forward, one step back” routine has intensified since the end of January. You’ll find yourself on a steadier, more productive, and more satisfying climb past the weekend. It’ll be even more so once Taurus month hits full swing.

Libra
September 22 - October 22

The uncertainty can wear you down if you let it. Mars in Virgo has been working behind the scenes to strip away illusion, self-doubt, and personal masochism. While much of your attention has focused on what’s lacking or needed, the true purpose of Mars retrograde has been to fire enough ambition to facilitate the switch from wishing to active pursuit.

Scorpio
October 22 - November 21

Without a doubt, you’ve had your hands full since Mars entered Virgo last November. Even so, when it comes to applied effort, gaining headway, or social interaction, most likely you have not been on full throttle since Mars turned retrograde in late January. Whether you are freshly stoked from within or by circumstance, this weekend ends your time-biding or time-wasting chapter.

Sagittarius
November 21 - December 21

Goals and priorities have gotten a more critical, on-the-clock watch since November. Mars in Virgo has kept you striving, and perhaps it’s kept you scrambling too. It’s time to get more ambitious, to let old patterns and past ways of living give way. What’s newly surfacing is about to whisk you away into a whole new reality base. Stay alert, catch the wave.

Capricorn
December 21 - January 20

Mars in Virgo has likely caused you to back up and question more since it turned retrograde in January. On a positive note, it has offered you an opportunity to gather yourself together and to refortify from the inside out. This searchlight phase is now over. Sunday calls it a wrap; Monday flicks a new switch.

Aquarius
January 20 - February 18

Almost, but not quite there yet? Due to its retrograde cycle, which began in late January, Mars in Virgo has dragged it out much longer than seems required, optimal, or fair to you. Take heart: from Sunday onward, you’ll see better returns and more lucrative prospects. Look to Mercury’s advance into Aries, starting Monday, to spin faster wheels.

Pisces
February 18 - March 19

Have you felt shortchanged by circumstance or by others in recent months? When Mars tours retrograde, it enforces an added degree of separation between you and it or them. Working it as a natural progression or a “cold water splashed on face” experience, Mars spurs you out of autopilot or asleep at the wheel. Monday lights a new fire.