The Gentle Advice You Need For Late Summer, Depending On Your Zodiac Sign

Who among us doesn’t appreciate autumn? Even if your astronomical knowledge is limited, you intuitively understand the poetic melancholy that accompanies the slow fade from summer to fall.

The prettiest season of the year begins on the autumn equinox, which occurs annually on the 22nd or 23rd of September and corresponds with a period of time when the axis of the earth is tilted neither away nor toward the sun, resulting in an equal amount of light and darkness. The term “equinox,” in fact, is derived from the Latin aequus (“equal”) and nox (“night”).

It’s nothing short of miraculous that we get to witness such events in the cosmos not only once but twice each year. But change is always bittersweet. If you’re struggling to bid your farewell to the long days of summer, here is some thought-provoking guidance to help you move into the new season with confidence and self-assurance.

Aries.

Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is born an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” You, of all the signs, have managed to succeed at this admittedly difficult task. In spite of the tedium of adult responsibilities and plodding days of mundanity, you hold tight to your youthful capacity to dream bigger than the universe itself. This quality is inherent to your nature and your soul purpose: you are a true original, an individualist who will stop at nothing to achieve your goals. But at this time of year, you are being quietly guided into spaces that require less single-mindedness and more collaboration. Your interpersonal relationships are helpful for you at this time, providing you with a safe place to rest when your patience runs thin.

Taurus.

You instinctively know how to nurture yourself and others, preparing a seat for everyone at the table. At this time you’re being called to shift into different rituals and habits as the seasons change and your desires do, too. If you’ve been feeling as though your life is lacking the sweetness and romanticism that you long for, remember that you have the stubborn strength required to step up and change your routine. It’s the time to indulge in activities that fulfill you creatively and encourage intentional community. Organize a gathering with your friends, and don’t hesitate to invite people from different realms of your life. Unity is cultivated in the moments when we break bread with those who are different.

Gemini.

A talkative, witty, and sociable individual by nature, you are keenly adept at drawing a crowd. This time of year is idyllic for you, presenting you with endless opportunities to attract alluring people into your personal sphere. You are known for your flirtatious personality, but you might just meet your match and get out-charmed. Don’t turn down the chance to be seduced into a whirlwind autumn romance. Even if you’re alone, spend time observing the natural beauty of the landscape changing around you and contemplating the aesthetic harmony of the universe. The sacred is everywhere; those with eyes to see will understand.

Cancer.

You came into this world knowing how to hold your loved ones closely, with enough tenderness to make them feel as though they are the only person in the world. Your sensitive self-sacrifice is far from a display of martyrdom; you are glad to fall on the sword for your family and friends. Loyalty is as natural to you as breathing. Your home, and those who live in it, require a particular kind of gentleness and warmth right now. Take time to create a beautiful place that you can take pride in. As we enter the season in which we will begin spending more time within our own four walls, it is crucial that we find beauty and refinement wherever we can. Covet your family and provide them with a safe haven against the storm.

Leo.

You possess an instinctive confidence and charisma that most people spend years trying to emulate. The perennial star of the show, you know how to shine in the limelight while showing fierce loyalty to your closest friends. Right now, you are being called to wait in the wings rather than step on stage. Your community needs you. Your work is to be done in silence, with no obvious reward. The fruits of your labor this time of year will be more subtle, but no less gratifying. As you perform quiet acts of service, you will slowly but surely see a more patience and less prideful version of yourself emerge. In order to be your best self, you must allow this pruning process to occur.

Virgo.

The fine details rarely escape you, and as such you tend to prefer to work on your own. After all, who else in the world can understand your passion project as well as you? Who can see the whole vision, much less bring it to life? The truth is, sometimes you need a second set of eyes, an objective and unbiased outsider, even some constructive criticism. If you can’t handle brutal honesty, you won’t survive long in this world, as it so often comes from those in our lives with the best intentions. This time of year, invite partners into your business endeavors. Don’t work alone. You may think a collaborator will only limit you, but there is tremendous potential for growth, both artistically and financially. Lean into the discomfort of dialogue. From this place of true humility, you will come to realize that we are not meant to do life alone.

Libra.

You were born with the innate capacity to see symmetry where others see dissonance, and to create order out of chaos. Your heart yearns to be in constant companionship with others, viewing your common ground as a foundation for a strong, long-lasting relationship. This is the time to focus your attention inward. Who are you outside of your relationships? What do you value? It’s valuable to occasionally take some time away from your personal and relational obligations and simply sit with your own feelings. The stirrings of your heart will tell you exactly where you need to be and how to achieve it. Rather than trying to attract new partners in crime, seek some thrill and adventure on your own. Take a roadtrip somewhere brand new and try on a new identity under the comforting shelter of anonymity.

Scorpio.

Disturbed by small talk, you aren’t content unless you are plumbing the depths of the subconscious. This is the time of year to dive deep. Allow yourself to self-isolate, turn down invitations for events you deem superficial, and spend time in silence. There is freedom in surrender to the mystery, and you will find that there are Jungian synchronicities all around you, if only you open to your eyes to notice them. If you invite anyone into your secret world, ensure they are trustworthy. You do not open your heart to just anyone, and this is wise; you are a powerful force of nature, and while some people are intimidated by that quality, others see it as exploitable. Settle in and get comfortable with the darkness.

Sagittarius.

You appreciate spontaneity and often choose to wander alone, so you can choose which path to take without interference or judgment from anyone else. You’re an independent bohemian who occasionally misses the forest for the trees. When the reckless wilderness adventurer Chris McCandless wrote, near the end of his short life, that “happiness is only real when shared,” he might have been talking to you. The thrill of the open road may be enticing, but inevitably it will run out. This time of year, you’re being reminded to open your heart and home to new friends. Some may help keep you grounded. Others may be excited to join you on your travels. The point is, you need to learn how to exist within a group. Humans are social creatures and we are not meant to walk through life alone.

Capricorn.

Your approach to life is methodical and your decisions are often made based on logic: the most realistic road, you believe, is the best option, lest you end up lost and alone at the end. At this time, you should keep in mind that a calculated risk is sometimes worth taking. You are not so powerful as to disrupt your divinely planned path. Dare to take on a position of leadership, to step into a new role, and to let your entrepreneurial instincts shine in public. You could spend the rest of your life toiling with respectable duty and diligence, putting in the hours and doing the work, but will you reach the end of your life regretting the opportunities you didn’t take?

Aquarius.

You are known as much for your eccentricity as your unshakeable conviction that life could get so much better for all of us if we only learned how to set aside our differences. You came into this world in order to shock humanity out of our complacency. However, there are times you love humanity so much you forget to love the individual, believing yourself more intelligent than others around you and isolating yourself as a result of this pridefulness. This time of year, you are being encouraged to dedicate yourself to the study of something, anything—you will never know everything in the world, but you can certainly start with something. Open a book, enroll in a class, or listen to a lecture. You don’t even know, yet, just how little you know.

Pisces.

The most emotionally aware of all the signs, you still struggle with alexithymia. You have a difficult time describing what you are feeling, preferring to let your poetry and art speak for itself. The darkness of autumn is a welcome reprieve after a bright, dizzying summer that left you mentally exhausted and socially drained. After giving so much of yourself to others, it is now time to open the secret rooms inside of you and search for the meaning within. A light has come on in the entryway. You are the only one entitled to walk in. Search hard until you uncover something profound. Don’t be afraid to dust off some old trauma for creative material.