READER HOROSCOPES FOR MARCH 2018
Plotting your destiny with matriarchal literati
Welcome to March, my friend! It’s your birthday and you can cry if you want to, laugh if you want to, or curl up in an invisible corner with your journal -- you get it! But seriously, we can’t recommend a better way to usher in a new year than taking some time to reflect on where you’ve been, and where you’re hoping to go. Life comes at you fast, and this month will be no exception: things are changing quickly and there are a lot of factors outside of your control--but not all! What are some goals and milestones you set for yourself that, in hindsight, weren’t all that realistic? Use the wisdom and experiences you’ve gained since then to reset those expectations and adjust your methods to make your new goals more attainable. For a touching reminder of just how fickle and unpredictable life can be, your lucky book this month is a novel that explores the reality of loss and the joy of finding love and companionship anew. If you’re a dog lover, you’re really going to enjoy this one.
LUCKY BOOK: The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
This month has all sorts of interesting things in store for you, Aries. If that sounded vaguely ominous, well, we’re not taking it back. You know that old British motivational phrase (now defunct internet meme) that starts with “keep calm”? Yes. That one. That is your objective for the month. While ‘calm’ is not your typical or preferred setting, practicing a bit of serenity will come in handy when the plans you think you’re headed toward at 100 MPH go sideways. Rather than continuing to barrel toward them, try slowing down, and envisioning what else might be accomplished. Some doors just don’t stay open forever, unfortunately. But having an open mind in the face of unexpected challenges will take you far! If the disappointment of your temporarily thwarted plans is really getting to you, call a life time-out (that’s a thing) and disappear into your lucky book this month: a fascinating peek back to the ‘20s and 30’s and intersecting destinies of two women who had no idea what their futures held. The promise of a new day and all of the freedoms that accompany it can quickly overcome your previously held negative assumptions...but only if you let it. Go on, give it a try.
LUCKY BOOK: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
Congratulations to you, Taurus, for making it through February! Shortest month it may very well be, there were a few points that felt completely interminable, so we salute you. And good news: March is going to be much kinder. So relax: unclench, shed that tough exterior, let some of the light in! This month will reinvigorate your appreciation for art--either through new creations that you dream up, or by getting lost in someone else’s. Try to let out the child living inside you, as it will only widely expand your imagination and capacity for love and play. Yes, you’re an adult, you pay bills, you have boring responsibilities, but you’re also a person living in a world that has new wonders to offer every day, if you just let yourself look. It’s possible to use the insight and wisdom you gain every day from living your very grown up life to inform the art you make or take in--rather than letting it burden or exhaust you. Even negative experiences can be someone neutralized through a unique or humorous lens. Fortunately, the author of your lucky book this month is something of a master when it comes to this. This memoir takes you through the life of a girl whose father is a married Catholic priest, and all of the misadventures--hilarious, raunchy, heartbreaking--that comprised her unusual childhood. Past hurts and trauma can make way for a more enlightened (and brighter!) future, so shine on!
LUCKY BOOK: Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood
Welcome to March, Gemini! You’re quite the busy bee this month; does your calendar have any open nights left? No worries, we’re just teasing you. Sometimes you’re on, sometimes you’re not so on, but this month is your time! Enjoy meeting new people and charming the pants off of them; many of these relationships you establish now will prove mutually beneficial in the immediate future and further down the line. Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be discerning. After every date, outing, or social event, do a solo recap of everyone you meet, ideas that were proposed, new ventures you’re considering. What are the pros, what are the cons? Think carefully and weigh all of your options; no one is expecting answers tomorrow, as you shouldn’t be, either! Maintaining a clear viewpoint and cool head will be essential this month, as there’s some family drama brewing (isn’t there always?). There’s no need for things to turn ugly as long you keep those lines of communication open, which unfortunately, is often much easier than it sounds. Remain cognizant of old wounds--sometimes, they go back for many years. No one knows that better than the family in your lucky book this month, whose young daughter goes missing, the manifestation of a generational curse. When her older sister sets out to find her, she uncovers a host of secrets that change their lives forever. Trauma has a way of uniting family, but healing together will bring you even closer. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the ones who know you the best.
LUCKY BOOK: Forgotten Country by Catherine Chung
Hey, Cancer. You’ve been working through some stuff lately, and it hasn’t felt very good. There come times when we have to pause what we’re doing, look around, and wonder why and how we got there. That’s kind of where you are right now: realizing that you’ve been going through the motions, not 100% into the roles you’ve been expected to play for some time now. If you’re questioning your place and second-guessing your enthusiasm, it’s okay! You’re not an automaton; people’s wants and needs change all the time. Pay attention to how you’re feeling as you navigate through the day: what’s wrong? What’s missing? Chances are, your dissatisfaction is showing in the parts of your life you see fit to share with others. Your group chats, your tweets, your Facebook statuses. Communicating your unhappiness is healthy, but be careful of where do you it. But more importantly, be prepared: what you’re putting out into the universe may come back to you sooner that you expect. When you gain freedom from the thing you feel is holding you back, what will you do next? The main character in your lucky book this month experiences much of the same anxieties and doubts that you’re facing this month, so dive in and take whatever wisdom you can from her intense emotional excavations. You’ll both come out the other side a bit spent, probably, but ultimately exactly where you’re supposed to be.
LUCKY BOOK: A Separation by Katie Kitamura
Listen to your heart, Leo! This month, let your compassion be your guide. What causes are you feeling called to? What news cycles have you followed diligently? What are the charities you consistently donate to? Take those passions and run with them: turn your care into tangible projects! Can you begin a fundraiser? Sponsor a trip? Hold a letter-writing marathon? It’s good to be concerned about things that are happening in the world, but what’s better is to figure out meaningful ways to put that concern to work in ways that feel feasible to you. But be aware: in taking on these projects, you’re going to be showing a side of yourself that others may not yet be privy to. This is how creativity works: when you envision a product that will go out into the world, you’re necessarily giving a piece of yourself that reveals what’s important to you. Scary, but worth it, wouldn’t you say? In your lucky book this month, you’ll encounter a young woman who is on the brink of freedom, but experiences a true crisis of choice when her siblings back home require much more from her than she feels equipped to give. And when a young man from a powerful political family enters the picture, the stakes are suddenly much higher. When is sacrifice worth the possibility of love? Let this book keep your fire burning as you set out to make the world a better place this month, Leo. You’ve got this.
LUCKY BOOK: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
Well hello there, Virgo! Your energy levels are off the charts this month, and it’s contagious! When you’re feeling determined, there’s precious little that can get in your way, and it’s beyond exciting when you feel like you’re getting closer and closer to achieving your goals. Continue to be strategic in how you move--in your relationships, at the office, with your friends--and be sure that you’re not allowing your drive to completely take over. There will come times when you feel certain that people that you’re doing business with just aren’t at your level, and subtly persuading them to do what you want is the best course of action. While we’re all for playing to your strengths (and sometimes, saving someone from themselves is the kindest thing to do!) be mindful of when you’re playing into this: are you genuinely trying to find a solution that works for all, or simply focusing on number one? Tunnel vision may feel enlightening at first, like you’re working toward a singular purpose, but in reality, it’s blinding. You have the power to be the sort of person you’d like to work with. During your well-deserved breaks, pop into the world of a young museum curator, who quickly finds herself completely of her depth. Two years after the tragic death of the last curator, she finds that the secrets and lies of the past live on in the museum and its staff, and she struggles to bear the weight of her new role within the mounting tension. You may not be an Alena--or the hapless new curator--this month, but sinking into a tale about a dysfunctional workplace can shed some powerful perspective on your role as peacekeeper where you work. When new tensions arise and lines are drawn in the sand, how will you respond?
LUCKY BOOK: Alena by Rachel Pastan
Libra, sit down, take a load off. You’ve been carrying a lot lately, and it may be time to look through some of the baggage you’re carrying, as it isn’t even all yours! Being a support system for loved ones is a beautiful gift, but within reason. How much of yourself are you giving, and how much time are you taking for yourself? What are your needs? Are they being fulfilled? It can be hard to feel good about withdrawing that helping hand when the people you love are depending on you, but if you’re empty, you’re not able to fill anybody else up. Slow down and acknowledge that you are just a human being, and you need to recharge just like anybody else. There are real consequences to running yourself ragged; you will not win any trophies for being the most tired, despite what you may think. Make a vow to yourself, or to another friend who you can rely on, that you will use this month to slow down and give yourself a breather. Find less labor-intensive ways to help, if you need to, or sub out for alternate systems of support that can help shoulder the load. Lose yourself in a book that is guaranteed to replenish you: witty, frank, and gorgeous meditations on how the victories in life, no matter how large or how small, change us for good, and for the better. You do so much, and give so much--know that the positive energy you’re putting into the world is making a real difference. Yes, you!
LUCKY BOOK: Small Victories by Anne Lamott
Change is hard, Scorpio. It’s unsettling, and sometimes downright scary. But it can also be a blessing. Consider this your warning: opportunities are coming this month that may uproot some significant aspects of your life. This is good thing, though--with change, comes growth! But use any anxiety you may experience at the prospect of this change to examine what’s going on internally. Are there places in your life where you know that you’re getting in your own way? Are you trapped in a cycle of bad communication in a relationship? Are you holding yourself back at work because you’re afraid of taking on additional responsibility? Is there a goal you’ve been putting off for months or even years because you’ve convinced yourself you’ll never reach it? Now is the time to end the negative self-talk and take a chance on yourself. Stop feeding the impulse to limit yourself; it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy! Keep your eyes open; don’t let yourself be caught off guard by the new opportunities coming your way. If you stay ready, there’s no need to get ready. Your lucky book this month is just what you need to keep you on your toes, Scorpio. Sometimes a bit of fear is a good thing....and this novel of power, desperation, and broken souls is absolutely designed to unsettle you just enough to keep you paying attention. Get swept away in a Fever Dream, and then wake up to the reality of a new day on the horizon. Good luck!
LUCKY BOOK: Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin
It’s oh so quiet, Sagittarius. And thank goodness--life has just been rather loud lately, hasn’t it? March will be your month to spend more time alone, someplace peaceful, and just reflect on life. You’ll likely experience a burst of creativity--follow where that leads you, by all means. That story you abandoned months or even years ago: don’t be surprised if you finally find your ending. The face that’s been in your dreams: it may be time to rent a studio somewhere and get back into painting. However your creative energies want to make themselves known, let them. This intense introspection and processing of emotion is healthy, and it’ll feel amazing, too. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should shut yourself away from the world completely. Taking it to that extreme may result in an actual depression, so accept company when you feel up to it, and give your parents a call, too. They’d love to hear from you. Your lucky book this month is a collection of vignettes by a character who is rather like you this month. Charming, quirky, interrogative of herself, her surroundings, the random pleasures and annoyances of daily existence. Take these in bit by bit, or all in one sitting, however you feel is best. It’s your world, Sag. Sit back and enjoy it!
LUCKY BOOK: Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett
March is a tricky month, so watch out. You’re feeling pressured to perform--whether at work, at your side hustle, or both--and it’s more than a bit stressful. How this usually manifests in you is your need for competition: how are the others in your field doing? Is there someone you perceive as on your level, and are you alarmed that they may be ‘winning’? When these sorts of thoughts pop up, try to identify them for what they are (unnecessary! unhealthy!) and keep it moving. Giving in will only result in your needing to prove yourself in ways that maybe, in the short term, get you what you want, but you’ll be leaving some pretty annoyed and hurt friends in your wake. No one likes a sore winner, Cap. Think about where this pressure may be coming from--is it anxiety, insecurity, a distraction from a larger issue? You have the final say over your actions, no matter how strong your impulses may be. Second-guess your immediate responses when you feel yourself going to that place. And maybe take a few more naps! Being overly tired always makes you extra snappy. For even more R&R, your lucky book this month is a story collection perfect for transporting you away. Filled with tales that explore love, childhood, parenthood with a light touch of the fantastical, you’ll have no trouble coming back to center when everything just feels like too much. You can do this, Cap. Just remember to breathe.
LUCKY BOOK: Awayland by Ramona Ausubel
Whoa, there Aquarius! You’re go go go all March with barely any time to slow down. But is that actually true? With so many crossed signals (quick question: just how many times have dinner/happy hour/brunch plans been thwarted by time or venue mixups?) you’ve got to find a spare minute to catch your breath. Move with purpose, not just speed. This goes for all areas, but particularly in your career. Where are you going, and what is your strategy for getting there? This path that you’re on right now, are you positive this is the best one? If it’s not, get off of it! You won’t lose any time by making sure you’re in exactly the right place; you’re actually saving it. Never hesitate to redirect your steps when you realize that it’s time. And don’t be too proud to admit when you were the one who entered the wrong address in Google Maps (it happens!). For a riveting tale of mystery, thrills and reversals, look no further than your lucky book this month. An orphan is raised to assist in a daring, seductive heist, but when she comes to care for the mark in unexpected ways, plans go awry and true loyalties are revealed. When you need refuge from the breakneck pace of your daily schedule, this book will be your perfect armchair companion. Inhale, exhale. Then dive in.
LUCKY BOOK: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
