Pisces The Fish (Feb. 18-March 19):

Let the past go. Keep only what and who is truly important to you. Throughout this year, the main trajectory is to blend what is at your core and unchangeable with what is nontraditional for you. This will be a test of confidence and creativity, but it is timely now.

For All Signs: The planet Mars, ancient god of war, turns direct on the 10th after a long retrograde period that began in mid-December. During the retrograde cycle we are often detoured from taking significant external action. Though we may experience the delays as frustrating, the purpose of the time is to struggle with inner boundaries before expanding or claiming new outer territory. When we force issues and push through in spite of obstacles during the retrograde, we often discover later that the initiative has proven too costly in some way. As Mars turns direct we will find resolutions to roadblocks experienced in recent months or will realize we didn't really need to take the proposed path in the first place.

Aries: Be sure to read the lead paragraph because this particularly applies to you. Mars has been retrograding in the arenas concerning romance, children, gambling and playful activities. While retrograding you may have been strongly inclined to "go back" to a former condition in one or more of these areas.

Taurus: Any misdoing in the legal and ethics department in life will likely be brought to exposure. If you are clean, stay that way. You may not be thrilled with changes in the workplace at the moment, but you really cannot afford to leave.

Gemini: Do you hold tightly to "how things have always been" in your life, or do you take a risk and go for change? Right now you lean toward holding back taking a leap, but prepare yourself. This mental argument will continue through 2010.

Cancer: You are returning from a short self-protective, cave-dwelling period. As this week progresses, you will recognize more energy and interest in the outer world. The new moon on the 15th is in your arena of travel, education, church and legal interests.

Leo: Mars has been retrograding in your sign since mid-December, and now it turns direct. It will become so much easier to decide upon a course of action and take the steps to complete it during the second quarter. Your physical and emotional strength returns in spades.

Virgo: You have had a particular way of managing finances much of your life. It is a system that has kept you in tow, not too red, not too black. Off-the-wall circumstances have developed that make it challenging to remain consistently upright.

Libra: Changes in family circumstances may be causing you to rethink yourself or to adapt to an altered identity. You will be learning things about yourself that you really would rather not have known. It is better to see those shadows and deal with them consciously.

Scorpio: Read the lead paragraph carefully. The Mars retrograde particularly affected issues of career and future direction. Final decisions about your path simply could not be made through the past winter. Now you can make a more definite decision.

Sagittarius: There does not seem to be much new developing this week. The greater cycle promotes renewed interest in home, hearth and property. You may be experiencing improved relationship(s) to your family of origin or the family of origin "home" place.

Capricorn: You are in the midst of major life change. If it hasn't become apparent yet, it likely will this week. Your work in the world (career) must be reinvigorated if you want to maintain the status quo.

Aquarius: Lurking in the background is a struggle concerning the financial picture. You have a strong need to take care of debt and balance the books, but you want to shake up your life a little bit by broadening your horizons, which often costs money.

Are you interested in a personal horoscope? Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments. Web site: www.horoscopesbyvivian.com.