Libra (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)
You Librans have the gift of knowing how to relax. You're not about to use your precious vacation cleaning out the pantry or waxing your car. Unfortunately, certain type-A relatives take umbrage at your so-called lazy attitude, and may try to goad you into forgoing your afternoon nap for the sake of color-coordinating your sock drawer. If you don't want your summer spoiled by nagging, make your desire for rest known from the outset. Encourage people to pursue their pet projects at their leisure, instead of yours. While you're at it, form an alliance with other family members who share your desire for fun in the Sun. You always feel more confident when you're not the lone voice of reason.
You Librans have the gift of knowing how to relax. You're not about to use your precious vacation cleaning out the pantry or waxing your car. Unfortunately, certain type-A relatives take umbrage at your so-called lazy attitude, and may try to goad you into forgoing your afternoon nap for the sake of color-coordinating your sock drawer. If you don't want your summer spoiled by nagging, make your desire for rest known from the outset. Encourage people to pursue their pet projects at their leisure, instead of yours. While you're at it, form an alliance with other family members who share your desire for fun in the Sun. You always feel more confident when you're not the lone voice of reason.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)
Family is always an interesting challenge for you, Scorpio. There's a good chance you feel like there was some ghastly mix-up at the hospital when you were born, and that you went home with the wrong people. How else can you explain the extreme difference between you and your relatives? You can't comprehend their tastes, and they are equally baffled by your interests. The next time you get grief for wanting to watch an investigative report on the bacteria in your food instead of a rerun of 'The Simple Life,' resist the temptation to make a scathing comment. Instead, channel your sentiments into a darkly comic novel or screenplay. If anybody's family is rich with material, Scorpio, it's yours!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)
One of the most delightful things about you Archers is your refusal to stand on ceremony. Unfortunately, some of your relatives don't appreciate your free-wheeling style. These are the folks who are always nagging you to comb your hair before you go jogging or eat a hot dog with a knife and fork. It's important to realize that in these situations, the problem rests with them, not you. Have a few jokes prepared to rebut their pleas for propriety. Humor has always been one of your best weapons against stress. You can also ease these relationships by asking etiquette sticklers for help with socially awkward situations. That way, your folks won't feel like you're always trying to be a wise guy … or gal, as the case may be.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
Is there anything more annoying than a relative who tells you to lighten up, Capricorn? As far as these folks are concerned, your insistence on facing facts isn't an asset -- it's a liability. Meanwhile, you're bewildered by your family's ability to pretend as though life is just a bowl of cherries, without any of those nasty pits. When it comes right down to it, you're just going to have to agree to disagree with these folks. In the meantime, find a productive outlet for your frustrations. Working with your hands has always given you comfort. Taking up a simple hobby like wood carving, knitting or pottery will make you feel as though you're making good use of your time, like the ant who spent all summer gathering food. Leave the crickets to their own devices when it's time to come in from the cold!
Aquarius (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)
"Why can't you be like everybody else?" your relatives groan when you show up to a black-tie function in a purple jump suit. The answer is simple … you're an Aquarius! Your mission in life is to challenge the status quo. Unfortunately, your need to challenge authority doesn't sit well with relatives who cling to convention. And while you pretend not to care about these people's opinions, their comments can actually be quite hurtful at times. Instead of being praised for your originality, you're castigated for being a freak. The best way to avoid this kind of stress is to express interest in your relatives' unique abilities and interests. The more you praise their inventiveness, the less they'll be threatened by your individuality. It's a crafty strategy, but an effective one.
Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 20)
You're extremely sensitive to your environment, Pisces, so it's especially important for you to have some stress-relieving strategies for family gatherings. This is where your prodigious imagination can come in handy. The next time a family member makes an insensitive remark, pretend as though they're making it about themselves. This revealing exercise will give you added insight to that relative's character. Quite often, people project their own problems onto other people. By keeping this little nugget of wisdom in mind, you'll be able to withstand the pressures of family life that would ordinarily wear on your psyche. When you're no longer able to shield yourself from insensitive remarks, take a bath or a shower. Water always has a therapeutic effect on you.
Family is always an interesting challenge for you, Scorpio. There's a good chance you feel like there was some ghastly mix-up at the hospital when you were born, and that you went home with the wrong people. How else can you explain the extreme difference between you and your relatives? You can't comprehend their tastes, and they are equally baffled by your interests. The next time you get grief for wanting to watch an investigative report on the bacteria in your food instead of a rerun of 'The Simple Life,' resist the temptation to make a scathing comment. Instead, channel your sentiments into a darkly comic novel or screenplay. If anybody's family is rich with material, Scorpio, it's yours!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)
One of the most delightful things about you Archers is your refusal to stand on ceremony. Unfortunately, some of your relatives don't appreciate your free-wheeling style. These are the folks who are always nagging you to comb your hair before you go jogging or eat a hot dog with a knife and fork. It's important to realize that in these situations, the problem rests with them, not you. Have a few jokes prepared to rebut their pleas for propriety. Humor has always been one of your best weapons against stress. You can also ease these relationships by asking etiquette sticklers for help with socially awkward situations. That way, your folks won't feel like you're always trying to be a wise guy … or gal, as the case may be.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)
Is there anything more annoying than a relative who tells you to lighten up, Capricorn? As far as these folks are concerned, your insistence on facing facts isn't an asset -- it's a liability. Meanwhile, you're bewildered by your family's ability to pretend as though life is just a bowl of cherries, without any of those nasty pits. When it comes right down to it, you're just going to have to agree to disagree with these folks. In the meantime, find a productive outlet for your frustrations. Working with your hands has always given you comfort. Taking up a simple hobby like wood carving, knitting or pottery will make you feel as though you're making good use of your time, like the ant who spent all summer gathering food. Leave the crickets to their own devices when it's time to come in from the cold!
Aquarius (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)
"Why can't you be like everybody else?" your relatives groan when you show up to a black-tie function in a purple jump suit. The answer is simple … you're an Aquarius! Your mission in life is to challenge the status quo. Unfortunately, your need to challenge authority doesn't sit well with relatives who cling to convention. And while you pretend not to care about these people's opinions, their comments can actually be quite hurtful at times. Instead of being praised for your originality, you're castigated for being a freak. The best way to avoid this kind of stress is to express interest in your relatives' unique abilities and interests. The more you praise their inventiveness, the less they'll be threatened by your individuality. It's a crafty strategy, but an effective one.
Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 20)
You're extremely sensitive to your environment, Pisces, so it's especially important for you to have some stress-relieving strategies for family gatherings. This is where your prodigious imagination can come in handy. The next time a family member makes an insensitive remark, pretend as though they're making it about themselves. This revealing exercise will give you added insight to that relative's character. Quite often, people project their own problems onto other people. By keeping this little nugget of wisdom in mind, you'll be able to withstand the pressures of family life that would ordinarily wear on your psyche. When you're no longer able to shield yourself from insensitive remarks, take a bath or a shower. Water always has a therapeutic effect on you.
About the Author
Stephanie Dempsey is an accomplished author, Feng Shui practitioner and astrologer. She has contributed to several New Age titles, including "Your Birthday Sign through Time: A Chronicle of the Forces that Shape Your Destiny" and the upcoming "Love Signs and You: The Ultimate Astrological Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships." She holds a degree in Feng Shui from the Mountain Institute of Tribeca in New York City.
Avoiding Family Stress for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo >>
Stephanie Dempsey is an accomplished author, Feng Shui practitioner and astrologer. She has contributed to several New Age titles, including "Your Birthday Sign through Time: A Chronicle of the Forces that Shape Your Destiny" and the upcoming "Love Signs and You: The Ultimate Astrological Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships." She holds a degree in Feng Shui from the Mountain Institute of Tribeca in New York City.
Avoiding Family Stress for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo >>
