Your horoscope for the week ahead: The third-quarter moon in Gemini will motivate you to push forward

With quiet skies for much of this week, we'll have lots of time to recover from last Saturday's full moon in sensitive Pisces. Take this opportunity to reflect on any emotions brought on by that lunation, and gear up for some significant astrological action toward the weekend.

On Friday, guard yourself against emotional outbursts as passionate Venus in judgmental Virgo squares confrontational Mars in expressive Gemini. Finding common ground with others can be difficult as these planets clash, so if you notice that someone is about to reach a boiling point, take steps to calm their nerves or simply give them space. The best way to work with this energy is to channel it into activities that allow you to express your creativity through physical practice, like dance or exercise. 

As a second challenging aspect arrives on Friday, it's crucial that we become ultra aware of our surroundings. The ego-ruling sun is set to oppose Neptune, the planet of dreams and illusions, opening the doors for deception. If you can, protect yourself by sticking close to home and keeping your responsibilities light during this time. Enjoy a little break from reality by escaping into your favourite movies or TV shows. Since Neptune is thought to rule over film and screens, this will be the ideal way to unwind.

You'll be ready to get back into the swing of things on Saturday, when the emotion-ruling moon wanes into her third quarter in intellectual Gemini. You may feel motivated to push forward on projects or plot out strategies to accomplish your goals. Just try not to take anything — or anyone — too seriously, as the moon also forms a square with Neptune during this phase. 

When chatty Mercury opposes abundant Jupiter on Sunday, it will be a great time to socialize and share your ideas with others — so long as you can self-edit. Be wary of making lofty claims or big promises, as we have a tendency to embellish details and break our words when these planets face off. If you catch yourself exaggerating, you may need to take a step back, examine what influenced you to do so, and start working toward healing that emotional wound.

Here is your horoscope for the week of Monday, September 12, 2022.

Aries

Can you feel it, Aries? There's something in the air this week that's urging you to spice up your love life. If you're single, this could be an excellent time to meet interesting new matches, but hold your horses: it's important to keep your standards high and let yourself be pursued. Attached rams may notice sexual tension ramping up with their partners in a way that brings power imbalances to light. Work on finding equal footing to enjoy the best that this energy has to offer. Meanwhile, you'll be feeling excited about the future, particularly over the weekend. Just be careful not to over-commit to trips or courses — think things over before diving in headfirst. 

Taurus

Guard your heart, Taurus. Try to take on fewer responsibilities this week and set aside some quiet time to gain spiritual clarity. You may find it challenging to practice inner work this weekend as interpersonal tensions come to a head. Meanwhile, you'll want to be wary of anyone who claims to have the secrets to wealth and success — even people you trust could be telling a financial fib or two. Play it safe during this time and keep your lips sealed about your own cash. Dating someone new? It could be an excellent weekend to invite your special someone over for a romantic dinner. If you're in a relationship, the stars will align to strengthen your connection.

Gemini

Read between the lines, Gemini. This week, you may have to approach your professional relationships with a more discerning eye. People could try to take advantage of your kind and giving spirit, so be ready to protect your time and energy. Do your best to understand others' motivations before agreeing to anything. Meanwhile, you may find discussing your dreams for your home with loved ones helps you to come up with some exciting ideas to improve and optimize your surroundings. Just make sure to avoid fully committing to any design plans now, as you could change your mind down the road. 

Cancer

It's time to recalibrate your schedule, Cancer. It's up to you to find a balance between your private and professional lives when tensions flare this week. If you can get ahead of your most challenging tasks and carve out time to decompress, you'll feel better prepared to handle any bumps in the road. You'll also want to watch out for people who encourage you to part with your hard-earned cash during this time. Confusing conversations could lead you to overspend, so think carefully before whipping out your wallet. It's not all doom and gloom on the money front, however. This weekend, a conversation involving your creative talents could prove lucrative. 

Leo

Hold on to your wallet this weekend, Leo. There's a perfect storm brewing for deceptive people to get involved in your finances. So read the fine print, use your discretion and avoid making large purchases that require your signature. Where money is involved, you'll want to live by this rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Meanwhile, avoid bragging about your wealth and personal wins in order to maintain harmony and be sensitive to others' feelings. If you're looking for something to do with the cash you've saved, consider spending it at home. Invest in any transformative ideas you have for your space to create meaningful change. 

Virgo

Are you addressing your desires, Virgo? If you don't make time for simple pleasures this week, you could find yourself going a little overboard with your spending. Before purchasing something shiny and new, talk it over with someone you trust — and remember to keep your receipt in case you change your mind. If you feel compelled to do some extra work on the weekend, just ensure that you're not biting off more than you can chew. Budget your time wisely so you won't have to make sacrifices in your personal life. Then, you can meditate on how you'd like to transform your world for the better and begin manifesting solutions. 

Libra

Be careful with your words, Libra. People will be feeling sensitive this week, and you could risk unintentionally poking the bear. If you're in a relationship, do your best to soothe your partner by being clear about your affections. Play your cards right, and you could be in for a steamy evening. Meanwhile, single Libras could find an attractive new dating prospect on their radar. Get to know each other slowly to amplify the enticement. If you find yourself involved in spiritual discussions with friends this weekend, proceed carefully to avoid tripping over your speech and being misunderstood. In the end, you may find it's best to listen rather than talk.

Scorpio

It's time to prioritize your relationships, Scorpio. If you're linked up, you may find that your partner needs extra attention this week. Try to simplify your schedule so you can spend more time together. If you're currently unattached, you may need to reassess your social calendar to create more opportunities to meet new people. Meanwhile, friends may not be the best sounding board for your career decisions, especially on Friday. Chatting with your besties could take you off course, and it's essential that you trust your gut. Keep any professional plans under wraps until you've made enough headway to feel confident in your progress. 

Sagittarius

Be upfront about how much you can take on at work, Sagittarius. You have a big heart and want to help others, but it's important that you prioritize your personal projects first. So instead of saying yes to everything that comes your way, ask for more time or information before making your decision. Colleagues could still convince you to help them if they sweeten the deal — just be sure they keep any promises they make. Ultimately, you need to focus on creating balance in your life and recharging your emotional batteries. Practice setting boundaries so that you're able to take a break when you need it. 

Capricorn

Prepare for some heated conversations at work this week, Capricorn. And if you enter a compromise with co-workers, make sure that it's truly a win-win solution, or you could end up harbouring resentment against them. When you can take a break from it all, blow off steam and clear your mind with a little physical activity. Those who work from home may benefit from rethinking their office space to help create more separation between these two aspects of life. On the weekend, discussions with loved ones could highlight pain points, stoking your intense need to feel understood. Try to keep a cool head and remind yourself that the future is still unwritten. 

Aquarius

Get up to speed on your financial situation, Aquarius. Looking closely at your loans, debts and expenses this week might help you uncover hidden fees that are preventing you from reaching your goals. If you're in a relationship, speaking plainly about shared resources could clear up any misunderstandings that are also stopping you from saving. Work together and you'll be able to move forward with confidence. This weekend, discussing your career aspirations with loved ones could point you toward new places to invest your energy. Now is the time to shake up your daily routine in order to realize the image of your ideal self that's in your mind's eye.

Pisces

Try not to be so hard on yourself, Pisces. If you feel discouraged this week, remember that you always have a second chance to get things right — your future is yours to control. Take this opportunity to look on the bright side and start identifying the things in your life that you no longer want to spend energy on. This weekend, lean into your creativity as your mind tingles with exciting ideas. You could be on the precipice of a project that lights up your inner artist. Meanwhile, take any career opportunities that pop up with a grain of salt until you get them in writing, as people will be prone to exaggerating during this time.

Bryanna Collier is an astrology and fashion writer. Her work focuses on astrology, personal style, and how the two intersect. Follow her work at The Star Crossed.