The Astrologer's guide to being yourself

There's an old saying: Apple seeds grow into apple trees, and pear seeds grow into pear trees. With people, it should be the same. How smoothly can you grow into yourself? Do you block the process, or perhaps try to force yourself to become someone you're really not? It can depend on your Sun sign.

Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

The Fire signs can be so busy hurtling at full speed with a head full of bright ideas, they won't give themselves time to connect with their missing elements. The wayward parts of their jigsaw puzzle are: Air, which means pausing once in a while; Earth, which is about becoming grounded in their bodies; and, Water, which is about connecting more regularly to feelings in small ways. Once Fire signs can pull these strings together, they'll still be fiery ... but much more well-rounded.
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

On the other hand, the Earth signs are so geared toward coping and being realistic, they don't give themselves time to dream, dare and hope for a more inspired way of life. They can also cut away from emotions, wrongly tossing them off as a distraction that prevents getting on with life. Getting in touch with their psychic and mental intuition will help them soften and become who they need to be. Once these changes take root, they'll still be practical people ... but they'll also feel much more fulfilled.
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius

The Air signs are experts at standing back to observe, analyze and comment. At the same time, they can become too detached and cool, which can impede their growth process. They need to find their spontaneous traits, however buried they may be, and allow those traits to help them jump for pure joy, connect to their hearts and show their feelings more openly. The final step of this development is to tap into their physical sensuality. Air signs will always be communicators and thinkers, but they'll acquire greater depth and connection once they find their inner feet.
Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

Finally, the Water signs have an instinctive reaction to any situation, and it's one that's often swamped by feelings; as a result, they can end up water-logged. Their road to wholeness begins with Earth, which means finding 'dry land' more often so they can disconnect from those distracting emotions. Once they become more grounded in both their bodies and the material world, they'll be less prone to being swept around. Air will provide these folks with mental detachment, which in turn will allow them to think as much as they feel. Their final step is stepping into their hidden Fire, which will bring faith, hope and inspiration, all while helping to hone their emotional sensitivities.
Next Up: Sun signs and sentimentality
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