TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Idealism increases in direct proportion to one’s distance from the problem,” wrote English novelist John Galsworthy. In other words, most people find it easier to stick to their noble beliefs and neat theories when they don’t have to deal with the messy details of real life. I trust that you will be a stirring exception to this rule in the coming weeks, Taurus. Judging from the astrological omens, I predict that you’ll be a master of utopian pragmatism. As you penetrate further and further into the heart of every matter, you’ll come up with workable strategies for bringing out the best in people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Idealism increases in direct proportion to one’s distance from the problem,” wrote English novelist John Galsworthy. In other words, most people find it easier to stick to their noble beliefs and neat theories when they don’t have to deal with the messy details of real life. I trust that you will be a stirring exception to this rule in the coming weeks, Taurus. Judging from the astrological omens, I predict that you’ll be a master of utopian pragmatism. As you penetrate further and further into the heart of every matter, you’ll come up with workable strategies for bringing out the best in people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The editors of Harper’s magazine took a survey of American organizations devoted to bigotry. They counted 151 different neo-Nazi groups, 163 chapters of the KKK, 62 congregations of Christian Identity, 48 skinhead cults, and 29 black separatist movements. But five states harbored none of these groups at all–Iowa, Alaska, Maine, and North and South Dakota. Racism undoubtedly exists there, but not so much that anyone feels a burning drive to formally organize the hatred. Take your cue from these relatively enlightened oases in the coming week, Taurus. Be a master of peace, acceptance, compassion, and optimism–especially when you brush up against people who are exuding derisive, judgmental cynicism. Do it for your own health as much as for your environment’s.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Inspiration is highly overrated,” says photo realist artist Chuck Close. “If you sit around and wait for the clouds to part, it’s not liable to ever happen.” I share his assessment of the creative process. The books and music and columns I’ve produced owe their existence largely to my hard work, which generates a burst of inspiration every now and then but mostly gets things done without much flash. Keep that in mind, Taurus. Though you may not be inundated with a series of epiphanies in the coming days, you have the potential to spawn a lot of useful and original stuff. Your fertility quotient is high.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): It’s about time you got the chance to be knocked on your ass by a flood of positive surprises and good feelings. I hope you’re trusting enough to go with the tidal flow, even if it does temporarily render you a bit woozy. Naturally you’d like to know if this giddy surrender will land you in trouble. Is there any chance that you’ll have to endure some karmic adjustment at a later date because of the fun you’re having now? Here’s my prediction: absolutely not. If anything, your enthusiastic cooperation with the free-form dazzle will shield you from any negative repercussions.

I could use some of this. Just gotta relax and let it happen, right? Ha!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): To get misguided tips about how to invest, check out Henry Blodget’s “The Complete Bad Advice Column” (tinyurl.com/ys4al8). For crabby, mean-spirited counsel about how to conduct your personal life, listen to Dr. Laura’s syndicated radio show (drlaura.com). For silly chatter about trivial subjects, read the “most intelligent woman in the world,” Marilyn vos Savant (marilynvossavant.com). But if, on the other hand, you’d like brilliant guidance about where to direct your substantial life energy next, tap into your own intuition. The astrological omens suggest that it’s working better now than it ever has. It’s far more useful to you than any so-called expert’s blatherings.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): One of the most demanding and exhilarating transitions of 2007 is coming. Here are five tips to help you get maximum enjoyment out of it. (1) Be an early adapter, a quick study, and a resilient improviser. (2) Hang out in places where things are just beginning. (3) Intensify your commitment to the lessons that spontaneity can bring. (4) Be a specialist in uprisings and breakthroughs. (5) Give your generous attention to influences that are pure, innocent, and buoyant.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I heard a radio interview in which someone defined an oracle as “a technology for broadening the listening field.” That’s a good description of the horoscope you’re now reading. Its intention is to expand the scope of what you pay attention to . . . and alert you to the fact that you have more options than you realize . . . and give you license to change your mind about anything and everything. To help accomplish this, print the following oracular words on your palm, then hold your palm to your ear for a few minutes: *luminous marrow murmurs lightning praise.*