TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change,” said psychologist Carl Rogers. I suggest you make that your guiding principle in the coming weeks, Taurus. You’re overdue for a purge of bad habits and a surge of fresh approaches, but that won’t happen unless you can conjure up a relaxed acceptance towards those bad habits — as well as a big dose of self-forgiveness.

Distrurbingly apt.

For 19 September 2007, the day before my flight to California:

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): *Symphonie Fantastique* is widely regarded as one of the most important pieces of music of the 19th century. French composer Hector Berlioz wrote it in 1830 as a response to being rejected by the woman he loved, hoping to seduce her with the power of his artistry. Your assignment in the coming week, Taurus, is to emulate Berlioz: Capitalize on a refusal you’ve had to endure; create a masterpiece in rebellion against a repudiation you’ve experienced; make a thing of beauty to compensate for being shunned or ignored. (P.S. The woman in question, Harriet Smithson, eventually married Berlioz.)

For 26 September 2007, the day before my breakdown:

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Which kind of person are you?” asks editor Paul Somerson. “Are you a spineless lickspittle wage-slave cog toiling away to make someone else wealthy, destined to lead a bleak anonymous Wal-Mart life of relative poverty? Or are you someone with guts and brains who wants to get out from under the thumb of capricious, unappreciative bosses, create something new, and reap financial rewards?” Personally, I think he’s engaging in a bit of hype. There’s lots of fine territory to stake out in-between the extremes he describes. Still, it’s a good idea to push and prod you with his provocative question. You’re in a phase when you have more potential than usual to change your livelihood for the better.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Here’s the problem as I see it: You’re not feeling sufficiently confident to trust your unique insights, and so you haven’t dared to communicate them. But it’s crucial that you do speak up. Even though you may not be as knowledgeable about the big picture as other people are, you possess a missing piece of the puzzle that they’ve got to have. You may even be an outsider or a latecomer with relatively little credibility in the eyes of those in the inner circle, but still: You know something they don’t know and need to know.