LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Whoever said relationships take work wasn’t lying. Wise, maturing Saturn began touring Libra and your seventh house of commitments on July 22, 2010, and will be there until October 6, 2012. Having Saturn in this position can be quite challenging for you. As the zodiac’s independent spirit, you prefer to live life on your terms. Unfortunately, relationships take compromise and cooperation. Sure, you know that in theory, Aries, but are you really willing to bend? In 2011, you’ll need to be more flexible than you’ve ever been in your life. This stretch is good for you, even if it’s terribly uncomfortable at first.

At the same time, lucky Jupiter will be in Aries from January 22 through June 4, making 2011 a year of impressive personal growth. You need to focus intently on yourself. Uranus begins a seven-year tour through Aries on March 11, furthering this need for “me time.” It’s going to be quite the tightrope act: How do you make time for a special someone without sacrificing yourself? It’s possible, Aries, so hang in there and be patient with your process.

Single? Spruce up that online dating profile. On June 1 a solar eclipse in Gemini raises your success rate, especially if a third party is helping to connect you. That could be the digital forces of Match.com, friends fixing you up on a blind date, or even a professional matchmaker. Don’t rely on fate or your contact database alone. Bringing in outside help can do wonders to speed up the process. A lunar eclipse in Gemini on December 10 brings another such opportunity. Events happen fast near eclipses, so let your spontaneous nature soar. It’s OK to believe in love at first sight.

Vacation romances also get a boost from two Sagittarius eclipses: a lunar eclipse on June 15, and a solar eclipse on November 25. Traveling near these dates serves up a sexy side dish of love. If your relationship has been on the rocks, these trips can bring back the magic like a healing salve. Single Aries, you may be speaking L’International Language of Love with a hottie you meet on your journeys. Don’t rule out long-distance relationships without giving them a chance. With Saturn in your seventh house all year, tough circumstances can be the ultimate test of devotion. You might decide to relocate in the name of true love near the November 25 eclipse.

Beware the “ex factor” between August 8 and 26, while Mercury is retrograde in your house of romance. Someone from your past could pop up, charming the pants off you (literally). There’s no escaping the power of oxytocin, the bonding hormone that is released in women during childbirth, breastfeeding and sexual stimulation. There might be a chance for a reconciliation, but don’t get blinded by your own physical chemistry. Wait; let him court you until September, and then see if he sticks around.

On January 4 and July 1, there are eclipses in your parenthood sectors, bringing family relationships to the fore. If you have kids, they will likely need some extra attention near these days. Find ways to honor your mom and dad at the July Fourth barbecue or the New Year’s Day celebration. A big theme of 2011 is forgiveness, as Neptune tours Pisces from April 4 through August 4. It’s time to heal any grudges you’re still holding against your parents ... for your sake more than anyone’s. Consider that they did the best they could with the resources and faculties they had. Then, if you’re still struggling, work with a compassionate counselor. This is a deeply healing year where you can learn to “re-parent” yourself emotionally, by providing your adult self with the things you needed as a child.

WORK & MONEY
The planets hit the “Refresh” button on your career path this year, setting you up for an exciting new cycle of growth. From January 22 to June 4, lucky Jupiter will tour Aries, opening the doors for an independent venture. On March 11, Uranus plants itself in Aries for seven years, making your innovative ideas more in-demand than ever. Whether you’re starting your own business, beginning a job in a new field, or heading up a new division of an existing company, you want to be in charge of your own time. Having a boss breathing down your neck will be absolute torture for you. You’re a driven self-starter this year, and an incredible leader.

On January 4, a solar eclipse in your career sector could bring a prominent position or client right to your door. This can trigger a few fears, and you might not feel ready for such a prominent post. Take it on anyway. What you don’t already know, you’ll learn along the way. A prominent man in your industry could be the one to connect you to this opportunity. If you’re already gainfully employed, use this eclipse to get your foot in the door with the VIPs at work. Sit down with your boss and discuss potentials for leadership. It’s early in the year, but if you didn’t get a Christmas bonus, you can talk about a raise near this day.

If you’re looking for new work, this is the year to start your own business. You may or may not be able to quit your day job immediately, but the foundation for that transition can be laid. Between March 11 and June 4, there will be five planets that touch through Aries, igniting a firestorm of great ideas. The question is: Which one should you try out first? Working with a partner could also be helpful, with structured Saturn in your house of tag team efforts. Your sweetie might be the perfect collaborator, but you’ll have to work hard to make sure this doesn’t dull the romance in your relationship.

On June 4, Jupiter exits Aries and moves on to Taurus, your second house of income. Use the second half of the year for mapping out your vision (or Phase 2.0 of your vision). What budget, resources and people power do you need to pull this off? Jupiter will be retrograde from August 30 to December 25, forcing you to slow down at the ol’ drawing board. Don’t be discouraged by the stalled pace. Use the time to strengthen your vision so you can avoid costly mistakes and set yourself up on a solid foundation for success.

Eclipses on June 15 and November 25 light up Sagittarius and your entrepreneurial ninth house, bringing a forward push to any of your start-up ventures. Two other eclipses — in Gemini, on June 1 and December 10 — highlight your technology sector. Start an online business, set up an eBay store, learn to use social media to create a buzz (and some new customers). These eclipses also highlight travel. If you’ve been discouraged by a lack of viable opportunity in your area, expand your search radius. Working with companies a few cities away, or even out of state or country, might be the ticket. Explore the idea of being the local area representative for a company that’s based far away. You’ll have the security of their structures, but you’ll also get to work independently. This could be an ideal arrangement if you’re not ready to go into business for yourself.

When it comes to spending your hard-earned cash, this is a year of “responsible indulgences.” Saturn in Libra whets your appetite for life’s finer things but also restricts your luxury budget. Give yourself a monthly treat. It feels better to buy one $300 item than ten $30 trinkets. That will take more saving up, but your purchases will be more pleasurable, as you’re apt to keep them for a much longer time.

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Life is moving at a fast, even manic, pace this year, especially between March and June. Finding time to pause for self-care? That’s going to take some extra effort. You won’t have hours to loll about on a yoga mat. Convenience is everything, so sign up for the gym that’s steps away from your office so you can pop in for a PowerSpin class at lunch or right before you head home. Your warrior energy is ignited by Jupiter and Uranus in Aries this year. Instead of fighting with the people you love, work it out at a cardio kickboxing or martial arts class. Anger is your sign’s touchstone emotion; you just need to learn to work with it in a powerful, constructive way.

Your emotional health could be affected by a long-held grudge, but you’re ready to embrace the power of forgiveness. On February 8, Chiron (the zodiac’s “wounded healer”) enters Pisces until 2019. From April 4 through August 4, Neptune will also be in Pisces. Your subconscious feelings can affect your physical health. Pick up a copy of Louise Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life.” This holistic goddess cured herself of cancer by tapping into her suppressed emotions and learning to connect them to her body. Of course, you should consult a doctor about any symptoms, Aries. That said, releasing the toxicity that can build up in the body when you swallow your feelings is the best preventive medicine around. Working with a great therapist can do wonders to get you in touch with your hidden feelings. You also need to clear these from the energetic body, so sessions with a Reiki practitioner or acupuncturist can help you stay in a healthy flow.

If you’re addicted to a substance — caffeine, nicotine, sugar, alcohol — this is an important year to address the underlying emotions that are causing you to reach for these things for comfort. After June 4, you’ll have Jupiter’s energy on your side, helping you integrate healthier habits that can replace the detrimental ones. It’s all about taking things one day at a time. The wisdom of 12-step groups is worth looking into, even if you don’t attend meetings.

HOW TO MAKE THIS THE YEAR OF YOU
Your 2011 Mantra: I Am the One I’ve Been Waiting For
2011 is the Year of the Ram, with Jupiter in Aries from January to June, and Uranus in Aries beginning March 11. People are turning to you as the cultural tastemaker and trendsetter. Like signmate Lady Gaga, your uncensored ideas are awe-inspiring. Don’t look for validation or ask for permission. You are miles ahead of the curve, and people won’t understand what you’re talking about. You’ll have to show them, and you’ll probably have to do most of the work independently. That’s fine by you, since you’re the zodiac’s solo star by nature.