LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Come on in … a little closer, Libra. With lucky Jupiter in Aries and your seventh house of long-term relationships from January 22 to June 4, you’ll be feeling the strong urge to merge. This is your year to face down those commitment issues. They aren’t always obvious, though. Do you constantly pick guys who unavailable or have “circumstances” that keep the two of you from ever being able to gel as a couple? Have you created a job that’s so busy that you are rarely home with your honey? You may have subconsciously designed your life to block love, and in 2011, Jupiter wants you to undo that damage.

Having Aries rule your romance house can make you a bit impatient with people, and in 2011 those tendencies will be exacerbated. Although you’re a die-hard romantic, you also expect the best, and finding someone who can live up to your super-high standards is a challenge. This year, you need to loosen up your dating criteria a bit. It’s not that you should compromise, but if you’re single, you do need to open your mind to a different type. The old “opposites attract” principle rings true. You may be surprise by whom you fall for — sooooo not your usual pick, and yet, the perfect complement. You are the sign of the scales, so creating balance is important in your love life. Rather than seeking a doppelganger, open yourself to a mate who can pick up where you leave off.

If you’re in a relationship, this Jupiter phase signifies a six-month window of expansion. Where can you and your S.O. grow as a pair? Clasp hands and forge ahead into new terrain. Taking a couples workshop can do wonders for your communication. Traveling together is also revitalizing, especially if there is an educational or humanitarian component to the trip. Focusing on a higher purpose together adds an incredible new dimension to your union.

There will be some erratic energy coming to your love life, too. On March 11, Uranus, the planet of surprises, starts a seven-year tour through Aries and your relationship house. Strap yourself in for the roller-coaster ride, as Uranus can add twists to the plotline of your personal love story. For example, you may meet a soul-mate type who is going through a complex divorce process; or you or your sweetie may have to temporarily relocate for work, just when you were getting into a settled groove. Forget about settling into the “old married couple” routine. Uranus will keep you on your toes. Hopefully you picked a partner who can roll with life’s adventures the same way you can. Remember, Libra, it’s your prerogative to design your love life to work for you. Unconventional though your romances may appear in 2011, if they work for you, who cares what anyone else thinks!

From March 11 to June 4, there will actually be seven planets touching Aries and your seventh house of partnerships. Talk about spring fever! This is indeed a power period for initiating new romance. You might also rekindle a connection with a past love — especially while Mercury is retrograde in Aries from March 30 to April 23. The new moon in Aries on April 3 could bring a proposal, or an opening to make a deeper commitment, like moving in with your S.O. or playing “Meet the Parents.”

On June 4, lucky Jupiter moves on to Taurus for a year, heating up your sex life. You know how to dress the part of the bombshell, Libra, but do you know how to feel it? Look into pole-dancing classes like Sheila Kelley’s S-Factor, or sign up for a burlesque workshop; it may help you discover your inner “erotic creature” — very empowering for you in the second half of 2011. If this is pushing the envelope for you, go for a class in a partner dance like salsa or tango. This could be a great date-night activity for Libras in a relationship, and a potential place for single Libras to meet a special someone in the second half of the year.

While all the aforementioned planets are circulating spicy energy through your love life, there’s also an opposing force at play. Saturn, the “personal trainer planet,” is stationed in Libra for all of 2011, insisting that you don’t sacrifice yourself in the name of love. Developing your own independent interests builds your confidence and actually makes you a better partner. Saturn doesn’t want you to be the shrinking violet who stands behind her man, or the girl who starts talking in “we speak” after the third date. No, Libra, your individuality is important to nurture this year. Your confidence grows in the process, helping you manifest a far more worthy mate. Warning: If you’ve been in a long-term relationship, your newfound independence could rock the boat a bit. Again, it’s all about finding the right balance between “me time” and “we time.”

Eclipses on June 1, November 25 and December 10 bring out your flirtatious nature. You could meet a prospective mate close to home, so keep your antenna up while you’re out grabbing a latte or taking a class at the local yoga studio. These are also lucky dates for meeting a mate via the Internet. Change your profile picture, wink at some online hotties; all it takes is one lucky strike.

On a platonic note, these eclipses also affect your relationship with friends, siblings and relatives close in age. Your social circle could go through some quick and sudden transformations in the second half of the year. You may form an easy insta-bond with a brand new bestie, or realize that you need to create distance with a needy friend who has become a bit of an energy vampire. An important mentor figure may appear after November 11, while Mars tours your 12th house. This person is probably a bit older than you, and will guide you through an important transition or growth phase that lasts until June 2012.

WORK & MONEY
Donald Trump called. He’s looking for a new Apprentice, and this year that could be you! With Saturn touring Libra until October 6, 2012, you’re being challenged to move into new professional terrain. Whether you’re kicking off an entirely different career path or moving to the next level in your existing job, you’re going to have play the role of the rookie at times. Restarting at the ground floor can be humbling, and so too can taking orders from someone younger than you or a new hire. Suck it up, Libra. This is your year to remain cool in the face of challenges and focus on learning. That which does not kill you makes you stronger: Saturn comes to your sign only every 30 years, so embrace the process.

This Saturn phase is like a two-year personal reinvention tour. It began on July 22, 2010, and lasts until October 6, 2012. You’ll be forced to work harder to get the results you want. This is not happening simply to torment you, Libra. Saturn wants you to build your dreams on a stable foundation. Although you may have been able to cut corners or take shortcuts in the past, this year you have to pay the appropriate dues in order to get ahead. Get ready to break a sweat as you ascend the ladder to the top.

Fortunately, Saturn is also “exalted” in Libra, meaning that your sign is Saturn’s truest power position. You’re lucky. Most people feel like they are getting raked over the coals when Saturn visits their sign. For you, it’s more like Natalie Portman training for her role in “Black Swan.” It’s a lot of work, a lot of practice, but you’ll also enjoy a sense of reward and accomplishment along the way.

Your money scene isn’t all hard work this year, Libra. On January 4, an eclipse in Capricorn could also bring news about a real estate deal. Whether you’re buying or selling, you’ll need to act fast should opportunity come a-knocking near this date. You may need to give some money to a female relative near this eclipse, so if you are expecting it to be paid back, be up-front about that. If it’s not too major an amount (perhaps even if it is), consider giving the cash as a gift instead of a loan. Chasing someone down for 50 bucks is not worth the strain it will put on the relationship.

On July 1, an eclipse in your ambitious 10th house could bring an unexpected bonus, raise or promotion. This is an important day to bond with the higher-ups at work. Let them know of your intentions to grow as an employee. They might just have a position with your name written all over it.

With lucky Jupiter in your house of partnerships and contracts from January 22 to June 4, you might find success in a two-person venture. Try these out on a short-term, joint-venture basis before you go registering for an LLC together. The first half of the year will be telling: Does this person have both the skill set and the integrity required to be your partner? If the answer is yes, ink a more solid deal on June 4.

Money could affect your love life in interesting ways this year, too. You might meet a mate who appears to be wealthy in the first half of 2011, only to discover that his net worth is compromised by bad investments and old debt. Don’t get too starry-eyed about someone who picks up the tab. Appearances can be deceiving, Libra, and you need to be sure that people have a solid credit history before you join your bank account (or your name) with theirs.

If you’re hunting for new work, don’t try to do it all alone. Find your personal “Fairy Jobmother” or career coach to help you prepare. Polishing up your interview skills can do wonders for your hire-ability. You need someone there to cheer you on, but also to let you know where your resume could use some reworking and your wardrobe could look more professional.

Eclipses on June 1, June 15, November 25 and December 10 highlight studying. Take advantage of any extra training that is available through your work. If you’re unemployed, these eclipses could bring opportunities to make money on the side, possibly representing a company that’s located far from your home. Who says you can’t hold a staff meeting via Skype?

Need some cash quick? The Internet is your BFF near these eclipses. Try selling some goods on eBay or through an online store like Etsy. Setting up a booth to peddle your wares at a holiday marketplace could bring a nice influx of cash just before the year draws to a close.

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Enlist a fitness buddy, stat. You’ll want to kick off the year on a strong note, but motivating yourself to get to the gym will not be easy. As the zodiac’s “partner sign,” you’ll do your best having another person there to energize you. Whether you join up with a personal trainer or a friend who is as dedicated to getting in shape as you are, it’s important that you plug a regular workout schedule into your calendar. Earmark three or four days each week, and block out time slots that are dedicated specifically to working out. Having a set schedule means that your social life won’t interfere with your commitment to good health, and vice versa.

Saturn is helping you learn the power of self-discipline this year. Has one of your unhealthy indulgences spiraled out of control? Be it your penchant for vodka gimlets, your sweet tooth or another bad habit, this is the year to attack it head-on. With Neptune in your health sector from April 4 through August 4, you might even consider working with a hypnotherapist or neuro-linguistic programming expert to address the subconscious aspects of your addiction.

Managing stress in your life is important this year, especially since you’re prone to coping by emotional eating or indulging in other unhealthy ways. You’ll have a lot of demands for your attention, but you can’t be all things to all people. Learning to say “no” to people when you don’t have time to help them may be the healthiest thing you can do for yourself in 2011. Prioritize “me time” — those sacred, unplanned moments in your schedule where you can zone out and do whatever your heart desires. These periodic breaks will save you from becoming a total basket case.

Mars enters your 12th house on November 11, and you’ll want to make sure that everything is flowing as it should be at the end of the year. Double your daily dose of water; it’s truly your best medicine. Cut back on slow-to-eliminate foods like meats and cheeses, as a clogged system can zap your energy. Having enough sleep is essential as 2011 draws to a close. You’re both party girl and workaholic, but without your Z’s you can run the risk of adrenal fatigue.

HOW TO MAKE THIS THE YEAR OF YOU
Your 2011 Mantra: Today Is the First Day of the Rest of My Life
Your slow-and-steady reinvention tour is under way, Libra. In 2011, every day brings an opportunity to view the world with a fresh pair of eyes. Embrace the excitement of “beginner’s mind” as you allow your preconceived notions to fall away. Your attitude of openness, eagerness and receptivity will draw powerful opportunities and fascinating people into your sphere.