The world may seem to be divided between the smart and the powerful (and you know what kind of scenarios that implies, usually stupid moves on one side and impotent carping on the other), but the reality is more like this: the truly smart will realize it’s not the time to exercise power, but it is the time to solidify it, to stealthily position things so that they become, in some essential way, immovable. Note: the loudest are also the weakest, putting up a wall under your own control against what you don’t want is as effective at this time as actually reaching for what you do want, and that the fewer things about ourselves we’re trying to hide, the less friction we’ll find between ourselves and the material world. So, putting on the brakes creates the breaks, in ways we hadn’t thought of before, as the method is so oblique–and yet so effective.

(Pallas contra-parallel Ceres, Saturn sq Pallas and parallel Pluto, Sun sesq Black Moon Lilith)

For those born with the Sun at 23 Cancer. Check your natal chart for the correct Sun degree (you may want to read both the degree number and the one that follows, if you have minutes on your Sun position–together these offer a more complete picture of your year ahead). You may feel, dear Cancer, as if you’re an open book–but reactions to you and your efforts this solar year, through to your next birthday, may reflect the way others feel either that you have something to hide, or that you are ignoring or denying something vital to the health of the relationship they have with you. It’s important to get this sorted out, but it’s likely to be difficult, so strongly will you give the impression of both being in charge and of seeming independent, in the sense of not needing others. Letting those to whom you’re devoted know how you feel may be a good first step; reassessing how, when, and with whom you communicate is another. Positives this year for you include smart moves socially and the ability to bring values to life within relationships–both will serve you well. Good luck!