SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

In Salmon Rushdie's book The Enchantress of Florence, an exasperated ally of the manipulative 16th-century politician Machiavelli tells him, "It's your curse to see the world too f------ clearly, and without a shred of kindness."

Some of you Scorpios suffer from a milder version of the same curse, and judging from the astrological omens, I'd say that right now you're especially susceptible to the problems it can create. I do think there's a way out for you, however; there's a shift you can make to turn the curse into a blessing.

Here's what you have to do: See the world as f------ clearly as you dare, but with a dose of compassion added. Then your shrewd perceptiveness will heal you and energize you. You may even spawn minor miracles by penetrating to the slippery truths hiding beneath the superficial appearances.