For TAURUS, July through August 18 intensifies romantic, sensual and risky urges. An uncertain relationship might be nudged into certainty! A present attraction could lead to two years of a long, steady (and perhaps slow) romance, one that has few fireworks but plenty of deep joys and quiet reliability. 2008's romance seems aptly suited for marriage, and might lead to a wedding. Make sure you want what you land, Taurus. A love captured now could be, on the positive side, like the steering anchor that sailors use to keep their vessel steadily on course, or, on the negative side, an anchor, period, tying you to a duty that you find burdensome, even suffocating, after the sensual thrill wears off. You'll sense early on what kind of anchor this is. Have the courage to say no if you glimpse an unwanted future. Romance tends to arise, in 2008/09, with someone significantly different in age. This July/August, you might blow hot and cold about love. If so, take a "time out" - a week or so apart, to contact your "truth center" - and go with whatever it reveals.

Well, I'm always getting in trouble, aren't I? Sometimes I wince when I use a word, and that's always a signal to rephrase or drop it. But with the pressures of deadlines, my reckless nature, and my chronic lack of vocabulary, I often just wince and speed on. That happened two columns ago when I used the words "a bit superficial" and "ferret" in conjunction with GEMINI. Sorry, Gemini! No wrong was meant - I'm a Gemini myself (Sun and Moon). First, the "superficial" - yes, Gemini does like to skate on the surface, especially in relationships, but this sign can actually feel very deeply and sharply. Gemini experiences emotions in quick "jabs" that cut deep, but don't last - few Geminis can brood like a CANCER or SCORPIO. That has earned them the moniker of "flighty," or superficial. Well, Gemini IS flighty, but only to escape those whose minds walk rather than fly, and to elude those whose embrace might suffocate. Gemini hates to be caged - and can be a hard one to catch. If you do have a Gemini, give him/her lots of room, air and surprises. This sign lives on variety, the way LEO lives on love, and AQUARIUS lives on ideals. Gemini's complex. Scorpio, the master of research, mystery, depths and investigation, Scorpio who knows/senses what almost everyone is hiding, finds Gemini a complete puzzle. (Scorpio's mistake: they look for consistency!)

And about saying Gemini would, as an animal, like to be a "ferret" - maybe I should have said ermine, sable, or marten. The point was, Geminis love to dart swiftly here and there, like curious - mice? Oops, there I go again...