It was only supposed to be a peaceful protest. You had your principles and felt they were being stepped on, so you decided to go down to the demonstration (as the Stones would say) to get your fair share of abuse. You knew there would be others protesting against your perspectives, but you were sure you could handle yourself, and felt pretty prepared.

Come the day, off you went and it was as disruptive and chaotic as you had envisioned. But this was about the future, and the issues struck you personally, so you stayed. But then the unforeseen occurred, and suddenly you weren’t at all sure you should be there anymore. That’s when you were overwhelmed by the riot and struggled to your feet, bloodied and shaken, but still unbowed. Others weren’t as lucky.

Just when things looked darkest, the street was cleared and everyone was allowed to leave. You and others began making plans for next time. Now that you knew the intensity of what you were facing, you’d be smarter. Determination became your middle name.

And that’s the energy of this week.

This week is one of THOSE WEEKS that astrologers have foreseen for some time as crucial and potentially critical to our individual and collective well being. It’s a testing time as to whether or not we can keep our feet under us. Not all the news is bad, and often personal awakenings occur as a result of crises, so this week has the potential to make us feel VERY awake!

THE KEYNOTE THIS WEEK IS CRISIS MANAGEMENT.

Whether it’s simply a family dispute, a turf war with a Hollywood studio exec, an argument with your friendly neighborhood banking institution, or just those nasty habits you want to break that keep disturbing your body or peace of mind, this is a week where we must put effort into resolving issues that seem to come out of nowhere to disrupt our lives.

We’re in the first week of Mercury Retrograde, an astrological period where, for about three weeks every four months, the planet Mercury shifts its apparent position in relation to the Earth and seems to be going backwards in the sky. Mercury Retrograde is infamous for being a time of miscommunications, accidents and general disruption.

The rational intelligence—represented by Mercury in astrology—seems to be in a fog, so we miss the cues that we would normally catch to make things flow smoothly. So double-check all details and don’t take anyone’s word as final. (I wouldn’t sign with that agency right now.)

Mercury is currently in Leo, associated with leadership, creative self-expression and dramatic personalities. As it’s a Fire Sign, don’t be surprised if there are more eruptions of enormous fires, and heightened personal dramas around us. It’s one of those times when everyone seems to be a drama queen (or king), and the Sun doesn’t even make its entrance into Leo until Sunday! President Obama (born a Leo) should continue to do well, but may be as prone to gaffes right now as Mitt Romney. But there are additional factors that may make this week particularly headline-worthy.

Mars was the Roman god of war, and this week he may live up to his name. Whether it’s a literal war or figurative, inner, psychological war, this week Mars gets to demonstrate his demonstrably aggressive nature. Conflict, in short, may be the order of the day.

That’s why it’s important to take care of our energy and to avoid needless conflict. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do, like tell that director or star or petty tyrant who claims he’s your boss to take a flying leap. But stepping in crap and just staying there while stuff flies all around your head is not where we should be.

This should be a time of COURAGE. Much can be accomplished now because of the raw and vital energy at work. Sometimes projects don’t succeed because the wrong people are involved. Under energy like this, necessary changes can be made quickly, and if there’s drama involved, so be it. So don’t be afraid to take on people and situations that you’ve let slide. Mercury Retrograde periods are good for reviewing and releasing old things.

Mars in astrology also represents ego, physical drive, sexuality and just plain action. He’s the star now, gunning through early Libra, the sign associated with artistry, but also open enemies and social justice. This week he makes hard angles to Uranus (sudden change/sometimes chaos) and Pluto (obsessions/power issues). Personal relations may now take some sudden turns. Breakthroughs or breakdowns—if they’re going to happen, they may well happen this week.

Be careful not to get on the wrong side of your Muse; the positive aspect to this intense energy is the ability to go deeply into your own soul. Still, don’t be surprised if there’s a high-profile dogfight between politicians or celebrities. The issue this week is POWER, and that often means that sex—a subliminal substitute for raw power issues between people—may headline the news again.

But no sleaze, please. Film a romance, not a porn movie. Mars in Libra wants to believe in flowers, personal connections and the equality of the soul. Lawsuits that strive for fairness or equal rights are also now advantaged. Mars in a flowing trine to Jupiter this week mitigates some of the chaos and supports righteous action.

The exact T-square aspect—an opposition by Mars to Uranus and a square (hard-edged 90-degree angle) by Mars to Pluto, Lord of Death—occurs Tuesday and Wednesday precisely but stays in effect throughout most of the week. So it promises to be pretty intense. If there is one of those “we’ll-all-remember-where-we-were-when-we-heard-about-it” sorts of events this week, remember that you heard it here first. Keep yourself centered, open to inspiration. In the words of Bob Dylan, “Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.”

The New Moon occurs on Wednesday night/Thursday morning (9:25 pm PDT/12:25 am EDT) at 26 degrees, 54 minutes Cancer. This is a close square to Saturn—Lord of Discipline, Structure and Hard Knocks—so it’s not particularly light energy. Nevertheless, it gives those who lack focus incentive to achieve. As it comes in the latter degrees of the fertile and healing Water Sign, Cancer, this is like the Universe giving us a nice, cool bath before we go out into (or come in from) the heated-up world.

Take advantage of it and stay cool this week.

This week’s forecasts for the 12 Sun Signs, dates approximate for convenience:

ARIES (March 20-April 19): When you’re hot, you’re hot, and right now you’re scalding. But are you a 4-alarm blaze that consumes a house or a less damaging persona? Irritation or impatience can undo you this week if you’re not careful, so keep a bucket of ice water handy in the form of a steady mind. But not too icy. You may be aflame now with inspiration. Stay hot!

TAURUS (April 20-May 19): The problem with you, an Earth Sign, being in a forest is not so much that you’re lost and alone but that you want to stay there. This week, stress may make that forest very inviting, but resist. Try to smell which way the wind’s blowing in your life; if you need somewhere to do that, even a busy café will do. Avoid sharp opinions, including your own.

GEMINI (May 20-June 19): It’s like you see your ship coming in, but just as it gets close to the harbor it’s held up by a Coast Guard inspection. Delays and tomfoolery from those around you may frustrate you this week, but your captain can see you from his POV offshore. He’s smiling and still heading your way. So unpack your flares and be visible now. He’s about to dock.

CANCER (June 20-July 19): The dinner party was a success, everyone enjoyed the dessert, but then Uncle Frank and nephew Egan got into it over politics and it went downhill from there. Things may turn ugly this week if you let them, so be careful with your words and actions. Sun may exit from your sign with a bang, so usher him out gently. The peace sign still works.

LEO (July 20-August 19): You’re on “Jeopardy” and Alex Trebec calls on you. Do you have brain freeze or do you get it right? This week for you is all about right use of mental force, and clarity may be hard to come by. Still, the energy favors you, so don’t let momentary difficulties disable you. There’s still the matter of Double Jeopardy to deal with, and that’s up next. Buzzer!

VIRGO (August 20-September 19): Why is that old acquaintance showing up at your kitchen window and hounding you for attention? Maybe he has a hot stock tip for you, or just wants to see you again. Either way, this week could bring the return of previous drama into your life and it’s up to you to make sure it’s just summer stock and not an unlimited run. But play that tip.

LIBRA (September 20-October 19): Sometimes explosions are good…like a fireworks display or a full-body orgasm. Then there’s literal war. This week, you could either be Katy Perry or the beach at Normandy. It’s pretty intense if you aren’t on your toes watching for every little arc across the sky. Sometimes we get clues as to what’s next. For you, it’s radiant encounters.

SCORPIO (October 20-November 19): The glass is either half-empty or half-full, but that still means that you have to deal with half a glass. This is a week that asks how thirsty you are. Motivation may be hard to come by; tension seems to drain life’s fluid. But guess what? You can take the glass and just fill it yourself. That’s better than moaning about the waiter, anyway.

SAGITTARIUS (November 20-December 19): You’re in a tailor’s shop and he promises your clothes will be repaired like new. When you return, you discover he’s not only sewn up your clothes but also given you three new pieces. You come out of this tense week with fresh blessings if you don’t say no to things you may not have thought about before. Don’t fight life’s “yes.”

CAPRICORN (December 20-January 19): You opened the door to let the cat in and a huge wolf also just bolted in from the wild. Try to keep your mind on how beautiful the creature is, even as it knocks over your precious valuables and cherished memories. Peace may be elusive this week, but it depends on how hard you try to maintain it. “Tranquil”-ize your scenario.

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 19): The circus clown you thought was so funny turned out to be less than scintillating without make-up. It’s not that he didn’t have humor, he just wasn’t your type. The week could bring emotional cancellations that are counterbalanced by tickets to that show you wanted to see more anyway. Be open now to having what you really want.

PISCES (February 20-March 19): When you think about it, some people don’t really deserve their luck. You think about it a lot this week because you need that luck and it’s little too foggy to get to the casino. Never mind: life is dealing you two aces and you’ll have to pull the rest of the hand. Still, two aces are a decent start. Make your hand better by not giving up—or in.

NEXT WEEK: Leo the Lion roars into camp, and with seven planets in Air and Fire Signs, it’s time we take off for parts unknown. Or at least close our tent flap tightly. Adventure awaits, for good or ill, so bring your pith helmet and join us here again for STAR POWER! Astrology Unleashed.