A Competitive Powerlifter Open Ups About the Mental Health Effects of Cutting Weight to Win

For some athletes, the constant pressure just isn’t worth the trophy.

Your daily horoscope is nothing short of intense this Chrismukkah. The stars will deck the halls with relentless passion thanks to the moon’s passage through sultry Scorpio in conversation with Pluto and Mars—the two planets that rule Scorpio. In short, your feelings may be loud, and you may be unable to turn the volume down. Emotional intimacy could feel really good right now, but only if you trust your company. If you feel overwhelmed by obsessive thoughts, start by taking a few deep cleansing breaths, and if you can briefly slip away from family obligations, consider taking a privacy break to meditate, punch a pillow, or simply lie down and rest your eyes.

Aries

March 21–April 19

As the moon moves through your eighth house of transformation, your desires are deeper than deep, Aries. You might even encounter feelings that scare you merely because they’re so passionate and overwhelmingly powerful. You can use this energy to inspire big changes in your intimate relationships.

Taurus

April 20–May 20

The moon is currently in your seventh house of partnership, Taurus, and relationship matters could be way up for you. This might manifest as an intense longing for a partner if you’re single, or a bit of brooding if you’re involved and annoyed with your significant other. Either way, keeping things superficial simply won’t cut it—you need to explore these feelings from every angle.

Gemini

May 21–June 20

Don’t forgo your workout or meditation session today, Gemini. With the moon in your sixth house of work and wellness, it’s helpful to keep at least a modicum of your routine intact, even on a holiday. There’s no need to go hard, but you’ll feel better if you manage to schedule that in along with the eating, drinking, and merrymaking.

Cancer

June 21–July 22

The moon is in your fifth house of love, romance, pleasure, and play today—what lovely cosmic timing, Cancer. Whether or not you’re celebrating the holiday, make time for what feels good, gooey, and nourishing. This should soothe your entire soul. And if you can fit in some time for flirting, all the better.

Leo

July 23–August 22

The moon is moving through your fourth house of home, early childhood, and ancestral roots on this holiday, Leo. The cosmic theme is fam and chosen fam, and you may be temporarily more into reminiscing and looking back than focusing on the future. You might even come upon a family artifact or photo that reveals something about your past, leading to a healing moment.

Virgo

August 23–September 22

Talking, thinking, and texting is your jam today, Virgo. The moon is lighting up your third house of communication, making you more forthcoming than usual. On the other hand, you might default to nervous chatter if you’re not comfortable with the subject matter. Try journaling before you gather with friends or fam, so you can express yourself and get it out of your system.

Libra

September 23–October 22

Somebody may be getting or giving very nice gifts today, and that somebody could be you, Libra. The moon is in your money zone, which can make you crave luxe experiences and material objects. But wealth comes in many forms and doesn’t have to cost much. As long as you’re adjacent to beauty and sweetness, you can tap directly into this high-end astro-vibe.

Scorpio

October 23–November 21

It’s the happiest of holidays for you, Scorpio, because the moon is in your very own stars today. Your monthly peak-energy phase coincides with a day when most people aren’t working. You can derive even more direct power from this lunar phase because both of your ruling planets are linked to this astrology. The only problem is that people may perceive you as intimidating because you’re just that powerful at the moment.

Sagittarius

November 22–December 21

You may show up with less enthusiasm than you usually do today, Sagittarius. With the moon in your twelfth house of dreams and secrets, there’s a tendency to focus within. Socializing may not be as comfortable because you’d rather attend to your psyche’s needs. Can you bow out of a gathering for an hour and nap? That might be the right call if it feels like too much.

Capricorn

December 22–January 19

The moon is your eleventh house of groups and gatherings this Christmas, Capricorn. Even if you’ve got holiday stress on your plate, socializing with friends, fam, or chosen fam could be the antidote for any woes. Your hopes and wishes are highlighted by this lunar phase, and being embraced by community makes you feel like you can accomplish anything. Your social feeds might also provide this camaraderie if your family isn’t cutting it, so it’s okay to scroll under the dinner table.

Aquarius

January 20–February 18

Lunar energy moves through your status sector today, so you might find yourself thinking about your fanbase (read: followers on your socials) rather than the people right in front of you. It could be that a professional issue is perplexing you, Aquarius, even though you can’t directly deal with it. You may need to talk it over with your circle of trust but try not to obsess until you can actively address it.

Pisces

February 19–March 20

It’s one of those moments when your entire worldview could shift a bit, Pisces. With the moon moving through your ninth house of philosophy and belief systems, you’re thinking about the world at large, not simply your own small slice of it. It could be a conversation about culture or about global politics, but you’ve never been more open to embracing new ideas—and fighting for them.