Capricorn This Week

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): What if you 'just happened to mention' what you really want, Capricorn? Instead of engineering another serious discussion of important matters (which you, no doubt, have a particular outcome you'd wish to strategically angle for), you could just 'let it slip' in casual conversation. No pressure on yourself to speak that certain piece in 'just the right way'; no expectations of getting a particular response (or any at all) from the other person. Free expression of a rather clear-cut preference or desire, pure and unassuming, allowing whatever follows it to transpire organically: Why the hell not? If somebody displays offhand discomfort or distaste, at least you'll swiftly learn there's apparently an underlying lack of innate affinity between you—without any need for an actual standoff—and that's okay. Now you know. Just as likely, though, this extemporaneous approach (which, let's admit, is somewhat out of character for you) could elicit unexpected good favor from folks who appreciate this unbuttoned version of you. This advice, incidentally, is meant to get Mercury-and-Venus's dual retrogrades working to your advantage.