Weekly Astroguide

We hear people declaring that great changes are about to happen in their lives and we watch new beginnings unfold. Yet you're not impressed by announcements. You have much more faith in action than promises. Yet the Solar Eclipse at the start of July heralds an exciting suggestion which is worth paying attention to. A delightful surprise is coming into your life which will begin to turn the wheels of change. Even though everything won't be turned around, something wonderful is about to start afresh. In your love life: Is someone trying to flatter you with reverse psychology' to get support for a plan? Don't be too easily manipulated.

If you're worrying that you've been pushing your luck too far recently, July brings reassurance. You could sit back and stop pushing and you'd still find yourself heading in the right direction. You know where you want to be, and you know the best route to get there. You're willing and able to do everything within your power to assure success. But, with such a powerful cosmic helping hand coming your way, there's a chance that your efforts could slow the process down. Take time to relax this month. In your love life: Your willingness to speak out sets you apart. But sometimes you may need to proceed along more conventional lines.

Over the course of July you'll re-establish control in an area of your life that's been out of balance for a while. The Solar Eclipse at the start of the month brings the realisation that you can no longer pour your valuable energy into trying to maintain the status quo. It's your sense of loyalty which has made you feel responsible for something, and you don't want to let anyone down. Yet, as a wave of change reshapes the landscape, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Most things in your life are more right than you think. In your love life: A relationship, this week, hardly matches the textbook definition of comforting'. Yet it has its own magic.

Life, as Macbeth tells us, is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing'. In a month packed full of astrological action, it's worth remembering Shakespeare's words. As you witness dramatic moves and questionable decisions, you need to keep your sense of perspective. Don't allow anyone to tempt you into unnecessary arguments or pessimism, and have faith in your feelings about what's really going on. Although things seem intense, you're being taken care of by a kindly sky. In your love life: Recent dramas have taken a lot out of you; coming events offer the power you need to create change that can bring joy.

With a Solar Eclipse heralding an action-packed astrological July, it's time to break the rules, challenge tradition and question the norms. Well some of them! This month, there are certain forces that you shouldn't and mustn't ignore or defy. Although you're being gifted with strength and power, you're not going to turn into an actual superhero. So, you need to assess what you can and can't do; be respectful of boundaries that won't shift, and focus on what's possible. Then, success is guaranteed. In your love life: Happily, the more you discover about someone, the more you appreciate them; the same will be true for them about you.

Why consult your forecast for the month when you just could toss a coin? Surely, if the cosmos wants to guide you in a certain direction, it can send you hundreds of signs to point you the right way. Come to mention it that's exactly what it is doing! That's something I can confidently tell you. I also know that you already know the answer to your most important question. You just need to find enough self-confidence to trust what your heart's telling you and be guided by it. Do that and you won't go wrong. In your love life: An old row became a habit; antipathy is reciprocated. Yet tension can be diffused and hearts can be liberated soon.

No wonder so many ancient kings made themselves Sun Gods. It must be amazing to be the Sun; at the centre of everything, with all the other planets twirling as they circle around you at their varying speeds and distances. You'd be able to watch the patterns unfolding and repeating, knowing that you were the cause of this great cosmic dance. Yet you'd also be powerless to stop it. The drama evolving around you has an air of inevitability about it. Luckily, you can just allow it to happen. It will resolve itself. In your love life: When we offer freedom, we break chains and allow the bright, inspiring growth of emotional discovery. That delight awaits you.

This month, which begins with a powerful Solar Eclipse, promises to take you on an adventure. Yet, you can't set off on an escapade and then start to moan when your life starts to get challenging. So, make sure that you investigate before throwing yourself head first into a venture. You don't want to trick yourself, or be misled by anyone into making the wrong choice. You don't have to remain implicated in a drama that's already started to unfold either. Look for something that looks positive. Then, enjoy it! In your love life: You can't change anyone else now but you can change yourself. Not overnight but it can happen. You'll be glad if you try.

They tell us that to err is human and to forgive' well in order to do that we need to be superhuman. Don't even think about the advantages of having super-strength, or the ability to fly.You already have the power you need to be able to turn July into a month that you'll remember. It comes from the magical combination of your sensitivity and your compassion. Be encouraged by the energy of the Solar Eclipse. In order for miracles to happen, you just need to be prepared to go with the flow and let go. In your love life: Dare you reach to fulfil an amazing aspiration? This may be the wisest move you can make for the good of your heart.

Success isn't just about hard work. You can pedal as hard as you like on a bike, but if the chain has slipped off the wheel, you won't get anywhere. Yet, if this were to happen at the top of a hill, you'd be able to coast to your destination, without having to put in any effort at all. This month, you can be inspired by the energy of the Solar Eclipse, and easily work out a strategy to cope with an unsatisfactory scenario. And, when you apply your mind to matters of the heart, you'll find an easy route to the destination you desire. In your love life: When you rise above tension and promote harmony, you discover your adult' self. You can sooth a difficult situation.

Ta-dah! Here's a top hat. I'm going to wave my magic wand and produce a rabbit! Now, here's a tiny seed. I'm going to plant it in the earth and it will become a tree! The first of these is a magic trick; an illusion, and the second is an oft repeated miracle just part of the repertoire of our planet's greatest magician, Mother Nature. Her tricks aren't always fast, but they're very productive. July, which begins with a powerful Solar Eclipse, brings opportunities to set wonderful things in motion. Give them space to grow. In your love life: Can we always be sure we understand the dynamics of our closest relationships? Be brave enough to share what you truly feel.

July brings clarity where there's been uncertainty. The month kicks off with a powerful Solar Eclipse which brings new understanding and enables you to start putting down roots and building stronger foundations. The sense of having to rush is slipping away, and you can take your time to make key decisions. Rose-tinted spectacles have never been your style; you prefer to see things as they truly are. So the undeniable feeling of romance you'll experience this month, can be acted upon with confidence. In your love life: In your quest to pluck an apple from the top of a tree, beware where you place your ladder lest you bruise lower-hanging fruit.

The good news is that you don't need to put all your efforts and attention into sorting out all your problems this week. Taking a steady, tenacious approach will be much more efficient. It's time to revitalise your list of priorities and set yourself a realistic goal. If you can find the self-discipline to go through your list, moving through each of the items (regardless of whether you feel as if you've made progress or not) you'll be on the right track. Persistence is key. If you keep trying, there's no doubt you'll succeed. In your love life: Gently test the ground before you step too far forward. But fear not. If you are open-hearted, much joy will be found.

Although many of us dream of living in a white minimalist space, with neatly arranged contents, no clutter and no overflowing cupboards, life has a tendency to be colourful and messy; and this is reflected in our homes. Even the people who manage to achieve the perfect look' will have hidden drawers full of keys, cables and things that might come in useful one of these days'. Nature abhors a vacuum, so the spaces fill. So it is with our emotions. Yet this week, there is something important that you really can throw away. In your love life: Some people stir up drama because it gives them emotional satisfaction. What seems awkward may yet prove to be fine.

Let's imagine that you've gone to the shops. You're in your favourite shopping mall and have bought the perfect present for someone special. You've spent a lot of time thinking about what to purchase and you're happy with your choice. Then, you're faced with a wrapping paper decision. Should you go for green or pink? What a dilemma! It's not a hard decision yet you're thrown into uncertainty by it. If you find yourself stressing over a decision this week, remember that it's more trivial than it appears. In your love life: If there concern about any issue, don't indulge it. Stay calm and you will find it's all a large teacup, housing a small storm.

Some people love talking. It hardly seems to matter what they say; as long as they can hear the sound of their own voice they're happy. Fortunately, there are also people who love listening. They don't seem to mind sitting through dull discussions. Evidence of this is easily found with a quick scan through the radio channels; it's easy to conclude that we don't mind what we hear or what we say. Except that you're an exception to that rule. Don't take other people's views too seriously this week. In your love life: Opportunities revolve around the need to be more giving, regardless of how others act. Your generosity will be rewarded.

We don't always find it easy to gauge how much power we have. Nor is it always easy to tell how much control we have over our choices. There are times when it feels as if the world is our oyster; when we're capable of achieving just about anything, and others when it seems as if the world is against us and we can't take a step forward without having to take two in the opposite direction. This week, as your ruler makes powerful links, you have opportunities to call the shots. Enjoy the benefits of a helpful, kindly sky. In your love life: Have you made an unfair assumption? Look closely and find a much stronger, more realistic state of mutual respect.

With Venus in your sign, the fairy of good fortune is at work in your life. Wherever you go, it's as if she's been there before you, preparing the way and creating an atmosphere of welcome. When your heart is full of compassion and you're acting with generosity towards other people, it creates a beneficial response from the cosmos. This explains the wave of serendipity you'll experience this week. So, if you're hoping for something specific, keep hopeful, and actively move towards it. You won't be disappointed. In your love life: Do you have unrealistic dreams? What's attainable may not match the fantasy but it will satisfy your emotional needs.

It's not possible to explain all the intricacies and miracles that are going on here on planet Earth. Sometimes, things happen just because they happen; and they exist, just because they exist. Not even the top scientists or religious and spiritual leaders are able to explain these phenomena. Which doesn't mean that some people don't have a lot to say about anything that seems to be a mystery. This week, under a helpful cosmic sky, rather than asking why things are good, just enjoy them. In your love life: Why must conflict on a point of principle, spoil what could be a deeply fulfilling link. Make a brave choice: heart over head.

Why don't we use this time to have a nice discussion about this week's weather forecast? Or would you rather talk about your favourite team's next competitive event? Or the current state of international affairs? Sorry? That's not what you had in mind? Even though one big issue is taking centre stage in your life, you need to be distracted! With playful Mercury entering your sign, you're in a position to regain valuable perspective. Then you'll realise the advantage of keeping your options open. In your love life: The skies herald change. What was once strong, but wrong, may be weakening. Find the emotional connection.

I've had an idea about doing things a little differently this week. You're going to write your own forecast! So, what sort of a week do you think you're going to have? Is there anything looming on your horizon that you need to be watching out for? Or can you expectantly hope for a long-awaited positive development? When you pay attention to your inner responses to these questions you can see that you actually can predict your own future! Your outlook can be just as good as you believe it can be. In your love life: The cosmos suggests there is something you both need to review. It may be tense but will yet be highly liberating.

It's easy to provoke some people. And interestingly, some of the topics that caused heated debates in the time of our grandparents can still stir up a storm. There are controversial topics that will never be sorted by politicians or psychologists; they'll be with us for as long as we're here on planet Earth. We can either get into them or rise above them. This week, with your ruler Venus making powerful, positive connections, you don't need to be dragged into any debates. Do what makes life most enjoyable for you. In your love life: Relationships are healthiest if you can develop the art of forgiveness. The only ideal that truly matters now is honesty.

It's much easier to give advice than to take it. We're all much better at solving other people's problems than we are at dealing with our own. Policies and plans might sound easy to execute, but they take on a life of their own when applied to our individual lifestyles and complicated relationships. You've been feeling a little confused recently. You don't feel inspired to follow the most logical route forwards. Planetary forces suggest that these are exceptional times. Do what you think is right. In your love life: Physical and emotional chemistry are key. But rapport can be even more crucial. Keep channels of communication open.

Time slips by. Whilst some things hardly alter, others dramatically change. This is fine as long as you're able to hold on to what you want to keep in your life and let go of the things you've grown out of. The difficulties and pain come when it's the other way around. None of us have supreme control of the cosmos. This week, with Venus linking to your ruling planet Jupiter, don't be surprised to find yourself inspired to go along with whatever's happening. Miracles happen when we're willing to go with the flow. In your love life: Are all your expectations justified? A situation is not ideal in every way now, but it still has so much to offer all concerned.

As the parent of a young child, it's not easy to know when to say no. Is it best to keep firm, non-negotiable boundaries? Or is it better to give children the freedom to explore and experiment and allow them to be more adventurous? When they're naughty, should they be shouted at or talked to? The truth is that we have ideas about how to behave, yet find ourselves breaking our own behavioural codes. Over this Solstice week, there's much to be gained if you tap into your natural integrity. In your love life: A fact must be faced. If that's seen as a compromise, not a sacrifice, the world will give back to you in delightful ways.

There are more questions than answers' is a well-known lyric to a catchy tune. Yet I'd like to put forward a case for the opposite being true; that would explain why there's more than one answer to a question! It's also why we tend to ask ourselves the same questions over and over again because each time, we come up with a different answer. You've been feeling exasperated by a series of frustrating dilemmas which have been impossible to resolve. This Solstice week brings a welcome answer to a puzzle. In your love life: Persistence pays. How sad if you dropped out of a race moments before you could have won. Listen to your heart.

A factor in your world feels wrong'. Since this is affecting your emotional life, it's having a profound effect on your sense of wellbeing. You're feeling upset and unnerved, and your ability to focus on the positive aspects of your world are being undermined. This week, the Solstice reveals the way for you to get to grips with an issue that needs to be dealt with. You might not be able to sweep a tricky situation completely out of your life, but you'll find a way of sorting it that makes you feel much better. In your love life: Problems? Less about getting what you want, more about getting less of what you don't want. You may yet succeed!

Although honesty is the best policy, it's never a good idea to tell everyone your truth. It's important to choose the right person and the right time before divulging precious information; and spilling the beans' can sometimes lead to a mess. This Solstice week, some things are for you to know and for other people to find out. If you're asked a straight question, respond with a straight answer. But, in matters of the heart, discretion is the best policy. Choose the right moment before sharing your deepest feelings. In your love life: Give as fully as your heart is inspired to share. Accept what is freely, lovingly offered. More than that may be asking too much.

Many ideas are great when they're in the theoretical stage, but not so straightforward when it comes to putting them into practice. You're currently embroiled in the real-life consequences of an ambitious project. A series of unpredictable events has created a degree of turmoil which is putting you off track and causing you to doubt the brilliance of an original idea. As we approach the Solstice, all you need to do is adjust to the latest development. This week, you can still make great progress. In your love life: Don't inflame a silly situation; let it heal. Your heart won't be the only thing that thrives as a result of a forgiving gesture.

We're all capable of putting ourselves through needless misery. When we project our fears into the future, we tie ourselves up in knots of anxiety. What if' questions lead to us prejudge what's on the horizon before it becomes part of our reality. Then we wonder why our lives feel stuck. Don't waste the powerful energy of this Solstice week worrying about something that hasn't even happened. Real magic is on offer. If you make space for it, you'll see the glittering bright potential that lies before you. In your love life: Beware of pressure this week. A misunderstanding can be resolved, as long as it isn't made into an unnecessary row.

The Solstice always empowers you. It gives you courage to say and do things that make people sit up and take notice. Even if you're unaware of the consequences of the change in your confidence, the respect you gain stays with you and you benefit from its effects. Rather than focusing on what's not quite up to your standards, try, this Solstice week, to seek out the positives and work with them. The cosmos brings the gifts of energy and innovation. With confidence, you can make a brilliant decision. In your love life: Possibilities revolve around opportunities to be more self-contained. As you do that, you may find yourself more in demand.

What would Will Shakespeare have thought if he'd known that his plays would feature in school curriculums and be the focus of exam questions across the world? I wonder if it would have influenced his stories? One of his famous lines about sound and the fury signifying nothing' might have been written for your forecast this week. The Solstice signals the end of an alarm that's been ringing in your life. You can stop letting someone else's worries affect your own. It's time to make your own noise! In your love life: We all need to be less of a victim of our needs! Push aside an irrelevant aspiration; find freedom to seek lasting fulfilment.

Most of the time, people don't actually mean to behave badly towards others. Usually, they're unaware that their actions are causing offence, or don't understand that they're causing upset. When we're on the receiving end though, it's hard to believe that we're not being subjected to deliberate treatment. We wonder how they could be so inconsiderate whilst they wonder why we're being so sensitive. This Solstice week, rather than falling into the blame trap, there's a lot to be gained by seeking peace. In your love life: Surrounded by needy 'takers'. Draw a line. Make firm distinctions. Put aside any insecurities; trust your deepest feelings.

With the Solstice comes the return of clarity. You're already starting to feel less baffled or befuddled by the confusing scenario you've been so caught up in. Over the next few days not only will your understanding will be as clear as it needs to be, but you'll also see why you needed to become so lost. Real appreciation of the intricacies of a situation can be gained only through experiencing it. What you now know is really worth knowing and will, as you're also about to see, be immensely valuable. In your love life: Don't cling too tight to a fantasy. If you judge your reality now you should recognise how much you have to be glad of.

What's stopping things from going as well as you'd like? You're worried that because a certain arrangement hasn't worked out in the past, it won't go right this time either. Yet an intermittent fault in your TV doesn't mean that you can't watch it most of the time. It's because you care so deeply about this particular project that you've forgotten the difference between often' and always'. The Solstice is a clear sign that a silver lining can be found, just where you least expect it this week. In your love life: You won't master every situation this week, but you will gain an insight that does much to improve a key relationship.

The world is full of folk who like to give advice. There's nothing they like better than telling us what we're doing wrong or what we should' be doing. Often they have no experience of the matter they're advising on. In fact, the more insistent they are, the less knowledge they have. When we really know something, we tend to keep quiet until we're asked for advice. An expert' in your world knows less than they think. Don't give your power away this Solstice week the best person to trust is yourself. In your love life: An upturn is coming. Stay calm through one more set of brief frustrations, then magical rewards will start coming your way.

Your world has been spinning faster than usual. You've been almost frenetically busy; either dashing around under relentless pressure or aware of commitments you've made that must be kept. Even when you've had time to relax, you've been unable to let go of the tension. The best news, would be to hear that this is the week when your problems will be sorted. But life's not that simple. Although they won't all be solved, the encouraging cosmic climate promises you can find ways to make them less important. In your love life: Understanding another's needs and motives may be trickier than you expect it to be now - but it is not impossible!

Just because your mind functions as well as a computer, there's no guarantee that you always make the right decisions. Your innovative thinking shows you new ways around problems, but you still can't see the whole picture. Why not? Because you're human! One of the joys of experiencing the complications integral to life on planet Earth is the realisation that happiness is not dependent on knowledge. Listen to your heart this week. As the Sun and Jupiter connect, you know what you need to do. In your love life: Don't fear the power someone has over you; for you have true power over them. Respect and integrity are your strong suits.

A block of wood might not look interesting, but if it's holding up the table you're sitting at, or keeping a window ajar, it's serving a very useful purpose. You're involved in a process which might not look particularly exciting, but it is extremely practical. In the approach to the Jupiter and Neptune alignment, there's a chance to move on from a situation that's been causing you trouble. This is an opportunity to find a jewel that's been hidden in a mundane part of your life. A key to happiness is within reach this week. In your love life: Someone has drawn a line. Trust that, trust them and, despite the challenging nature of the skies right now, they will trust you too.

Give yourself a well-deserved medal. Actually, you deserve more than one. You can have one for persistence, another for endurance and one more for patience in the face of adversity. You've certainly been through a lot. You might not feel as if you've handled the stress particularly well, but you're not in the right place to judge that. Other people can see that, under difficult circumstances, you've done remarkably. And with the current astrological climate, you're about to do even better! This week brings a lucky break. In your love life: Wherever in your world there is a struggle to keep the peace, there will soon be a far greater sense of rapport.

Something is irritating you. It feels as if there's an unfair inequality in a situation you're embroiled in, and you can't work out how to remedy it. You could easily spend the entire week feeling hot and bothered about this. But it would be better to accept that there's a limit to what you can do. If something appears to be going wrong there's a chance that it might be going wrong for the right reasons! You've done all you can to encourage a discussion about a delicate situation. Trust in that and allow yourself to let go. In your love life: You can control how dramatic events become. If you want a situation to calm down, merely watch what you add to the pot.

You're preparing yourself. It's as if you think you're going to be dealing with someone (or something) demanding and draining. No wonder you're polishing off your metaphorical suit of armour. With a battle looming, you're preparing to deal with the consequences of courageously saying something that could cause controversy and put peoples' defences up. Yet whilst it's true that you face a challenge, the Sun's link with Jupiter indicates that the cavalry is on its way. You'll be delighted with how things work out. In your love life: Let others know how highly you think of them. Where genuine praise is deserved, offer it and it will be returned in kind.

What's the best way to get rid of a problem? Well, it's obvious isn't it? Solve it! Yet the moment you do, it's as if an invisible sign announces the fact that you're a successful problem solver and before you know it, people will be queuing up for help with their woes. Some people prefer to ignore anything that's not going well but that's not a solution either. So what's the best way to approach your current difficulty? Learn to love it! Every challenge holds positivity. Find that, and the problem will disappear. In your love life: Things look likely to go well for you soon. One little moment of insight will show you that you have all the power you need.

Would you believe me if I told you that everything's about to get easier? I suppose it's a bit like telling someone who's stuck in a downpour that things are about to get a lot drier. Meanwhile, all they can see are the grey clouds overhead. Yet you can feel that you're moving in the right direction. And, as your ruler links with lucky Jupiter this week, you'll be able to see why this particular journey has been so worthwhile. The gift of acceptance brings a change of heart which will free you from worry. All will be fine. In your love life: Don't fight your critics. Just drop your own criticism of someone else and they will become less critical of you.

The saying there's no smoke without fire' was rendered obsolete when dry ice was invented! That's how unpredictable our world is. We think we know what we're dealing with; that we've got all the bases covered, when suddenly something new pops up and throws everything out of alignment. Don't assume you know what you're up against. You're feeling pessimistic because you're being reminded of a past mistake. Yet, what's unfolding is very different. As you're about to discover, Jupiter is bringing optimism into your world. In your love life: You feel a little vulnerable. Your world may seem short of refuges and safe places. Face it. Be persistent. It will pay off for you.

Just take a look at the state of the world; so much injustice and misery. It can't have happened by accident; somebody must be to blame. So who's going to take responsibility for it? Why couldn't it be your fault? Well for precisely the same reason that the blame for all the problems in your life can't be placed at your feet. In truth, it's an act of selfishness to believe that you're responsible for so much. As the Sun and Jupiter combine their energies, let go of your guilt and enjoy the good things the week brings. In your love life: You can aid a delicate situation as much by what you don't say, as by what you do, you can exert a helpful healing influence.

In those moments when life feels like a never-ending struggle, it's okay to stop, stand back, and take a break from the difficult situation you're embroiled in. From a different vantage point you can appreciate life, with all of its quirks and foibles for the precious gift that it is. This week, as we move towards the Jupiter/Neptune link, you're being encouraged to find time to do something lovely. If you reach towards the brightest outcome, you'll see that a troublesome situation is less problematic than it seems. In your love life: Sometimes you have to just dive in. Discretion is usually the better part of valour. Not always. Is this such a time?

Every time we think we've moved on from the past, it has a tendency to catch up with us and tap us on the shoulder. You keep trying to negotiate with yesterday so that you can be free to enjoy a trouble-free tomorrow. Yet despite your best efforts, discussions seem to end up going nowhere and you find yourself back dealing with the very same situation you wanted to leave behind. As the Sun energises your ruling planet, Jupiter, it brings you the momentum you need to move on. You're about to be unstoppable. In your love life: Don't make a song and dance of it. Softly, softly... even if you are an excitable Sagittarian and there is drama in the skies!

When you know you're being deceived, you're not being deceived. You can only be misled when you're unaware of it. Sometimes, ridiculous things are done by people who think they're being smart. This month, the powerful effect of your ruling planet, Saturn, indicates that you will find skilful ways to manage complex, changing situations which complicate your commitments. You'll do very well in June, as long as you remember not to doubt the courage of your convictions. Aim as high as you dare. In your love life: Where a change is overdue in your personal life, a happy, unplanned event this week can set a wonderful process in motion.

When you look back, it's hard to imagine other people living in houses you've inhabited, or driving cars you used to drive. These things were yours, and now they are not. You've moved on and you're focused on other things. Nothing in our lives is permanent which is why we need to cherish what we have, whilst holding on to a sense of perspective. That's what you need to have in June. As you embrace a new perception of what matters to you most, you'll find a new way of realising your potential. In your love life: You are full of assertive energy. But the reward for allowing a situation to evolve may soon be a welcome, loving gesture.

Just a glance at a newspaper or online newsfeed is enough to show what's going on in the world. The news is rarely positive. Yet, is this a reflection of the truth, or could it be the way details are reported and shared with the audience'? I mention this because your own inner news desk' has an agenda of its own this month. Although there will be exciting headlines and a few dramatic moments, there are also plenty of good news' stories developing. Just don't let your nerves get in the way of your hopes. In your love life: Are there gestures someone dare not make for fear of being badly judged? Encourage a little courage this week.

Although we don't think of imagination as being a practical skill, pragmatic people understand that a lot can be gained by idling' time away. When we try too hard to make every second count, we end up setting impossible standards and raising expectations. There's nothing practical to be gained by that. Rather than concentrating too hard, over the course of this exciting month, by taking a steady approach you'll find that your vision becomes clearer. You'll have time to enjoy the benefits of your efforts too. In your love life: Can a difficulty be resolved? A small gesture, not necessarily romantic, may be all that's needed to make that happen.

We assume that in order to get on with people, we need to have lots in common. Yet, even harmonious relationships involve an element of struggle. In the best ones, the power ebbs and flows dynamically. When interpersonal associations run too smoothly, we often lose interest. We need challenges to keep us on our toes. This month, try to remember the positive effects which result from being in a position of tension. The more comfortable you are with being stretched, the greater the gains will be. In your love life: Be aware of intriguing suggestions. Trust your intuition to tell you when you have been singled out as a target!

Should you be courageous or cautious this month? With such exciting astrological energies acting on you, innovation is in the air. You might even prefer to try an approach which resonates with a sense of how things ought' to be. A past experience is going to prove immensely valuable, as you embark on a new phase of your life's journey. As your spirit of adventure is emboldened, you'll find ways to develop old talents so that they fit new situations. Your ability to adapt is the key to your success. In your love life: We can't change each other. But we can change ourselves an act of wisdom likely to produce a delightful reward.

You have a lot to be grateful for. Soon, though, you'll have even more reasons to be thankful. That's not to say that you won't, over the course of June, have reasons to be infuriated too! Your problems aren't all about to disappear over the horizon. Yet, in this Solstice month, any gathering clouds will have a shimmer of sunlight shining through. June brings hope, in the form of inspired ideas and promising news. There's the potential for sincere support too. Keep looking for the silver lining; it's within easy reach. In your love life: Just as important as it is to believe in yourself, you must be sincere about your willingness to please someone else.

It's not easy to sit back and rest on your laurels when you know something needs to be done. But sometimes, inaction is better than action; and this month, there's a lot to be gained from holding back rather than jumping into the fray. To manage this, you'll need to rise above criticism from those who'd prefer you to leap into action. You'll also have to manage your own sense of guilt. Patience is not easy to find when there's so much going on. Choose the right moment, act with confidence, and success is yours. In your love life: Engage in a gentle, honest conversation. That act of giving will guide Cupid straight to the heart of a sensitive situation!

Victory can be dangerous; it can affect us like an intoxicating drink. Failure is equally powerful; it can anaesthetise us to signs of hope. Fortunately, even though we try to hold on to the first of these, the effects of both are short-lived. When we hang on too tightly to success, we grow overconfident and lose touch with our emotions. Powerful astrological events this month will bring new perspective to recent disappointments. What you perceived to be a loss is going to turn out to be a delightful gain. In your love life: The helpful position of the planets suggests that happy developments are likely. You're heading in the right direction.

Since the journey through life is full of crossroads and hairpin bends, it's not easy to spot a short-cut. Sometimes, what appears to be a time-saving manoeuvre turns out to involve so many complications that it ultimately ends up slowing you down. This month, as Jupiter and Neptune align, they draw your attention to an easier route to follow. With Venus, your ruler, acting as a catalyst, you'll be enthused to stride out with confidence. Put your best foot forward and you'll love the destination you're heading to. In your love life: Communications are often surprisingly restricted. This week brings a rare opportunity for greater honesty and comfort.

If this month were a song, it would be playing at a late-night party, with the bass notes making your windows vibrate! After failing to block out the sound, you'd be on your way round to get the music turned off. But, as you approached the source you'd realise that you were moving to a new groove. Despite your best effort to stay annoyed, you'd find yourself joining the party and dancing the night away. Be ready to enjoy something you don't think you like. If you listen carefully you'll hear that June is playing your song! In your love life: Are there some key issues that should be taken into account? You won't regret making the allowances for them.

Ideas are everywhere: Why don't you try this?' Why don't you do that?' Yet, there are many people who are resistant to change. That won't work here.' That's not what's needed.' That's why it's hard to be innovative. So what do you need to do in order to create a new dynamic approach which will allow you to show your flair this month? As your ruler aligns with Neptune, it brightens your vision and focuses your enthusiasm, leaving you with no choice. It might not be easy, but you must follow your dream. In your love life: Ignore stress and strain. The sky insists you can work a miracle, in your personal or emotional life, this exciting week.

You're feeling frustrated with the way a situation is developing. Despite your effort to find a way for everyone to have their say, someone seems to be doing everything in their power to slow progress to a halt. You're up against an obstacle that just won't budge. A nonsensical rule seems to be in the way; between you and where you want to go. Don't, whatever you do, give up this week. Try not to let the irritation get to you. You've become over-sensitive, which is why this problem seems so big. It's not as serious as it looks. In your love life: You have handled some difficult adjustments well. Your reward is this week's significant upturn in your emotional outlook.

They say that we always hurt the people we love'. So, if that's true we might as well love our enemies that will guarantee that we end up hurting them! It's an expression that makes no sense. Of course we're not meant to hurt our nearest and dearest. Neither is there a guarantee that we'll love the people we hurt though, maybe more people function that way than we like to think. The cosmos offers you insight into patterns of behaviour this week. Once you've identified them, you can break free and move on. In your love life: Be humble enough to replace an assumption with a willingness to empathise, and your personal life will benefit enormously.

Are you a passenger on a high-speed train, heading into an exciting new future, or are you still trundling along on the same old track, stuck at familiar junctions and finding it hard to make yourself comfortable? This week, as your ruler Neptune is energised, you get to make a choice about how to proceed. You're being given a burst of energy, which can be used to make a bold move forwards. Your task is to push any negativity to the side including your own. The map to the best journey is found in your heart. Follow that. In your love life: You wish things could take a different turn. They will. If what you give out is good, only good will come of all that happens.

Suppose I were to tell you that your week was going to be filled with difficulties at every turn? You'd probably just shrug your shoulders, and think, so what's new?' Your world seems to have been full of so many challenges recently that you've almost forgotten what it's like to live a normal life. No wonder that you're primed, and ready for the next obstacle. It's even beginning to feel as if it's what you deserve. This week, though, take comfort from the news that there's no problem too big for you to solve. In your love life: Remaining open to the possibility of learning something new will make a delightful difference to your personal life.

Are you dreaming of an improvement in your financial situation? Hoping for a change of circumstances? I need to be cautious here. I certainly don't want to raise your expectations too high. Neither, though, do I want to downplay the potential you have to improve a stressful situation this week. With Venus in your sign, adding extra oomph to an expansive, creative cosmic influence, it's important to be on the look-out for any opportunities that come into your vicinity. Take advantage of the luck that's on your side. In your love life: Answers can only come slowly. But they will come and when they come, you will feel deeply reassured by them all.

We'd all like to feel as if life were ticking along in the way it's supposed to. But, what if you're supposed' to be doing something that you don't feel that you should do? In this crazy world of ours, things aren't always as simple as we like to think. You want to be clear about the reasons why you're embarking on a new trajectory, but that's a tall order especially with dreamy Neptune's impact this week. When you start to trust and relax about your decision, you'll see that things are going exactly how they are supposed' to. In your love life: Are you being taken for granted? Don't you deserve something back? You can have it, if you apply a little discrimination.

Life is risky. Every time we use a knife, there's a chance that we'll cut ourselves. Every time we eat, there's a risk of food poisoning. Every time we walk across a road there's a remote possibility of an accident. If you were to take these fears to the extreme, you could start to worry about the very air that you breathe in case it's contaminated with something. This week, in the growing sense of excitement, you'll see that the scary confrontation you're anticipating is a lot of hot air. There's nothing you can't deal with. In your love life: You aren't over-exaggerating the encouraging signs you are starting to see this week. It truly is hopeful!

You've been through some tough times recently and are still in the process of recovery. What you need most, is a period of calm. Yet it's hard to shake off feeling that you have to keep moving, from one situation to another, to make sure everything is okay. You're still alert, with your metaphorical fire-fighting equipment on stand-by, ready to dash to the rescue. Yet there's an elusive quality to this week's potential. In your heart of hearts, you know you've done all you need to do. Try to let go. It's safe to enjoy yourself. In your love life: Don't give up. Coming events will restore lost faith. They will improve other aspects of your personal life, too.

Some people love doing the obvious; they are threatened by originality and difference because unpredictability makes them feel unsafe. As you consider the value of a piece of advice you've been given, don't be tempted to follow it just because it's acceptable'. Read as much (or as little) into it as you like. This week, the expansive and creative cosmic climate is encouraging you to act on what you feel, rather than what you think you ought to be feeling. If you follow your instincts, you'll reach a very satisfying decision. In your love life: You are struggling to make sense of someone. Why are they being as they are? Soon, you will gain an inspiring insight.

Sometimes, we spread ourselves too thin. This is usually the result of feeling anxious about not having enough of something. That's when we make false economies: purchasing cheaper versions of what we really want in order to save a penny or two. Or, because we feel overstretched, we hold ourselves back from investing in someone (or something) and end up being ineffectual. Your ruler, Venus, suggests that to get true value' from this week, you need to invest yourself wholeheartedly. The gains will delight you. In your love life: A beneficial change to the cosmic climate suggests you now have every reason to feel positive about your prospects.

Do you know the song about a lady who swallowed a dog? She swallowed it to catch a cat, which she'd swallowed to catch a mouse, which she'd swallowed to catch a spider, which she'd swallowed to catch a fly. The question is; why she swallowed the fly in the first place? Whatever the reason, her story has served as a great lesson on how NOT to treat a problem. Don't, this week, allow a solution to become more problematic than the actual problem. Something that looks troublesome, is much easier than you imagine. In your love life: The time is right to alter a habit, break a cycle, move on from an old way of being. It will bring positive impact.

Since the correct' way to pick a stick up is in the middle, when you grasp it by either extremity, you'll grab hold of the wrong end of the stick. You're someone who likes extremes and seeks intensity and passion. In fact, you find the things that fit into the common sense' area of life rather dull. When you try to show restraint, a part of you rebels. The more people put pressure on you to behave in a sensible' middle-of-the-road way, the more you court adventure. This week brings time to gently release some steam. In your love life: Venus is beckoning you to make it easy for someone to reach out to you. Delicately, gently, you can transform your world.

You're feeling more fragile than usual; and almost uncomfortably aware of how you've arrived at this particular point in your life. Although it's good to recognise how far you've come, it's also slightly unsettling. Yet this sensitivity is only possible because of your inner strengths. When we're feeling weak, adrenaline kicks in so that we don't have time to look at life's more fundamental mysteries. Even if the Full Moon stirs up questions, you can be confident that the most important aspects in your world are secure and safe. In your love life: All relationships involve give and take and clarity. Negotiations will go more smoothly where edges are not fuzzy!

Have you ever wondered what is happening to us when we dream? What do our nightly imaginative visions and images represent? As Venus links with your ruler, you're seeking to gain understanding of something important. It's as if the memory of a dream-like image is flitting through your mind. From the corner of your eye, you keep almost catching a clearer glimpse and understand the message it brings. Keep trusting in your intuitive powers this week. Follow your impulses. They're leading you in a profitable direction. In your love life: Someone is setting a tough agenda. Go along with it and try not to complain. The process will benefit you too.

Why do we need such a complicated judicial system when the truth is always so plain to see? Well I suppose now you come to mention it, we're all capable of grabbing hold of the wrong end of the stick. Problems arise when we come up against someone who feels passionate about something that's the opposite of our beliefs. We don't like to give way when we have strong views. Although the weekend brings awareness of a conflict, it also provides the way to construct a bridge of reconciliation. You can follow a peaceful path. In your love life: Someone's proving difficult. Express humility and willingness to start afresh. It's the only balm needed.

Welcome to the future. You're here. You've reached the point that you've been on your way towards, which has been tantalisingly beckoning you. It's not quite how you were expecting it to be? Well, you need to be careful before you critique it. After all, you're still in transit! Although this particular place might not be quite as you'd imagined, it is only from here that you'll be able to move on towards somewhere that you'll appreciate. Although this weekend might not be absolutely perfect, you're moving forwards in a perfect way. In your love life: Don't drive yourself crazy trying to understand what makes no sense. Just allow love to lead you wherever logic may fail.

The education system focuses on giving us a certain set of skills. We learn to read and write, add up and take away, and (perhaps more emphatically) to behave in the right' way. There are no lessons in how to develop intuitive skills, or on the art of communication and relationship building. Is it any wonder that we're all so stressed and pressured when we're taught to value financial gain more than love, and achievement more than happiness? The Full Moon brings a chance to follow your highest ideal with pride. In your love life: Your challenge involves accepting and respecting an aspect of someone else's personality that you don't find so easy.

Before judging anyone, we're advised to walk a mile in their shoes. Which is all well and good unless they have different-sized feet! None of us can ever really know how it feels to be someone else. In fact, how much do we really know about what it's like to be ourselves? Even your experience of you' depends on mood, time of day, what you're doing etc. This week, your ruler's link with the Sun, and their arrival in your sign, brings a burst of positivity. Feeling good about yourself will change your attitude towards others too. In your love life: Is magic attainable this week? Well, not overnight but you can take a big step towards a long-dreamed-of change.

It's hard to keep a sense of perspective when you're entangled in a web of urgent and complex situations. You can feel a sense of 'importance' in the air; something big is unfolding, but you don't know what it is. Yet there's no need to worry just because you don't fully understand. You don't need to pretend that you know what's going on. The Full Moon brings an empowering energy which encourages you to live from moment to moment, in a growing spirit of trust. The change that you're seeking is naturally unfolding. In your love life: You don't have to wait for others to do things, say things or start things. Be brave, take the initiative. You can.

In a quest to understand how things work, some people get great pleasure from taking machinery to pieces. The problems start when they try to put it back together again! We sometimes apply the same technique to our relationships. Some things though, are best left in the realms of mystery. They thrive as long as they're not interfered with. Yet when a situation goes awry, it needs attention. If something isn't working this week, you don't need to mend it or worry about it. Just invest more of your generous spirit. In your love life: It's hard to embrace unexpected developments. But something wonderful can yet happen, if you greet the new with trust.

When the sun shines it creates shimmery light on commonplace shiny surfaces. When night falls, those reflections disappear. In much the same way, when a shadow falls on our lives, everything appears to lose its glow. We find ourselves criticising situations that normally bring happiness. We start doubting ourselves, and turn small troubles into bigger problems. As your ruler Mercury links to the Sun this week, it brings the chance to isolate an unnerving issue and fix it. Then you'll be able to confidently move on. In your love life: Be less defensive over contentious issues. The potential for positive change is particularly strong and hopeful now.

Sometimes we need to go through a challenging process before arriving at a satisfying outcome. It's the only way to guarantee vital change. Yet we need to be careful that we don't end up thinking that we have to struggle in order to gain good things in our lives. Sometimes, life is easy. It doesn't always need to be full of tests and challenges. You've been resolutely coping with a difficult situation. Does that mean that you've earned the luck that's heading your way? Just enjoy this week's inspiring developments as they unfold. In your love life: Don't form an unlikely notion about what someone can do for you. Have they got an unrealistic expectation of you too?

It's hard to better the feeling you get when things go according to plan and almost impossible to feel okay when things don't work out. Really, we should be careful about linking our emotions to uncontrollable measures of success. The truth is that things that look perfect usually aren't as good as they appear, and blessings come disguised as problems. This weekend, with the Full Moon in your sign, even if a new development doesn't seem to hold much promise, it has the potential to bring lasting benefits your way. In your love life: A problem is taking up your energy. You are closer to a helpful, healing development than you imagine.

While it's true that life often seems to make us run as fast as we can just to stay in the same place, sometimes it takes the pressure off and we don't notice. We keep trying to sprint ahead and end up with the symptoms of burn out'. You don't need to do that this week. Yes, you're going to have to invest energy into a tiring exercise. But, the next moment, you'll realise that the problems have somehow worked themselves out and that you can relax. Instead of looking for trouble, look for comfort, and you'll find it. In your love life: Chemistry! In your heart, you know if you have it. If you haven't, give up! If you have, keep trying. Progress will come.

Sometimes you like to keep your own counsel. You don't want to talk about your problems, because you don't want to complain. You don't want to talk about your successes, because you don't want to boast. You don't want to talk about other people, because you don't want to gossip. You don't want to talk about yourself, because you're not narcissistic. No wonder you sometimes choose to just listen. This week though, you need to share some information with someone. Don't worry about the consequences. Trust in the truth. In your love life: Will a new connection add up to romantic magic? Well, wait and see. But there is no clear reason why it can't!

It's perfectly possible for you do be able to do what needs to be done this week. But you'll achieve more if you're willing to take your time. Your ability to adapt to changing situations means that you find it especially hard to wait for the right moment to act. Yet this week, as Mars changes signs, if you leap into action, you're liable to make unnecessary sparks fly. If you can summon up some patient determination, you'll discover an untapped inner resource that will help you attain your objective. Take it slowly and find success. In your love life: Tensions and troubles have undermined you somewhat. But now, strength and self-belief rightly return.

Superhuman powers come in lots of different guises. It's true that you're not able to leap over a skyscraper, or catch up with a speeding train. But you do have a special gift. In a psychic sense, you have x-ray vision; an innate ability to see through peoples' emotional barriers and understand their innermost thoughts and feelings. You can't tell what's in their mind, but you can empathise with what's going on in their heart. As Venus changes signs this week, your intuition is exceptionally strong. Follow your instincts. In your love life: Some people are easy, mostly, to get along with. Others are hard work. Coming soon in your emotional life? Vindication!

If you're trying to find rhyme and reason to the perplexing conundrum you're facing, I hope you've got a poetry evening or a maths lecture planned. They're as close as you're going to get to finding understanding. You are, after all, living on a molten, spinning ball of rock which defies comprehension. The billions of people living here must surely come for the chaotic, crazy adventure that life on planet Earth provides? Although this week won't supply the answer to the mystery you want to solve, it brings happiness your way. In your love life: Your story now is all about the need to allow for a challenge. That isn't going to be easy. But success is possible.

Although psychotherapists would like us to think that they agree about ways to deal with the dramas of life, they're not as united in their approach as we think. One thing they all seem to agree on though, is that we're all students, with more learning to do. So, if the so called experts' don't know what's going on, how are we ever going to be able to find the way to lead a peaceful and harmonious life? Fear not! As Venus, your ruler, enters your sign, you don't need to understand why things are improving. Just be glad that they are. In your love life: You can hardly resist a person with interesting beliefs. A splendid kind of chemistry will work in your favour this week.

If it's true that there are more questions than answers, we can only conclude that either some questions have the same answers, or some solutions just can't be fathomed. You've been struggling to find the way to ease a situation which seems to be generating more and more questions. Although your quick thinking mind enjoys a challenge, this baffling conundrum is becoming tiresome. As your ruler, Mercury, makes positive links, even though you may be mystified you're far from lost. You'll find the way this week. In your love life: Romance is more than a celebration of mutually shared values. You should enjoy this week's drama with a happy ending.

Messieurs et mesdames, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Cancerian extravaganza! This acrobatic (well, maybe some creative arm movements) flying through the air (well, moving faster than usual) world-class (well in the estimation of the important people in your life) amazing event is brought to you by the power planet Mars as it enters into the sign of (fanfare of trumpets) Cancer! Finally! Progress is possible. A stuck situation is about to start moving. Things are different. Enjoy the spectacle. It will be fun. In your love life: There may be a problem but it is minor and easily resolved. Focus (and build on) the happiest hope in your heart.

Some folk believe that nothing will ever improve unless it's forced to change. They never let the grass grow under their feet. Others live their lives following a different maxim; they figure that the less we do, the wiser we grow. They believe that things will sort themselves out, so long as they're not interfered with. As a Leo, you understand that there's a time to be impassioned and a time to be detached. As the power planet Mars moves into a new sector of the sky, be prepared to take action. Follow your heart this week. In your love life: I gently draw your attention to an interest someone else is taking in you. If you don't have a reason to reject it, accept it.

You've learned to be an expert at turning a blind eye to things you can't bear to see. You can put a mental filter up, so that you're able to ignore bothersome noise even difficult relationships. It's only when you have a break from what's normal' that you see what you've been putting up with. As your ruler makes positive links, you'll become aware of a situation you should probably have objected to a long time ago. There's no point losing time wondering why you allowed things to stay the same. Just enjoy the change. In your love life: Statements of praise are not, in your case, hyperbole. You are held in the highest regard. Enjoy! It is no less than you deserve.

As Venus, your ruler, moves into a new home, things will suddenly start to make more sense. Yet that's not a reason to feel under pressure to make a decision. If you bide your time this week, things will start to make even greater sense! Since an aspect of your life has felt as uncertain as a walk across a tightrope recently, it's no wonder you feel unconvinced by the prospect of a period of stability. Hold tight though. Your efforts to create calm haven't been in vain. Even if there's a surprise in store, it will be a reassuring one. In your love life: If you have taken a chance on love lately, here's where you get to be glad of it. If not, here's your chance!

People say that we should be careful what we wish for in case we get it. I don't know about you but I've always struggled with this. I think it's said because we all have inappropriate dreams and desires. We think we know what we want, yet when we get it we realise that it isn't quite what we'd thought. Yet there are times when our wishes don't come true because of our poor timing. We get what we need, but our lives have moved on. This week, let go of old wishes and focus on what you really want. You might just get it. In your love life: Venus moves to a new sector of the sky. Open your heart to the idea the world can supply a new reason to feel hopeful.

You'd like to be able to move into this week embodying the totally focused mindset you've been practising recently. You've clearly defined your priorities and have identified the most likely way to successfully approach them. But, as Mars changes signs, if you wind yourself up too tightly, there's a good chance that you'll move backwards rather than forwards. If you stand back, and take another look at this situation, you'll see that there's a simpler way to proceed. A different perspective will easily clear any residual confusion. In your love life: Your strong sense of connection to someone is now too powerful to ignore. Trust that it is positive.

No one is an island. We don't stand alone in the ocean of life. We're all inhabitants of this little spinning ball of rock; we breathe the same air and drink from the same sources of water. We're social beings, interdependent, and relying on each other for survival. It's easy to lose sight of this perspective though, especially when we're caught up in a mire of difficulties. The New Moon highlights a hidden, but helpful, influence that is acting upon you. Awareness of the support you're receiving should give you great strength this week. In your love life: Alter the signals you are sending out by subtly acknowledging how you may be able to do someone a favour.

Your innovative style and individuality means that you revel in challenges and enjoy the unknown. Just the thought of being predictable is enough to send you off in search of an adventure. The only problem is that sometimes, when you find a formula that works, you feel obliged to change it! It's even possible that you somehow unconsciously break things so that you can practise your legendary ability to sort things out. Drama and urgency may be the bywords of your life this week, but everything will turn out rather well. In your love life: Only unique and interesting types develop an appetite for your company. If you've got the best, you don't need the rest!

Problematical situations are all very well in theory, but you're dealing with a situation that's very real and demanding. You've been forced to think outside of the box and explore a challenging option. Yet nothing seems to address the reality you're facing. The New Moon brings the chance to put an urgent matter down so that you can deal with the needs of the present moment. You might be dealing with uncertainties, but your instinct knows more than your intellect does. This situation is much less worrying than you fear. In your love life: Trust the supernatural knowledge becoming available; be delicate how you reveal your awareness. There's much to gain.

We all have our favourite meals; tried and tested familiar recipes that leave us feeling satisfied and content. Although experimenting with new dishes can be fun, we return to what we know. Although there are areas of life in which you like to be adventurous, for some reason you've stopped short of trying something that is out of the ordinary (and potentially very exciting). It's unlike you to be so reticent. Could it be that this is a turning point? If you learn to like the flavour of this challenge it will be very much to your taste. In your love life: If you like what you feel now, that's fine. If not, remember your own power to change this.

After a bustling few weeks, you might be hoping to put your feet up. Before you settle comfortably on your sofa, I need to give you some advance warning about the cosmic boost of energy that's on its way. The New Moon, in your sign, brings an inspiring dynamic to a project that has been bubbling under the surface for a while. This week brings the chance to follow a new path towards a goal that your heart has been quietly nudging you towards. There will be time for some rest and relaxation, but don't miss the moment to act. In your love life: Time for karma. Make amends and you can make a difference, vastly improving the here and now of your heart.

Have you ever been in a cave and heard the drip-drip-drip of water gradually seeping through the limestone rocks? That's the sound of stalactites slowly forming. Although you feel frustrated by the length of time you're taking to complete a stage of your life, things are moving faster than you think. It's just that the key is out of your hands. Since this week's Mars/Jupiter link brings a burst of energy that will move events on, you can use this waiting time wisely. You'll be glad of the energy you've saved when things fall into place. In your love life: Work, this week, on improving your understanding of someone. This will either help to heal a wound or build a bridge.

Although the Beatles were on the right track when they sang 'All you need is love', it's sometimes hard to see what progress the world is making towards living in peace, harmony and understanding. It's a bit like trying to replace junk food with wholegrain salads we aspire to it, but in the meantime, it's sometimes easier to have a takeaway! Thus we continue to argue. On some level, we must enjoy disagreement. Yet this week, the New Moon brings a sign that you can find a happy compromise with someone important. In your love life: We think we know what other people need. The secret of success is simple now. Don't assume, enquire!

No wonder you're feeling unsettled. You like to be in control, and it seems that you're being led in a direction that's not of your choosing. You feel as if you've lost your grip on the reins of power. Yet, the New Moon brings a reminder that even though you're uncertain about where you're headed, you're steering the way. The destination you're approaching is well worth the struggle. Once you arrive, you'll understand why it was necessary to experience the challenges along the route, and reap the benefits of your gained knowledge. In your love life: Try to be more relaxed and accepting about the way things are, and not to indulge thinking how they should be?

This is fun you've got an unexpected week off! What? You don't believe me? What I mean is that you won't have to do as much as you think in order to get what you want, or to move to where you want to be. Rather than having to strive to make progress, there's a feeling of natural progression and flow. The New Moon, followed by a helpful Mercury and Uranus link, brings cosmic gifts your way. If you use this time of respite wisely, and think and plan where you would like your next big adventure to take you, you'll be on your way. In your love life: Does love begin with loving - or with allowing oneself to be loved? You will soon find the answer that is right for you.

When we're hungry, most of us will eat whatever is set before us. It's the opposite of relaxing at a smart restaurant, perusing the menu to find new taste sensations; this is just fuel, and the quicker we eat it, the happier we are. It's important to understand our needs for what they truly are. This week, just because you want something badly, you don't need to accept almost anything that might bring a sense of temporary satisfaction. The New Moon reveals a new possibility. If you find some patience, you can hold out for the best. In your love life: With the right people by our side, we can solve any problem. You'll prove that by your own example this week.

It sometimes feels as if life is too bound by red tape and limited by the fear of offending anyone. Although rules are important, the natural world isn't restricted in the same way. Birds don't have to submit a flight plan before setting off to look for food. Bees don't need a permit to extract nectar from garden flowers. This week, it's important to remember that in a world of conformity, there's still scope for spontaneity. If you've been allowing someone to wield too much power over you, this is a time to free yourself. In your love life: You are special. Coming events will naturally enable you to communicate this very point to someone else as special as you.

You can hit the ground running this week. The New Moon, coupled with an alignment between Mars and Jupiter, is just what's needed to impel you into action. Whatever the task a difficult conversation, the next phase of a long running project you have the energy and focus to deal with it. You can dispel a nagging doubt too. The resource you need is not in short supply; you have enough to do what you need to do. The only scarce commodity is time. So stop being unnecessarily overcautious and have faith in yourself. In your love life: You can stop a drama becoming too overblown by deliberately overreacting. The upshot could be an easier situation.

The moment you realise that you're deluded, you're not deluded. Neither can you be taken for a ride when you're aware that you're being fooled. Most of the silliest decisions reached on planet earth were made by people who thought that they were being rational and clever. This month, you'll be faced with issues about promises and obligations. You'll do very well, just as long as you remember to question even what lies behind the most obvious answers. Trust your hunches. An open, inquisitive mind is your prize asset. In your love life: Don't act out of anger, act out of wisdom. You can win any fight if your heart is full of kindness not anger.

Your innovative, creative side is buzzing this month. You're one of those people who keep having exciting ideas, despite the folk around you who seem to resist your suggestions for improvement. That's why it's hard to instigate change. Even though you're going to find yourself in some frustrating situations, your rulers' link with Mercury suggests that there are ways to break through the resistance. Keep going! Your vision is too bright to lose sight of. Change is never easy, but if you persevere, you'll start to succeed. In your love life: If you really want something new to enter your world, you may need to be a little more candid.

Gaining understanding is one thing. Maintaining it is another thing entirely. We sometimes think that we've come to a decision that suits everyone, only to find that the road we've been negotiating along has come to a dead end. Watch out this month for situations and arrangements that are more flexible than other people would have you think. Life is presenting you with a series of opportunities to sidestep your way past arduous and time-consuming commitments, without losing your integrity. In your love life: Something seems to be trying to make its way out of your life. Let it go lovingly and it may yet return in the same spirit.

Venus, which is in your sign as we enter May, is encouraging you to be bold. This is a time to be innovative and to try an approach which echoes your idea of what you'd most like your world to be like. If you're worried that you need more experience to guide you along a new path, you can put those concerns to one side. You're wise enough to know your limits and sensible enough to ask for help if you need it. Your powerful spirit for adventure needs to be followed this month. Let it guide you to the perfect destination. In your love life: Keep an eye (and an ear) out for an unnecessarily misleading possibility and you can make something wonderful happen.

We enter May finding you in a position where you have a lot to be grateful for. And, as the month progresses, you'll have even more. Venus, your ruler, enters your sign midway through May, bestowing its blessings and encouraging you to fulfil your heartfelt ambitions and dreams. That's not to say that life will be problem free... in fact problems are often harder to deal with when there's so much to look forward to. But, something beautiful happens when sun shines through rain. Keep watch for sources of inspiration. In your love life: Whatever you now have to do to get through to someone, this week, has got to be worth doing.

With Mars in your sign at the start of the month, if May was a song, it would begin with a pounding drum beat that could overwhelm the melody. You're in the mood to get things moving, and frustrated by any obstacles in your way. Yet, as we move into the month, and you begin to hear the sounds of the other instruments, you won't be able to stop yourself from dancing. Then, you'll notice that you're in good company. Other people are joining in! Sing a heartfelt song this month, and you'll enjoy the journey it brings. In your love life: Think how two people in your world interact. Much will improve if an expectation is altered and an accommodation is made.

How can put your feet up when it's obvious that something needs attending to? If we really want to stay out of the action, we need to rise above the cloud of criticism that's been created by the people who want assistance. Then, we have to override our sense of guilt. People who conduct themselves in this skilful way are either foolish or wise; and you're certainly not in the first category! You intuitively understand that success this month, will come at the right moment. You're right May is a time to exercise patience. In your love life: Even if storms have been blowing, they are calming down. You don't have as much need for security as you may think.

Success often acts like an intoxicating liqueur and goes to our heads. That's why it can be dangerous. Failure, on the other hand, affects us like an anaesthetic, and goes straight to the heart, causing regrets. Fortunately, both these conditions ease over time. But even though the first may seem like the better option, if we hold on to our achievements, like trophies, we grow overconfident. This month's Full Moon causes you to reassess recent developments. An apparent past loss can be transformed into a valuable gain. In your love life: Someone is at odds with your own need. Don't put what's expected of you above what you expect of yourself.

Sometimes, life presents us with short cuts. These can be very effective and cut days, weeks, even months of endeavour out of our lives. Others aren't quite what they seem, and lead us on complicated journeys which delay our progress. It's never easy to assess what kind you're faced with. As Mercury and Uranus call you to boldly take the opportunities they bring, it's with a feeling of trepidation that you embark on a new and promising route. If you embrace May with enthusiasm there are delightful surprises in store. In your love life: You are waiting for a decision. If you're willing to accept what transpires, you'll much like how things turn out.

We think that imagination and practicality are like chalk and cheese. Yet the opposite is true. Practical people value moments of inactivity. They understand that trying to fill every second with a worthwhile purpose raises expectations that are impossible to fulfil; and leaves no room for the mysterious spirit of creativity to work its magic. This month, if you try to focus too hard, you take the risk of making your objective more nebulous. With a steady approach to your goal in May, you'll find yourself there before you know it. In your love life: Deep within you, there's a person of impressive talent. Here comes a chance to bring out more of what's within you.

You only have to watch a minute or two of the news to see that the world is in a bad state. But is it really worse? Or do modern technologies and media platforms just provide news in a way that makes it look as if our planet's in a shocking state? We can ask the same question about your life at the start of this new month. What's the state of your inner newsdesk? What are the stories making headlines at the top of your agenda? A long-running, difficult situation is going to vastly improve in May. You have every right to be optimistic. In your love life: Look again at something that upset you. Did you place one interpretation on something that could be read in several ways?

Like the cars you've driven and the places you've lived, just think of all the things you've cared about which you've moved on from. Once, they were yours, now they're not. Your feelings of ownership have moved on. We think of many things as being permanent when they are only temporary. It gives us all the more reason to appreciate having them, while keeping a sense of perspective. This month, the only thing you need to hold onto is your perspective. Then you'll move gracefully and successfully forwards. In your love life: Someone is stretching a story past breaking point. Find a way to render reality more appealing for you and for them alike.

There's little point telling someone that the sharp-toothed creatures surrounding them are paper tigers. At least, not when they're in the thick of things. You've been dealing recently with beasts who have particularly spiky spines and ferocious roars. You've been up against obstacles with similar characteristics too. Now, with Venus arriving in Aries, you'll be feeling more able to cope, especially with difficult emotional issues. As you become more confident, you'll find yourself much freer to do what makes you happy. In your love life: Feeling uncomfortable? What you don't know, but will soon, is how much better things are about to get.

As Venus converges with your ruler, Uranus, it empowers you to begin a new chapter in your emotional life. A relationship, which has been moving along an unsatisfactory path, is about to change track. By shifting the scenery and bringing new characters into the storyline you'll be able to liven things up. Your creativity is being enhanced just as you remember to appreciate the value of good company. You have the right to enjoy yourself! This week, you'll discover the motivation, and the support to do just that. In your love life: Pressure, pressure, pressure! Imminent resolution of conflict will soon help you relax about many a bothersome matter.

Considering that the universe is eternal, why do we always feel as if we haven't got enough time? Since time presumably goes on forever, a shortage of it must be due to our perception. It's not easy to stand back from your life and take a more cosmic' point of view but if you can manage to do it this week, you'll be surprised by what you see. You're a beautiful part of the divine essence and the divine essence is a part of you. Remember that as you go about your days. Whatever you truly need, the universe will provide. In your love life: A reassuring development is due to occur. You are more loved, admired and respected, than you may realise.

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, wrote that as soon as anyone discovers what the universe is actually doing here, and what's really going on, it will immediately disappear and be replaced by a more mysterious one! There's another theory, which thinks this has already happened! Could the same be said of your life at the moment? You've certainly seen a lot of changes recently. Now, with the arrival of Venus in your sign, if you ask the universe for what you want, you might well get it! In your love life: We have to actively help each other enjoy a great life. Someone is doing their best. Try to return the favour!

You're not perfect (no one is) but you don't have anything to feel bad about or apologise for. In fact you've got a lot to be proud of. The challenge is to learn what you need to learn, make the necessary adjustments and keep moving forwards. The future is beckoning and the past is bidding you adieu. If you've been feeling uncertain about what to do next, your ruler's arrival in Aries brings a welcome boost of inspiration. Somewhere within, you know exactly what you need to do. Be guided by your intuition this week. In your love life: There is no need to climb a mountain, swim an ocean or reach for the Moon to prove romantic intent. Subtlety is the key.

They say that if you can't see your own weaknesses, it's impossible to fully recognise your strengths. The problem, is that most of us struggle to do this. We undervalue our gifts and abilities. Self-doubt means that we tend to avoid the challenges that might push us beyond our self-imposed limits. Yet it's only when you stretch yourself that you discover what you're capable of doing. How else will you begin to realise your potential? This week brings an opportunity that you could easily overlook. Try trusting your ability to succeed. In your love life: The heavens are offering you a chance to revisit an exchange that is unsatisfactorily unresolved. Healing can happen.

What makes this week such a special one for you is not particularly what it's going to contain. It's more about your ability to hone your appreciation skills. As Venus settles into a new sign, a growing awareness of the unique nature of life on planet Earth will affect your approach to everything that comes your way. That doesn't mean that you've been provided with a pair of rose-tinted spectacles and that everything is going to be easy. It's the challenges that bring the most valuable gifts. But if you look for the best, you'll find it. In your love life: If nerves are fraying, reach back for the spirit of seasonal goodwill. It can be reclaimed and applied to great advantage.

No one likes to feel they're not good enough' for someone. Rejection is one of the hardest things for us to deal with. Being second choice is hardly any better. Who would be happy thinking that they were only in a particular situation because the better candidate was unavailable? It's unlike you to be thinking along these kind of lines. Luckily, Venus' change of signs is going to bring you information that will dispel your suspicions. Events this week will bring reassuring confirmation that you're doing the right thing. In your love life: Life is looking good. But your cosmic challenge involves learning to love what can't be changed!

The poet Kahlil Gibran wrote that Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.' This isn't news to you; you intuitively understand that life works this way. I'm just reminding you of it because in our crazy world, it's easy to feel as if you're battling against the tide. Yet, despite all that's going on around you, it remains true that when you give more than you can, you get more than you need. Don't forget that you need to take what you need too! You should get the appreciation you deserve this week. In your love life: Your cosmic ruler is whispering in your ear: What has to happen now, has to happen. Be glad of it.'

Somewhere, hidden in a corner of your mind is a piece of information that could change everything. All you need is to find it. So, what should you be seeking and where should you look? Venus' arrival in Aries will make that obvious this week. In the meantime, if life feels a bit topsy-turvy, you can rest assured that it's because it's bringing forth the exact thing that you need to discover. A little patience will be key. You'll need to wait for the dust to settle before you see signs of the change you long for. But it's on its way. In your love life: Share the positivity you are starting to feel. Others will be unable to do anything other than respond positively to you.

This weekend, as Venus arrives in dynamic Aries, the tension you've been under should begin to dissipate. You've been finding it very hard to deal with someone. Recent events have worn you down. Yet the relationship is starting to improve. There are signs of greater honesty and soon you'll be able to sense a degree of empathy. Better communication leads to better understanding, and more ease in your world. With spring in your step, the renewal of your motivation and interest will come as a lovely surprise. In your love life: A discovery in your emotional life, sets your week off intensely. But it is not intensely difficult; it is intensely delightful.

The question this week is whether you want to be everywhere at the same time, or focus your efforts in one direction? If you want to be a force for good, you'd be better if you focused on the latter. In which case, you'll need to find yourself a pair of metaphorical blinkers! You're going to need them if you're going to stand a chance of not being distracted. There are just so many things unraveling and unfolding that it's going to take a considerable effort to stay on task. If you can do it, though, you can create very positive change. In your love life: The cosmos is calling you to stop, reflect and review. Outstanding emotional issues will soon resolve.

What are the signs that tell you when you're hungry? Do you need to calculate the amount of energy you've used up, and compare it to your calorific intake? Do you have to have special permission from a nutritionist before tucking into a meal? No! There are some things you just know' without thinking about it. So it is with a dilemma you're facing. The Astrological Blue Moon empowers you with the ability to ascertain your true feelings about the best decision to make and the right way to communicate it. Trust yourself this week. In your love life: Are you so upset about something big that you are directing your opprobrium at something small? Focus on the big issues.

The most important thing you need to bear in mind over the next week is that regardless of how intimate you may feel with someone, there's a limit to how much you're able to understand about their position regarding a mutually complex situation. Likewise, they're unable to completely get' your innermost feelings. The Astrological Blue Moon indicates a time when pragmatic action will be much more helpful than wishful thinking. That's lucky, because you're highly skilled at that. This could be a very productive week. In your love life: Mischief? Or harmless pleasure? It may soon be time to think about drawing a line. But not necessarily right now!

The ball of rock we're living on just keeps on spinning. As it turns, we spin with it. It's astonishing that we don't feel dizzy. Yet, we don't even notice the rotational motion. What sets us in a spin, is the way life turns and twists. Just when we think we've got everything under control, whoops, there it goes again, turning things upside down and round about. Even though the Astrological Blue Moon may unsettle you or cause you to question a key relationship, your life is taking a real turn for the better this week. In your love life: Events are making you face a choice. Raise your spiritual consciousness or sink into a sense of unnecessary unease.

There are reasons why we won't do particular things. These are often based on sound thinking. Perhaps we've made promises to ourselves or to others. Or, we've made decisions based on our experience. But sometimes, our reasons are silly. We base our excuses on miscalculations. We manage to convince ourselves that we're standing up for something we believe in when, in truth, we're sitting on the fence, colluding with our fears. When the Astrological Blue Moon brings an opportunity, don't be afraid to take it. In your love life: Be wary of a potentially unhealthy symbiosis in a key relationship now!

There's absolutely no chance of you witnessing a phoenix rising out of the ashes if you're not prepared to behold a raging metaphorical fire. If you're on the lookout for a magnificent rainbow, you'll need to take yourself where there's a good chance of rain and sunshine. Life is full of bittersweet moments. We have to be prepared to take the rough in order to appreciate the smooth. You've become aware of an unsatisfactory situation. Yet, the Astrological Blue Moon suggests you're about to discover the gift it holds. In your love life: Your fan club has many followers; and part of the attraction is your mystique. Don't try too hard to be accessible.

I need to find the right way to say this. um, it's just that your grasp on the reality of a situation is a little how can I say it Er you're in danger of banging your head against a brick well you get the picture. The thing is, I don't want to be confrontational. You're a Gemini. You know what's what and you're sensitive to criticism. So, I'll try some reverse psychology. You're doing amazingly and your judgment is faultless. Perhaps, though, to keep others on board, you might be wise to listen to their opinions. In your love life: Ignore your concerns. Your solution is as close to perfect as you're ever going to find. It's now time to apply it.

Breaking news! Due to this week's Astrological Blue Moon, you're being transported into a different dimension. You're living in a universe where everything looks and feels the same as it did, but certain factors have been altered beyond recognition. Okay, that might sound a bit fantastical. But, it's a fair enough evaluation of the scenario you find yourself facing this week. It's as if an ethereal spirit being is watching you with the ability to change things to suit your aims. Just be careful what you wish for. It might come true. In your love life: You are about to enjoy significant increase in status. Step, with humility, into your position of power.

Although everyone makes misguided decisions, there's no denying that you're a lucky person at heart. If you're feeling flummoxed and confused by that assertion, it's because you're feeling unusually uncertain about following your intuition. Where you've been doubting, you should (galvanised by the Astrological Blue Moon) be able to make an important choice. If you'd rather hold on to your doubts, you might be fall into feelings of self-importance. Yet, no matter your attitude, luck is presenting something delightful. In your love life: Disentangle yourself from negative responses. Resist the urge to get further into something you need to let go of.

You appear to be caught on the horns of a dilemma. You have a choice to make. You can either develop a friendship or make a categorical point. You can't, though, do both. I'm here to remind you that you've already won the argument. You know, in your heart, that you're right. But being right isn't always a comfortable position to be in. It can be lonely. Sometimes, it's better to be in good company than isolated at the top. There are grey areas in which a gentle compromise will work very well this week. In your love life: Don't let this sleeping dog lie! Wake it up. Make it bark and draw the attention of someone who can help.

Every conversation involves an element of risk. Suppose it turns confrontational? Or creates misunderstanding? Suppose it starts a relationship with someone who might not have your interests at heart? Yet, we're social beings. Since we can't move or speak without making relationships, we learn to filter out such worries. As the Astrological Blue Moon forms in your sign, you're taking courageous action. Although the repercussions will be important, you will like what they bring. Keep doing what you're doing this week. In your love life: You are just having a minor wobble. Steady yourself. A development very soon will bring an inspiring revelation.

There are more than a few people in your life who feel confident that a part of you belongs to them. Most of the time, this feels flattering. Yet, it places you under a lot of pressure too. When other folk project their feelings and expectations on you they also place a weight on your shoulders, which is why you sometimes feel guilty. This week, under the Astrological Blue Moon, you're being given a chance to break free from several arrangements which have become burdensome. Be strong enough to help yourself. In your love life: You can't break the rules of nature to make the impossible' happen. But you may be able to bend the rules a little.

Where is it all going to end? You've been on this particular path for a long time, and you're becoming understandably bored with the endless, repetitive stories that are being told. Although it promises to be a meaty drama, it feels as if you're watching a farce. Under the Astrological Blue Moon, you can create a much more satisfying scenario. This week brings the potential to make a significant change to the plot. Your increasing awareness of what isn't working will enable you to put it right. The end is in sight. In your love life: Don't feel inadequate because your life is not Bollywood. That's a fantasy; you can create real natural magic now.