Weekly Astroguide

Slow and steady wins the race' might be sage advice, but it's not universally true. Sometimes we have to throw ourselves headfirst into things with a jump-first-ask-questions-later kind of approach. So, what's right for you this week? Mars entering your sign doesn't leave you with as much of an option as you might like. It feels as if you must seize any opportunities or they will pass you by. But while there might be no room for prevarication, there's time to listen to your instincts. Don't be nervous be excited! In your love life: Don't worry about unsolvable problems. Focus on the here and now. Learn to love life afresh.

Probably since the dawn of time people have sought out the rock n' roll' lifestyle party all night, sleep all day, never take a moment to smell the roses. Many a celebrity memoir has been penned about the rise and fall that comes with that kind of life. The desire to escape reality is something we all recognise. So, what are you tempted to run away from now? As Mars moves signs, you're well equipped to deal with whatever is bothering you, but first you might need to do some soul-searching. Then, you'll discover what it is. In your love life: But what if?' A question like that is a kind of terrifying virus... usually. But now you have the answer.

On the high street and online, shops are being constantly replenished with the latest products to tempt us to splash out. Given how much of it is useless, it's remarkable how much of it we buy! The strong human desire to acquire more possessions seems to override our thriftier instincts. Though you might not be in a position to be extravagant, there's no need to wear a hair shirt either. If there is something that will give you genuine, lasting pleasure, then treat yourself. You deserve to be indulged this week. In your love life: It is not always good to speak too frankly. Deal with what's real and try not to embroider facts with feelings.

You've done the hard work. You've ploughed and sown the seeds. But you've been waiting for some time, and you're starting to doubt if you will see anything tangible from your efforts. Something to show for your work would be encouraging. As we move towards the Equinox, happy returns are heading your way. What's more, you deserve everything you're about to receive and more. Sometimes these things just take a little more time than we'd like. The cosmic postman brings good news this week. In your love life: A coming wave of change in your emotional life brings the power you have craved. Expect change for the better.

Here's a question before we start your forecast: how do you know that today is today? Are you sure you're not just reliving yesterday? Or have you skipped a day and arrived in tomorrow's tomorrow? How would you know if there were holes in your recollections? There has to be an explanation for the apparently inexplicable scenario that you suddenly find yourself facing. As Mercury prepares to turn retrograde this week, there'll be some odd happenings in your world. But you might be surprised by their positivity. In your love life: Sometimes, disadvantages conceal blessings. You wish you could alter one key factor. It may be better not to.

Mercury prepares to turn retrograde this week. You won't lose your quick thinking, perceptiveness or your wit, it's just that they won't be running as smoothly as usual. If you find yourself feeling hampered by developments, remember that everything's happening for a reason. As you investigate what lies at the root of some of life's challenges, a positive, lasting change can occur. Nor do you need to worry about settling in and setting up shop in this challenging marketplace. Put up with it while you must, but be ready to move on again soon. In your love life: What has gone missing' from your emotional life lately? Begin by looking in the last place you encountered it.

The New Moon calls you in a new direction, and the Sun invites you to set your sights high and your ambitions higher. Your situation reminds me of the late, great Michael Jackson. In order to get to where you want to go you might have to do the equivalent of some moonwalking! You can find a stylish way to manoeuvre yourself around any obstacles this week. Like the King of Pop, you can relish any backward movements you need to make. With your flexibility and creativity, you can impress people with your skill. In your love life: Something exceptional is coming. Stop trying to be ordinary and psychologically prepare for a time of innovation.

I wonder if the band Journey were interested in astrology. Their name represents the Ninth House in astrology which is home to faith and long-distance travels! It's also where the Sun moves into your chart this week, suggesting that you're about to embark upon a mental, physical or spiritual quest. Although the most exciting journeys involve ventures into the unknown, sometimes we have to travel over familiar ground too. So if you end up retracing some steps this week, don't lose heart, and don't stop believing. In your love life: Love and money. You can encourage those elusive elements into your life by manifesting confidence.

You might be surprised to hear that as Mercury prepares to turn retrograde, resolution is on the horizon. For a while, you've been puzzling over a complex situation, trying to unravel the myriad of strands that have somehow formed an inextricable knot. It's time to stop tiptoeing around a piece of faulty logic. You're being offered the insight you need to get to the hidden heart of the matter. If you can find the strength to speak powerfully and truthfully both to yourself and those around you, you'll have nothing to fear. In your love life: Headaches and stress. You can make them go away if you refuse to play someone else's game.

Before you take someone's advice, ask yourself whether they're really qualified to give it. It's easy to confuse arrogance with authority. And people who venture advice are often the last people we should listen to. A pinch of information does not make an expert! Some people like to make dangerous enterprises sound reasonable and, perhaps more problematically, tell you that you're unqualified for tasks that you're well qualified to undertake. This week, the most important advice you can follow is your own. In your love life: Doubt is toxic and can do terrible damage. Rid yourself of yours. Go beyond fear, blame and judgement.

It's so infuriating when someone tells you to calm down' when you're already calm. It feels dismissive as if your objection isn't justified. This is especially true for comments that are hidden under the guise of just a joke', but are veiled criticisms. Someone who's less than happy about the status quo may be using devious ways to affect your attitude. You just need to be clear and choose your words with care. Though confrontation isn't easy, once aired, you'll be able to lay your concerns to rest, and move on. In your love life: Your faery helpers are invisible but they not imaginary. Trust yourself. You're winning earthly admirers too.

Do you feel like you're walking taller yet? Are you skipping along the road as if a heavy burden has been lifted from your shoulders? As Mars waves goodbye it's likely that you will feel a sense of relief this weekend. Perhaps you can already sense the release? These feelings will only increase. Troubles? Clearing fast. Rain? Blown away. Sunny times? Straight ahead. Your new astrological weather forecast is for a more settled period of happiness, relaxation and enjoyment. About time too! Enjoy! In your love life: Feeling guilty? It's all in your mind. You don't have anything to apologise for!

Are your neighbours your friends? And are your friends your neighbours? Our speech patterns often lump these two categories together but there's no guarantee that either situation is true! In the coming week, you may find yourself with reason to question just who your real friends are and why. Just remember that your true friends can be people you don't see for months or even years, but have been there for you in your darkest hours. If you need to reach out this week, the right person, offering the right support will be there. In your love life: Pace yourself wisely. Trust what you understand (whilst respecting what you do not understand) and you will make the perfect romantic choice.

If you had to choose between being your own best friend or your own worst enemy, it looks like an easy choice to make. The problem is that it's not always easy to differentiate between the two. We slide into the less honourable position rather more easily than we'd like usually by overlooking our mistakes and getting carried away by our success. To avoid such a pitfall, all you need to do is put your analytical skills to good use and confront an uncomfortable situation. The benefits of your care and attention will be many. In your love life: Don't deny or ignore your deepest feelings. You know what matters. And why. Expressing this will make a big positive difference.

Some people seem to be in the wrong careers; like shaky knife throwers, slapdash pilots, unhygienic chefs and meek sergeant majors. Some jobs require a certain attitude and approach. If you're going to succeed in a high-pressure, high profile position, then you have to act according to expectations. Then, if you're going to keep mind and body together, you need to learn when to turn your public face off and relax. Make time to recharge your batteries this week, and you'll be delighted by how far you can go. In your love life: We often think, That will never happen.' How do we know? Events in your love life will soon oblige you to rethink your prospects in a good way.

It's difficult to know how hard you should push yourself. If you overdo it, there's a chance that you'll reach breaking point. That said, you might instead break through those forces that have been holding you back. Most people would avoid taking the risk. But you have an adventurous streak and you know that nothing much will change if you don't occasionally breach the walls of your comfort zone. Your goal is very ambitious but not unattainable. So why not give it all you've got this week, and see where it takes you? In your love life: Things that seem bad can sometimes lead to things that are very good indeed. Just be conscious of this in your love life now.

The longer you hold on to a dream, the harder it can be to let go. When the long-anticipated result fails to materialise, we look for reasons why, and try to pin it on one particular set of circumstances. When they change, we reason, we'll have more luck. But there comes a time when even the most philosophical among us have to face the truth. You're clinging on to something, even though you know that it's time to move on. You can take that first step this week. This isn't the end of hope, it's the start of an exciting new chapter. In your love life: Someone you care for is in the process of making an important discovery for themselves. Be supportive and patient.

Some people seem to have it all worked out. They appear to go through life as if they've been let in on a secret that allows them to take everything in their stride, and deal with hurdles as if they're mere potholes on the path to success. And the truth is that they may well be in possession of secret knowledge. Here's what it is: everyone else feels exactly the same way as you. Though your challenges might not get any easier, you'll realise this week that a troubling mystery is much more mundane than you fear. In your love life: You don't have to make yourself a martyr to your conscience but you do have to listen to what it is saying as you now deal with issues in your love life.

Dear Santa Claus, This year I'd like one of these and two of those. I know it's the wrong time of year but I thought you might appreciate some extra time to get yourself organised. Maybe you could take this year's unwanted presents away too. I hope that's not too much hassle. Thanks.' Now that's not the way to write to anyone let alone someone you're asking for a favour. This week, it's worth being as diplomatic as you can be before asking for help. Then, with the assistance of someone close, you can find what you're looking for. In your love life: There's a perspective issue' in your love life now. All you need to do is stand back and you'll immediately see the right way to step forward.

Despite what we might like to believe, structure gives us the ability to negotiate through society's complicated configurations. But the rules and regulations that we generally adhere to only guide us so far. You seem to have reached a place where the framework that you've been working with has started to wobble. In these moments, you can stick to your original plan, hoping that things will get back on to solid ground or, you can switch to Plan B. The best advice I can give is to remain flexible this week. Don't be daunted. In your love life: If there has been trouble in your love life lately, let it go and move on. Soon, the old problem won't be a problem any more.

When it comes to politics, the voice of opposition is different to the voice of protest. Of course it's the people's right to make their voice heard. But it's the responsibility of the opposition to offer an alternative plan. And reaching some sort of middle ground between the two ensures that democracy works for the majority of us. This week, it isn't enough to criticise or simply shout in disagreement. Try to spell out the merits of your own ideas. They may not be universally accepted, but they can be a positive influence. In your love life: If you try too hard to fix what's seemingly wrong in your love life you may make it worse! Look instead for reasons why it may not be as wrong as you fear.

When you cast your mind back and look at the decisions that changed your life, I'd put money on the fact that they weren't always the ones you expected them to be. It's one of life's peculiarities that the things we agonised and stressed over yesterday can become irrelevant today. But our ponderings are never a waste of time. They're part of a valuable process. This week, you have choices to make that appear to have no easy answers. Trust in your experience. The fact that you're in this position is to your credit. In your love life: What happens next in your emotional life will be connected to what you believe you are entitled to! So believe in the best and you may yet get it!

Business theorist Marvin Bower described company culture as the way we do things around here', which sounds like something the villain in a spaghetti western would say to the stranger from outta town. The idea is that you shouldn't rock the boat, especially when there's a well-established order. Yet must we always go along with the way things are? No! This week, don't be afraid to question the way that things are being done. Trust your instincts and take action. Sometimes, the boat needs a good rockin'. In your love life: To prepare for what's ahead in your love life, just relax. Ask the universe for what you want, not just what you want to protect you from what you fear!

Catastrophe. You're cooking an elaborate dish. Everything's prepared and you're halfway through the cooking process, then you realise that a crucial ingredient's missing. Do you work with what you have and hope to produce something edible anyway? Or do you dash out to buy the missing element? Life is presenting you with a similar dilemma. Do you stick to the plan or adapt? There's no wrong answer. You just need to go with what feels right to you. Then you'll see a number of constructive changes magically manifest. In your love life: Are you sure you know what's available to you in your love life? Be ready to be pleasantly surprised.

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' This is how F. Scott Fitzgerald chose to end his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. It's a perfect metaphor for life one moment we're being swept along with a following wind, the next we're in the middle of a tempest feeling disorientated by forces we can't comprehend. This week, as Mercury and Venus change signs, you have the chance to revisit a past relationship. Don't let regret stand in the way of a tide of positive developments. In your love life: You have more power and more choice than you realise. The real issue is for you to be sure of what you really want.

Have you ever wanted something so much that it seemed to drift further away every time you thought of it? What's worse, is reaching a goal when the anticipated sense of achievement remains elusive. Perhaps we should learn to desire the things we already possess! Often, we focus our energies so completely on external factors that it can take ages before we realise that the thing we desire is right under our nose. As Jupiter turns retrograde, if you look for happiness within, you just might be amazed by what you find. In your love life: Don't pretend you are not bothered how things turn out. Don't deny what you feel. Don't give up on that dream.

Rarely is anything as bad as we expect it to be. We can spend an age worrying about a particular situation, yet, when the dreaded moment arrives, we simply get on with it. We pool our resources, evaluate carefully, and make the best decision we can. More often than not we surprise ourselves with our success. Try not to hypothesise on imaginary failures this week. The most effective way to prepare is to relax. Rather than focusing on your fears, Venus and Mercury's change of signs will help you to manifest your desires. In your love life: An intriguing possibility awaits you. Seize your chance and you can set in motion a process that brings great success.

Once a year, every year the universe bestows a unique celestial gift upon you. As Mercury enters Aries this week, you'll begin to feel a sensation of revelation. It's not as if everything miraculously and perfectly will fall into place. There will be tests to face and mountains to climb. But you'll be able to see that things aren't quite as complex as you first thought, or that you're more capable of tackling them than you feared. As Venus joins Mercury in your sign, this week brings a spark that can ignite you with exuberance and energy. In your love life: Can you put down what you no longer need? It is possible to move away from negativity. Embrace a better future.

Recently I visited my local Turkish barber for a trim. In my experience, these environments are usually boys clubs', as the barbers and their clientele are almost exclusively men. Yet when I revealed my profession to the man with the clippers, he was soon translating relationship advice into his mother tongue and gossiping with his colleagues so much so that it was as if they were trying to subvert a stereotype. You don't need an interpreter to get the right message across now. You can let your heart do the talking. In your love life: You will get a big step closer to fulfilment soon, the moment you stop worrying quite so much about a material matter.

Here are the headlines: Children can sometimes be hard work, say parents. The warmth of the sun is key to the growth of trees, scientists report. People are happier after being with friends, reveal experts'. That was the latest bulletin from News Of The Profoundly Obvious. In a world of rapidly changing events, we sometimes take things for granted. Sometimes, though, it's worth focusing on the joys of everyday life. Don't get embroiled in a daft quarrel this week enjoy the simple pleasures of a sense of harmony instead. In your love life: Planning is the key to success... sometimes. But now it's good to go with what feels right on the spur of the moment.

None of us arrive on the planet with a mission statement, or clutching a wish list detailing all we hope to achieve. But, there's something inside each of us that guides our hopes and dreams. The cosmos is presenting you with the opportunity to review your perspective regarding a situation which is making you unhappy. Are you taking steps to alleviate the tension, or are you pinching yourself in one place to distract you from the pain in another? It's time to focus on long-term goals, rather than sticking-plaster solutions. In your love life: You have the chance to make a move that may not seem obviously impressive. But it is due to bring you lasting benefit.

Apparently most people don't enjoy waiting in a station or an airport. Even when they're filled with a myriad of shops and restaurants, most folk rate their experience of them as being adequate'. We spend time in these places because they're stepping stones on a journey to somewhere more exciting. You feel as if you're stuck in a holding pattern. Though it's not thrilling, you're there for a reason. Fortunately, the way to reach your destination is becoming clear. The next step on your journey is well worth the wait. In your love life: Recognise the extent of your power. Never mind what you can't control. Focus on what you can influence and all will be well.

Sentimentality is an odd emotion. It leads us to attach disproportionate value to items that otherwise serve no fathomable purpose. We keep concert tickets, photographs even shells we found on holiday. But the real problem arises when we transpose these feelings on to people. You feel tempted to overlook someone's bad behaviour. The question is whether a friendship predicated on forgiveness will make you happy? Although you can't lose sight of your values, don't let an overly critical attitude rob you of a wonderful bond. In your love life: If you are too bound by rules and protocol you might miss it when opportunity comes. It's time to just seize your moment.

When Venus moves opposite someone's sign, the suggestion is that they're going to encounter someone with a big heart. This week, you have the added bonus of Mercury and Venus engaging in this process together. Since Venus is your ruling planet, it suggests that your interactions with a key person are about to play more naturally to your strengths. Your communication skills are highlighted and your words should find an appreciative audience too. Just remember that you have the biggest heart of all. In your love life: You needn't climb every mountain. Consider waiting till what's on the other side of the mountain makes its way towards you.

Slowly but surely, virtual-reality games seem to be taking over the world. It's hardly surprising when they enable the people who play them to embark on exciting adventures, and live thrilling parallel lives. As Jupiter turns retrograde in your sign this week, it might help you to imagine yourself as a fictional avatar. If you can take a step back from the reality of your situation, your perspective will enable you to see the best way to proceed. You might not have superpowers, but you can initiate an important change. In your love life: One point of reference is fixed. In turbulent times, let that be your anchor; then everything will yet make perfect sense.

Knowing when to let something go is an underrated skill. Nobody likes to lose things and that's what letting go can sometimes feel like. It's never easy to relinquish ownership and control of something that we've worked hard for. But sometimes it's necessary. Just like we sometimes have to make do with a phone with cracks on its screen, there's something in your life that needs replacing with something new. This week, you must choose whether to let go or to hold on. But this change isn't a loss, it's an upgrade. In your love life: Going through a difficult experience can leave you fearing more things will go wrong. Fear not; things will ease up.

The Solar Eclipse suggests your priorities are shifting. You're questioning what you hope to gain from an enterprise that you're involved in, and how it can benefit you. This is about more than satisfaction or pride. It's the value of your pragmatic approach that's being highlighted. And it's only right that you should get what you deserve. As Valentine's Day approaches and Venus prepares to change signs, by making a relatively small gesture, you'll give someone the opportunity to show you just how appreciated you are. In your love life: There's always someone who has all the answers. You might be better off with fewer of those... and more questions!

Although this week's Eclipse is only partial, it doesn't mean that you'll only feel part of the benefit. Prepare to have your mind expanded and your perspective altered. It arrives in your sign linked with your modern ruler, with Mercury in close cooperation. It suggests that a new way of looking at a problem will provide an ingenious solution, the answer you've been looking for. Not only can you find the final piece of a jigsaw, you'll see the whole picture it forms, and realise the value of an important relationship you're involved in. In your love life: Are you sitting right on top of a solution you seek. Step back, get some perspective. You already have what you need.

People seeking a forecast often ask when their life will change for the better. They hope that their astrologer will declare the precise day and time that their fortunes will turn round. But I don't propose to do this! You hold your destiny in your own hands. The instant you resolve to allow your life to improve is the moment when it will. That being said, the Eclipse, plus Venus' arrival in your sign, suggests that this week could be a good time to start! With romantic notions in the air, you could be in for a memorable week. In your love life: It is time to listen to your intuition and trust your imagination. Some challenges need more than just plain logic.

A biding by society's rules is something that most of us want to do. But there are some rules that are difficult to adhere to. Even though they seem to be undeniably unfair, we're supposed to follow them. The irony is that when you choose to campaign against regulations, you still have to abide by them! But some boundaries are made to be challenged. As Valentine's Day approaches, you can not only break a rule, you can make a new one. It will enable a much easier relationship with someone important to you. In your love life: Just one small change or flash of inspiration is all that is needed for transformation. Are you looking at an inspired idea?

You've come to a point where repeating the same old habits and techniques is not bringing you enough satisfaction. You need to find a fresh approach as you prepare to tackle a familiar obstacle. It's going to mean stepping out of your comfort zone. You might not master this new way of dealing with issues straight away. But you need some excitement in your world! Fortunately, with your ruler moving signs and romance in the air, a little risk seems like a fair price to pay. Jump out of that rut, and be innovative this week. In your love life: Ever reached your destination and not realised you have arrived? Perhaps you have already reached the perfect place.

Remember the days when navigating involved a book of maps? Nowadays we're much more likely to use satnavs. These machines are so fast at recalculating the route that you can't always tell when you've gone wrong. You're definitely heading in the right direction, so why is there a voice in the background telling you to make a U-turn? If you want to deepen a relationship, or bring romance into your life, you're sharp enough to steer in the right direction. Follow your intuition and you'll end up where you need to be. In your love life: Are you part of the solution or part of the problem? Focus on what can and will work out well; it deserves your attention.

When you walk down a narrow street, it's customary to move out of the way for a person walking in the opposite direction. This small concession is often recognised with a quick nod or expression of gratitude. Where possible, we try to make room for other people in our lives, even though it's not always to our immediate benefit. This week, with romance in the air as Venus changes signs, you don't need to follow anyone else's logic. The Solar Eclipse shines a light helping you to concentrate on what might be good for you. In your love life: A commitment is under question. You have been treading water and will feel better when you reach your big decision.

The greatest thinkers have to battle against the so-called sensible people' to make their voices heard and their discoveries known. Evolution? How ridiculous!' The Earth is round? Don't be absurd!' But they had enough faith in themselves to stand by what they believed. Don't be tempted to listen to other people's ideas of sense this week. With Venus changing signs, a barmy suggestion might be the doorway to an inspirational plan. The Eclipse suggests that an amazing idea will arrive from an unusual source. In your love life: Some books take a few chapters to get going; then you can't put them down. Don't mistake slow change for no change.

When a high-quality bargain store opens nearby, it's surprising how few folk change their shopping habits and give it a try. It might be cheaper and closer, but they have a routine and they're sticking to it. Why? Because it's easiest to stay with the people, places and routines we know. But this week, as the planet of love changes signs, if you can bring yourself to change a long-standing pattern you can gain more than a cheap shopping bill. Challenge a tradition and you'll be surprised by a delightful development this week. In your love life: Hope for the best; plan for the worst, they say. No! Plan for the best; give your finest energy to your highest aspirations.

The Grand Masters understood that the creation of a masterpiece was a question of layering. They began with large brushes, creating sweeping suggestions of shapes and colours. Then they used finer brushes for the intricate details. Eventually they built so many layers that the casual observer could only see the whole. As the Eclipse arrives it brings a moment for abstract creativity and fun. Venus' change of signs suggests that practice will eventually make perfect. There'll be plenty of time to refine things later on. In your love life: Is a stressful situation on your mind? Vulnerable? You can't fake disinterest but you can nurture greater independence.

Who are you? And no, I don't mean your name, or any of those external features that constitute your identity. When we strip away the layers that make us who we are friends, education, class who's left staring back at us? Is it your heart? Your soul? It's a deeper, wiser part of you that is being inspired to bring you a message. As the Eclipse arrives and Venus changes signs, a tiny moment of awakening, and the recognition of the importance of a dream, could have a profound impact on the next phase of your future. In your love life: Don't let your head get in the way of your heart when looking for peace, love and contentment. They are available to you.

Ending a phone call can be difficult. Especially when there are emotions involved. It can feel as if whoever hangs up first is making some sort of statement. So both parties dance around saying goodbye'. Sometimes politeness, or being sentimental, forces us to observe ridiculous rules. But when we're honest and clear it's rare to be misunderstood. As Valentine's Day approaches, you'll find that you can be much more effective if you simply say what you mean. A satisfying level of trust and warmth can develop. In your love life: Sometimes ridiculous rules have to be honoured. Do what you know will work and don't worry about why it works!

From the base, mountains looks daunting. It's a wonder that anyone ever climbs them at all! But for mountaineers, those faraway summits are a challenge, rather than an arduous climb. So, as life tends to provide us all with our own psychological challenges, how are you feeling about the peak in front of you? Are you apprehensive about your ability to rise to the task? This week, you only have to take the first steps on the climb. Then, you'll see just how capable and ready you are. There are spectacular views ahead. In your love life: Your sensitivity and compassion helps you melt away other people's defences. That special ability will bring a breakthrough.

If you look at anything in the right way, at the right angle or in the right light then you can see its unique beauty. Sounds cheesy, doesn't it? But it's true. You've probably had those moments sitting on the bus, or walking through a park, or spending an afternoon with someone you love, when everything seems to glow. In such moments, we reflect some of that light too. If you're feeling insecure about the aura you're radiating, all you have to do is focus on the brightness you see in others, and you'll shine too. In your love life: Make a commitment? Or let something go? It's time to assert your true self' over these conflicting urges and impulses.

Have you booked any plane tickets, recently? Or been on a grand voyage? Although the world is your oyster, the cosmos has another kind of expedition in mind for you now. It's an expedition into the vastness of yourself. A voyage of intellectual and emotional discovery can bring rich rewards. Your mind is a creative wonder, and delving into its depths can open new vistas. It's time to move on from the certainties which have been holding you back, and enter fresh and exciting territory which is full of hope. In your love life: Your biggest problem right now? Imaginary fears! Your biggest emotional anxiety is highly unlikely to come to anything at all.

Often, the best way to take your mind off something that's bothering you is to focus on something that annoys you even more! But over time this can lead to a search for catastrophe after catastrophe, even where one might not exist. This week, try searching for a glimmer of light if you find yourself in an unsatisfactory situation. It's in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars. Once you make this initial switch of perspective, you'll realise that you can see glistenings of hope, joy, love, and inspiration. In your love life: Astrology is most helpful to those who seek direction rather than destination. Relax. Be willing to learn and all will be well.

We have a way of projecting past failures on to future projects. Then, because we have no control over the past, we pessimistically assume that the future is set in stone, too. Why bother constructing a vision for a happier, brighter, fairer future when it's probably going to fail? But, the future's yours for the taking. Don't let anyone yourself included convince you otherwise. Broadcast your vision for the world to see this week. Your inspiration can be inspirational, and will encourage others to give you the help you need. In your love life: It's going to become clear that you are more fortunate than you know. Be grateful, not fearful. Rewards await.

Whether it's the candy floss, the dodgems or the helter-skelter, most of us love a funfair. What about the game that tests your strength? Well-built individuals queue up to hit a base with an oversized hammer, hoping to be strong enough to win a prize. Of course, they all practise a few times before they manage to hit the bell. This week, as you encounter a task that seems impossibly large, think of that! You're facing the latest in a series of hurdles. You've got all the experience you need to succeed. And you will. In your love life: A decision is needed. The stress is unbearable. Accept that, in your emotional life, there is no ultimate answer... and relax!

A stock market graph of prosperity never follows a straight path. The line zigs and zags up and down, so it's imperative to view it over a decent timescale to discern any trends. You're emotionally invested in something you've been working on which you are keen to encourage and develop. But as Venus and Jupiter face their first big test since they met in November, you may be experiencing a sense of volatility about your plans. This is not the end of the adventure, though. The journey to success is surprisingly meandering. In your love life: A development is trying to tell you something. Do my readings seem baffling? Keep paying heed till you get the message.

Venus is about to leave your opposite sign. So is it time to say goodbye to feeling valued? Will the affection you've been enjoying cease? Do you need to prepare yourself to start questioning the motives behind any kind gestures? No! No! No! The only person you need to be concerned about is anyone who suggests that you need to start thinking defensively. Your greatest strength is your trusting nature. This week, if you trust and follow your instincts, you can bring out the best in yourself and others too. In your love life: Once-difficult things now look simple. You will soon discover you know exactly how to handle the challenge you face.

What springs to mind when you hear someone talking about the unexplained'? Boats missing in the Bermuda Triangle, aliens, Area 51, The X-Files, ghosts, conspiracy theories and crop circles? Of course we don't have to search far to find things that befuddle even the brightest minds. Instructions for assembling flat-pack furniture are a perfect example! Or why certain people can never tidy up after themselves! Right now you're searching for an explanation. But the answer is less elusive than you fear. In your love life: You need to communicate an alternative idea in attractive terms. Even a small step will be better than none.

In 1968 a scientist called Spencer Silver was trying to develop a strong glue. One of his experiments created the opposite: a weak adhesive that could be re-used. A decade later that discovery became the Post-It Note. Sometimes we discount something because it doesn't have an instant application. At the moment what you're experiencing seems of little use. But you'll soon be extremely thankful for what you're learning. Keep open minded to all possibilities, and you'll find creative ways to move ahead this week. In your love life: Time matters more than money. Money can be acquired again. Consider why you let irrelevant issues eat up your time.

Do you need luck on your side right now? Is it time to seek out four-leafed clovers, collect upturned horseshoes, and blow on your dice? Should you be avoiding ladders and watching out for black cats? In truth, you don't need supernatural intervention to deal with any of your problems. Which is lucky, as your chances of winning the lottery can't be guaranteed! Nevertheless, as Venus links to Jupiter in your sign you can undoubtedly profit from a stroke of good fortune be ready to seize it and run with it. In your love life: Some dreams ought not to become a reality. Think carefully in choosing an inspiring dream that has merit; then pursue it.

A Freudian slip is defined as an unintentional error in speech or action that betrays what a person is actually thinking about. Such is the power of our internal thoughts that sometimes we give voice to them without meaning to. There's a good chance you've experienced this recently. Something keeps bubbling to the surface. So, maybe it's time to stop trying to suppress it. This week, you can find the courage to say what you mean and mean what you say. Stop holding back and you'll feel much more optimistic. In your love life: Is false belief that you might be wasting your time preventing progress? Stick with a plan. You will get somewhere good.

February's partial Eclipse takes place mid-month in an area of the sky associated with your prosperity and security. But, it's not just the position of the Eclipse that suggests you're facing a series of positive celestial circumstances. The Sun, Venus and Mercury all link encouragingly to your ruler. Any clouds are likely to reveal an unexpected silver lining this month. Though I wouldn't advise chasing after rainbows in the hope of finding a pot of gold, if you keep your good sense, whilst remaining hopeful, you'll prosper. In your love life: The dilemma and confusion you face are giving rise to uncertainty. Be open to the possibility of a constructive compromise.

Of all the tools in the box, you're one that needs to be handled with care. Why? Because you're one of the sharpest! Some people try to be too clever they over-complicate simple decisions and overlook the obvious solutions. But you know about wisdom. In February, you'll need to remain clear-headed. You can talk things through, and consider your options, but when it comes down to it, being sensible and pragmatic will take you where you want to be. You may even surprise yourself with your razor-like clarity. In your love life: Stop thinking about what you ought' to be feeling and start feeling good about what's happening. All will go well soon!

We all have a set of beliefs that we hold dear to our hearts; which guides our decisions and influences our every thought and action. This might be faith in a concept, a person, a spiritual practice or a particular philosophy. But it's important to reserve the right to review the truths that we hold so close to our hearts. Otherwise, we robotically follow a path towards the future, and lose the vital ability to make choices. Don't be afraid to stand by what you believe in this week. But remember that it's okay to change your mind.In your love life: Don't waste time wrestling with the impossible; trust that somehow, soon enough, something will alter. It will.

We have our own belief system; tenets we cling to because they give us confidence, or define our sense of who we are. That's why we're sometimes so quick to distrust people who take a different view. But what if we're wrong, and they're right? What happens if we've unwittingly wrapped ourselves in a bubble, rejecting everything but what we want to hear? Asking such difficult questions this month will avoid self-deception. The answers you find won't just be valuable, they'll be more to your liking than you can imagine. In your love life: You find yourself in unfamiliar territory. But you're not there for what it contains, you're in it for what it can lead to.

We like to think of ourselves as living in a civilised society. But a quick scan of the latest headlines is enough to remind us that there are many unenlightened corners in our world. Meanwhile, we're busy refining our levels of sophistication and respectability. Everyone deserves respect, but it's an attribute that needs to be earned rather than given. Events this month provide a chance to reassess a challenging situation. If you respond with honesty, pragmatism and sensitivity, you can turn your ambition into a success. In your love life: What's happening is potentially big. You are in the process of overcoming a limitation. Relationships can only improve.

As the partial Eclipse arrives mid-month, just as the Sun is about to conjunct your ruler, it marks a long-awaited turning point. It brings the moment when you can finally see the value of what you've been learning, and put it into perspective. The difficulties you've experienced have helped you develop a precious commodity; wisdom. Now, it's time for your vivid imagination to come to the fore. This month, make time for daydreaming. Don't dismiss any of your ideas as fantastical. You're closer to realising your dreams than you imagine. In your love life: You are moving away from a time of turmoil. A set of inspiring revelations await you. Healing can now be set in place.

This month's partial Eclipse signifies an important moment. As it draws closer towards the middle of the month, your power grows like a spring under more and more pressure, until it can be contained no longer, and bursts forth. It doesn't need to be a destructive explosion, but it could well be dramatic. You have the potential to unlock an unsatisfactory situation. Of course, power can be harnessed positively or negatively, so it's up to you to direct your energy effectively. Fortunately, you're blessed with integrity too. Be courageous! In your love life: You're not interested in blame, merely in knowing how to make a positive contribution. Your desire will bring results.

Better the devil you know' is a saying that doesn't make much sense. The problem with devils is that we never get to know them. Just as we think we do, they change, and confound us again. Our demons are tricky blighters! The good news is that, as Venus leaves your opposite sign (just before the partial Eclipse), you can enjoy the company of both the devils you know or think you know and those you don't. And, if you avoid fire and brimstone, you'll find that it's angels, rather than devils that keep you company this month. In your love life: To make a flow of energy head for rewarding destinations, you needn't blow up a dam. Just divert a few streams.

It sometimes feels as if we're required to walk round with subtext boards' flashing up notes that put our actions into context. Perhaps someone will develop an app that explains what we're all doing. It would save time, but can't we choose when, and with whom, we want to share the intimacies of our inner lives? In February, you'll develop a greater understanding of what motivated you to make recent decisions. Though you're feeling compelled to explain your motives, you need to share only when you feel ready. In your love life: You really have the power now to turn a situation around and create co-operation where there's lately been conflict.

To do something well, you need to put your heart into it. Since you're smart and capable, you know when you can bend the rules, and when you need to fully commit. But this month's Eclipse, plus Venus' change of signs, energises you to do much more than you think you're capable of doing. Your optimism, energy and hope can reinvigorate prospects of success, and help solve a conundrum. Investing your time and effort may feel like a sacrifice, but it's the price you pay for progress. And this month, you're on to a bargain. In your love life: To attain power in your emotional life, resolve to take everything cheerfully in your stride. Don't let aggravation get to you.

Scientists in Switzerland, working on the Large Hadron Collider, are changing our understanding of the properties of mass. Perhaps one day, we'll be able to similarly re-quantify our own heavy psychological baggage. We'll know exactly which experiences can be cast off, and which lessons are worth taking to heart. Meanwhile, it's time to reassess the emotional burden you've been carrying. The Eclipse brings the energy to shift the weight, and lighten your load. Then you can move more easily to where you want to go. In your love life: If it seems that life is sending a cloud of doubt in your direction, hang on to who you know and what you trust about them!

Are great leaders born or made? Often it's a mix of both. There's no denying that some people are blessed with the sort of charisma that makes people listen and respond. And you are one of those people! Folk listen to what you say, and act upon your ideas. Yet, being so outward looking and adventurous, you might not have noticed the effect you have. The coming mid-month partial Eclipse will help bring your persuasive powers to the fore. If you're in need of something, there's an easy way to get it. So, gather up your courage and ask. In your love life: The cosmos want to bring positive transformation in a key area of your life. Just stop looking so hard for this!

It's ironic that we're at the highest risk of making errors when we're trying our hardest to get things right. We push too far, strain too hard and if we're not careful, overshoot the mark. Our sense of perspective gets lost. As Mercury, the planet of deft communication, links with dark Pluto in your sign, perhaps you're right to be nervous of being plunged into relationship difficulties. But don't let any initial gloom fool you. Hold your nerve. Reaching a new depth of understanding isn't easy but you'll soon realise how valuable it is. In your love life: Carrying too much psychological weight? Work on making your heart feel lighter, the rest of your life will follow suit.

As the Sun joins Venus in your sign, you're remembering a crucial piece of information: the only person who's in charge of you, is you! This will come as a shock to anyone who thinks that they can influence your thoughts and actions. You haven't been feeling quite yourself of late, and you've been more susceptible to suggestion. Now, you'll find that your ambitions and values are clearer than ever. When pressured to do something you don't agree with, you won't have any trouble finding your voice. Say it loud! In your love life: You are listening too carefully to one well-intentioned opinion. You know far more about yourself than the so-called experts.

Hello? Who's in charge here? Somewhere in your life, there's been confusion about who should take the reins on a particular issue. You're not usually one to leap up and seize control but you can't endure this chaos a moment longer. Something needs to be done. And soon. But if you stand up and take control, aren't you risking making a fool of yourself? Whatever happens, your well-intentioned initiative will impress those around you. And, soon enough you'll begin to feel a lot more comfortable in your new role. In your love life: Write a letter but don't send it. Get your feelings out, then put them away. Articulate it to yourself to clarify all you need.

Karl Marx said, The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, is to change it.' Actions, we're told, speak louder than words. And they do. But that doesn't mean that we can leap into motion without thinking about consequences. Taking time and being patient has its advantages. It's a sign of confidence and strength. Sometimes inaction is the bravest path of all. So take the time you need to make your mind up this week. Then, when you act out your ideas, you can, in your way, change the world. In your love life: Big stuff is happening. Soon you will gain much reassurance that will help you to improve many situations.

If you're wearing the psychological equivalent of boxing gloves you can unlace them! A dispute is coming to an end and you don't need to protect yourself nor ensure that your verbal jabs are cushioned. As Mars leaves your opposite sign it helps to calm a conflict. Though there are rarely clear-cut winners, as the Sun changes signs, there's a sense that your reputation hasn't been harmed by your ability to fight your corner. But it's time to remind people that you're capable of great kindness and compatibility too. In your love life: Apprehensive? Fear not. Interpersonal communications may have been difficult, but they are about to get a whole lot better.

As a Gemini, you're opinionated, passionate and open. Secrets are for people who aren't interested in sharing knowledge. And that's hardly your style! Sure, your energy causes a few ruffled feathers sometimes, but you're only trying to help. Just because someone doesn't want to confront something doesn't mean they shouldn't. Much as your verbosity can frustrate those around you, as Mars moves opposite your sign and Mercury conjuncts Pluto, your clarity can make a big difference to someone's life this week. In your love life: There may be questions in your emotional life that it is unwise to ask, far less expect an answer to at the moment.

It's called the gift of the gab. And those who possess it get what they want more often than not. They're naturally good at selling concepts, ideas and even lifestyles. That's all well and good when they're promoting something that's useful or positive. But they can be just as good at advertising something ridiculous and unhealthy. Something isn't true just because an enthusiastic advocate declares that it is. This weekend, don't be beguiled into believing something without double-checking the facts. In your love life: Don't let a glimpse in the mirror shake your confidence. Notice instead, the great reverence someone has for you.

Did your parents worry about you falling in with a bad crowd'? As adults, we're still judged by the friends we keep. But, there's a world of difference between a surface opinion formed from a distance, and the depth of a close friendship. You don't know them as well as I do' is not an expression just for teenagers. As the Sun moves opposite your sign, it brings your attention to one particularly close companion. They need your help to make a difficult decision. You won't be sorry for the efforts you make to support them. In your love life: Sensitive? Soon, you will be feeling a lot less unsettled and you will have far less aggravation to react to.

Invention, isn't created from a void, it comes out of chaos,' wrote Mary Shelley and, since she created one of our most terrifying monsters, her point is worth considering. How can innovation, creativity and imagination rise from convention, lethargy or boredom? There's got to be a spark, a crazy moment of what if...' and the drive, belief and passion to pull that into the realm of reality. Your current idea could make a difference so profound that it comes to be seen as one of the most sensible decisions you've ever made. In your love life: To avoid unnecessary angst, be gentle regarding what you say and forgiving, regarding what you hear this week.

People who've known both poverty and prosperity are best qualified to understand the value of money. When you've experienced both sides of the coin you know how much the coin is worth and what it's best spent on. Mars is moving out of the part of the sky that governs your resources, just after the Sun has joined Venus in the area that encourages generosity. But you don't have to be rich to be able to feel wealthy this week. If you share what you hold in your heart, you'll receive something that money can't buy. In your love life: Looking for a more solid support? You must first abandon a dubious arrangement. Be brave. Things will soon improve.

When you're playing a game of chess, you can't let your emotions take over. That's a sure-fire way to lose the game. Once you feel a tinge of excitement, you stop thinking clearly and start rushing moves. Even when your opponent is closing in on your best pieces, a calm, cool exterior is best. It's a hard strategy to learn but this week, if you put passion aside, you can turn trouble into success. As Mercury conjuncts Pluto if you apply a logical strategy to a key area of your life, you'll find yourself in a winning position. In your love life: If you don't set out to achieve the impossible, how can you hope for a miracle? Don't rule out anything positive right now.

Mars is moving into your sign. Perhaps you can already sense its presence. You have a renewed feeling of resolve, and a determination to get to where you want to be. Yes, there are obstacles ahead, but you know what you can do to overcome them. Many of your challenges seem to be caused by other people's decisions. You can't tell if they're motivated by a wilful desire to cause mischief or just ignorance but either way, you can win through. Just take your time before beginning to turn things around. In your love life: Something is starting to come together. It's intense and exhausting. But you will gain all you need to know to fix a problem.

Even in these scientific times, people still claim that they can perform alchemy. This is the art whereby base metals can be turned into gold. From medieval times to the modern internet age, people have insisted that they have the power to perform this miracle. Whether we choose to believe them or not, emotional alchemy definitely exists. That feeling of gloom you've been battling with can now can be transformed into a bright and shining reason to look to the future. This is a week filled with hope and positivity. In your love life: We are brought up to feel that indecision is a vice. Not always; now you'll profit if you allow yourself some uncertainty.

Where's the light at the end of the tunnel? You've been running around like a headless chicken trying to achieve this, finish that, and co-ordinate the other. When will this chaotic feeling end? Whenever you want it to! You have more power than you realise. And what you're seeing as chaos is actually evidence of your own exceptional multi-tasking talent. You might feel panicked and stressed, but if you could step back, you'd see that everything is perfectly under control. Have confidence in yourself everyone else does! In your love life: Diplomacy is called for. You might get further and faster by being blunt; but being sensitive will spare you from trouble.

Excuse me, but do you own this planet? Can you show me the certificate that proves it? No? OK, well can you show me the one that shows that you own a small corner of it? You can't do that either? Hmm. Well, to be honest, neither can I. Mind you, that doesn't stop swathes of people all around the world from prancing about as if they do, while those with real responsibilities swear blindly that it's nothing to do with them. We all have the power to make a difference. As your ruler and Pluto align this week, use yours for the greater good. In your love life: Don't waste time regretting wasted time! Act now. You can make the story of tomorrow a tale of true triumph.

No one becomes wise by mistake. Even those people who don't seek wisdom acquire it via life experience. As long as we're open-minded and open-hearted, lessons can be learned and insights gained. This week, although you may not want to look, if you're brave enough to face the challenge before you, you'll be surprised by what you see. You have control of your destiny. No matter how scary a situation appears, it can transform you. The ground under your feet is fertile. Now, the cosmos is nourishing you. It's time to grow. In your love life: Much-needed change is about to occur. Don't fight to control the uncontrollable. Courage is all that's needed.

We talk about the chapters of our lives, when really we should be talking about books. Every milestone reached, each mountain climbed represents an entire novel. When we finish something, there's often a blissful time when we're able to bask in the glory of our achievement like an epilogue. We think it would be wonderful to have more time to languish in such moments. But wouldn't that soon bore you? No matter how comfortable you are, don't struggle against growth. Your sequel, the next big adventure, awaits. In your love life: Some feelings are simply beyond time, analysis and explanation. Your love life is about to increase greatly.

The saying absence makes the heart grow fonder' has a hidden meaning: lack (or absence) drives progress and growth. When we feel safe and fed, we stay still. When you've got a good thing going, being restless potentially jeopardises the situation. The course of human history has been directed by people who found themselves wanting, and needing to fill the void with something new. The empty feeling you've had can be shaken off as you discover not only what it is that you're searching for, but also how to get it. In your love life: You will soon hear a brilliant idea. It may yet lead to a change in your heart, your affections and your priorities.

You're one of life's natural influencers. People listen to what you say, absorb your take on events, and adjust their lives accordingly. The only person who doesn't see this... is you! For reasons that evade those who know you best, you doubt your own powers of persuasion. The question you keep asking is: what difference can I make? The answer, is: all the difference. This week's circumstances may compel you to recognise belatedly how capable and powerful you can be. And the results will be more positive than you imagine. In your love life: Dreams matter. Heed your most inspiring vision, and show similar courtesy to what touches someone else's heart.

There are some facts that we think we know with certainty. But there's a strong possibility that you're on the brink of making a decision based on an assumption. Even though you feel as if you're in possession of all the facts, when you were building the foundations of your idea, some misinformation crept in. So, before moving more deeply into this situation, it's worth taking a moment to re-examine what you know. It might feel like taking one step forward, two steps back, but it's better than heading down the wrong path. In your love life: You have heightened sensitivity right now. There are good reasons why you want what you want. Trust your instinct.

I'm a firm believer in the power of intuition. It seems to me that we're all too ready to dismiss our gut feelings and inner voices, or trample over them with the brute force of logic. Though my opinion on this is unlikely to change, it doesn't mean that there's no place for reason. Sometimes a dose of rational thinking is precisely what's required. Right now, your powers of deduction are supercharged. If you stop searching for supernatural answers, and apply your mind, you'll calculate the most straightforward solution to your challenge. In your love life: The one you would most like help from, now needs help from you. Forget your needs; look at what is needed of you.

You might think you'll only ever encounter a psychic inside a brightly-striped tent at the seaside. Someone wearing a shawl and hovering their hands over a crystal ball. In truth, you've met many more psychics than you realise. They hold normal jobs, and betray no outward sign that they're receiving a stream of unseen feedback. The only subtle clue to their power is that they sometimes betray unusual depths of understanding. Your own inner aerial is picking up strong signals right now. Act on what they're telling you. In your love life: A new source of light is entering your world. You are learning about someone. Fear is giving way to confidence.

With Jupiter in your sign aligning so pleasingly with Pluto, this is a moment to take the bull by the horns. There's no point in dancing around problems or hoping they'll go away. Of course, at other times this is a perfectly acceptable strategy. But, this week, it would be such a waste of a golden opportunity. The universe is supplying you with all the tools you need to outwit a conundrum, and look beyond conventional methods of tackling difficult issues. Be willing to explore these avenues, and the insight you gain will transform your week. In your love life: You need to move on and explore a new perspective and adapt to a change. The status quo is not an option. Be brave!

You need to be brave to go into a sensory deprivation tank. It's a place where you're denied access to both sight and sound. Scientists have discovered that our brains begin to create a new reality a world in our heads, when we're isolated in such a way. I find this very heartening. It suggests that we're all living in our imaginations and that the real world is a construct which, through thought alone, we can change. As your ruler and Pluto combine so encouragingly, you can start to create your own rewarding future this week. In your love life: Good times ahead... if you can face reality. Say what must be said; listen to an emotive message that must be heard.

We're all composed of a unique blend of genetics and experiences. There have been moments in your life that remain personal to you, that have helped to create your hidden strengths. You're entitled to this secret knowledge it's what makes you you. It enables you to make decisions. And it gives you the wisdom to take responsibility when others feel powerless. A choice must now be made. Even if it must be made on behalf of someone else, you're the only one who can make it. Be wise, be brave be you! In your love life: It is not always easy to see the glory of our loved ones. But soon, you'll have a delightful encounter.

Although we're masters of our own destiny, our ability to influence what happens around us depends on the situation at hand. If the case were otherwise, we'd probably all be millionaires! But, many things require more than effort; we must also be in the right place at the right time. You are exactly in the right place, at the right time, to effect an upward and favourable change in your fortunes. This week, with good timing, and diligence, you really can take your fate into your own hands. Just be careful what you wish for! In your love life: A development is touching on your greatest hope and deepest fear. Take courage; you could alter your life forever.

As Mars converges with your traditional ruler, Jupiter, will you hanker for times gone by? Will you be singing, Tradition!' at the top of your voice like Topol in Fiddler On The Roof? Actually, no! Events in the sky this week suggest an exciting journey of progress, rather than a yearning for the past. But that's not to say that you shouldn't be looking inwards as well as to the horizon. One way to read this week's alignments would indicate the discovery of hidden wealth. Perhaps, If I Were A Rich Man is a more appropriate number! In your love life: Sometimes you need to just give yourself a break. You are entitled to stop and relax for a while in your emotional life.

Even the least superstitious amongst us know what brings bad luck: crossing a black cat's path, walking under a ladder there's quite a list. Good luck sometimes seems more elusive than its cousin. Yet, although things don't seem to be going your way, you know that your guardian angel isn't far away. That's why you're known for your optimism. You're naturally expectant, and keep hoping that you'll hear the sound of opportunity knocking at your door. It beckons this week. Keep looking, and follow its direction. In your love life: A truce is due in some emotional or psychological battle. A new situation will restore your confidence and strength.

Clark Kent was mild-mannered to the point of meek. With his conservative clothes and shy persona, he was often ignored and pushed around. Even his fellow newspaper reporter Lois Lane thought him a bit of a clot. But, when people were in peril, Clark changed. He transformed into a hero, and rescued the vulnerable. I'm not saying that you have to turn into a superhero this week. But you can draw on a power that usually remains hidden. No matter what casts a shadow in your life now, you're more than a match for it. In your love life: Are efforts to resolve a difficult situation making it complicated. Don't be too hard on yourself. Let natural magic work.

Ah, the good old days of black and white cinema! So elegant, so simple. The good guys were clean-cut, handsome and kind. The bad guys had evil inscribed in every crevice of their rugged faces. Nowadays, there are as many shades of grey as there are colours in the rainbow and it's harder to distinguish the hero from the villain. It's tricky but it's more realistic. You're dealing with an intricate scenario that deserves close attention. If you look beyond the surface this week, you'll find an answer that you like. In your love life: Wordsworth wrote of nameless acts of love; the sweet things you do will bring the sweetest results back to you.

People aren't always quite what they seem. Insecure folk can appear aggressive. Lethargy hides discontentment. Getting in touch with our feelings is easy to say, but hard to do. And we miss so much when we simply accept people at face value. When we take the time to look a little closer, and consider different angles, we have greater awareness of the real motivations behind surprising actions. This week brings a precious opportunity to deepen a relationship through shared experience and understanding. In your love life: You are working hard and someone else is doing little. Can it be fair? You are entitled to request a change.

Agatha Christie wrote: Instinct is a marvellous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored.' The problem is that it often speaks in the same intoxicating whisper as hope, fear and desire. So how can we tell which one we're hearing when it's so easy to muddle them up? With Mars conjunct Jupiter and your ruler's triple conjunction this week, your intuition is being highlighted. You can't let hope outweigh reason, but you can trust in your ability to recognise a good thing when you find it. There's a very good chance that you will. In your love life: You have been following a plan that could never bring you real joy. As this dawns on you, a clearer path will emerge.

We're often our own harshest critics, but we're not always our own best judges. Sometimes, we wear an outfit we think is absolutely fashion-forward, only to realise with hindsight that it was more of a faux pas! Sometimes, too, we hide our talents from others because we doubt our abilities. You've been too hard on yourself lately. Now, you're being encouraged to think positively, and courageously share what makes you special. No one's perfect. But under this inspiring cosmic climate, you can be as confident as you are capable. In your love life: Have you given too much respect to something that is best taken lightly. Make some changes; reduce worries.

You know the feeling of adrenaline, exhilaration and excitement (mixed with more than a pinch of fear) that you get as you tip over the edge of a roller-coaster? It comes as more of a surprise when we feel similar emotions when confronted by the biggest and smartest decisions of our life. Recently, you've been pondering your position with someone or something. Although you feel precarious and unsettled, these are not symptoms that you need to worry about. If you trust what inspires you, you'll be on the right track. In your love life: It's time to ask for a little help from your friends.' You know where help can come from. What do you have to lose?

You'd do well to prepare for the impact of the triple conjunction this week since your ruler, Pluto, is at the heart of the action. Jupiter's influence will help you finally to right a situation that's been unsettling you. And the planet of luck's conjunction with Mars suggests your quest to uncover greater integrity will lead you to an important discovery. You can cast off false assumptions and champion the truth. Whatever has been built on a pretence can be replaced by something that has value. You're a powerful force for good. In your love life: Is a silly theme being played out with monotonous regularity? Soon, you can break free from this vicious circle.

When Mars and your ruler Jupiter converge, it's as if you're running a race, and being encouraged to go as fast as you can. But the symbol of your sign is a centaur half human, half horse. So, the key to success is remembering that you're the one doing the encouraging! No matter how much pressure you may be under, or how urgent life feels, you're the one in control. As long as you nourish yourself as much with carrots as you do with sticks, you'll make great strides on the journey towards your goal this week. In your love life: You are being freed from a poor situation. Don't worry about the process. Be delighted about this good change.

The story of your year began in December when the Solstice marked one of the most significant moments for your sign in over thirty years, when Saturn returned to its celestial home. Given its stern reputation, Saturn's arrival can create a feeling of nervousness. But not for you! As your ruler happily settles in, you may have to roll up your sleeves, but this is the kind of work that gets you whistling! Saturn's passage through your sign lasts for almost three years. While it remains in Capricorn, you'll exude a gentle authority, and your leadership qualities will be much in demand and valued. You'll find that you naturally and delightfully receive respect. And although some doors will close, others will open and lead you to where you need to go. Of course, like most things Saturnian, this won't be an instantaneous process. Yet even if the speed sometimes feel glacial, it's shaping your emotional landscape and leaving a legacy that will be long-lasting. As Uranus moves across the zodiac, not only does it encourage you to acknowledge your unique qualities, but it also presents you with situations that you can influence with your talents. And by the time Jupiter changes signs late in 2018, you'll be wise enough to see why your vision and understanding helps you to both fit in, and stand out.

2018's headline news is Uranus' change of signs. But, for you this isn't just a tabloid story; since it's your ruling planet, it will be a uniquely personal experience. It's especially good news because when you focus on everyone else, you tend to make difficult sacrifices. In 2018, you'll find a way to avoid being selfish, whilst still looking out for number one. To understand change, it helps to be aware of the circumstances that give birth to it. With your traditional ruler, Saturn, also settling into a new home this year, you may find yourself trying hard to fit into an environment which offers little in the way of personal freedom. So, you might need to knock down some psychological walls and reconstruct them using the building blocks of your past successes. Lucky Jupiter will be on hand to help you do just that. As long as you use sensitivity and optimism as your cornerstones, you can be as imaginative and adventurous as you dare to be this year. Perseverance and self-belief will help you to put down strong roots in more forgiving soils. There'll be plenty of support to ensure that your green shoots reach maturity. As long as you take care of your environment, your unique vision will enable your garden to grow.

In 2018, Jupiter, the traditional ruler of your sign, will have more power and influence than at any time over the last decade. That's very good news! If you add Neptune (your modern ruler, which is in your sign) to the list of celestial ingredients, it helps to create a very special recipe. It's as if you have a team of celebrity chefs in your kitchen each offering their favourite ingredients. Uranus' change of signs will add spice to the mix and encourage creative thinking. And the supportive angles created between Jupiter (as it moves towards its homecoming in Sagittarius at the end of the year) with Neptune, will create many potentially delicious moments. Your ability to communicate your ideas brings the opportunity to create breakthroughs in stagnant situations; and your ability to share information will be the key to transforming what was once a distant dream into a tangible possibility. Of course, dreams are infuriatingly ethereal. Your awakening depends on you putting effort into real and sometimes tough earthly challenges. But the genie is out of the bottle. And with powerful Jupiter's influence dominating your outlook this year, whatever you wish for really can come true.

As 2018 begins, you discover the means to honour a long-held desire. With Jupiter forming an exact conjunction with your ruler in Scorpio for the first time since 1982, your deepest feelings can no longer be buried, or ignored. There's a sense of excitement in the air as you access subtle but significant realisations about how you can achieve your dreams. Uranus, the change-maker, leaves your sign in May when any upheaval in your life will begin to ease. Of course, ease is not the same as end! As Uranus turns retrograde in August and heads back into Aries in November, it may feel as if you're retracing your steps just as you thought you were making headway. But the gift of being able to look again at the changes you've instigated will add strength and conviction to your choices. In November, Jupiter's arrival in its celestial home, Sagittarius, occurs just after Uranus re-enters your sign, and will help you to see the wisdom of the actions you've been inspired to take. As you gradually appreciate the power at your disposal, and realise how you can best make use of it, 2018 marks a turning point. The key decisions you make this year really can transform your life.

2018 brings the opportunity for you to shine. For too long, your strengths have been taken for granted. As revolutionary Uranus enters your sign, just as the annual Taurus New Moon arrives around your birthday, there's little doubt that you can surpass the expectations of anyone who doubts your ability, and even confound your own misgivings. It may not feel like that as you start the year, though. With Jupiter and Mars converging opposite your sign, it appears as though someone else holds the power, and that their influence is growing stronger even threatening to dominate. But as the year progresses, you'll find that quite the opposite is true and that you're empowered by a strong, supportive alliance. This year, rather than being a solo voice, you're part of a lively and resonant chorus that will support and encourage you. As Uranus reverses out of your sign again towards the end of the year, it brings a chance to assess the long overdue changes you've initiated. Readjustment, realignment or even renegotiation will empower your choices. Your experience of awakening can't be reversed, though. And, Jupiter's change of sign will help you to explore, and maximise the advantages that the changes bring to your life.

It's rare for you to begin a process without committing to it. It's just that you're bright, alert and attentive, so if circumstances change, and another path offers a smarter way to go, you adapt and modify your plans. In 2018, a more abstract and ethereal side of your nature awakens. Given your propensity to look at every angle of a problem, it may feel strange to put your trust in unquantifiable instincts. You may find that you question your involvement in institutions you regarded as sacrosanct. But a faster, sleeker, more efficient version of yourself is downloading along with a raft of improvements, and new features. None of this will come about without periods of reflection. And there will be some hard work too. But as Jupiter makes harmonious and encouraging links to both Neptune and Pluto throughout the year, you'll be more than able to rise to any challenge. Jupiter's spirit of adventure will empower you with a sense of purpose, imagination and vision. This isn't change for the sake of it. And, as Jupiter returns to his throne towards the end of the year, you'll find something, or someone, that shows you the value of the efforts that you've made.

Throughout 2018, the movement of Uranus will not only alter the way that you're perceived, it will change your standing in the world. In May, the planet of progress moves from the part of the zodiac associated with your ambitions and reputation, and enters the area that focuses on the causes you value. It brings the dawning of a new understanding about who you are and what you stand for. 2018 is a journey that happens in fits and starts. As always, change brings challenges there'll be moments, especially with Neptune changing direction, and a Solar Eclipse, when you feel unsure of where you'll end up, as you're swept along by a powerful wave. But you're in a steady and well-crafted boat, and you have the ability to navigate your way through to dry and fertile land. Neptune, in the part of the sky linked to faith, understanding and quest for meaning, makes supportive angles with Jupiter throughout the year, ensuring that you have the creativity to turn the humblest of chances into generous opportunities. And as Jupiter returns to its celestial home towards the end of 2018, you'll be honing such impressive skills that you'll be able to guide other people towards their dream destinations too.

2018 will be very different from last year for Leos, and different too from other peoples' experiences of the year ahead. While the rest of the zodiac focuses on the movements of the outer planets, your story is highlighted by three New Moons each representing a new beginning. For a long time, you've felt as if you've been journeying towards an ever-shifting destination, but that the goalposts keep moving. The New Moon in May brings a shift in your ambitions and a time when you can visualise how to achieve your long-held dreams. As Uranus turns retrograde, around August's New Moon, any modifications that have been made in haste may need to be reassessed. But, if something's not working, you'll know what you need to do to make things run both smoothly, and better. Pausing to reboot your ideas will do the trick. As Uranus returns to Aries around November's New Moon, you'll be ready to move on from any challenges. And, near the end of the year, as Jupiter moves towards its celestial home, it encourages your creativity, self-expression and generosity. You'll find that you're more than capable of dealing with any obstacle. In fact, you'll be leading the way over the finishing line.

As Uranus energises a new sector of the celestial skies in 2018, it heralds the first of many green shoots of spring, which signal the end of a time during which you've been hibernating. Too often recently, you've felt as if you were being held back in the dark, when all you wanted to do was to proceed with clarity and purpose. You have a mission, which you're determined to fulfil.But, over the past year, circumstances transpired to blow you off course. Just as you started to establish rhythm and momentum, something (or someone) forced you to revaluate and plot a new route. It's not that 2018 won't have any surprises in store. Uranus' movement between signs ensures that there will be plenty of those! But, rather than finding yourself caught in a storm, you'll have a fair wind filling your sails. While overcoming obstacles, you will gain valuable insight and understanding. And, as the year progresses, you'll develop a new and mature attitude towards your past. This insight will bring the ability to transform any millstones you've been carrying into the foundations on which you can build a brighter future.

For seven years, Uranus, planet of disruption and disobedience has been opposite your sign. As hard as you've tried to foster understanding, and live in harmony with those closest to you, one revelation after another has made it hard to keep on an even keel. Although it has been a struggle, it has also given you a window into the lives of other people that you'd never ordinarily see. As Uranus changes signs on May 15, the mysterious sources of disruption will melt away. What you've experienced as contrariness will start to make sense. And you'll begin to find ways to combine your talents and perspectives which will enable you to work constructively with other people. You'll realise that you're part of a strong and immensely capable team. Jupiter is making a powerful journey across the celestial sky this year. Its alignments will help you to take any surprises in your stride, and grow more secure and good humoured as you focus on your goals. And as it returns to its celestial home in Sagittarius, at the end of the year, the wisdom you've gained will benefit those around you, as well as, of course, you!

2018 gets off to a good start for Scorpios! You begin with Jupiter and your ruler, Mars, in your sign. It's the first time these two energetic and adventurous planets have so precisely converged in Scorpio since 1982. In terms of starting with a bang, it doesn't get much louder than this! And, as Uranus begins to move into your opposite sign for the first time in 84 years, you can expect a spectacular firework display. Jupiter's presence brings the feeling of riding in a hot air balloon. He's happy to see where the wind takes him, and keen to rise to the top of every situation. Mars acts like a provocateur encouraging you to turn the heat up so much that you could float dangerously high. Fortunately, Pluto's weighty influence will ensure that you remain close enough to the ground. While Jupiter will entice you to venture through old boundaries, and explore every glimmer on the horizon, Pluto helps you to discern whether you're chasing a mirage, or pursuing a transforming opportunity. 2018 brings great opportunity for success and satisfaction. As Uranus changes signs in May this year, it's likely that an already close relationship will be the key to awakening the potential of your situation. With the help of those close to you, and cosmic support, the faith you have in others, and yourself, will be rewarded.

As we move into 2018, you should be feeling a sense of relief. After nearly three years in Sagittarius, Saturn moved into a new sector of the sky in December. Like an animal which has been cooped up in a cage, you may still be cautious, and even a little reluctant to explore your surroundings. Throughout the year, the feeling of release will grow, bringing potential for more field frolicking and roaming than even you can imagine! As Uranus, the planet of unexpected change moves into a new sector of the sky in May, it compounds your new-found sense of freedom. You'll feel the need to mix things up and inject more creativity both in your work life and on the home front too. If there is an alternative, and better ways of doing things, you'll find them. But the big finale to the feel-good story of 2018 is your ruler Jupiter's return to your sign. Arriving just before your birthday, it signals an era where every step holds the promise of adventure. Jupiter can be regarded as the king of the gods. As it only returns home once every twelve years, you have every right to get excited, and give 2018 a royal welcome!

A new idea is as vulnerable as a snowflake. Bright, sparkly and unique, it's a precious gift. But with one gust of criticism or a blast of doubt, our insights and creative thoughts can melt away. While Mercury was retrograde, harsh winds may have buffeted your plans. But, don't let the memory of a recent tempest stop you from sailing into clearer waters this week. Keep true to your vision, and consolidating gifts will appear not just under the Christmas tree either. Tangible support from those you value is on offer. In your love life: Don't think of a relationship as success' or failure'. Embrace inconsistency. Nurture your sense of humour. All will be well.

Venus was a popular figure in ancient mythology. And, although polyamory wasn't unusual for the Greek and Roman gods, they were quick to be jealous too. As Venus conjuncts your traditional ruler, you're being encouraged to sharpen the focus of your feelings. This doesn't mean that you should focus only on your nearest and dearest. But a concentrated dose of well-aimed charm, and kindness will go a long way this festive week. With your charismatic powers being heightened, you can bring joy to the proceedings! In your love life: No matter how scary you believe a situation is, you have just enough power now to make everything okay.

If you search under the tower, just to the right of the space shuttle, you'll find the sledge waiting. People in your life haven't been exactly speaking gobbledegook, but they've been hard to understand. You've listened intently, thought about all the messages you've received, and you're still none the wiser. Normally, this wouldn't matter so much but, as you move into the festive week, you'd love to understand more. Mercury is turning direct. It's not just Christmas that's coming, it's clarity and clear communication too. In your love life: Is someone working against your best interests? Maybe it's a good time to reconsider what your best interests are!

A friend of mine used to say, I'm always right even when I'm wrong!' He was joking (I think!) but we all like being on the moral high ground. Sometimes, in our scramble to get to the top, we step on other peoples' feelings, while other folk never admit to an error because they don't want to lose face. As Christmas approaches, the pressure mounts. We all want to be full of seasonal joy. As Mercury's retrograde movement comes to an end, and your ruler links to Neptune, be sensitive, keep an open mind, and all will be well. In your love life: You sense a foreboding. How seriously you should take this cause for concern? Not at all. Don't nurture negativity.

A watched pot never boils...' but I don't need to remind you of that! You know perfectly well how slowly watched pots boil, because there's one that you haven't been able to take your eyes off and I'm not talking about the Christmas gravy! The progress you're making seems incremental, and you're worrying that your plan will never be cooked. But you're about to find answers to questions that will bring peace and goodwill. As Venus converges with Saturn, you'll see a meaningful return on the time and energy you've invested. In your love life: It is possible now to end a self-perpetuating cycle of argument in your emotional life.

Some people claim to be able to read minds. A much larger group is certain that such abilities are trickery. Sceptics accept every possibility but one that a few amongst us really do have special, and unusual gifts. Although you might not be developing a third eye', as Mercury turns direct, you'll finally start to understand someone better this festive week. With your new insight, deeply held misunderstandings can be peacefully resolved. If you embrace what's been so hard to see, a healthier, happier time lies in store. In your love life: Your pathway, in the past, may have seemed like a wobbly tightrope. Destiny now makes your route clear and inspiring.

Venus is entering your opposite sign. That's not just good news for your love life. That's great news for your unloved life! Because just as something was starting to prove difficult, and daunting, Venus' conjunction with Saturn will help you to see its value. With delightful timing, the cosmos offers you the chance to appreciate what you have, and who you have it with. Just don't sacrifice long-term dreams for short-term pleasures. There are ways in which you can ease your burden, and advance your prospects too. In your love life: I cannot stress strongly enough how glorious your long-term outlook is. I suspect you are not convinced. Trust me.

Often our colleagues are no more than that. They're simply the people we need around us to get things done. And given how much time in life is devoted to work, that can sometimes make life feel a little lonely and restricting. But this week, you'll find yourself surrounded by more kindness than you're used to. It will creep out of crevices and seep into the fabric of your days. Any doubts and fears about your future can, for the time being at least, be set to one side. You can relax over the festive season. Go on! You deserve it! In your love life: You may be worrying too much. Confidence is coming, though, to envelop you in a kind of protective shoe.

Most of us have experienced d©j  vu. Although there's no scientific explanation for it, some people interpret such feelings as signs of faith. There's a strong sense that what you've experienced in the past is now powerfully affecting you. You've been through, and learnt, a lot. As Mercury turns direct, if you can see why a situation has turned out the way it has, then, with your unique sensitivity, and natural communication skills, you'll find that you can stand strong and enjoy your role as peacemaker over the festive week. In your love life: You may need to think again about what you'd like to banish from the garden of your emotional life.

From an evolutionary point of view, holding a grudge makes sense. If we remember the reasons for the stresses we've faced, our chance of repeating the situation decreases. That's the theory anyway! But, as we prepare to repeat familiar rituals, (that bring their share of challenges), it's good to remember that such a perspective closes us to new opportunities. How much you're willing to forgive, and how much you can afford to forget is up to you. This festive week, if you're kind to yourself, those around you will benefit too. In your love life: Could someone else be stuck, and your only crime is to be involved with them? Find a fault and fix it. Success awaits.

When we say something's too good to be true, are we describing what we see, or how we see it? Mercury's retrograde period created a climate of insecurity. Now, as Venus and Saturn converge, it's understandable that you're wary of letting down the protective barriers you've placed carefully around you. But if you limit the kindness you give, you'll limit the amount you receive. Mars in your sign is encouraging you to be boldly generous. Be true to these principles, and the festivities this week really can be too good to be true. In your love life: You don't need to explain everything on your mind to let your hopes or fears be known. Subtle hints should be enough.

Your senses are alerted if you even suspect the possibility of a trap. Being forced to do anything causes your stress levels to rise, and a desire to run in the opposite direction. So, is this week fraught with challenges? As Mercury turns direct in Sagittarius, rather than seeing yourself as vulnerable prey, picture yourself as the hunter and talented one at that. You have the social skills and presence to create a scenario in which you can feel comfortable. If you take good stock of your surroundings, you can enjoy the festive feastings. In your love life: Something is troubling you; so try to relax, and be as philosophical as you can manage to be. It's all going to be okay.

You're almost tempted to throw some coins down a wishing well. Or purchase fairy dust. But are these skilful ways to secure your happiness? Of course not! There are more practical things you can do; like taking your well-being into your own hands. You could try getting out and about and considering ways to make more of your current circle of friends and contacts. Mercury is retrograde, and many of the usual rules don't apply. So challenge yourself by trying some unusual activities. This beats wishful thinking! In your love life: Nothing holds back a good time like taking an issue too seriously. A small choice can make a big difference now.

Wisdom comes from surprising sources. While my son was off nursery, poorly and indulging in an episode of Transformers, I heard a line that stuck out like a sore thumb: It's not the winner of the first battle that matters, it's the victor of the last that counts'. As Mars changes signs, with Mercury retrograde, you're realising that success isn't defined by a single encounter, and that progress is a meandering path. Don't question the wisdom of making the journey. Events this week will prove that you're on the right path. In your love life: You are hoping for the best, aren't you? Don't try to justify a hunch. But do follow it.

With Mercury retrograde, something controversial is in the air. Everywhere you turn, people are whispering, debating and arguing. Rumours are swirling and camps are forming. And you're being pulled this way and that, by people trying to make you turn you to their side. Let them talk. You don't need their half-formed thoughts or opinions. Although you might not have everything you wish for, you have wisdom in abundance and that's all you really need. This week, keep your own counsel. The only opinion that really matters is yours. In your love life: If we try too hard not to be noticed, we may end up drawing attention to ourselves! Can you get that balance right?

The great Terry Pratchet wrote there are times in life when people must know when to let go. Balloons are designed to teach small children this.' But the problem with this philosophy is that it doesn't teach us much about when the letting go' needs to be done. Difficult emotions have a way of sticking in our minds and hearts, and it's these that we need to learn to rid ourselves from. As your ruler, Mars, leaves your opposite sign, while Mercury is retrograde, perhaps the time has come to forgive someone for a past wrong. In your love life: Nobody has a deliberate agenda to make you unhappy. Make a determined decision to be happy; you will succeed.

The word generosity sounds like the conflation of generous' and ferocity' to me. That's almost certainly incorrect! But language and words are merely vehicles for expression. They're only right if they convey the meaning they're intended to make. As Mars changes signs, there's a risk that you'll exert pressure on someone through what you perceive to be an act of kindness. Though there's nothing wrong with being proactive, you're better off waiting for a distress call, than wading in without an invitation. In your love life: You are too close to a situation that you would be much better advised to stand further back from.

How can you change someone's mind? It's tempting to overwhelm them with the power of your argument and submerge their doubts under a deluge of facts. But this will only create feelings of coercion. And, when you want someone to see things from your point of view, the last thing you want them to feel is resentment. So let them carry on drifting down their path. When the right time presents, you can gently guide them towards your way of thinking. Be the sun, not the wind this week, and your influence will be effective. In your love life: Is an outdated expectation now creating unnecessary insecurity? If so, just relax. All will be well.

As Mars changes signs, it reveals unrealised potential. It's been lurking under the surface for a while, waiting for the right celestial conditions. You're becoming a force to be reckoned with. You're fizzing with unexplored inspiration and power. This week, if you think about an almost forgotten plan, you can revitalise your efforts to bring it to fruition. With Mercury retrograde, you'll need to walk before you can run. But, as your confidence reappears, any doubts about your ability to succeed will fade into a memory. In your love life: You may feel under stress; but much of this is just unnecessary worry within you. Things are due to turn out okay.

What brought you to this point? Was this the only road available? Was your planning flawless, or did you make a few wrong turns along the way? These sort of questions are inevitable now, as Mercury, in retrograde, prepares to conjunct your ruler, the Sun. But there is an alternative that deserves some consideration. Rather than being a problem, your present circumstances present a new reality that you're just coming to terms with. This week offers an experience that will be of immeasurable value. In your love life: An old arrangement needs to be looked at in a different way. A renegotiation is needed. It need not be a problem.

When we really want something, there's very little we can do to change our own minds. Even when what we're yearning for flies in the face of sense and reason. When we try to convince ourselves that there's a better, more logical option, our emotions overrule our pragmatism. You may be a realist, but your emotions are powerful. So, if you're finding it hard to disregard your feelings about something now, don't! Just be honest with yourself. Then you'll be able to strike a compromise between your heart and your head this week. In your love life: Are you reluctant to go towards that which you need to connect with? Just be calm, and enjoy the journey.

If the sky had fingers, it would be reaching down to gently rub your shoulders this week. As Mars leaves your sign, so too does a source of tension. When you're in a state of relaxation, it's hardly the time to compete in a triathlon though! You may notice that you're energy levels are not as high as they've been. But easing off from a stressful situation is exactly what's required. It will not only help you to see how far you've come, it will help you consolidate the ground you've gained. Give yourself a well-deserved break. In your love life: We don't say what we ought to say, not knowing the right words. Why rock all those boats? Because you need to!

With your ruler Mars joining Jupiter in your sign, you are, at least temporarily, a god among mere mortals. You'll find that other people are more than willing to acquiesce to your heart's desires, and happy to be putty in your hands. This is a perfect week to explore a desire, or embark upon a great adventure. It's worth checking that you're clear that you really want to do whatever you decide to do, because however you decide to use your energy and luck now, there's a chance that you'll get more success than you bargained for! In your love life: The path you are on will bring wisdom and power. But you need to be absolutely clear about the ground-rules.

Explaining your feelings is never easy. You've poured your deepest concerns into someone's ear, but failed to elicit the response (or the interest) that you need. The problem is that we're all so used to this kind of non-communication that it's sometimes easy to assume that half-listening is the same as engaging in a meaningful way. And, rather than labour a point, we tend to shrug off the lack of interest, and keep our problems to ourselves. This week, though, if you try again, the chances are that you'll hear the response you need. In your love life: You fear that what you say may be misinterpreted or criticised. Stay patient in your emotional life now.