Weekly Astroguide

Criticism isn't always constructive. At times, it may even seem phrased to disparage our ability and character. Someone's observations have made you feel as if you're lacking something. You're beginning to wonder if they've uncovered faults that lie at the heart of who you are. Don't, on any account, follow that train of thought! It leads to self-doubt, a place where you don't belong. Although it may feel, at times as if you're thrown into question, and losing your footing, September's final Jupiter-Uranus opposition, will redress any imbalance. In your love life: You can heal what once caused you tension. But only if you truly feel that the time has come for this.

It may be hard to push you into doing something you're not inclined to pursue. But there's been more pressure applied than usual. Some of it might be subtle. And, some might be so over the top that it backfires. Perhaps you're even expecting too much from yourself. But, your shoulders are broad. And you genuinely do get a wonderful sense of wellbeing when you make a difference to someone's world. This month, you'll finally be able to focus on exploring what you can change to make your own life more than satisfying. In your love life: If you seek the truth, stop listening to what people are saying and start watching what people are doing.

In September, the Full Moon conjuncts your ruler Neptune, suggesting a time to keep a close eye on your relationships. The cosmic winds suggest change is in the air. Before you begin to worry, let me assure you that, although there might be a storm cloud or two, this will be for the good. Later this month, Venus joins Mars by moving into Virgo at the New Moon. When combined with Jupiter's final opposition to Uranus, the impact of these cosmic events is powerful. It brings a happier relationship, not only with someone else, but with your self! In your love life: Your need to look at how you labelled a relationship... and reconsidering what it means in a positive way.

September brings a contrasting tale of clarity and confusion. There'll be moments when you're not sure if you're coming or going. But there will also be times when you see a clear path ahead, and an unobstructed view. The key is not to become frustrated during one period, nor too cavalier in the other. You're being granted the ability to see what changes must be made, and the advantages they can bring. Be careful, be considered, but also be confident that you can turn this opportunity into tangible success. In your love life: There are many ways to view your life. Seeing both sides of a process will help you to improve the outcome.

Are you where you're supposed to be? Has life deliberately led you to this moment, reading your forecast? Or has everything up until now just been a series of chance events? How can you know? To be honest, whether the route here has been challenging or amazing (or, most likely a bit of both), it doesn't matter! It's being' here that's important not the manner in which you arrived. In September, as the Jupiter-Uranus opposition finalises, your next destination will become clear. From where I am, it looks amazing! In your love life: An angel is on hand to help you. Be full of faith. In the heart of your life something is putting new life in your heart.

Bruce Banner, the scientist who turned into The Incredible Hulk, often said: Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!' Few of us are likeable when we're irate. And there's a chance that, as your ruler makes feisty conjunctions with Mars, you might be more prone to unleashing the beast' than usual. Yet that's not necessarily bad. Anger is useful when channelled correctly. Little is gained when heads meet brick walls. If you're smart about how you express your passion, it'll be a key component in your progress. In your love life: If you seek someone's forgiveness, try just saying, I'm sorry.' And if you seek your own? Stop seeking it and grant it.

September isn't the month for thumb twiddling or wet paint watching! When the Full Moon arrives, and your ruler forms a conjunction with Neptune, it's as if the cosmos is sending you mixed signals. A spark of creative energy will fill you to bursting with ideas. Yet bringing them to fruition will be a different matter. You'll uncover confusing signs and signals, and obstacles you've never encountered. If only you could see the direction to take, you'd be on the winning stretch. Mercury, turning direct, will illuminate the way. In your love life: Is something barring your way? The front may be guarded. But another route is unlocked and easily accessible.

At the start of September, Mars leaves your sign just as Mercury turns direct. This is both a blessing and, well, not a curse, but a process of adjustment. You'll finally find that a source of stress becomes less antagonising, and that you're able to relax after what's felt like a busy period. But you may also be so keen to enjoy the fruits of your endeavours that you become less motivated to take advantage of your success. That's OK. This is a chance to rest and review. Soon enough, you'll be inspired by the path that's appearing. In your love life: Is something really missing from your world? It may be better now, to accept an absence than to force a presence.

Oh baby, baby, it's a wild world,' sang Cat Stevens. Bemoaning the unpredictability of life is somewhat of a tradition for us Earthlings. We rather enjoy talking about the things we swear we couldn't have seen coming, and the events we've been powerless to avoid. We don't, however, often ask ourselves what value these situations bring at least, not as often as we should. With the Sun, Mars, Venus and your ruler all traversing Virgo this month, you may start to wonder why you're feeling stressed. Then, you'll get a glorious reminder. In your love life: Often we let off steam at the wrong person. If you now speak to the right person, in the right way, things can be fixed.

The Equinox is coming and the Sun is returning to your sign. And, as if that wasn't enough, the final opposition between Jupiter and Uranus is rooted in Libra. These are signs of fortune, ability and happiness. But they won't just fall into your lap like wind-fallen fruit. They must be harvested from the cosmic orchard. It's time to pursue the goals you've been working up to, and make the decisions that you may have been guilty of putting off. Provide the planets with the right situations, and they'll offer a helping hand. In your love life: Promote peace. Foster co-operation. Clear the clutter of conflict; make room for a future full of trust and respect.

You're reliable and trustworthy. You're the person who commits when the going gets tough when it really matters. This is what you tell yourself, and this is who you are. And yes, these are the exact reasons why you feel that you can't back down right now. You don't want to appear fickle. And worse, even though something doesn't feel right, you don't want to let anyone down. Your ruler, Pluto, turns direct this month, just as the final Jupiter-Uranus opposition takes place. This leads you towards a beneficial, and long-awaited turning point. In your love life: You've got a hat from which you can pull a rabbit. All you've got to do is trust your own ability to perform the trick.

What have you got to give? How much is left in the tank? Though you may be feeling the strain of life's great marathon, you're not far from success and glory. This is no wasted effort. Nor is it a futile attempt to prove' anything to anyone. The journey you've been on has opened your mind to so many possibilities. Just look at what it has taught you and how much wiser you are. Here comes the chance to implement the changes you've been shown, and to use the knowledge you've learned. This opportunity is golden. In your love life: Are you unable to ignore or hide from a source of concern? Fear not. You are about to win your battle.

What would you do if you didn't have responsibilities? Where would you go if there were no chains tying you to your current situation? But I do, and there are, and to think otherwise is to live in a dream world!' might be your reply. But we all have dreams, and we're all here so, unless you're reading this in zero gravity aboard the International Space Station, that dreamworld' isn't as unrealistic as you might imagine. Give something far-fetched the opportunity to grow into something solid now. It may go further than you dare hope. In your love life: You can stop envisaging problems that do not exist, and stop bowing to pressure you can safely ignore.

How many Freudian psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Two one to change the light bulb, the other to hold up his trousers I mean ladder! Forgive me for starting your forecast with such silliness, but, like a Freudian slip, this punchline reveals more than first appears. Not about your trousers heaven forbid, but your week ahead! As Saturn your ruler links to Jupiter, it's time to take your sense of humour and fun seriously. They are, after all what makes life worth living. Not every mistake needs to be seized upon, some can be celebrated! In your love life: Don't keep looking backwards. The question, now you have so many options, is: What would you like to do now?'

No great artist was born with the innate ability to know when to throw out the rulebook. Most laboured at their craft, and then worked longer and harder to complete the masterpieces we admire today. All great achievements are a matter of trial and error. The ability to continue working towards a goal, despite setbacks, suggests great strength of will and a sense of adventure. You're still finding out what works and what doesn't. As your traditional ruler links to Saturn, though, your unconventional attitude will see you reach your goal. In your love life: We often skirt delicately round each other's sensitivities. But crucial matters can now be constructively discussed.

Do you know any contrarians? These are the people who can't wait to draw you into an argument. If you say something's black, they'll insist that it's white. Say it's white, and they'll rhapsodise over the inky depths of its blackness. Sometimes these conversations can be good knockabout fun. But it can be frustrating too. Even though you enjoy the occasional heated discussion, you don't have time for such games this week. If you can avoid a disagreement, you'll create the space to embrace a terrific opportunity. In your love life: You don't get the appreciation you deserve. But that is soon to change for the better. About time too.

Rome was not, of course, built in a day, but when we're focused on achieving something, waiting for it to happen is hard. We want tangible results, well... yesterday! This is ever more the case when we're trying to construct something that will stand the test of time. And even harder when it involves emotions and matters of the heart. If you want to create an enduring connection with someone, you need to get the foundations right. No rushing. Patience, care and respect are essential. You have these in abundance this week. In your love life: Doing the minimum is not an option for you now; the full potential of being part of a team is about to be revealed.

You're experiencing a case of d©j  vu. Familiar faces and familiar places are leading you to believe that you've been here before. You're not wrong. Mercury's final week of retrogradation brings the opportunity to heal an old, forgotten wound. The old ghosts you're seeing are reminders of who you are and what you dreamed of. You have a chance to reassess your plans. Whatever problems you face, past experiences have equipped you to deal with them. You'll be able to put an unresolved issue to rest, at last. In your love life: The time to change track has gone. The next chance lies ahead. Relax. You may even like where you are going.

There's a wonderful children's book by Jill Murphy called On The Way Home. It's the story of a little girl who grazes her knee and then tells ever-more fanciful tales of how it happened, involving encounters with a snake, a wolf and a gorilla. It shows the power of imagination in a beautiful way but then the reality of how a problem can escalate, especially when we're not entirely honest. As Jupiter now makes a rare sextile with Saturn, it's encouraging you to take the honest, clear route forward. You know how to put things right. In your love life: Sometimes we embrace change for the sake of change. But are you sure this is what you really need to do?

It might not seem immediately obvious, but it's a blessing that life doesn't last forever. Just imagine if it did. Even the most enthusiastic amongst us might find the novelty wearing off after a few thousand years of observing people doing things. And, procrastination would reach previously unimaginable levels. Think of what you could put off doing if you knew that you had centuries left to do it in! Fortunately, the way time works, we have no choice but to make the most of every moment. Take advantage of the opportunities coming your way this week. In your love life: You can be finally freed from the need to perform an exhausting ritual. A complicated dance can be greatly simplified.

Past, present and future are all absolute concepts. The past is over and done with, the present is the moment we're living right now, and the future is yet to happen. Simple enough. Except the more you think about the interactions, the murkier everything becomes. Our experience of the past directly affects the way we live today. So, the past is part of our present even our future. Where and how do we make the distinction? An opportunity slipped through your fingers recently. Don't worry life's giving you a second chance. In your love life: You would like to regain a little autonomy. A balance of power is about to shift. You'll feel better after that.

Your judgement is usually spot on. You're right on most big issues, because you consider them so carefully. And though you sometimes have to put up with doubters who question your wisdom, often, they're mistaken. And they may well be this time too. But, even if you find someone to be unnecessarily quarrelsome, it's worth considering their point of view. There's a possibility that they know something you don't and that they have information that could change the whole picture. It's worth being in listening mode this week. In your love life: Some wonderful changes are coming, making you more relaxed about apparent lack of progress in some other area.

When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.' So sings Jiminy Cricket in Disney's Pinocchio. But the wise old insect never says when this will take place. If you made a wish whether it was on a star, or as you blew out the candles on your cake, or just because you felt lucky the chances are that you probably think that the universe is ignoring you. But, in a movie, the dreams only come true towards the end. Cling on tight to your wish just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't. There's magic in the air this week. In your love life: Stop worrying so much about what other people think. You really need tiptoe no longer. Be yourself and be strong.

Isaac Newton's third law of motion famously argues that every action has an equal and opposite reaction'. Suppose the same thing happens with our thoughts? What if every belief we hold causes a ripple to spread round the earth, influencing, shifting, and changing the futures of millions of people, simply by virtue of its existence? Well, why on earth not? Thoughts are powerful, after all. But what a responsibility! You don't need to start modifying your thoughts this week. Just concentrate on the positive ones they should be plentiful. In your love life: Your main aspiration is between a dream and a wish. Making it reality may yet prove easier than you think.

I've struggled a little writing this forecast. It's not that I don't see a bright week for you I most certainly do! After all, your ruler is a part of the Grand Trine that aligns with the Eclipse, just before it turns direct again on Friday. So there are not only plenty of positives to get excited about, but a plethora of opportunities too. It's just how these manifest that remains a mystery. But that's literally the case! The Eclipse arrives in a part of the sky that represents the hidden. Expect good things when you least expect them! In your love life: It's time to let go of a resentment. No matter how justified it is. So much will change for the better when you move on.

Aquarians are known for their loyalty. It's one of your many strengths. But there's a reason this trait may have emerged. You're so brilliantly and confoundingly unique that people don't always get' you. So, when you find souls who appreciate your worth, you make these relationships last. That's why this week's events are such a joy to report. The Eclipse, and the celestial activity involving both your rulers, mark a wonderful new chapter in key relationships. You can afford to feel emotional about that! In your love life: To have a happy love life, you don't have to act like someone's servant. There can be freedom and joy for you soon.

Do you have a party every time you change gear? Do you give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back when you answer the phone? Of course not. And you'd probably turn down an invitation to an award ceremony celebrating your achievements too. What seems run-of-the-mill to you, appears quite extraordinary to anyone observing you. And, just as Mr Incredible thinks nothing of holding a car aloft, you're unaware of your gifts and talents. The Eclipse promises long-overdue recognition and appreciation. In your love life: Be kind to someone, even if they don't deserve it. This will make you happier and make you powerfully attractive too!

It's not just the Total Eclipse that makes this week special for you. The Sun also forms a Grand Trine focused on Jupiter. So, as the Moon marks its influence on the planet in such spectacular fashion, it's time to consider the power of your impact, and the imminence of a wonderful opportunity. The cosmos brings the chance for you to have a fresh approach to what is beginning to feel like an arduous journey. It was never meant to contain this much struggle. It's time now, to re-inject a sense of adventure and hope. In your love life: Don't dwell on what's making you feel upset. Look at what makes you feel good. That will bring good things to you!

Taureans have a reputation for sometimes having a bit of a stick-in-the-mud mind-set. But we know the truth. In your heart, you long for action. It's just that you also seek perfection. And if you're forever waiting for the perfect moment, it's easy to miss an opportunity that you might have otherwise taken advantage of. The Eclipse is a huge sign to remind you that you don't need to wait for any other signals before acting on your heartfelt desires. Circumstances may not be perfect, but the results may be! In your love life: You're learning how to handle your own feelings... and someone else's feelings too. That can only be good for you.

There's a message you've been desperate to share for some time now. It's not just the Eclipse that helps you to overcome the communication issues you're facing. Saturn's restrictive influence loosens its grip as it turns direct, and begins its journey out of your opposite sign. As it comes to a halt, it aligns with the Eclipse to form a glorious Grand Trine with Uranus. So, it's not just your voice that's growing louder, but your mind that's becoming freer. You always were a bright spark, but now you're glittering. In your love life: Things have been out of balance and unfair for too long. Now it's time to get someone to see what's not right.

Most of us would delight in the opportunity to visit the great celestial supermarket. Few indeed are the people who couldn't do with a little more of this, or that. Even those among us who seem to have it all would have a long list. Once someone has tasted the high life, it's hard to descend to lower altitudes. Travellers in business class dream of a first-class cabin, while those in the expensive seats want private jets. Though such lavish luxury may not be available, the Eclipse suggests that a deep desire can be satisfied. In your love life: You think you want something to stop? Perhaps it hasn't yet properly started. Once it does, you may actually like it!

The Great American Eclipse is a major astrological event for us all. But it occurs in one place in the sky. And only one sign is ruled by the Sun. So the fact this occasion falls in Leo makes it particularly auspicious for you. As a child, the Greek hero Achilles was dipped in the river Styx and made (almost) invincible. The Eclipse can be your baptism of power. Allow its refreshing energies to fill you with hope and inspiration. None of us will ever be invulnerable. But you can be made stronger now. Just protect your heels! In your love life: You have an idea about what should be happening. That idea stops you from appreciating how good things actually are.

The Eclipse arrives this week, just before one of its key instigators enters your sign. Yes, we're heading into birthday season for Virgos. So, just as the Sun is on the way to pay its respects to your corner of the zodiac, the energy and promise of the Great American Eclipse offers invigorating light to shine into your life. As a precursor to the Sun's arrival, take this opportunity and allow yourself to dream a little. There are a myriad of possibilities opening up for you. And they're getting closer to becoming your reality. In your love life: Don't worry about something that isn't happening... and doesn't have to happen. Fill your life with love, not fear.

This is not the time to give up. Not when the Total Eclipse is arriving, just in time to shine new hope into any difficulty. It forms a Grand Trine that will help to rebalance the scales you've been trying so hard to stabilise. What an opportunity! When the moment to take action arrives, take the time to read the small print. There are finer details to this arrangement that will eventually be a blessing. And, there's a caveat with this occasion too. Accept the support of those who offer it to you. There's a lot of it. In your love life: Things may be stressful but your outlook is hopeful. You've got the power to change whatever you don't like!

It seems that everyone, from politicians to partygoers, has someone who manipulates their public image on their behalf. As soon as anyone famous is caught indulging in something that might cause disapproval, we read about stays in rehab' and bids to turn their lives around. The rest of us mere mortals have to fly solo when we want to change people's perceptions of us. But the Eclipse is acting like your celestial spin-doctor. Come out from beneath your bushel and enjoy the success your new position brings. In your love life: Be gentle on yourself and someone else. Lose your sense of frustration; find your sense of faith. All will come clear.

It's a cliche to use the word journey' to describe working through life's mysteries. But cliches exist because they've been shown to be accurate or, at least relatable to. There's some justification as to why I'm rummaging in my well-worn adjective bag to describe your forecast this week. Sagittarius and the ninth solar house, represent the broadening of horizons. And this week, the great Eclipse forms in each of these and Saturn turns direct too. Let me put it like this: expect to enjoy some new-found freedom. In your love life: If there are things you can't alter in someone's behaviour, change what you can in yourself and all will be well.

Que sera, sera is a saying (and a song) that celebrates fatalism. Don't worry, be happy is a more recent version of the sentiment. It's a lovely idea. Just relax and let the world go by. No more worrying if you're making the right decision. Just put your feet up, catch up on your box sets and things will be just fine. However attractive this sounds, it's not what you need to do this week. The encouraging cosmos urges you to be emphatic if you want success. In your love life: The confusion in your life is nothing to worry over. You just have to see it as a gift.

We all want freedom, but not necessarily the same sort. Freedom of the city? Not great if you're a country-lover. Freedom of the open road? Nothing finer unless you prefer home comforts. Freedom of the sea? Not so great for the seasick... Even freedom of choice has limitations; just ask anyone who's tried to choose a new phone, or energy provider the options would boggle any brain. How fortunate that the freedom that you're about to enjoy will be the right kind. In your love life: Soon, you will be able to do what once you failed to achieve. An opportunity is coming again. Seize it.

Some people make something out of nothing. How? Well, with a tad of creativity anyone can definitely make something out of not very much at all. And, with ingenuity, we can all stretch a little a long way. But suppose you find yourself with a severe lack of resources? What if nothing really is nothing? Though you're feeling as if the hand you're holding has been badly dealt, there's a card you've overlooked. Actually, you have more than you need to make a winning move. In your love life: Your dearest dream can come true. List all the positive possibilities and believe in them. Faith works.

The police are trained to know when to make snap decisions and when to be patient. While defusing dangerous situations requires considered action, other incidents may demand a more rapid response. And decisions made in the heat of the moment can have long-lasting consequences. Fortunately, for the rest of us, we rarely encounter life-or-death decisions. The choice you need to make concerns two options. Will you take the risk or will you take your time? In your love life: You were born to surf the ocean of emotion with elegance. A period of respite is imminent.

Though you're not enamoured by the scenario you're in right now, you must admit that something about it feels right. Somehow, you've always known that you would be in this situation. It wasn't an idea you were particularly keen on, or working towards, though. But here you are. So, now this is your reality, why not take a look? Actually, it's perfect. It's exactly what you need. You already are, or soon will be, starting to see the perfection of the situation you face. In your love life: You may not feel ready to start making everything different from now on. But changes will soon make that feasible.

There's often an automatic sign-off that can be applied to e-mails. I recently received one from someone whose message finished with the words sent from the moon'. Now, as Mercury turns retrograde, I wouldn't be surprised if your messages end up in far-flung places. The position of your ruling planet makes it highly apt for you to concentrate on lunar themes. Examine your roots, and take care of your emotional base. With these protected, everything will fall into place. In your love life: This is your wisest advice right now: trust your own judgement in your emotional life.

How long can you go on like this? You may not be at the end of your tether, but you're near it. Your strength is sapping, and energy levels are low. The good news is that this phase is nearly over. You're not quite free, but have you noticed that your burdens are being jettisoned? This week you'll regain a spring in your step and lightness in your heart. Then, you'll find that hiking through the difficult terrain has brought you to the threshold of something excitingly different. In your love life: You want to uphold a commitment and also protect what you value. With care, you can do both.

As Mercury heads back towards your part of the zodiac, Mars moves through your sign. This may cause twitchy moments. Sometimes it seems as if, no matter how much you try, things won't go right. You have grand plans for your future, but can't see how to bring them to fruition. And the more effort you expend, the more disappointed you become. Even if life seems to be an uphill struggle, you're not far from the top. You just need to persevere a little longer. In your love life: You feel let down by someone. Try to stop negative emotions taking over. You can work a minor miracle.

If I wrote your prediction backwards, it wouldn't make it easier to understand. But this forecast isn't the literal or literary embodiment of Mercury turning retrograde. And you don't need to know how to read the wrong way round to cope with your ruler retracing its steps though your sign. Actually, as it's in the part of the zodiac it calls home, Mercury's influence remains strong. It's not mistakes you need fear now, rather, revelations that you can look forward to. In your love life: Coming cosmic changes will bring graceful inspiration' similar to the mood that comes over great artists.

With the movements that your ruler, Venus, makes this week, it's not surprising you feel restless. No wonder you want to make changes. It feels as if everything needs shaking up. These feelings are valuable and worth holding on to. But, rather than leaping into action, take a moment to reflect. There's a place between the extremes you're contemplating. The potential to make the ideal move is greater if you carry on, for a while longer, on your familiar path. In your love life: There's a time to be passionate and a time to be detached. Which is it now? Prepare, plan, bide your time.

There have always been people with power at their fingertips. Moses parted the Red Sea, Caesar built an empire, Elizabeth I prayed for the Spanish Armada to be scattered by a storm. Nowadays it's down to Kim Kardashian, who (allegedly) broke the Internet! But, just because these people create history doesn't mean they're the only ones able to bend the world to their will. You too, when the time's right, may command power. See what you can do this week. In your love life: Coming events will show you how popular you really are. That will be good for your heart and your happiness.

The notion that you won't follow orders is an astrological cliche. The truth is much more complex. You'll accept directions when you're able to convince yourself that you're making your own choice rather than being coerced. If you feel you're being forced down a path, you dig your heels in. But isn't that true of most of us, whatever our sign? What distinguishes you this week, is that you have a wonderful chance to escape such a pressurised position. In your love life: Go your own way at your own speed. Put petty ideas of success' or failure' into perspective.

You're relieved of duty. And yet, it seems that you aren't relieved. Aren't you glad to have this opportunity to get some rest finally? Or are you itching to return to your post and get back into the fray? You may have invested more of yourself, your time and energy than was necessary. Your efforts are commendable and much appreciated by everyone involved, but you've done what you agreed to do. The astrological alliance insists that it's time for you to step back and enjoy the fruits of your labour. In your love life: You only have a problem if you will accept no alternative. Just a little food for thought: be more flexible.

This is a special time of year for Aquarians; you're always guaranteed to have a Full Moon in your sign. But this Full Moon isn't run of the mill. It's a Lunar Eclipse, and it arrives just before your modern ruler Uranus makes a rare alignment with Neptune. This should be a particularly inspiring week. Don't be surprised by a bolt-out-of-the-blue moment when you finally realise what it is that you've been waiting for. Be sure you remain grounded. Inspiration wedded to practicality is the match the heavens want to make. In your love life: You are in the process of having a brilliant idea. What you don't know now, you will know soon enough. Be brave.

Somebody once sang, A dream is a wish your heart makes', and your heart is wishing fiercely for something. Cynics would have us believe that dreaming's a fruitless exercise. They'll tell you that it's in your best interests to stay grounded. But since when did down-to-earth mean refusing to let your head float away in the clouds? Humanity's greatest achievements started with a fantastical idea. We were born with creative imaginations. So ignore the naysayers this week, and go with your craziest, wildest dreams. In your love life: Anxiety and responsibility can often distract us from the miracle of life. Now you have a real opportunity to enjoy life. Seize it.

The Moon reaches fullness as it aligns exactly opposite the Sun, thus creating a Full Moon and a Lunar Eclipse. Expect an increase in intensity in all those areas of life that involve your heart and your soul. Relationships are especially intensified under this powerful celestial spotlight. A strong connection with someone close can deepen as you develop insight into their feelings. Add the influence of your ruling planet, Mars, to this powerful celestial mix, and you can be confident that there's excitement and action in store. In your love life: Bends on the road to wisdom can suggest you are really getting nowhere just when you are about to arrive.

Our desires and dreams aren't easy to talk about. Sometimes it's hard to admit them to ourselves, let alone share them with other people. But when you see the shimmer of something that you've dreamed of on the horizon, it's time to speak up and make a move. This week, as the eclipse arrives opposite Mars, there's a silver lining in the clouds that will light the way towards something you've longed for. The courage you need to step forward towards your prize is easier to find than you think. You can do it. In your love life: You think you know what's possible and impossible. Thankfully and happily, you are wrong about the impossible' bit.

A matter you thought was closed has reopened. Like a door that, at first glance, appears shut, a second look reveals a sliver of light round the doorframe. Where you had all but given up hope, there's an invitation to re-enter a scenario that you need to revisit. Here comes the chance to resolve something. That residual feeling of unfinished business' can be addressed and rectified. We should be the change we want to see in the world,' said Gandhi. You have the power to influence, heal and move on in a better way. In your love life: You're receiving a signal you don't fully understand. Send out a signal of your own, and then monitor the response.

Apparently, TV producers have a penchant for pitching new ideas for shows as being the same as a popular old show but on acid'. If I follow their example, the coming lunar eclipse is going to be like a Full Moon on steroids'. The Full Moon is always a beacon of illumination this time, though, its power is enhanced to the point where shadows are overcome by luminosity. You're particularly sensitive to lunar effects. This suggests that the recognition you've been waiting for is on its way at last. In your love life: Remember that two wrongs don't make a right. And don't say something that you might later regret.

As a Leo, any astrological aspect involving the Sun has an impact. This week then, prepare for celestial adventure. The Sun is in your sign, which means that the coming Full Moon will be opposite. As the Moon darkens for a Lunar Eclipse, its magic and power weave to increase your powers of mystery. With the Sun-Saturn-Jupiter triangle focusing on your ability to charm and attract, you can find yourself commanding attention, and placed into a position of leadership. Sounds like just your cup of tea! In your love life: You are good at giving. You don't always find it quite as easy to receive. A great gift is in store for you. Accept it.

If you're a top level athlete, days off are rare. Training routines dictate your life. No melting chocolate puddings, or illicit tubs of ice cream either. A step beyond the level of commitment most of us mortals ever take is required. You, though, know about determination. In those moments when your heart and mind connect and know what they want, you can be incisive and move like an elite swimmer, cutting through the water to reach your target. This week, you can make a sweet and vital move. A prize is attainable. In your love life: New strategies are needed to reflect the greater sense of confidence you feel. Don't keep harking back to the past.

My son can be very creative with the truth. He knows, for example, that he was in his mummy's tummy. And he also understands, to some degree at least, that he was born via caesarian section. Yet when he talks about it, he insists on his version of events: I was in my mummy's tummy and I punched my way out!' We all tell ourselves stories to make sense of the world. This week, don't let facts get in the way of a deeper understanding. Believe what you must in order to make progress, and you will. In your love life: You know in your heart that it is time to move on. A more decisive and rewarding phase is beginning.

When NASA declared their intent to put the first man on the moon, their plan was backed by ambition, science and millions of US dollars. And, the calculations needed to get the shuttles off the ground was done with less computing power than you have in your phone. Now that's serious manpower! Although the adventure you're being drawn to is smaller in scale, in a way, it's your own moon landing. You want to go where no one has gone before. Luckily, all you need for this new adventure is ambition. Act on it! In your love life: Rise above someone's unacceptable behaviour, take the lesson to heart but don't chastise yourself or give in to doubt.

Is it me, or have weather forecasts become more dramatic? We used to be told to expect heavy rain', now we must shelter from cloudbursts'. Wintry showers' are thundersnow'. Perhaps it's because the weather itself is more intense. But no matter what the skies above our heads look like this week, the heavenly weather looks bright. The Lunar Eclipse gives way to a minor Grand Trine involving Saturn, in your sign, and your ruler Jupiter. Put your psychological umbrella away. It's time to step into sunshine. In your love life: When trouble brews, the more feminine participant usually gets more blame than they deserve. Reject such unfairness.

It's sometimes said that there are only seven or eight story arcs. That every movie made is just one, or another, with different faces and new clothes. And, throughout our lives we play out the same narratives. Some of them are from childhood, with just enough added complexity to prevent us from recognising them. This month, you have the chance to break the cycle of a primal pattern and emerge wiser and stronger. Don't regret the circumstances you find yourself in again. Welcome instead the developments that August brings. In your love life: You don't have to perform a balancing act. You will gain a lot of gratitude if you see someone else's viewpoint.

Be it people or places, or your interactions to the things that you can't control, the focus is on your relationship with the outside world this month. But that doesn't mean you won't have any influence over the proceedings. Precisely the opposite. The Solar Eclipse makes a harmonious aspect with your ruler. It encourages you to meet challenges with brave creativity and undaunted optimism. You needn't fear having your individuality compromised. In fact, you're only just awakening to the possibilities this new outlook brings. In your love life: There is something you would like to go back to, and something you would like to keep just as it is. Proceed with trust.

It wouldn't surprise me if you got a new job in August. Yet, neither would it surprise me if you kept your job, but started cycling to work. Because it's not your career that's due a radical re-think, so much as your experience of everyday life. How can you feel more fulfilled, and find greater purpose in the tasks you spend your time performing? The Solar Eclipse brings the opportunity to make tangible changes that will help deliver more of what you want. And this transformation isn't as well-hidden as you may believe it to be. In your love life: The cosmos is creating a cavalcade of confusion. But it will soon be replaced with a profound realisation of your own power.

We think that if we want to be strong, we must fight. To be heard, we must shout. But the truth is, that there are many ways to demonstrate strength, and many ways to use our voices. Engaging with others, though, is harder when we're focused on ourselves. It's much easier when we're able to hear perspectives that differ from our own. Understanding is so much more persuasive than a show of force. With the Total Eclipse linked to Uranus, in your sign, it's your ability to be counter-intuitive that brings success this month. In your love life: Don't be anxious just because something baffles you. The change you seek is occurring naturally. Lower your guard.

We're generally, quite rightly, scared of earthquakes. If we were to feel the ground move, we'd be quick to run for cover. Yet, most of us wouldn't be troubled by a bit of turbulence on an aeroplane. We might rouse briefly from a state of slumber, but only long enough to grumble at the uncomfortable nature of a red-eye flight. In August, whatever shakes your foundations, the ground isn't going to open up. The rumbling is a necessary part of your journey. It's a wake-up call to make a tectonic change that once seemed unlikely. In your love life: Something with hidden importance is happening, even if you don't yet feel able to identify and understand it.

In this age of global information, we're expected to know everything. Even though this is absurd, we're reluctant to admit that we don't know' afraid that others will see our lack of knowledge as a weakness. So we tell white lies to feign omniscience. But what's so bad about admitting ignorance? Knowledge is gained through experience and time. When you don't have an answer, there's no shame in asking. With Mercury retrograde, and a total Solar Eclipse, if you embrace openness whenever you encounter a tricky question this month, the answer will be forthcoming. In your love life: There is something you don't know. Forget your anxious expectations; just acquire the information you need.

When a good friend's coming to stay, I get excited. I make sure my house is as welcoming and homely as possible, plan things to do with them, and do my best to see that they want for nothing during their stay. As someone so nurturing and caring, this must sound familiar. In August, Venus travels through your sign. Not only will she help you take better care of others, she is looking after you too. With your needs met, you'll be free to focus on what you want. And you'll be very pleased to see how your priorities change. In your love life: Coming events in your emotional life should show you the cause of a recent problem followed by the solution to it.

The Total Eclipse in your sign is much more than any old New Moon. It's a talisman. A pillar of courage and conviction upon which to build a brighter future. It's a time to reshape goals and redefine the boundaries which have limited the freedom of your expression. Yet, even the fastest car, with the most skilful driver, won't get far with an empty tank. This is the celestial equivalent of a fill er up', but with new tyres and an oil change for good measure! Don't be scared of the power at your disposal in August. Be exhilarated! In your love life: Proceed carefully; you may be making an irrevocable move. As long as it is sincere, it can only have an excellent outcome.

We're all interconnected. Yet with smartphones, and now smart homes too, it's sometimes a relief to encounter dumb' technology. I've been staying with friends who live off grid'. I can assure you that the campfire we sat around, and the stars we gazed up at were reassuringly analogue. Yet, I haven't felt so in tune with the world for a long time. If you find yourself mis-tweeting, your Instagram becoming wait-agram, or your Hotmail cooling, don't worry this month. It's the first step towards establishing a more fundamental connection. In your love life: Heed your kindest inner voice. It may not seem to be saying anything logical, but it has a message that is valid.

No matter how hard you try, the way to resolve a difficult situation seems to be eluding you. It's a simple question of right and wrong. But the problem is that the issues in the middle are complex and fraught. You're negotiating a situation that's full of secrets, complexities and controversy. And you rightly suspect that others are serving their own agendas. August's Total Solar Eclipse, in harmony with Uranus, enables you to choose a direction and take a stand. Be strong this month and do what's right. The truth will prevail. In your love life: Can you get past a fear that's sapping your strength? When all is looking bleak, you will see your way to success.

We all like to be recognised for our achievements, but some people are almost too comfortable in the limelight. They're always on' and forever performing, even when the house is empty and the show is over. Perhaps you're a little suspicious about such characters. But this month, you might get a peek into their world. A more public and authoritative side of you is emerging. Your insight, and the power you possess, will be valued. Just try not to let it go to your head! Keep cool and it'll be an opportunity for meaningful change. In your love life: You will develop a new power to say what is appropriate in a warm, wise, well-timed way. That will prove so helpful.

Faith is intriguing. When we have it, life feels smooth and harmonious. We feel confident and sure of our path. But sometimes, it manages to slip out of our awareness. And, by the time we realise that it's gone, there's barely anything left to hold on to. A recent situation has left you feeling disillusioned and mistrustful. But, in August, relief is on its way. The Solar Eclipse arrives in between your ruler waving goodbye to Pluto, and Saturn beginning its final stretch in your sign. As your faith is restored, you'll find an easy path to success. In your love life: Happiness is attainable without a complex plan. Stop trying so hard; a much more rewarding thread awaits.

Some businesses have a ban on workplace relationships. They fear that people will protect their partners rather than do the right thing for the company. They may have a point. But the same could be said of friendships. Human interaction means that attachment and preferential treatment can never be eradicated from the workplace. Even if your environment feels far from conducive to emotional matters this week, listening to your heart will enable your decisions. Listening to your head won't get you as far. In your love life: You are at a crucial point of growth and positive change. Stop thinking about how good things could be; start acting!

We both know that you're extraordinary. You're an outside-the-box thinker. Your natural inclination for imaginative, innovative ideas holds you in good stead when it comes to struggles and setbacks. You're so good at blue-sky thinking that other people are sometimes envious of your good fortune. This week, it's worth finding a little empathy for those who may not have your strengths. Your confidence and positive attitude may yet rub off on them. If you make your moves gently, you can move forward in good company. In your love life: Step back from a concern that preoccupies you. The only thing you are likely to lose is an unhelpful frame of mind.

No matter what your profession, no matter how stimulating your work, there are aspects of all jobs that just seem to drag sometimes. As grateful as I am to be your astrologer, there's plenty of admin that accompanies the honour. The forecasts would suffer if I didn't keep up my end of the cosmic housework! But every now and then, some project, person or moment comes along to remind us just how passionate our working life can be. Look for yours this week. Don't be tempted to question its origin just run with it! In your love life: You are better off now you see a friend's new side; and will be even better off for what you are about to discover.

You're coming into a winning streak. It's about time too, I can almost hear you thinking! Win-win situations don't come around very often. The gifts the cosmos bestows are accentuated when the person who receives them has done the preparation. You've been conscientiously working through some tough stuff lately, and, despite disappointments, you've continued to show up and do your best. Luck has little to do with happiness it's a simple case of cause and effect. So put your feet up. You deserve this. In your love life: You have no choice other than to stay dedicated to a noble cause. This, though, can now be a joy, not a chore.

Sometimes it seems as if we're on the end of more knocks than we know how to deal with. Then, the world feels like a cruel and unfeeling place. Every setback or negative experience seems like a personal attack, and it's easy to become short-sighted and believe that the universe is singling us out for misfortune. Yet, just when we're about to throw in the towel, the cosmos throws out a helping hand. So, before giving up on your dream, why not look at the gift you're being offered? It is exactly what you need. In your love life: In rethinking your own sense of identity, you're seeing someone else anew; it is exceptionally constructive.

Sometimes we realise that we need to make a change just when we're least capable of making it. It's like jumping on a train and discovering that you're headed in the wrong direction. You just have to wait until the next stop to get off, get on another train, and then continue your journey in the right direction. The route you've been travelling on has been taking its toll on both your time and your energy. Your batteries are low. This week, take a revitalising pit stop. The right time to make the right decision is closer than you think. In your love life: An uneasy peace is coming to a sensitive area of your life. Give more faith and time to a process of co-operation.

The Sun may be leaving your sign, but it's not taking your hope away with it. It isn't like a messy divorce, leaving you with only half of your stuff and an empty feeling inside. Actually, you're about to discover that many of your material desires can be more easily satisfied. An absence of optimism will only be due to the acquisition of what you were really hoping for! The celestial change needs to be recognised, though. As the New Moon arrives in Leo, if you're willing to find a fresh approach, creativity will inspire delightful results. In your love life: All your plans seem to have drawbacks. Plan a little less; for now, it is spontaneity, not strategy, that equals success.

The Beatles weren't known for making astrological predictions, but their song Here Comes The Sun sounds prophetic to me. Especially when I'm writing a Leo forecast. And especially when your week features a Sun-Mars conjunction in cahoots with Jupiter. The New Moon heralds the return of your ruler, bringing the chance for you to soar like a McCartney melody. The Mars connection allows you to add Lennon drive and passion. And Jupiter is the Harrison dash of creative freedom. Just don't mention the Ringos of Saturn In your love life: A small irritation is not worth worrying about. Turn a blind eye; keep your energy for something much more important.

This week, your ruler moves away from the powerful Grand Trine with Uranus and Saturn, and returns home as the Moon enters your sign. That's quite a homecoming and a powerful portent. With Mercury in your sign, your mental powers increase, your perception grows sharper, and your ability to communicate is enhanced. Buoyed by the Grand Trine, these annual effects are strengthened. It's as if Mercury has been spending its time away in the gym, preparing for this moment. You really are ready for anything. In your love life: It is not speed you need; it is a sense of purpose. Visualise what you truly want, and you will find it easy to get.

Someone is pushing your buttons. They might not be intentionally trying to wind you up, but they can't help it. Certain things they do are enough to drive you up a wall whilst tearing your hair out. We can all be irritating sometimes. It's just that when someone does it to us, we're not supposed to react. That would be bad manners. When it comes to our nearest and dearest, it's tempting to ignore that inner voice of restraint. We know they'll love us anyway. But it's worth thinking before you speak this week. In your love life: Sometimes you need to put yourself first. What those closest to you need now is your strength.

Emotions are intensified this week. If you're happy, you'll feel ecstatic. If you're glum, you could feel disheartened. You're like a rubber ball, pinging between extremes, with no obvious way to control your responses. There's a reason for this: the New Moon is stirring and intensifying your reactions. Should you try to restrain your responses? Sometimes it's important to give your heart the freedom to express itself. Too often, we hide from our truths. Express yourself; you'll be heard. The response will be a pleasant surprise. In your love life: Deep down you know something. But the time is not right to admit it to yourself or anyone else. Allow space for ambiguity.

Venus moves into opposition with Saturn in your sign this week. It suggests a chance to make an emotional commitment. Yet the playful Sun and passionate Mars converge in a part of the sky that represents exploration. They also make a creative angle to Jupiter, with its themes of fun, abundance and indulgence. With the temptations this seems to offer, it may prove difficult to maintain the aforementioned commitment. But, as long as what you explore is done in honest partnership, the adventure is only just beginning. In your love life: You are about to get all you need and something that makes more of a difference than you expect.

We all know wind-up merchants. The folk who press and poke you just to get a reaction. Like wasps, they buzz around, making a nuisance of themselves, and stopping you from being able to enjoy your ice cream. Though it's not always easy to do, the best way to deal with these people (and wasps for that matter) is to ignore them. To do so, though, takes inner strength, resilience, commitment and not a little bravery. But you have these qualities in spades. Use them, and you'll soon be able to watch your troubles fly away. In your love life: Feeling tempted to nurture a negative emotion? You will benefit far more from being positive.

The late, great Rik Mayall played Lord Flashheart in the classic sitcom Blackadder. He'd crash through ceilings to make noise, win hearts, and steal scenes. With feisty Mars squaring up to your ruler, before bounding into your opposite sign, it could be that someone's making a similar impression on you. Despite yourself, you'll be swept up in a moment; brimming with passion, and driven with energy. But, don't forget where your strengths lie. You're known for your clarity. Let this be enhanced by, rather than abandoned for, emotions. In your love life: Sit and dream of the unattainable or enjoy the here and now with what you actually have. Choose wisely.

Appearances are often deceptive. How often has a person, a situation, an offer, or an event, turned out to be exactly what it said on the tin? It's important not to take things at face value. Even when things seem straightforward, the weight often lies in the nuance and detail. And this isn't negative. After all, a number of poisons when used in small quantities have healing properties. An apparent threat in your emotional life is just such an example this week. Don't be blind to the offer of reconciliation it conceals. In your love life: Consider this... Is someone in your life befuddling you? Or are you simply taking something far too seriously?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We've all had to make decisions that would have been much easier if we'd only known what we know now. And some of our choices might have been very different. But, you learn from every step of your life. What's gone before is what's made you who you are. There's no point looking back, and wondering what could have been. You can't change the past, but you can change the present. Mercury's movements are encouraging you to stop looking backwards and turn your attention to now! In your love life: Relationships stop being fun when those involved feel stifled. Fluidity is the key to greater harmony now.

We all like to think of ourselves as sensible, rational creatures. But what space does that leave for our intuition to work? Is it a strength to think with our heads more than our hearts? Is it even rational? Not only is our heart the seat of our emotions of love, friendship, and generosity but it's also the home of the insights and perceptions that have kept us alive, and thriving for thousands of years. All I'm trying to say is that if something's been nagging away at you recently, you might just do well to heed what it's saying. In your love life: For a stressful situation to improve, you and a certain someone must talk more or spend time further apart.

People have a funny way of gauging their own significance. We're all aware that our time here on Earth is limited, and that the world will go on spinning just as it always has done, long after we're gone. But despite this, we still can't shake off the notion of our self-importance. Deep down, we believe in our indestructibility. Eternal life, though, is only available to the deities and gods of our myths and faiths. Recently you've been feeling that you have almost god-like powers. Perhaps, this week, you do. Use them well! In your love life: You need to really understand why something keeps happening before you can bring about genuine change.

Although Mars may be leaving your sign this week, it departs with a bang. Just as the Sun joins it in Leo next weekend, the New Moon is close enough to be considered conjunct to the fiery planet. You may be tired of the emotional extremes you've experienced over the last six weeks. But soon enough, the Cosmos will allow you to take your foot off the gas, relax, and enjoy the scenery you've been climbing past. It's just asking for one more burst of energy. You're nearly at the summit. Then, you can begin the next, less challenging journey. In your love life: Your doubts are making it hard for you to conquer your difficulties. Those doubts are about to be cast out.

When I was a kid, Jim Carrey was the star my friends and I flocked to see at the cinema. The Mask was our favourite film. It was based on an ancient mask which gave superpowers to whoever wore it. At the film's climax, the hero defused an explosive situation by transforming into caricatured Italian garb, swallowing the bomb, and declaring, That's a spicy meatball!' As Mars enters your sign, a situation is about to get hotter. It'll take great strength to swallow your pride, remain calm and decisive. But you don't need a mask to be that hero. In your love life: Without inconsistency this world would be pretty dull. Don't demand perfection. Just keep a sense of humour.

Often, when you've almost reached your goal, it can be tempting to take your foot off the accelerator. You're almost there what's the rush? That can be a good attitude to take. But, whilst the pursuit of dreams shouldn't stop you from enjoying the journey, complacency is never helpful. Almost' isn't good enough especially when you have the tools you need to achieve something you've wanted for so long. Don't panic if you feel as if everything you've worked for seems to be slipping away. You're about to be greatly reassured. In your love life: Don't get so caught up in the passing scenery that you forget the destination you are trying to head for.

We're taught as children to distinguish between things: blue, not red; big, not small; good, not bad. When we become adults, this leads to us to make comparisons: am I more or less successful than that person? Happier? Sadder? It becomes an unhealthy way of thinking. No one ever knows the reality of somebody else's life. The only thing that matters is you, your progress, and your happiness. Not in relation to anyone else's either. If you can free yourself from restricting comparisons this week, you'll be surprised at what you discover. In your love life: Let yourself shrink a little, metaphorically; that will pave the ground for you to grow in a most exciting way.

It's tempting to race through life with a tick-list. Unless we've achieved that, seen this, and beaten someone else to that, are we even living? And, if you can complete this list in the shortest possible time then surely that's the ultimate success? But in the scrabble to be the best, the highest-achieving, and the most successful, the purpose of life slips away. Life's not a competition. The only winners are those confident enough to be who they are, and who follow happiness wherever it leads them. You're strong enough to be this! In your love life: Someone's talking as if from another world but you can find a way to stop feeling so alienated from them!

Some people are born worriers. They'll fret about everything; from big things right down to what they're having for dinner tonight. As an outsider, it's easy to be baffled by their capacity to overthink everything. But we should never laugh. We've all worried about something, then found that everything else seems more troubling. Worry is accumulative. Your concerns have been building up. This week, try to take a step back and evaluate whether you need to expend so much effort thinking things through. The chances are that you don't. In your love life: Asking stupid questions can undermine confidence. Be careful what you listen to and how seriously you take it.

If you're happy floating down the river, that's fine. Lie back, dangle your fingers in the water, put your hat over your eyes, let your mind meander, and go with the flow. But if you're unhappy about the direction you're heading in, remember that you have the power to change it. You have every right to take control, and divert your craft towards your own desired destination. And the tools you need to take command are at hand. Just grab those oars, hoist your mainsail, shiver your timbers and set a new course, captain! In your love life: Feeling less hopeful about a commitment that once excited you? It's time to refresh your enthusiasm.

There are those who see the world in black and white. This is right and that is wrong. This we know, and that we don't know. It's the simplicity that's so appealing. But this attitude ignores all the shades of grey in the world and the myriad of other colours too. If we try to traverse tricky terrain in a tank, we're likely to get well and truly stuck. A much nimbler approach is the key to progress. You're facing a question to which you're sure you know the answer. But think again before powering ahead it will save you from a future U-turn. In your love life: You want to act quickly. But consider going more slowly rather than putting a relationship under stress.

Experts think that willpower is a finite resource. If you expend lots of it resisting the temptation to eat a diet of burgers and chocolate cake, you won't have enough left to make you go to the gym. Perhaps self-confidence is similar. Sometimes we have too much of it in one aspect of our lives, and too little in another. Occasionally we get an opportunity to boost our overall self-esteem. While recent events have drained you, they've given you insight into your own motivations and into those of the people closest to you. In your love life: Pessimistic about your chance of success in one key area? Why so negative? Failure is not a certainty.

You can see what you want, but you can't get to it. Who's placing all those obstacles in your way? Is a malevolent force deliberately installing diversions and roadblocks to cause you frustration? Here's a thought worth considering: could it be you? Hidden beneath your desires lie a few nagging reservations. It's likely that your subconscious is nudging you to have a rethink. If you listen to your doubts, you can then decide whether to accept or dismiss them. The only person preventing you from reaching your goal is You! In your love life: You have a deep secret hope. It doesn't seem logical. But you should trust your instincts.

Venus has recently left your sign, but that doesn't mean you need to worry about feeling lonely or left behind. The weekend's Full Moon has something to teach you. It wants to reveal just how emotionally supported you are. You really can count on people's generosity. You can rely on your contemporaries to help you take advantage of opportunities. But you should also know that you're under no obligation to do so. You have the ability to do all this, and more, by yourself. Just remember that there's help on hand when you need it. In your love life: What is a person really trying to say? How should you interpret it? All will become inspiringly clear soon.

Most of us take our online connectedness for granted. We rarely stray far from a wi-fi or 4G network. But when you find yourself feeling lost, or anxious, in some remote corner of the planet, access to that signal becomes one of the most precious things imaginable. It's all a question of perspective. Do you have a surfeit of anything in your own life? Is there something you need, yet consider out of reach? Thanks to the Full Moon, you're able to recognise the true worth of something that you have previously undervalued. In your love life: You're concerned about a pressing matter. Be conscious of a possible problem but don't be overwhelmed.

The Full Moon, opposite your sign this weekend, is a powerful portent. And it's made all the more so by its conjunction with enigmatic Pluto in an astrological T-Square with judicious Jupiter. It suggests that you can finally start to clear up the mystery that's presented in your life, and that what you'll learn, in the process, will enable you to embark on a far more enjoyable leg of what's been a long, and at times difficult, journey. You can lay some ghosts to rest and calm some fears. And there'll be far less that holds you back from success. In your love life: Resist the urge to ride to the rescue. Wait a while to see if the cries for help continue.

Full Moons are emotional times we often find ourselves listening to our hearts and going off book'. If only we could combine these impulses with a more considered outlook, the world would be our oyster and the heavens would rain champagne! Yet, with Mercury freshly in Leo, and Jupiter's wisdom presiding over the Sun-Pluto opposition, this really could become your reality. Your instincts don't tell the whole tale now. But that doesn't mean they're wrong. Give them a chance, and you'll make a real impact on the life story you're creating. In your love life: A balance of power now changes in a close relationship. Now you can do something about it.

Why do the nice guys always finish last? What's the point in being kind if it never gets you anywhere? Do you have to suffer from seeing those who are less thoughtful and more selfish come out on top time and time again? Take comfort in the fact that they know their flaws and they have to live with them. They know they've used dubious means to succeed. And, to cope with that, they've had to develop a hard heart. You have priceless protection from this. What you see as your faults are actually strengths. Be glad of that. In your love life: It's better if some fantasies don't come true. Remember that in your emotional and personal life now.

The tallest redwood grows from the smallest seed. All living things have microscopic beginnings. We're all just atoms after all, aren't we? So why do some people seem to magic greatness' out of thin air? It only seems like that because we're on the other side of the curtain, in the audience. We all have the ability to nurture a seed into a towering tree; and guide an idea from a passing thought to a successful endeavour. You feel as if you're working with next to nothing. But, you underestimate yourself. Just keep watering the seed. In your love life: Little white lies can sometimes be acceptable. Trust your own judgement in this area of your emotional life now.

Nothing gets the social media channels buzzing like a controversialist. You know the sort a semi-celebrity who fans their notoriety by taking a contrary position on every issue going. It can prompt heated debate or light-hearted banter, but it rarely sheds much light. For that you need to push past easy opinions and dig down for some hard facts. The same is true in our own lives, where gossip and truths mingle like guests at a party. Now, more than ever, you need to distinguish what is real and what is hearsay. In your love life: Are you trying to reconcile things that do not go well together? You might not succeed, but nor will you fail.

One minute you're surfing the wave, the next you're sinking like a stone. While you have moments of unshakeable self-belief, these are all-too quickly followed by waves of self-doubt. Why does this keep happening? Might it be because every time your confidence swells, a certain person is on hand with a pin ready to burst the bubble? Perhaps, this week, it's best to avoid their company. Sail towards the future with as much optimism as you can muster, and you'll find that your fears roll away gently, like the tide. In your love life: A coming change will leave you with a challenge you wish you did not have, but it will be one to be glad of.

We all like to be well thought of. We appreciate recognition for our strengths, especially by those whose opinion matters most to us. This month, you need to realise that you have the ability to confound people's expectations. Someone has underestimated your capabilities. And as I know, and you should also be aware, that's a serious mistake. The cosmos is bringing you the opportunity to demonstrate just how powerful you are. And a grand, magnanimous gesture will do more than anything to enhance your reputation. In your love life: The less you are bothered about an emotional concern now, the more likely you are to succeed.

Maybe at the end of the month, you'll be able to sit back and decide whether you've enjoyed July or not. How can you do that now? The best you can hope for is an evaluation of your own forecast. Perhaps you think it's due to be tremendous. Or awful. That anticipation may colour your experience but it could yet be proved wrong. As an astrologer, though, I can give you your review of the month in advance! I can tell you now that it will prove surprisingly good. Don't be put off by minor annoyances. Be energised instead. In your love life: What you feel controlled by can be controlled by you. Whatever you need to find will find its way to you!

A few years ago, there was a big storm on social media about a dress that, depending on who was looking at it, was either black and blue, or white and gold. Recently I read about a picture of strawberries with a blue filter on it and the red pigment removed. When we see this image, our brains recognise the object, and fill in the colour we expect to see. This month, life may play tricks with your mind. But instead of seeing something that isn't there, if you believe that it is, you'll manifest the sweetness that the universe has to offer. In your love life: You are concerned about winding up somewhere dull. But you can only benefit from the effort you are making.

Can you think back and consider why you came here? When we try to recall the world we must have lived in before we arrived in this one, we just draw a blank! Yet I'll tell you what you didn't choose to visit Earth for. It wasn't for the stress, strain, hassle or difficulties. You never said, Hey, I know, I'll go ride an emotional roller-coaster?' Or, Great. I can spend my time struggling to pay bills.' You came here to feel and share love. And as your ruler conjuncts the Sun at the New Moon this month, expect a wonderful and timely reminder. In your love life: Sometimes you need the cavalry ready to ride to the rescue. Not now. Your emotional outlook is so encouraging.

As we head into July, it's important that you think carefully about what you love in your life. It's not that you need to fear it being taken away, nor worry that you'll no longer enjoy it, but there's a sense that some of the most meaningful elements are going to be set in stone. And a change of heart is far harder to achieve once encased in the foundations of our lives. So if you want to explore alternative desires, or discover hidden sides of yourself, this is a good time to take action. Once the cement dries you'll grow stronger, but less agile. In your love life: Take your time. Don't do anything that you can avoid doing for a while. Postpone and prevaricate. Be patient.

Satellite navigation systems have an option in their Settings menu called Shortest Routes. To the uninitiated, this may seem like an obvious mode to activate. But, soon they'll be skidding cross-country, down tiny tracks, across streams and through gated woodlands. The best way from A to B is rarely direct. It's not the shortest route you need to take in July, it's the most efficient one. And, with Venus in your sign, linking to Saturn, what you may now resent as a detour can become an essential part of a positive process. In your love life: There is now a promise of a positive change. You'll need courage. But that's better than trudging on a treadmill.

This should be when you're in your element. When every seed you plant comes up a rose. If you feel like dancing and do, you should score 10 out of 10 for originality and execution. But life isn't quite so simple because, although these things are possible, often you feel as if you need permission to do the things you want, or to have what you desire. The trouble with permission is that we invariably worry too much about someone saying no'. This month, concentrate on what you would do if you hear a yes' instead. It's actually far more likely. In your love life: You will benefit from the process of discovery you are entering. Prepare to feel confronted and then elated.

The Sun entering anyone's sign is big news. But it's your ruler. When it enters Leo this month, it's a bit like discovering money in your pocket and heading to the shops, only to find that they're auctioning everything you desire at bargain basement prices! Now, they say you can have too much of a good thing. With Mars in the mix, it's worth having a budget in mind, just in case you get caught up in the excitement. Yet you've nothing to fear. You're brave, brilliant, kind and charming And about to discover that your life is charmed as well. In your love life: Put down what you should never have picked up. That will show respect to all that you truly are responsible for.

Much of your time this month, preceding your ruler re-entering your sign, will feel like the build up to a special event. Like a host city preparing for the Olympics, it's time to get your infrastructure in place. You want to be sure that you have spare capacity, resources and the support required to take full advantage of this celestial celebration. It's been a long and not always comfortable ride. But you have a real opportunity, not only to make sense of what you've been through, but to see how close you are to something wonderful. In your love life: The harder you plan for eventualities, the harder you will make it for luck to enter your life. Magic is on offer.

If you intend to scale mountains, you eventually must also descend them. Where's the mountain that grows as fast as you ascend? Where's the challenge that rises before us as fast as we rise to it? For adventures like this, we must quest for integrity. If we aspire to be aware, enlightened and wise, we'll never stop striving. Every time we think we've made progress, we'll be back at the start! Yet in July, as your ruler Venus traverses the whole of Gemini, your ups will count for far more than any downs. In your love life: Someone is barking up the wrong tree. It may be wise to work out why this is before you bark back at them.

What does it mean when your two ruling planets oppose each other? Are you going to develop a split personality? Are you forever going to be searching for what you want? Or finding it and realising that you don't have the power to use it? These are all possible, but it would be a gloomy way of looking at what could be a fantastic opportunity. Be positive when exploring new situations this month. Life brings you the opportunity to achieve some of your deepest desires, as long as you don't let doubt or fear check your progress. In your love life: Get some perspective. Trust the broader, brighter, view of your life. Look away from a current problem. Cheer up.

We all push our luck a little from time to time. Life without risk-taking of some kind, is really no life at all. What you're doing now may not be wise, but, at least, it's fun! Or, at least, it might bring you great success, as long as you don't push yourself too far, too fast or too furiously. With Mars linking to your ruler, and the Sun's positive connection, events promise a month of discovery and delight. Prepare to learn more about yourself, your potential to be successful, and your ability to deepen an essential relationship. In your love life: Can't see the whole picture? Stand further back. What you need is not so much strategy, as a sense of humour.

Some people live to argue. They'll pick holes in anything and everything just to get a rise. It's exhausting, and destructive for them and for everyone around them too. Conflict breeds conflict. The more people fight, the more they're inclined to. They get addicted to scoring arbitrary, meaningless points, and to that false sense of victory'. The New Moon brings a time of intense and powerful energy. It's yours to harness as you choose. If you can channel that energy productively, you'll be delighted with the results this week. In your love life: Too much drudgery? You want more inspiration and fun? Turn on your charm; make something different happen.

The theorist Pierre Bourdieu argued that once something's invested with value, its capital can be appropriated by anyone. The challenge is when those things are ideologically charged; because it takes more than just physical force to overcome them. Instead, they must be negotiated and carefully dismantled. But some people recognise that ideological weight is a benefit, rather than a hindrance. Rather than dismantle a problem altogether this week, a small shift will enable you to flip a situation entirely to your advantage. In your love life: We all experience self-doubt and anxiety. Striking a better balance in your emotional life will be easier than you expect.

Is there someone who inspires you to greater things? Or drives you to utter distraction? Sometimes they can be one and the same person! And what about you: how do you influence your nearest and dearest? Naturally we all hope to be a positive force, encouraging others to scale greater heights. But might our actions sometimes hold others back? The New Moon highlights these key questions. If you can put aside what you might be receiving, and concentrate on what you have to give, the rewards, this week, will be tangible. In your love life: Expect a distinct increase in your ability to control events. You can also reverse a recent decision you now dislike.

It's time to check your priorities. Do you know when to jump into the fray and when to take a step back? Of course, jumping in headfirst has its benefits, but there's also much to be gained from watching and waiting. This week, as your ruler Mars makes dynamic connections, it's a time when you need to look before you leap. By all means, be at the ready, but remember that some fires just die out on their own. An apparent obstacle is really just a significant signpost directing you towards an easier route to success. In your love life: You don't need a little room to manoeuvre. You are about to be given an inch. Don't take a mile; an inch is all you need.

It's a very different experience to interact with my three-year-old than engage with anyone older. There are no filters. There's no manipulation (yet!) or hidden message. He simply says what he thinks, and asks for what he wants. And most of the time that's biscuits. That doesn't always mean he's easy to deal with often enough, he's already had enough biscuits and won't be allowed more. But, as with most things in life, he's already worked out that if he doesn't ask, he won't get. This week, don't be afraid to give voice to your desires. In your love life: Someone needs help. But their plea is being expressed in a strange way. Help them and you'll help yourself.

A skilled negotiator is capable of settling outcomes to the mutual benefit of both parties. Not only do they secure success for themselves, but their negotiating partner is far more likely to do business with them again. Underhand tactics and one-upmanship only undermine potential future successes. Of course, mutually satisfying results aren't easy to achieve. Whilst your path to success seems shrouded in uncertainty, be reassured this week. As your ruler links to mysterious Neptune, a compromise is a real possibility. In your love life: Can you let go of the emotional concern you are hanging on to? This may be your most constructive option.

There's a moment, in all the best superhero movies, when disaster strikes and everything goes into slow motion. Meanwhile our action hero is working at superhuman speeds to catch the falling plane, or turn back the hands of time to avert catastrophe. This may be the stuff of fiction, but you can do something strikingly similar this week. The New Moon, and a plethora of planets in your sign, exert a powerful influence, setting your mind into overdrive and empowering you to get things done. Make the most of your super powers! In your love life: You have to play a role you are not fully prepared for. Admit you are out of your depth, then offer to try your best.

Some people try to reduce experiences to black and white. They need everything to make sense which can sometimes involve flattening not only the truth, but the experience itself. Paradoxically, in their quest to make sense of the world, they often end up distorting it more than clarifying it. The truth is that life's not straightforward! The New Moon suggests it's time to reconsider some things you take as absolute in your life. Few things truly are. In re-evaluating your assumptions you might discover something truly remarkable. In your love life: You're always helping others. Why be nervous about requesting what you need? Ask for it boldly.

For the caterpillar, transforming into a butterfly is a natural event. For the rest of us, our transformative potential requires a little bit more work. Still, it's there. Often, though, we take for granted our ability to create and forget we have this amazing potential. We all have as much natural drive to be creative as the caterpillar has the biological imperative to build a chrysalis. Add some determination to your imagination and it won't matter if you lack the materials you need. Your innate creativity will see you through. In your love life: Don't fear change. Only one thing is going to alter. So, relax. Everything that happens will please you.

Librans like to play devil's advocate. This can make it difficult for people to work out where you stand. And it can make folk think twice about confiding their troubles because when they reveal how they've been wronged, you often see the reasoning behind the cause of their upset. This isn't a quality to be ashamed of, though it's an essential step in resolving conflicts. Yet sometimes you must be seen to pick a side and declare a position. This week, don't be shy about making your views known. Pursue that idea you're passionate about. In your love life: Is your emotional life speeding in overdrive? Don't make an overly emphatic move or you may swerve. Gently does it.

When people want to justify their actions, they might say that they were left with no choice'. Or there was nothing else I could do'. Sometimes this is true, but such circumstances are rarer than you'd think. In most cases, people say these things because they weren't aware of other options. They took the only road they could see. Bear this in mind this week. Your internal satnav is guiding you along one route, but if you can simply take another, deeper look, you'll you see alternative, interesting roads. In your love life: To be a Scorpio is to be an idealist and a pragmatist, too. Keep calm as you tackle a minor nuisance in your emotional life.

You have a lot in common with Sherlock Holmes. Something doesn't add up, and you're inclined to investigate. You don't know where the clues will lead, but you're prepared for whatever you uncover. Aren't you? New information can't be returned once you know it. You might even be better off not knowing what you currently don't know! Might you regret ever asking? Actually, the only thing you'll regret is that you spent so long in the dark. The knowledge you can gain is powerful. Like our detective, use it wisely. In your love life: Don't be dazzled by immediate worry. Remember, in your emotional life, the long-term matters much more.

If there's something you can't have, maybe you don't need it. The Solstice marks the return of the Sun to your opposite sign and is a strong suggestion that you're being well taken care of by a kindly cosmos. Not only are the planets well disposed towards you, but people (who tend to act as agents of the cosmos) are inspired to assist with your most important endeavours. Don't underestimate your ability to charm the birds from the trees, knock the socks off a stranger... or perfect a solution out of a seemingly daunting difficulty. In your love life: You can make happy progress in your emotional life through being more willing to express your inner-child.

The heart is always quicker than the head. No matter how sharp our minds, they trail behind our gut reactions like tortoises following hares. And, because they go so much more slowly, they have more time to mull things over, question instinctive responses and come up with complicated caveats to explain what ought to be obvious. You can get into a long discussion now about the relative merits of an idea or a suggestion. But passionate Mars suggests that if you really want to make progress, don't ignore what you feel. In your love life: Trust your experience and remain calm yet determined. Take all your reasons to worry with a pinch of salt.

This isn't a perfect world, and it might never be one, no matter how many Solstices come and go. But it's not such a bad place, either. And our experience of how perfect or imperfect it is varies according to the mood we find ourselves, in or the attitude that we take. Now, I'm really not saying, Imagine everything is fine and it will be fine. That's a justification for living in the kind of ignorance that rarely turns out to be blissful. But you really should now look more favourably on something you've previously felt inclined to resent. In your love life: Expect reassurance on a subject that has been a concern. Doubts will reduce. Be confident in your abilities.

When comedy writers look for an easy gag, they get their central character to declare, You won't find me doing this ever again. Then, in the very next scene, we see them contravening their vow. So much for their self-control or their luck! It's funny when we observe this happening to someone else, less amusing when it happens to us. But, as your ruler links creatively to Uranus ahead of the Solstice, if you find yourself back where you once said you'd never go again, it may be something to smile about, rather than cry over. In your love life: The truth about a sensitive matter may soon come to light your opportunity to show someone trust.

The trouble with a sense of security' is that we can never have one that's strong or deep enough. Even if we buy the best burglar alarm in the world, we'll still have a problem. What if someone sets out to steal it? As with physical protection, so with our emotional defence mechanisms. The more we try to protect ourselves, the more we find ourselves becoming vulnerable. One of the best ways to guard against unwelcome intrusion is to maintain a high level of openness. Be trusting as much as you dare this week. In your love life: You have a good hand in a high-stakes game. Or is it a game? Slowly you will see how to get what you want most.

Jonathan told a story about a friend who hated washing dishes. She'd do all she could to avoid it. One day, he noticed that her sink wasn't overflowing with the usual crockery. He asked, Did you get help? She said proudly, No. I did it! , and explained, I realised that I loathed dirty dishes, even more than I disliked cleaning them. With your ruler opposite Saturn, a similar approach can be applied to a problem you're facing. Ask yourself which may be the lesser of two evils. You might enjoy what comes out in the wash. In your love life: It is time to ask if some of your ideas may have a destructive impact, even if you see them as constructive.

A few weeks ago, you were twiddling your thumbs. Now, with Mars in your sign, you're able to use them to grip tightly to the handlebar of life's motorcycle, and hare down straights, and race round bends. You could break records for speed and efficiency as you make things happen, and deal with things that other people have made happen which need to be put right! You've a lot on your plate but you can absorb and digest every last bit of it. As long as you take one step at a time. With the Solstice arriving, those are giant steps. In your love life: If you are happy with your circumstances, fine. But if change beckons, put all your effort into this endeavour.

Where's the guard, clutching the rifle, guarding the door through which you can never hope to pass? Are you sure it's even locked? And if it is, what's that key-shaped object lying on the floor? As Mercury combines with your ruler, at the Solstice, you're being helped to see new possibilities, options, alternatives, and invitations. These aren't fanciful visions, intended to bring comfort in moments of frustration. They represent real chances, as long as you're willing to take them. But you need to stop doubting your abilities. In your love life: Someone needs your support; a situation you can't ignore. Accept as much and you will start to feel inspired.

What pleases Pat may anger Alex. What makes Jo jolly may sadden Sam. It isn't easy keeping people happy. It's particularly frustrating when we find ourselves trying to balance conflicting needs and mutually exclusive preferences. Perhaps you're thoroughly tired by all your efforts to pursue peace and harmony. You deserve to be applauded for even attempting this, yet it seems you just keep incurring criticism. Don't throw in the towel just yet. The Solstice suggests that someone's becoming a lot more reasonable. In your love life: There is a wish you can't ignore; it could turn into something much more substantial. Be sensitive.

Nobody can do the impossible! But what about the almost impossible'? Well, those things aren't actually impossible. They may be tricky. They may take luck, effort and ingenuity. But how do you know that something's impossible until, or unless you try? Don't risk everything on a crazy, far-fetched scheme and if you perceive that it poses potential danger, keep well away from it. But, if the risk's small and the potential reward is big, with Venus encouraged by dreamy Neptune, ahead of the Solstice, at least give it a try. In your love life: Life should become less stressful soon. Turn to the pleasant business of enjoying a rare, special opportunity.

There are times when we should give thanks for our problems. We should look at them, look at the trouble they've led us into, look at the steps we've been forced to take to get ourselves out of that trouble, and then recognise that we might never have wound up being so smart if we hadn't first been so dumb. Forget, this week, how or why a situation came about. Forget too, your feelings about whether it's been bad or good. The Solstice brings the chance to just look at what it now has the potential to offer you. Be glad of that. In your love life: Be grateful for your uncertainty. Dwell on it as much as you dare. Ask yourself if a greater misgiving is behind it.

Few people deliberately spread misinformation. The vast majority of us have integrity and sincerity. But we also have a very strong, natural sense of faith. When we believe something to be true, we share that belief with evangelistic zeal. We want others to believe it, because we believe they'll benefit from knowing what we know. This is all fine unless we don't actually know what we think we know! Are you giving someone else's enthusiastic assumption a little too much credence? The Solstice helps you get to the root of the matter. In your love life: The role you have been thrust into, is a part you were born to play. Be yourself. Be brave and spontaneous. Shine.