Weekly Astroguide

Astrologers watch a lot of sunsets and sunrises. While their speed varies according to where they're viewed from, it often seems like a great dimmer switch is being gently applied in the sky. Much the same can be said about the light of hope in the human heart. We rarely switch from negative to positive in an instant. We edge' from one to another. As Mercury extends its influence, you may wish to hurry the great transformation that Pluto can lead you through. But, they'll happen at their own pace. Don't worry, though they will happen. In your love life: Don't write off an old emotional investment. In the people around you and your connection to them, you have real assets.

Helen of Troy is described as the face that launched a thousand ships' because she was supposedly so beautiful that, rather than accept he'd lost her, her husband King Menelaus led his fleet on a ten-year quest to get her back. It's not your face, but your words, and your ideas that can set events in motion on what feels like a similar scale. You don't have to proclaim give me liberty or give me death', but nor can you sit in quiet contemplation. If you know what needs to change, the time is coming to make your voice heard. In your love life: Life will soon bring the deepening of an important relationship plus an event that helps to increase your sense of self-esteem.

If you let someone see how vulnerable you are, will this be perceived as weakness or strength? The answer depends on how much you reveal. Sensitivity is most attractive when shown in the briefest of glimpses. We don't like to see someone falling to pieces. But it's intriguing to discover that behind an air of strength, lies a softness. As the Sun leaves your sign, does it weaken you and make you vulnerable? No! The strongest people aren't afraid to open up. They know how deep their strength runs. This week, find security in your sensitivity. In your love life: A gesture of courage and honesty must now be made if you seriously hope to heal an old wound.

If you've begun to feel a little less enthusiastic about life recently, that's understandable. You've had a lot on your mind. And, with your ruler having just vacated your sign, it's only natural that the spring in your step might have lost just a little of its bounce. But here comes the Equinox, the moment the Sun returns to your sign. It will put the boing' back in your pogo-stick. It'll allow you to leap a little higher and clear any obstacles with more ease. From this change in your altitude, you'll be able to reach a higher perspective. In your love life: In your emotional and personal life now, when you see real opportunities for meaningful communication, trust them.

You weren't placed on this earth to suffer. You didn't come here to be punished. Nobody said, on the day that you were born, This person will never enjoy even the slightest success unless they first put their nose to the grindstone and wear their fingers to the bone.' You're just as entitled to happiness and contentment as anyone else on earth. Your ruler Venus may be retrograde, but no matter what now seems difficult, you can find a way to make it easier. As it conjuncts Mercury this week, all this requires is a little more imagination. In your love life: The more you trust your heart, the more everything you need will somehow turn up just as it needs to do.

Whoever espoused the notion of do unto others as you would have them do unto you' didn't have friends with sado-masochistic tendencies. Actually, if memory serves me correct, it comes from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount so if I value my well-being, I ought to be careful what I say! And so should you this week. Some dramatic revelations are likely to occur. So take care of yourself and surround yourself with people who love you. Their understanding can support you on your journey, and help to celebrate your inevitable success. In your love life: Having a rough ride? By making a small adjustment of attitude you'll get a much smoother journey to a safe harbour.

Jonathan and I once discussed why the olive branch became a universal symbol of peace. Olives have a challenging taste, he mused. Even when salted and pickled, you either love them or hate them. I suggested that perhaps we hope that peace, like the olive, can be easily preserved. Peace sometimes seems hard to attain, and even trickier to sustain. As many philosophers have observed, peace isn't just the absence of war'. They're right. But, as both Mercury and the Sun move towards conjunctions with Venus, it's a good place to start. In your love life: There is plenty to be cherished in your emotional life. To make the most of that, be as honest as you dare.

They're flamboyant, and at times ridiculous, but I love the band Queen. It's rare, though, that I play their records. But when they come on the radio, their music is instantly recognisable and utterly memorable. So are you. And like them, you have a tendency to go a little OTT at times. But you're gifted, creative and exciting too. The Equinox brings the chance to turn the volume up, and cavort around the stage as if it is a major rock show. Just make sure you do so in an appropriate manner. What works in a large arena might not at a small suburban location. In your love life: If things may seem out of control, stop trying to control them. A counterintuitive approach is your key to success.

What use is a map to a traveller who doesn't have a clear destination? Well, at least it shows their options. It may help them to formulate a plan of some kind. A map is only of no use to somebody who has absolutely no idea where they are. Even then, it may help them to identify clues from their surroundings. As your ruler conjuncts retrograde Venus, you may be beginning to question your sense of direction. Yet its coming alignment with Jupiter suggests that the information you need, to make a clear, wise decision, is closer than you think. In your love life: Have faith. Forces bigger than you will provide support if you trust what inspires your heart and don't try to push for too much.

I just can't get you outta my head' sang Kylie Minogue, Boy, your lovin' is all I think about'. There are times, especially during intense emotional relationships, when such focus can border on obsession. What, or who, is occupying your thoughts to an almost unhealthy degree? Here comes the chance to move on, shift focus, and break free of a hypnotic situation. You may not feel comfortable doing this, or even want to in the first place. But once your eyes have adjusted, you'll see wonderful sights that are waiting to be explored. In your love life: It may seem as if you are getting the raw end of a deal but appearances can be deceptive. Be glad of what you've got.

Ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball.' sang The Who. My son though, will probably only experience computer simulated pinball. He's unlikely to know the pleasure of subtly nudging a machine so that it responds to his movements. True Pinball Wizards understand the difference they can make by gently leaning one way or another. This week, you may think you face a situation that can just as easily go well or badly. But, since the result depends on your focus and concentration, you have the skills to hit a high score. In your love life: An inspiring development is about to show you how much further down a wonderful road you still have yet to travel.

My teenage cat's latest craze is to jump in the bath. Not a full bath, although he could do with one, but leaping into an empty tub and scrabbling around is his new favourite thing. There are some animal behaviours that we find difficult to anthropomorphise. And some of your ideas are hard for others to appreciate. It's not that you're wrong or that they're obtuse. It's simply that your points of reference and ways of thinking are so different that they fail to translate. This week, if you want to start a revolution, first find a common cause. In your love life: Someone is reaching out to you. By allowing this positive possibility in' you'll be helping to edge out something you don't need.

We all have sides of ourselves we'd rather remained private. And we all have incidents in our past that we've learned and moved on from that we don't want to be the first thing thought of when our name is brought up in a conversation. Don't worry, you won't be exposed' this week. But that's partly because the salacious detail is far more important in your own mind than it is in anyone else's. Don't let something insignificant from the past hold more power over you, than it should. It's not that bad. Own it, and if need be, own up to it. In your love life: Your emotional expectations are too low. Lot's of magic is now available if you are bold enough to reach for it.

First, we have big ideas. Then, we feel determined to stick with them. Next, we have to deal with the difference between theory and fact. The world is full of people who have other ideas of their own! None take kindly to being outshone. Even our friends and loved ones can become awkward when they think we're stopping them from implementing their most important strategies. As the Full Moon links to your traditional ruler, your celestial story is about a cosmic compromise. Finding this won't necessarily be easy, but the rewards will be immense. In your love life: No matter what's changing or how much pressure you encounter, time is on your side. Nothing has to happen in a hurry.

I live near to where the new Spurs football stadium is being built. With all the money in sport, it's incredible to watch the construction. They're using the latest techniques; they're building from the top down. First they start with the roof, suspended in mid-air, add the walls and then work downward. One builder even let me play with her anti-gravity machine. Okay, maybe I'm making this up. But the point I'm trying to make is that in order to realise your dream, you must build from the bottom up. Now's the time to lay the foundations for a bright future. In your love life: Things are about to change and improve, naturally. So relax as much as you can. Simply be willing to let some time pass.

Every day in the world of sport, new paradigms are established. Where one day we might not know who is to be the new champion of this or that cup, the next day the outcome is all over the back pages. This gives us a nice, clear idea about who the world's best are. Or does it? Arguably, all any contest does is tell us who happened to be the most on form' on a given day. What new information coming your way is shortening your odds? The Full Moon urges you not to draw too many conclusions about how a previous challenge turned out to be. In your love life: You must now decide how much you love someone or something. Only through love will you find the strength you need.

Some people treat social events as if they're a competition. They plan them long in advance, spend evenings perfecting the dish they're going to serve, and get so stressed about having everything in perfect order that they forget that the purpose of the endeavour is to have fun! Where in your life should you now be taking pleasure in a process that's causing you to worry? Surely, there must be a way of letting go of some of the anxiety? If you can accept now that not everything has to be perfect, you may actually find that life is perfectly enjoyable. In your love life: Life now brings a discovery about how a certain person really sees you... and how you see them.

It is easy for me to say things like, lighten up'. Or, don't worry'. I'm not personally dealing with your difficulties. Nor am I wrestling with the conflicting emotional demands being made on you. I'm also not experiencing the feeling of restriction that could be accompanying these. I don't need what you need. Or do I? Actually, we both require the same thing. Your well-being! And, as Venus moves retrograde in the sign your ruler enters this week, others, too, won't feel fine unless you feel fine. So let yourself off the hook. You deserve an easier future. In your love life: One personal relationship has been problematic for a while. Have you only just noticed? To fix it, you must be honest.

What is it you're trying to teach someone? Why is it so difficult to get through? Sometimes, no matter how much we nag, chide, encourage or cajole, words aren't enough. Do we give up? Do we have to let our advice go unheeded? Not necessarily. You may just need to use more subtle forms of communication. This week, lead by example. Show how beneficial a certain way of living can be, and become somebody's benchmark to aim for. That way, not only can you take care of someone's best interests, you'll guarantee your own as well! In your love life: With your deepest wisdom, your highest compassion, your strongest faith, you can yet bend the rules of time and space.

Why go hungry when there is good food to eat? Why walk when you can have a comfortable ride? Why fight when you can be at peace? Well, perhaps it depends on whether you're on a diet whether you want the exercise or whether you just really enjoy a good old punch-up. There are reasons why we put ourselves through conditions of apparent hardship. Sometimes, good reasons! With your ruler's link to Saturn this week, if you've got a good enough reason, you can allow yourself a tough time. But the Full Moon suggests you needn't have one! In your love life: They say that, you become like the company you keep'. Let us hope they are wrong or you may need to start keeping different company!

Sometimes, we get a bad feeling about someone we meet, or a situation we find ourselves in. Often it's our intuition trying to tell us something. But sometimes, just sometimes, it can be something else. It can be the shadow of troubles from the past casting aspersions on an innocent future. This week, don't let the difficulties you've faced prejudice the opportunities you're presented with. Judge each case on its merit alone. Life's encouraging you to fulfill the promise the universe endowed you with. And, with bravery, and optimism, you can do just that. In your love life: Get the issues honestly out into the open and you stand a chance of clearing them up. Do not sweep them under the carpet.

As Mercury moves opposite your sign, if you've managed, in recent days and weeks, to be decisive and assertive, you can redouble your efforts and act with even greater certainty. And, with your ruler retrograde there too, if you feel that you've let an opportunity slip through your fingers, you'll find that you're still in a good position to catch it before it completely falls to the floor. Sometimes, when we're trying to make up our mind about how we feel or think, it's only at the last minute that we know the answer. But this week, that answer will come. In your love life: In the story of love, the beginning, the middle and the end don't always come in the right order. Accept as much and all will be well.

It's said that everyone has a hidden talent that we all become skilled at something unique. Personally, I have a passion for Tuvan throat singing. Although my wife would prefer that my talent remained a little more hidden around the house! In your life, this week will be the opportunity to use yours. Grasp the opportunity. It's not showing off, nor is it ostentatious. You're not revealing too much of yourself, or letting prying eyes see too deeply into your soul. It's simply a resource that's appropriate to use. If you use it well, it can transform your life! In your love life: You feel that, in an important relationship, you should be more appreciated. Begin to fix this by giving yourself more credit.

Where is yesterday? Behind you or ahead of you? The answer depends on the direction you happen to be looking in. If you can't stop thinking about the past, you can hardly be expected to see a clear route to the future. And if your history is now towering over you like some great hill, it may be casting a shadow over the world that lies before you, making it seem unnecessarily bleak. But the Sun's link to Saturn in your sign doesn't have to darken your week. In fact, it can help you see how limited the past's reach truly is on you this weekend. In your love life: Where, in your emotional life now, might you be placing too high an emphasis on style and not enough on substance?

Think about the world's most popular cars, films, books, bands, foods or football teams. They may all be very well liked but does that automatically mean we're right to describe them as the best'? Even people with the most mainstream tastes can point to some clear examples of popular beliefs with which they disagree. Whenever we measure or compare any aspect of our life by referring to what most folk would think', we compromise our individuality. This month, the planets want you to concentrate on what makes most sense to you personally. In your love life: Some believe the world doesn't contain enough luck for all; nor enough love. They are wrong! Claim yours now.

Recently, I was watching a performance by the excellent Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah MacDougall. Amidst the crowd of attentive listeners, one person was making a noise and distracting from her performance. What would you do in this situation? Risk making a bigger scene by confronting the one irritation? Or let it go, and concentrate on the performance? You're heading into a situation where confrontation will be less effective than coercion. By convincing others to focus on the bigger picture, everyone will benefit from a more powerful experience. In your love life: There is so much to understand and make sense of. Just focus on what you have to be glad of; happiness will follow.

The closer we get to a big moment, the less inclined we are to back away from it. A sense of the inevitable begins to take over. We start to feel as though we've got a date with fate. And, who would dare to leave the goddess of destiny feeling stood up, foolish and forgotten? But so far, the arrangement is only tentative. As the Sun and Mercury conjunct Neptune, and with the arrival of the Jupiter-Uranus opposition, destiny won't be offended if you change your plans. And, this month, she'll still be keen to call no matter how dramatic your shift in circumstances. In your love life: You are trying to do something intrinsically difficult. Don't give up. That elusive sense of balance will come very soon.

Crisis? What crisis? These words are attributed to a 1970s government, beset by problems that it seemed unable to acknowledge, let alone handle. Yet they might describe an attitude you can adopt yourself now. Not because you're out of touch with the forces whirling around you. But because you've got all you need to handle whatever life throws at you! The planets are emboldening you, and bringing you the power to transform into the person you were always meant to be. Your challenges will seem insignificant. Trouble? What trouble? In your love life: Stop carrying something that has been a burden for too long. It's time to find the courage to make a difficult decision.

Rarely, is a mood of frustration worth indulging. Even if it provides us with much-needed motivation, even if it fuels a flame of deep determination, we pay a high price for allowing ourselves to experience such angry exasperation. Better, by far, to be fluid and philosophical. After the Jupiter-Uranus opposition, Mars enters your sign. Yet, before it does, it links to Saturn. Try your best, by all means, to make something happen. But accept that if it doesn't happen, the time is not yet right. A set of valid reasons for this will reveal themselves in time. In your love life: Something in your emotional journey has to be dealt with. Trouble will ensue only if you lose faith or lose heart.

There's much to be gained by pausing for breath and turning our focus inward. Yet, such moments are hard to find. There's so much to do, that time to reflect has become an almost unaffordable luxury. This month, the universe urges you to dig deep into your psychological pocket and prioritise this expense. There's a better way to find the security and happiness you seek and steps to be taken, which will help you regain control. All you need to do, is explore the causes that matter most. Make time to pause, and you really will be rejuvenated. In your love life: Think of all the bad choices you have made but not for too long. Use the energy to learn and improve your life.

In the 1890s, laws were passed forbidding cars to travel anywhere, unless someone walked in front of each vehicle, waving a flag to alert other road users. That rule didn't last long, nor did the 4 mph maximum speed governments tried to impose. Yet for a while, that was the rule if you wanted to travel by automobile. This month, the Jupiter-Uranus opposition forms a T-square with Pluto. Then along comes the Full Moon to form another with Saturn! For a while, in your life, a similarly unreasonable limitation has been in place. This month, it can be lifted. In your love life: In every suspicious situation there are tell-tale clues. Remember this as you now set out to solve a mystery.

Flanders and Swann wrote one of the most tragically beautiful love songs I've ever heard. It just so happens, however, that it was written about a short-sighted Armadillo trying to woo a rusty battle tank! Sometimes, what moves us takes a surprising form. Does that make it wrong? Hardly. Every day holds the potential to learn more about ourselves and, this month brings you opportunity a-plenty! Explore what seems different. You'll learn how to transform a part of your world that has seemed empty so that it teems with life anew. In your love life: Don't get distracted by a drama over lack of money. Keep your heart in the right place and all else will go well.

Nature versus nurture. That's the great debate. How much of our personality is inherited? How much of our behaviour is learned? What's your true nature? Do you confuse what comes naturally to you with what you've been taught? While you contemplate the answers, here's the astrological news: the Jupiter-Uranus T-square with Pluto arrives this month, just before your ruler conjuncts Neptune, the Sun and Venus. Profound urges will awaken within you. Talents and powers will be unleashed. There's more in your nature to be nurtured. In your love life: With experience comes wisdom. Now is the time when your wisdom will help. Don't grow embittered or sceptical.

How can you tell if someone's got your best interests at heart? It all depends on what they want you to do. If they're encouraging you to make a vertical movement over the edge of a high rocky precipice, then they're probably not as friendly as they seem! But just because someone is encouraging you to do something difficult, doesn't indicate ill will. Sometimes we need to be cajoled into making changes that interrupt the status quo. This month, even if you don't quite trust someone, believe in your ability to rise to their challenge. It will be worth it. In your love life: A benign, cosmic force is naturally drawing towards you the offers, invitations and opportunities you most require.

In supermarkets, we see signs that state: While stocks last!' They're encouraging us to grab today's bargain offer while we can, for it will sell out soon. Indeed it will, especially if enough people believe the notice! Whenever something appears to be in short supply, it seems more desirable than that which is always available. Though some chances really are never to be repeated, most are simply a ploy. Following the Jupiter-Uranus opposition that aligns with your ruler Pluto, don't be bamboozled into making decisions in a hurry. If it's right, it'll wait. In your love life: Sometimes you have to just take your time over things. Show some patience. Little is as urgent as it seems.

Few people can just snap their fingers and have all their needs met. Many of us, though, imagine this to be the ultimate luxury. But, wouldn't such a life be claustrophobic? And where would the immense satisfaction gained from striving and achieving be found? Aren't your most treasured possessions the ones you've worked hardest for? This month, you have a team in place that can affect change. But, simply snapping your fingers won't bring you what you really want. You'll have to lift one or two, too! Being part of a team will bring success. In your love life: Your dreams give a broad idea of your path; not a specific route. Stick to the spirit, not the letter, of those dreams.

Do people realise what you're capable of? Are they working on the assumption that you're the same as you always were? Like someone who once tried using the internet on a dial up modem in 1997 and now doesn't see the need to get online', they don't know what they're missing. You haven't stayed the same you've drastically improved. And, if given the chance to prove yourself, there's little you can't accomplish. Here comes your moment. It's time to renegotiate your role based on your current abilities rather than old, outmoded ones. In your love life: Action is better than inaction. Don't fear making a mistake; if you're sincere, mistakes' will be guided by a positive force.

This weekend, you'll hear many pennies dropping. By this, I don't necessarily mean that you're due for a windfall although with the arrival of the Eclipse I wouldn't be surprised if your finances begin to look up. But it's in the currency of your mind that you may find you gain the biggest deposit. As Mars conjuncts your modern ruler, you'll see something that seems obvious the moment you recognise it, yet which previously appeared to be totally different. This new understanding can help you gain great strength and attain power. In your love life: Don't strive for ideal solutions' to problems. Settle for a fairly close match and then set about changing it to suit.

This week, life's vehicle is getting a tune-up in your celestial garage. Not that you're bringing any old jalopy, but the astrological mechanics have the ability to pimp your ride'! You're being fuelled up and tooled up to take on any challenge so much so that you may need to be wary of how much more horsepower you have in your engine. Before you put pedal to metal, test out your throttle. If you're travelling too fast, your best opportunities could pass by too quickly. But if you remain in control, there's no journey that's a step too far. In your love life: Few things are impossible. Though some things are definitely easier than others. Be brave. Remember that now.

People are full of surprises. Even folk we think we know can turn out to have aspects to their character that we're entirely unaware of. Nor, as Mars conjuncts Uranus opposite Jupiter in 2017's great T-Square, can you be too sure that you know all there is to know about yourself. You've got strengths you've hardly ever drawn on. Somehow, this week, you'll become more aware of what these are, and how you can make the most of them. These discoveries may be triggered, at least in part, by new realisations about someone you know. In your love life: Denying what's in your heart suppresses its ability to express itself. Admit to what you want; rediscover your spirit.

Some people love school. They delight in the camaraderie and shared experience. Other people like churches. They want to feel part of something bigger than themselves. But there are others who will never feel completely at home in someone else's palace, no matter how luxurious the surroundings or plump the pillows. This week, if you begin to feel uncomfortable in a situation, ask yourself whether it's the situation that's not right, or if you're not right for the situation? By starting to honour your individuality, you'll find harmony. In your love life: Every so often we entertain ideas that seem slightly shocking. It's time to talk bravely and clearly to someone you trust.

Jonathan was a fan of Jon Spoelstra, an author who wrote, Ice To The Eskimos; How To Market A Product Nobody Wants. With your ruler conjunct both the coming Eclipse and Neptune, it's possible that you might be manifesting some skills described in that book. My uncle's advice would have been to go gently on your potential customers. And if you discover that someone's trying to employ such abilities on you, look beyond the facade of your current situation. Investigate thoroughly before you make your investment. In your love life: It's not just technology that progresses in bounds. Emotional awareness can rapidly transform too. As you'll see, soon!

That's the first thing I want and the last thing I need'. It's a familiar refrain from many country songs. Your life might be less like a song and dance than you'd like, but there are some song lyrics we should never try to emulate. Yet now is a moment when what you want' and what you need' are aligned. Although you may not realise that you need it, or be sure that you want it, a process begins this week that has the potential to be both gratifying and rewarding. Give it a chance and you'll soon be whistling its tune! In your love life: The experience you are about to gain in your emotional life will not only make you wiser... but happier, too.

Imagine writing a letter to yourself in the past. Dear Person I Used To Be, There is no need to be upset about half the issues that are bugging you because they really aren't as problematic as they seem. PS: you're coming up to a point where everything starts to make a lot more sense. Yours sincerely, The Person You Later Became!' You may not be able to send such a message back from here, but you can certainly receive one from your future self, right now! Indeed, that's exactly what the Eclipse, conjunct Mercury, is enabling you to do. In your love life: You don't need stimulants. Smiles, loving looks and glances are enough. Drinking in the sheer joy of good company.

Someone this week is encouraging you to break new ground. They're keen to have you on board, part of their intrepid plans to explore new, uncharted territories. It's an exciting proposition, but is it a safe one? Is it the sensible thing to do? Would you be exploring a life-changing opportunity or tilting at windmills? Life doesn't have to veer between extremes. There's room to be quixotic without being irresponsibly ungrounded. Try giving the seemingly impossible a chance to flourish. Growth can spring from the most unlikely of soils. In your love life: You may believe that you need something new and improved'. Take care: think hard before you look for such changes.

You can't be ruthless, reckless or crazy. You must proceed with dignity, decorum and diplomacy. It is, though, one thing to proceed at a sensible pace and another to decide on retreat because you feel unable to advance fast enough. You want something and are doubtful whether you can have it. One thing we know about the current moment, though, is that it will soon become the past. With Mars conjunct Uranus opposite Jupiter, anything can change. Be as generous to yourself as you are to others, and you can get what you deserve. In your love life: Only weak people strive to protect their positions. Strong ones have faith in their own power and luck.

They say if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. But what are we supposed to do next? Go hungry? And surely it's the food that's supposed to be piping hot not the chef! This week, you can make changes which will not only bring you nourishment; they will help you regain control of your environment. Yet fighting fire with fire is only going to turn the heat up. Be more creative. The cosmos suggests that there's a new, cool way to approach a perennial problem. And the result will satisfy more than just your taste buds. In your love life: We lower our defences for those who mean so much to us. Love has taken much out of you. It is about to give it all back.

Saturn is in your sign, whilst Mars is beginning to form an intense conjunction to Uranus. One good way to sum up what this means might be to use the phrase, a squeeze'. There are times when it seems we can allow our lives to be full of somewhat unsatisfactory circumstances and situations. Somehow, we're happy just to trundle along, coping as best we can. Then there are times when that all rapidly becomes unacceptable. Big choices have to be made. Truths dawn on us and priorities become clear. This is one of those times. In your love life: You have common sense but you can't teach others to develop theirs. It will be sufficient simply to nurture your own!

How hard is it to see something that we don't want to? Even if we see it, we may immediately do our darndest to forget it. Rather than acknowledge it, we ignore it, deny it or mistake it for something else. Unless, that is, a part of us is willing and ready to see it. With the coming Eclipse, it's important to be open-minded. And, with the focus of Mars's conjunction with Uranus, that may involve overcoming a reluctance to accept an unnerving explanation. But don't let an unappealing impression stop you realising a golden opportunity. In your love life: The answer to your current question can not be found in any reference book. But it is in your heart. Look there.

Change doesn't happen just because it's the right thing to do. We humans are a long way from developing robotic brains. We may like to think our choices are determined by the rational study of the merits of a decision. But more often than not, it's a good story that sways hearts and rallies troops behind a cause. It's important to remember this over the week ahead. Sometimes belief matters more than vision. In order to manifest what you need to feel fulfilled, a combination of passion, candour and confidence will make the difference. In your love life: Surprises can be pleasant or... well, that's what makes them surprises. Expect the cosmos to deliver the nice kind.

When faced with difficult circumstances, you can either let your confidence crumble or redouble your determination to find a way forward, regardless. Try not to be overly sensitive to a cause of worry or concern. Overcome your exasperation at the circumstances that have led to a problem or any instinctive sense that you wouldn't be in a tricky situation if someone else had been a little smarter. The coming Eclipse will help you to see the most positive route you can take, from here to the kind of future you want to enjoy. In your love life: Emotional pressure. Run away and it will follow you. Turn around with a smile on your face and it will leave you alone.

They say we should strike when the iron's hot. But this is a blacksmith's analogy. If there was ever a need to update our terminology to cope with modern times, then this must be the time. Perhaps we should say we should act while the hashtag is trending' instead. But whatever the phrasing, the advice remains the same. Something in your world is calling out for change. Don't, this weekend, let the opportunity to make a difference pass you by. If you're sensitive enough to your surroundings, you'll see there's a way ahead. In your love life: Life takes us down unexpected roads. Your journey now takes you to a place where you can cast a very potent spell.

Are you fundamentally a good or a bad person? Well, indeed. Me too. Or, at least, we would both very much like to hope so. But this does raise one rather crucial question. What if we aren't? Few, if any, of this world's bad' people, ever think of themselves as bad'. Almost all the harmful actions and despicable decisions that have ever occurred stem from people who believed that what they were doing was good'. This week, with the coming Eclipse, you owe it to yourself to ask, How right is the right thing? And, How wrong is the wrong thing? In your love life: Tough lessons are empowering you to build a meaningful future. Soon, there will be a lot more love in your life.

It's easy to get caught up with what's in front of you because, well, it's right there in your way, waiting for you to deal with it. But life isn't a screen to be stared at. It's an Oculus Rift a virtual reality headset that reveals new dimensions depending on where you point your perspective. This week, if you find that you're in a less pleasing situation, don't forget to, metaphorically at least, turn your head. There's more to the game of life than the puzzle you're stuck on. A little change of direction and you'll explore the next level. In your love life: There's no shame in saying that conditions are not right yet. Wait for clarity before trying to make a dream take flight.

First you snap your shoelace. Then you miss the bus. Then someone says something sniffy. The next thing you know, you're having a bad day. At every turn, you start to expect another setback or a reason to feel uncomfortable. A classic experience of irritation. Yet what makes a good day? Usually it involves a little more than functioning footwear, well-timed transport and folk who keep their opinions to themselves. As we approach the coming Eclipse, be less sensitive now to trivial tribulations and you'll keep the bigger ones at bay. In your love life: Sometimes we need to remind the universe of its obligation to take care of us. A nudge is usually all it takes.

Once in a while we all need to take the plunge and take an action which will turn a casual relationship into something more substantial. And this doesn't apply only to romantic involvements. Intimate relationships are critical to our well-being. Someone who's been in your peripheral line of vision is worthy of being brought into focus this weekend. Their influence and ideas can inspire you. They can offer valuable perspective. Trust your instincts and listen to their advice. There's much this alliance can teach you. In your love life: The goal you are aiming for is attainable but not by any form of instant magic. Be willing to put in a lot of hard work.

It's one thing to differ with a colleague or companion or to argue vociferously with a politician or a philosopher. These things happen. Sooner or later, we all find ourselves passionately upholding a controversial view. This may or may not be good for us but it's at least understandable. Yet what are we to make of someone whose big point of debate or disagreement isn't with another individual, but with themselves? You've lately been in a state of almost constant quandary but, with the coming Eclipse, this may yet soon resolve. In your love life: The body knows best. Physical discomfort could well be a reaction to some emotional factor you are ignoring.

What's pushing you out of your comfort zone? Who's instigating change for change's sake? Who or what's upsetting the delicate balance of life's glorious gumbo? Applying change is like seasoning a chilli. Too little, and it's a bland affair. Too much, and the whole dish is spoiled. But just the right amount' has us returning for second helpings. Whether we come back for a second life is a question for philosophers rather than astrologers! But this week, let someone else add their ingredients. You might like the zest they inject. In your love life: Look to your highest priority. Honour that at all costs and ignore everything (and everyone) else for the time being.

Harry Potter never decided that he wanted to become a wizard. Fate, circumstance and accident of birth' thrust this role on him. Neither Bilbo nor Frodo were hankering for adventure when Gandalf came to take them on their travels. They just found themselves caught up in something they couldn't get out of. Just as these literary heroes eventually triumphed, with Mars conjuncting Uranus at the Eclipse, you'll prove more than worthy of the challenge that life has placed before you, even if it wasn't one that you chose. In your love life: You may be in two minds about a certain matter. Difficult, doubts will soon give way to inspiring certainties.

We're told get back on the horse that throws you'. Of course it's easy advice when sitting comfortably on your high horse, but harder to take when lying in the mud. And, of course, we all have the equivalent of psychological steeds to mount. You have the advantage of being the sign of the centaur your horse can offer you a helping hand to help you clamber on! This week, don't let the fear of a fall prevent you enjoying the ride. Accept the help on offer and you'll benefit from a change of scenery. Life's keen to take you on a journey. In your love life: Don't believe that everyone is going to let you down. Drop your guard; allow someone genuinely generous to help.

Even a small change can have a dramatic impact. Consider the supermassive container ships that transport so many of the world's goods. The largest of these which happens to share my name is more than 395 metres long. The rudder steering it is tiny by comparison. But just a small change in its angle makes the difference between goods arriving in Baltimore or Buenos Aries. You're being handed captaincy of your own ship. Be wary of even the smallest adjustment, but don't be afraid. The journey you're beginning is the path to fulfilment.

This weekend brings an eclipse in your opposite sign. As is it arrives it forms positive angles with both your rulers. It suggests that someone you're close to will show another side of themselves. A deal needs to be renegotiated. Or maybe a rule, that can seemingly never be broken, isn't being followed. Don't be unnerved by anything. Don't seek to bolster your strength with assertive behaviour either. Just be calm, confident, willing to believe just about anything, and ready to see how all of this can ultimately be for the benefit of all.

Imagine you're a piece of fried chicken. Now bear with me I haven't gone off my rocker entirely. But there's a famous franchise that claims to have secret herbs and spices. What would your unique blend be? What is it about you that leaves people wanting more? Because you have qualities that cause people to become addicted to your presence. This week, you'll find that your best self is easy to find, and your unique way of operating is much appreciated. Follow your heart now. The beat it drums signals the march of great, positive progress.

How are you starting to feel now that Venus is settling into your sign? More loved? More loving? More creative? More inspired? Or perhaps you're just keenly conscious of the number of people who seem to be so much in need of your time, energy and support. You're being asked to do a lot of giving, sharing, nurturing and helping. How very fortunate that, as the Lunar Eclipse arrives, you find yourself blessed with genuinely generous impulses. Remember this week, the more you give out, the more you'll eventually get back.

I once read an article titled 100 Ways To Be A Grown-Up'. Now I'm not entirely sure I want to be a grown-up; but, nonetheless, one of the ideas stuck. It was, stop trying to re-create fun'. Perhaps this is something we're all guilty of. When we enjoy ourselves, we're bound to seek similar pleasures. But when we try to manufacture an inherently organic process, it never tastes quite as sweet. This week, look with hungry eyes upon a fresh start. Don't be disappointed for what it isn't appreciate it for what it is and what it can become.

They say that if you want to get ahead in life, it's not what you know that counts. It's who you know. That's not entirely true. You may be wonderfully well connected, but if you don't have any skill or ability, you're unlikely to get many offers. Then again, you have many talents and more friends (or friends of friends) than you may realise. This week's Lunar Eclipse speaks of the need to re-evaluate a seemingly superficial social relationship. It runs deep and has great potential to bring both parties significant benefit.

We all pine for things we can't have, and indulge in what we shouldn't want in the first place. Sometimes, the heart yearns so fervently, it doesn't matter how impractical or costly its desires. How then, do we distinguish between what's difficult for the right reasons, and what just brings difficulty? Sometimes, the only way is to start at the end and work backwards. This week, with some reverse engineering, you'll realise that the steps to a gladder heart are simpler than you fear. What you want isn't as hard to obtain as it appears.

You're doing your best of that there's no doubt. The question is, is it good enough? Will it make the difference that you need it to? You fear you may be running out of magic tricks to perform. Perhaps you're not superhuman. Perhaps you may have to accept that a situation is always destined to be difficult. Or then again, perhaps not. As the Lunar Eclipse arrives in your sign, although miracles may not be possible, inspiring and uplifting developments are imminent. Your best is all you can do, and will yet prove to be all that's required.

Who is it that you need to be brave for? Who is it that's being so demanding? Who wants you to carry the courage of your convictions and live life with a full and industrious heart? It may feel like someone's encouraging you to be more than you are. But they're not pressing you into a role you can't fulfil. You're a natural fit for the part. And neither is their insistence the true motivation for this change. Deep down inside, you know you have more to offer. Events this week will help you see how to grow and fulfil your potential.

Jonathan wrote a book about cosmic ordering'. He was exploring the process of asking the universe for a favour'. It explained the mechanics that come into play when we make such a request. If we all understood a little more about what the universe had to do in order to grant our wishes, we might express them rather differently. As the Lunar Eclipse arrives, it brings the manifestation of something you've made an application for to the cosmos. You're being given what you once wanted. But do you still have an appetite for it?

No amount of pining for the past will turn the clock backwards. And no amount of hiding away will keep the tides of time from turning. You may now be tempted to focus only on what has been. But, as your astrologer, I must turn your attention to what has yet to pass. I do this in order to give you good news. No matter how much you yearn for certain glory days, some of your best times lie ahead. This week don't let nostalgia triumph over optimism or let history prevent the change required for you to access a wonderful future.

The cosmic climate is exceptional. The Lunar Eclipse is linked with Saturn in your sign. This will affect people in different ways, but will touch everyone with graceful gifts. Yet it's as if you've been carrying a key. You've not wanted to put it down, yet you've had no idea what it might actually open. Slowly, you're being shown the point and purpose of a particular situation. You're realising why a certain ability, and some very specific experiences are of such value. It's time to unlock your potential and open up the door to new possibilities.

If you want to make an omelette you've got to break some eggs. And if you want apples to fall into your lap, you'd better shake that tree! But if we're not careful, we have more than just apples landing at our feet. Sometimes, we find ourselves struck, like Newton, by revelations that transform our lives. Like an egg that's been broken, we can't just put everything back the way it was. This month you're leaving old processes behind, and creating the opportunities you seek. Don't pine for the past. You'll soon have reason to justify your sacrifices. In your love life: You have a pleasant surprise in store. It's an uplifting revelation which lets you see a key relationship or an arrangement in a different light.

Endings are never easy. Unless we've reached the point where a situation has become untenable, we can't help but regret the realisation that things can no longer be as they were. Yet every ending is rapidly followed by a new beginning. With Mars conjunct Uranus, at the Solar eclipse, look at what's about to start for you, and allow yourself to be inspired. And if, as the Sun moves out of your sign, there's something you feel you'll truly miss, there may yet be a way to keep the very best part of it current. You've more options than you think. In your love life: Like the latest diet, are you applying a fanciful trendy solution to an emotional issue? There's a wiser way.

It often feels as if the more we know, the less we understand. That every answer leads to more questions, queries and searches for truth. And, with some subjects, we have to learn to live with mystery. At times, this month, you may feel less confident not quite so sure about what you really value. Though the cosmos is asking you to re-examine some of what you've learned, it doesn't question who you are. Quite the opposite. So, don't let doubt creep in. Be true to yourself, and explore your imagination. A great journey begins with an open mind. In your love life: Life's obliging you to study what you're really learning and really gaining from a close involvement. The news will be good.

Why do people turn minor concerns into big issues? It may be because they inwardly feel that this will help them to keep even bigger issues at bay. If they keep themselves busy with small stuff, they won't have the time or the energy to tackle anything else. But big issues aren't always problematic. As Mars conjuncts Uranus, in your sign this month, a situation that you've been inclined to see as major, may prove to be well within your capabilities. The solar eclipse urges you to concentrate. You can easily adapt to your new target. In your love life: Make a psychological commitment to go gently and kindly through your emotional life. Then the right things will happen.

Have you ever rallied to a cause and then found yourself sharing a platform with people you'd normally distance yourself from? It's in such moments that we have to consider whether the change we wish to bring about is important enough for us to compromise some of our values. This month, context is paramount. You can achieve something that will have great influence on your day-to-day life. Yet, it may cause you to distance yourself from an old path. By embracing the new way, you'll discover a new, more compassionate you. In your love life: You're in a hurry to reach a certain point. Don't be. Enjoy the unfolding story. What it ultimately leads to is special.

Since the dawn of time, great philosophers have pondered both the meaning and mechanism of existence. Some concluded that the universe is intrinsically perverse. It has been designed to ensure that nobody ever gets exactly what they want. Let's hope they're right. Because, if so, there's a loophole in the cosmic law! All you have to do is want not to get whatever you want! Then, you'll have to get it won't you? With Mercury speeding through the sky, you can perform mental gymnastics. And there's no end to what you can achieve. In your love life: The partnership you are now entering into is not exactly conventional, but it may yet have its advantages.

We can't take success for granted until we hold its results in the palm of our hands. Even though they say that seeing is believing, our eyes can be fooled by a simple trick of the light. The real proof comes when we can touch, grasp and benefit from the results of our endeavours. Yet the physical manifestation of desire means nothing if our spirits aren't lifted by our achievements. We need to feel the effect in our hearts. This month, look beyond the superficial. The meaning you seek is hidden deep below. Dive right in. In your love life: Have you taken a road in the past and failed to get very far down it? This time it actually leads you all the way to success.

We applaud great illusionists who can apparently make something out of nothing. When they reach into their top hats and pull out rabbits, or unfold their silk handkerchiefs to produce doves, we're highly impressed. Yet what truly takes skill, and is far less often appreciated, is the ability to pour oil on troubled waters, and bring calm to situations that have been tense and full of potential for conflict. This weekend, with a solar eclipse conjunct Neptune, you can expect to be blessed with the helpful ability to make nothing out of something. In your love life: Listen to inspiration not fear. You don't need to fight so hard. Show goodwill; be granted a refreshing experience.

I can't write your forecast today, I'm much too thirsty. Could you bring me a glass of water? Good. On your way, could you pop to the shops, as I've run out of bread. No, not the supermarket, I need one of those special loaves from the artisanal bakery. Thanks! Hang on. Does it feel as if you're doing too much for someone? Think again, about the division of labour, and how you view a key partnership. Oh, it looks like I've written your forecast without requiring your services! Perhaps you can afford to relax after all. In your love life: You feel sure that you are ready to assert your will and succeed - and equally sure that there is no point. But there is!

You don't have to be fair. You're under no obligation to dispense justice, or even to act with reason. Plenty of people consider themselves to be excused from such social requirements, and they appear to get clean away with their acts of staggering selfishness, so why shouldn't you? But then, doing the right thing' isn't something we do for the benefit of others. We do it because we know it makes us feel good. As your ruler moves into your opposite sign, you'd like to encourage a sense of harmony. How can such a noble plan be wrong? In your love life: You yearn for a change, but you fear making the first move. All it takes is a simple decision to step outside the door.

The most inspirational artists play with imagery. Even musicians, whose art is invisible to the eye, paint pictures with their lyrics to further their art. Life's asking you to channel your inner David Bowie this month. His work captured our imagination through the exploitation of images. It wasn't enough for him to master the sonic arts. The pictures he painted performing his work shocked, delighted and explored the frontiers of creativity. Don't be afraid of the ch-ch-changes life now instigates! Even amongst the challenges, all Scorpios can be heroes. In your love life: Happiness? Does this mythical state actually exist? Actually, as soon you will be nicely reminded, it truly does!

Normal procedures need not be followed or, at least, not strictly in accordance with the usual protocols. Such times occur more often than we might imagine, but they're rarely advertised or announced. Those who know, tend to keep the information to themselves. Those who don't know just follow the rules and never even realise that they could have broken them. I'm not saying you can get away with anything this month. But as Mars conjuncts Uranus, during a solar eclipse, where it looks as if you can push your luck, you probably can! In your love life: A part of your past is catching up with you now. A good part. Here comes your reward for a wise choice.

Heads or tails? Sleep on it? Do nothing and wait to see what happens? It's unlike you to be indecisive. Every so often, though, something gets to you. Suddenly, for some strange reason, you find yourself performing a sort of psychological U-turn. It doesn't last long, and it usually has a positive outcome. But while it's happening, it's confusing. Mercury conjuncts Pluto in your sign. With all the energy of the 2017 T-square, it can help you reach an important choice. This week, you'll know what's what, and you'll be happy. In your love life: You have lately been wrestling with a difficult matter. If you don't want to turn that difficulty into a drama, take a break.

The trouble with submarines is that they can't really see where they're going. Despite the technology they use to navigate the ocean floor, sooner or later they must pop up their periscope to see what's really going on. You're entering a time where you must emerge from the deep to gain some clarity. Put up your periscope. Take stock of your surroundings and see, with your own eyes, just where it is you can get to. With fresh perspective, and the support of a loyal crew, the voyage you embark upon can be deeply enriching. In your love life: Something is making you feel stubborn. You will get the right results if you are refusing to budge for the right reasons.

Life is not really meant to be lived at quite the level of intensity that you've been experiencing lately. You've been drawn into dramas that have been ever more absorbing. There wasn't much you could do to get away from this nor was there much point in me advising you to pay it less attention. It's been very prepossessing. While Mars and Venus were in Pisces, it was easy for you to have big reactions to small things. This week, as Venus follows Mars out of your sign, a sense of perspective, and proportion can return. In your love life: You are not ordinary. Why try to judge a situation through the eyes of a conventional viewer? You must do as you feel.

If you were about to compete in the Olympic games, you might find yourself being observed by anti-doping officials. Because you're about to get a performance-enhancing boost that might be difficult to explain. You, though, don't need a complicated, state-run operation to swap out any samples you might have to give. The advantage you're receiving is not chemical in nature. With your ruler joined by Venus in your sign, that's all the celestial stimulus you need to find both vigour and beautiful technique. Strive to be your personal best! In your love life: Are you carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Someone needs to take their own share of a responsibility.

If, this weekend, even one situation starts looking a little better than the last time you assessed it, that's a reason to smile and feel quietly encouraged. It's not a coincidence, a quirk or a false positive. It's just proof that slowly, a little more light is coming in through a heavy curtain, and a gradual process of improvement is taking place. With your ruler Venus leaving its link to Saturn, remember, the best things in life happen at an organic, natural pace. Some changes can't be rushed. And slow progress is better than no progress! In your love life: There may be madness in misunderstanding, but there is magic too. It is not consistency that you need now. It is sincerity.

As much as we may like to learn, it's hard to enjoy revision. It's not just the pressure of an upcoming mental test that takes the enjoyment out of the process, it has something to do with the tedium of returning to familiar ground, over and over again. This is, of course, sometimes necessary, but without the excitement of discovery, committing ideas to memory can feel like a bore and a chore. Don't be fooled into thinking that your current revisiting of the past will last forever. You'll be grateful for the revisions you're making. In your love life: One key factor is affecting you adversely. It can be put right. Conquer your fear of speaking straight to someone.

Be still, be calm, be clear. Take the long view, the wise perspective. Forget today's dispute or tomorrow's difficulty, what's going to matter a year from now or even in ten years' time? Are you finding it hard to see that far ahead? Then just focus on whatever comes up as clear and obvious. Who will still be important to you when you get so far down the road? What will you be glad that you did? And what, possibly, will you be inclined to regret? Under the New Moon, choose well now, and you'll make the best investment. In your love life: Are you looking too closely at something? Somewhere in what seems like a diversion there's the very solution you need.

Where, in your life, is someone breathing new life into a process? Where can a fresh start be made with a familiar face? Where can a chance meeting of minds lead to new beginnings with clearer vision? This week brings a beneficial dynamic into your world. Of course, that which is beneficial isn't always easy to deal with. Sometimes we need the right kind of challenge to bring out the best in us. But this needn't be a difficult process. Be your brilliant, generous, inspired self and you'll emerge stronger and revitalised. In your love life: A problem? Just possibly, the situation is not as bad as you think. Before you make radical plans, let a little more time pass.

When Tim Berners-Lee first came up with the idea that would eventually become the internet, few people understood him. Even those who did were not convinced that it could actually become a reality. Yet, he persevered and changed the world. As your ruler joins in with the powerful 2017 T-square, an inspired vision can change your world. What has seemed unimaginable is about to prove perfectly possible. If you can just begin to see a new way to cope with a long- standing problem, you'll begin to create a new reality. In your love life: Ups and downs are inevitable to continue. If you are tempted to pursue an ultimate solution', it is vital to stay philosophical.

We're constantly told that life is a competition. Sportspeople dominate headlines at both ends of the newspapers. They're held up as shining examples; even given honours by the Queen. But these are just games being played. They have little to do with what really matters in life our happiness, and that of those we love. This week, you may feel tempted to compete with someone who seems to have the edge over you. You can win if need be. But do you really need to prove yourself? Aren't you perfect just as you are? In your love life: Anxiety about a delicate matter is making you too open. Don't reveal more than you need. Be cool; you'll soon be happier.

You can't win. That's the bad news. Unless, just possibly, it turns out to be good news. It may just be that you don't really need to win. Indeed, if you win, you could lose out! For you may be chasing an objective that's actually not as desirable as it seems. Prepare for a week of contradictions and discoveries that make you stop and think twice. But, as Mercury conjuncts your ruler Pluto, there'll also be a development that sharpens your focus, clears up a mystery and leaves you feeling more positive about the next phase of your future. In your love life: Something is upsetting you. Don't let misgivings worry you too much. There may be no need to give it any more thought.

We have responsibilities to those we feel emotionally connected to. It's an inevitable consequence of the entanglement of hearts. And this traverses all relationships, be they familial, romantic or platonic. And although we can sometimes feel limited by the restrictions these place on us, they're as much for our own benefit. When we take care of someone, we're strengthening a bond. Try not to look on any burdens you're carrying as being difficult this week. You're simply tilling a field from which your harvest will grow. In your love life: There's wheeling and dealing to do. Somewhere in your emotional life, there's scope for a brilliant piece of negotiation.

The Wizard of Oz promised Dorothy he'd get her home, but accidentally left in his balloon without her. She was stranded, until the Good Witch pointed out that all along she'd been wearing enchanted slippers. She just had to click her heels and make a wish. What am I trying to suggest? You might be waiting to be granted a power and a freedom that you already have. But this month, as the Sun joins Pluto in Capricorn, ahead of the dynamic Jupiter-Uranus opposition which is picked up by both Pluto and your ruler, you don't need me to tell you how powerful you can be. Nor anybody else! In your love life: You have had enough drama. Now you need, deserve, and are due for an easier time in your emotional life.

Watch an old movie and there's often a scene set in a vehicle, with the protagonist driving another character around while they talk. These days, it's pretty clear that they were sitting in a model car while stock footage of city streets was played on a screen through the rear window. It would have been obvious, even at the time, if the special-effects team had played that footage backwards! No one can concentrate on plot-developing dialogue if there are cars zooming by in reverse. This month, there's a moment when you realise you've been doing something the wrong way round. You just need to fix this simple issue, and so much will feel better as it starts to move in the right direction. In your love life: You have had to make the most of a stressful situation. But you are about to seize your chance of victory.

Is it possible to make something out of nothing? Most creative people agree it's possible to make something out of next to nothing if you're clever and inventive, a little goes a long way. But what if you haven't even got so much as a little to begin with? Well then, let's draw a deep breath and ask a crucial question. Have you really got nothing at all with which to work? Or might you, just possibly, be making nothing out of something? The Jupiter-Uranus opposition tells you it's re-evaluation time. With Mars moving into your sign this month, you can create something spectacular with even the most unlikely ingredients. In your love life: You have an urge to make a brave move. Your reputation may suffer briefly. But you will feel an awful lot better for it.

We gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do there's a better life, for me and you,' sang The Animals. This lyric's expression of exasperation might ring true for you. You're in a situation that you'd like to change, by almost any means. Fortunately, help is at hand in the form of someone unexpected who can be the catalyst for a breakthrough. It may not be easy. A transition as powerful as this takes effort. You've been in a chrysalis of your own making and, though it has served you well, it's now time to leave. Become the beautiful butterfly you were always meant to be. In your love life: No matter what you feel threatened by, things will improve naturally soon. Frustration will be replaced by inspiration.

In some countries, it's almost always cold. That's normal. In other lands, the sun beats down endlessly. That's normal too. If you don't like the kind of normal you've got, you can always go somewhere else. Well, as long as all you want is a change in temperature. Of course, it's also true that wherever you go, you take yourself with you. If you want to change something about your life that has become too familiar, it may require more than just a different location. But with the Jupiter-Uranus opposition squaring Pluto, and linking encouragingly with your ruler Venus, this month it can happen. It really can! In your love life: You are about to be offered a significantly different opportunity, far better than you dared hope for. Expect inspiring news.

Some secrets are worth knowing and others are best left undiscovered. But how do we know that we shouldn't know something unless we already know it?! It helps to have an idea of why we're seeking the knowledge we seek, how we expect to benefit, and what the process is likely to cost. Competing ideas are buzzing around you this month. How will you know which ones to focus on? Which will take you in a new direction? Which will inspire those around you, and which will tilt the balance of power in your favour? By asking these questions regularly, you'll find the secret to long-lasting and valuable change. In your love life: Your instinctive approach may pay yet another dividend soon. Be kinder to yourself by being kinder to someone else.

For some, this is the run up to the festive season. For others, it's the moment the world descends into a dystopia of consumerism. For you? Neither the end of the world nor exactly party time! Though, with the Jupiter-Uranus opposition focusing on Pluto in your opposite sign, it marks a crucial period. Sandwiched between a Supermoon and a New Moon, it's get-it-together' time. Here's your chance to honour commitments, face responsibilities, solve problems, tackle tricky issues, make useful things happen and beat deadlines. Will life seem stressful? At times. But you can end up feeling highly successful this month. In your love life: Don't let emotional fear damage you. You are worth so much more than that. Let go of a negative; embrace a positive.

Watching my soon-to-be three-year-old, I can't help but think of nature documentaries featuring big cats in the wild. The act of play seems to be shared by all mammals. Every bit of rough and tumble, every Lego model and chased tail is part of our development. It creates an understanding of how our bodies work, and prepares us for the times ahead, when our strengths will be tested. You, though, aren't playing games any more. Something you desire is coming into clear focus. If you put your theory into practice, you'll demonstrate the power of what you have learned. There is much to be achieved. In your love life: A conflict is brewing into a crisis cocktail. Stay sober. Keep your wits about you, and you will soon see the silver lining.

It's in with the old and out with the new. Hang on, haven't I got that backwards? No, actually, I haven't! Yes, there'll be lots of exciting developments this month. Yes, someone or something will challenge the way you do things, disrupt your way of thinking and ask you to fashion a new path ahead. Yet, there'll be something recognisable about events. You'll discover perspectives that you feel comfortable with. You're good at seeing from another point of view and you'll be reassured by familiarity. It comes from recognising the value of this process of transition. You're evolving into your best self.. In your love life: How might an expert' see your situation? If that's not your view, don't defer too quickly to what a grown-up might do!

Ostriches have been around for a long time. If they truly bury their heads in the sand whenever they don't want to see something, this must be an effective technique or they'd never survive! So should you emulate this policy? Not if you want answers to key questions. You won't get them unless you look hard. As Jupiter opposes Uranus, with Saturn and Venus involved too, be brave and decide that no matter what you might discover, it's time to open your eyes. Although Mercury turns retrograde, it's harmonising with Neptune this month. Once you see through an illusion, you'll only benefit from the truth. In your love life: You may be thinking too much about a feeling that can't be fully understood. Be wise: realise that fate is on your side.

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth,' said Oscar Wilde. Somehow, we find it easier to be honest when we're playing roles or engaging in a mild pretence'. Your modern ruler Pluto's influence, as it picks up the Jupiter-Uranus opposition, will help you to discover the heart of a matter this month. If you dearly wish to find the secret of meaningful change, first find the truth behind the words you listen to. As Mars changes signs, it's encouraging you to play with your image. Assume the right mask, and much will become clear. In your love life: You are entitled to be eccentric and to want what you want. Will you get it? That depends on how badly you really want it!

The cosmos is in your corner, the stars are aligning to support you. Your bowstring is taut your arrow is notched. You may already feel your muscles quivering with the strength that this month's celestial activity offers. You can make gains that aren't just metaphorical they'll make a material difference to the way you live your life. The results will be there for all to see. Sure, they don't just land in your lap, but since when have you been afraid to chase after your quarry? Shoe your hooves, and follow your ideas. Seek an approach that is uniquely you'. Your faith will be entirely justified. In your love life: Don't question your entitlement to joy. Deep within, you know what's needed. You also know how to make it happen.

Are the celestial forces limiting your ability to express yourself as fully as you want to? Are you being confined so that you're unable to pursue what you really want? The answer to all these questions is an emphatic NO! You're simply being encouraged to marshal your resources into a focused, precise point. Like a javelin, with all that energy directed through the tip, you can fly forwards and find your target. With a well-planned, meticulously executed move this weekend, you can set your aim and reach a satisfying goal. In your love life: Not every development is happening for a reason, but much is closely connected to a positive plan.

Are you psychic? Let's try a test. How many fingers am I holding up? Wow! That's amazing. How did you know? You see... you always knew you had mystical abilities. Let's try another experiment. What's due to happen in your world this week? Ha! Incredible. Right again. That's exactly how your week is going to turn out for you. The hunch you've got, the vision you're seeing, the guess that you're making, will turn out to be true. The Sun is returning to your sign. So if your premonitions don't please you, just imagine another outcome instead! In your love life: Something in your history has been misunderstood. See it in a new way now, and you'll see your whole future afresh.

Sports commentators often say that the winners simply wanted it more' than their opponents. But passion and drive only get you so far. No champion is created on these qualities alone. It takes training, tactics and application to channel such emotions into performance enhancers. The cosmos is encouraging you to take steps towards making a marked difference in your world. This can't be achieved without the right motivation. If you take time, and structure your energy efficiently, there's no title you can't compete for. In your love life: In novels, complex strands weave together. That analogy will soon apply to twisting dramas unfolding for you.

Doctor, I've cut myself. Can you stitch me up?' Hang on a moment, I recognise you. You were driving the car that refused to stop for me earlier this morning when I was trying to cross the road.' What should the doctor do? Refuse to treat the patient because they are angry with them? There are times when we have to stand back from our feelings and fulfill our obligations without fear or favour. As the Sun moves signs, and Mars links to Saturn, life presents you with a social and moral imperative to put honour before passion. In your love life: Does tension need to be resolved or resentment overcome? Find out where you really stand. That will bring security.

We all get by with a little help from our friends'. The late great Joe Cocker recorded this Beatles' classic with a conspicuous change in rhythmic emphasis. It also featured a young Jimmy Page. Would it have been as successful without the future Led Zeppelin's signature guitar sound? Who can say? What's more certain is that this week, kindred spirits can help you make the best of a familiar, yet tricky situation. All it may take is a little adjustment to what you already know. And, with their assistance, you can do more than just get by'. In your love life: You have not found it easy to talk to a certain someone. But this burden will soon become much easier to share.

Do you remember how excited a simple box of crayons could make you become? What do I get if I put all the colours together, one on top of another, on top of another?' we wonder. That would surely make the most fantastic shade of all!' My toddler tried something similar recently. Now, of course, we all know the answer: it's brown'. That's all you end up with in the end. As Mars links to Saturn, and your ruler exchanges energy with Jupiter, it's important to remember this in all areas of experimentation and problem-solving this week. In your love life: It takes two to tango' but only one to be big enough to back away from conflict. It's up to you to be big now.

Sometimes, we rely on people as though they're an extension of ourselves an extra limb, which we're accustomed to leaning on. Should their support be unavailable, it can be enough to tip our world out of balance. Yet, there's no need to stumble this week. Your relationship with a key person is evolving. It's not hiding away, or losing something vital. It's in the process of gradual change, reaching the next stage of its evolution. Give someone's heart the room it needs to grow. The bigger it gets, the more room it has inside for you. In your love life: You have spent almost too long living with a situation. Life, though, brings a much-needed new challenge.

It can sometimes be hard to tell if you're at an advantage or a disadvantage. People don't always express what they're feeling or thinking by their facial expressions, body language or even their tone of voice. Usually, we detect clues. But sometimes, we miss them. Days can be similarly inscrutable. We look at a situation, think we know what to expect, then get a surprise. What are you to make of the signs and signals you seem to be getting? As the Sun moves opposite your sign, if you're going to read anything between the lines, read hope. In your love life: Things are about to improve in your relationship. You're in a good frame of mind, and coming events will help you even more.

Someone has got you feeling vexed, hexed and looking for what's next. Are they truly the root of all the troubles in your life? Or are they simply the latest manifestation of an issue that's been troubling you for some time? This weekend, the cosmos is encouraging you to get to the heart of a matter, and see a problem for what it really is, rather than what it purports to be. Don't allow difficulties arising from past issues to cloud your judgement in the present. History isn't repeating itself. It's just giving you the chance to correct your course. In your love life: You have a chance to do something exciting; overcome the desire to stick to an old plan. Instead, improvise.

The squeaky wheel is always the one that gets attention. Even if the other wheels are more in need of the mechanic's eye, we're naturally inclined to prioritise the most obvious problem. As Mars links to Saturn, and Venus connects with Pluto this week, don't just apply oil to the most obvious spot. Ask yourself why a particular wheel is squeaking, and whether this might be indicative of other potential problems in less immediately apparent places. Once you've conducted a thorough review of the situation, you can proceed with confidence at last. In your love life: Ask the universe for help; you can attract what you most need. So try to understand what you truly need now.

What's the difference between banging your head against a brick wall and hammering out the stubborn progress you know is possible? Often, it's only the choice of headgear! Perhaps some sort of hard hat is required, preferably with a pneumatic drill cleverly embedded in the brim! Better still, we ought to consider using our heads differently. This week, as your traditional ruler links to Saturn, if you find progress is slow, don't give up. A creative approach to the use of your resources will bring the long-term gains you desire. In your love life: Every option needs to be explored. To make a big difference, begin in the obvious place; but don't stop.

The more we start to fear that there's nothing we can do, the more that prognosis becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. We imagine a situation to be hopeless and so, gradually, it becomes ever more hopeless. Even if somebody walks into our world waving a foolproof solution in their hands, with a big smile on their face, we suspect that they're out to trick, cheat or fleece us. Don't forget that the great opposition between Jupiter and Uranus is still very much in operation. A seemingly hopeless situation in your life is full of positive potential. In your love life: Your moods are being influenced by one person and you are making a similar impact on others. Remember this.

If you want to make a small room look bigger, paint it white. If you want a large room to look smaller, paint it a deep, dark, shade. You won't fool the tape measure, but you'll influence the opinion of anyone who enters that space, even if they happen to be the person who just helped you paint it! People who seek success, soon learn that they need to develop the ability to look beyond the apparently obvious. Mercury turns direct this week and re-enters your sign. What might you have dismissed with a superficial appraisal? In your love life: It is not too late to return to an old plan. Your new situation holds a surprisingly high quantity of serendipity.

You are a loyal person. You're also honest; sometimes these two qualities can come into conflict. Some people just don't like real, unflattering, honesty. And should they hear something they don't like, they can't see that it comes because you care, and it's from your heart. Yet you don't have to change what's different and special about yourself in order to be better understood. This week, just being aware of how you communicate can make a big difference to a situation with someone you care about. And that will feel good! In your love life: You have AN answer to your most pressing question, but is it THE answer? Trust it and work with it.

You're much better off than you know. You've got much more going for you than you realise. You're blessed beyond measure and if, sometimes, you find it hard to see how fortunate you are, it may be because you're so familiar with a situation that you can't see how special it is. This week, it's important to recognise all that's good, because somewhere within that big natural advantage is the solution to a nagging problem. With the Full Moon making a Grand Cross that includes Jupiter, you're nearer to an answer than you think. In your love life: It's no good doing well at a task only to realise you've wasted your time. Weigh options carefully.

It's easy to feel as if we're alone, swimming against a tide of difficulty, lost on an ocean of indifference. Like an emerging turtle hatchling, we know we must press on to the sea, but our fins feel clumsy in the sand, and all we see are the potential pitfalls and predators ahead. Yet, we're not alone on this journey. And, life has always been this way. This week, if you take the time to look around, you'll find others, willing to give you a helping hand. They can highlight the changes you need to make to be truly in your element. In your love life: Lose that rigid attitude that is dominating you. Mellow a bit. You will bubble away with rare happiness.

Once you've asked the chicken why it crossed the road, ask it another question. Did it or the egg come first? If you get a reply that makes sense, let the rest of us know. Though you can't expect us to take you seriously if we know you've been talking to chickens! Some things don't make sense, no matter how hard we try to understand them. Some issues are confusing and full of contradictions. Don't waste time with these this week. With your ruler conjunct Neptune, and a Full Moon in a Grand Cross, there are more rewarding pursuits. In your love life: Events in your emotional life bring clear proof of how wise you have been lately. Don't be humble; be proud!

Magazines often talk about how, in the best partnerships, two minds meld into one. But what if one person is usually in two minds most of the time? Does that work out as three minds into two? Or are 1.5 minds created? The mathematics is hard! Let alone the reality of achieving such a state! This week, though, brings you the chance to be more focused, and a key relationship will reap the benefits. You know what's required, and you're brave. If you can't go forward with one mind, at least go forward with one heart. In your love life: Why so much concern about what certain people are doing? What matters is what they are feeling.

Even relationships of intense antagonism have moments of serenity. Sometimes, when faced with something we don't like, we can find a way to make it bearable. Does that mean then, that we should accept what we're up against and stop struggling for improvement? You suspect that now is not the moment for a fight. You're probably right. But that doesn't mean that you must accept what you want to reject. As the Full Moon approaches, forming part of a Grand Cross, pick your moment and then claim your victory. In your love life: Try to forgive and understand an awkward developing situation. Then you really will gain power over it.

We're all at the mercy of the gods. None of us know whether the few minutes lost when going back to the house, because we've forgotten our phone, save us from a series of unfortunate events. But there are elements of life over which we can muster some control. We can make simple changes that help us feel more like Zen masters than confused apprentices. The cosmos is inviting you to explore a new philosophy. A small change in your way of thinking can have a big impact on how you feel about your future. In your love life: Learning to trust your deepest voice of inner wisdom. You need to be fluent in the language of your heart.

You don't need me to tell you what a charming, clever, compassionate individual you are. Or at least, you shouldn't. But sometimes, our most obvious characteristics are not commented on precisely because of their conspicuousness. So it's worth being reminded now and then! If you don't feel you're being appreciated, there's a chance that the wrong person is feeling the benefit of your charms. And it's likely that they don't realise you occasionally need reminding. This week, be clear about your needs. In your love life: It's time to ask questions. Amid a lot silliness, is one very sane, sensible and highly worthwhile thing.

It seems as if you don't have enough of what you need the most. But there's a very big, though somewhat deceptive, difference between insufficient quantity' and exactly the right amount.' Often, the measurements are identical. It's just that we prefer a little leeway. We like to feel that we've got room to manoeuvre, and scope for making the odd mistake. This week, as Mercury turns direct, and the Full Moon forms a Grand Cross, if you are very precise and careful, you'll find you're actually missing nothing at all! In your love life: You know something someone else doesn't. Say only what's constructive. Kindness will see trouble float away.

Imagine looking at yourself in a mirror. You smile. Your reflection smiles back. You frown. Your reflection frowns. You raise your right hand. Your reflection doesn't move. How can this be? You try again. This time, the reflection waits a moment and then raises a hand. Confused? So you should be! With the Sun conjunct Pluto, before making a Grand Cross, you're trying to understand how much influence you have over a situation. It isn't doing everything you want it to do, but it's definitely connected to you. Keep working on it. In your love life: It's time to stop papering over the cracks; instead, fix what really needs mending in your emotional life.

When I was at school there was a very talented guitarist, who I worked with sometimes. Recently, he's begun winning international recognition for his voice and soulful song-writing skills. Sometimes it is only when we switch our focus to a different talent that we reap the benefits of the success our gift deserves. It's not a case of giving up, selling out, or compromising values. It's using our strengths to connect with people in a meaningful way. The cosmos is encouraging you to energise a talent of yours this week. In your love life: Make a small change in your direction now to bring about a steady journey to a brighter world. Be patient.

It's work, work and more work for the Capricornians. Enthusiasm will be the hallmark of your personality. No wonder the stiff competition you had will fade away and it will be a cakewalk for you in taking on the rivals. If you are looking for a job change or you are fresher, some very good opportunities are in store. And who is not interested in money? You will aim for it and get it too. The stars shine bright for students also. It's fun time too for the young and for those who are young at heart. Those in love will be critical of each other putting the relationship into a jeopardy. Work will make you travel till you get tired of it. Your efforts for all-round well-being will also tell upon your health. Somewhere along the way, you will tend to take off your blinkers; you will simply love the world around you.

You will carry forward the charisma you so strongly protected. You would, however, want to shed some inhibitions this year. For the career-minded, your relations with your boss will grow more professional. Singles have a lot to watch out for. On the educational front, those born under this sign will be attracted to law and engineering. You frankness will also bring you problems aplenty on the professional front. On the romantic front too, your frankness will bring you sorrow to a breaking point. Aquarians will also see a horde of illnesses striking them, punching holes in the popular saying that those born under this sigh are physically strong and quite energetic. People with asthma are vulnerable. Watch out for sleep apnoea and gas-related problems.

You have always been successful. Focus will be on entrepreneurship. The young and the restless will be ahead of the times. The diligent sort that you are, you will move away from the routine and be innovative. Curiosity will get the better of you. You will try out new sports, new diets and new exercise regimes. The New Year will see Pisceans aiming for the moon and getting it. Those who had troubled you and gave you anxious moments, will cosy up to you. Promotions are in store on the work front. Romantically, the New Year springs thousands of surprises for the singles as well as the married. Expect some benefits by mid-year; just in time to eradicate money related problems. The world is waiting to grab students and those just out of academics.

2017 is all set to bustle with new friendships, romantic relationships and extending network of friends and groups for the Arians. You will be confident of your abilities to succeed. You will use logical thinking to solve problems rather than entering into heated and emotional arguments. This year is brilliant for students. Come September, the going will be good for the youth. Those pursuing higher education, it's a good year to plan their future. On the flip side, a lot of hard work needs to be done to improve the financial situation. Your resourcefulness will be challenged. Stay alert as you will tend to be rash. Arguments with close friends or relatives are unavoidable might make your surroundings stressful mainly due to your short temper.

Those born under this sign will experience a philosophical outlook towards life and religion. Travel may be on the cards. You are full of vigour and enjoy life to the fullest. Diet and fitness will be your focus. You will also plan to expand the business. Children give you happiness. But, on the romantic front, your love signals are likely to be misconstrued, basically because of your inability to express them in the right manner. For the married, it will be a testing time as a lot of misunderstandings could crop up in their relationship. Paper work and documents will also delay projects getting off the ground. The year would begin with huge expenditures. However, there is a silver lining amidst the crisis financial situation will straighten up as you will earn money from various sources.

You may intuitively break away from restrictions and look for more freedom in relationships. Couples will turn soulmates as both act and react on the same wavelength. Warring couples will find happiness through children. For the singles, the time is ripe to reach the stars on the professional front as also on the domestic front, if they wish to get hitched. Bright days are in store for students going in for higher studies or planning to go abroad. While the stars favour higher studies, stumbling blocks may come in the form of choosing a profession unwisely. You will keep a tight leash on expenditure and rich rewards are not ruled out. But Geminis have to watch out as many falter at the altar. There is a risk of gambling by even emptying your purse.

Mood swings will be there, but no dark and depressing phase for the Cancerians in 2017. Your elephantine memory will help you in understanding and solving complex situations. For the youth, studies will take centrestage. Sky is the limit for the couples and those in love. Travel will be the greatest pastime. The stork is ready and waiting to visit for those craving for babies. Young entrepreneurs will find the going tough. The result will be satisfying but your patience is tested to the limits. Also, the year will be agonising for those trying to alter the structure of relationships and partnerships. Hence, 2017 will reveal vulnerability within the personality of Cancerians. Health will also take its toll, the effects of which could be long-lasting. You will spend money impulsively and face more bills.

Youth and the working will see their skills go through trial by fire. Government employees are most likely to get a promotion. Leos may see all their pending work getting completed in no time. Romantic friendships and partnerships will reach a satisfactory end. Those who are going through health, financial and professional problems will see change in the situation for better. Those preparing for competitive exams, government job, etc. will be successful. It will be a testing time for students. Patience will take a beating and you may tend to go with your gut feeling, which at times might be harmful. You will feel less inclined to enjoy, and this will make you appear as if you are acting immaturely. Your routine will turn topsy-turvy due to sudden arrival of guests or some eventful happening. Leos will tighten their expenditure due to constraints which seem inevitable this year. The going may not be smooth for singles. Your travel will be faced with a lot of hurdles. Those in love, hold your horses this year. It will be joyride for the married couples.

This is the year when your dreams may be fulfilled. There will be a lot of clarity in your thought process. You will cast a hypnotic spell on your friends and family members. Even your colleagues will look at you with awe. While others may be struggling to make both ends meet, you will acquire wealth both from property and investments. Those studying should not be surprised as they are likely to get part-time work or even full-time jobs. Romance is in full bloom this year. However, look before you leap is the advice for the New Year. While singles have ball of a time, it will not be an easy time for the married ones and those on the threshold of tying the knot. This is just a word of caution. The health of a close member of the family may also stress you. You may realise there is a surge in family problems. Friendly borrowers too will add to your woes. If you are a chronic lender, then this year you should forget your money. Your expectations for a sudden financial benefit are less likely to fructify. However, remember the hypnotic spell. That is the mantra that will make you overcome all the hurdles this year.

Blessed as you are with intelligence and charm, you will move ahead beating your opponents in all forms of competitions. A wise balance in thought process makes you get over adverse conditions. Opportunities may come your way for making big money. Librans are likely to take important steps in life for financial improvement, starting new businesses, or even taking the plunge. The focus of a majority of you will be on maintaining relationships in all spheres of your life. The year will also see you grow mentally strong. Students will have a bright time. As life is not all bed of roses, Librans have to tread carefully; there are chances of going wayward. Delay in paying bills will boomerang. Tiredness will take the better of you. You may also fall prey to seasonal diseases affecting some parts of your body.

Impeccable planning will see you sail through this year. Businespersons will have a good time. New sources of income are on the anvil. Those stepping out of education will focus on saving. By the end of the year, you'll be financially sound. You will also undertake a trip to relax yourself. Those looking for greener pastures, the going will be good. Singles need not worry. Wedding bells are ringing throughout the year. The adventurous Scorpions might also hit dead end. On the romantic front, there will be shocks, if not surprises, twists and turns. You health too will take a beating. You stubbornness in achieving the goals is manna from heaven. Dedication will drive away the evil eye and make you rebound, be it on the heath, money or relationship fronts.

What to say of the cool Sagittarians? Those working, both in government as well as in private companies, may climb the ladder. Perks will be unbelievable and your company will not hesitate to offer you the facilities beyond your imagination. Couples will understand each other like never before. For the young Sagittarians and the students, there will be a good environment to take up the profession of your choice. Individually, will take over the reins of the family. For Sagittarians, sky is the limit in the Near Year when it comes to finances. There are very bright chances of singles getting married. Sagittarians have to watch out for stomach-related problems; there are plenty in store for you this year.