GUIDING HANDS

YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING 28 MAY 2017

This week, as Mars opposes Saturn, imagine a situation akin to a hound, with the scent of a rabbit, straining against a leash. It wriggles, and changes direction, as the red planet is encouraged by changeable Uranus. Although this may feel challenging, it isn’t a harness that we need to fight or shrug off. Saturn and Pluto’s controlling influences merge with the understanding which is offered by Mercury. And, Venus brings harmony too. In the end, we’ll be glad of the planets’ guiding hands. ARIES March 21-April 20

I t’s said that ‘from the mouths of babes’ comes truth and wisdom. Perhaps that’s because they’re exposed to wonderful literature. When reading Dr Seuss to my son recently, I was moved by the following passage: ‘So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact, And remember that Life’s, A Great Balancing Act’. It reminds me of your situation this week.

You may need to be a little careful. You may even have to sacrifice speed for accuracy. But ‘will you succeed?’ Yes! You will, indeed!’ Oh the places that you’ll go! IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: An awkward issue is nagging. But it needn’t accompany you always. Leave it alone; it may yet return the favour.

TAURUS April 21-May 21

W hen you’ve got too much on your plate, the solution isn’t to get a bigger plate. You just need to take something off it. You’re keen to avoid disappointing someone. You’ve made promises that you’d like to keep. But what if the only way to keep them, is to break a promise to someone else? Better that, than to break a part of yourself by striving to achieve the impossible. As dynamic Mars opposes restricting Saturn, the person who least understands your predicament, is probably the one you most need to put off. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You know what you want but daren’t tell someone else. If you are keeping a secret, you need to be clear about why.

GEMINI May 22-June 22

T ed, could you pass me my record collection?’ asks Dougal. ‘OK, here it is,’ replies Father Ted as he passes a single record. ‘Oh,’ he says, ‘and Dougal, you need more than one record for a collection. What you have is a record.’ Although this moment from the cult comedy, Father Ted, makes me giggle, I sympathise with the hapless Dougal.

I’ve just bought a turntable, and I too only have one record. But every collection needs a starting point. Don’t let anyone put you off. You’re in the right groove. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Do you fear something is bound to go wrong now? Wise folk are always wary — but they don’t let this daunt them. LEO July 24-August 23 S cientists have discovered that there are some stickleback fish who know where to find or access food, and show the rest of the shoal where to find it. It seems that ‘pooling’ (if you’ll excuse the pun) is a trait not just found in humans and mammals. Where now can your passion for a cause be the inspiration that allows many to prosper?

This week, try to remember that true leadership comes from committing yourself to the advancement of not just you, but your companions too. And where you lead, others will follow. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: If you can dream it, you can do it. Think of yourself as someone with special powers. You’ve got very real opportunities.

LIBRA September 24-October 23

I t’s frustrating when people don’t take us seriously. Playing the fool has its advantages, but once a clown takes the mask off, and stops performing, being a constant source of amusement is tiring. This week, remember that some of your ideas and quests aren’t quite as easily understood as you might expect. Sometimes, when people are challenged by something new, their first reaction is incredulity. With persistence and patience, there’s every chance you’ll win someone over to your perspective. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Everything has potential when you make room for magic. Breathe deep, shake away the shadow and let light shine in. VIRGO August 24-September 23 I f something isn’t broken, it doesn’t need fixing. It’s the first rule of survival, in a world full of people who pursue the ideal of change as if it were a kind of Holy Grail. We confuse our own temporary frustrations with a suspicion that perhaps, something really is very badly wrong. Then, we set out to solve a problem that didn’t need solving and create, in the process, unnecessary drama. As Mars fuels your ambition opposite Saturn securing your roots, your progress can be desirable, functional and truly worthwhile. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Something is getting to you. Dramatic alternatives appeal. But will they take you from the frying pan to the fire?

SCORPIO October 24-November 22

W e all hate to feel that someone has an unfair advantage over us. But how do we feel when the advantage is ours? Do we exploit it, hoping no one will notice? Or do we feel overwhelmed by a sense of conscience and the feeling that, somehow, our gains will be ill-gotten and we’ll surely pay a penalty? It’s never good to fight fire with fire.

Or to stoop to low behaviour, just because somebody else is behaving without integrity. But, as dynamic Mars opposes rigid Saturn, a rule can be bent, just a little, this week. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: A recent revelation frees you to make bold choices. Persevere confidently; opponents will be impressed and relieved.

CAPRICORN December 22-January 20

W hat will happen if you start to do just a few things a little differently? That rather depends on what those few things are and how differently you do them! You can bring about a small change for the better this week, or you can start to totally transform a big part of your world. Just a word of advice. Start with little steps. As urgent Mars opposes your stoical, slower ruler Saturn, just alter a habit here, or an alltoo-familiar formula there. Even such seemingly insignificant moves may prove potent, with long-lasting ramifications.

AQUARIUS January 21-February 19

A book, published in 1973, claimed that plants grew better when exposed to classical music. While many scientists dismissed the claims, new studies show that plants can in fact ‘hear’. When played recordings of caterpillars munching on leaves, they respond by flooding their own leaves with toxins. So somehow that information is getting through. It’s possible that your efforts to get what you want are falling on deaf ears. But don’t give up. If you can find the right way of phrasing your message, you can be heard and understood. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: An obstacle you can’t avoid? Ignore it and it will intensify. Happily, you have all you need to put things right.

PISCES February 20-March 20

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Everyone needs something to worry about! It’s your difficulties — not your comforts — that will help you most now. W e all want to be the director of our own movie. We all want control over our own destiny.

Or, at least, this is what we all think we want. None of us really knows, because none of us has ever experienced this. Even kings, queens and presidents feel helpless when they realise that they’ll never be able to influence certain factors. As energetic Mars opposes controlling Saturn, a situation may seem to be running away with itself.

Perhaps you feel a little nervous? Don’t! You’re doing very well with what you’ve got. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Nobody’s perfect. You are doing your best. So, have no fear. This is more than good enough.