YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING 22 JULY 2018

ARIES March 21-April 20

Although you’re trying to ignore it, a delicate situation is preoccupying you. You’ve tried to push it under the carpet, but it just keeps popping back out and demanding your attention. Could there be a chance that there might be some sort of lesson for you to learn here? Just because you’re under pressure to suppress the desire to follow a tempting proposal, doesn’t mean that you should give up on it. Trust your instincts and take a good look at this issue. Then give it your best shot and really sort it out. Do what you want to do! IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Sometimes, progress means doing an about-turn to get to the right road. Don’t be too proud to embrace a wiser approach.

TAURUS April 21-May 21

If we always knew what we were doing, life would be dull and predictable. Without impossible situations we’d never change. Doubts and confusion force us to use our creativity, insight and inventiveness. Well, they do until they reach a certain limit! After that, though, they start to sap our energy. But you’re nowhere near feeling worn down by this situation. As long as you eventually make a decision about the direction you’re heading, it’s extremely healthy to wonder why you’re going where you’re going. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You don’t feel like putting on a show. But if you fake what you can’t feel for real, it will actually help you to believe it...

GEMINI May 22-June 22

People say that what you don’t know can’t harm you. But how exactly do they know? Has anyone ever conducted a proper experiment, using a cross-section of society, keeping one group of people informed and another not? As Mercury turns retrograde this week, just ahead of an Eclipse in the part of the sky that represents higher understanding, you’re on a quest to overturn an assumption that will lead to a long overdue breakthrough. The lack of information wasn’t harmful, but being enlightened will help you immensely.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: The cosmos showers you with bright blessings. You don’t have to take your chances; but if you can find the courage...

LEO July 24-August 23

This week begins with the Sun entering your sign, and then brings a rare Lunar Eclipse conjunct Mars in your opposite sign. If you’ve ever been tempted to write a book about your life, these events could inspire a chapter or two. This is a fairytale situation, bringing a period of sleepiness followed by a revelation. It involves an important discovery which helps you understand a relationship from an altered perspective. It means revisiting something in your past and finding a crucial key. Be ready for some fascinating fun! IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You’ve got a feeling about something. It is easy to argue yourself out of this. But hunches deserve respect.

LIBRA September 24-October 23

We might know that some of our problems are blessings in disguise, but it’s not easy when you’re living in the middle of one. Right now, everything you do to sort out a particular problem seems to make matters worse. So suppose, this week, you were to stop focusing all your energy on it? What would happen if you were to relax and trust someone else to look after things for a while? That would give you a chance to stand back and see a better way to proceed. If you slow down and breathe, a breakthrough becomes possible. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: There isn’t always a calm before a storm. A part of you can hardly wait for trouble to intensify. But you should not feel obliged to invite such a development.

VIRGO August 24-September 23

Since Mercury rules Virgo, its presence in your sign is a cause for celebration. The fact that it’s turning retrograde helps to explain why you’re being bombarded by blasts from the past. You’re reflecting and reviewing and making significant discoveries which will enable you to reappraise a recent decision. That’s why certain projects have been delayed. Rather than allowing a sense of frustration to affect your critical faculties, you can use this phase to find a constructive new approach to a tired situation. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Don’t let anyone put you off and dissipate your energy. Just one small speck of rain could distinguish what might become a glorious fire.

SCORPIO October 24-November 22

How do you stop yourself from scratching an itch? You can ignore it. You can try focusing on something else. Or you can imagine that you’ve got another itch somewhere that needs attention. We all have to find ways to distract ourselves. Even though an intense cosmic climate seems to be recreating a repetition of a recent difficult situation, you don’t have to go through the same old discussions. Make this an opportunity either to confirm a past decision, or confidently change your mind. Just make your choice with conviction. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: The more you rise to the bait of a conflict the more impaled you will become on the hook of contention. So do not engage. Support is coming.

ICAPRICORN December 22-January 20

f you fancy being uncompromisingly idealistic, you should probably start by thinking about how dizzy you can get away with being! A crazily wild action plan needs to be accompanied by at least a shot of practical realism (well, it does if you want it to stand a chance of enjoying it for a while). Yet a common sense attitude doesn’t mean coming back down to earth with a bang. If you can see it more as necessary refueling, you’ll find yourself the passenger in a rocket that can take off on a promising adventure. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You are hoping for too much in one way, too little in another. Whatever you fear, you need not be afraid. Whatever you think, think again.

AQUARIUS January 21-February 19

When the Lunar Eclipse occurs in your sign, the rest of the world had better watch out! There’s no messing with you right now. You know what you want to do and how you want to do it. What’s more, you’re feeling ambitious and you have targets lined up in your sights. Which is great news, because although this week won’t go exactly as you’d like, progress is in the air. Just keep an eye out for any intense emotions. Since you’re extra sensitive, the art of gentle persuasion will lead to success. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You have a tremendous asset. A big advantage for which you should feel grateful. Be glad of what is good in your emotional life now.

PISCES February 20-March 20

This week, you’ll find yourself among admirers and friends who believe in you. So rather than doubting their discriminatory powers, try just enjoying the possibility that they’re right to put their faith in you. Yes! You deserve the attention. The Eclipse, plus Venus opposite your ruler, suggests that the appreciation you’re receiving has been a long time coming. Don’t be tempted to divert the attention towards a source of aggravation or even a conflict. By focusing on a source of strength you’ll find empowering support. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: ‘Forgive and forget’ is an unfortunate pairing of words. You have lately learned a lesson. You would do well to remember it, but without rancour.