TIME TO REFLECT

T his week, Mercury turns direct before conjuncting Uranus again the following week. But, back at the beginning of the year, the astrological headlines were dominated by Jupiter, the planet of luck opposing Uranus, the planet of surprises. And, while this

YOUR HOROSCOPE FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING 30 APRIL 2017 ARIES March 21-April 20

Remember the childhood game of Telephone? Children sat in a circle, and whispered a phrase to the person next to them… the process was repeated until the last kid spoke the words aloud. Invariably their phrase was hilariously different to the initial message. You may have been feeling as if life is one big game of Telephone — but with less amusing consequences!

Yet, the experience has had its value. Use what you’ve learned wisely, and this month, you can make the changes required to reorganise and re-energise.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Sooner than you think, your troubles will just be memories. If you are able to recognise this; it will help bring forward that day.

TAURUS April 21-May 21

Sometimes, a situation may seem safe, welcoming and inviting, yet you can see only an unsatisfactory aspect of the arrangement. Then you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this just me? Am I finding fault unnecessarily? What if this is my intuition, telling me to look more carefully at what’s going on?’ As Saturn trines Uranus and your ruler opposes Jupiter this month, you may have that feeling. But Mercury, turning direct and moving back into your sign, will help bring clarity. Soon, you’ll see what’s really wrong, and then everything will get better.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: There’s something you are trying to resist. But it might actually suit you to accept a lot of what’s now unfolding.

GEMINI May 22-June 22

Rowing boats are curious things. To paddle as efficiently as possible, you’re obliged to have a restricted view of what lies ahead. Stroke consistency must invariably be sacrificed as we turn to look at the approaching twists and turns.

This is, of course, why rowing is best enjoyed as part of a team. And this month, your ability as the coxswain of your craft will prove invaluable. Look for the adjustments you need to make to navigate your own stretch of water. It’s time to take control and help everyone to pull in the right direction.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: An obligation is calling you. Is it imagined or real? If it’s artificial, why do you let it dominate your thoughts? CANCER June 23-July 23

You’re more popular than you think. Whilst you may not be universally appreciated, some people admire you so much that they’re prepared to go out of their way to help you. In May, as the Moon turns Full whilst making a supportive link with Pluto, this isn’t entirely selfless. They recognise your talent. They figure that by assisting you in reaching a better position, everyone will benefit. They’re right to think that! And you’re right to think that it’s not just the planets that are cheering you on. Some earthly angels are on your side too.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Don’t attempt to fix just what seems to be wrong on the surface. You need to get closer to the root of a problem.

LEO July 24-August 23

Where has confusion reigned and indecision become commonplace? Are you forever obliged to return to the same issues with the same methods? No! Life now brings you the opportunity to adjust your course, break away from tired ways of thinking and find the clarity you need. This month you can rely on your natural creativity. If you let your talents shine through, you’ll find yourself creating key alliances and solving conundrums. This rejuvenated version of you is not difficult to embody, and every bit as wonderful as you could hope for.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: An old problem is stirring. The crunch may be weeks away, but acting now will help you avert a crisis.

VIRGO August 24-September 23

Sometimes, instead of working studiously through a ‘To-Do’ list, we end up paralysed by what we shouldn’t be doing. And with your ruler having been retrograde for much of the last month, you could now have a long and well thoughtthrough ‘To-Don’t’ list! Yet some of the items on this are preventing you from formulating a suitably effective ‘To-Do’ list. As Mercury turns direct again in May, and conjuncts Uranus at the Full Moon, look again at what you’re currently inclined to rule out. It’s time for you to rule just a little bit of it back in.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Recent changes have unnerved you. Changes worry you. But this is the right kind of change. Embrace it.

LIBRA September 24-October 23

When I was a kid, we played a game with tin cans and string. The string was attached to each can’s base and, as long as it was pulled taut, you could speak into one end and be heard at the other. Well, in May, life pulls your can-strings tight… allowing you to communicate to someone you value, with the clarity you’ve been hoping for. So once you’ve sorted the equipment, don’t forget to concentrate on the message. Speak from your heart and the changes required for positive, emotional growth won’t just be possible — they’ll be inevitable.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Some people can be wonderful, kind, giving and loving. You are about to encounter this aspect of human nature.

SCORPIO October 24-November 22

As Mercury turns direct and prepares to move through your opposite sign again, look at what you think you’ve already seen. There’s more to a situation, more to another person, even more to yourself than you’ve yet fully understood. Somehow, you’ve allowed yourself to accept a conventional, limited view of a matter that really has far greater levels of depth and possibility. Though others might not be able to recognise the potential you identify, with a Full Moon in your sign, you can trust that this isn’t just your imagination. It’s your intuition.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You need to move on, but you fear missing what you leave behind. Fear not; this change leads to a vast improvement. SAGITTARIUS November 23-December 21

Few are as free-spirited as you. The path you dare to tread is not for the faint-hearted. So when you find someone as daring and exciting as you are, it’s worth taking notice! The planets suggest you can make a connection that ticks some fabulous boxes: Passionate? Check. Courageous? You betcha. Empathetic? Erm… there’s the rub. Sometimes, we forget that encouragement can be more effective than competition. This month, be as generous as you are enthusiastic, and the bonds you forge will outdo your expectations.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Don’t put off change. The rewards for making courageous, decisive decisions will be exceedingly generous.

CAPRICORN December 22-January 20

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. And if you still don’t get anywhere, try something different. That’s not copping out, or giving up, or letting anyone down; that’s just being intelligent. Once you have an idea you’re reluctant to drop it. Every so often, though, your determination becomes your problem.

Your ruler makes a supportive angle with Uranus this month. Yet Mars is also opposing Saturn. Stick with what you’ve started, but don’t let yesterday’s big idea become the ball and chain that stops you from reaching a brighter tomorrow.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You want to ask a question. But you hardly dare. It might be rude or inappropriate. Never mind. Ask anyway.

AQUARIUS January 21-February 19

You’re renowned for your creative insight and ability to find efficient and dynamic solutions when most people find problems. So when the stars align, as they do now, to give your creativity a shot in the arm, that’s the kind of performance enhancement that anti-doping officials get worried about!

So it’s lucky for the rest of us that the greatest benefits you’ll feel will come when working for the greater good. This month, convince your peers to support your breakthroughs, and the benefits will be far-reaching and long-lasting.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Tense? Restless? Agitated? It’s normal; proof that you are truly human. Handle it. Good things will come.

PISCES February 20-March 20

always prefer to believe

the best of everybody. It saves so much trouble,’ said Rudyard Kipling.

Possibly his most famous line, though, is about, ‘keeping your head when all around are losing theirs.’ And, the words that begin this forecast tell us how to achieve this. With Venus opposing your traditional ruler this month, you really won’t go wrong if you treat other people as if you expect their hearts to be kind and their ideas wise. With Mars’s link to Neptune, be a little cautious, just in case they aren’t. But not too careful… because they probably are!

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You have been wondering why everything is so difficult. Soon, you will attain some inspiring answers.