Your Stars

2017-12-23 -

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Just because you can read the signs doesn’t mean you’ll follow them. They seem geared toward guiding you down the conventional route. You’ll be in the mood to explore and find your own way.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): The struggle is between you and you today. If you’re too strict with yourself, you’ll rebel and do nothing. So be gentle. Praise and encourage yourself. You’re doing so much that’s right.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): The people around you may heartily agree, but it’s time to take your idea wider, keeping in mind that there are those in the world at large who believe much, much differently from the way you do.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): Clear the air in these last days of the year so you can go into 2018 without baggage. Ultimately it’s negotiation and a fair compromise that will serve you best.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Regarding a rocky relationship: There’s so much that’s possible here, so don’t give up unless you’re truly unwilling to do things differently. Change can still happen.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): You’re disarming, and you’ll be in the perfect company to exercise your charms. There are those who really need to drop their defences! They’ll be much better for knowing you today.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): Today, if you were a bird, you’d be a peacock. You have some colourful stuff to strut! And since birds of a feather flock together, you may be a part of a truly impressive show and tell.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): You’ll have to call up powers of diplomacy to deal deftly with the group today. These guys aren’t going to get along unless there’s someone in the middle to buffer the conversation. That person is you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Look on the bright side – not directly into the sun though, or you’ll damage your eyesight. The bright side is a light filtered through the clouds, trees, buildings and people in the real world.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): You have something on your mind, but you’re not “consumed” by this. Yours is a strong intention. This is better for you as it leaves room to work with what others want. Oblivious ambition is dangerous.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): Some say you should master your thoughts to master your actions, but this isn’t always the order that works. Your thoughts can be feral and powerful as wild horses, but do things differently and your thoughts will calm down.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Circumstances don’t define you. Circumstances are opportunities. What defines you is always your reaction to these opportunities. Really good things can come out of less than ideal situations.

Previous Cryptic solution

Across 7. Filing cabinet 8. Demonstrate 12. Alpaca

14. Rotate 16. Corona 18. Skiffs 19. Principally 23. Motorscooters

Down 1. Mind 2. Firm 3. Agenda 4. Matter 5. Visa 6. Mere

9. Emperor 10. Tearful 11. Mess 12. Arco 13. Can 15. Oak

17. Accost 18. Siphon 19. Pool 20. Iron 21. Lute 22. Yard

Previous Quick solution

Across 1. Data 8. Shamefaced 9. Moistens 10. Rise

12. Sturdy 14. Mutton 15. Ledger 17. Sudoku 18. Stem

19. Shrapnel 21. Exonerates 22. Yard

Down 2. Assortment 3. Asks 4. Rarely 5. Jetsam

6. Garroted 7. Adze 11. Shopkeeper 13. Regiment