Your Stars

2018-12-29 -

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): There are many instances in your social life when the currency being exchanged is not the currency being measured. It’s something to be aware of. Keeping the balance depends on this.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Believe it or not, the hassle is part of what makes an experience great. So don’t go out of your way to create the most convenient experience. Inconvenience makes you think on your feet.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): Get ready for the life you want. It will be here soon enough, and it probably won’t stop to let you board either. You’ll have to run alongside and leap into it.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You can plan what you’re going to say and do, but when the moment comes, another part of you leaps forward with surprising results. You resist being a puppet, even when the puppeteer is also you.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): In regard to your current creation, it will be as though life meets you to collaborate at every turn. Ease gives you something. Conflict gives you something more. It’s really taking an interesting shape.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Whatever mood you find yourself in, you’re likely to get more of the same. So the ability to take hold of the mood and mould it into something favourable will be key to your well-being.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): You want the prize, not because it’s so great in and of itself but because it symbolises the journey you took and what you were willing to trade to get to the end.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Should a flaw be hidden, improved or highlighted? Only you can decide which flaws are mistakes and which are the imperfections from which real art is born.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Settling into who you are takes a kind of relaxed strength akin to settling into the motion of a galloping horse. With time and practice, you will learn to anticipate your natural rhythms.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): You’ve a broad view, a kind heart and moral compass that’s not swayed by what everyone else is doing. For these reasons, you’re an indispensable asset to the group.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): There are two ways to improve your history. One way is to report it in a good light, framing it to highlight the best aspects. The other way is to live it right the first time so you don’t have to.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): If you resist the thing you want, for a while it will command your thoughts, calling you back in the most distracting way. But if you ignore that long enough, the temptation will pass and you’ll be better for not having given into it.

Previous cryptic solution

Across: 1. Concealment 8. Overtake 9. Gala 10. Drown

13. Sari 16. Stay 17. Omen 18. Apes 20. Adept 24. Cape

25. Evidence 26. Number-plate

Down: 2. Oxen 3. Cater 4. Askew 5. Edges 6. Morrisdance 7. Marionettes 11. Opera 12. Nurse 14. Army

15. Bare 19. Steam 21. Diver 22. Pedal 23. Knit

Previous quick solution

Across: 1. Sagittarius 8. Plateau 9. Shout 10. Leek

11. Trickle 12. Ray 13. Gala 15. Core 17. Gut 19. Realise

20. Afar 23. Begin 24. Thistle 25. Mollycoddle

Down: 1. Supply 2. Glade 3. Trek 4. Acuity 5. Instinct

6. Snooker 7. Gather 12. Rational 14. Amalgam