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F someone says “mask”, what’s the first image that pops into your mind? I think of those surgical jobs that cover the mouth and nose and are intended to filter out pollution, or perhaps to stop the wearer from spreading germs. Visit certain cities in Asia and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been invited to a masked ball.

Masked balls are not all that common these days, sadly, and in any case those are not the sort of masks the attendees would be wearing. At a masked ball of the traditional variety (or even of the alternative variety, as portrayed in Kubrick’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut), ornate masks covered only the top half of the face, leaving the nose and mouth free to inhale whatever pollutants were on offer.

Comic books used to depict outlaws, highwaymen and assorted other crooks wearing a strip of fabric tied around their eyes, with slits cut out of it so that they could see. That’s how you knew who the bad guys were, obviously.

Detrimental individuals of the gun-slinging variety were also sometimes pictured with what might variously be called a kerchief, a bandana or a buff wrapped around the lower half of their faces, which might have worked quite well as a disguise provided they did not have eyes of a particularly distinctive colour — that poor cowboy with one green and one blue eye was thrown into jail before you could say heterochromia — but for the most part, masking tape across the eyelids was how they rolled.

How these masks were supposed to effectively disguise a person’s identity is beyond my understanding. If the Lone Ranger — who was not a crook but, like many other cartoonish heroes, preferred to remain anonymous — had worn a balaclava or some other sort of full-head covering, like SpiderMan, then I could understand why everyone was always asking: “Who was that masked man?”

But Tonto’s buddy was mostly shown wearing one of those silly little black masks with eye-holes. Everyone must have recognised him immediately. It seems likely that he was a harmless lunatic and that his fellow WildWesterners were just humouring him by pretending not to know who he was.

The word “mask” has an interesting history. The Online Etymology Dictionary says it comes from an ancient, pre-

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

Has anyone ever used the term “ADHD” in your presence? Well now they’ll be looking for a new label for your brand of madness. Sure, your communication skills are second to none, and you’re fun to have around. But you might pause for a breath every now and then — before you open your mouth to stick someone else’s foot in. Mostly though, you’ll be making new friends, and laughing loudly.

CANCER (June 21 – Jul 22)

Here’s your instruction for the week: kindly resolve all family issues at once, before they blow up in your face. As you know, even if you weasel out of the main event, you always end up being blamed for the drama anyway. So you might as well choreograph the dance and at least get to enjoy the show. Thursday’s new moon is on your side, ushering in a brand-new family dynamic.

LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Latin, Provençal dialect in which the word masco meant “witch”. Mascara comes from the same root. It’s not that difficult to connect the dots between witches, masks and makeup, but along the way there was also the Old French masque ,a covering intended to hide or protect the face.

In English, a masque became a play performed by amateur actors who wore masks, either because they were so bad that they did not want people to recognise them, or perhaps because there was no budget for a makeup artist.

This definition of masque stretched to encompass 16thcentury balls to which guests wore facial coverings ranging from silly to elaborate to sinister.

The Elizabethans were not an That job you were so pleased about is starting to look a bit frayed at the edges. But don’t sign the resignation letter just yet. If you look more closely, you’ll see it’s you who’s feeling shabby. So rather than blame the job, spend a weekend lying under a tree, thinking about your life. Alternatively, catch a train somewhere. The planets want you on the move. Most of all, take note of your dreams.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

So you’re tired. So what? Are you going to beat yourself up for being feeble — or will you allow yourself a break? When the body needs time off, it takes it whether you like it or not. So avoid illness and give yourself a holiday. Your finances are on the up, so you can spare a few shekels. If you truly think the world will collapse without you, you’d better take another look at your ego.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your luck is back in spades — although you won’t see real evidence until midJune. This is the moment to behave as though everything you’ve ever wanted has already happened. Dress as though you’re wealthy; speak as though you’re in love; and be careful not to bore anyone with your insane fantasies until they’ve actually happened. The new moon sends further instructions.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

overly pedantic lot and were happy to accept the alternative spelling “mask”. By the late 1500s they were also employing the term “masquerade” — because why be satisfied with a short word when you can use a fancy long one?

And so it was that mask, masque and masquerade remained interchangeable for some time. Edgar Allan Poe’s gruesome short story The Masque of the Red Death was originally published in 1842 as The Mask of the Red Death. Both versions referred to what we would call a fancy-dress party.

Apart from Poe’s story, the word “masque” has largely dropped out of use. Which is a pity, because it’s a pretty word that once performed multiple tasques. LS There you are, trying really hard to stick to the straight and narrow, and little detours keep popping up to lure you away. You have two choices. You can fight like mad to hold your spot, or you can try something new. There are love and career options — a little basic trust is all that’s required. Remember, you’re the one with the gift of ancient wisdom and knowledge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Believe it or not, the key to success lies in caution (seriously?), discipline (yawn) and a willingness to ask for help. Not as horrendous as it sounds. Your energies are less than fabulous now but can be lifted by the company you keep. Afterwards, send flowers to the people who’ve helped you. Make changes in your daily routine. Repaint the walls, eat with the other hand — shift the stuckness.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Those artistic leanings and fervent desires to share your passions are pushing you to take exciting risks. Despite the conservatism of those around you, your very enthusiasm could pull them all out of their ruts. Don’t let anyone intimidate you into chickening out. And don’t fret about your love life. For now, let the planets decide. Thursday’s new moon will bring some news.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Everyone knows that playing host makes you nervous, but that doesn’t mean you’re about to be let off the hook. And this is your week. No need to panic. Parties are supposed to be fun. And besides, you need to spend time with all those friends who have helped you out. If you really can’t cope, call in the caterers. Whoever needs to be there, will come. The rest, won’t.