Cryptic crossword
(April 20-May 20): Life is full of surprises, and you may be the center of attention, especially in social settings. A restless urge to ignore the old and test-drive the new can motivate you to break from traditions in the week to come.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Following the rules of etiquette shows respect and consideration to others. You may not need to think of something to say when you receive a gift or a favor in the week ahead since it’s easy to remember a thank-you.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Someone close could be preoccupied by thoughts of love or immersed in group activities. Either way, your presence may be needed. Earn a few brownie points by making inspired purchases for your home this week.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
An obsession with achieving your ambitions can make you appear insensitive. Avoid making any major decisions or drastic changes until at least the middle of the week, when you might get better results.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
You seem more outgoing than usual and are not simply going through the motions when you extend your hand in friendship. In the week ahead, you may be at your best in social situations where you can expect to receive more support.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
There are times when you love being spoiled and coddled. You could receive your heart’s desires as the week unfolds since your strong feelings may easily be communicated. Focus on creating a happy home.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Be prepared to adapt to changing conditions during the week ahead. Some changes should be for the better and uplift your spirits, but don’t launch anything of importance today or tomorrow.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
In the week ahead, you may show resourcefulness when handling problems and possessions. You might find an ingenious replacement for a potentially broken object. Find ways to satisfy a desire to learn, investigate or explore.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Romance may become part of your repertoire as this week unfolds. You may get all wrapped up in a relationship that seems merely friendly on the outside but is destined to aid you in expressing true affection.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Don’t take your good luck for granted, especially in the first part of the week. Avoid taking risks with your money for the next few days. Before the week is over, you may be given an opportunity to make beneficial changes.
1 Venomous snake (3)
2 Pamper (6)
3 Capital of the Bahamas (6)
4 Tips over (6)
5 Weekday (8)
6 Spring flower (8)
8 Food cooked outdoors (8)
9 Any distant or outlandish place (8) 12 Macaw, say (6)
13 Drinking tubes (6)
14 Hat type (6)
19 Gardening tool (3)
ACROSS
1 Oil spilt in clumsy Monsieur’s style
of painting (11)
9 Add some spice to nuts, about 54
(7)
10 HM’S representative ruins victory,
replacing time with energy (7)
11 First woman’s still not finished (3)
12 One studying pupils is introduced
to old sect (7)
13 People start to take short break
that can relieve congestion (7)
14 Spout first bits of Gilbert and Sullivan (3)
15 Scottish team avoid second red
card (5)
17 Spin story about college’s brilliant
display (5)
18 Occasionally quit during contest,
severely criticised (3,2)
20 Peg inhales helium for a laugh
(2-3)
22 Irish Republic’s leader quits, causing fury (3)
24 Turtle lacks power making ground
(7)
25 Quiet, oddly eerie about midnight
when moon’s closest (7)
26 Cut ten in A&E (3)
27 Sporty Spanish car’s precarious
position (3,4)
28 Missing golf, move abroad – Abu
Dhabi, say (7)
29 Like some swords, having their
pros and cons (6-5)
DOWN
1 After treatment, say, pal turned out
kind of fat (15)
2 Denounce independent vicar originally in Bray (7)
3 Block of flats abandoned by men in
principle (5)
4 Adoring couple’s 6-0 game? (4,5)
5 Smoke in church in Cuba seen dissipating (7)
ACROSS:
1 Atelier. 7 Inters. 8 Iceberg. 9 Apes. 10 Sets. 12 Snigger. 14 Earring. 16 Turn. 18 Race. 20 Proviso. 21 Beanie. 22 Treason.
DOWN:
1 At issue. 2 Erect. 3 Idea. 4 Rigging. 5 Straight. 6 Arsene. 11 Sergeant. 12 Snippet. 13 Runcorn. 15 Abates. 17 Units. 19 Core
ACROSS:
1 Class act. 5 Barber. 9 Underlie. 10 Putrid. 12 Cone. 13 Ungrateful. 15 Latin-american. 19 Spring cleaned. 23 Annihilate. 25 Tsar. 28 Artful. 29 Reveille. 30 Eleven. 31 Beanpole.
DOWN:
1 Clutch. 2 Add-on. 3 Sire. 4 Chignon. 6 Adult. 7 Barefaced. 8 Redolent. 11 Pram. 14 Eton. 15 Lorgnette. 16 Ail. 17 Rink. 18 Escalate. 20 Cell. 21 Extreme. 22 Breeze. 24 House. 26 Salvo. 27 Mean.
6 Changing trains here damages ship’s rope securing fish (11,4)
7 Fit in first bits of beech, elm and pine (6)
8 Talked about little island’s small hole (6)
16 A Liberal houses a new tenant associated with
Labour? (9)
18 Memorable woman tours clubs (6)
19 Flatten out dish with precious metal (7)
21 Making mistake about a personal adornment
(7)
23 Caught someone leaving city in southwest (6)
25 Work out 11 and 5 (5)