Your stars for the week ahead.

Shelley von Strunckel, one of the world’s top astrologers, writes a weekly forecast for Friday

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 18

Irritating and, often, upsetting as recent setbacks seem, they’re a blessing in disguise. They’re forcing you to slow your pace in the pursuit of exciting plans, offers or ideas. You’ll probably be tempted to ignore difficulties and proceed, hoping things won’t get worse. Instead, delve into these, and now. You’ll discover a new, and far better, approach to it all.

TAURUS APRIL 19 – MAY 19

If you’ve been reviewing elements of your way of living, working or your priorities, that’s no surprise. With your ruler Venus retrograde until the 15th, it’s natural you’d be questioning even stable arrangements. While you’ve been aware some need a rethink, others seemed fine. In every case, take your time. You’ll begin considering what’s going but, gradually, your focus shifts to what’s next.

GEMINI MAY 20 – JUNE 20

Recently you faced a range of changes – in every case, you knew where events were taking you. However, with your ruler Mercury retrograde from the 9th, you’re beginning a period of questioning, exploration and, occasionally, disruption. Ironically, the more you’re ready to say farewell to, the better prepared you’ll be for the coming weeks’ exciting developments.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

For ages you’ve been talking over changes in your domestic or working life. You’ve made some but are still discussing others, What seemed your best option as recently as late last year has evolved, almost beyond recognition. Ideally, you’ll keep both your thinking and arrangements flexible until the Full Moon, on the 11th, when feelings and facts come to a thrilling climax.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 21

There’s a difference between things going as planned, which they’re not, and there being anything to worry about. Ironically, what seems unwelcome, at least initially, could be exactly what you’ll need to turn good ideas into spectacular ones. Knowing that, explore absolutely everything. As one thing leads to another, you’ll realise how exciting those disruptive ideas or arrangements could be.

VIRGO AUGUST 22 – SEPTEMBER 21

For you, as an earth sign, usually organising plans is a pleasure and leads to practical results. Now, with circumstances shifting and questions regarding your priorities, nothing’s been decided. Actually, that’s best. Between this week’s changeable planetary activity and your ruler Mercury retrograde, from Sunday the 9th, even the simplest of arrangements is bound to change, and change again.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22 – OCTOBER 22

If there’s a single lesson for you this week and, in fact, for the first half of April, it’s the importance of being flexible. While, undeniably, you’re charming, that obscures a fierce focus. However, with your ruler Venus retrograde you’ll be reviewing even seemingly solid elements of your life. Decisions? You’ll make them, but not until mid-April.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

The clashes, on Thursday March 30, between the usually bountiful Jupiter and your ruler Pluto and, on Sunday April 9, between the Sun and Pluto, could be interpreted negatively; that obstacles are inescapable. There’s a more upbeat interpretation; that is, what you learn dealing with those difficulties will kick-start a thrilling new cycle. Thinking that way alone will boost your spirits.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

While misunderstandings are irritating, you also view them as an opportunity to talk over both arrangements, and others’ suggestions and issues. Initially, not everybody will be up for such expansive exchanges. However, with a little encouragement, they’ll realise both those issues and more far-reaching ideas can be explored. These talks could continue until mid-April.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 18

As a determined Capricorn, you’re superb at dealing with persistent challenges. Yet the confusion you’re facing is another matter. Both circumstances and the attitude of others is changing, and rapidly. While this will be puzzling, you’ll soon realise that with so much in transition, those decisions can wait. For now, the focus is deciding what must go and learning why certain things went wrong.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 17

While you’ve a list of things you want to study or learn about, you’re often distracted by unexpected ideas, events or people. The irony is, what seems least appealing can also catch your attention and, on occasion, become part of your life. Yet now events are suggesting other, long-standing, arrangements are reaching their end, and you’re not happy about it. Let go. They’re done.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

Clearly, you can’t exactly ignore the objections of others. But during this week you can diplomatically sidestep them. This gives you time to assess situations from a practical angle but, as much, to sense what your instincts are telling you. Those feelings are probably more reliable than carefully reasoned decisions, which, given how unsettled things are, should wait anyway.